Veil of Sparks

The first rays of dawn crept through the small window in Kael's dormitory, painting streaks of pale light across the room's plain stone walls. He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the dagger in his hands.

It was a simple weapon—worn, unremarkable—but it had survived as much as he had. The leather-wrapped hilt fit snugly in his palm, its grip polished smooth from use. Kael turned it over slowly, watching the light dance along the blade's uneven edge.

A faint hum buzzed at the back of his mind, a quiet rhythm he'd grown more attuned to since the Hunt Trial. The relic fragment he'd absorbed lingered within him like a second heartbeat, amplifying the flow of his Spark in subtle, unexpected ways.

Kael's fingers tingled as lightning crackled faintly along his skin, unbidden. It felt sharper now, more precise—yet still unpredictable, like a tool he hadn't fully mastered.

He frowned, tightening his grip on the dagger as frustration simmered beneath the surface.

It's not enough, he thought. I need to figure this out. Before it's too late.

The corridors of the Celestial Spire were unnervingly quiet as Kael made his way toward the training grounds. The few recruits he passed offered brief nods or wary glances but said nothing. Most of them looked exhausted, their steps slow and deliberate, their eyes hollow from the strain of the trials.

Kael understood the feeling all too well.

When he stepped onto the training grounds, the stark contrast between the chaos of the trials and the calm of this space hit him. The sprawling area was divided into sections—some filled with polished stone platforms for sparring, others featuring uneven terrain littered with jagged rocks and glowing runes.

Thread conduits snaked along the ground, their soft hum a constant presence. The air carried a faint metallic tang, a sensation Kael had come to associate with charged energy.

Kael chose a secluded corner near the edge of the grounds, where a cluster of rocks jutted out like jagged teeth. He crouched, setting his dagger on the ground as he flexed his fingers, letting the hum of his Spark fill the silence.

The first flicker of lightning came slowly, crackling along his fingertips in faint arcs. Kael let the energy build, focusing on the rhythm of the flow as he extended his hand toward one of the rocks.

The strike was weak—a pale flash of light followed by a soft crack as the energy dispersed. The second attempt was sharper, the lightning carving a shallow groove into the stone.

Kael exhaled slowly, his breath misting in the cool morning air.

The relic fragment's presence was subtle but constant, amplifying his Spark just enough to make him aware of its potential. Yet, every attempt felt incomplete, like a puzzle missing its final pieces.

"Come on," Kael muttered, narrowing his eyes as he summoned the lightning again.

This time, the energy surged brighter, crackling violently as it struck the rock. Dust and shards scattered in the air, and Kael winced as the force pushed him back a step.

Too much.

He gritted his teeth, frustration bubbling to the surface. The relic fragment had given him a boost, sure, but it was a blunt instrument in his hands—a wild force he couldn't fully control.

"You're going to wear yourself out if you keep pushing like that."

The voice startled Kael, and the lightning fizzled out as he turned sharply.

Ren stood a few feet away, leaning casually against one of the larger rocks. His spear rested across his shoulders, and his ever-present smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Kael asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Not really," Ren said, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "Watching you flail around is pretty entertaining, though."

Kael scowled, turning back toward the rocks. "I'm not flailing."

"Could've fooled me," Ren said, stepping closer.

Ren crouched beside one of the rocks, running his fingers along the faint scorch marks Kael's lightning had left behind.

"You've got power," Ren said, his tone losing some of its usual sarcasm. "But power doesn't mean much if you can't control it."

Kael tightened his jaw. "I'm working on it."

"Are you?" Ren asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're just throwing sparks around and hoping for the best."

Kael didn't respond, his frustration deepening.

Ren straightened, twirling his spear lazily as he stepped onto the nearest platform. "All right, Sparky. Let's see what you've got."

Kael blinked. "What?"

"You heard me," Ren said, smirking. "Show me what you've learned. And try not to fry yourself in the process."

Kael hesitated but stepped onto the platform, his dagger sparking faintly as he drew it.

Ren moved first, his spear darting forward in a quick thrust. Kael sidestepped, bringing his dagger up to deflect the strike. The weapons clashed, the sound sharp against the quiet morning air.

"You're stiff," Ren said, spinning the spear to strike again. "Loosen up. Let your Spark guide you."

Kael gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance as he parried another strike. He let the energy flow more freely this time, the lightning crackling brighter along the blade as he countered with a sharp swing.

Ren stepped back, his movements fluid as he deflected the strike with ease.

"Better," Ren said, his tone almost approving. "But you're still overthinking it. Stop fighting the Spark—it's part of you, not a tool."

The sparring continued, each exchange sharpening Kael's movements. The connection to the relic fragment felt stronger now, the energy coursing through him with more precision.

Ren's smirk faded slightly as Kael deflected another strike, the lightning surging in a controlled arc that forced Ren to retreat.

"You're learning," Ren said, his voice quieter now. "But don't get cocky. The Festival doesn't care how much progress you've made—it only cares if you survive."

Kael's chest heaved as he lowered his dagger, sweat dripping down his face. "Thanks for the pep talk."

Ren's smirk returned. "Anytime."

Later, as Kael made his way back to the dormitories, his body ached with every step.

The relic fragment hummed faintly in his chest, its energy a constant reminder of what he'd gained—and what he still needed to master.

Kael paused outside his room, his fingers brushing against the worn leather hilt of his dagger.

I'm getting there, he thought. One step at a time.