Morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow across the clearing where the four friends stood. The fresh scent of pine mingled with the faint aroma of earth, filling the air with a sense of calm that contrasted sharply with the turmoil they all felt inside. They stood apart, each of them nervously flexing their fingers or adjusting their stances as if uncertain of what to do next.]
SPIKE – "Alright, Gigi, what's the plan here?" His voice was steady, but there was an edge of apprehension to it. He hadn't forgotten what had happened during the trial or how close they came to losing everything.
GIGI – "We need to master these abilities. The elements—they're tied to us now. And if we don't figure out how to use them properly, we're only going to be a danger to ourselves and everyone around us." [She glanced at Devena, then Borton, finally settling her gaze on Spike.] "So, let's start with basics and see how much control we have."
[Spike clenched his fists and nodded, moving to one side of the clearing. He closed his eyes, taking deep, measured breaths, and let the energy flow through him. A faint ripple of air swirled around his feet, stirring the leaves and dirt.]
SPIKE – "I still don't get how I'm supposed to control air."
BORTON – "Just feel it, man. Let it respond to you." [He lifted his hand, and the ground beneath him shuddered slightly. The faintest trace of dust rose around his boots as if the earth was reacting to his presence.] "Like this."
DEVENA – "Easy for you to say." [She stretched out her arm, trying to summon the sensation she felt back in the cave when she'd blasted through the stone. But there was nothing—no warmth, no flicker of fire. She sighed, exasperated.] "It's not coming out. It only happened when I was desperate."
GIGI – "That's why we're here—to practice in a controlled environment." [She glanced at each of them, her expression firm but encouraging.] "We're all still figuring this out. But we need to push ourselves."
[They spent the next hour in focused practice. Spike conjured small gusts of wind, which eventually grew strong enough to rustle the branches above. Borton created minor tremors beneath his feet, disrupting the earth without fully cracking it open. Gigi, with painstaking effort, managed to pull water from the air itself, forming small droplets that floated in her palm.]
[But it was Devena who struggled the most. No matter what she tried, she couldn't bring forth a single spark of flame.]
DEVENA – "This is pointless." [She finally said, frustration etched across her face.] "Maybe I'm not meant to control fire."
SPIKE – "Don't say that. You've done it before—you can do it again."
GIGI – "He's right. You just need to find what triggers it."
[Devena frowned, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. But no matter how hard she focused, no fire appeared. She exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of their expectations pressing down on her. It wasn't fair—why couldn't she do this like the others?]
[Later that afternoon, they took a break and sat in a small circle on the forest floor, munching on the simple meal Borton had brought with him. Their laughter and conversation gradually eased the tension, allowing them to momentarily forget the burdens of their newfound powers.]
BORTON – "You know, if someone told me a month ago I'd be making the ground shake by stomping my feet, I'd have called them crazy." [He chuckled, shaking his head.] "Now look at us—practically gods."
SPIKE – "Yeah, gods who barely know what we're doing." [He smiled wryly.] "But it's something. We're learning. And we'll get better."
[Their voices trailed off as they fell into a companionable silence. The sun was beginning to set, casting the clearing in shades of gold and amber. Gigi glanced at Devena, who was staring at the ground, lost in thought.]
GIGI – "Hey, Dev. Don't beat yourself up, okay? It'll come."
DEVENA – "It's not just that. I'm worried." [She looked up, meeting Gigi's eyes.] "About all of this. What we're supposed to do. About Crniu. What if we mess up?"
GIGI – "Then we'll handle it together, just like we've handled everything so far. One step at a time."
SPIKE – "She's right. We're in this together."
[Devena offered a small smile, appreciating their support. But deep down, the worry lingered. They had a long way to go before they could even think about facing whatever trials awaited them.]
[The sun dipped lower, and the forest grew darker. They resumed their training under the soft glow of the moon, determined to make progress despite their exhaustion. Devena, fueled by a mixture of frustration and determination, found herself alone on the edge of the clearing. The others were occupied with their own practice, leaving her to wrestle with her unruly power.]
"Come on…" [She muttered, staring down at her hands.] "Just one little flame. That's all I ask."
[Nothing happened. She clenched her fists, feeling a surge of anger well up inside her. This wasn't fair—why did she have to be the weak link? She wanted to scream, to lash out at something—anything.]
[And then, as if responding to her emotions, a faint warmth spread through her fingertips. She gasped, staring in shock as a small flicker of flame appeared, dancing in her palm.]
"I… I did it…" [Her voice was barely a whisper, a mixture of awe and disbelief. She watched the flame for a few precious moments before it flickered out, leaving her staring at her empty hand.]
[She turned to call out to the others, but hesitated. No. This was her moment. She needed to understand it better before showing them.]
"I'll get it right next time," [she murmured to herself, determination hardening her features.]
[With renewed resolve, she squared her shoulders and resumed her practice, the memory of that tiny flame burning brightly in her mind. There was hope. And with hope came the promise of control—a promise she intended to keep.]