The afternoon rays mellowed into a soft gold, streaming through the extending branches above the stream. The light dappled shadows on the lawn.
Beneath one of the trees, Lucille and Ashrik sat cross-legged, facing each other. The Stone's core lay on the patch of grass between them. It pulsed as though responding to their mingled energy and concentration.
Whummm—
Lucille inhaled, slow and steady. She already knew what to expect. After all, this was her third time cultivating, and the second attempt at using the relic.
Across from her, Ashrik focused on drawing the pure spiritual energy to the Stone's heart. Then, he guided the refined aura to her, letting it reforge the fractured core.
As they cultivated, the Stone glowed brighter as invisible threads of spiritual energy wrapped around them. More refined energy flowed into Lucille, entering her core before it filled the crevices.
Five minutes passed. Ten. Twenty. Then, almost one hour.
