The sun bathed the Crystal Shelter's glades in a golden glow as KiAera stood with Skadicritt, watching the young Merecritt hop excitedly around. But KiAera felt her nerves getting the better of her. Skadicritt had promised to teach her the "normal" version of the [MereSphere], and she had reluctantly agreed, though the last time she'd used any version of it, things wound up getting a bit… explosive.

  "Alright, KiAera!" Skadicritt's voice was bright as she trotted back and forth. "Let's get started! You've used the enhanced version, right? So, this should be a piece of cake!"

  KiAera gave a stiff nod, already regretting this decision. "Uh… sure, Skadi. Just… remind me how to not blow everything up?"

  Skadicritt giggled and waved a paw dismissively. "Oh, don't worry about that! We're only doing the basics today. Just watch and learn!"

  "Right." KiAera sighed. "So, how do I start?"

  "Easy peasy! Just focus! You know, like, reaaaally focus. Imagine you're drinking something cold—like ice water! But then you're gonna spit it out, except it's a ball of energy. And—poof! MereSphere!” Skadicritt demonstrated with an exaggerated motion, puffing her cheeks and releasing an adorable, glittery orb that twirled lazily before disappearing into a puff of stardust.

  KiAera stared. "...That’s it?"

  Skadicritt nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! Well, for me it's all pink and sparkly because I'm a [Rare]-class Merecritt! It's super fancy, huh?" She wiggled her ears proudly. "My papa says it's the coolest! And I believe him because, you know, he's the strongest Merecritt in the whole world."

  "Of course, he is," KiAera muttered, wondering how many times she'd heard Skadicritt mention her father in the past hour.

  Before she could protest further, Skadicritt leaped in front of her. "Just follow Skaditty's lead! I'll show you step by step. First, take a deep breath." She inhaled dramatically, and right before KiAera, the girl's body inflated like a balloon.

  With a quick hop, Skadicritt positioned herself in front of a small cluster of bushes. Her eyes narrowed with intense focus, her mouth opening slightly as she prepared to fire the spell. "So, you just build up the energy here…" she pointed to her throat, "and then you…"

  "Fire!" Skadicritt let out a small, poof, a tiny sphere of light zipping from her mouth and harmlessly dissolving into the bushes. It was less of a destructive blast and more like a delicate puffball floating through the air.

  KiAera blinked, trying to mask her confusion.

  Skadicritt beamed, her tail wagging. "Yep! That's how you do the normal [MereSphere]! Pretty neat, huh? You can try now!"

  KiAera frowned slightly. That tiny thing? Was this really the same devastating move that had saved her in battles before? She had to admit, there was something endearing about it, though.

  "Okay, okay," she muttered, focusing as she stood on her hind legs, trying to mimic Skadicritt’s stance. She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar energy build up in her throat. But as soon as she tried to control it, something felt… off. A wave of power rushed up, far too quickly, far too intensely.

  "Uh, Skadi, I think—"

  Before she could finish, her mouth opened and out shot a massive glowing orb, far bigger than the little puffball Skadicritt had launched. It careened into the bushes, detonating with a resounding BOOM! Leaves, branches, and a few unfortunate critters went flying in all directions.

  Skadicritt ducked, her fur puffing out like a startled dandelion. "KI—AERA!!! That wasn't it!!" She popped back up, her fur still standing on end, her eyes blinking at the now-smoldering crater in the ground.

  KiAera, who had also jumped back in shock, covered her mouth with her paw. "I-I didn't mean to! I thought I was controlling it!"

  Skadicritt's eyes narrowed, then softened as she giggled uncontrollably. "Pfft… you went boom! That's so you, KiAera!" She fell onto her back, laughing harder. "We were supposed to practice the normal one! Not blow up the glades!"

  KiAera gave an exasperated sigh, though she couldn't help but smile at Skadi's laughter. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. I'm really trying here, Skadi."

  Still chuckling, Skadicritt sat up, wiping a tear from her eye. "Okay, okay, I'll give you some pointers. Don't try to build up all that power at once. You're treating it like it's the enhanced version. It's like… think of it like a bubble. Soft and squishy, not a boulder!" She mimed blowing up a balloon, her cheeks puffing out in an exaggerated way.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  KiAera stared at her for a moment, then shook her head. "A bubble… right. I'll try again."

  "Now, hold that energy in your chest!" Skadicritt's voice was muffled from holding her breath. "Feel it tingle in your paws and tail!"

  KiAera felt… something. But it was more like a slight itch in her whiskers than anything powerful.

  "Now! Imagine you're gonna burp!" Skadicritt yelled.

  "Wait—what?" KiAera choked, losing concentration and nearly coughing up her own attempt.

  Skadicritt spun around, giggling. "Just kidding! No burping needed! But wasn't that fun? I totally pranked you!" She fell to the ground, rolling in a fit of laughter.

  KiAera pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling slowly. "Skadi, are you trying to make me blow up the Crystal Shelter?"

