The Saintess Who Rose Again

The days that followed were a flurry of quiet activity for Alessa. She woke early, using the hours before her family stirred to study the texts she had uncovered in the library. Though she had only begun scratching the surface of her powers, a newfound determination burned within her.

By the third morning, she decided to test her abilities. The book had described purification as the simplest of the saintess's gifts—a way to cleanse the impurities that plagued the world. In her previous life, she had only used it as instructed by the palace priests, limiting herself to healing minor wounds or illnesses. Now, she wanted to see how far it could go.

She ventured to the gardens of the Elorin estate, where a withered rose bush stood in the corner. It had been dead for years, abandoned after multiple failed attempts to revive it.

She knelt before the brittle plant and placed her hands on the earth.

Focus your intent, the book had instructed. Purification begins with the heart.

Alessa closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She imagined her energy flowing from within her, not as a wild torrent but as a steady stream. She pictured the rose bush blooming, its life restored.

A faint warmth spread through her palms.

When she opened her eyes, she gasped softly. The bush remained withered, but one single rose had bloomed at its center—a vibrant red against the brown stems.

She smiled faintly. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

"Alessa?"

She turned quickly to see Theo standing a few steps behind her, his mouth slightly agape.

"Did you do that?" he asked, pointing at the rose.

Alessa hesitated, then nodded. "I'm… practicing."

Theo crouched beside her, staring at the flower in amazement. "You've never done anything like this before. Are you going to show Mother?"

"Not yet," Alessa said quickly. "This is… something I want to keep to myself for now. Can you promise not to tell anyone?"

Theo frowned but nodded. "Okay, but only if you teach me how to do it too!"

She laughed softly. "I'm not sure that's possible, but I'll let you watch next time."

As Theo grinned, Alessa felt a pang of guilt. She had been distant from him in her previous life, too consumed by her own struggles to pay attention to her younger brother. This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.

"Come on," she said, rising to her feet. "Let's go before someone wonders where we are."