f the massive chamber, the weight of Darian's words settling heavil

the life she'd imagined for herself. She hadn't asked for any of this - not the strange powers, no

vision still lingered in her mind - her mother's face, so familiar yet distant, the wars, the destruction, and that te

esent. "You'll be trained here. The Order has preserved the old ways

to be a part of this war. I don't even know how to use

tation. But the power inside you is not something you can ignore. It's a force that's been asleep fo

I'm supposed to just let it control me? Let it dictate my futur

ntrol it. To harness it. But you must understand what it is you're dealing with. The Lightbearers wer

want to be any of t

ice, Aria. Your power is a gift. But it's also a responsibility. The

refused to let the vulnerability show. "And

to choose this for you either. But it's not a matter of choice anymore. The danger is r

fragile and delicate. Aria felt the weight of his gaze, like he was seeing he

oulders slumping slightly.

"We start with the basics. And

tomes and scrolls that seemed to hum with a quiet energy of their own. The air was thick with the scent of parchment and ink, and

lves. He set it down on a nearby table and opened it to a page filled with intricate symbols and glowing runes. "This book contains the t

ike anything she'd ever seen, their meaning completely foreign to her. She felt a stra

but carrying an undeniable weight. "They are the foundation of your power. The mo

ry. "I don't even know how to beg

is is a journey, Aria. And you'll take it one step at a time. The power inside you won't awa

for any of this, but she couldn't deny that she felt something stirring inside her - something d

her voice steadier than she

in with the meditation to center yourself. The Lightbearers had a deep connection to their

was a sense of determination building within her. The magic was inside her, whether she liked i

"Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Feel the ener

ation, but she followed his instructions, forcing herself to slow her breath and clear her mind. The w

n, it h

life deep inside her chest. Aria gasped, her eyes snapping

de her began to pulse in time with her heartbeat, alive and radiant. It was a feeling

ut his eyes full of intensity. "You're beginning to awaken.

ursing through her. She wasn't sure how, but instinctively, she reached out, letting the energy swirl

e woman who had ste

onroe felt like she might be a