The academy was a mess. It was. Beat up. Smoke was still rising from the buildings that were destroyed. The ground was. Burned. It was clear that something big had happened here.
What used to be the place for people to learn and grow was now weak and fragile. It could break at any moment.
---
Kael slowly opened his eyes. He saw a ceiling above him. The light was soft and gentle. He could smell the medicine in the air. "I'm in the wing " he said quietly.
When he tried to move he felt a lot of pain over his body. "Don't move " Lyra said. Her voice stopped him. He turned his head a little. Saw her sitting beside him. She looked tired. Also relieved.
"You're not strong enough to be tough now " she said. Kael gave her a smile. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked. "Two days " Lyra replied. Kaels face changed. " Long?" he said. Lyra nodded. "You almost died " she said.
There was silence for a moment. Kael looked at the ceiling again. "I was really close to dying " he said. Lyra clenched her hands a little. "Don't say it like that " she said quietly. "You scared me " she added.
Kael turned to her. For a moment they just looked at each other. Then Kael said softly "Sorry." Lyra looked away. "You're an idiot " she said.. She didn't move her hand away when it was near his.
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then a voice interrupted them. "Glad to see you're awake " Rex said. He was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Took you enough " he added. Kael smiled a little. "I'm still alive " he said. Rex laughed. "Obviously " he said.
Then Rexs face became serious. "You did something there " he said. Kaels smile went away. "I know " he said. Rex pushed himself off the wall. "You almost had it didn't you?" he asked. Kael didn't answer away. Then he said, "Yeah."
There was silence in the room. Rex made a sound with his tongue. "Don't get ahead of me " he said. Kael chuckled weakly. "I won't " he said.
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The door opened again. Aurora walked in. She had the calm face and cold air around her.. Her eyes stayed on Kael for a moment longer than usual. "You survived " she said. Kael raised an eyebrow. "That sounds like you're disappointed " he said.
"It's not " Aurora said. Then she stepped closer. "You're not stable " she said. Lyra frowned. "Can you not talk to him like that?" she asked.. Aurora ignored her. "That power you used is dangerous " she said.
Kael looked at her. "I know " he said. Auroras eyes became sharper. "Good " she said. Then she. Walked out. Just like that. Rex smiled. "She's worried about you " he said. Lyra glared at him. "Shut up " she said.
---
A minutes later the atmosphere in the room changed. It became heavy. Kael felt it away. "He's here " he said. The door opened. Orion walked in. The room became silent. Even Rex stood up straight. Lyra got up. Orions eyes went to Kael.
"You woke up faster than we thought " Orion said. Kael sat up a little even though it hurt. "We need to talk " he said. Orion nodded. "Yes " he said.
---
The others left the room. They didn't want to go. They did. Lyra hesitated at the door then walked out. Kael was left alone with Orion.
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For a moment they didn't talk. Then Orion said, "You saw it." Kaels eyes narrowed. "I saw a blade " he said. Orion didn't react. "Describe it " he said. Kael took a breath. "It was dark " he said. "Not like energy. It felt heavy like it didn't belong in this world."
There was silence. Orion closed his eyes briefly. "As expected " he said. Kael clenched his fists. "What is it?" he asked. Orion looked at him. "For now it's something you can't control " he said.
Kaels voice became harder. "I almost controlled it " he said. "Almost isn't enough " Orion said. His words hit Kael hard. Kael looked away. "Then help me " he said.
Orion was silent for a moment. Then he said, "I will." Kael looked back at him. He was surprised.
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"But you have to understand this " Orion said. "If you can't control it you'll become more dangerous than the gods." There was silence. Kael didn't look away. "Then I won't fail " he said.
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Orion studied Kael. Then he nodded. "Good " he said.
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"From tomorrow your training will change " Orion said. "What kind of training?" Kael asked. Orion turned toward the door. "The kind that might kill you " he said.
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After Orion left Kael sat there. He was silent and thinking. His hand slowly moved to his chest. The faint glow appeared again. It was stronger than before.
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"I won't lose control " he whispered.
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Outside the academy was being rebuilt. Students were moving carefully. Instructors were fixing the barriers. Everyone knew that things wouldn't go back to normal.
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away beyond where people could reach a big gate opened slowly. Golden light came out. A voice echoed "The academy still stands." Another voice responded, "For now."
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Back, in the wing Lyra stood outside the door. She didn't go in. She didn't knock. She just stood there quietly. "Don't die " she whispered.
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Inside Kael closed his eyes again.. He wasn't sleeping. He was facing the darkness. The blade. The power.
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This time when he reached out something responded. Faster. Closer. Stronger.
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"Soon " the voice echoed again.
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Kaels eyes opened slowly. He wasn't afraid. He wasn't confused.
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He was ready.