Show me how you draw power," I said.
She frowned. "I told you, I don't know how. It just … happens."
"Then let's find out what triggers it."
She planted her feet like I'd shown her. "Fine. What do I do?"
"Focus on your center. Everything you are, pull it there. Anger, fear, everything you hide."
She inhaled slowly. For a moment, nothing. Then a faint shimmer lit her skin--golden light seeping through her fingertips like mist. The ground trembled just slightly.
"There," I murmured. "You feel that?"
Her eyes opened, wide and startled. "It's warm. Like my heartbeat's outside my body."
"That's your core responding. Don't force it...guide it..."
I stepped behind her, close enough that she could hear my breath.
"Now try to control the pulse. Let it expand, then pull it back."
She tried, trembling. The glow flickered, then steadied, spreading along her arms in veins of light. When it reached her palms, sparks danced in the air between her fingers.
Her voice shook. "It's stronger than before."
"Because you stopped running from it," I said quietly.
She turned her head slightly, her profile outlined in gold radiance. "What if it hurts someone?"
"Then learn to aim."
I moved beside her, extending my hand. A wisp of shadow coiled around her light; they met in the air, merging, twisting together like smoke and fire.
"That," I said, watching the strands swirl, "is balance. Your power listens to your emotions. If you let fear rule, it turns wild. If you focus, it obeys."
She exhaled, dispersing the glow with one last push. Her shoulders dropped, relief softening her features. "I did it."
"You did," I said. "Not bad for a level one."
She grinned, still breathless. "And here I thought you'd be a terrible teacher."
I laughed under my breath. "Don't get used to praise. Tomorrow we start with endurance drills. You'll hate me for it."
Her smile didn't fade. "I already do."
"Good," I said. "Then you're learning fast."
The bond between us pulsed again--steady, warm, impossible to ignore. I looked away first, toward the dark horizon where whispers waited beyond the shield.
But she didn't move.
Instead, she stepped closer until our hands brushed..just barely, but enough for the bond to flare.
She whispered, "When you said balance… did you mean this too?"
I looked down at her, the glow from her power still painting her skin in soft gold.
"I meant everything," I said.
Her lips parted, but no sound came. The air between us felt heavy--alive--with something neither of us wanted to name.
Her heart was loud; I could hear it. Or maybe it was mine.
Finally, she turned away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then… I'll see you tomorrow, teacher."
Her voice trembled slightly on the last word.
I smirked, but it didn't reach my chest. "Don't be late."
She stepped past the barrier, my shadow helped her ...golden glow fading with the mist.
When the silence swallowed her, I pressed a hand against my chest where the bond still burned faintly.
The shadows whispered in my ear, almost like they were laughing.
"You teach her control, Kael… but who's teaching you?"
I clenched my fist. The bond throbbed once more, sharp this time.
Something was changing...
And deep down, I knew...
whatever came next, it wouldn't be training anymore.
When she finally vanished , I stayed behind.
Alone.
I dragged in a breath and let it out slow, trying to calm the storm inside me.
Whatever had happened between us---it was lust. That's all.
I kept telling myself that.
It had to be the thread. Nothing else.
When I find a seer, I'll do the ritual. Break it.
But how do you become "one soul"?
What does that even mean?
We'd found our "desire," sure, but the rest…? I didn't want to think about it now. Not here.
I clenched my fists, shadows crawling up my arms, and called a figure into existence--another copy of myself. We fought, my fists slamming into its chest again and again until my knuckles split and my mind emptied out.
It calmed me, a little.
We'd kissed. We'd acknowledged something between us. And strangely, it had made me less… messy.
Maybe, in some twisted way, it was beneficial for both of us.
I dispelled the shadow with a flick of my fingers and left the place.
By the time I reached my room, my hoodie clung to my back with sweat. I keyed in the password, the door clicking open, and stepped inside,only to find Ruan sprawled on my chair like he owned the place.
Even my shield didn't keep him out. Ruan was like that--one of the few people who could cross my lines.
He grinned, tilting his head.
"Aeee .!! Spill it...Why did you say you're not fighting alone? Sorry, but this one I should know, right?"
I shut the door with a soft thud. "Did I say that?"
"Don't be..." he waved a hand, "just tell me."
I hesitated, jaw tight. "Actually… red thread bond."
Ruan blinked. "What?"
"I don't know much," I said quietly. "But I'll cut it soon."
"You're kidding."
"No."
"Who? When? Erina?"
I shook my head. "No. Serie. And I'm… messed up."
His grin faltered. "Shit...!!My toy..."
I glared. "Not your anything. Yeah, the damn bond's controlling me."
"Then cut it. Or kill her."
"Not possible." My voice came out sharper than I intended. "I don't have much info..this bond vanished centuries ago. And my power protects her, as well as hers for me. Killing's a bad idea. During the fight, she gave me her power without knowing. I dared not even think of harming her after that."
Ruan whistled low. "Damn. You're really fucked up, bro. But that's cheating...you used her power."
"I didn't want to," I snapped. "It's automatic. Like... damnn! I'm clueless"
He laughed, leaning back in my chair. "Bro, you just snatched my little toy and now you're protecting her."
"Just stop." I rubbed my temples. "I'll cut it. I just need to find a seer."
Ruan's grin faded into something more thoughtful. "Maybe my father will know."
"You know it's not easy to get info from your father."
"But it's not impossible," he said slowly. "If you say so, we can go."
I met his eyes. "Okay then. Tomorrow after class. But you don't need to come."
He scoffed. "Are you serious? You know me. He isn't bothering me anymore… basically he can't."
I stared at him for a long second, the bond flickering faintly on my finger. ..
Tomorrow.
This had to end ASAP...