fragments

After many students were called, it was finally Evander's turn. He stepped forward, his heart steady but his mind racing. The orb before him seemed almost alive, radiating a quiet power. Evander gazed at it, knowing that if he could pull this off, it would not only prove his strength—it would shock his family.

As he approached the orb, his eyes flickered to the side, catching sight of one of the five heroes—one of his fallen comrades. The figure stood still near the edge of the room, a silent reminder of the war that had taken everything from him. The pain was sharp, cutting into him like a knife. A wave of regret washed over him—he had failed them. His eyes tightened, and he quickly pushed the thought aside. This was his moment. This time, he would not falter.

Walking past the instructor, Evander's steps were deliberate, each one heavy with the weight of his past. The air around the orb felt thick and alive like a predator waiting to pounce. Evander reached it, his heartbeat syncing with its pulsing energy. He shut his eyes and centered himself. There were no distractions. Only one thing mattered now: energy.

The orb surged to life as his fingers brushed the surface, sending a jolt of raw power through his body. It burned like fire, a torrent of energy threatening to engulf him. For a split second, panic surged. His muscles tightened, and his breath caught. But he held firm. Evander did not resist; instead, he relaxed, letting the energy fill him, flow around him, and become a part of him.

But as the energy flooded him, his instincts screamed that he couldn't take it all. To steal it would be to lose control—to fail. He steadied his breathing, forcing his mind to focus. Carefully, he guided a portion of the energy back into the orb. The orb's glow flickered, dimmed, then brightened, as if acknowledging his restraint. He exhaled slowly, the pressure in his chest easing slightly. His hand remained on the orb, but he could feel the remaining energy still swirling inside him, a restless power demanding release.

As he turned to walk back to his seat, the energy inside him exploded. A surge of power tore from the orb, slamming into him like a tidal wave. The force threatened to shatter him from within. His chest tightened, every muscle screaming as the energy writhed around him. His hands trembled with the effort to contain it.

The room, eerily quiet, was still, but Evander could feel the chaos inside him—an invisible storm only he could see. His vision blurred with the pressure, and the room seemed to warp as the energy pulled at him. None of the other students appeared to notice. It was as if the madness was happening in a bubble, confined to him alone.

Gritting his teeth, Evander squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to focus through the pain. His legs felt weak beneath him, his chest nearly collapsing with each breath, but he wouldn't let it break him. He had faced worse before. Slowly, he dug deep, finding that quiet place within himself, where all of his energy could settle. The storm began to calm. The searing pain in his chest subsided. But even as the energy quieted, the weight of it pressed down on him like a reminder of his fragility.

He walked back to his seat, his body trembling, but his resolve steeled. It wasn't over, not yet.

The instructor's voice broke through the silence. "For the final test, you will use your energy to move heavier objects—trees, boulders, and other materials we've prepared. This will measure your control and strength in harnessing the power you've acquired."

Evander followed the instructor outside, his body still sore from the previous test. The open space beyond the building was vast, filled with energy that hummed in the air like a constant static charge. The wind howled through the trees, and animals scurried across the ground, giving the area a wild, untamed feel, almost like a living zoo.

The instructor gestured toward a massive boulder positioned in the center of the clearing. It was larger than anything Evander had ever seen before—easily five times the size of a student. The challenge ahead seemed almost impossible, but Evander couldn't afford to back down now. This was the culmination of everything he'd learned.

"Move this," the instructor said simply.

Evander's heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't hesitate. He approached the boulder with determination, ignoring the weariness that still tugged at him. The air around the boulder felt different as if the energy itself had gathered there, waiting for him. He reached deep within himself, feeling the raw power still swirling in his veins. The wind seemed to respond to his thoughts, shifting around him in eager anticipation.

He extended his hand toward the boulder, his fingers twitching as the energy surged within him. The air crackled, but the stone remained unmoving. His brow furrowed. Evander could feel the weight of the boulder, the resistance of its mass pushing back against his will. This wasn't just a test of strength—it was a test of control.

Evander closed his eyes for a moment, focusing, channeling the energy. He didn't force it. Instead, he guided it, feeling the energy coil and stretch, shaping it like liquid flowing through his fingertips. His muscles burned, his focus intense, but he held firm. Slowly, ever so slowly, the boulder shifted. A fraction of an inch, then more. The rock began to rise.

Sweat poured down his face as the boulder hovered several feet above the ground, swaying slightly as though caught in a delicate balance. The wind picked up around him, the air vibrating with energy. But Evander's focus didn't waver. With a final push, he guided the boulder into place, setting it gently back onto the ground with a soft thud.

Evander's chest heaved, his body drenched in sweat. He didn't dare to relax yet, but the world around him seemed to calm. The energy in the air settled, and even the winds stilled.

There was a moment of silence before the instructor spoke. His eyes were sharp, calculating. But this time, there was approval there. "Well done, Evander. You have shown control, patience, and strength. You pass."

A surge of pride rushed through Evander's chest, but it was fleeting. The ghosts of his fallen comrades still lingered in his mind, a quiet reminder of the journey ahead. For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of relief. He had succeeded.

As the other students tried their hands at moving the boulders, Evander noticed a few of them glancing at him, their expressions a mix of admiration and disbelief. A few even exchanged whispers, clearly surprised by his performance. The moment was fleeting, but it stung with the taste of something he hadn't felt in years—respect.

The instructor moved on to the others, but Evander lingered a moment longer, his thoughts drifting inward. This was just the beginning. The path ahead was long, and the journey would be fraught with challenges. But Evander could see it clearly now: he wasn't just fighting for his future but for the chance to save his fallen comrades. The energy he had learned to control, the strength he had earned—it was only the beginning. There was much more to be done.