Sleep didn't come easily.
Lyra walked alone through the quiet training halls, trying to clear her mind.
Too many emotions.
Too many choices.
Too much danger.
"You can't sleep either?"
She turned.
It was Kael.
He leaned casually against a pillar.
"Thinking about us?" he teased.
Lyra rolled her eyes.
"Thinking about survival."
He stepped closer.
"Same thing sometimes."
His fingers gently lifted a loose strand of her hair.
Electric tension.
She didn't move away.
"You're special, Lyra," he said softly.
"For your power?"
"For your heart."
Before she could answer, Rylan walked in.
"Am I interrupting something interesting?"
Kael smirked.
"Very."
Lyra sighed.
"Can we focus?"
Rylan laughed.
"We are focusing."
Suddenly an explosion rocked the lower levels.
They ran.
In the courtyard, a trusted guard lay dead.
Guild mark carved into his armor.
Betrayal.
The stranger arrived moments later.
"Someone inside helped them."
Everyone went silent.
Lyra felt cold.
Who could she trust?
A note was found in the guard's hand:
SHE TRUSTS TOO EASILY
Lyra realized something frightening.
Her power was evolving.
During meditation she began feeling energy around her… not just her own.
Others too.
Kael's power felt like fire.
Rylan's felt like lightning.
The stranger's felt like controlled darkness.
She could sense enemies now.
Even hidden ones.
During training she tried something new.
An enemy attack simulation.
She allowed an energy blast to hit her shield.
Instead of blocking it.
She absorbed it.
Everyone froze.
"Did you just" Rylan started.
"Yes," the stranger said.
"Energy absorption."
Lyra felt dizzy.
"I can take their power?"
"Yes," Kael said.
"But it's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Because if you take too much… it destroys you."
Lyra looked at her glowing hands.
Power.
Addicting.
Terrifying.
Necessary.
Then suddenly a real assassin attacked.
No simulation.
Real danger.
Lyra reacted instantly.
Absorbed his attack.
Redirected it.
Defeated him.
Silence followed.
She was stronger now.
But also more dangerous.
Lyra realized something terrifying:
She enjoyed the power.