Alone again, Kael turned his focus inward. He flexed his hands, feeling the faint hum of energy coursing through his veins. A soft glow emanated from his fingertips. It was subtle, but undeniable: this was not code, not electricity—it was something else.
Tentatively, he pointed at a small object across the rift chamber—a fallen piece of rubble. The energy pulsed, then leapt from his fingers, lifting it slowly. Kael's breath caught. He had always believed in science, in logic, in the predictability of the world. And yet here, in this impossible place, he could bend reality with sheer focus.
Magic… is real, he thought. And it's inside me.
He experimented further: a flicker of light formed a protective sphere, small sparks danced like fireflies at his command, and the temperature of the room seemed to respond to his moods. He was exhilarated and terrified. Each moment brought a new discovery—and a new risk.
Eloi's voice chimed in from the rift. "Control comes with awareness. Fear disrupts flow. Concentrate on intent, not outcome. You are the bridge."
Kael nodded, trying to synchronize his heartbeat with the rhythm of the energies around him. The more he practiced, the more natural it felt. This was not just power—it was connection. He was no longer a mortal in the usual sense; he was something else entirely.