"Wrong. Again."
Serana raised her hands, willing the magic to come forth. It took all of her effort to form the sparks that twirled from her fingers. Seconds later, they disinigrated, leaving Serana alone with the wrath of her mother.
"Wrong." She sighed, annoyed by her daughter. "How many times will it take for you to learn?"
Serana hung her head, trying hard not to meet her mother's eyes. Tears sprang in her eyes but she forced them back. Her mother always told her that crying solved nothing. They had snuck off to the garden so that Valerica could teach her daughter the essence of magic, but Serana couldn't seem to succeed. Her unbeating heart seemed to suffocate each time she failed. But her mother's disappointment was far more excruciating.
"I'll get it right, I promise." Serana said.
Her mother let out a bark of laughter. "Promises mean nothing if you can't fulfil them."
She tried to speak, but her lips wouldn't form the words. Instead, she looked away. Her mother simply shook her head.
"You know what your father plans to do?"
Serana nodded.
"How he will try and use you for his own desire?"
She nodded again.
"And unless you want to become a tool for him, I suggest that you continue training."
And just like that, her mother was gone, her cloak dancing in the wind as she glided out the door. Serana watched her leave, finally letting herself have a moment of weakness. Her mother was so ashamed of her, it hurt her to watch. She fell to the floor, gasping for air. No matter how hard she tried, she wasn't good enough. Why couldn't she make her proud? Why couldn't she, just for once, do something right?
She didn't want to disappoint her mother anymore.
Serana took a deep breath and stood. As her mother had said, crying solved nothing. As she calmed herself, she lifted her hands again, feeling power surge through her. Seconds later, the sparks were back, both stronger and brighter. And soon, those sparks turned to bolts of lightening. Serana felt a wave of triumph as the magic ran through her body.
She panicked and dropped her hands when she heard a gasp. Valerica stood at the door, obviously surprised. Her look of shock quickly turned to a smile.
"Well done, my dear. I'm so proud of you."
Serana, feeling herself soar, ran into her mothers open arms. She had never felt happier.
Present Day
Serana walked away from her mother, remembering the memory from so many years ago. She was so young, so naive. How she used to feel with her mother beside her. How she always tried to live up to her standards. Serana always thought she and her mother shared a bond. That nothing could tear them apart. But now that she finally found her, She realized how foolish she had been. She had been blinded by her desire to be loved, to have a true family. But the truth was right in front of her the entire time. Her mother was no different from her father, only trying to use her.
And as she ventured out of Soul Cairn, back into the world of the living, Serana finally gave in. She returned to the garden, collapsed to the floor, and finally let herself cry.