Chapter 45: M.A.T. (Hemomancy)

Sarah stared at Star as he laughed. Amid the confusion twisting her features was a thick layer of annoyance that made her want to land a punch on his face. The first time she had done it, it had felt so good. ’He’s just so lucky that he is now my Sensei.

"Now, why would you think like that?" Star said amidst his laughter. "The simplicity in your voice when you said it is just killing me."

Sarah grimaced even harder. "Yeah, laugh all you want."

"Okay, okay." Star did his best to stop laughing. "No more laughing." He chuckled again. "Right, no more laughing now." He straightened his face.

"Aspects are unlocked one at a time," Star explained, scratching his head. "Well, I have no experience with how difficult it is to unlock an Aspect, since I don’t have any, but I’ve heard people talk about how hard it can be."

"Well, what do they say?" Sarah asked curiously.

"Some say it took them weeks, others months. A few nearly drove themselves insane by pushing too hard, and some even accidentally killed..."

Sarah swallowed. "Yeah, now I know I shouldn’t have asked."

"It doesn’t really matter," Star retorted. "What matters is that you understand the basics, and by that, I mean the theoretical side of it all. Ofcourse, understanding the process won’t guarantee success, but it should help you recognise what your body is trying to tell you."

He straightened slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. "You should also take things slowly and simply. Concentrate, assimilate, and listen to yourself. Listen to your body. Know and understand your limits, learn when to push beyond them, and, most importantly, understand how to use your energy without letting it use you."

Sarah inhaled, then exhaled. "Go ahead, then, Sensei. Make me understand."

Star looked at her. The determination on her face already said enough, so he nodded calmly and rose to his feet.

"Now, close your eyes and keep them closed," he instructed, and Sarah obeyed.

Star softened his voice into a calm, velvety sweetness that slipped into her ears and down into her thoughts

"The first step is to free yourself." He folded his hands behind his back. "Let go of it all. Grief, fear, shame... cast them aside and let your mind open."

He allowed his words to sink in before continuing.

"Now, feel the energy coursing through you. Focus... focus..."

Sarah squeezed her eyes tighter as she strained to feel something, anything. But the harder she forced concentration, the more elusive the sensation became. She was trying so desperately to find the energy that she seemed determined to frighten it into hiding.

Star watched her struggle for a moment before speaking again.

"Come on, Sarah, you need to pay closer attention. The pathways energy travels through your body are like delicate strands, so fine that you might never notice them without the proper concentration. Stop straining. Relax your body, steady your breathing, and think of nothing but the energy itself."

He nodded encouragingly. "You’re strong, brave, and I believe you can do it."

Sarah gradually relaxed. Something about those last words warmed her heart, filling her with enough courage to push aside her doubts. She steadied her breathing, allowing each breath to grow slower and deeper, until her thoughts finally began to settle. Then, she turned her attention inward.

That was when she felt it.

Raw power coursed through her, surging beneath her skin with a force she had never experienced before. She could feel the blood in her veins pumping faster, each beat of her heart seeming to answer the energy stirring within her.

"I think... I think I can feel it."

Star’s eyes widened. The cuts across Sarah’s palm began to close until not even the faintest scar remained.

"Good, Sarah!" Star called quickly. "Now, draw closer to that energy. Try to become one with it. Only when you understand its nature can you begin to distinguish a single strand from the countless others intertwined with it."

Sarah followed his instructions, directing even more of her attention inward. Before long, she could sense the countless strands twisted together, packed tightly like the fibres of a powerful muscle. She couldn’t see them with her eyes, yet she could feel their presence with startling clarity, each one pulsing with the same fierce energy that coursed through her.

She focused harder, trying to attune herself to the energy, to understand its rhythm and move with it.

But just as she began to feel closer to it, her breathing quickened.

The energy was too strong, too hot.

It surged through her like molten fire, and her heartbeat grew frantic as sweat trickled down her face and soaked through her clothes.

"It’s too... too strong. I can’t."

’No.’ Star’s thoughts faltered.

The truth was, he didn’t know what to say or do at this point. He had learned the theory, but he had never experienced the process himself. Thanks to his uncle, he had never been given the chance to discover what it truly felt like to unlock an Aspect.

