"Id šimti imašḫur ki amaĝ aš imru."
SPOKANE WA.
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Jamie stood in the alleyway, her fists clenched as weak embers flickered in and out at her fingertips. The air around her felt thick, restless, like it was charged with anticipation. Her breath came in short, frustrated bursts, each one pushing her closer to the edge. The fire wasn’t behaving—it flared up only to sputter out, feeding off her frustration and uncertainty, completely out of control. Her teeth clenched as she narrowed her eyes, focusing all her willpower on the flames, but the more she tried, the more they fought back—wild, erratic, a reflection of the storm inside her.
“Why can’t I control this?” she cried out, her voice filled with exasperation. Her fingers flexed, trying once more to summon the fire. It responded for just a brief moment, a bright flare of heat and light, only to die again, like someone had doused it with water. The erratic flicker cast distorted shadows on the alley walls, amplifying her sense of failure. She let out a shaky breath, her chest glowing faintly from the lingering heat. “Come on… please!”
Another flare. Another failure.
Jamie’s frustration surged, hot and overwhelming. She could feel Joel watching her from a few steps away, but his calm presence only added to her growing irritation. He didn’t understand how hard this was. The tension in her shoulders kept building, the fire feeding off her emotions like an unruly beast, and the more she struggled with it, the more impossible it seemed to control. It was as if her emotions were fueling the flames, making them more wild and unpredictable with every passing second.
“Jamie, wait a moment,” Joel said gently, stepping closer, his hand extended as if trying to calm her. “You’re forcing it. Take a moment to breathe, and think through what you want the fire to do. Slow down, okay?”
Her head snapped toward him, eyes blazing with frustration. “I’m not forcing anything! It’s just… it’s not listening to what I want it to do!” She let out a deep, exasperated sigh, her shoulders trembling as the emotions roiled inside her, pushing her towards a breaking point. “Every time I get close, it just—goes wild.”
Joel’s laugh cut through the tension, but it grated on her nerves. She could see him trying to stay calm, trying not to make her anger worse. Her nose scrunched up in irritation as she forced herself not to snap at him. Why did it feel like he thought this was simple? Why did he think she could just fix this by calming down?
“It’s not about forcing it or finding some inner peace,” Joel said, his tone gentle but thoughtful. “I think it’s more about understanding what you want it to do. Try focusing on what you’re feeling—use those emotions to guide the fire, instead of fighting them.”
Jamie frowned, the weight of his words settling in, but her frustration didn’t ease. “And how exactly do I do that?” Her voice was tight, laced with tension. “It’s not like I can just tell it to calm down.”
“No, you’re right,” Joel admitted. “But you can guide it.” He crouched in front of her, his gaze steady as he spoke. “Think about what you’re asking it to do. Right now, your emotions are all over the place, and I think the fire is feeding off that. It’s like you’re trying to make it do too much. If you focus on feeding it the right emotions, on what you actually want—then it might work.”
Jamie stared down at her hands, watching the faint glow of embers flicker across her fingertips. Words escaped her in a whisper. “I just want it to stop fighting me. I want to be in control.”
Joel nodded, his voice soft but firm. “Then imagine yourself in control. Feed that certainty into it. It’s a part of you, Jamie. You control it.”
Jamie let out a long breath, closing her eyes. She tried to calm her racing heart, to steady her breath. The fire still pulsed beneath her skin, restless and erratic, but instead of forcing it, she tried to reach for something deeper. Something steadier. She could feel the heat building in her fingers again, but this time, she didn’t try to cage it. She let the sensation wash over her, not fighting it, not pushing it away—just guiding it, like Joel said.
The warmth spread, slowly, like a wave moving through her body. The flames didn’t sputter out this time. Instead, they hovered at her fingertips, flickering gently but with purpose. Jamie’s eyes opened, watching as the fire obeyed, not wild or unruly, but calm and controlled.
“I did it…” Jamie’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes still closed as she felt the warmth in her hand. The fire danced softly, a quiet reflection of the hope flickering inside her.
