The morning sun had fully risen, casting a warm glow across the ruined village. Fae knelt near a half-collapsed wall, her hands trembling slightly as she ran them over the stones, sensing the lingering traces of the homes that had once stood here.
Lira approached quietly, her Spirit shard glimmering faintly in her palm. "Fae," she said softly, "you don't have to be afraid of what's left. Let me show you something."
Fae looked up, her eyes wide with uncertainty. "I… I don't know if I can…"
"You can," Lira reassured her, kneeling beside her. "Just focus. Feel the energy around you—the soil, the water, the moss. You already influence it, even if you don't fully understand it yet. Let it respond to you gently."
Fae closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Slowly, the small puddle of water near her began to ripple as her fingers hovered above it. A few droplets lifted slightly, hovering as if sensing her intent. Her eyes widened. "I—I didn't do anything!"
