"Well, Ahsid is coming with us to train,"announced Dora and led Ahsid away to the familiar spot by the small stream and the shady peepal trees.

Swordfighting would not be an option, considering Dane's absence. Zion had wanted her to take a break but stubborn that she was, she would not dream of being called a 'slacker' by either Futo or Dane.

"Think you can try fixating your mind again,"asked Lola.

Ahsid nodded eagerly as she sat crosslegged on the ground.

"Breathe, nice and easy,"whispered Dora,"fix your mind on something which makes you happy."

Something which made her happy?

Ahsid had always admired the beauty of the twinkling stars on the clear night sky, and she turned to reminisce about the quaint splendour of Castor and Pollux, her favorite stars.

"No, Ahsid, the thing that you are thinking about is making you excited. Think of something which will calm you down,"called out Lola.

There was not a hint of exasperation in her tone, so patient was she.

If the stars would not help her focus, she would think about the rain. Yes!

Ahsid's eyes automatically relaxed as she imagined the rhythmic beat of the gentle dawn coloured rain. A true pluviophile, her shoulders slackened as she felt the sweet smelling, heather scented moments...the drops which flew to meet her like down feathers on strong wide wings.

"Ahsid, now gently open your eyes,"said a voice.

A strange calmness came over her, and a peaceful smile adorned her face. A blue halo surrounded her as she levitated a few feet off the ground, the gentle gurgling of the stream providing a welcome respite from the bustling cacophony of her everyday life.

"This is beautiful,"whispered Lola, smiling.

Ahsid raised her left hand.

"Water Fountain,"she whispered as the water from the stream floated towards her outstretched hand, creating beautiful ripples and curves in the air.

"Control your power,"said Dora as she noticed the slightest quivering of her hand.

As calmly as possible, Ahsid focused her inner energy on making a sword out of the water. But as she had just made the hilt, she felt a sudden zapping of her energy and fell to the ground with a nasty thump!

"Ow,"groaned Ahsid, irritated, her poise and peace all gone.

Dora and Lola laughed tenderly, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

"Sorry, I guess I suck in magic."

"Oh no, Ahsid. For a first timer, you were perfect. At least, we now know that you need to focus on your stamina and control,"remarked Lola.

"Also, you showed us that you are most comfortable with water. So, we will try to support you in that field."

"I thought both of you couldn't do water magic."

"Sadly, we aren't adept at it. The trees and nature and earth are what we crave, but I am sure we can help you out somewhat."

Ahsid nodded, touched at the efforts of the twins.

"Right, let's do it again,"said Ahsid, pumped up.

"Now, half an hour break,"ordered Ibrahim, who had come to see how Ahsid was doing.

"No, I need to practice more. Look, Ibrahim, I need to increase my stamina."

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about something veery important,"said Ibrahim, stressing on the word very.

Could it be about Aquamarine?

"Oh, well, I think I can take a break...a little one, okay?"

Taking Dora and Lola's leave, Ahsid followed Ibrahim inside the mansion, who led her to a heavy mahogany door. And beyond it, stood 'them'.

Thousands upon thousands of tall shelves, close together. From far away, the shelves were a collage of stories, their titles all curled and looped in one direction and turned to the side so that one had to tilt their head in order to read them. Each book held it's own world of wonders and answers to short and lifelong questions about humanity that had lasted for hundreds of years before the small library had even been assembled: stages of an art unique from any other.

"Walking between them is like home. I've memorized their scent: dust and wisdom, paper and creativity, ink and emotion,"said Ibrahim,"Welcome to the library."

Ahsid was speechless. Then, smiling, she began to laugh. Running towards the nearest shelf, she ran her fingers through the spines of the various titles.

"I promised you that we could share books. So, this is my recommendation."

He handed her a thick book, encrusted in gold. The titles were engraved in silver.

"Elemental Magic:A Guide To Decipher The Water Within You,"read out Ahsid aloud.

"It sounds elaborate but it can help you massively. Meanwhile, I will ask around for someone experienced in water magic."

"Oh, Ibrahim! How sweet of you,"cried out Ahsid.

"What surprising! I..."

"Umm...How surprising..you meant how surprising, right,"said Ahsid, correcting him.

"Uhhh...القرف(alfaquat). I meant how surprising, cause I know that little fact already,"cursed Ibrahim, rolling his eyes at Ahsid who laughed.

"You aren't angry that I forbid Dane, right,"asked Ibrahim hesitatingly.

Ahsid was quiet for a while. She had initially been a little annoyed at the decision but it had been clouded over by concern for Harry and Zion. She knew she could not offend Ibrahim, so decided to take a diplomatic stance.

"I don't know. It's not really my place to speak about. You will take decisions for the Coetus so that it benefits everybody, including Dane himself."

Ibrahim smirked. Maybe this was the very answer that he had been expecting from her...

"Ibrahim, in a month's time, I think I will be ready for Aquamarine,"she said.

"Not exactly. You need to...."

A crash was heard outside.

"Why those..."

Ibrahim ran to the door and flexing his fingers, cried out an ancient word. Immediately, Harry and Zion appeared inside the library.

"Hey, why are you using that stupid summoning spell,"glared Zion, but with a twinkle in his eye.

"That is what you get for...for,"started Ibrahim, but forgot the particular word in English.

"Eavesdropping,"whispered Ahsid.

"Yeah...yeah..that!"

"Really, Ahsid, and here we thought we were best friends, bonded together for life until..."

Ahsid rolled his eyes while Harry tried to keep a straight face yet failing miserably. Zion had a joke for every situation. They would later find out that it wasn't true.

"Never thought the time would come when a werewolf and vampire would do this eavesdropping together,"said Ibrahim.

An uneasy silence draped across. Zion stiffened visibly.

"Ibrahim,"snarled Harry.

They thought he had insulted them purposefully because it was nothing short of that, but in reality, Ibrahim had skillfully steered the topic of discussion. It was obvious that Zion and Harry would want to know what was going on but now they would not even think about it or why they had even come down to the library in the first place.

That's just how they were. And that's just how calculating the former Prince of the Shimir was.

Anger is more useful.

Wrath is more powerful.

Rage is more devastating.

"Hey Ahsid, let's go. I had to show you something."

Ahsid looked at Ibrahim who nodded his head subtly. He hoped she understood why he had done that...but Ahsid was yet too naive to know that.

"I will talk later with you,"agreed Ahsid.

It was imperative that she find out all necessary information about Aquamarine before Dane came back. It would be more difficult to catch Dane eavesdropping on their conversations(which she was sure he would) and she had no intention to give him a hint on what she was about to do. Not to mention, the Master too would be testing her within a month(and she had had absolutely no idea on what).

Time was running out...