Joel smiled, watching the small success with quiet pride shining on his face. “See? It’s all about what you feel. If you stay grounded, you’ll learn to control it.”
Jamie opened her eyes, staring at the flame with a newfound sense of wonder. It wasn’t much—just a small flicker—but it was hers. She had made it happen. And for the first time, the fire didn’t feel foreign. It felt like a part of her, something she could connect with.
“I can do this,” she said softly, her voice steady. “I can learn.”
Joel gave her a reassuring nod. “Yeah, you can. You’re just getting started.”
With a smile, he held out his hand to her, and as she took it the flames brushed up against his skin dancing along his arms but leaving them unblemished. She let out a small laugh, her joy overflowing with her success. “I’ll never get used to that.”
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Jamie stepped out of the narrow alley beside Joel, her thoughts still on the fire she’d summoned just moments before. The rush of magic felt distant now, replaced by something much bigger as her eyes adjusted to the world around her. Spokane wasn’t Spokane anymore. The streets, once busy with cars and people, were swallowed by thick vines, enormous ferns, and towering moss-covered trees. They jutted up from cracks in the pavement, draping over street signs and creeping up buildings. It felt as if an ancient forest had claimed the city overnight. The air smelled damp, earthy, like a rain-soaked rainforest. The moon cast a silvery light over everything, making the overgrowth shimmer with a strange, ethereal beauty.
The towering western red cedars, the lush undergrowth of ferns and moss, it was as if the forest had overtaken Spokane.
The thought pulsed through her as she glanced at Joel. Kip squirmed in his arms, meowing softly, his eyes wide with confusion. Jamie reached out. “Let me hold him,” she said softly. Joel hesitated, then passed Kip over. Cradling the small cat against her chest, Jamie felt the heat of her fire rising instinctively, keeping Kip warm against the chill of the night. She stroked his fur, her fingers trembling as she gazed at the transformed landscape.
As they walked, the world around them felt alive. The magic wasn’t just inside her—it was in everything. The air, the trees, even the ground beneath her feet seemed to hum, like a low thrumming heartbeat of the earth itself. Jamie’s breath quickened, not from fear, but from awe. This is real. All of it.
People wandered through the streets, but their faces were dazed, their steps slow and uncertain, as if they couldn’t comprehend what had happened. They moved like sleepwalkers, staring up at the towering trees that wrapped around buildings and spilled over rooftops. In the distance, Jamie spotted a group of soldiers setting up barricades near the river, their movements quick and precise as they established what looked like an emergency headquarters. Yet despite their presence, the night was quiet, the stillness heavy with expectation, like the world was holding its breath.
Everything’s changed. Jamie’s fingers tingled with her fire, but her eyes kept drifting toward the Spokane river, which seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. It wasn’t just the water. The magic was there too, pulsing beneath the surface like it was part of the current itself.
“I can feel it,” she whispered, her voice soft and uncertain. “It’s everywhere… It’s alive.”
She glanced up at Joel, but his gaze was fixed on the distant soldiers. It didn’t matter if he responded or not—she could feel it, deep inside her. The magic wasn’t just in her—it was in everything. The world wasn’t the same, but it wasn’t broken either. It was as if the city, the trees, the river, even the moonlit sky, had been woven together by something greater. Something ancient.
As they approached the riverbank, Jamie slowed her steps, her eyes locked on the water. The river, normally dark and steady, now glowed faintly, like the magic had seeped into it too. The current flowed lazily, but beneath the surface, she could sense something more. Something deep. Something that called to her. She cradled Kip closer, his soft purring vibrating against her chest as the fire inside her kept him warm. The warmth was soothing, but her mind was racing.
What is this?
The pull toward the river grew stronger, an invisible force drawing her in, like it was beckoning her to step closer. The faint light beneath the surface pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, and for a moment, Jamie couldn’t breathe. Her fingers tingled again, but it wasn’t from the fire—it was something deeper, something more primal. She took a step toward the river, her feet moving without thought, her eyes transfixed by the shimmering water.
