The underground base was dark, lit only by flickering torches along the cold stone walls. Flames danced in the air like whispers of rage.
"Sefe!" I shouted, standing at the center of the training chamber. "You need to become angrier! Let it out!"
The girl stood ten feet away, fists clenched at her sides. Her breath was heavy. Sweat dripped from her brow. A faint red glow flickered from her fingertips, but it wasn't enough.
"Aargh!!" she growled, her voice cracking as her body tensed.
But I saw it. She was holding back.
I stepped closer, shadows swirling around my boots.
"What's holding you back?" I asked sharply. "You want power, don't you? Then stop pretending!"
She shook her head. "I… I don't want to lose control—"
"Control?" I snapped. "You think power comes without sacrifice? Think about it. All of it. The people who hurt you. The nights you cried alone. The bruises. The pain. The silence."
