What defines power? Is it the ability to protect oneself or the potential to protect others? And when that power awakens, is it a blessing—or a curse?
A few days had passed since the encounter with the PAO agents, but the weight of that moment still lingered heavily over me. My left eye—this newly awakened power—remained a complete mystery.
Despite Lucas and Nova's unwavering support, I couldn't shake the unease clawing at my chest.
What really happened to me in that void?
What does it mean to wield a Calamity Class power?
And most importantly… how do I control it?
The three of us slowly fell into a routine as life struggled to return to some version of normal. Lucy, though still hesitant about returning to school, had begun opening up little by little. She spent most of her time with Nova, finding comfort in her blunt honesty and chaotic energy.
Still, every time school came up, Lucy's expression darkened.
I noticed.
But I didn't push her.
She's already been through enough.
At school, things had changed.
Whispers followed me through every hallway.
Rumors about my "mystery awakening" spread like wildfire, fueled further by stories of the PAO visit and the black glow of the Classification Orb. Most students either avoided me entirely or stared from a distance like I was some ticking bomb.
But one person couldn't resist provoking me.
Matthew Carver.
A notorious bully with Uncommon Class Fire Manipulation abilities and an ego twice his size.
Normally, Lucas or Nova kept him away. But whenever they weren't around, Matthew always tried to remind me where I supposedly belonged.
"Hey, Clarke!"
His sneering voice echoed through the hallway just as I shut my locker.
"Still pretending you're one of us now that the PAO gave you a pity visit?"
I ignored him and started walking toward class.
"Oh, don't walk away from me."
His footsteps quickened as he moved in front of me, blocking my path.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue—or did you lose that along with your pride?"
I clenched my jaw.
"Leave me alone, Matthew," I said quietly, trying not to draw attention.
"Leave me alone," he mocked in a pathetic high-pitched imitation while his friends snickered behind him. "You're such a coward, Clarke. You couldn't defend yourself if your life depended on it."
My grip tightened around my bag strap.
My heartbeat quickened as I scanned the hallway for Lucas or Nova.
Neither of them were there.
The rest of the day dragged endlessly.
I avoided Matthew whenever possible, eventually retreating to the library during lunch. Lucas and Nova were tied up with club activities, leaving me alone to navigate the day myself.
And honestly?
I hated how relieved I usually felt when they were around.
I can't keep depending on them forever.
If I really have power now… then I need to learn how to stand on my own.
By the end of the day, I thought I'd managed to avoid Matthew successfully.
I was wrong.
As I walked toward the dorms, the sound of footsteps behind me sent a chill down my spine.
"Going somewhere, Clarke?"
I turned slowly.
Matthew stood there with two of his friends behind him, all wearing smug expressions that immediately put me on edge.
"I don't want any trouble," I said cautiously, taking a step back.
Matthew smirked.
A small flame ignited in his palm.
"Oh, but trouble wants you."
The fire crackled brighter as he approached.
"You think you're special now, don't you? The powerless freak suddenly gets attention from the PAO, and we're all just supposed to bow down?"
"I didn't ask for any of this," I replied, my voice unsteady.
"Doesn't matter."
The flames in his hand grew larger.
"I think it's time someone reminded you where you belong."
My pulse spiked.
I glanced around desperately for help, but the alley was deserted.
No Lucas.
No Nova.
Just me…
…and Matthew Carver's simmering rage.
Matthew lunged.
The flames in his hand roared violently to life as he swung toward me.
I barely dodged in time.
Heat grazed my arm, sending sharp pain shooting through my body as I stumbled backward.
"You're pathetic," Matthew sneered, closing the distance between us. "Let's see how much more you can take."
I braced myself as flames spiraled around his arm once more.
But before the attack could land—
Something inside me snapped awake.
A sharp, searing heat erupted from my left eye.
My vision blurred violently.
Pain surged through my skull.
What… is happening?!
"Stop it!" I shouted instinctively.
My voice echoed unnaturally through the alley.
And then—
Golden light exploded from my left eye.
The alley was swallowed in blinding radiance.
Energy surged through my body, raw and untamed, like a dam collapsing after years of pressure.
Matthew froze.
His flames vanished instantly.
His face drained of color as he staggered backward.
"What the—" he stammered.
The golden glow intensified around me.
I could feel the power raging violently beneath my skin.
Wild.
Unstable.
Hungry.
My hands trembled uncontrollably as the light consumed the alley in an otherworldly brilliance.
And for the first time since awakening…
I truly felt afraid of myself.