As Song Mei's maid servents rushed to fetch her daughters they hurried into the courtyard and rushed to her side ,when they heard the story from the maids the courtyard fell into an eerie silence, thick with disbelief. Song Mei lay sprawled on the ground, unconscious from the shock of my power, while her daughters, Vanessa and Mai, knelt beside her, faces twisted in horror and fury. I barely registered them, my mind still reeling from the burst of energy that had exploded out of me, protecting my mother.
My mother, Elaine, stood beside me, eyes wide and filled with a mixture of awe, confusion, and fear. Her hands trembled as she reached out, but she hesitated, hovering between pride and disbelief at the sight of her daughter—her "powerless" daughter—displaying abilities far beyond what anyone expected.
The silence shattered as the courtyard filled with the shouts and hurried footsteps of servants, all rushing toward the scene with shocked expressions. A few exchanged glances, others muttered among themselves, and it didn't take long for the news to spread that the "dud" daughter of the Storm household had, in an unprecedented turn, revealed something far from ordinary.
Vanessa, cold and poised as ever, glared at me as she helped her mother sit up, the icy edge in her voice cutting through the chaos. "Just because you've finally revealed some tricks doesn't change who you are, Sky," she sneered. "A bastard of low birth, pretending to be something more."
Mai, her sister, nodded in agreement, eyes narrowed as they filled with watery disdain. The two were infamous for their beauty and talents, Song Mei's prized daughters. Both young women had already awakened their elemental powers—Vanessa with an affinity for ice, Mai for water. They'd always lorded it over me, gliding through life with a cool, effortless grace that masked their cruel disdain. Today, however, they'd met something in me they'd never expected, and it unsettled them.
I held my ground, though my heart pounded against my ribs. "You're wrong, Vanessa," I replied, my voice steady despite the heat rising in my cheeks. "I may be lowborn in your eyes, but that doesn't give you or your mother the right to attack mine."
Vanessa's mouth opened, ready to retort, when a deeper, more authoritative voice silenced her. "Enough." The Marquis, my father, Desmond Storm, strode into the courtyard, his gaze cold as it swept over the scene. He looked between Song Mei, the scorched door, and finally me, his face unreadable but his tone laced with a dangerous edge.
"What happened here?" His voice carried authority that made even Song Mei, still a little unsteady, lower her eyes.
Mai jumped to explain, her tone quick and full of false concern. "Father, Sky attacked Mother without provocation. She was... out of control."
My father's steely gaze turned to me, his expression sharpening as if he could peer through my thoughts. "Sky, is this true?"
I lifted my chin, refusing to look away. "No. Song Mei attacked my mother first. I only defended her." My heart thudded, knowing the risk of speaking against one of his favored wives, but I held firm. "I couldn't let her be hurt."
Desmond's gaze flickered with something unreadable before he turned back to Song Mei, still clutching her side in a show of weakness. His eyes softened slightly, and I felt a pang in my chest, a reminder that I was still just a shadow in his world, someone who'd always struggled to earn his acknowledgment.
"You should know better, Song Mei," he said finally, his voice tinged with reproach. But his words lacked the edge I had hoped for, a mild reprimand rather than justice.
Song Mei's eyes darted up in surprise, lips twisting into a triumphant smile as she turned her gaze to me, feigning humility. "Yes, my lord. Perhaps I was too harsh, but I only acted out of frustration. Elaine has refused to learn her place time and again."
My mother, still standing beside me, said nothing, though the tightness in her jaw told me she was holding back her anger. It was her way, always calm, always restrained, even in the face of such disrespect.
But Desmond only nodded, brushing off Song Mei's words as if they were unworthy of his attention. Then he turned back to me, his expression unreadable. "Sky, return to your quarters. We will discuss this later."
The words stung, but I forced myself to remain calm. I bowed stiffly, glancing back at my mother as I turned to leave, trying to convey some comfort through my gaze. She gave me a faint nod, a reassurance that she understood, even if Desmond didn't.
I returned to my courtyard, my heart pounding with frustration. I had shown power, true power, and yet all it had gotten me was another reminder of my insignificance in my father's eyes. I knew he wasn't entirely disappointed—he had probably hoped for something out of me—but loyalty to Song Mei kept him from showing any real approval.
I paced my room, the events replaying in my mind, filling me with a restless energy. This gift, this power, was only beginning to reveal itself, and I knew it would demand more of me than simply defending against insults and slights.
I spent the next several days in quiet observation, training in secret, honing this newfound ability that had manifested at the lake. Each time I closed my eyes, the vision of that pocket dimension reappeared, like a beacon in my mind, calling me back. One evening, when the house had finally gone silent, I slipped from my quarters, escaping into the night.
Under the cover of darkness, I made my way to Heaven's Lake, the world hushed around me, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth. Standing at the lake's edge, I focused, allowing the memory of that otherworldly realm to fill my thoughts, willing myself to return.
The water rippled, an answering pulse that resonated with the very core of my being. Before I knew it, I was back in that hidden dimension, standing in the moonlit palace, my heart racing with the thrill of discovery. I explored further this time, wandering through halls and chambers I hadn't noticed before, filled with treasures, secrets, and mysteries that hinted at something much larger than myself.
Iris greeted me, her eyes gleaming with pride and mystery. "Welcome back, master," she said, her tone warm yet cryptic. "You are beginning to awaken."
"Awaken?" I echoed, curious.
She nodded, gesturing around the palace. "You are not simply powerful, Sky. You are something rare, someone who may have the potential to understand the legacy of the Goddess Selene. But that path is yours to uncover."
The weight of her words settled over me, filling me with a strange mixture of awe and fear. This place, this power—it was more than a sanctuary. It was a calling.
I spent the hours until dawn training under Iris's guidance, exploring the knowledge contained within scrolls and learning to harness the gifts that had lain dormant within me. Each time I returned to the lake, I grew stronger, more confident in my abilities, and more aware of the vast potential I was only beginning to tap into.
And yet, I kept it all hidden, knowing that the world outside the lake would never understand, never accept me as I was becoming.
As dawn approached, I returned to my quarters, slipping back in without a sound, heart pounding with anticipation. But as I reached my door, I heard hushed voices coming from within—my mother and one of the servants, speaking in hurried, worried tones.
"She's drawing too much attention, my lady," the servant said, voice low. "If Song Mei and her daughters get wind of her abilities..."
My mother's voice was quiet but firm. "Sky has been through enough. Let her train, let her grow. Whatever challenges lie ahead, we will face them together."
I lingered in the hallway, feeling a swell of gratitude and determination. I had the power to protect her now, to protect us both. And with that realization came a fierce resolve to continue my path, no matter who stood in my way.