The arena looked wrecked still. Cracks ran all over the stone floor. They looked like lightning frozen in place. The runic circles that were supposed to power everything had faded. Their glow was weak. Flickering. Like they were scared to work right.
Instructors said it would be fixed by now. That was the plan. But after what happened. Plans just did not hold up.
Kael stood there in the middle. Alone. He had not moved much. The students were hiding around the edges. In groups. Whispering. Watching him. Trying not to stare. But they did anyway.
He heard them. Bits about stopping flames. Or turning them. Someone said it was not possible. Every word got through. The whispers. The tones shifting. It hit worse than the actual fight.
They are afraid.
The voice in his head said that. He knew it too. His jaw got tight. No. Not good. You will understand later.
I do not want to. Silence came after. Not peaceful. The kind that hangs around. Like something listening. Waiting.
Rhea called his name. Pulled him back. She stood close. Arms folded. Face serious. But not scared. She did not back away like the rest. You have been here ten minutes. Feels longer. He said that. She stepped nearer. Asked if he was okay.
Same question. No easy answer. He breathed out slow. I don't think so. She nodded. Like she figured. Good. He blinked. Good. Yeah. If you said fine. I would get more worried.
A tired smile almost came. Despite it all. That makes no sense. It does to me. Silence between them now. But okay kind. Normal almost. You scared them. She said it after a bit.
I did not mean to. I know. But I did. She agreed quiet. Honesty stung more than soft words. When I was in it. Did not feel like me. Her face changed. Then what. Like something else there instead.
Yeah. He stopped. Did not explain more. Could not. Or did not want to. Another voice. Lucien. What. He came slow. Steps even. You are still emitting that energy. You said already. And I meant it. Has not faded.
Rhea looked around. I do not feel it. You look for mana. This is not. No. Kael felt the pressure again. Faint. Touching skin edges. What is it then. Lucien crouched. Hand over a crack. Air warped a bit. Reacts different. Not like energy. Like a presence.
Chest tight. That does not make sense. Neither do you. Lucien. She sighed. I am serious, Lucien said while he stood up from his former crouched position. Looking right at him, he said in a cold manner, This did not come from training. Or just talent. What are you saying. Something inside you.
Rhea frowned. Not helping.
I am not trying to. Kael said with a smirk
You keep saying that.
Because its true.
Tension built. But Kael stayed quiet. He could not argue deep down. What do I do. Learn? What If I control it. Or it controls me?
Words hung heavy. Too real. That night he stood by the training room door, The Hallways empty. Academy noise gone far off. he put his hand on the door. I need to try again. Control it,
You keep saying that it's not as easy as you think it is.
Because I mean it, I want control without any cost.
He pushed door open. The room was empty as expected, Cold too, still he stepped in slow and calm, I'll figure something out. No answer, that's new, he said to himself, usually voice talked, Mocked, Pushed, Said something, but never nothing.
Fine Kael said I'll do it by myself, He breathed calmly then, Focused and Reached. At first nothing, Then flicker. Small dark energy in his palm, very unstable. But there his eyes wide, Okay, Steady breath. Keep it there, Kael trembled a bit, but the dark energy didn't explode, it stayed.
I can do this Kael said to himself as he raised his hand slow, moved with it, Controlled it, He exhaled calmly, suddenly he twitched, No, Kael shouted, the dark energy grew unstable and pulsed. it expanded fast, The room shook violently. as the energy surged out, the walls began cracking like it was made out of tissue.
Stop Kael shouted but it didn't listen to him, and the energy became unstable and he passed out, Kael woke up in a dream, lost and confused, he saw a black shadow moving silently, slowly a figure arose from the shadow, while Kael was trying to make out what he was looking at, Seraphine watched his passed out body, and smiled a bit before walking out to leave him there, before the figure could fully emerge, Lucien and Rhea woke him up saying that he had woke the entire school up, before Kael could speak, a voice boomed at the entrance of the hallway, Who did this?