With an acknowledging nod, Zaphyr instructed, “Focus your thoughts and delve deep within yourself. Try moving a human dummy.”
Closing his eyes, Zavian visualized himself as a conduit for dormant power. With each heartbeat, energy surged, eager to be unleashed. With an outstretched hand, he urged his power to awaken. Instantly, warmth spread from his fingertips as if a hidden force stirred within him. He directed his gaze to a human dummy target. Determined, he willed the invisible strings to materialize in his mind’s eye, envisioning delicate tendrils of light extending from his fingertips.
Drawing upon his deepest concentration, he commanded the intangible strings to wrap around the human dummy and move it. However, they remained dormant, frustrating him. Doubt crept in. He tried again but failed.
“It’s okay, Zav. Take your time,” Zaphyr said, breaking the silence.
Zavian took a deep breath to release the tension. He kept his gaze fixed on his target. I’ll cut you in half. Suddenly, in response to the intensity of his thoughts, the upper part of the human dummy thudded to the floor, widening his eyes and making his heart skip a beat. He turned to Zaphyr who appeared concerned, not proud of what had just happened. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Aren’t you happy that I’ve managed to activate my power?”
As Zaphyr placed a hand on his shoulder, his gaze softened. “It’s not that, Zav. Unleashing your power is a momentous step, but we must also learn to control it, to channel it with purpose and precision. We will work on honing your ability together, so you can wield it responsibly.”
His words resonated with Zavian, reminding him that mastering his power wouldn’t be straightforward.
“Hmm. How did you do it, Zav?”
Recalling the earlier events, he replied, “I just imagined a sharp razor string encircling the dummy’s waist and being cut off. Then it just happened.”
Zaphyr sighed heavily, his gaze deep with contemplation, then looked at Zavian. “Your power might be more potent than I initially thought, yet exceedingly dangerous.”
“Yes, I can see that,” he agreed, a heaviness settling in his chest.
“Try to conjure fire. Burn that fallen dummy,” Zaphyr suggested.
Turning his attention to the dummy, Zavian uttered, “Okay . . .” He took a deep breath and envisioned flames flickering to life, but nothing happened.
Undeterred, Zaphyr continued to guide him. “Try to make it float.” Zavian obeyed, but nothing happened again. He instructed once more, “Make it float, but this time, imagine it hanging from an invisible string.”
Zavian nodded, determined to accept the challenge. With focused thoughts, he envisioned an intangible string attached to the ceiling beam, gradually encircling the dummy’s neck. Deliberately, he retracted the invisible string’s length, and to his amazement, the dummy began to rise, its form trembling and unsteady as it ascended. Higher and higher it went, resulting in a clean severance between the head and the upper body. He witnessed the head and torso of the dummy falling separately in awe. It was a testament to the power that resided within him, a power that both fascinated and frightened him.
Zaphyr sighed heavily. “Zav, you must never use your power in a real situation until you have truly mastered it.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Remember, Zav. True strength lies not only in the power itself but in the wisdom and restraint to use it wisely. With time and practice, you will unlock the depths of your potential, and when that day comes, you will be ready.”
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Dear Noomies,
First of all—thank you. Truly. Whether you’ve been here since Book 1 or just recently wandered into Book 2 thinking, “Okay, I’ll give this a shot”—I appreciate you more than you know. If you actually enjoyed it? Wow. Even better. I’m trying not to overthink it, but just know it means a lot.
Now, Book 3: The Great Valoure is where things start to really shift. There’s a time skip (don’t worry, nothing crucial got skipped—probably), but it still feels like one long, messy, emotional thread. The consequences of everything so far? Still very much alive and kicking. Hard.
This book isn’t just continuing the story—it’s unraveling it in ways I hope are satisfying. Secrets come out. Zavian goes through stuff. Big stuff. Emotional stuff. Possibly too much stuff? (You’ll tell me, I guess.)
I’ve been building toward this. Every weird detail, every foreshadow-y moment—I swear it all connects. Hopefully. I mean, I think it does. Please pretend it does if it doesn’t. HAHAHAHAHA
Thank you for being here, for reading, for caring—even if you just quietly scrolled and never said a word. That’s still support, and I see you.
Follow me if you’re curious about what’s next. And if not, that’s okay too—I’m still glad you made it this far.
Also, please leave a review and mention that you’ve already finished this book so that I will know when to publish the final part of the story. Thank you, Noomies!
With love and fingers crossed,
Elli Noom