Struggling with power

Struggling with power
Melissa’s POV

My hands were shaking as golden light crackled over my fingertips as I stood in the centre of the clearing. It seemed like I was trying to hold onto a hurricane as I tried to concentrate on managing the energy.

"Melissa, maintain your composure," Liora stated in a steady but anxious tone. Her hands were blazing dimly with defensive magic as she stood a few feet away.

"I'm making an effort! I yelled, my anger rising within me. I was overcome by the energy coursing through me, and the ominous murmurs of the Void continued to haunt me.

From the edge of the clearing, Damon urged, "You can do this." The only thing keeping me rooted was his steady, serene gaze.

I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes. "Pay attention. "You have control over it," I told myself in a whisper.

I held my hands out in front of me, attempting to release the energy in a continuous flow. It worked for a while. The scene was illuminated by a soft beam of golden light that blasted out.

However, a sudden surge of darkness twisted the light into something erratic and chaotic.

"No! As the energy went out of control and sent a shockwave across the clearing, I screamed.

"Stop, Melissa! Liora yelled and quickly erected a barricade.

Her shield cracked but did not penetrate when the blast struck it. The tremendous force knocked her backwards, and she crashed hard on the ground.

"Liora! Panic swelling in my chest, I hurried toward her.

Wincing, she slowly sat up. Her voice was unsteady, but she responded, "I'm fine."

With a wave of shame, I fell to my knees next to her and said, "I almost hurt you."

She put a hand on my arm and interrupted, saying, "You didn't." But Melissa, you have to keep things under control. The group is relying on you.

I turned to face Damon, who was approaching us. Despite his composed demeanour, I could see the concern in his eyes.

He said softly, "You're pushing yourself too hard." "This power is brand-new. It’s going to take time.”

I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. “What if I can’t control it? What if I hurt someone—someone I care about?"

Damon was kneeling next to me, his hands on my shoulders. "You won't," he stated bluntly. "Because you are more powerful than this force. You're not alone, either.

Even though I wanted to believe him, I was still troubled by the uncontrollable energy and the voice of the Void.

I saw a few pack members observing from a distance as I got to my feet. Their expressions were a mix of confusion and terror.

With a sinking heart, I murmured, "They're scared of me."

Damon clarified, "They're scared of what they don't understand." "However, they share my belief in you."

I nodded, but my heart was still filled with doubt.

With a gentle yet forceful tone, Liora proposed that we take a break. "You've accomplished enough today."

I refrained from arguing. With the burden of my uncontrollable abilities bearing down on me, I simply followed Damon back to the packhouse.

I sat on the porch steps that night and gazed up at the sky. My restless thoughts were not much calmed by the refreshing breeze. Damon and Liora were looking through old books within the packhouse, trying to find answers.

After hearing the door creak behind me, I turned to see Damon leaving.

"Discover anything? I didn't know if I wanted to know the answer, so I asked.

With a groan, he combed through his hair. He sat down next to me and said, "Perhaps Liora discovered a ritual that could help stabilize your powers."

With a glimmer of hope in my chest, I gazed at him. "Really? What is it?"

"It's complicated," he acknowledged. "The ritual is dangerous, but it might work. Extremely dangerous.

How dangerous? I pressed, speaking firmly.

His jaw tensed as he paused. It might exhaust you entirely. If something goes wrong, it might potentially lead to your death.

The hope I had felt seconds before was evaporating as I looked at him. "So, I have to decide between losing control and running the chance of dying?"

He gently reached for my hand and said, "Melissa." "Unless you're positive, I don't want you to do this. There must be an alternative.

What if there isn't, though? My voice broke as I asked. "What if the Void can only be stopped in this way?"

Damon took a while to respond. Rather, he gathered me into a close embrace.

His voice was firm as he said, "We'll figure this out." "With each other. I will not leave you to deal with this alone.

Although his remarks gave me some solace, the decision's weight continued to hang over me.

Liora emerged in the doorway with one of the old books inside. "Melissa," she uttered in a grave tone. "We must get ready if you want to attempt the procedure. We can't jump into it too quickly.

Even though my head was racing, I nodded. I got to my feet and remarked, "I need some time to think."

Damon kept a careful eye on me, clearly worried. "Take as much time as you require," he said.

I needed time to take it all in, so I ventured into the woods. Even though it looked like there were more stars in the sky tonight, the darkness within my heart persisted.

A terrifying reminder of what was at stake, the voice of the Void reverberated faintly in my head.

