image [https://i.imgur.com/yThHTb4.png]
“The weak cry out for mercy, the fallen beg for death, yet the strong choose their fate.”
JOEL’S APARTMENT, SPOKANE WA.
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Voices carried on the wind as thousands of people stepped out of their homes into the darkness of the changed city beyond Joel’s apartment—some laced with fear, others heavy with awe. They seemed to echo from all around, a low murmur of the discovery and shock and something ancient stirring beneath the fabric of reality. Joel stood still, feeling the air thicken, pressing against his skin like a living thing. He glanced at Jamie. Her face shimmered with fear and wonder, the faint flicker of fire in her eyes reflecting a spark of awe that matched the same sense of amazement he felt within himself.
The world they knew was gone. The stars above seemed brighter now, like blazing embers in the night sky, as if the very heavens were encroaching in the face of what was coming. Magic is real. But magic wasn’t just a gift; it was a call—a force that came with a burden, and that weight settled on Joel’s chest like an iron chain.
“They’re coming.”
The thought came unbidden, slithering into his mind before he had even fully formed it. Something ancient and terrible is on its way and with it, is the end of all things. Joel didn’t know how he fully knew this, only that the realization was as sharp as a blade pressed against his throat. A feeling in his gut that was reinforced by the vision that Tehom-Raash had given him earlier in the night. The universe had shifted. The veil between worlds had thinned and an ancient force was now flowing through the world.
In the distance, stars blinked into existence, one by one, as if being birthed out of the void of time. A chill ran through Joel’s bones, curling around his spine. Whatever was lurking out there at the edge of the solar system, it was coming closer, inch by inch, as if it was inevitable. The malice radiating from that distant planet in his vision—still clung to him like frostbite, a reminder of how small they all were in the face of it.
What can I possibly do to protect us?
Joel’s heart pounded in his chest, a thrumming beat that echoed with fear and determination. His fists clenched, the unfamiliar weight of his newly discovered power still tingling in his hands. He could feel it now, more acutely than ever, coiled in the pit of his stomach, waiting—yearning—to be unleashed. But how can I wield something I don’t understand? The power was raw, wild, and dangerous, and it carried with it the same heavy burden that Tehom-Raash’s will had placed on his shoulders.
A voice broke through his swirling thoughts.
"Joel? I need an explanation." Michael’s voice trembled, his fear cutting through the weight of the air. He stood in front of Joel, arms crossed tight, as though trying to shield himself from the changed reality they were all facing.
Joel’s gaze snapped to him. “The world’s changed, Michael. Magic’s real. Something dark is coming—soon. I don’t have all the answers, but we need to be ready.”
Murmurs spread through the group, but Joel didn’t flinch. He wasn’t here to convince them. He was here to act.
Mrs. Thompson stepped forward, placing a hand on his arm. “We trust you, Joel.”
Her words anchored him, but he stayed focused. “We don’t have time to waste.” He turned to Jamie, her fire flickering in the darkness. “Something’s out there, and it’s getting closer.” His gaze shifted to Mr. Patel, who frowned in frustration.
“So what are you going to do about it?” Mr. Patel demanded.
The words struck Joel, his eyes landed on Jamie, her expression tense, and then to Kip, squirming restlessly in his arms, meowing softly as if sensing his unease.
How can I possibly figure this out? How can I protect them when I don’t even understand what’s coming?
But beneath the whirlwind of doubt, something deeper began to stir. I can’t run from this. The thought surfaced from a place he hadn’t touched in years, an echo of the man he used to be—an officer in the Army, the one meant to protect the people under his charge. Images flashed in his mind: his men in Iraq, their faces, their laughter. The moments before it all went wrong. Their deaths. His chest tightened as he recalled the feeling of loss, the crushing guilt he’d buried deep inside. He hadn’t been able to save them then. I hadn’t been strong enough.
Maybe this is a second chance, a way for me to right my failures. To do right by the people I lost.
