Sleep comes slowly, if at all. Every time I start to drift off, I can sense my control slip. I can feel the Enforcers start to approach my mind and then I wake up to Soren helping me establish control. He becomes the steady and calm link I seek out of instinct. 

I can feel Soren in a way I never thought possible, like he's constantly there, just under the surface. His emotions, his presence, it all hums within me, and with barely a thought, I can reach out and touch his mind.

The Enforcer's presence, though distant, is like a static hum that I can't quite block out. At times, it grows louder, but it is mostly distracting, a constant buzz that makes it impossible to fully relax. I twist and turn, trying to push it back, but the more tired I get, the harder it is to keep my barriers up. I still need to focus in order to consciously protect my mind.

To make matters worse, I wake up to a sudden rush of heat surging through me in the middle of the night. My skin tingles, and before I can stop it, flames burst out across my body. I jolt awake with a gasp, heart pounding, the fiery energy burning around me—not painful, but still disorienting. The room is bathed in a glow, and I see Soren shoot up from where he's been lying, eyes alert and intense.

 His gaze locks on me, then quickly softens when he realizes what's happening. I take a deep breath, shaking off the lingering adrenaline as the flames flicker out.

 "I'm fine," I mutter, embarrassed. The first time was alarming, but now we are growing accustomed to it. 

This is the third time tonight. 

Soren doesn't say anything, but I can feel his concern through our link. He doesn't need to speak. I know he's watching, waiting for me to settle back down, but even as I close my eyes, I can feel the tension between us, the shared pulse of our bond thrumming. 

I try again. 

This time, I make it a little longer—maybe a few minutes of rest before my grip slips, and I'm awake again, surrounded by fire. My power surges out like an involuntary reaction, and it's as if my body refuses to rest. I hear Soren sigh softly, the sound of his boots hitting the floor as he stands. I don't need to look at him to know he's still on guard, watching over me even though I don't want him to.

"Sorry," I whisper, frustrated at myself for losing control. My voice sounds small in the dark room. Soren's voice reaches me softly through our link, comforting despite the tension in my chest. 

"Don't apologize. You're adjusting. It'll get easier." I nod, though I'm not sure I believe it. My mind feels stretched thin, my connection to the others a constant weight pulling at me. I keep seeing flashes of their thoughts slipping into my subconscious as I struggle to maintain control. I cannot vividly piece their thoughts into words but I can feel their curiosity and interest. I can only imagine what they may be perceiving through me. 

And every time I lose it, the flames come. 

Hours pass like this. 

A few minutes of sleep, then fire. Again and again, the cycle repeats, and each time it leaves me more drained than before. 

Soren doesn't say a word, but I can feel the way he tenses each time the flames erupt, can sense his silent patience as he waits for me to calm down. He knows I need to figure this out myself so he continues to watch in silence.

By the time the first light of dawn seeps through the windows, I'm utterly exhausted, barely keeping my eyes open. My body feels like it's been fighting all night, my mind raw from the constant struggle for control.

"I'm not sure I can do this," I admit quietly, breaking the silence. Soren steps closer, his presence steady and grounding as he looks down at me. He doesn't say anything right away, just reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder, the warmth of his touch reassuring in a way words can't be.

He sends through our bond, his belief in me solid. 'And you will. Just... give it time,' as I close my eyes again, the buzzing at the back of my mind continues, and I know it's going to be a long road before I'm able to truly rest.

"Can I help? Just calm the turbulence...if you will allow me," He rests his hands above my forehead as he waits for my response.

"Sure...I need some rest." I trust his intentions.

His soft voice whispers and soothes my mind, "This is just a temporary veil. It should put them at bay and give you some rest." He covers my eyes and warmth transfers through his palm. It feels like a weighted blanket covering my body and mind. I feel cozy and warm before everything goes dark.

___

We fall into a new rhythm as we navigate our new link together. For now, Soren continues to create a veil over my mind with his powers to avoid the Enforcers.

It's... strange. Intimate. Comforting. 

I glance at him across the room, and without saying a word, he raises an eyebrow, knowing exactly what I'm feeling. It's gotten easier now to communicate telepathically. There's no more fumbling around, trying to figure out how to keep my thoughts from slipping into his, or his into mine. We've settled into this new bond, this new way of existing together.

'How are you holding up?'  His voice cuts through my thoughts smoothly, a warm rumble that vibrates through my mind. 

I shrug, but he feels the small spark of amusement I don't even bother hiding. 

'I could ask you the same thing.'

'You're getting the hang of this faster than I expected. Maybe I underestimated you.'

'Maybe you did.'

We spend most of the morning playing with our connection. At first, it's simple things—like catching stray thoughts or nudging each other's emotions. Soren insists I keep the others at bay for now, telling me I need more control before I let the full network of Enforcers seep into my mind. 

I agree. I don't think I'm ready to handle them, even if I can feel their distant, flickering flames somewhere on the edges of my awareness. 

But for now, it's just the two of us.

 The strange thing is, it doesn't feel invasive. It feels natural—like we've always known each other, even though we've barely scratched the surface. And there's this unspoken understanding that grows with each passing hour.

 Soren's voice pulls me back to the present, his tone a little more serious. 'Let's see what you can do... move outside to the clearing near the safe house.'

