Chapter 3: The Gift of Curiosity

The sun rose gradually, gilt and life-givingly richly illuminating the small room in the village where Kael lived. He rose with complete eagerness; a new day lay before him, like some unwritten story. The laughter and simplicities of yesterday conjured anticipation within him and all that memory made him realize that he had to see more of this world and discover its secrets and treasures.

Pulling himself on, he could feel inside of him the usual thrum of energy - a gentle reminder, yet comforting and grounding all at once. A quick breakfast of fresh bread and fruit, and he was off, determination propelling his feet forward.

Today, Kael had decided to go out to the edges of the village near where the forest met the rolling hills. Villagers spoke about a secret glade said to be enchanted; where time moved and flights of dreams happened. The thought made his heart pound as he turned in that direction.

"Where do you think you're off to?" a familiar voice cut across his thoughts. It was the woman from the fruit stall, her arms laden with baskets.

"I'm going to find the hidden glade!" Kael exclaimed, excitement bubbling over.

Ah, the clearing!" she said with one of those knowing smiles that his mother was wont to pin on him after a bout of mischief. "Many seek it out and yet very few find it. Be careful; they say the magic there can be overwhelming."

"I'll be careful!" he vowed, his resolve unshakeable.

As the sun rises further up the sky, the chirping of the daily phenomena would pass by him and he would be winding his way through a scene of children playing and laughs resounding through the air accompanied with the scent of roasted food. It was the same steps that would normally satisfy his yearning for belonging in his previous life.

Kael halted at the tree line, taking in all the rich colour of the inside the forest. He filled his lungs with deep breaths, letting in the freshness of pine and earth. "Alright, let's see what lies ahead," he muttered, and then he stepped off into cool shadow.

The woods were alive: the crackle of leaves inflamed the air, far-off birdsong and running water produced the silence. He could feel a deep-seated connection to the energy around him as if inviting him in; the forest itself seemed inviting. Closing his eyes for just a moment, he aligned himself to the vibrational pulls of the rising energies in the air. "Show me the way," he whispered softly, letting instinct lead.

Kael walked for a while until he saw the thin path. It was carpeted with fern and flowers, and all of them were overgrown: "It must lead somewhere," he thought excitedly as he followed the path, pushing aside branches, ducking under several low-hanging leaves.

Finally, he entered a clearing. Sunlight poured into his eyes, and at its center, there was a small pond. The water sparkled like a thousand diamonds. Wildflowers covered the edges, painting their colors vividly against the greens of the backdrop. Serene and enchanting - a perfect setting wherein dreams can unfold.

"Is this the hidden glade?" Kael whispered aloud, his voice barely audible in the quiet. He crept a little closer along the water's edge, crawling down onto his knees to peek into the depths of it. The pond sent back an image of himself reflected there, but something more had caught his eye, behind him—the dancing shimmer of light.

He turned, and to his utter amazement, he saw a figure being retrieved from the bright light. He could not believe that it was a female form. The woman looked so thin and fragile that Kael could hardly perceive what he was seeing. Long strands of hair took the form of shimmering air. Warmth and serenity radiated from this very being.

"Who are you?" asked Kael in awe-filled words.

"I am Lyra, guardian of the glade," she said, her voice like a gentle breeze. "You have chanced upon a place of much connection and magic, that few have the heart to seek out here."

"Just was looking to explore, I didn't think to find anyone." Kael said, swallowing his excitement.

Lyra smiled, twinkling the eyes with some kind of mischief. "Curiosity is a gift, dear one. It leads to discovery and growth. What is it that you seek?"

Kael thought for a moment. "I want to know my powers and how to use them well. I want to know about this world.".

"Wise goals," she nodded." But not the only thing to pursue power. You have also to look inside for knowledge, compassion and to unite people."

"Connection?" Kael remembered all the dealings he had with the villagers and the kids. "I have tried that already."

"Then you're on the right track," she said, gliding closer. "The glade will teach you, but you need to be receptive to its lessons as well. Do you want to see what it could reveal to you?"

Kael's excitement ran high. "Yes, please!"

Lyra nodded toward the pond. "Look into the water and let it show you what you need to learn."

