Chapter 26: Unleashing the Storm

Ben's muscles screamed in agony, his body shuddering with the remnants of training. He'd been training for days, pounding himself into a frazzle, and for the first time, he could feel the difference in him. His reflexes were faster. His body was operating on its own ahead of his mind. He wasn't responding anymore—he was acting.

But Lilith had other ideas for him.

"Today," she said, standing in the middle of the clearing, her silver eyes shining, "we don't hold back."

Ben wiped sweat from his forehead, rolling his shoulders. "You weren't already giving it your all?"

Lilith's smirk was biting. "Not even close."

Kieran and Cyrus stepped back to the sides, observing with their customary unemotional faces. Ben had learned by now that if they were quiet, something big was about to happen.

Lilith shoved him forward. "We've shoved your limits. We've shoved your reaction. Now we shove control."

Ben clenched his fists. "Fine. Let's get on with it."

Lilith acted fast. Faster than she'd ever acted before. Ben wasn't even able to ready himself when she was already on top of him, her fist flying straight for his ribcage. But he wasn't that same fighter that he used to be.

He dodged, his awareness on the movement. He sensed the air disturbance as she advanced, attacking again—this time, he didn't just dodge. He attacked.

A rush of energy coursed through him as he spun, unleashing a controlled surge of power. Lilith was sent stumbling backward a few steps, landing silently on the balls of her feet, eyes burning.

"Better," she said. "But not enough."

Ben let out a harsh breath. He was not tired. Not yet. His energy simmered just beneath his skin, waiting to be unleashed.

Lilith moved again, but she was no longer alone.

Kieran plunged into battle, the edge of the blade cutting through sunbeams. Ben merely avoided the handle of it racing down his forearm. He swung back instinctively, sending another burst of energy forward, but Kieran had prepared himself and dodged the path.

Before Ben even had time to react, Cyrus exploded from behind, a whirlwind of activity. Ben had sensed him approaching, swiveled just in time to catch the impact on his forearm. The blow bashed through like crash against his bones, yet he did not budge.

Three on one.

Games ended.

Ben went all out. He let loose.

Energy exploded out of him, a vortex of power thrumming outward in every direction. Earth beneath his feet cracked, air trembling with power. Lilith, Kieran, and Cyrus were all being forced back, each fighting for traction against the bare weight of it.

Ben's panting was in torn jeans, his eyes ablaze with an unnatural flame. He could sense it now—his potential, his strength.

Lilith rose, brushing at her sleeve. "Now that is what I was waiting for,"

Ben swallowed, his racing heart beating wildly but in a normal rhythm. He had succeeded. He had released what was inside him.

But as the power stabilized, as the dust settled, one terror took hold of his mind.

If he could do this now… what would he be when he had full mastery over it?

Lilith gave him the long gaze, then crept closer. "Again."

Ben's eyes went wide. "Already?"

She nodded. "You need to pass what you believe your boundaries to be. To control here is not to merely know that you are powerful—its to control it."

Ben stood up straight. He had no clue what else was bottled up inside of him, but by god, he was not going to lose it.

It was Kieran this time who led the attack, his sword whipping in a smooth sweep through the air. Ben dodged to the side hard enough, but Cyrus stepped into the space he'd just vacated, his blow knocking Ben back. Lilith gave no quarter, swinging low with a kick to his legs. Ben leaped barely out of reach in time, but before he could get his feet planted again, Kieran had him again.

He could do nothing but struggle for his life for a few seconds. The three closed in like cats, attacking from all sides, probing him. His breathing became ragged, trickles of sweat running down his back. His pent-up energy seethed within him, crying to be unleashed once more.

And when he caught himself starting to weaken, he surrendered.

This time, he did not let the power erupt in a raw fury. He held it back.

The power around him coalesced, screaming, changing as he chose. When Lilith came at him, Ben came back with a blast of energy that sent her recoiling—but not randomly. He'd aimed it.

Kieran made a move. Ben spun, sending the power his way as well, and he found himself having to deflect instead of making an attack.

Cyrus the opportunist tried to creep up on him. But Ben felt him this time.

He twirled, catching Cyrus by the wrist and firing a pinpoint shockwave down his arm. Cyrus growled, breaking free, but for the first time—he was impressed.

The clearing fell silent as Ben stood, his chest laboring, the ground at his feet cracked and smoldering from his energy.

Lilith smiled. "Now that is control."

Ben breathed harshly. He had it now. The distinction. The shift within him wasn't raw power now—it was power of control. 

And only just started.