She couldn’t breathe!

Her body felt a suffocating pressure, as if the very air was trying to restrain her. She sparked her mana, forming a strengthening cloak of fire around her in a desperate attempt to escape the hold, but it was like trying to break the grip of a giant.

Slowly, very slowly, the stranger stepped forward, examining her. Bright silver eyes blinked, and after a moment, the pressure around her released. Instantly, she collapsed onto the forest floor, chest heaving.

The woman reached down to give her a hand, shaking a head of similarly silver hair. “Hello there! I’m very sorry about the aura, I’m not used to being on such a low world yet. Oh, and you must be Hong Tang Seira! It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Seira stayed on the ground, eyes widening in fear. That aura… the pressure she had felt from the slip didn’t even compare to the woman’s actual spirit. And to have such a powerful aura… Had she just attacked the Saint?

Without thinking, she prostrated herself before the woman, quivering in terror. "Honored Saint… p-please forgive this insolent, incompetent mortal. I beseech you, please, please spare my life!"

“What? No, no, that’s not what I was going to do at all.”

She felt a breeze on her face, and then suddenly she was upright once more.

The woman grabbed her hands, concern evident on her face. “And please, none of that formal stuff. I promise I'm not going to hurt you, okay?”

Seira flinched away from her, barely registering the woman's words over her own trembling. “I’m-sorry-I’m-sorry-I’m-sorry-I’m-sorry!”

"No! Seira, it's okay. Really! I'm —"

The woman pulled her into a gentle hug, patting her back.

"It's okay, Seira. I promise. You're such a lovely young woman — why would I want to hurt you? I totally understand why you attacked me. You were spooked, and I’m way later than you expected, right? This must all be so new to you…"

Seira blinked. "You're not going to hurt me?"

The woman smiled. "I give my word as a Saint."

She slowly relaxed. “Well… I’m sorry for overreacting, uh...

The Saint pulled away, slapping herself on the forehead. “Ah, let me introduce myself fully. I am Aeripha, Saint of Wind and Storms, Savior of Din, Caller of Lightning, Tamer of Dragons, and finally awake after a five thousand year slumber. That’s a mouthful, though, so just call me Aer.”

The corners of Seira’s mouth twitched, and she let out a small giggle. “Yeah, that is a mouthful, huh? So why did you want to talk to me? Is there some will of the heavens I must fulfill or a sacred treasure I need to find?”

Aer grinned. “I’m looking for apprentices.”

Seira’s jaw dropped. She was already having a hard time believing that a Saint had descended from the heavens just for her, but to take her on as apprentice? That was something that didn’t even happen in the legends. This had to be a dream, right?

“U-um honored Saint, uh, why would you choose me? Yes, I’m a Brave, but —”

The woman shushed her. “Don’t worry, Seira. I’ve been watching you for a few years now, and I like what I see. Come with me, and you’ll be able to grow to your full potential, far beyond this little pen of a world.”

“I — uh, I’m honored to serve you.”

She pinched herself, still trying to figure out if she was dreaming. Her? A Saint’s apprentice? But this woman seemed nice enough. Maybe she really was looking for disciples. Still...

“Not to doubt you, honored Saint, but where else would we go? The rest of the world is sea. The Hong and Huang are the only civilizations on Paradise.”

Aer nodded, reaching into the bag at her side. “You’re not wrong, not at all.”

Her voice grew hushed, and she pulled out a carved piece of jade. “But before I can explain where we’re going to go, I need to show you the truth behind your clans…”