Elowen stood in the heart of the Crucible's yard, but the stone walls warped and twisted, melting into the red cliffs of Starhaven. The black dead star shard rose in the center, pulsing violet, the tear above it a gaping wound bleeding crimson light. The air tasted of dust and old blood, the same scent from her earliest memories.

  Familiar faces lined up before the shard—Kael, Toren, Vel, Lark, Rhen—all silent, stars exposed. Arbiters stepped from the tear, hooded forms flickering, palms extended. The whispers filled the yard, no longer faint but a chorus that shook the ground.

  "Thief. Anomaly. Harvest."

  The first Arbiter reached for Rhen. Palm to chest. Gray light poured out in a torrent. Rhen's eyes widened, mouth opening in a silent scream as his body convulsed, skin graying, star emptying. He crumpled to dust before her eyes, scattering on the wind.

  Toren roared, charging with orange fists blazing. Arbiter palm met his charge. Orange light streamed, his massive frame jerking, knees buckling as the glow guttered out. He reached for her, eyes desperate, before turning to dust.

  Vel flickered, desperate bursts, trying to reach Elowen. Arbiter twisted space—her light warped, slowed. Palm to shoulder. Light poured. She fell, body crumbling, a final flicker toward Elowen before nothing.

  Lark grappled close, arms locking in a crushing hold on an Arbiter. Palm to side. Light bled. He held longest, eyes locked on Elowen as he turned to dust, mouth forming her name.

  Kael stepped in front of her, blue void swirling wide. "Not her."

  Arbiters swarmed. Palms pressed. Blue light poured despite the void pull. Kael fought—pillars crashing from the sky, void swallowing wisps—but there were too many. His body jerked, light draining, eyes finding hers as he fell. Dust scattered on the wind.

  The whispers turned to her, the chorus deafening.

  "White anomaly. The harvest crowns with you."

  Arbiters closed in, palms extended. Her white light flared uncontrollably, bright and warm, illuminating the yard like a beacon. It only drew them faster. One palm touched her chest. Light poured. Pain like burning from inside, her star ripping open. She screamed—Elowen jolted awake in her bunk, gasping, white light flaring wild around her in the small dorm room. The flower on her bedside table wilted instantly, petals blackening and curling. Sweat soaked her shirt, heart hammering so hard it hurt. Tears streamed down her face as she curled into a ball, shaking.

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  Kael was there in seconds—he'd been sitting on the floor by the door, back against the wall, unable to sleep since the wall. The void had kept him restless, tugging toward the distant lights. He crossed the room, pulling her into his arms.

  "Just a dream," he whispered, holding her tight as she trembled. "I'm here. We're safe."

  She clung to him, sobs muffled against his chest. "They found us. The Crucible. Took everyone. Rhen... Toren... Vel... Lark... you. Because of my light. It called them."

  Kael rocked her gently, his own heart pounding from the images she painted. "It was a dream. The wards hold. No one's found us."She pulled back, eyes red but fierce. "It felt real. I can't just hide. I need to fight. Physical. Like you. Teach me."

  Kael met her gaze, seeing the resolve under the fear. "Tomorrow. First light. We'll start."

  Dawn found them in the side yard, away from the main drills. The team hadn't joined yet—Kael wanted this first session just them. The air was crisp, ground damp with dew, the mountains silent around them.

  "No light at first," Kael said, facing her in the center. "Just body. Speed. Strength. Defend yourself."

  Elowen nodded, small frame tense but ready, feet planted light.

  Kael moved slow to start—a straight punch to test. She dodged, surprisingly quick, body twisting instinctive. Counter—palm strike to his chest, weak but placed right where it would hurt.

  Kael smiled small. "Good instinct."

  He pressed—combination: jab, hook, low kick. Elowen blocked the jab with her forearm, ducked the hook, jumped the kick. Her movements flowed natural, like she'd watched a thousand drills and her body remembered.

  Toren arrived mid-session, leaning on the fence to watch. Vel and Lark followed soon after, silent observers.

  Kael ramped up—faster, harder. Sweeping kick. Elowen jumped, landing with a counter elbow that grazed his side. Grab attempt—Kael caught her arm, twisting for a gentle throw. She rolled with it, landing cat-light, sweeping his supporting leg. He stumbled, caught himself, eyes wide.

  "You're a natural," he said, breathless pride.

  She breathed hard, sweat beading, but eyes bright. "Again."

  They sparred full—Kael holding back power but not speed. Elowen adapted fast: dodging chains of strikes, countering with sharp palms to ribs, elbows to shoulders, knees to thighs. Her small size became advantage—slipping inside guards, striking vital points she'd seen Kael hit in training.

  Kael grabbed her mid-strike, lifting for a controlled throw. She twisted mid-air, landing behind him, palm striking his back—light but perfect placement. He spun, grinning wide.

  Vel whistled. "Kid's got moves."

  Toren laughed. "Reminds me of you, Kael. All instinct."

  Lark nodded. "Fast learner."

  Kael faced her again, circling. "Light now. Controlled."

  Elowen flared white—soft shield snapping up as Kael summoned a small void swirl. He pulled at her shield; she fed light into it, stabilizing the blue, making the pull stronger but directed. Together, they formed a brief dome—blue void edged with white glow, humming balanced.

  Elowen panted, exhausted, legs shaking from the effort. But she stood tall, white light steady.

  Kael ruffled her hair. "You held your own. Better than I expected."

  She smiled tired, but proud. "I want more tomorrow."

  Evening fell cold. Kael stood on the wall with Elowen beside him, the team nearby. The ring lights dotted the dark—closer, pulsing slow.

  Inside the ring, two stars burned brighter.