Luca stood very still, his mind focusing as he floated into the dark, familiar abyss that Psyros called home. The air was thick and cold around him, but he swam deeper undeterred. Awhile later, off in the distance, the fearsome outline of Psyros began to take shape-massive form, dark scales, purple eyes aglow with power. Luca took a deep breath and called out to it.
"Psyros, I need you to help me. Lend me your power. Teach me how to use it."
The moment after, Psyros said nothing; he only glared at him with an intense gaze as if staring into Luca's very soul. Then, his deep sonorous voice replied, "Boy, your body is too weak to bear my full power. I'll channel part of my energy into your sword-half of it. Remember each time you want to speak to me, you don't have to come here, just talk to me and I'll answer you."
Luca blinked, and he was back into the real world. He looked down at his sword, still clutching the hilt tightly. "Okay," he whispered, "Did you channel it already?"
A brief moment of silence passed, then Psyros' voice finally echoed in his head. "No, I haven't yet."
Luca gasped as Psyros's shadowy form came out of his body, swirling around him like dark smoke. The dragon-like creature extended a claw and touched it to the sword. A faint purple glow began to envelope the blade as Psyros infused it with his energy. The air thickened with the hum of power.
"Now it is done," Psyros said, his voice an echo.
Luca stared at the sword in wonder. "All right, now what do I do with it?"
Psyros's eyes narrowed further as he kept on coaching. "Close your eyes, boy. Feel the energy inside the sword. Pay attention to the way it moves. Visualize drawing out just a little of that power. and take it."
Luca closed his eyes and concentrated very hard. He could feel a faint heartbeat inside the blade-a heartbeat of sorts. His mind reached out, and he began to picture himself grasping a thread of that power, drawing it toward him. Suddenly, his body shuddered, and his eyes wide open.
"Did I do it? I feel lighter," Luca said, jumping up and down, as if this was his newfound strength. "I feel stronger!"
Psyros's voice rumbled in approval. "You've done it. You are now using 4% of my power."
Luca grinned but grew even more curious. "If I may ask, Psyros-what exactly is your power?"
A low rumble emanated from Psyros, almost a chuckle. "Ah, you are curious. Very well. Listen close."
Luca didn't budge, his attention riveted. The world around him fell silent while he waited to hear Psyros's next words.
"Not to me," Psyros amended. "Listen to the sounds around you."
Luca furrowed his brow in some confusion and then he closed his eyes again to listen properly. He could hear the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze, the chirping voices of the villagers from afar, the soft crackling of a fire close by.
"My power," Psyros continued, "is sound manipulation. With them, I can make living objects. The stronger the sound, the stronger the object. I can make them visible or invisible at my will."
Luca opened his eyes in surprise; they were wide with wonder. "That's awesome! Is that what I can do too?"
Psyros' voice was calm, as always, but not without motivation. "Try. First, just snap your fingers, and from that noise, create a rock."
Luca couldn't believe his eyes on his hand. "That just can't be possible."
Psyros was firm. "It is not impossible. It is your power now. You can do it."
Luca breathed in, composed his mind, and snapped his fingers. Nothing happened.
Psyros' voice remained patient. "Imagine the sound of your fingers snapping. Consider it as a force. Now, consider what you want that sound to take shape as.
Luça closed his eyes this time, imagining the snap of his fingers to be a ripple of energy. He took that ripple and concentrated on it condensing into form-a rock. He snapped again.
This time, opening his eyes, a small rock appeared in his hand. Luça gasped; his fist clenching around it, but in doing so, it crumbled into ash, slipping through his fingers.
"You are still too weak for the materials to be durable," Psyros explained, his tone even and yet encouraging.
Luca's eyes were wide with astonishment, staring at his hands. "This is. amazing." Getting to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest, he looked to the sky-resolution strongly renewed.
The road now ahead would be long and hard, but Luca knew with Psyros' power in his veins that he wasn't a boy anymore. He was a protector now, called to do something greater than what he ever could have imagined.