The spark that repels us.

ancient beast. Thick and oppressive, shadows hung on its stone walls, as if the weight of the innumerable misdeeds done within

d uncertainty, one picture stayed clear: a girl golden-haired and brilliant, like the morning, disappearing into the light as darkness took him en

n brought him here, intense training has occupied Kael's days entirely. The sect's ideas were strict

d, "Emotion is weakness." "A blade's strength is only what that of its w

ming warmth. Still, they persisted, tenacious and relentless like coals that would not go out. And as he de

deadly and moved precisely. Still, his eyes sometimes failed him. While others in the cult stared

robes flapping in the breeze, the older guy stood on the brink of t

el murmured,

narrowed. Your goal last night-

not turn away his eye.

ntempt. But doubt is a fault in the base of yo

ted. "It is not likel

harp eyes fixed on Kael. "You have promise, Kael, but if you cannot

a flutter of defiance-and his face darkened. "I will provide you one shou

tiniest finger. The stillness resonated with the sound of breaking bone. Kael made no sound while pain acutely and mercilessl

suffering to be a teaching tool. One develops c

gh he had heard them many times, the weight of

-

ated by one lantern. While he polished his sword, his hands were steady, but his thoug

man's house, his motions quiet as a shadow. But something had caused him to stop as he stood above his victim, blade prepared to hit. The dad had been cradlin

hed the task, but Shen would have noticed enough hesitancy to indicate anything. And now, as Kael gaze

rring to the child or himself, he s

-

ns meant to break him. Despite his head being elsewhere, Kael persevered, his body moving instinctively. The memory of the girl to

ning. The cool night air was a welcome respite from the stifling heat at the training site. Thoug

you seem

ark hair falling over her shoulders and her sharp eyes fixated on him. Lian, unlike her father, was c

Kael asked, his voice more

n eyebrow. "I'd like to know what that head of y

owards the horizon

. Kael, you are not like the others aro

ing, yet his qui

now," Lian said. "Never m

d his hands.

onding once more. Perhaps it is not yo

with a memory. Though he couldn't articulate it, he felt it-a spark, tiny and delicate yet impossible to ove