ShadowBound: The Need For Power

Liam and Ariana made their way back up to Mystica's chamber, the silence between them calm.

"So… Mystica said you needed to learn Mystsense," Ariana said as they reached the chamber, her voice carrying a casual curiosity laced with a hint of nervousness.

"Yeah," Liam replied, hands in his pockets while scanning the room. "I planned to ask you before the exam started, but I didn't want to bother you then. And I guess I forgot about it… till now."

"Oh, okay," Ariana said, a small blush coloring her cheeks.

"Is it okay for us to actually do this here?" Liam asked, glancing around Mystica's chamber.

"Ye–yeah. Mystsense has nothing to do with movement, so it's okay for us to practice here," Ariana replied as she walked toward the center of the room and sat down cross-legged. "Besides, Mystica did give us the go-ahead to practice here. Come on, there's no need to worry."

"I'm not worried," Liam said as he sat across from her, mirroring her posture. "So, how do we begin?"

"Well, since you know the name, I believe you know its purpose, right?" Ariana asked, tilting her head with a playful gleam in her eye.

"Yeah, Mystica said it helps you see a person's Myst Core color… to tell what level they're at."

"Exactly," Ariana said, nodding. "Mystsense is less about sight and more about awareness. You're not just 'seeing' the color—you're tuning into a person's mystical frequency. Like listening to music only your soul can hear."

Liam raised an eyebrow. "Poetic."

Ariana giggled softly. "Thanks. Now close your eyes."

He hesitated for half a second, then did as she said.

"Focus," Ariana continued, her voice soft but steady. "Imagine the space around you as alive—not empty. Every person, every object, has Myst flowing through it. But cores… they burn brighter. Sharper. Like a flame in the void."

Liam's breathing slowed.

"Now, I want you to picture me sitting in front of you. Not with your eyes. With your Myst. Feel for a pulse—something gentle, warm, and steady. That's me. Try to connect."

The world around him shifted. The air grew thick with unseen threads of energy, subtle pulses radiating from Ariana like gentle waves lapping against the shore.

"I can feel it…" he murmured.

"Good. Now focus deeper. Let your own Myst flow outward. Don't force it. Let it drift like mist reaching out to the morning sun."

A few heartbeats passed. Then Liam's eyes opened—just a sliver—and they gleamed faintly with an otherworldly light.

"There it is," Ariana whispered. "You're syncing."

"What color…?" he asked, voice quieter now, as if afraid to break the balance.

Ariana smiled gently. "You tell me."

He stared at her for a long moment, then blinked. "Green."

She beamed. "Mid-tier 5-Star. You got it."

Liam's expression remained unreadable, but the flicker of approval in his eyes didn't go unnoticed.

Ariana's smile widened. "Wanna try yours next?"

"Right off the bat?"

"Yeah, you are a quick learner so no big deal. It took me some days to do what you just did. And besides, with me guiding you?" She winked. "Definitely."

"Alright, if you say so, let's do it," Liam said calmly.

Ariana shifted a little closer, their knees brushing—just barely. "Um… if you don't mind," she said, voice small as she glanced at his hands and reached out, hesitating. "Can I…?"

"You're free to do whatever you want," Liam replied.

Her eyes widened slightly, a soft blush painting her cheeks. "O–okay," she mumbled, placing her hands gently over his. 'How do you say something like that with a straight face?' she thought, resisting the urge to hide behind her hair.

"And close your eyes again," she added quickly.

Liam obeyed, letting the world slip into darkness once more.

"Now," Ariana said, her voice dropping to something softer, "use that same focus from earlier. But this time… turn it inward. You're not looking for me anymore. You're looking for you. For your own Myst."

Liam inhaled slowly, steady and deep.

"It'll feel strange at first," she continued. "Like walking into a mirror made of wind… Just breathe. Let your thoughts quiet. Let the flow take you."

The air between them stilled. Silence settled over the chamber like a blanket.

And in the quiet… Liam felt it.

Not in his chest. Not in his limbs.

But in his core.

