Chapter 25: Mother's Training
Makeup work turned out to be far more grueling than Yuqi had ever envisioned, especially considering her absence had lasted a mere two and a half weeks. While the intricacies of physics and the structured logic of mathematics seemed to flow effortlessly for her, she found herself ensnared in the rigid expectations set by her English teacher. The rigorous demands of literary analysis and composition added layers of complexity to her already overwhelming task of catching up. Balancing a mountain of overdue assignments with a torrent of new material left her feeling like she was drowning, her mental fatigue compounding to a staggering level. The moment she finally succumbed to the soft embrace of her bed, sleep enveloped her with a fervor that spoke volumes of the profound exhaustion that had drained her energy reserves to their very last drop.
As Yuqi ventured into the enchanting realm of dreams, she found herself greeted by an awe-inspiring vista. The sky unfurled above her, a breathtaking tapestry woven from deep cerulean hues and shimmering bands of radiant gold, stretching infinitely into the horizon. Beneath her feet, the ground glimmered like finely polished jade, reflecting the ethereal beauty that permeated the air. This was a familiar realm, a liminal space steeped in wonder and magic where her dragon mother often manifested—a place that sparkled with a sense of the extraordinary.
As if summoned by the very essence of her thoughts, the magnificent figure of her mother slowly emerged from the swirling mist. Her resplendent jade scales caught the ambient light, refracting it into a dazzling spectrum that imparted an almost celestial aura to her presence. The ancient wisdom nestled within her mother’s eyes radiated warmth and understanding, casting a gentle glow of reassurance that could soothe even the most troubled of hearts. It was a sight that promised safety and comfort, a beacon of love amid the tumult of Yuqi’s waking life.
“My child,” the dragon mother intoned, her voice echoing like ancient thunder, steeped in the weight of eons. The shimmering scales of her majestic form shimmered in the dappled sunlight, each facet reflecting the wisdom of ages past. “You have traversed significant trials, yet the path before you remains unfinished, marked by challenges yet to be embraced.”
Yuqi inclined her head, a gesture of both respect and reverence, feeling a mixture of comfort and awe at the colossal presence of her mother, who loomed like a timeless fortress against the backdrop of swirling mists. “Mother,” she murmured, her voice tinged with the fatigue that comes from relentless struggle, like a weary traveler seeking solace in the shadows. “I am endeavoring to persevere, but the burdens I bear weigh heavily on my spirit. I question whether I possess the fortitude to continue on this daunting journey.”
The dragon mother’s expression softened, her deep, emerald eyes glimmering with a quiet, knowing empathy that pierced through Yuqi's doubts. “You have endured considerable tribulation, my daughter. But the strength you seek does not lie beyond you—it resides within, nestled in the depths of your soul, merely awaiting your reclamation.”
Yuqi’s brows furrowed in thought, uncertainty flickering across her features like shadows dancing across the ground. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely rising above a whisper, as if fearing the answer might shatter the delicate hope she clung to.
Advancing with a fluid grace that resonated with the elegance of the cosmos, the dragon mother’s golden-lit scales shimmered like molten metal, radiating an ethereal luminescence that danced in the soft light. Her voice, a melodic whisper, filled the air with warmth and wisdom. “Since your transformation, you have not yet accessed your intrinsic flame. It lies dormant within you—quiescent, waiting patiently for your recognition. Until you consciously summon it, your fullest potential will remain just out of reach. Embracing your flame will empower you to navigate these challenging times.”
Yuqi's eyes widened in astonishment, a flicker of apprehension weaving through her thoughts like a shadow. “My flame? But now, it feels beyond my grasp, distant and severed, as though it has retreated into the depths of obscurity.”
Her mother, with her magnificent form towering like a guardian of ancient knowledge, placed a clawed yet gentle hand upon Yuqi’s shoulder, a touch that resonated with an overwhelming sense of comfort. “Your flame is as vital to your being as the rhythmic beat of your heart. It has not abandoned you; instead, it lingers within the silence, eagerly anticipating your acknowledgment. You must harmonize with it through meditation—quiet your tumultuous thoughts, allow your flame to seep into your very essence, and let its warmth illuminate your identity anew.”
Feeling the urgency of her mother’s guidance, Yuqi lowered herself onto the glistening ground, the surface shimmering like stardust beneath her. She assumed a meditative posture, her intention focused and resolute. The radiant figure of her mother stood sentinel beside her, exuding an aura of tranquility and potent energy that enveloped them both. The air around them vibrated with a serene harmonic resonance, as if the dreamscape itself held its breath, attuned to the sacred journey that was about to unfold.
“Close your eyes,” her mother instructed softly, her voice a melodic whisper that floated through the air like a gentle breeze. “Anchor yourself in the soothing cadence of your breath. Inhale deeply, allowing the essence of life to fill your lungs and expand within you. Exhale slowly, casting aside all remnants of doubt and trepidation, releasing them into the cosmos.”
Yuqi obeyed, aligning her breathing with deliberate precision. At first, the weight of physical and mental fatigue clung to her, like shadows of the demanding day that had drained her spirit. Yet, as she anchored her focus on each breath, a flicker of warmth began to ignite within her core—subtle at first, but undeniably real.
