The rune was cast. Thunderbolt.
Everyone's eyes lifted to the sky to see a swirling black mass of cloud block out the sun. The rune had gained full power and had assumed it's full visible form in front of me. My hands fed the rune power as the rune converted it into the monstrous attack that was about to come forth.
From the centre of the black cloud, a bolt of lightning ensued, striking Artemus' shield with an almighty blow. The power was running through my hands and I didn't stop it as I watched bolt after bolt hit my opponent's shield.
'Stop, please...' I could hear Artemus crying out from under his shield. It was about to give way.
'Stop, stop...' his voice faded away in my mind as I focused on the magic.
I was so angry that my father had made me do this today when I didn't feel ready. I was so frustrated when Artemus looked at me with disappointed eyes when I couldn't cast a rune. I was so embarrassed that the Knights were so unimpressed by me that they had completely lost interest in my session. But that wasn't the case any more.
I looked to the sky and with each bolt, a flash of light appeared for what was only a minisecond, but what felt like a lifetime. I watched as each flash brought forth a bolt of electricity. It was as though every single one revealed further confirmation of my ability. But then, suddenly, a voice came from within the light, quiet at first, then gaining clarity.
'Elodie... Elodie... you must stop this. Let go, let go!' It was a woman's voice, angelic and pure, yet it also contained worry. In that moment I regained all other senses that had previously been consumed by anger and frustration.
'Stop Elodie, stop...' the voice said as it faded away. It was becoming lower, more clear...
'STOP!'
Oh no, the King! The King was shouting at me to stop! I suddenly felt fear and exhaustion as I let go of the spell, the magic coming to a halt. The dark cloud began to dissipate into the blue afternoon sky and the magic rune I had cast faded away into the air.
I felt horrendous as I squinted to look around, my eyes blinded by all the flashes of light I had just witnessed. The Knights were staring, open- mouthed, their shields up. I couldn't bring myself to look at the royal box.
My eyes were getting worse as I looked around for Artemus, but I couldn't see him. I felt myself falling but couldn't stop myself, my eyes now awash with a bright white light. I hit the floor and heard a large amount of movement around me. Consciousness was slipping away from me and all the world faded to black...