The loud noise of the arena faded as Jonah walked away, but the image of Ariana and her sword of pure light was burned into his mind. It was a beautiful, impossible puzzle and every part of his creator's soul screamed at him to solve it. Her power wasn't like anything he had ever seen or even read about.
He knew he had to talk to her.
He didn't find her in the busy common rooms or loud mess halls where other students eagerly talked about the new contender. He followed a gut feeling, a silent pull towards the calmer, more private parts of the Academy, where people went to think, not to talk.
He found her in one of the meditation gardens.
It was a small, peaceful sanctuary behind the main library. It had a small waterfall. Glowing moss grew in spiraling patterns on smooth grey stones. And there was the gentle rustle of silver leafed trees.
