The sun rays dancing on the tree tops greeted the duo as they reached their usual training spot at the edge of the forest. 

Set in the middle of a large thicket of young fig trees, the clearing remained isolated at this time of the day. Perfect for daily training. 

For the last three months, Uncle Madhava had put in place a simple yet effective regime. Waking up at the crack of dawn every morning, Satya joined him for a forty-minute run through the outskirts of town until they reached the training spot. An hour of yoga, plus twenty minutes of breathing exercises, and half an hour of meditation completed the drill.  

Upon reaching the training spot, Satya got busy with her yoga. For the first time, Uncle Madhava didn’t join her. Still feeling the lingering effects of his exhaustion from before, the old man squatted down cross-legged in the shade of a nearby tree to meditate. 

An hour later, Satya sat down next to him, feeling grateful for the cool shade of the green branches above. Before her meditation began, Uncle Madhava opened his eyes and spoke. 

“Satya,” he said. “I think it’s time you learnt basic combat skills.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Uncle Madhava, you already taught me the basics for ten years back in Amritam palace. And wrestling and stick-fighting.”

“I remember.” He nodded. “You showed immense potential in both.” 

She scoffed. “I lost every match to you.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Single combat is more about skill than stamina. I have the advantage of age and experience. Remember what I used to tell you?”

She exhaled. “Attacking is also a form of self-defence.”

“Exactly!”

“I’m no warrior.” Her eyes grew morose. “I have too many bitter memories from the war in Amritambu. I still get nightmares and terrible visions.  Uncle Madhava, do you really think I can attack anyone—even my enemy?”

“Satya, you’re doing much better than before. I believe you’ve not had a panic attack in two weeks now.”

“Nothing’s changed, though. Whenever I see fire—even a small candle flame—I remember Nandini. I see visions of her in Amritam palace before she ordered me to leave her forever.”

“Maharani Nandini ordered you to live. To find a new purpose in life. To stay hidden, but to never forget who you really are.” He joined his palms together and chanted in Sanskrit. 

Suddenly, Satya felt an unfamiliar energy emanating from the ground on which her uncle sat. The surrounding forest turned deadly silent. She could no longer hear the birds chirping or the leaves rustling in the breeze. She looked around the clearing in surprise. Apart from the absence of sound, nothing else had changed. When she turned back to her uncle for answers, she saw beads of perspiration marking his brow. 

“Uncle Madhava, what’s wrong?”

The old man gulped. “I’m out of practice, that’s all. It’s a been a long time since I tried this.”

“Is it earth magic?”

“Just an imitation of earth magic,” he replied. “Well done, Satya! I’m impressed that you recognized it. I picked up this much over years of vigorous training. Still haven’t mastered it. That’s why I’m out of breath.” He paused and took a deep breath to steady himself. “I can replicate some earth magic abilities like this one. It’s called hypnosis.”

“I thought that was illegal.”

“The ability is not illegal. Many earth magic users are naturally born with it. Mass hypnosis and controlling people against their will is a crime in Amritambu. Not in Satayu, though. Fortunately, I can’t use it for too long. I’ve created a temporary sound vacuum through hypnosis. You can’t hear anything outside this vacuum and no one can hear us speaking inside it, either.”

Satya’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Will you teach me too?”

Uncle Madhava laughed. “All depends on your training. I can teach you a lot of things, but if you lack combat skills, then such abilities are useless to you.”

“I never knew people could learn earth magic.”

“Well, most earth magic users are born with the power. As far as I know, magic research was always popular in Amritambu. For centuries, scholars and warriors alike spent their whole lives studying ways to replicate the original powers. 

“Many succeeded. My old master was one of them. He passed on his knowledge to me and some of his other promising students. Of course, the lessons weren’t easy. Imitation magic requires advanced physical training, spiritual affinity and tremendous mental discipline. Even with all of that, the intensity of the power is minuscule compared to natural born earth magic users.”

“Did Nandini learn it too?”

“Your sister’s abilities were always beyond expectations. The ideal student. The unrivalled expert. She could break free of any magic spell. The royal family of Amritambu has always produced exceptional individuals. Many believed that Maharani Nandini surpassed them all.”

“Not all were born with magic, though.”

“Only the eldest daughters can inherit the principal powers. Sometimes, as in your case, the second daughter is also born gifted.”

“Even fewer are born with healing magic.” 

“It’s true you cannot wield your power as a weapon. Your natural capacity is to harmonize and restore, not attack or defend. Natural born healing magic is also the easiest to replicate. Some medical experts in Amritambu had mastered imitation healing magic. Unlike you, they could use it to heal themselves as well as others. But, Satya, I believe no one has achieved your level of expertise. You should be proud.”

Uncle Madhava clapped his hands together, ending the spell along with the discussion. The forest sounds returned in full force. The old man wiped his brow, while Satya ruminated on his words. 

Daily training was one thing. Learning combat skills meant overcoming an insurmountable fear as well as developing core fighting strength. At the moment, both seemed impossible for her. 

They spent the rest of the training session in deep meditation. Soon, they returned home through a shortcut in the forest for a well-deserved breakfast, chatting about random things until their little hut came into view. The aroma of Aunt Sulochana’s cooking greeted them at the gate and brought some respite to Satya’s troubled mind.