“There’s something else here,” she whispered, barely aware of Joel beside her. “It’s like the river is calling to me.” Her voice trembled with reverence, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile silence that wrapped around them.
The river seemed to shift, its glow brighter now, and Jamie could feel the pull more intensely.
She glanced at Joel, wondering if he felt it too—the invisible thread connecting them to this new world, this magic-laced reality that was unfolding around them. She didn’t need his confirmation, though. She knew. She could feel it, deep in her bones.
As they broke away from the river and moved deeper into the city, passing by clusters of people huddling in doorways, Jamie felt a growing ache in her chest. It wasn’t just her own worry—it was the weight of everyone around her. The uncertainty etched on their faces, the confusion that clung to them like a cloud. People sat on curbs, their heads in their hands. Others paced restlessly, their eyes wide, darting at every sound, every shadow. They weren’t looking for answers—just some sense of stability in a world that no longer made sense. Everything had shifted so radically, so quickly, and no one knew how to process it. None of them did.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Jamie’s heart clenched as she passed a family huddled together—a mother clutching her child tightly, her eyes wide with fear. The emotions hit Jamie like a wave—the helplessness, the confusion, the deep sense of vulnerability that radiated off them. It was overwhelming, and for a moment, she stood there, feeling it all settle in her chest. But something shifted inside her, a quiet resolve taking root.
She couldn’t just stand by and watch.
Jamie glanced down at Kip, nestled in her arms. He squirmed a little, his soft purring momentarily breaking the tension. She stroked his fur gently, feeling the warmth of her magic pulse faintly through her fingertips, calming him. But there was more to do. She handed Kip over to Joel, who looked at her with raised eyebrows but took him without a word.
“What are you doing?” Joel asked, his voice low, concern laced in his tone.
“Helping,” Jamie said simply, her voice more determined than it had been all night. Her eyes scanned the ground, catching sight of some scattered wood and debris from a broken sign. She crouched down, gathering the pieces of wood in her arms.
Joel shifted Kip in his arms, watching her with a curious expression. “They’re cold,” she continued, her voice firm but gentle as she moved toward a group of people huddled near a building. “They need something—anything—to feel safer.”
Jamie knelt beside them, setting the wood down carefully before stepping back. She let the fire inside her stir, warmer now but controlled. With a slow, deliberate breath, she summoned a small flame into the palm of her hand. The fire flickered to life, steady and bright, casting a soft glow on the wood. She touched it to the pile, and the fire caught, growing into a comforting blaze.
The people watched in stunned silence, their faces a mix of awe and hesitation. Some stepped back, unsure of the magic before them, but others inched closer, drawn to the warmth and light it provided.
A little girl, clutching a stuffed animal, stared wide-eyed at Jamie. “Is it magic?” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Jamie knelt down beside her, offering a small, reassuring smile. “Yes,” she said softly, “but it’s here to help. You’re safe.”
The mother pulled her daughter closer but offered Jamie a nod of thanks, her eyes still filled with fear but softened with a hint of relief. Jamie’s heart swelled as she watched the people slowly relax, letting the warmth of the fire wrap around them. It wasn’t much, but it was something real, something she could give.
Jamie stood, brushing the dirt from her hands as Joel approached, Kip still nestled in his arms. “We have magic,” she whispered, more to herself this time, her voice soft but resolute. “And maybe… maybe this is how we help. One step at a time.”
Joel nodded, his expression thoughtful as he looked at the small fire. “You’re right,” he said, a quiet conviction in his voice. “We can’t fix everything, but we can start with this.”
Jamie gave him a brief smile, her gaze shifting to another small group of people sitting nearby. They huddled in the cold, their faces filled with the same uncertainty that clung to everyone. She walked over, gathering more wood and setting it down carefully before lighting another fire. Joel, still holding Kip, moved beside her, adding more pieces of wood to keep the fire burning.
