The air crackled with energy as Aiden stood before Selene, her silver hair swirling around her like tendrils of lightning. He felt the weight of her gaze, sharp and intense, and for a moment, he was overwhelmed by the enormity of what lay ahead.

“Let the storm begin,” she repeated, and the ground beneath him vibrated with an unsettling hum. The trees swayed, bending in a wind that seemed to emanate from Selene herself.

“Wait,” Aiden said, raising a hand. “What do I need to do?”

Selene’s expression softened slightly, but her eyes remained fierce. “You must learn to harness your power, Aiden. The storm reflects your emotions—fear, anger, courage. Each will shape how you control it.”

“What if I can’t control it?” Aiden asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

“Then you risk losing yourself,” she warned, her tone grave. “The power of the storm can consume those who are unprepared. But with training, you can learn to master it.”

As she spoke, Aiden felt a surge of energy course through him. It was exhilarating and terrifying, and he clenched his fists, feeling the electricity buzzing just beneath his skin.

“Show me,” he said, determination rising within him.

Selene stepped back, creating distance between them. “Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Feel the storm inside you. Visualize it like a tempest—wild, chaotic, but ultimately yours to command.”

Aiden did as she instructed, closing his eyes and tuning out the world around him. He inhaled deeply, allowing the sounds of the wind and distant thunder to blend into a rhythmic pulse. He imagined the storm—a swirling mass of clouds and lightning—coiling within him.

With each breath, he focused, feeling the energy shift and flow. The air thickened, and he sensed the storm responding, mirroring his emotions. He felt power building in his core, a force that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

“Now, unleash it,” Selene urged, her voice cutting through his concentration.

Aiden opened his eyes and thrust his hands forward. “Storm, obey me!”

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In that instant, a bolt of lightning shot from his fingertips, arcing toward the sky and illuminating the forest in brilliant white light. Aiden gasped, both amazed and frightened by the display of power. The ground trembled beneath him, and a fierce wind whipped around them, rustling the leaves and howling through the trees.

“Good,” Selene said, her voice steady, though there was a hint of awe in her eyes. “But you must control it. Direct your energy, don’t let it overwhelm you.”

Aiden felt the storm beginning to spiral out of his grasp. Panic surged within him, and the lightning flickered erratically. “I can’t—”

“Focus!” Selene shouted, her voice cutting through his panic like a knife. “You are the eye of the storm. Center yourself!”

Taking a deep breath, Aiden shut his eyes again. He remembered the calm center of the storm, the eye where everything was still. He visualized that calmness spreading through him, pushing back the chaos.

Slowly, he felt the lightning steady, the wild energy turning into a controlled flicker of light. Aiden opened his eyes, heart racing with adrenaline. The storm around him seemed to respond, calming slightly, as if acknowledging his newfound control.

“Much better,” Selene said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “But remember, Aiden, this is just the beginning. The storm is a reflection of you, but it can also attract danger.”

“What kind of danger?” he asked, still panting from the exertion.

“Others will come,” she replied, her expression turning serious. “Those who want to harness your power, to use it for their own ends. You must learn not only to control the storm within but also to protect yourself from those who would exploit it.”

The weight of her words settled heavily on his shoulders. “How can I prepare for that?”

“Training will help,” Selene said, her eyes glinting with resolve. “But you must also learn to trust your instincts. The storm is as much a part of you as your heartbeat. Listen to it.”

Before Aiden could respond, the sky darkened even further, and a low rumble of thunder echoed ominously. The air felt charged, almost electric. Aiden turned to Selene, unease creeping back in.

“Is it supposed to get worse?” he asked, glancing at the gathering clouds.

Selene’s expression hardened. “It’s not the storm you should be worried about. We may have company.”

As if on cue, shadows began to move between the trees, figures cloaked in darkness emerging from the forest. Aiden’s heart raced as he instinctively stepped closer to Selene, who was now poised like a predator ready to strike.

“Stay behind me,” she whispered, her voice low but commanding.

Aiden nodded, adrenaline coursing through him. The figures approached, their features obscured, but he could sense the malice radiating from them.

“Looks like the hunt has begun,” Selene said, her voice steady but filled with warning. “Prepare yourself, Aiden. The storm may be your ally, but you’ll need to summon its strength to protect what’s yours.”

As the first figure stepped into the light, Aiden clenched his fists, feeling the electricity surge once more. The storm was within him, and he was ready to fight.