Deep in the forest, I sat on a fallen log and allowed the refreshing night air to caress me. Though my thoughts were anything but peaceful, the silence felt comforting. I kept thinking of Damon's comments, "I won't let you face this alone."

By themselves. I felt just that way.

Even though the Void had remained silent since the earlier training, it was still there, skulking around the periphery of my spirit like a shadowy darkness. I tried to concentrate on the sound of the wind rustling through the trees by closing my eyes.

I became tense at a nearby rustling sound. "Who's there? I called, sounding sharper than I meant to.

When Damon emerged from behind a tree, his well-known voice said, "It's me." His eyes were full of worry, yet his face remained steady and calm.

"I thought I told you I needed time alone," I muttered, but there wasn't much bite in my voice.

"I understand," he remarked as he approached. But I know you, too. You're not just sitting here believing that you're to blame, are you?"

I looked aside with a groan. "How could I not? Liora almost got hurt because of me, the pack is afraid of me, and now you want me to think about a rite that could kill me.

He sat down next to me and reiterated, "You're not doing this alone." He gave me a sense of stability that nothing else could.

I said, hardly raising my voice above a whisper, "I feel like I'm losing myself, Damon." "It feels like the Void is waiting for an opportunity to take control every time I attempt to use this power."

His palm was warm against my chilly flesh as he grabbed for it. Melissa, you underestimate your strength. Every day I witness it. All you have to do is believe in yourself.

Tears filled my eyes as I gazed at him. "What if I am unable to? What if I cause harm to someone once more?"

Then, he stated confidently, "We'll figure it out." "With each other. Let me fight for you like you have been fighting for everyone else.

I wasn't prepared for how hard his remarks affected me. How much I needed to hear them had escaped my notice.

Everything seemed to weigh a little less for a little period. I put my head on his shoulder and leaned into him. I said in a whisper, "Thank you."

As the world around us faded away, we sat in solitude. Although it was brief, it was a rare time of calm.

We both jumped up when a nearby branch cracked sharply.

"What was that? With my heart racing, I inquired.

Damon squinted as he looked around the shadows. "Remain behind me."

There was a chilly presence in the air, and the shadows appeared to move and shift. As the voice of the Void echoed in my consciousness once more, my chest constricted.

"You can't get away from me."

I sat in my room later that night and gazed out the window. Now, the quiet time spent in the woods with Damon seemed like a faraway memory. I could feel the Void pulling at my soul, and its presence was only getting stronger.

I tossed and turned while my mind raced, barely getting any sleep. But that night, I wasn't the only one having trouble.

Damon was sitting with his head in his hands on the edge of the bed in the guest room of the packhouse. He was surrounded by the old books Liora had left behind, but his attention was elsewhere.

The dream occurred after he finally fell asleep.

Under a blood-red moon, he stood on a huge, deserted plain. The ground beneath his feet seemed to be shifting, and the air was heavy and dense.

A quiet but firm voice called, "Damon."

The Moon Goddess was standing in front of him, her silver hair gleaming like stars, as he turned around. Her face was serious.

Her voice reverberated in the silence as she replied, "You've done well to protect her." "Her fight is far from over, though."

Damon clenched his hands. "I understand. I'm looking for a solution to save her because of this.

Slowly, the Moon Goddess shook her head. "The Void's hold is more powerful than you think, but her light is brighter than ever. If she can't control it, it will consume her before the end.

With a hint of desperation in his voice, Damon stated, "There must be something I can do."

Her words were stern, yet her eyes softened. "Get yourself ready, Damon. You might eventually have to make a decision that could either save her or spell her demise.

Damon's heart fell. What sort of decision?"

He slipped into darkness as the ground underneath him cracked before she could respond.

His chest heaved when he woke up. His heart froze as the Moon Goddess's last words replayed in his head:

"You have to be ready for anything."

The following morning, I watched Damon through the gap in the door as I stood outside his room. He was staring at the old books with a pale face and shaking hands.

"Damon," I whispered as I entered.

His eyes met mine as he looked up. There was something there besides fear. Willpower.

He reached for my hands before I could inquire as to what was wrong. "I need you to trust me, Melissa, no matter what. Are you able to do that?"

I nodded slowly, but my gut churned with discomfort
. "Obviously. Why?"

His grip tightened slightly as he paused. "Because you're not finished with the Void." And it's coming for you sooner than we anticipated, I believe.