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Lucy stands at the edge of the river bank, testing her strength. The water rises under her watchful gaze, reaching higher just as she commands it to, but it isn't enough. The volume of water she is capable of moving before her head starts to throb, her skin starts to prickle, is vastly larger than it was just a few months ago, but still not large enough. She grits her teeth, forces her arm up higher, fingers pressing even harder to her temple. The water wavers, loses its cohesiveness, and then falls back limply into the river with a plop.
She can sense the barrier she keeps hitting. She is pushing herself as far as she's capable, but it isn't far enough. She tries again. And again. Each time with the same result, a roaring, pounding in her ears, the water losing shape, falling away, as if trying to escape her iron grasp, and hitting that same barrier. Her hands tingle, prickle, feeling colder, frozen at the tips.
She hisses in frustration. She can't be weak. She needs to be stronger, no matter the cost.
She raises the water once more, mustering all the strength she can. This time, the water strikes back, a pouncing cobra. The water crashes over her, drags her under. Lucy, panicked, struggling to breath, is certain she will drown. The water is too powerful, and she isn't nearly strong enough to fight against it.
What are you afraid of?
Get a hold of yourself. You're not some weak girl, you're a powerful general, you've destroyed entire armies with a pass of one hand.
The water stagnates, stops it's deadly assault, then parts around her. She stands, still shivering wet, damp, but not at all cold. Her hands fist at her sides, and then a smile stretches across her face.
Why should she be afraid? Why should she be afraid of the water? Why should she be afraid of the unknown? Afraid of change?
She laughs, booming. There's nothing weak about her, she's strong.
"The people have a new nickname for me. They call me, "Maligula!""
She rises into the air, and the water rises with her.
"Ha! Sounds serious. I take it as a compliment!"
The water takes on the form of a massive snake, rearing up behind her, with giant, glowing white eyes bright as headlights. It notices something, moving near the trees, and hisses. It's just loud enough to be heard over her laughter.
"I like it so much, in fact… I can't remember being called by another name…"
The water falls with a splash. Thunder crashes, striking a nearby tree. She turns toward the treeline, eyes gleaming yellow.
Marona stares in horror. Their gazes lock, and Lucy's eyes narrow, her lip pulling back in a nasty snarl.
"If it isn't my sister? Poking around where she does not belong." She raises her hand, clearly with every intent to attack. Marona gasps, already backing away, and before Lucy can summon even a drop of water Marona has already turned tail. She runs as fast as she can, and only stops once the sound of thunder is a distant, faint rumbling.
She sits down with her back against a tree, hugs her knees to her chest, and starts to cry.