Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, although to Lilian it was all the same. Time had lost all meaning for her ever since her fate changed that day.
"And that is what your soul-seed does," a voice entered Lilian's ears, but her lifeless gaze was staring elsewhere. She was in a ornately decorated room, sitting on a chair near a window. The window overlooked the valley she had seen all her life.
It had been a valley of beauty and excitement before, but she could no longer see it the same anymore. The mountains surrounding her were now like prison walls, reminding her of her inescapable fate.
Sunlight crashed through the window and onto her, bathing her in an ethereal glow, making her look like an angel, and conflicting greatly with her outward demeanor.
"Princess Lilian," the same voice said loudly, causing Lilian to gaze at her with indifference. She looked at the woman before her, who was part of the Astral Empire.
She was not of royal blood, but was from one of the highborn families of the empire. The woman appeared to be in her thirties, with golden hair and a beautiful face. A radiant glow seemed to emanate naturally off her, a common thing for those gifted in the healing arts.
She had been tutoring Lilian on all things healing related, as she too was talented with the Dao of Life and other similar Daos. While she wasn't nearly as naturally talented as Lilian, she was still one of the most talented and powerful healers in the Astral Empire.
Lilian gazed at the woman, Hilea, who she felt no I'll will towards, but no warmth either. Hilea did not know of the designs the Astral Emperor had for Lilian, but she was also not doing this out of the kindness of her heart. She was trying to elevate her own status by teaching a Princess of the Astral Empire.
Lilian didn't think Hilea evil or mean, but she had grown indifferent and cold towards those who sought to use her for their own personal gain, regardless of the severity of their actions.
Hilea was slightly taken aback by Lilian's lifeless gaze, but composed herself, cleared her throat, and spoke again.
"Did you pay attention at all to today's lesson?" she asked, her voice slightly scolding. She had been given full permission from the Astral Emperor to tutor Lilian in the healing arts at all costs.
"Yes," Lilian replied lazily, shifting her dull gaze out the window again.
"Then repeat the main points of todays lesson," Hilea requested.
Lilian sighed, and started to speak, her gaze never leaving the window next to her.
"All cultivators born with an innate Dao of Life talent have a soul-seed," Lilian began to summarize the lesson, her voice monotone and empty of emotions.
"A soul-seed can be used for many things, but the greatest use is that it can be given to another. By doing this, the soul-seed acts as a bridge between the two, linking their souls. This link provides a conduit in which healing Qi can be directly sent to the other as long as they are nearby, and also greatly amplifies the quality and speed of healing that can be provided," she said, her voice trailing off in indifference.
"Good, but you're missing the final part," Hilea said.
"My soul-seed can only be given to one individual, and that connection is permanent. Only the death of that person will free my soul-seed, at which point I can gift it once more," Lilian continued, sighing again.
"Good," Hilea nodded her head, satisfied with Lilian's answers. "So you must remember, do not treat your soul-seed lightly, and only give it to the one you are absolutely sure you want to bind yourself to forever. Take me for example, my soul-seed was given to my husband," Hilea said smilingly, and stood up to leave as the lesson was over.
She strode towards the door and paused, giving Lilian one more glance.
"As a Princess of the Astral Empire, and also of incomparable beauty, I'm sure you'll have no shortage of suitors soon. Just be sure to take your time, and choose the right one. I'm certain your perfect match will reveal themself before long," she said, and then left the room.
Lilian's dull eyes flickered for a moment, and then darkened with gloom. Talk of marriage had brought her memories of her past before the incident, when she would merrily gossip with her friends about such a future.
That future was no more, and only an abyssal chasm of torment awaited her. A chasm she could not climb out of.
"The recipient of my soul-seed had already been chosen for me," she scoffed.
The thought of the soul-seed going to that horrifying Asura made her want to vomit, as she would forever be connected to it on a soul level. That sinister and vile aura would become a part of her, like a parasite worming it's way through her body and mind.
She had thought of escape, but was unable to do so. The soul-seal her father had planted on her soul did many things, including revealing her location to him at all times. Escape was utterly impossible, and each attempt would no doubt lead to her father killing one of her friends before her eyes.
Still, she reviled the thought of ever giving that evil demon her soul seed, which was the same as giving it her life and soul; her everything. It would be a permanent nightmare, until the day she died.
"I'd sooner throw my Dao of Life soul-seed to the wind than give it to that creature, but I have no choic-"
Her voice cut off, and she paused for many minutes, remaining silent. Her body straightened in her chair, and the gloomy aura around her seems to slightly fade away, returning a glimmer of the radiant aura she once had.
A small tinge of life and hope returned to her eyes for the first time in months, and she strode out of the room shortly after, footsteps quick and determined.
