Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter eight

Josie

The air was crisp as Josie stepped onto the Kraven training field, another cold morning and the wind biting at her skin. The rays of the sun were just beginning to pierce the morning mist, casting a soft glow over the landscape. Josie roamed her eyes over the field, making sure no one else was around. Her mind raced with the memory of Creed seeing her last time. If he had noticed her, who else might have? She knew she needed to be more cautious moving forward.
Corbyn jogged over, her breath visible in the cold air. She greeted Josie with a gentle smile and motioned for her to sit on the ground with her. "Morning Josie, you ready, light wielder?" Josie softly huffed at her new title and nodded her head. "Sit with me." Corbyn said gently. "Let's start with centering ourselves," Corbyn said. Josie lowered herself onto the cold earth, crossing her legs and closing her eyes, trying to calm her racing heart.
Corbyn's voice was soothing as she continued, "I know that nobody really understands much about light wielders, and to be honest, I'm worried that I won't be much help to you." Josie opened her eyes and looked at Corbyn, seeing the concern etched on her face. "But all magic, no matter how rare or common, follows the same basic principles," Corbyn reassured her.

"We've been focusing on trying to get you to summon your power," Corbyn explained, "but I think we need to shift our approach. Summoning is important, yes, but what concerns me more is your ability to control and balance your power." She swallowed hard, the seriousness of her words hanging in the air. "If a light bringer loses control, the consequences could be catastrophic."
Josie listened intently, her nerves slowly starting to ease as Corbyn spoke. She understood the gravity of the situation and appreciated Corbyn's honesty. It was comforting to know that someone was willing to guide her, even if they were unsure of what lay ahead.
"You were able to summon your power on your third try," Corbyn continued, "which is impressive, but also worrying. It means you might be more powerful than we initially thought. And with great power comes great responsibility." Josie felt a shiver run down her spine at Corbyn's words, the weight of her potential sinking in. "Today," Corbyn said, "we're going to work on balance. We're going to focus on keeping your power dormant until you need it. This is the hard part for most people, but it's crucial for your safety and everyone else's." Josie nodded, determination filling her. She was ready to learn, to control, to master her abilities.
Corbyn led Josie through a series of breathing exercises, helping her to center her mind and body. They sat in silence for a while, the only sound being the soft rustling of the leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Josie could feel the energy within her, a pulsing light just beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed.

"Good," Corbyn said after a while. "Now, I want you to imagine a dam holding back a powerful river. Your magic is the river, and your mind is the dam. You control how much power flows through." Josie visualized the image, focusing on the dam, feeling the rush of power against it, but holding it back.
They continued the exercise, Corbyn guiding Josie with gentle words and encouragement. The sun rose higher in the sky, warming the field and dispelling the morning chill. Josie felt a sense of calm wash over her, a newfound control over her abilities beginning to take shape.

Hours passed as they practiced, and Josie began to feel more confident. She could sense the power within her, but it was no longer something wild and uncontrollable. It was a part of her, something she could manage and direct as needed.
Corbyn smiled at Josie's progress. "You're doing great," she said. "Remember, balance is key. Always be mindful of your power and never let it control you." Josie nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and determination. As they wrapped up their session, Corbyn placed a reassuring hand on Josie's shoulder. "We'll keep working on this," she said. "You're not alone in this journey. We'll figure it out together." Josie felt a surge of gratitude for Corbyn's support and guidance. As Josie made her way back to the castle, she couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. She knew there was still a long road ahead, but with Corbyn's help, she was beginning to understand her power and how to control it. She was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that she had friends by her side.