1 Prologue–A Place of Darkness

A cave—the place of darkness chosen for my trial. I sit on the cold stone ground staring at the being before me. My face a ghastly mask of horror and shock.

"What did you say," I whisper as I backpedal away in disbelief.

My Inaltiare, however, kept his formless eyes locked with my own.

"I will not be enhancing you," he repeated again.

"I…don't understand," I say, my voice shaking.

I knew all too well that failing the enhancement trial meant death. I feel the tears streaming down my face. I can only think of my mom. I promised her I'd come back home. I hadn't even considered the thought of failing. I clench my fist in frustration.

The Inaltiare watches me for a moment, then turns walking away.

He stops a couple of paces away, "Come back to me when it's gone," he says, his presence fading.

'Come back? But I failed the trial, didn't I—'

But I could no longer speak—let alone think—as a horrible feeling surges through my entire body. It feels as if every ounce of magic is being drained from my body. As I crumple to the ground, my vision fades, my eyes close, and something inside me wakes up.