Chapter 9: Awakening Powers
—Narrated by Eli Whitmore.
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The sun had barely risen when Headmaster Alaric sent out a silent call—one only members of The Lightshade could hear. It wasn't a sound exactly. More like a tug in our minds, an urge that told us: Come to the Obsidian Grounds.
And we did.
One by one, we gathered at the hidden training field nestled behind the enchanted forest, where no ordinary student dared to tread. The Obsidian Grounds were ancient, said to be blessed and cursed by the gods of old. Black stones marked the perimeter, pulsing faintly with energy. The air was thick with magic, old and new.
Thorne stood in the center, his arms crossed, black cloak flowing in the morning wind. Behind him, the headmaster and the senior members of The Lightshade watched silently. Today wasn't about trials or duels.
Today was about unlocking who we truly were.
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"You're here," Thorne said, his voice low but strong. "Today, each of you will face your awakening. Your powers are no longer dormant. They've been knocking on the door of your soul. It's time to answer."
I felt the weight of his words in my chest. My fingers curled tightly around the ring on my hand. Ever since the Mirror Hall, light had begun to flicker inside me. But I didn't understand it.
"Begin," Headmaster Alaric commanded, stepping back.
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Eli - Luminary Convergence
Thorne nodded at me first.
I stepped forward, heart pounding.
"What do you feel?" Thorne asked.
I closed my eyes. The ring burned again, but this time I didn't pull away. Instead, I let it in. The warmth. The light. The pain.
Suddenly, I saw everything.
Light streamed from my body, soft gold and white. My heartbeat echoed in the air. My mind opened, and I could feel the emotions around me. Felix's fear, Ryker's restless strength, Luna's wonder.
"He's awakening..." Felix whispered.
"Not just light," Thorne said with awe. "But convergence. Multiple paths aligning. Eli is more than a Gate Keeper. He's the bridge between realms."
The light pulsed like a star in my chest. I could sense the flow of magic and thought. I was... connected to everything.
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Thorne - Shadow Blades
Then Thorne stepped forward, shadows swirling around his feet.
"My turn," he said quietly.
He raised his hand, and darkness gathered, shaping itself. Not mist. Not smoke. Blades.
Serrated daggers formed in the air, moving with him like wings.
"His shadows obey him like they're alive," Luna said, eyes wide.
Thorne leapt forward, spinning, the blades circling and cutting through stone targets without leaving a trace.
He landed softly. The blades reformed at his side like loyal hounds.
"These are my gifts," Thorne said. "Not just to destroy. But to protect."
He looked at me.
"Especially you."
My chest fluttered.
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Felix - Alchemist Magics
Felix stepped forward nervously.
"I... I don't know if I have anything like that."
He touched his pendant. It glowed faintly.
Then it ignited.
Colors burst from his fingers. Red, blue, green, silver—alchemy magic flowed like liquid fire. He knelt, drawing symbols into the air.
A phoenix formed, glowing and alive. It circled him before flying up into the sky.
Ryker clapped in amazement. "You made a bird out of pure magic! That's amazing!"
Felix laughed softly, cheeks pink. "I guess I did..."
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Ryker - Werewolf Awakening
Ryker cracked his neck.
"Alright, time for something wild."
He closed his eyes. His body began to glow with silver light. Bones cracked. Hair lengthened. His eyes turned golden.
A deep growl rumbled from his chest.
We stepped back as his transformation surged. Then it paused—halfway. He stood, not beast, not boy. Something in between.
Ryker held out his hand. His claws glowed. He grinned.
"Still me. Just... stronger."
Felix smiled proudly.
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Luna - Celestial Magics
Luna stood beneath the rising sun.
She raised her staff, eyes glowing white.
Stars appeared around her—tiny lights that circled her body. Then a constellation spread from her chest, a lion, glowing and roaring.
"Celestial magic is my birthright," she whispered.
She raised her hand and called down a beam of moonlight in broad daylight. It struck the ground gently, making flowers grow instantly.
"She's beautiful," Draven said quietly.
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Draven - Blood Magics
Last was Draven.
He stood silently. A cut on his palm opened, and the blood didn't fall. It floated.
He shaped it into a blade, then a shield, then a raven.
His eyes glowed red.
"Blood remembers everything," he said. "It's not just power. It's memory. Protection. Pain."
He looked at Luna. "And I choose who it protects."
She gave him a soft look.
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Training Begins
With powers awakened, Thorne and Headmaster Alaric began the real training. We sparred, learned to control surges, practiced defenses.
When Felix lost control of a spell, Ryker caught the explosion with his clawed hand. When Luna called down too much starlight, Draven shielded her with a blood wall. I channeled energy between them, keeping the balance.
We were different.
But somehow, we fit.
We were Lightshade.
And this was only the beginning.
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To be continued...