Lyrilla Casta's Arc

Chapter 1 of 10

Lyrilla Casta pressed her small hands against the mirror. Her golden eyes stared back, searching for something stronger. She wanted to master hypnotic powers that could command respect from every being in Nereidum. Other dimensional creatures laughed at her size and her soft voice. But soon they would listen. Soon they would have no choice but to obey. She turned from the mirror and walked outside. The path wound through purple grass toward red-orange spires rising in the distance. The Inter-dimensional Psychic Guild stood between two mountains, its alien rock towers catching the morning light. Copper lined the edges of fluorite windows that glowed with inner warmth. This was where beings from every realm came to learn. This was where she would prove herself. Lyrilla touched the flower petals near her pointed ears and took a breath. The guild masters would test her. They would push her limits. But she would not fail. The building waited ahead like a promise. Inside those walls, she would transform from someone others ignored into someone they could not refuse. Her feet moved faster toward the entrance. The guild doors opened to reveal a vast chamber. Beings from different dimensions filled the space. Some had scales. Others had too many arms or eyes that glowed. They all turned to look at her, and several smirked. Lyrilla kept her chin up and walked through them. At the far end of the hall, a portal shimmered. Gold metal formed its frame, and blue lapis lazuli stones lined its edges. The Mystic Star Gate Portal connected to realms where the most powerful beings gathered. Her teachers said she would need to pass through it for her final test. For now, she studied its swirling surface. One day soon, she would step through and face whatever waited on the other side. One day soon, they would all bow to her will. A master appeared beside her and pointed outside through a side door. Beyond the guild walls sat a dark orange rock platform with a flat top. Plum-colored plants grew around it in strange shapes. The master explained that this was where students practiced their skills in front of others. Every afternoon, crowds gathered to watch. Those who could hold attention earned their next level of training. Those who failed went back to basic lessons. Lyrilla looked at the podium and felt her stomach tighten. She had never commanded a real crowd before. But this was why she came here. This was the path she chose. She nodded at the master and walked toward the platform, ready to begin.