The memory of his mother, her words from long ago, flickered in his mind—“You’re stronger than you think, Joel. You always have been.” She had always believed in him, even when he had been at his lowest point. He could almost hear her voice now, a soft whisper in the back of his mind.
Joel’s gaze shifted to Jamie again, her concern etched clearly on her face. She had quickly grown to mean the world to him, and she was standing here, willing to fight. She needs me. They all needed him. And he couldn’t let them down, not again—not like before. I owe it to my men, to my country that we had taken an oath to protect, and to my dad who had always believed in me before he passed away.
“This is the only right choice,” Joel muttered under his breath, as if saying it aloud would somehow make it real. The weight of responsibility settled in his gut like iron, but this time, it didn’t feel suffocating. It felt… right. The power he had wasn’t just a gift—it was a chance. A chance to make things right.
His fists clenched, the weight of the moment crashing down on him, but instead of buckling, he straightened his back. His breath steadied, his pulse slowing as he locked eyes with Mr. Patel. The voices around him faded into the background, their bickering nothing more than static. His focus narrowed to one thing: protect. His mother’s voice mingled with the faces of his fallen men, urging him forward. This time, I won’t fail.
“I’ll figure it out,” Joel said firmly. “But right now, we need to stick together. Stay inside, stay safe.” He glanced at Jamie. “We’ll explore, find help. But we need to be ready. This is real.”
And as the words left his lips, something clicked inside him, a shift he could almost feel in his bones, like the turning of a key in a lock. The air around him seemed to hum with energy, the faintest whisper of something otherworldly brushing against his consciousness.
Then, it came, a voice—soft, feminine, and filled with a power that felt both alien and eternal.
System: New path unlocked: “Protect the weak.”
The words echoed in his mind, reverberating through him like the toll of a bell, and in that moment, Joel knew. The path was set. He had made his choice. And there was no turning back.
Joel’s gaze turned to Jamie as she stood beside him, waiting for direction. The weight of his words hung in the air between them, but something inside him shifted—a sharper edge of determination replaced the fear he had carried.
“We need to figure out our powers,” Joel said, his voice steady. “We can’t protect anyone if we don’t know what we’re capable of.”
Jamie nodded, the flicker of flames sputtering at her fingertips, her uncertainty visible. But Joel pushed forward, his eyes scanning their surroundings. The streets were eerily quiet except for the faint hum of flickering streetlights and the distant wail of sirens. Searchlights from helicopters swept across the skyline, briefly illuminating emergency vehicles snaking through the city. The world had changed, and the weight of it settled heavily in his chest.
The city felt different now, like the calm after a storm. People emerged from their homes, wide-eyed and hesitant, taking in the altered landscape. Joel watched as police and National Guard forces tried to maintain order, their voices strained and unsure. It won’t be enough, he knew. Whatever’s coming can’t be stopped with conventional means.
“They’re trying,” Jamie said quietly, following his gaze. “But it’s not going to be enough.”
Joel’s jaw tightened. “No. Not for what’s coming.”
The sudden crunch of gravel snapped his attention back. Tera, one of their neighbors, approached, phone gripped tightly in her hand. “No signal,” she muttered, frustration in her voice. She shook the phone as if willing it to connect.
Mr. Patel stepped forward, arms crossed. “I’ve got an old crank radio in my apartment,” he said, already heading inside. “It should still work.”
Minutes later, Joel found himself huddled with the others around the small radio. The crank of the handle echoed in the thick silence, the gears grinding as the first crackle of static hissed through the speaker. Joel leaned in, heart pounding as they strained to catch any news.
“…appears to be a worldwide event… multiple locations reporting rapid environmental changes… landscapes transformed… authorities urging people to stay indoors… remain calm…”
The voice faded into static, leaving an uneasy tension hanging in the air. Joel exchanged a glance with Jamie, but his thoughts stayed focused. This isn’t just happening here. The world’s being reshaped—pulled apart and rebuilt by forces we don’t understand. Whatever storm is coming, it isn’t natural. This magic isn’t a gift. It’s the beginning of something much larger. And now, there was no turning back.
