...Soren gritted his teeth, his vision blurring from the pain.
He focused.
He tried to feel the soul energy within him.
That raw power that usually stayed dormant until he reached for his first form.
He tried to push it outward, to coat his bones as instructed.
"Again!" she barked.
She blurred into motion. One strike toward his head—Soren parried, the impact numbing his entire arm.
Two strikes toward his legs—he leaped, the wind from the twig nearly knocking him off balance.
"Close your eyes!" she commanded, her voice rising in intensity.
"The light is nøt a lie. Feel the pressure! Anchor yourself!"
Soren did it.
He shut his eyes.
In the darkness, he couldn't see the twig, but he could feel it.
It felt like a dense, heavy needle piercing through the cold night air.
He moved his dagger to intercept, but he was still too slow.
The twig caught him in the shoulder. He felt the joint scream as the bone cracked.
