Training began immediately.
Raya stood in a ring of illuminated runes as Lyren lifted his staff.
"Focus on your flame," he instructed.
"Let it hear you—not the Sovereign."
Raya raised her hands. Silver sparks formed.
Good. Controlled. Soft.
But then a whisper slithered through her mind:
Pretty flame… show me more.
Her concentration shattered.
A blast of energy erupted from her hands, cracking the stone floor.
Eren rushed to her.
"Raya, are you okay?"
"No!" she snapped, voice shaking.
"He's always there! Watching, whispering, pulling! I can't fight him if I can't even hear myself!"
Lyren tapped his staff sharply.
"You must learn to silence him."
"How?" she demanded.
"By drowning him in your will."
Raya inhaled sharply.
That felt impossible.
But she tried again. And again. And again.
Hours passed.
Her arms burned. Sweat dripped down her temples. Her legs trembled. But each attempt steadied more than the last.
Finally, her flame extended from her palm in a smooth, controlled line—shimmering like a silver ribbon.
Eren smiled faintly.
"You're doing it."
But then—
A cold wind tore through the shrine.
The torches flickered violently.
Eren grab
bed his blade.
Lyren's eyes widened.
"He found us."