Echoes of fallen stars

Awakening the Spark

The following morning, Ezra woke to the soft sounds of birds chirping outside the stone structure. She blinked, momentarily disoriented. Last night felt like a fever dream—a strange blur of whispered secrets, talk of destiny, and the outlandish idea that she might somehow be bound to a prophecy. She had hardly slept, her mind racing with questions and half-formed fears.

"Morning," a voice greeted her.

Ezra looked up to see Rowan standing in the doorway, watching her with an unreadable expression. "Finn's waiting outside. He thought we'd start your training today."

Ezra sat up, feeling a mix of anticipation and anxiety. She had no idea what to expect from this training, but she knew she couldn't back down now. Last night, she'd made a choice. Whether or not she fully understood that choice didn't matter now.

As she stepped outside, the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. Finn was there, pacing in the clearing, his hands behind his back. When he saw her, he stopped and gave her an appraising look.

"Sleep well?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She shrugged. "Well enough. I guess training is real then."

"It is," he said, his expression turning serious. "We don't have the luxury of time, so today, we'll begin with the basics. We're going to find out what abilities you have—if any."

Ezra crossed her arms, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. "Abilities? I told you, I don't have starlight. If I had powers, wouldn't I know by now?"

Finn smirked, a hint of mischief glinting in his eyes. "Powers don't always show up the way you'd expect, especially for someone like you. The fact that you're unbound by starlight might mean your potential is... different."

Rowan approached, carrying a simple wooden staff. He handed it to her, his expression almost challenging. "We'll start with something easy. Hold the staff, focus, and see if you can channel anything. Energy, intent, even a spark of magic."

Ezra took the staff, feeling its smooth, worn wood in her hands. She had never even attempted magic, not in a world where starlight dictated one's path and abilities. Magic was something that belonged to others—the powerful, the blessed. But as she stood there, she felt the weight of their expectation.

"Close your eyes," Finn instructed. "Take a deep breath, and imagine a flame in your chest, a light waiting to be released. Draw from it."

She closed her eyes, took a slow breath, and pictured what Finn had said—a spark, something small yet powerful, flickering deep within her. She tried to pull it forth, to let it ignite.

Nothing happened.

She opened her eyes, feeling self-conscious. "See? I told you. This isn't something I can just... make happen."

Finn seemed unbothered, crossing his arms. "Try again. This time, clear your mind of doubt. Stop worrying about what you think you can't do and focus on what you might be able to."

Ezra closed her eyes once more, determined not to fail again. She forced herself to empty her mind, letting go of her fears and insecurities, letting the morning sounds around her fall away. This time, she focused on a memory: the moment she had felt Finn's hand in hers last night, the spark of potential that had flickered deep within her.

A tingling warmth began to build in her chest, spreading down her arms, and before she knew it, the staff in her hands began to hum with energy. Her eyes flew open, startled, as a faint glow pulsed along the wood, radiating from her grip. It was faint, barely visible, but it was there.

Finn's eyes widened, and even Rowan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Well, that's... something," Rowan muttered, though there was a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

Ezra looked down at the staff, a strange thrill racing through her. She hadn't expected anything to happen—part of her had been sure she was destined to fail. But feeling that warmth, that power, was like touching a piece of herself she'd never known existed.

"See?" Finn said with a grin. "It's there. It's just... different. But you can channel it."

She swallowed, feeling both exhilarated and unsettled. "So... I really can do this?"

Finn nodded, but his smile faded as he studied her. "Magic can be unpredictable, especially when you're working without a guiding starlight. But yes. You have something, and that's a start."

Rowan cleared his throat. "Don't get too comfortable just yet. We'll need to work on control. If your power is unbound, it might not behave the way you want it to."

Ezra's excitement dimmed slightly as Rowan's words sank in. She had felt the energy in the staff, the rush of power, but she also sensed how wild it was, like trying to contain fire in her hands. She glanced between them, wondering what else she didn't know about herself.

"So what's next?" she asked, hoping her voice sounded more confident than she felt.

Finn exchanged a look with Rowan. "For now, we'll focus on refining that energy. You need to learn control—how to call on your power at will, and how to hold it back when necessary."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of training exercises. Rowan showed her how to ground herself, focusing her energy without letting it overwhelm her, while Finn helped her practice simple maneuvers with the staff. Each time she managed to summon the glow, it felt easier, though her control remained shaky. At one point, the staff had even sparked and sent a flash of light that startled them all.

"You're getting better," Finn said encouragingly. "But remember, this is only the beginning. The Council has eyes and ears everywhere. If they find out what you're capable of, they won't just ignore it."

Ezra shivered at the thought, remembering all the stories of the Council's ruthless hold on power. But beneath the fear, she felt a sense of pride—a strength she hadn't realized was hers.

By mid-afternoon, she was exhausted, her muscles aching, and her mind felt like it had been stretched in a dozen different directions. But she also felt a spark of hope, a growing confidence she'd never felt before.

As they sat resting, Finn broke the silence, his voice thoughtful. "You know, there was a time when I didn't think I had any power either."

Ezra looked at him, surprised. "You? I thought you were—well, you're obviously strong. You seem... certain."

He laughed softly, shaking his head. "Certainty isn't something you're born with. You learn it. And sometimes, the people around you help you find it." His gaze softened, and for a moment, Ezra felt as though he was letting her see past the guarded exterior he wore like armor.

Rowan cleared his throat, breaking the moment. "That's enough for today. Ezra, you've done well. We'll continue tomorrow."

Ezra nodded, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation. She was exhausted but eager for more. She glanced at Finn, who gave her a reassuring nod.

As they walked back to the safe house, Ezra couldn't shake the feeling that her life was no longer her own. She was connected to something larger, something far beyond her understanding. The thought was both terrifying and thrilling, but one thing was certain: she was no longer alone.

And for the first time in her life, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.