"I want you to draw an image of me in your mind. Then, 'draw' energy from that image"
I settled into the lotus position, the most fitting posture for the moment, enveloped by a sense of calm and focus. As I inhaled deeply, extending my arms gracefully outward in accordance with her guidance, I surrendered myself to the meditative process. Yet, to no one's astonishment, the anticipated reaction remained elusive, and the stillness around me persisted, unbroken by any sign of the change I had hoped to invoke.
"It is not working" I expressed.
"What do you take me for?" she replied.
"A scary kind of person who's mood swings faster than any pendulum"
"I think you're void of hearing. I can hear your thoughts. Anyways, whatever it is that you think of me, draw the image of it in your mind. Then kind of merge with the image, and draw its energy. This is a technique called phantom harvest. When fighting, you'll only be able to buff yourself, and weaken enemies temporarily"
"Does the technique affect the image of the victim in the user's mind, and does it depend on the closeness of the two people involved?" I asked.
"You are finally engaging with the crucial inquiries. Indeed, it profoundly influences the user's perception of the victim. For instance, should you perceive me as either an adversary or a lover, you will gradually come to internalize that narrative on a subconscious level. While the skill does not hinge entirely on this aspect, it undoubtedly serves as a significant enhancement."
"Fine. It seems to work now. Anything else? I might have to go now" I sighed, getting up from the ground.
"We have somewhere to go. Follow me"
We swam around for a considerable time, drifting further from the central habitation areas. Though a sense of suspicion lingered within me, the enchanting allure of Venus had significantly diminished my vigilance.
We arrived at a remote area, even more secretive than her world.
"No ones finding this place. Why would she have to hide something here?"
"How many years have your people been kept here?" I asked in passing.
"For about 4000 years. Why do you ask?"
"How old are you?"
"I lost count. Everyone you've seen here is older than the human perception of time, with Father being the oldest. He was created first"
"The-"
"Its better you stop asking questions. Just go on the ground, you'll see a hatch. Go in and you should meet with Mercury. Now"
And down I went. I got in the hatch, only to face a well built tunnel only a little bit old and unkept.
"A lot cleaner than that rotten mouth of hers" I sighed.
"She thinks she's all that. Acting nice and all when people tell her to. Just wait till I'm strong enough, I'll show her the rightful place she should take!"
I was amped, strengthened by my earlier success and future conquest, fully disregarding my immediate surroundings. Mercury was right in front of me. It was tool ate, I had said what was said, straight to her face.
This is exactly what the older folk meant when they said something like 'life is a circle".
"Familiarity breeds comfort, but dulls the senses" she looked deep in my eyes. I could almost feel something of disappointment, like a mother's sentiment before she hit a child.
"We treat you like you're something special. We give you a place to stay, tolerate you, and you something like this. This is why you are here"
After she spoke, she drew her palm out, drawing my body closer. I struggled, but my flesh and bones did not respond to me. I tried to scream, but my mind was fogged. I tried to resist but my body refused, almost saying no. I could only speak as I levitated closer and closer to her grasp.
"What have you done to me? Why is it that I cannot control my body?"
"I put a spell on you. For these two days, you are mine. I have a lot of questions to ask you, Muna"
There was no way that anyone would have been comfortable with this situation. I was no different. Looking for anyway of escape, I blocked my paths, disrupting the flow of energy to completely eradicate her control.
I fell to the ground below, with a second of freedom in my hands. I turned the other way and made a run for it. As I got to the hatch I ran away.
Then I carefully assessed the situation. Why was I running? Should I just migrate and throw away my problem? Run away from life like a child? Yes.
With an effort, I vibrated my energy, while still opening some of my closed paths. I succeeded.
I woke up in the same bed I was put into a while ago, on my world. It was so long for me that I had completely forgotten the pace I was at. I looked to the left, to the right, and the room was empty.
I looked on the table, saw bits of writing on her paper, some shuffled books, and a rocking chair behind it, still in motion. How long has it been?
I could hear her humming outside. She sounded smooth as if she had trained this voice for years. One of if not the only inherently feminine feature she harbored.
My body was healed, void of any pain or injury, my fake core intact, and my hair somehow higher than it had been. My hair had been wool like, reflecting the hue of my skin for a long time, so it never passed a certain height. I could hear the humming get closer.
"What have you done? You left?"
"Why do you talk now? You led me into the jaws of the hunter so you can watch in joy? No I was a fool to think that nothing like that would happen, far away from any form help."
"Listen, I-"
"You've lived far longer than any life form existing in this plane of reality. You should be able to know when someone doesn't want to talk to you, Not now. I'm ignoring you for a while. Get used to it"
As I finished addressing her, Anne walked in on me, well, us.
"You're up in no time" she said as she came to the bed I rushed in, looking at the condition of my body.
Her expression changed from normal to surprised very sharply.
"Are you some sort of god? How are healed this quick?"
This must be quite shocking, seeing that in the span of 2 week I had fought her twice, being beaten twice and healed completely without any form of scar
"I'm not sure I woke up like this, thought you did something to me. Y'know, herbs and such. You just went out to pick some"
"Yes, they were for you but, seeing as you're full healed, I dont think they're of much use"
"How long was I asleep for?" I asked her.
"About 3 minutes. And that enough, knowing you, you have more questions. How about we settle something first"
I was flustered a bit.
"Something needs settling?"
"You've been given an invite from the school's student president. You received a notice from the school student counsel to meet up tomorrow for something about insubordination to school authority. I cant help you"