"You have grown." Prophet Yellen seemed to have never changed his attire since he last saw her. "Is growing older a good or bad thing Mr. Yellen?" "Please just call me Yellen… how old are you now Anita?" "I'm fourteen." The two of them were in the newly constructed proving-grounds for spell casters. The previous building, the orphanage was demolished and replaced with a somewhat larger dome-like structure. It was sealed in case of it raining. Would not want a tight training schedule destroyed by the annoying water droplets.

"Why didn't you want me to train with the first novices? I kind of wanted to be with the first class." Her calm voice carried over the white polished marble flooring. Vellen sat next to her on a pew which was surrounding the octagon center. "Because, as you could tell they were not very talented. She grumbled.

"What is it Anita? Don't like being shown promise?"

"No, I just want to start like everyone else." He chuckled. "I guess this would be your first memorization. There are always exceptions to the rules."

"Yeah, you are right. But I haven't tried playing any instruments in a while. Haven't you heard?"

"Yes Anita I have. But I am not going to examine your musical talent. Instead I want to see what else you can do." Her entire expression changed "are you going to teach me how to cast a fireball?!" He laughed "No, a person in The Light is always taught first how to save a life. Then they are taught how to take a life. Because, taking a life is much harder than saving one. Come, let us go to the garden it is more tranquil there.

There were roses, lilies, and Maltidia's random assortments of herbs. The garden wasn't as cleanly kept as it used to be. The Mother had discovered as a person grows older, physical labor becomes harder, so instead she had someone else work the flowers.

"Why the garden Prophet Valen?" He sat on a white stone bench. "Please Anita, call me Valen, a teacher is never above their students. I know you were taught to respect elders and ones in authority. This is a wonderful discipline and a dying art, but as a teacher to student the master can also learn a great deal. Also, it is common for a student to surpass a master." Anita was dressed in a full robe covering her neck, flakes of a leaf fettered onto the white cloth, she was pondering his statement. "You must have high hopes for me."

"I do, but I am also very old. It seems the recent shattering of the underworld has caused me to create many wrinkles. I know talent when I see it."

"I don't think you have that many wrinkles." He giggled "true, I thank you for this statement. Please, pick your favorite flower in the garden and bring it to me."

Odd request, nevertheless she obeyed. The lily was a symbol of sweetness, the marigold was of beauty, but then she came across a rose. This rose was a special one, for it was white. How much this flower would cost, she had never dared to ask. She assumed the cost was pricy when she was scolded severely for playing hide-and-seek behind one of those precious plants.

"Ah, wonderful plant. You even have the boldness to take two of them." Anita slightly blushed "have you seen these? I got one for you and me." He took it and looked around every curve of the masterful plant. "I don't see these very often, it is not a natural flower. It comes from a spell long ago." Now she admired the flower even more "when was it first altered?" "I do not know, I am not that old." He winked.

He stretched out his hand "hand me the flower and we will start." She obeyed. "Do you know anything about The Light, magic, or the elements?" She tilted her feet towards him and placed her delicate palm under her rivaled chin. "No, I was never taught anything related to invisible forces. I always knew something was out there because of the impact my music had, and all the patients describing their weird dreams." Vallen saddened "I am sorry you were exposed to one of the darker forces of this nature, but this magic is to save people." He held out the rose in front of her, then breathed onto the flower "hover your hand over the rose." It was barely glowing. "Feel anything?" "No I don't feel anything." Then It grew brighter. "What about now?" She put her hand closer but did not touch it. "No, still nothing."

Then Velen overdone the flower, it began to sprout golden leaves. He handed it to her but she stared at it. "Will I be able to do that?" He puffed "I have many, many years skilled in these arts, perhaps one day. Here hold it." She did.

"And still, you feel nothing?" She shook her head, feeling she had disappointed him. Then an idea entered him "can you sing?" She perked up "yes I can, I haven't been allowed to play music or sing since..." "I know, but let's try." He waited. It had been a long time since she even thought about singing. She dived into her mind to think of something.

Then she hummed. Slightly too embarrassed to use words. The flower began to grow black spots. Velen shifted in his spot quickly, but she didn't notice. She continued with a whispering voice. A dark black blanket began to form over a petal, it broke off sliding in the air to her hypnotic tune.

He put a hand on her shoulder "that is enough for now, may I see the flower?" A tear formed in her eye "seems my music does the opposite." He forgot to comfort her, he was too focused on checking the black spots.

Valen mumbled something while staring at it. "Something wrong Velen?" He did not answer. His eyes were glued onto it, a vein on his neck began to grow larger due to him straining a spell. The flower did not budge. Then he sighed "I do not know Miss Anita. Do you mind if I take this flower for safe keeping." She could tell from his request he desperately wanted to have it. "No, I do not mind, I have another one see?" He smiled. "Do not think much of this. For now, the safety of you and everyone around you. Please do not sing or play anything of the form of music. Till I come back." She rounded her shoulders "okay…"

He smiled again, but this one seemed saddened. "I will see you soon Anita." For an old man, he briskly walked off.

She was left alone. When he was gone, she took the extra flower and crumbled it to dust…