Chapter Fifteen.

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The crowd buzzed with excitement as the competition drew near. I stood near the edge of the gathering, flickering torchlight casting long shadows around me. My heart raced, caught between anticipation and anxiety.

"Penelope," Kael's voice cut through the noise, bringing me back to reality. He stepped closer, his gaze steady. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, forcing a confident smile. "As ready as I'll ever be."

He studied me for a moment, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly. "Remember to focus. The shadows are a part of you, but they don't define you. Control them; don't let them control you."

"Right," I replied, trying to mask my doubts. "Control. Got it."

Kael glanced over at Narya, who was chatting with a few other competitors. "Stay close to her. If you feel overwhelmed, just call for help."

"I won't need help," I shot back, a touch defensively. "I can handle this."

"Let's hope so," he said, his tone clipped but with an undercurrent of concern. He turned to rejoin the crowd, leaving me to contemplate my thoughts.

Narya sidled up beside me, her concern evident. "What did he say?"

"Just the usual. He wants me to control the shadows," I muttered, stealing another glance at Kael. "But what if I can't?"

"You can," Narya insisted. "Just think of how far you've come. This is your chance to prove it."

As the competition began, participants showcased their skills one by one. I watched, absorbing their movements, but my mind was still clouded with doubt. The fear of losing control loomed larger with each passing moment.

Finally, my name was called along with another girls, Scarlett, she is about my height and damn good on her feet. A hush fell over the crowd faces I didn't recognize staring at me in excitement , and I felt all of the eyes on me. I took a deep breath, pushing down the rising tide of anxiety.

Stepping into the arena, I squared my shoulders and faced the judges, projecting confidence. "You've got this," I murmured to myself.

I began with a series of basic strikes, my movements precise and deliberate. Shadows flared around me, swirling at my feet like a dark mist. The crowd was silent, anticipation palpable.

"Good," I heard Kael's voice from the sidelines, a quiet encouragement that ignited a flicker of hope in me.

Transitioning into more complex maneuvers, I wove in and out of my own shadowy tendrils. I felt the whispers around me, urging me to unleash them fully. "Focus," I reminded myself, forcing my mind back to the task at hand.

As I executed a challenging spin, the shadows surged, but this time, I embraced them, directing their energy. They responded to my command, wrapping around my movements, enhancing my strikes rather than overpowering them.

With each successful maneuver, I felt the crowd's energy lift. Cheers erupted as I landed a particularly difficult combination, my confidence growing. I was in control, the shadows bending to my will.

Finally, I concluded my performance with a flourish, bowing to Garrick and the crowd. The applause was relieving, and I felt a rush of exhilaration. I had done it. I had truly controlled the shadows.

As I stepped back, Garrick and Lasandrya talked, and Kael approached me, his expression a mix of pride and relief. "You did well, Penelope. I knew you had it in you."

"I felt... connected to them," I replied, the adrenaline still coursing through me. "Like we were working together."

"Good. That's what you need," he said, glancing back at the arena as the next competitor prepared. "Keep that connection."

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