The reactions were the same—fear and wonder as people stared at the flames she had summoned. But slowly, their fear began to melt, replaced by the warmth of the fire. A quiet sense of calm settled over the small groups, and Jamie could feel the slight shift in the air, like a breath of relief that accompanied the light she had brought.
Jamie looked down at Kip nestled against Joel’s chest, his soft purring a small comfort in the cold night. The warmth of her fire lingered in her fingertips, the magic pulsing gently inside her. She wasn’t helpless. She had the power to help, and maybe, for now, that was enough.
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Jamie and Joel left the huddled crowds behind as they search for a way around the river to get to the Emergency Headquarters on the other side. As they walked the air around them thickened, heavy with a palpable tension that pressed against Jamie's chest. Each breath felt dense, the strange energy of the transformed city growing more oppressive with every step. It wasn’t just the atmosphere—something darker lurked beneath, something that gnawed at the edges of her awareness. The pulse of power thrummed under the ground, vibrating through her bones like the heartbeat of a predator lying in wait.
Kip, cradled tightly in Joel’s arms, suddenly hissed, his fur standing on end. His blue eyes darted toward the shadows, wide and fearful. Jamie’s stomach twisted. What does he see that we don’t?
Her heartbeat quickened, the heat of her fire simmering just beneath her skin, eager but restrained. She didn’t unleash it yet—something held her back. Instinct? Fear? She wasn’t sure, but her hands twitched, her fingers tingling with the restless energy waiting to be called forth.
“What’s going on?” Jamie whispered, her voice barely audible, a tightness in her throat she couldn’t shake. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.
Joel’s grip on Kip tightened as the cat squirmed, desperate to flee. His jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the alleyways. “Stay sharp,” he muttered, his voice low, filled with the same unease that crawled under Jamie’s skin. He was focused, his body tense, ready to act.
They moved cautiously, every footstep measured, the silence around them suffocating. Shadows twisted unnaturally along the walls, creeping across the cracked pavement like living things. The stillness wasn’t natural. The quiet was the kind that only preceded violence, the kind of silence that made your hair stand on end. We’re not alone…
And then it came.
A scream—shrill, desperate—tore through the night, slicing through the quiet like a knife. Jamie’s heart leapt into her throat, her entire body locking up as she spun toward the sound. Her blood ran cold at what she saw.
A monstrous creature slithered into the street, grotesque and nightmarish. Its long, serpentine body twisted in ways that defied reason, its jagged scales gleaming like shattered glass under the pale moonlight. Glowing red eyes locked onto them, burning with hunger. In its gnarled jaws, the creature dragged a man, gnawing viciously on his leg. Blood pooled beneath him, dark and thick, his screams fading as his strength waned.
Jamie froze, fear wrapping around her like chains. Two more bodies lay motionless nearby, their faces twisted in horror. The streets erupted into chaos as people ran, their panicked screams echoing off the crumbling buildings. But Jamie couldn't move. Her feet were rooted to the ground, her mind screaming at her to do something—but she couldn’t.
“Joel—” Her voice cracked, her throat tight as she fought against the paralyzing terror that held her still. We have to help.
But it was Joel who acted first. His voice, sharp and commanding, cut through her fear like a blade. “Stay behind me!”
The authority in his words broke through her paralysis. Kip wriggled free from Joel’s arms, bolting into the shadows, and Joel moved toward the creature, his body coiled with intent. He didn’t hesitate, didn’t falter. His eyes locked onto the beast, cold and determined, as if facing nightmares was something he knew well.
The creature roared, a sound so deep and guttural that Jamie felt it in her bones. It dropped the man from its jaws, turning its full, malevolent gaze on them. Its coiled body lashed out, smashing into a nearby car, sending metal and debris flying.
Jamie’s fire surged inside her, reacting instinctively to the danger, but she still felt frozen by the weight of her fear. Breathe. Control it. You’ve got this.
Joel moved, his voice low and powerful. “Ki!”
