The second attempt lasted longer.
Not by much.
But enough to matter.
Aren stood in the center of the broken room, his hand raised, darkness flickering around his fingers like something trying to take shape.
It didn't lash out this time.
Didn't surge wildly.
It held.
Barely.
"…again," Iris said.
Aren exhaled slowly.
There was no hesitation now.
Only focus.
He reached inward—
Not for power—
But for control.
The darkness responded instantly.
It gathered around his hand, tighter than before, more concentrated.
Less chaos.
More intent.
His fingers trembled slightly.
"…don't let it spread," Iris reminded him.
"I know," Aren replied.
But this time—
It wasn't the same.
The pull was stronger.
Not violent—
But deeper.
Like something was noticing him.
Responding.
His breathing slowed.
His vision sharpened.
The room around him faded slightly as his focus narrowed.
For a moment—
It worked.
The darkness stabilized.
Formed.
Not just energy anymore—
But something closer to shape.
A thin layer wrapped around his hand.
Controlled.
Contained.
Iris's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…that's new."
Aren didn't respond.
Because the moment he noticed it—
It changed.
The darkness pulsed.
Once.
Then—
It pushed back.
Hard.
Aren's expression tightened.
"…it's resisting," he muttered.
"…of course it is," Iris said.
"…you're forcing it."
Aren gritted his teeth.
"…I'm not letting it win."
The pressure increased.
Inside him—
The pull became a drag.
His thoughts slowed slightly.
His body tensed.
The darkness flickered—
Unstable again.
"…stop," Iris said sharply.
Aren didn't.
Not yet.
He pushed harder.
Tried to force it into shape again.
For a split second—
It worked.
The darkness sharpened—
Solidified—
Then—
It snapped.
Not outward—
Inward.
Aren's vision went black for a fraction of a second.
His body jerked forward as the energy collapsed back into him violently.
Pain shot through his chest.
Not physical.
Deeper.
He dropped to one knee.
"…ghh—!"
The mark burned.
Brighter than before.
Iris moved instantly, grabbing his shoulder.
"…I said stop."
Aren's breathing turned uneven.
"…I had it…"
"…no," she cut in.
"…it had you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Aren stayed there for a moment, steadying himself.
The pain faded slowly.
But the feeling—
Didn't.
"…that's the price," Iris said quietly.
Aren looked up.
"…of what?"
"…control," she replied.
A pause.
"…every time you push it, it pushes back harder."
Aren stood up slowly.
"…then I just need to push further."
Iris shook her head.
"…and that's how you lose."
Aren didn't argue.
But he didn't agree either.
Because something inside him—
Didn't want balance.
Didn't want control.
It wanted more.
Aren clenched his fist slightly.
"…then what's the alternative?"
Iris stepped back, watching him carefully.
"…you stop trying to dominate it."
Aren frowned.
"…and?"
"…you learn when to let go."
Silence.
"…that sounds like losing control," Aren said.
"…no," Iris replied.
"…that's choosing it."
The words lingered.
Aren's gaze lowered slightly.
The mark pulsed faintly.
Calm.
Waiting.
"…fine," he said.
"…show me."
Iris's expression didn't change.
"…I can't."
Aren looked at her.
"…what?"
"…everyone's power is different," she said.
"…yours more than anyone's."
A pause.
"…you'll have to figure it out yourself."
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Not empty.
Not tense.
Just… quiet.
Aren stepped forward again.
"…then I'll test it."
Iris didn't stop him.
Didn't interrupt.
Because this part—
Couldn't be taught.
Aren raised his hand once more.
The mark pulsed.
Darkness formed again.
Slower this time.
More controlled.
But instead of forcing it—
He watched it.
Let it move.
Let it settle.
The energy flickered.
Shifted.
Then—
It stabilized.
Not perfectly.
But enough.
A thin layer formed again around his hand.
Less rigid.
Less forced.
More… natural.
Aren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…this is different."
Iris nodded slightly.
"…you're not fighting it."
Aren didn't respond.
Because something else had changed.
The pull—
Was weaker.
Not gone.
But quieter.
For the first time—
It wasn't trying to take over.
It was… waiting.
Aren lowered his hand slowly.
The darkness faded without resistance.
Silence followed.
"…that's it," Iris said.
"…don't rush it."
Aren looked at his hand.
"…I'm not."
But deep down—
He knew.
This was only the beginning.
Far above the city—
The man in white watched.
Silent.
Still.
"…he's learning," the figure behind him said.
Aren's image flickered faintly in their vision.
"…slowly," the man replied.
A pause.
"…but not safely."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…good."
Back inside the broken building—
Aren turned slightly.
"…we can't stay here," he said.
Iris nodded.
"…I know."
A pause.
"…they'll come back."
Aren's gaze hardened slightly.
"…let them."
Iris looked at him.
"…you're not ready."
Aren didn't deny it.
"…then I'll be ready before they arrive."
Silence.
Then—
A faint smirk appeared on Iris's face.
"…we'll see."
Outside—
The wind picked up.
And somewhere far beyond the city—
Something stirred.