Hours turned into days and days turned into weeks. While at first the hours passed by so slowly as to be excruciating, before long they passed so quickly that it was disorienting. My drive to become stronger sustained myself throughout the worst of it, and both my body and mind became stronger for it. Although I was still pale as a ghost, no one would confuse me for a revenant.

I was quite proud that the time two weeks had gone by, I hardly ever threw up anymore— once every other day, tops. More incredible than my triumph over my bodily functions was the muscle that had grown to replace the supple, almost feminine physique. Faster than I thought possible, my body grew accustomed to extended periods of exertion. I felt stronger than ever, and infinitely more confident.

None of the academs-in-training had much time to get to know anyone, let alone those outside their group. Although I had some reservations, none of the others tried to settle the score with us. Most fell into their hard-as-a-rock beds without a word to anyone else, and rose as silently. The days were filled with the sounds of exertion punctuated by authoritative commands that carried across the field.

After I’d caught him up to speed and he fully understood the situation, Nyx kept a low profile, especially around Merlin. The jokes he sometimes cracked at my expense led me to believe he was enjoying life beyond four walls as much as I was. Mostly I think he was just relieved. Outside the time he’d possessed me in Manzant, he was a poor teacher. I suspected it was because he was far too advanced and I was too inept to understand anything without learning the hard way.

Although we exchanged few words, Rogue, Rathlin and I gravitated towards one another. I found Rathlin to be a bright person with a colorful personality. His golden eyes and playful actions spoke volumes, and our shared experience bonded us together more firmly than anything else might have. Without him, I was sure I— Rogue too— would’ve become isolated.

Rathlin Majora character design alt: https://imgur.com/gallery/cDgUl2j

Before I might’ve convinced myself I was more comfortable— and better off— being alone, but as the bonds of friendship grew, I realized how wrong I’d been. Togetherness spawned a new sort of thinking within me. I came to desire more than my freedom and more power— I wanted to become… better. I didn’t know how I was going to do it or what it entailed, but I knew it started with relying on and trusting others.

The more Merlin became a father figure to me, the more important Rogue and Rathlin became to me, the more dramatic the change was. I saw the world with fresh eyes that were free of bitterness and directionless rage. No longer did I blame the gods for cursing me with what I’d previously considered was a most unenviable fate. Life became no easier, but living brought a newfound joy that made me feel like I’d escaped from a black-and-white world to one bursting with color.