  "Maybe?l Skadicritt said with a grin, still rolling around.

  After a few deep breaths, KiAera tried again. This time, she focused on the feeling Skadicritt described—cold energy swirling inside her chest, like liquid ice.

  She gathered it, pushing the strange sensation upward toward her mouth, but halfway there, her concentration faltered, and she let out a small puff of bluish energy that sizzled into a tiny spark before vanishing.

  Skadicritt clapped excitedly. "Ooooh! You did it! Well, kinda! More of a fizzle than a pop, but that's okay! First tries are always like that!"

  KiAera frowned. "That didn't feel right. It's way easier to do the enhanced version."

  Skadicritt rolled to her feet, brushing off bits of grass. "That's 'cause you're not used to the baby version! You've already mastered the big, flashy one, so going back is like learning how to walk again after you've already learned how to run. My papa said something like that once."

  KiAera raised an eyebrow. "Your papa sounds like quite the legend."

  "Oh, he is!" Skadicritt eyes gleamed. "He's one of the strongest Merecritts in the world! He can do the enhanced MereSphere and the celestial MereSphere, which is like, ten times stronger than the regular one!”

  KiAera chuckled softly. "No wonder you're so eager to teach. Must be in your blood."

  Skadicritt beamed. "Exactly! My papa taught me everything I know, but he's also super strict! Like, one time I accidentally blew up a grand elderglint tree, and he made me run laps around the Merecritt Village for three days straight! But that's how you get strong!"

  "Three days?" KiAera raised her eyebrows. "And you didn’t collapse?"

  "Nope, I'm tough! MereChieftain blood!" Skadicritt struck a dramatic pose. "But enough about me—let's get back to training! You're gonna fire that MereSphere like a pro by the end of today!"

  "All right, Skadi," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "Let's give it another go."

  She took a deep breath, focusing on making the energy gentle this time. It was a strange adjustment—trying to hold back when her instincts were to unleash everything. She concentrated, picturing a small, floating bubble.

  This time, when she opened her mouth, a tiny, glowing sphere floated out. It drifted lazily before softly dissipating in the air. No explosion. No crater.

  Skadicritt cheered. "You did it! That’s the [MereSphere]! See? Easy-peasy!"

  KiAera exhaled in relief, a smile spreading across her face. "Yeah, I guess it is a bit easier when I don't turn it into a bomb."

  "Of course!" Skadicritt bounced over to her, grinning ear to ear. "Now, next time, we'll try two at once!"

  "Two?!" KiAera balked, wide-eyed. "Let's just stick to one for now, Skadi."

  Skadicritt winked. "Oh, come on! If you wanna be as good as my papa, you gotta practice lots and lots!"

  KiAera's curiosity piqued. "Your papa… he's really strong, huh?"

  Skadicritt puffed out her chest again, proudly. "Yup! He and the MereShaman were the strongest in the settlement, well, right behind gramps." She then frowned. "But since he left after his exile, I've been searching for him since."

  KiAera blinked, her ears twitching slightly. "Exile?" she asked carefully, noticing the sudden shift in Skadicritt's demeanor.

  Skadicritt shuffled her paws, her usual exuberance dimming. "Yeah… Papa made some enemies in the settlement. I don't know all the details—something about a fight with the MereShaman. Gramps said Papa didn't follow the 'Sacred Roots' or whatever, and the council voted him out."

  KiAera's heart twinged at the sight of Skadicritt's drooping ears and tail. She knelt down, placing a paw on her companion's shoulder. "That sounds rough, Skadi. How old were you when it happened?"

  Skadicritt sniffled but managed a small smile. "I was little. Too little to understand why Papa had to go, but I remember him promising he'd come back for me one day. I've been training really hard since then so that when I find him, he'll see I'm just as strong as he is!"

  KiAera felt a pang of sympathy. "Do you have any idea where he might have gone?"

  Skadicritt shook her head. "Not really… but that's why I left. Gramps didn't want me to leave, but I couldn't just sit around doing nothing, you know? Papa's out there somewhere, and I'll find him, no matter what!"

  KiAera smiled gently. "You're braver than most, Skadi. Not many would have the guts to leave everything behind like you did."

  Skadicritt beamed as some of her usual energy appeared to return. "Thanks, KiAera! But I don't just want to find him—I want to show him that I've become someone he can be proud of! And maybe…" Her voice grew softer. "Maybe we can go back to the settlement together someday!"

  KiAera nodded, her paw giving Skadicritt's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I think he'd be proud of you already. You've got a big heart, Skadi, and you're a great teacher. Even if you do prank me sometimes."

  Skadicritt giggled, her tail wagging again. "You mean all the time!"

  KiAera rolled her eyes but laughed along. "Fair. But hey, let's get back to practice, okay? If you're going to find your dad, you'll need someone who can keep up with you. And that means I've got to master this [MereSphere]."

  "Now that's the spirit! Let's make sure you don't blow up any more bushes, though."