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The radio crackled again, the voice clearer this time. “…widespread electrical outages reported… communications down… National Guard deployed… civilians urged to stay indoors…”
Joel’s fists clenched as he listened, tension building in his gut. How are we supposed to survive this?
“The whole world is changing,” Tera murmured, her voice small. “It’s not just us…”
Joel exhaled slowly, the weight of the radio broadcast sinking in. He glanced at the worried faces around him—Tera, Mr. Patel, and the others—knowing they couldn’t afford to stay idle. They needed answers, and staying here wouldn’t provide them. He turned to Jamie, his decision made. “We’ll be back,” he said to the group, his voice steady despite the rising tension. “Stay inside, stay safe.”
image [https://i.imgur.com/dqcAv0y.png]
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Joel led Jamie away from the small crowd of neighbors huddled around the radio, his eyes scanning the broken, transformed cityscape until he found a secluded spot in an alleyway. The faint hum of helicopters drifted overhead, blending with the distant wail of sirens, but here, it felt quieter. The narrow alleyway was filled with shadows, and the smell of smoke lingered in the cool night air. Hidden from view, at least for the moment, the chaotic energy of the world seemed to pause around them. It was a rare moment to breathe.
Joel glanced at Jamie as she flexed her fingers, her lips pressed together in concentration. A faint flicker of flame sparked at her fingertips, rising and fading with her unease. “So, how do we even start?” she asked, her voice tight with apprehension. “I mean, I can barely control this…”
Her fire sputtered, wild and untamed, crackling at the edges of her control. Joel watched the flames dance, faint but alive, reflecting her internal turmoil.
“We’ll figure it out,” he replied, steadying his voice despite the nervous energy humming in his chest. He could feel the magic within him—restless, waiting to be understood.
Jamie raised an eyebrow, a cautious smile pulling at the corner of her lips. “You sure this is a good idea? We don’t exactly know what we’re doing.” Her flame flared briefly, warming the space between them before fading again.
Joel’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe not,” he admitted, “but we have to start somewhere.”
He drew in a deep breath, letting the cool air settle his nerves. Beneath the surface of his skin, he could feel it—the runes etched into his mind, pulsing faintly. They were waiting for him to speak, like ancient symbols lying dormant in his blood. His heartbeat quickened, anticipation coiling in his gut. It was as if the magic was speaking to him, urging him forward. He had to let it out.
"Let’s see what happens," Joel murmured, his voice a low rumble in the quiet. He focused, the word forming in his throat, heavy with power. “Izi.”
As the rune’s name left his lips, the world seemed to shift. Heat unfurled in his chest, slow and insistent, coiling like fire in his belly. It spread outward, radiating through his limbs. It wasn’t a physical flame—yet—but he could feel the warmth rippling beneath his skin, ready to burst free at his command. His voice had felt like the spark to a match, striking against the air and igniting something raw and elemental inside him.
He caught Jamie’s wide-eyed look, the light from her own flame reflecting in them. “Did you… feel that?” she asked.
Joel nodded slowly, flexing his fingers as the heat continued to pulse in his core. “Yeah,” he said, his voice steady but filled with awe. “It’s like I spoke it into being.”
Encouraged by the sensation, he took another breath and spoke again, more confident this time. “Silim.”
The air around them stirred immediately. A cool gust of wind swept through the alley, lifting loose papers and rustling the leaves caught in the corners. It was clean and crisp, but there was power behind it, like the first breath of a storm. The wind felt alive, like the world itself had answered his call. It wasn’t chaotic—it was purposeful, controlled. The air rune had come to life, just as the fire had.
