Elara awoke to the soft, persistent hum of the city outside. The warehouse, her temporary sanctuary, felt smaller now, confined by the weight of what she had learned. The threads of the bond still pulsed in her chest, a constant reminder that her life had changed irreversibly.
Kael was already awake, seated cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed in meditation. The air around him seemed to shimmer faintly, as if even he could feel the residual energy lingering from last night’s confrontation.
“Elara,” he called without opening his eyes, voice calm but firm. “It’s time to begin.”
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, heart hammering in anticipation. “Begin… what exactly?”
Kael opened his eyes slowly, golden irises sharp. “Training. The bond has awakened, and your power is respondi
