Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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While sitting on the moss by the lake, I got a chance to see how harpies reveal their wings.

It's like specks of light descending from heaven and converging to create something beyond angelic. It all happens within a second and no matter how many times I saw it, I always craved for more.

Harpy's wings are wonderful, translucent, created of pure light.

Treva explained that every harpy has the power to manipulate winds, but when their wings are out, their power grows several folds.

Harpies with wings can fly, but not because they use wings to propel themselves; it's due to their wings amplifying the magic that allows them to control the winds around them.

The magical power of each harpy is showcased with the size of her wings, and once wings form, they won't change. That is why harpies are taking very seriously the ceremony for calling the star and they take years to prepare for it.

Treva told me about their ceremony for singing to the star and I listened to this attentively, as it was only briefly explained in the books I've read.

The ceremony is performed in the Singing Chamber; that is not an area where an outsider can step into, but I imagined that it must be a solemn place.

In the Singing Chamber, the harpy will sing a song she specially created for her star with the goal to compel the star to sing back and grant its power to the harpy, creating an unbreakable connection between the two.

If one doesn't create a connection, she can try again. But once the connection is established, it will be unbreakable until one of the two perishes.

The more powerful the star is, the more energy will be given to the harpy, creating larger wings and amplifying her magic accordingly.

As much as it was fun being in a new place, surrounded by harpies and glowing worms next to the clear lake, I realized that the time was passing, and no one called me for instructions on the wind manipulation.

To be honest, I was underwhelmed as the novelty wore off quickly.

Considering that harpies were described as magical and technologically advanced, I assumed that their lifestyle will be more… advanced. Yes, they fell from grace after wars, but aren't they just living simple lives, in caves? I didn't want to ask about this, fearing that it might be a sensitive topic and I didn't want to get myself into trouble. That is not why I was there.

Speaking of why I was there, after my seventh meal in the cafeteria, my meditation was cut short when Treva came to my cave.

"The Manteio will see you now."

"Lumiona?", I had to confirm we are talking about the oracle.

Treva nodded and urged me to hurry. "She doesn't like to wait."

How rude. She expects me to be there right away after she made me wait for days! I didn't say this at loud.

Treva didn't take me to Lumiona's cave but through one of the tunnels on the right.

After a few twists and turns, the tunnel expanded into a cave that smelled of some herbs. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary with this place until I stepped inside.

The tall cave had an opening on top, allowing for stars to make an appearance, and the floor was smooth like glass, reflecting the stars from above.

This room was surprisingly bright, despite the absence of glowworms. The light was provided by the stars and the glowing altar at the far end of the cave, and smooth walls amplified the light as well.

"Come…", Lumiona said. She was the only person inside, other than me. Treva didn't join.

There were four incense burners around the altar, each emitting a small tendril of smoke, and I realized that's the source of the herbal scent.

As instructed, I sat on the ground next to the altar and closed my eyes with the hope that I will not be sacrificed.

"This chamber amplifies starlight and our magic powers…", Lumiona explained.

To my surprise, Lumiona started humming a tune that seamlessly morphed into a song I couldn't describe with words. It made me happy and sad and tingly all over as I felt breezes dancing around me and caressing my skin everywhere. It was a gentle touch, yet it felt intrusive. Luckily, it didn't last long.

"The winds accept you."

I hoped that was something good and I opened my eyes to see Lumiona observing me curiously.

"Now what?", I asked.

"I am not sure."

I blinked in confusion. Before I got a chance to ask for an explanation, she spoke again slowly with long pauses between words.

"We never had a case like this. The winds in you are strong, but teachings are usually done at a much younger age when your connection with energies is still forming, and yours are formed… Give me time to think of something."

She appeared to be genuinely concerned, so I didn't make any noise.

After some thinking, Lumiona decided on an approach.

She told me to sit closer by the altar and gave me some vague instructions, "We don't create winds, we direct the energy that is around us. Think of your body as a medium that can attract and repel the air around you. Empty your mind and open your soul. Feel the winds and call them to heed your calls…"

I had no idea how to feel the energies around me, so I approached it in a similar way to how I did when I practiced pheromone control.

I closed my eyes and calmed my mind, trying to feel the slightest breeze, and then I remembered the sunroom and how the air visibly rippled toward me like it turned into liquid. I focused on that image and tried to recreate it.

Time passed.

I heard Lumiona's footsteps as she got in and out of the chamber, and I had no idea if I was there for hours or days.

Occasionally, I thought I felt something, but when I opened my eyes and noticed that the tendril of smoke from the nearby incense burner is steady, my mood dropped.

"Any progress?", Lumiona asked after an unknown measure of time and I saw her standing next to me.

"I'm not sure."

"I can feel the tug from you, but it's not complete. Tell me, what are you imagining?"

'A tug is good', I thought. Well, at least it's something.

"I'm trying to make air condense and twirl around me.", I explained while waving my hands.

Lumiona frowned a bit and spoke to me like I'm a little kid. "You need to understand the air which is everchanging. Other energies are straightforward. Earth is firm and unmovable. Fire is explosive and unstable. Lightning is fast and sharp. Water is smooth and tangible. Air is… all of it."

She lifted her chin proudly, obviously feeling that her element is above all others. Ah, the arrogance.

But I listened carefully because this was important.

In the next moment, Lumiona's wings appeared. She didn't have one set of wings, but two! That must be some serious magic power. No wonder she is an oracle.

I wondered if Mivian also has an extra set of wings. Per my logic, as their ruler, Mivian should be the most powerful one.

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