 The sun filters through the trees, casting a warm glow on the forest floor. The air feels different to me now, like it's alive, charged with energy. 

I close my eyes, feeling the kindred flame swirling within me, dancing just beneath my skin. Soren stands a few feet away, watching me with his sharp, dark eyes, but I can feel his silent encouragement.

There's no judgment. Only focus.

 I take a deep breath and extend my hand, willing the flame to come forth. This time, instead of a raw, burning fire, I try something different. I tap into his energy, pulling on it lightly, careful not to overwhelm myself. I want to test the limits of what I can do—push it just a little further. My fingers tingle, and suddenly, in front of me, a delicate butterfly appears. 

It's small, almost translucent, but the detail is perfect—each wing is intricately designed, fluttering like a breeze. It hovers there, glowing with a soft, otherworldly light. Soren tilts his head, stepping closer. His eyes lock onto the illusion, his expression unreadable. 

'That's new,' he says into my mind.

 'It's not just fire,' I reply, watching as the butterfly flits around us, leaving a faint trail of light in the air. 'I can... project things. Make them feel real. I didn't even realize I could do that.'

 'You're tapping into my power too. It's hard to maintain but illusions are just a trick of the mind too,' Soren observes, his thoughts running alongside mine.

 'Illusions. It's minor now, but... impressive.'  He watches as the butterfly disappears after a few seconds. 'We can see how much of my power you can replicate once you get situated. The mind is tricky...senses are able to go haywire if you control the mind right...' he trails off with a heavy tone. 

I smile to myself, feeling a sense of pride swell within me. It was a small thing but knowing I could create something so real, even if it was an illusion, made me feel powerful in a way I hadn't before. 

'You think so?'

'Absolutely.' His admiration isn't hidden, and I feel the warmth of it seeping into my mind, bolstering my confidence. 

'We should continue our training. We'll start simple,' he tosses me a weighted staff. 'Focus on your control. Don't push your power too far too fast.'

I nod, gripping the staff tightly. 

We begin with the usual drills—strikes, blocks, quick movements meant to keep me light on my feet. The staff spins in my hands, and I can feel the familiar warmth of power pulsing beneath my skin, waiting. Waiting for me to call on it.

Soren's movements are fluid and precise. He's an expert at this, and I watch him closely, trying to match his pace. But I'm distracted—by the bond, by the weight of the connection between us, by the knowledge that any second, I could lose control again.

"Focus," he says sharply as my stance falters. "You're holding back."

I grit my teeth and steady myself. He's right. I am holding back. 

We keep sparring, the clash of our staffs. Every time I make a move, I feel that flame stir inside me, begging to be released. I fight it, trying to keep it under wraps, but it's hard. It's always there, like a wild animal pacing just beneath the surface.

Soren suddenly switches up his movements, going for a harder strike, and I barely block in time. The force of it sends me stumbling back, and that's when I feel it—the spark. The fire. It flares up, hotter than before, and in an instant, flames lick up my arms, encasing me in a fiery aura.

I freeze, shocked at the sudden burst of power. My breathing quickens, my heart racing as I try to pull it back.

"Don't stop," Soren orders, stepping forward with a controlled strike. "Use it. Channel it."

I meet his attack, but the fire surges again, nearly blinding me. I can feel the heat intensifying, spiraling out of control. It's too much, too fast. I'm not ready for this.

"Soren!" I shout, backing up, but he doesn't ease off.

"Control it," he urges, his voice calm but firm. "Don't be afraid of it. You're stronger than the flame."

I grit my teeth, trying to focus, but the energy is overwhelming. It's as if the fire has a mind of its own, and it's slipping through my fingers, burning hotter with every second. I swing wildly, and for a split second, the flames pulse out, crackling with power. The air hums and Soren barely sidesteps in time.

"Good," he says, smiling faintly despite the near miss. "Again."

I take a breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. This time, I don't fight the flames. I let them flow through me, guiding them with my movements. My staff glows with fiery energy as I strike forward, and the power feels... natural. Easier. Like it belongs to me.

Soren moves fluidly in response, countering each strike, but I can tell he's pushing me harder, testing my limits. Sweat drips down my forehead, and my arms tremble from the exertion, but I keep going. For the first time, I feel like I'm in control, like the flames are listening to me.

Suddenly, Soren switches tactics. His staff drops low, and before I can react, he sweeps my legs out from under me. I hit the floor hard, the wind knocked out of me, and the flames flickered out instantly.

He stands over me, offering a hand. "Not bad," he says, his voice surprisingly soft.

I groan, taking his hand and pulling myself up. "Not bad?" I echo, still trying to catch my breath. "I nearly set you on fire."

"Nearly," he repeats with a smirk. "But you didn't."

I roll my eyes but can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. I can feel his approval, his steady confidence. It makes me feel... grounded. Like I can do this.

We continue training for the next hour, and slowly, I start to get a feel for the flame. It's still wild, still unpredictable, but with Soren's guidance, I'm learning to shape it, to control its intensity. By the time we're done, I'm exhausted, but I feel stronger. More in control.

Later, as we sit side by side on the floor, catching our breath, I glance at him, feeling the familiar pull of our bond.

'You're getting better,' he says, his eyes flicking to mine.

'Thanks,' I lean back against the wall. 'But I'm still not sure how long I can keep this up.'

'You can. We'll keep working at it.'