As Laure found the others, she noticed relatively quickly that there was something a bit...off. For one thing, a guy had just summoned a goddamned sword.  Because that was totally normal. She also noticed that the throbbing shadows had returned, pulsing once more, blending together into silky tendrils of light and dark. In fact, they seemed to be curling around her, light wrapping her arms and shadow pooling around her feet.<br/><br/><span style="color: #cae8a2"><span style="font-style: italic">"I'm happy you were so compliant. Now, let's begin. First, I'll assist you with light manipulation-"</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">What? Hold up, slow down for a second. Light manipulation?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #cae8a2"><span style="font-style: italic">"Yes, of course. What else would I teach you? I am the God of light, after all."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">You can't be serious. This is genuinely real?</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #77bfc7"><span style="font-style: italic">"Ugh. I thought this was one of the smart ones. Yes, its real. What else would it be?</span></span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Okay, you know what, fine. Just show me.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #cae8a2"><span style="font-style: italic">"Of course. Now, controlling essences such as light and dark are more about soul and mind energy than physical energy. You've probably noticed the strange movements of their essences around you. This is the light opening itself up to your manipulation. <br/><br/>Now, try focusing on a single strand of light. Pour your thoughts into it, pulling it out from the others.</span>"</span><br/><br/>Curious and suspicious, Laure attempted to follow the voice's word, and found it oddly easy to do so. The light from a single bulb above her flickered a few times, before returning to its normal state.<br/><br/><span style="color: #cae8a2">"Yes, like that. Each strand represents a different source of light, meaning you can control one source for each strand. It can get a bit confusing at times, especially when you're one of the only people who see them, but it is possible to dull them a bit. I'll demonstrate that soon enough. Back to the point, though, this would mean you can manipulate multiple light sources at one time. However, the more you control, the more energy it'll use. Now, try quickly yanking the strand back and out, away from you."</span><br/><br/>She did so. This time, the light transformed into nothing more than a lightly glowing red wire.<br/><br/>"Well done. Now, to put it out entirely, simply-"<br/><br/>But Laure was already ahead of the game. She slowly moved her hand downwards and upwards, brightening and putting out the glow. No way. That couldn't be possible. Light traveled in waves, not controllable, movable strings. None of this made sense.<br/><br/>Unless, of course, she were to actually believe the crazy man. But she dismissed the thought quickly. That was entirely crazy. This must be some natural phenomena, nothing more. Hell, she actually probably was dreaming. There was just no scientifically possible way this could be real.