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~Lisa's POV
The sun had climbed and fallen halfway across the sky, painting the clearing in soft gold and shadows. Sweat glued my hair to my forehead. My breathing came in short gasps. I had been at it since morning, trying to move that one stubborn stone.
It sat there, still and unmoving, like it was laughing at me.
"Again," I whispered to myself, stretching out my hand. "Come on, move… just move."
I closed my eyes, remembering Lira's words: Don't focus on the rock. Focus on yourself.
I took a deep breath and let my mind go quiet. I could hear the wind moving through the trees, the distant hum of the river, and the gentle crackle of the fire near Lira's hut. I tried to draw that calm inside me. I pictured the power she said was within me, a flame deep in my chest, waiting to be touched.
"Now," I murmured.
The rock trembled.
My eyes flew open. "Lira! Did you see that? It moved! It actually moved!"
