the price of power

Lira's heart raced, the weight of the unseen decision pressing down on her shoulders. The voice had faded into the wind, leaving behind only a haunting silence. Her body thrummed with the aftershocks of the storm inside her, the magic that pulsed beneath her skin, urging her to move, to choose. But how could she? What was she supposed to give up? The price of power was a riddle she couldn't yet understand.

The shard before her pulsed with a soft, steady light, a beacon in the dark, calling to her in a way she could not ignore. She could feel the magic within it, within her, converging, swirling around her like a storm that had no end. She closed her eyes, reaching out, not with her hands this time, but with her mind, her soul. The Veil hummed in response, as if it too was waiting for her answer.

"Sacrifice," she whispered under her breath, the word tasting bitter on her tongue. What could she possibly sacrifice? Was it her freedom, her safety? Was it her connection to the people she loved? Or was it something more—something deeper, something even more painful?

She thought of Thorne, of his dark eyes filled with concern as she had left him behind. She thought of Niamh, who had told her to embrace the magic, to step into the unknown. She thought of all the lives the storm inside her could destroy if she didn't gain control of it—if she didn't understand its true power. Was it her life she had to give up? Was that the price?

No. She couldn't. She wouldn't let it be that. She still had so much to fight for.

Lira took a deep breath, centering herself. The wind in the Veil picked up, swirling around her in a sudden gust. The shard pulsed again, brighter this time, as if it was urging her to make a choice. It was as if the magic was alive, an entity of its own, watching her, waiting for her to step forward.

A surge of emotion hit her chest—fear, yes, but also something more. Something sharp and heavy, like a thorn buried deep inside her heart. The magic inside her was not just power—it was a reflection of everything she had been running from. The anger, the grief, the loneliness. The storm inside her had always been more than just raw energy. It was the manifestation of every wound she had suffered, every part of herself she had hidden from the world.

The Veil had shown her that. It had shown her the truth, even when she had not wanted to see it.

But now, standing here, with the power of the storm coursing through her, Lira realized the choice was not just about the magic or the sacrifice. It was about her. About what she would become. Could she face herself fully? Could she confront the pain, the darkness, and still emerge intact?

She felt a cold chill run through her as she made the realization. The storm was her. And to control it, to wield it as her own, she would have to accept all of it—the beauty and the destruction, the love and the loss, the hope and the despair.

She had been running for so long, trying to distance herself from the storm, from the parts of herself she feared. But now, standing in the heart of the Veil, she understood. The storm was not something to be feared. It was part of her. And if she could learn to navigate it, to embrace it, then perhaps she could control it.

But it would require sacrifice.

"Sacrifice," she murmured again, her voice trembling. It was the only way. She had to choose what she was willing to give up. What was worth the price? What could she live without?

The Veil shifted around her, the energy in the air crackling as though the magic was waiting for her decision. The pull of the shard grew stronger, drawing her closer. She reached out once more, her fingers brushing its cool surface. The moment her skin made contact, a sharp shock of power coursed through her, and the world around her exploded in a flash of light.

For a moment, Lira felt as if she were being pulled apart, her very essence unraveling. The storm inside her roared to life, crashing through her mind and body like a wave. Her thoughts scattered, her body trembling under the weight of the magic. She gasped for breath, her chest heaving, as the power surged through her in waves, each one stronger than the last.

And then, just as suddenly as it had come, the sensation stopped. Lira opened her eyes to find herself standing in the same place, but everything had changed. The Veil had shifted, the swirling energy around her now moving in a steady, almost rhythmic pattern, like the pulse of a living heart. The shard was still in front of her, but it no longer seemed as distant or unreachable. It felt... familiar. Connected to her.

She could feel the magic in her veins, a part of her, woven into the very fabric of her being. The storm inside her had settled, no longer a chaotic force, but something she could control. She had made the choice. She had accepted the price.

Lira took a step back, her breath coming in shallow gasps as she tried to process what had just happened. She had done it. She had faced herself, embraced the storm within. She had sacrificed the parts of herself that she had been holding onto—the fear, the anger, the denial. She had let them go, and in return, the magic had become hers.

But there was no time to reflect. The Veil had shifted once more, the energy growing stronger, more intense. A low rumble echoed in the distance, like thunder rolling through the very fabric of this place. Lira turned her gaze toward the horizon, her heart racing as the sound grew louder, closer. Something was coming. The storm inside her had calmed, but there was another storm on the horizon—one that she had yet to face.

She didn't hesitate. The power was hers now. She had accepted the storm, but it wasn't over yet. There was still much to learn, much to do. And if the world outside the Veil was in danger, she would face it. No matter the cost.

With a final glance at the shard, Lira turned and began walking toward the edge of the Veil, toward the unknown. The storm inside her might have been tempered, but the world outside was still in turmoil. And it was her duty now to find a way to stop it.

As she walked, the world around her began to shift once more. The air hummed with power, but it was different now. The Veil no longer felt like a place of uncertainty. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where magic and reality intertwined. She had faced her demons, and now, she was ready to face the world.

The voice from before returned, soft but steady, as though it had always been there, guiding her.

"You have made your choice, Lira. The storm will no longer consume you. But the world outside—" The voice faltered for a moment, as if weighing its next words carefully. "The storm outside will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine."

Lira clenched her fists, her resolve hardening. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady, full of purpose. "I will face it. Whatever comes."

The voice was silent for a long moment before it spoke again, its tone almost approving. "Very well, child. The storm awaits. You must be the one to end it."

Lira nodded, her heart steady, her mind clear. The journey was far from over. But she was no longer afraid.

She had embraced the storm.

And now, it was time to let it change the world.