A thump. A pulse. Faint, steady. Not loud like a war drum—but soft, deliberate. Like a single candle in a cavern.

"Focus on it," Ariana's voice reached him like a ripple across water. "That's your Myst Core."

Liam leaned in—not his body, but his will. The flicker of light stirred. It grew, little by little, until it shone gently in the dark.

A light green glow—calm, quiet, like mint kissed by moonlight.

Low-tier 5-Star.

His eyes fluttered open, just a little, the faintest hint of surprise flashing across his normally stoic face.

"You saw it?" Ariana asked, already leaning in despite how close they were.

He gave a small nod. "Yeah. Green. But lighter than yours."

"Low-tier 5-Star," she confirmed, a proud smile blooming on her face. "That's amazing, Liam. Most people can't even see their own Myst Core without weeks of meditation."

He shrugged, casual as always. Then a smirk touched his lips. "Like you said—I'm a fast learner."

Ariana laughed gently, her hands still resting over his. "No kidding."

"So… what now?" he asked.

Ariana leaned back slowly, placing her palms on the cool floor. "Now? We train that sense. Until it becomes second nature. No closing your eyes, no deep focus. Just instinct. Until you can sense someone's level mid-fight… or even if they're lying about it."

"Sounds useful."

"It is," she said with a grin. "Especially for someone like you."

Liam tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his gaze. "Someone like me?"

"Well… yeah," Ariana said, fidgeting slightly. "You're stealthy. You think before you strike. You always gauge your opponent before committing. That's just… how you move."

"I didn't take it the wrong way," Liam replied. "I just wanted to hear your reasoning."

He paused, then added, "By the way—can you already use Mystsense like that? Without needing to close your eyes or focus super hard?"

"Oh yeah," Ariana said with a slight chuckle. "I can… but I haven't mastered it yet. Sometimes I still get fuzzy readings."

"I see. That's nice."

"Yeah…" Ariana replied softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "So, wanna keep going? Or maybe take a break?"

"Your call. You are the teacher here," Liam said, letting his gaze drift lazily toward her.

"Oh yeah, you right." She chuckled gently. "Alright, let's conti—"

CREAK.

The chamber's main door groaned open, followed by a voice way too loud for the vibes in the room.

"Hey, Moony! You seen Gally anywhere? I swear he's ghosting me today—dude's giving me the silent treatment or something."

Magnus appeared, dramatically as always, with a bowl of cream puffs like it was the most natural accessory in the world.

Then he paused. Eyebrows raised. Eyes squinting. Dramatic gasp loading…

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What is happening in here? That close? That position?" he teased, grinning like he just caught them red-handed. "Don't tell me you two are making moves in your instructor's chamber. Kids these days, man. No sense of danger, no shame either!"

Ariana's face went red in real-time.

Magnus took a bite of a cream puff and pointed at Liam with his pinky. "And you, Mr. Mysterious—seriously? Why's a gorgeous lady like her wasting her time with a guy who looks like he's in a permanent state of brooding?"

"He's not my boyfriend!" Ariana squeaked, scooting back slightly as her blush turned borderline radioactive. "Why is everyone assuming that today?" she muttered under her breath.

"Thank the stars," Magnus said, half-chewing. "Anyway! Back to the mission—have either of you seen Moony or Gally?"

"You mean Mystica and Galen," Liam replied calmly, still seated like nothing just happened.

"No, I meant Regulus and Ember. Of course I mean Moony and Gally," Magnus said with fake frustration, tossing another cream puff into his mouth.

"Mystica's in her lab. Downstairs," Ariana offered, still trying to shake off her embarrassment. "Sir Galen… no idea."

"Dang. Gally definitely wouldn't be caught dead in a lab. Which means…" Magnus placed a hand over his heart, pretending to swoon. "He went off on an adventure without me. Betrayal."

Then he turned, heading for the door, bowl still in hand. "Thanks, Irina. You two can go back to your kissing session."

"My name is Ariana! And we weren't kissing!" she yelled after him.

"Uh huh, whatever, Elena."