Joel saw Jamie’s hair fluttering in the breeze as her eyes followed the movement of the air. “That’s incredible,” she whispered, awe threading her voice. “You’re literally summoning the elements.”
Joel stood still, feeling the energy hum through his body, like a second pulse beating beneath his skin. Fire and air swirled together inside him, in perfect harmony—two forces balanced, neither overpowering the other. But beyond that, something deeper beckoned, a larger potential waiting beneath the surface. The runes weren’t just tools—they were alive, each one a key to something greater.
"What if I try more?" Joel mused aloud, curiosity sparking. “What if I combine them?”
Jamie’s face lit up with excitement. “Do it! Try adding one more.”
Joel hesitated, the pulse of power thrumming beneath his skin, tempting him. He could feel the fire and air wanting to merge, to form something larger—but the balance was precarious. The runes were stable for now, but the urge to push further called to him. Somewhere, deep inside, a warning flickered like a dying ember. His instincts told him he wasn’t ready. Not yet. But the temptation gnawed at him.
He closed his eyes, grounding himself in the feel of the runes. He let the words form again on his tongue, rolling them out slowly, deliberately. “Izi. Silim. Giri.” Fire. Air. Motion.
The third rune escaped his lips like a thunderclap, and for a moment, the power surged. The wind and fire twisted together, forming a spiraling vortex of flame that whirled around them. The alley filled with heat and energy, the force of it tugging at their clothes, whipping Jamie’s hair into wild tangles. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to hold its breath. The runes were working—blending, coalescing.
And then—snap.
Joel felt it immediately, a sharp jolt through his core, as if something had shattered inside him. Pain lanced through his chest, sudden and visceral, stealing his breath. The magic recoiled, unraveling as the vortex collapsed in on itself. He stumbled back, gasping for air, his chest heaving as the power slipped from his grasp, leaving behind an aching emptiness.
“Joel!” Jamie’s voice cut through the haze, sharp with concern. She rushed forward, catching his arm to steady him.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to breathe through the pain. “I’m fine,” he rasped, though his voice trembled. His chest still ached, a dull throb beneath his ribs. “I can use two at once, no problem… but when I tried three…”
Jamie nodded, her concern easing into understanding. “It’s too much,” she murmured, her voice gentle. “You’re not ready yet.”
Joel grimaced, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “It’s like something inside me just shut down. I could feel them wanting to work together, but…” He flexed his fingers, the remnants of power still tingling beneath his skin. “I’m not strong enough yet.”
Jamie frowned, deep in thought. “Maybe it’s not just about power,” she said softly. “Maybe there’s something blocking you. Something you have to overcome before you can push further.”
Joel stared down at his hands, the memory of the fire and air still fresh in his mind. “Maybe. But I think I can get stronger.” There was determination in his voice, a quiet certainty. “It feels possible.”
After a moment, Jamie looked up, her brow furrowed in thought. “What if you write them down?”
Joel blinked, surprised by the suggestion. “Write them?”
She picked up a small piece of wood from the ground, turning it over in her hands. “Yeah. You can speak them into existence, but maybe writing them down will give them structure—help you control them better.”
Joel considered her words, then nodded. “That’s worth a try.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his knife, the one his dad had given him years ago. The handle, worn from use, felt familiar and comforting against his palm. For a brief moment, memories of his father flooded his mind—lessons about patience, about precision. His eyes narrowed on the task in front of him: Focus. Intent matters. He crouched down, the blade gleaming faintly in the dim light of the alley, and began to carve into the wood with deliberate care.
Each stroke of the knife felt purposeful, as if the very act of carving connected him more deeply with the magic coursing inside him. The symbols—the runes—weren’t just lines; they were anchors, pulling the power from within him and grounding it into something tangible. As he etched the familiar shapes of Izi and Silim, Joel could feel the magic responding, not in a dramatic surge, but more like a gentle hum vibrating beneath his skin, waiting to be set free. The wood seemed to pulse with each stroke of the knife, as if it, too, was becoming part of the magic.
