The Witch of Tallow guided Kael to the center of a circular grove, arranging stones and lines of ash in intricate patterns. Here, Kael would attempt his first comprehensive exercise, combining observation, manipulation, and restraint.
The dead appeared in fragments, their soul-light flickering as he reached out with the Sight. Kael guided them along invisible paths, separating threads, harmonizing their movements without consuming. The hunger whispered, insistent but acknowledged, and Kael allowed it to flow around him rather than through him.
By sunset, Kael had succeeded. The dead were ordered, their souls intact, and Kael felt a new sense of mastery. The pale lines beneath his skin pulsed steadily, in rhythm with his own heartbeat. He had taken control of both the Sight and the hunger, if only for a moment.
The Witch watched him silently, then said, "You are ready to begin shaping your path. The dead, the hunger, and the threads of the past are no longer enemies. They are tools. Use them wisely, Kael, for every choice now will define who you become."