8 The Cultivation Center

Waze wasn't quite sure how to respond. Normally, she would have introduced herself but it seemed as if the woman already knew her.

"Um.. yeah thats me. Did Mr. Abbus tell you I was coming?" The woman gave Waze a small, knowing smile.

"He didn't need to. Now come, follow me." The woman motioned to Waze to follow her and then turned and disappeared behind the winding shelves. Waze quickly followed, catching up to the strange woman.

"If you don't mind, could I ask your name?" Waze felt uncertain and slightly nervous about the situation. She didn't know if she could trust the woman, but since Abbus had sent her here she supposed she had to. Besides, Waze was desperate for help at this point.

"Noelle Norris. But you will call me Norris." The old woman didn't turn her back as she spoke. Instead, she continued to lead the way through the maze of herbs and potions. Seriously, how big was this shop? Eventually they reached a door leading to a back room at the far back of the store.

"Ms. Norris... I'd like to ask, who are you and how can you help me? And how do you know who I am?"

"You ask many questions, child. Not that it is a bad thing. Curiosity drives many of us to discover new worlds and reach new heights. However, you must calm yourself for now. I will answer all your questions in time. And didn't I tell you to call me Norris?"

As Waze looked around, she realized that they weren't actually that far from the entrance, the shelves were just arranged very strangely.

"Sorry... Norris. Um, thank you for helping me." Waze was tense with nerves.

"You hold great potential. I've seen the change you will bring. But you need guidance. Calm yourself, Ms. Waze." Norris threw her head back and laughed. "I won't hurt you."

"Right. Of course." Waze did her best to relax, although it proved to be quite difficult. Norris fiddled with a key ring as they spoke until she found the one she was looking for. She unlocked the door and it opened to a huge room filled with things that Waze had most definitely not been expecting. Her eyes widened.

The room seemed to be some sort of training facility. A good portion of it had exercise equipment such as a boxing bag, a bin full of gloves and hand wraps, along with a workout machine and weights. There were also yoga mats and a low table with a few cushions around it. A closer inspection revealed there was also a small dresser with a variety of teas, mugs, and a hot water boiler. Of course, it was a tea shop after all. But what did that have to do with training?

"Welcome to Norris Cultivation Center. The real purpose of this shop."

It made more sense when Waze though about it. A cultivation center hidden behind a tea shop. Not just anyone could walk in, you'd have to get in through connections or invitation, Waze guessed. Or maybe Norris found people herself. Who knows. Waze didn't, thats for sure.

"Wow... this is... incredible." Waze looked around in slight awe as she walked through. The ground was springy and slightly padded. The far wall was one big mirror. As Waze looked in the mirror, she realized how much she really didn't belong here. Her baggy, drab sweatshirt and plain workout leggings looked out of place in the pristine, complicated equipment.

"But um... about my questions...?" Waze needed answers. Not just about this woman, but about herself. Abbus had said she could find answers within herself, and this woman was supposed to help.

"Come, sit down." Norris gestured to the low table before she wobbled over to the tea table, filling two mugs with warm water.

"Tropical Green or Earl Gray? Both are custom blends. Feel free to purchase them from the shop, only $5.99 for this bag." Norris waved a small bag of tea in the air as she looked at Waze. Really? Advertising right now? Despite that, Waze thought she might buy some. Her mother liked tea.

"Tropical Green, please." She knew better than to refuse. Many thought it was polite to tell people they didn't want a drink or food when offered, but usually hosts were more than happy to give guests refreshments. Especially if they had offered. So Waze just accepted. Plus, the tea sounded pretty good.

Norris took a small mesh ball with a chain and opened it, scooping some tea leaves in before dropping it into the mug of hot water, letting the weight at the end of the chain hang out. She made a cup for herself and then joined Waze at the table, sliding Waze the Tropical Green tea on a coaster.

"My name is Noelle Norris, as you know. I have worked for years helping adolescents like yourself cultivate their gifts to grow into powerful adversaries. In fact, some of my students have become quite famous for their power."

Waze was surprised. Here was a woman she had never heard of who had been raising powerful students from the shadows. But what could Waze herself bring to the table? Did she really hold the potential Abbus, Alec, and Norris spoke of? She didn't have that kind of confidence in herself. But before she could voice her fears, Norris continued.

"You are very different from most of my students however. Though it's true that most of them come to me weak and yearning for strength, I've obviously never seen a case like yours. It's quite remarkable, really. A gift-less being possessed by such a powerful god."

"So it's true?! I have been possessed by a god?!"

"Yes my dear, you have. And come time, you will grow to have a great connection to this god. You will come to be more powerful and influential than you could ever imagine."

"How do you know though?" Waze asked, looking down at her swirling tea with a downcast expression. "I'm not special in anyway. All I have is this so called god that's possessed me. I doubt I'm even worthy, I don't think I can handle it."

"That kind of confidence will get you no where, dear. You must believe in your own abilities or indeed, you won't be worthy. But you are more incredible than you believe Ms. Waze. Determined and resilient, you've pushed your way through many obstacles and come out on top. You will meet many more in the future. Great walls you must climb, and powerful opponents you must beat. It will be hard, but if you push through like you always have, you will make it."

"How do you know, though? We've never even met." Waze felt slightly happy from the praise she had received, but she was still uncertain. Norris took a long sip of her tea before responding.

"How, you ask? That's because I am a clairvoyant."