Born Of Two Worlds

ll room off the main chamber, her bandaged arm stiff and her mind restless. The protein bar Ethan had given her sat half-eaten on the folding table beside her, its taste like cardboard against th

e doorway, holding a tablet and a mug of something steaming. Her grin was bright, almost too bright for the dim, uti

n. She studied Maya-human, Ethan had said, but sharp-eyed and confident in a way that felt like she

ack for breaking into systems that don't want to be broken. I help keep this place running-hacking, surveillance,

mile breaking through her guard

ut Ethan's got a good eye for people. If he brought you here,

ly. Ethan said my powers are... alive. But I've spent years trying to keep them locked away. Now they're slipping, and I can't-" She sto

when you're thrown in headfirst. But you're not alone here. We've all got our baggage-Ethan,

y consuming her-made doubt claw at her chest. She glanced at the shadows on the wall

u before. He's got this whole 'gruff mentor' thing down. Annoying, but effective. And I'll help too. I've got te

s, that the idea of allies-of trust-felt like stepping onto thin ice. But Maya's sincerity, her easy confidence,

e spirit. Come on, let's get you to the training roo

glowed faintly under the overhead lights. Mats covered the floor, and one wall held an array of weapons-blades, staffs, and str

e gruff but not unkind. He nod

ablet. "I'll set up the sensors, get a base

ur powers are waking up, and if you don't learn to control them, they'll control you.

the memory of the alley-her shadows lashing out, chaotic and dangerous-

and there. Close your eyes. Feel the shadows

was the cool air and the weight of her own breathing. The shadows were there, always there, a presence at the edge of her mind. They whispered, soft

That's step one. Now, picture a shape-something simple. A sphere, a cu

ept them at bay, her brow furrowing with effort. Sweat beaded on her forehead. It was harder than she

teady. "You're pushing too hard

moment, she felt it-a connection, not control but partnership. Then her focus slipped, the memory of the assassins' glinting eyes flashing through he

ng. Frustration burned in her chest, mix

e first try. That was better than most do starting

"They're... too much. Like the

who you are. The council trained you to fear them, but that's their game. Fear makes you weak,

the power she couldn't fully understand. Trust felt like a leap she wasn't ready for. But Ethan's eyes were stead

squaring her shoulde

ed, almost a smile.

daches, trembling hands, the constant fear of losing control. Maya's sensors had recorded it all, her tablet spitting out graphs of energy spikes and shadow density that Lil

, his expression softer than before. "You did good toda

security systems and the latest council chatter she'd intercepted. "They're nervous," Maya said, her

ns in the alley. The sanctuary was a refuge, but it was also a cage, a place where she'd have to face what she'd spe

yourself. She didn't know if she could, but for the first time in years, she wanted to try. The sanctuary, with its outc