Kaien woke on a soft bed, sheets crisp, air scented with lavender and parchment.
"You're awake," said a soft voice.
Kaien turned. A girl—older, maybe seventeen—with silver hair sat by the window. Her eyes were violet, calm.
"Where—?"
"Sanctum Academy. You're safe."
He tried to sit, groaned.
"Don't move too fast," she said, rising and placing a hand on his arm. A faint blue glow swirled around her fingers. The pain eased.
"Tide Aspect," Kaien muttered.
She smiled faintly. "Yes. Eira Solenne. Healer-in-training."
"I'm Kaien. Kaien Voss. Wait, the village—"
"Saved. Your friend too. Thanks to you."
Kaien looked down at his hand. No glow. No light. Nothing.
"That wasn't me. Not really. It was...something else."
The door opened. In strode a tall man in steel-gray robes.
"Master Rhain," Eira said, bowing.
"Leave us, Eira."
She nodded, glancing at Kaien one last time before slipping out.
Rhain stood, arms behind his back, gaze sharp.
"You disintegrated a Wretch. With bare hands."
"I didn't mean to. I didn't even know I could."
"You shouldn't be able to. Null Veyl hasn't surfaced in centuries. It's not tied to any Aspect. It simply...destroys. Or heals."
Kaien frowned. "I don't want it."
"Doesn't matter. You have it. That makes you dangerous."
Kaien's fists clenched. "Then kill me."
Rhain blinked, surprised. "No. You will train. Here. Under my watch."
Kaien's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"Because power like that either saves the world... or ends it. And you, Kaien Voss, stand between both."