Now, with Sarah struggling before him, he was painfully aware of how little his knowledge could help her.

He was stuck. The only thing he could think to do was tell her to stop.

’Hang on.’

Or perhaps there was something else he could try.

Star looked down at Sarah. "I’ve seen you, Sarah. I’ve seen what you’re capable of, and I know deep down that you’re not someone who easily gives up. Not on people, not on a fight.

His voice became firmer. "Even after facing McCoy, even after facing the Skarthrax..."

His voice lowered.

"Even after facing me..."

"You still didn’t give up. Remember that!"

"I remember!" Sarah cried.

She pushed through the pain, through the searing heat and the strain pressing against her senses.

Rather than trying to overpower the energy, she forced herself to follow its current.

’Good. She’s doing it... but I think she needs more courage.’

Star drew a deep breath and raised his voice.

"YES! Keep going! You saw the Red Queen. You envied the way she used her abilities, and you wanted to reach that level... to become stronger. Well, now’s your chance! Don’t let it slip away. And listen carefully, because this is my advice to you..."

He paused just long enough to make sure his words reached her.

"THERE’S NOTHING MORE POISONOUS THAN ’I CAN’T,’ SARAH!"

Veins stood out across Sarah’s face as she continued to push herself, fighting through the pain with every ounce of determination she possessed.

The energy surged through her body, spreading until its presence seemed evenly distributed from her chest to her fingertips, from her legs to the very tips of her toes. Her entire body trembled beneath the pressure, but she refused to let go.

"AAAARGH!"

Her arms flung wide as a violent burst of energy surged through her.

Nearby, Jesper and Jeremy, who had been meditating, could no longer ignore the disturbance. Their eyes sprang open, and both instinctively turned towards Sarah and Star.

Druid, who had been sparring with his girlfriend, froze mid-movement.

"She... she’s actually doing it," he muttered. "And this is her first attempt?"

Kezara gazed at Sarah with unmistakable envy, but even that couldn’t overshadow the astonishment written across her face.

"That’s my sister! That’s my sister right there!" Zuru exclaimed, practically glowing with pride.

Sarah would have loved to punch him for that. Here she was, fighting as though her insides were being cooked alive, and he was standing there gloating as if she’d already won a championship.

But she had no time to worry about Zuru.

Star, however, could feel the change. Sarah had finally attuned herself to the energy of her Mandate, bringing her awareness into harmony with the power coursing through her.

"Now!" he shouted. "Focus on the outermost thread and separate it from the rest. To do that, you need to keep your mind fixed on the name that comes to you. Say it aloud. The name will help you hold your concentration on that particular thread, so you don’t lose focus or accidentally reach for another."

Sarah obeyed. She concentrated on the energy, feeling her way through the tangled strands until she sensed the outermost thread.

"Remember, keep your mind fixed on it!" Star urged. "Don’t let it wander. Don’t focus on two threads at once. Separate just one. Hold on to it, focus on its name, and say it aloud!"

Sarah delved deeper into her awareness, searching for the name that would anchor her concentration.

For a moment, there was nothing but the roaring power within her.

Then, suddenly, the answer came.

Her eyes snapped open, their irises burning a deep, unnatural black.

"HEMOMANCY!"

Her voice rang out with a weight that seemed far too powerful for her....

The final thread curled around the energy strand loosened instantly and stretched taut...

And at once, it blazed to life. Its light flared brighter and sharper than the others.

Sarah felt her blood boil.

Every drop in her body seemed to answer the call.

Her heartbeat thundered against her ribs, sending powerful waves of warmth racing through her veins.

"Almost there!" Jesper called.

Jeremy hadn’t even realised he’d stood up. "Come on! Just a little more!"

Druid and Kezara stared, their mouths hanging open.

Zuru clasped both hands tightly in front of his face. "You can do this, Sarah!"

Just then, Sarah’s head jerke

d upwards as though an invisible force had seized it.

A cry tore from her throat, carrying the strain of everything she was fighting to control.

"ASPECT ONE...!"