Anya realized there was so much more than what the eye can see. The beast world was full of intricate mysteries that were yet to unfold before her eyes. Did her parents know all along or was there more for them to uncover. Either way, she was there now. She had to take this as a new form of schooling and challenge herself to learn everything that she needs to learn, starting with these books.
After a few hours of going through one book, Anya had to be interrupted by Sapphire to stop. She said, "we can continue tomorrow, but I think if you go missing for hours it will not go unnoticed." Anya felt that too. She decided she would have to change her schedule. Something that would work for everyone.
The next morning Anya was ready to make changes, but she forgot that she had two differences now. She didn't know how to explain her horns and markings. What she didn't know was that her eyes were changing as well. Anya took a deep breath and after pacing over and over replaying her delivery of why she's changing, she decided to give a partial truth. She couldn't think of anything good to say, not even a good lie.
As she made her way to her office feeling insecure regarding her baby horns, she was greeted by a child. "Good morning beast healer!" said the child as he stared at her horns. Then he scanned her markings on her arms. The little child grabbed her hand to examine it closer and then looked at her eyes and his sparkled as he said, "wow, pretty." His mother was a little embarrassed, but she also stared at Anya for a moment before saying, "you do look enchanting Beast Healer." Anya's cheeks got red and she covered her face. She then asked, "You don't think it's strange?" The beast lady tilted her head, "is this not natural?" Anya's eyes widened and realized she didn't have to say much. She would just be accepted. Then Anya said, "yes it is, I'm just growing into my adulthood." The beast lady was excited and congratulated her.
Anya told Martha that she would be arriving later than expected. This way her assistants can take the intake and do the less complicated situations. Leaving the more complicated cases for her. It will allow the pack members to trust them and their judgement over time. Then she decided to close by a certain time because all of the urgent situations were already taken care of. She also decided to have Sapphire join her towards the end of her work day to remind her it's time to go.
The day was not the same for Anya, she felt her heart ache because of Agatha. She randomly said, "I'll almost done Agatha," when she noticed the sun was high. It was her normal time to eat because Agatha would be nagging her to eat by now. Then when she looked around the room, she didn't see her and tears began to fall. She sat down trying to catch her breath. She had been in shock mode that it finally hit her. Agatha is gone and she will only get to say farewell. She didn't even get the opportunity to learn about her. How her life was and what her mother was like.
Anya was crying alone at her desk for only a few seconds, when Martha and Sapphire walked in with a basket of food. Martha was holding back her own tears when she said, "I'm not Agatha, but I won't miss a single lunch. She would not let me rest in peace if I didn't watch over you." Then Sapphire said, "and I would be shameful if I didn't continue grandmother's dedication." Anya felt warm and smiled.
In the evening she was in a better mindset and tackled the books so that she could understand what was going on with her. She read that every time she uses her power, she would grow more in the ability to hold in more and do more. She was in a way becoming stronger every time. There was a warning not to search for ultimate power because what you take from the world is given back. Anya was perplexed at that warning. She re-read that again and tried to find more to it, but that was it. She wondered if Sapphire would know, but she remembered that she wasn't allowed to read any of those books. She would have to remember that for later. Then she came across a few pictures that were hand drawn. It was a big family of beings like herself. She saw that they were happy and some were hugging each other. She wondered why the outside world was so attractive when they had lots of love here. She flipped the picture and there was writing on it. "Your grandparents and theirs, mom is the smallest one. To my daughter Candula." Anya gasped and she teared a little. Her mother knew she would read these books someday and she left something for her.
She took the picture and placed it over her heart. A piece of my history. This picture was meant for her. She took it and placed it in her pouch to take back with her. Her mother thought this far in advance. Anya looked up and thought, "I hope you're fine, mother. I met Agatha and she took really good care of me." Then a flicker of light appeared from her forehead and shot up through the ceiling.
Sapphire awed as she saw it happen, then asked,"What was that?" Anya looked at her with a confused face. She answered, "I would like to know that aswell." She then looked at her book and flipped the next page. It was exactly what she was looking for, "The song of thoughts." The way it worked was by having a strong desire to talk to another Bicornis and release a small burst of energy. Anya was happy that she had the ability to communicate with her mother now, but she wondered if her mother could respond. She gave it some time to see if she got a message back, but she didn't. She was disheartened by it and continued to read it.
Just when she was about to go home, a sudden burst of light hit her forehead. "My sweet daughter, you made it to Agatha. Bless her heart. I hope she has a good farewell and her apprentice does a good job at preparing you. I wanted to contact you back as soon as I got the message, but I needed a safe place to hide and do it. Your father and I will join you as soon as the guardians see you are ready. We love you and please only contact us if it's an emergency."
Anya was overjoyed that she heard back from her mother, but a little disappointed that she couldn't use this method to keep talking to her. What could be after her parents that they have to be very careful in using their powers, she wondered.
From a far in the mountains, there was a tall humanoid figure looking over the land that saw a small speck traveling really fast up to the sky. It watched it disappear among the clouds. There was no telling what beast it was because it was covered in rags of cloth and fur skins. There were two horns hanging by its waist, tied on its belt.