He knelt again, attending more to the surface than on his first attempt. Water started swirling above his palms as he did so. The whirlpools began creating images, scenes from his life and glimmers of what could have been. He saw himself laughing among friends, the warmth of friendship resonating in the air, and then all of it was filled with black hues of loneliness and despair.

"What is this?" Kael asked, his heart racing at lightning speed.

"The duality of life", Lyra said in a whisper. "You can shape your future, but the choices you make will forge it. Power without purpose creates emptiness."

Kael nodded his head as his eyes were open to understand. "So then, I should tread carefully with the way I use my abilities?"

"Exactly. Your omnipotence gives you the capacity to build and break, but real power would be in recognizing just how others are affected by your decisions.

He felt a clarity he had never known before. "Thanks, Lyra. I'll never forget this."

"Remember, the world is big, and every experience is its own lesson. Seek balance in all things," she said to him, "but now, let's play a game."

"A game?" Kael raised an eyebrow.

"Yes! A discovery game. I give you a challenge, and you have to find a way through that will use your strengths and skills to solve it. Are you ready for that?"

Kael felt a small spark ignite inside of him. "Absolutely!"

"Well. I want you to create something from nothing. Use the energy around you to manifest an object that represents your journey so far."

Kael eagerly nodded, taking up the challenge. Closing his eyes, he homed in on the energy flowing through the clearing and felt its essence pulse like a heartbeat. He thought about his journey: all the laughter, friendships, and lessons learned.

Let's see…. he breathed, siphoning strength from the air. He slowly visualized a small sphere of light bright and warm, shining like a beacon for connection and hope.

As he opened his eyes, Kael thrust out his hands. Power swirled about him, building into a shimmering orb, soft pulse beating steadily, giving off warmth and color. "Here!" he yelled, his chest thrust forward to hold the orb aloft in triumph.

Lyra clapped her hands, and a radiant light seemed to boil up on her face. "Wonderful! This orb is a piece of your soul—a reflection of your potential. However it's fragile, just like the bonds you create. Nurture them, and they will blossom." Kael beamed when this was said, and a warm satisfaction swept over him. "Thanks, Lyra! This means the world to me.".

As they spoke, he learned more of the glade and energies that flowed through it. "Now, as seekers come before," Lyra began, "the lessons I have learned and seen demonstrated -".

Finally, as the sun set to touch the clearing with a soft warm gold, Kael knew he had to leave. "I should return back to the village," he said reluctantly. "They'll be wondering where I've gone."

"Every journey has its end, but it leads one to a new life," she said, smiling serenely. "Remember the lessons that you will learn here today, and bring them with you. "I will," Kael promised, feeling a wave of gratitude swell inside of him. "Thank you for everything, Lyra."

She waved her hand toward the pond. "One last thing, though, before you go," Lyra said. "If ever you need guidance, come back here. I'll always be here."

He nodded, and then took his last look at the magical space, before turning about and walking up the path. Almost as though as he disappeared round the corner everything else seemed to crumble beneath him, the weight he left behind light as being shouldered by clarity and purpose.

The sun had just started to paint the sky with purples and oranges in streaks when he came upon the village, when the lanterns were beginning to dance in the fading light as the sun went down below the horizon. Kael passed through the familiar streets, while some of the people waved and greeted him.

He crossed over to the fruit stall, where the woman was closing up shop for the day. "You're back!" she said. "Did you find the glade?

"I did!" she exclaimed, effervescent. "Lovely and full of learning!"

She sank back into the cushions, brimming with interest, shining eyes. "Tell me everything! What did you learn?"

As he talked about every experience, he learned how much value there was in those relationships-how many questions people had for him, how often complete strangers made him laugh, and how belonging enveloped him like a warm blanket. It was far more than the location in which to wield power; it was a place to grow and learn and connect.

It was already quite late when Kael settled in his room. A soothing smile hovered across his lips as the orb he created lay beside him. The orb glowed softly in darkness for his journey was far from over. Each dawning day would take him a step further into discovery, not only about the powers at his command but also about beauty surrounding him in life.

He slept, then, his final thoughts whispered to the stars outside his window tomorrow: "Whatever comes will be given tomorrow."

And so, he slept, dreaming of glades and laughter, the unbiddable promise of life ahead.