When he traced the final line of Silim, Joel paused, studying the runes now etched into the surface. The symbols glowed faintly, their presence more than just a visual impression—he could feel them humming with potential, as though they were alive. The runes seemed to pulse in sync with his own heartbeat, the magic coiling and uncoiling beneath the surface, poised on the edge of activation.
For the first time, Joel truly felt the raw flow of magic within himself, like a river, surging and steady, begging to move forward. It didn’t require force—it just needed permission.
Taking a slow, deliberate breath, Joel pressed his palm against the carved runes. The moment his skin made contact with the wood, the magic inside him responded like a floodgate opening. The energy poured from him and into the runes with ease, rushing in as if it had been waiting for this precise moment. There was no resistance, no struggle—only the smooth, natural flow of power, as if the act of carving had bridged a gap between the magic and the physical world.
The runes flared to life, glowing softly, casting a warm, golden light that pulsed gently beneath his fingers. Joel felt the power settle, stable and balanced. It was controlled, yet potent, as fire and air blended together seamlessly. A steady flame danced just above the wood, fed by the swirling wind. It hovered in the air, vibrant and alive, but calm—nothing like the wild, untamed bursts of magic he had experienced earlier.
This time, there was no feedback, no rejection. Just a smooth, balanced harmony between the elements.
Joel stared at the glowing runes, a surge of accomplishment warming him from within. The flames flickered in time with the rhythm of his heartbeat. “It worked,” he muttered to himself, awe threading through his voice. He hadn’t expected it to feel so… right.
Jamie, who had been watching with wide eyes, stepped closer, her face lit by the glow of the flame. “You did it…” Her voice was soft, filled with amazement. “How did you know what to do?”
Joel blinked, pulling his gaze from the flame to meet her eyes. The entire process had felt so instinctual, like his body had simply known. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice still tinged with wonder. “It’s like I could feel the magic waiting. I just had to let it flow.” He flexed his fingers, still tingling with the lingering sensation of energy. “The carving… it grounded the magic. It gave it a path to follow.”
Jamie’s expression shifted, thoughtful and curious as she studied the piece of wood in his hands. “If carving the runes stabilizes the magic, then… does that mean I could use them too? If you carve them and I channel my energy through them?”
Joel raised his eyebrows at the suggestion. The idea had never occurred to him, but it made sense in a strange way. The runes weren’t just his—they were symbols of the elements, and the magic wasn’t solely tied to him. It was something larger. He handed her the glowing piece of wood, the warmth of the runes still radiating from it. “Only one way to find out. Give it a try.”
Jamie hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between Joel’s face and the glowing runes in her hand. She looked almost nervous, as if afraid she might break the delicate balance he had created. Slowly, she wrapped her fingers around the wood, her thumb brushing over the etched symbols. Joel watched as her expression shifted—her eyes narrowing in focus, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Jamie closed her eyes, breathing deeply. Joel could see the faint flicker of flames begin to dance in her palms, their intensity tied to her emotions. The air around them shifted, growing warmer, as Jamie channeled her own energy into the carved runes.
And then it happened.
The runes flared brighter in response to her touch, the golden glow intensifying. The wind stirred around them, lifting small bits of debris from the ground, while the flame above the wood grew more intense. It swirled higher, fed by Jamie’s energy, but remained controlled—no longer wild or unpredictable. The fire reflected in Jamie’s wide eyes, her face bathed in the soft, golden light.
“It’s working,” she whispered, her voice filled with awe. “I can feel it… like I’m feeding the runes with my own power.”
Joel watched in amazement as the flame danced between them, a tangible manifestation of their combined energies. The wind and fire were no longer just his—they were theirs. He grinned, excitement bubbling in his chest. “We’re onto something here,” he said, his voice brimming with possibility.
Jamie smiled back, the flames flickering brighter for a moment. “I think we are.”