“Excellent,” her mother’s voice murmured, reverberating softly like the distant chime of a bell in the stillness. “Now, nurture that warmth. Allow it to expand and flourish; let it flow through you like liquid light, a radiant river coursing through your very being. Let this fire drape your skin, infusing your body with a potent, vibrant energy.”
With unwavering concentration, Yuqi beckoned the warmth to unfurl and expand. Gradually, it enveloped her, an all-encompassing heat that swirled gracefully through her limbs, permeating her essence. A delightful tingling sensation danced across her skin, as though flickering flames played gently along her surface, neither scorching nor painful, but awakening her senses. Deep within her being, a wellspring of magic unfurled, releasing an effervescent energy that pulsed rhythmically through her veins. Her muscles responded with a surge, growing robust and resilient, her body adapting effortlessly to this newfound vitality, working with astonishing efficiency. Once clouded by fatigue, her mind sharpened, thoughts connecting and crystallizing with blistering speed and clarity, as if her very consciousness had been ignited with a brilliant fire of insight.
Her mother’s voice continued to guide her deeper. “This is your flame, your intrinsic strength. Do not shy away from it. Embrace it, embody it.”
As the warmth intensified, Yuqi briefly experienced a weightless sensation, as though she were floating upon a cloud of pure energy. The cacophony of the waking world faded into a distant whisper. In its place, she was enveloped by an overwhelming sense of unity—with herself, her lineage, and an ineffable cosmic force that transcended all understanding, a feeling potent enough to inspire even the most disheartened of souls.
When her eyes fluttered open, the dreamscape transformed into a realm of stunning clarity, its colors bursting forth with an intensity that felt almost surreal. The leaves on the towering trees glistened like emeralds, each intricate vein etched with precision, while the air shimmered with delicate threads of golden magic, dancing in the soft breeze. The mist swirling around her was alive, a breathtaking palette of colors that flickered and flowed like liquid rainbows, revealing shades that had gone unnoticed in the past.
The vibrancy of the scene was intoxicating, overwhelming her senses as if the world had been reborn in a riot of electric hues. Sounds, too, became a symphony; the subtle rustling of leaves in the wind was infused with a melodic whisper, while her heartbeat resonated like a steady drumbeat, merging seamlessly with the pulsating energy of this enchanted realm. Every sensation heightened; the cool breeze caressed her skin with a tingling kiss, the residual warmth of the fire thrummed deep within her, and the very texture of the world around her felt alive, thrumming beneath her fingertips like the pulse of the earth itself.
Her mother stood before her, a vision of ethereal grace, her eyes shimmering with rare pride. With a gentle nod, she affirmed, “You have embarked on the journey, my dear.” Her voice was rich and deep, resonating with a timeless wisdom. “But to truly master this path, you must cultivate it with dedication. Your flame is not just a guide; it is an intrinsic part of who you are, a spark that yearns for continuous nurturing.”
Yuqi locked eyes with her mother, an unquenchable determination igniting within her chest. “I will commit myself to this, Mother. I swear it.”
A knowing smile unfurled across the dragon mother's face, a warmth that radiated through the mist. As her form began to dissolve like soft smoke, her final words hung in the air, echoing with profound significance. “Remember, my child: you are more magnificent than you dare to realize. Trust in your own potential, and you will rise to the heights destined for you.”
As the dreamscape frayed at the edges, her mother’s parting wisdom reverberated in Yuqi’s mind, a seed of strength taking root. You possess the power of dragons within. Let it shine without restraint.
Yuqi awoke abruptly, her heart racing yet steady, pulsing with an unfamiliar certainty that coursed through her veins. The striking contrast was staggering—only moments ago, she had been enveloped in a dreamscape of unparalleled brilliance, where colors danced with an intensity that set the very air aflame with ethereal energy. Now, she found herself thrust into the stark, oppressive void of her dimly lit room, the once-vibrant hues of her dreams eclipsed by a shroud of impenetrable shadows. The gentle glow of her bedside clock, which had long served as a comforting beacon in the surrounding darkness, now appeared feeble and wan, barely managing to puncture the overwhelming gloom. The air hung thick and still, bereft of the exquisite symphony of sounds that had previously serenaded her senses.
Pressing a hand over her heart, she savored the lingering warmth that rippled through her—an undeniable pulse of energy that whispered of the magic of her dream yet to fade completely. The weight of reality wrapped around her like a heavy cloak, but the ember of her inner flame remained steadfast, refusing to be extinguished by the mundane world.
As she drew in a measured breath, a smile blossomed on her lips, radiant and resolute. “I am prepared,” she whispered, the words tumbling from her mouth like a mantra. “I will embrace my essence.”
With newfound purpose igniting her spirit, she sank back into the soft embrace of her bed, her mind racing with plans to seize her destiny. Each subsequent night would be a sacred ritual of meditation, a way to reclaim the heightened clarity she had tasted in her dream. She yearned to feel that exhilarating fire surge through her once more, to grasp the sharpened perceptions and unyielding strength that it bestowed upon her. Each breath she drew was laden with intention, a sacred promise of the power lying dormant within, ready to be awakened. The path ahead no longer loomed insurmountable; it called to her with the promise of transformation. She was a dragon, fierce and unyielding, and she would ascend to heights unknown.