Another explosion echoed through the city, closer this time. The ground trembled beneath Akari's feet, and she flinched, clutching her chest as a strange pressure swelled inside her.
Elen stepped beside her immediately. "Akari? What's wrong?"
Akari shook her head, breath trembling. "I–I don't know. It's like something inside me is… pulling."
Her heart thudded violently. The spark she'd awakened earlier flickered to life again, stronger and hotter this time.
Elen's eyes sharpened, all sense of maid-like gentleness shifting into the controlled alertness of an adventurer. "Describe what you're feeling."
"It's," Akari pressed a hand to her chest. "It's reacting to the explosions. To the danger. It feels like someone is grabbing my heart and squeezing."
Elen placed a hand on her back. "Steady your breathing. In through the nose, slowly out through the,"
A shockwave tore through the air.
Not from the city.
From Akari.
A pulse of pale light burst outward from her body without warning. It rippled across the ground, scattering dust and rattling the wooden training dummies. Elen instantly raised a barrier around them, containing the burst.
Akari staggered back. "I–I didn't mean to! I didn't even try to do anything!"
Elen frowned, not in anger, but in deep concern. "So her power responds to external stimuli…" she muttered to herself. "Fear, danger, chaos, it amplifies the divine energy…"
Akari's breathing grew quick and uneven. "Elen, what if I, what if I hurt someone? What if it explodes again?"
Elen knelt in front of her, gripping both of Akari's trembling hands.
Her voice was steady, authoritative.
"Listen to me, Akari. That power does not act on its own. It responds to you. To your heart. As long as you remain calm, it will remain calm."
"But I am scared!" Akari shouted, tears forming in her eyes. "Lyra's out there alone, something's attacking the city, and I can't do anything but, but, glow!"
Her voice cracked, and another surge trembled inside her. Light flickered beneath her skin like starlight struggling to break free.
Elen didn't hesitate. She wrapped her arms around Akari, pulling her close.
Akari stiffened in surprise, but the embrace was warm, grounding.
"Breathe," Elen whispered. "You don't need to be unafraid. You just need to stay present. Feel my hand. Feel your feet on the ground. Stay here, with me."
Akari's trembling eased, just a little.
The glow dimmed.
Elen continued, gentle but firm. "Lady Lyra asked me to protect you. I will do so with my life if necessary. Nothing will reach you. I promise."
Akari clenched her fingers in Elen's sleeve. "Do you think she's okay…?"
Elen hesitated, just a fraction. Then nodded. "Yes. Lady Lyra is unmatched. She will return."
Akari sniffed, wiping her eyes. "I want to believe that."
"You should." Elen stood and helped Akari to her feet. "Now, we must focus on stabilizing your power before another surge triggers."
Akari nodded shakily. "O-Okay…"
They stood again in the center of the training ground.
Elen raised both hands, forming several glowing symbols in the air, a complex barrier technique. "I will put up a regulator field. It will absorb any accidental bursts. You simply focus on steady energy flow."
Akari inhaled deeply. "Alright… I can try."
The symbols floated around her like petals of light. As she concentrated, the warmth inside her formed again, no longer a flicker, but a steady flame.
Elen nodded. "Good. You are gaining control."
Akari smiled, small but genuine. "I… really am, aren't I?"
"Yes,"
Boom.
Both froze.
This explosion didn't come from the city.
It came from above.
A shadow passed overhead, dark, winged, and enormous. The sound of beating wings made the air vibrate. Akari's heart leapt into her throat.
"What, what was that?!"
Elen's eyes narrowed. "A flying demon. And it crossed into the city."
Akari's blood ran cold. "But Lyra is on the ground, shouldn't the knights?"
Elen shook her head. "The aerial unit is away at the border. There is little defense against something airborne right now."
Akari felt the fear surging again.
The spark inside her roared in response, flaring so violently that the barrier around her shook.
"Akari!" Elen shouted. "Focus, control it!"
"I–I-I'm trying!"
But the terror spiking in her chest made her power spiral.
"I can't!"
A brilliant flare of divine light erupted from her, shooting upward into the sky like a beacon. It pierced the clouds, illuminating the whole district.
Elen shielded her eyes. "Akari, stop!"
"I don't know how!"
The light twisted, growing thicker, brighter,
And somewhere far above…
The flying demon changed direction.
And began flying straight toward Lyra's home.
Elen's face drained of color.
"Akari," she whispered. "Your power… it just attracted it."
Akari's eyes widened in horror as the shadow closed in, wings spread wide.
A demon was coming for her.