The ground rumbled beneath them, and suddenly, stone and dirt shot up from the earth, wrapping around the creature’s body, locking it in place. The beast screeched in fury, thrashing violently against the rock. Joel’s arms trembled, his muscles straining to maintain the spell. His brow furrowed with concentration, the veins in his neck standing out as he fought to keep the creature restrained.
“Jamie, I need you!” Joel’s voice broke through the chaos, strained and urgent. The stone was holding, but not for long—the creature was already breaking free. “I can’t hold it for much longer!”
Jamie’s fear evaporated, replaced by something hotter, something sharper—rage. These people—innocent people—were dead, torn apart by this horror. Her chest burned with fury, her fire surging in response. She wasn’t helpless. Not anymore.
Her hands balled into fists, heat building in her palms as the flames responded to her anger. She stepped forward, her body trembling, but not with fear. “Joel, help me with the flames!.”
Joel met her eyes, a fierce determination in his gaze. Without hesitation, he called out again. “Silim!”
A gust of wind rushed through the street, feeding her fire, and suddenly, her flames roared to life. The blaze wrapped around the creature like chains of molten heat, constricting tighter with every second. Jamie’s arms shook with the effort, but she held on, forcing the fire to obey her will.
The beast let out an ear-piercing screech, its body writhing against the searing heat and stone that bound it. Each thrash sent tremors through the ground, the force of its struggle nearly overwhelming her. Sweat dripped down her face, her muscles screaming as she kept the flames steady.
“I can’t… hold… it much longer!” Joel’s voice was raw, his face contorted with the strain of keeping the stone in place.
Jamie felt the fire inside her surge again, fueled by her anger, her desire to end this. Her whole body ached, but she wouldn’t stop. Not now. “Just a moment longer!” she growled, her voice hoarse with the effort.
The creature’s glowing eyes burned with fury as it jerked violently, its massive tail smashing into a nearby building. The impact sent chunks of stone and debris raining down around them. Jamie ducked, her arms trembling as she forced the flames to hold even as Joel was hit by a flying rock.
Joel released the stone rune, staggering back as the earth crumbled away. His breath came in ragged gasps, but he wasn’t done. “Motion!” (Giri)
With a violent gust of wind, the creature was hurled backward, slamming into the side of the building with a bone-rattling crash. Dust filled the air, but the beast wasn’t done yet.
This is it. Jamie locked her gaze on the twitching body, her fury burning hotter than the fire itself. I won’t let you hurt anyone else. She thrust her hands forward, the flames roaring in response, wrapping tighter around the creature in a final, vicious attack.
The creature let out one last, blood-curdling scream as the fire seared through its jagged scales, burning through flesh and bone. The heat was suffocating, the air thick with the smell of charred meat. But Jamie didn’t stop. She pushed harder, the flames blazing brighter, consuming the creature whole.
And then, with a guttural shout, Joel stepped forward. “Sever!” (Pu) The severing rune cracked through the air like a whip.
The beast convulsed violently as dark blood sprayed across the street, the rune slicing through its burning flesh. With one final, earth-shattering screech, the monster collapsed, its body twitching before going still.
Jamie stumbled back, the fire in her hands flickering and dying. Her chest heaved with each ragged breath, her muscles trembling with exhaustion. She had nothing left to give.
The street fell silent, the only sound the crackling of dying flames licking at the scorched remains of the creature. Around them, those who had survived stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Her legs buckled beneath her, and she sank to her knees, barely able to stay upright as the adrenaline bled from her body. She was exhausted, every inch of her aching, but they had done it.
Joel limped toward her, blood trailing from the gash on his temple. His chest rose and fell heavily, but he was alive. He knelt beside her, concern etched across his face. “You alright?”
Jamie nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. “We… did it.”
The soft, feminine voice of the system echoed in her mind: Essence accumulated: 150 points.
The words barely registered. All Jamie could think about was the fire—the way it had obeyed her, how it had responded to her anger.
Before she could process it, a vision flashed behind her eyes. It wasn’t painful, but vivid, bright, and undeniable. She saw her core—a flickering flame, raw and untapped.