Chapter 10: Trial by Fire
Aria's body still tingled with the remnants of the power she had unleashed. The glowing markings on the ancient stone had faded, but something within her had changed forever. She wasn't just feeling the Lunaris energy anymore—she was one with it.
But understanding her power and controlling it were two different things.
Elder Miriam and Lyra stood a few feet away, watching her carefully.
"You felt it, didn't you?" Miriam asked.
Aria nodded. "It wasn't just power—it was… a presence."
Lyra's expression darkened. "The Lunaris Bloodline has always been tied to the Moon Goddess herself. If she is reaching out to you, it means your awakening is more significant than we thought."
Aria swallowed hard. She had barely begun training, yet the energy inside her felt vast—dangerous, even. "So what do I do now?"
Miriam studied her. "Now, we see if you can control it."
The Test Begins
Lyra gestured toward a row of trees behind them. "Try channeling your power into something small. Focus your energy on movement—force the wind to shift."
Aria frowned. "You want me to control the wind?"
"It's not just the wind," Miriam corrected. "It's the force within you. The Lunaris wolves were known for their elemental connection, their ability to influence the world around them."
Aria took a deep breath, stretching out her senses. The air was still, the night quiet except for the distant hoot of an owl.
She focused inward, searching for that energy she had felt earlier. It was there, beneath her skin, a hum of raw power waiting to be called upon.
Move, she willed.
At first, nothing happened. Then, a soft breeze brushed against her cheek.
Aria's eyes widened.
"Good," Lyra said, watching closely. "Now, make it stronger."
Aria gritted her teeth and pushed harder. The energy pulsed inside her, and suddenly, the wind howled through the clearing, kicking up dirt and rustling the trees violently.
Lyra staggered back. "Whoa!"
Miriam, however, remained still. "Control it, Aria. Do not let it control you."
Aria clenched her fists, trying to rein it in, but the wind only grew stronger. The air crackled with power, and for a moment, fear gripped her.
She wasn't sure how to stop it.
The Breaking Point
Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the energy within her snapped.
The wind died instantly, leaving the clearing in eerie silence. Aria fell to her knees, panting. Sweat dripped from her brow.
Miriam stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're strong, but your power is still wild. It must be tempered."
Lyra nodded. "If you lose control like that in battle, it could cost you."
Aria's fingers dug into the dirt. She had thought gaining her power would be the hardest part. But now she realized—mastering it would be the true challenge.
She wasn't just training to fight anymore. She was training to become something greater.
Something unstoppable.
And she wouldn't stop until she was ready.
End of Chapter 10