The fae I knelt beside was covered in ash and soot with burns down their left arm and hand. They were wheezing slightly, eyes closed against the sun overhead. Clearly having given up on fleeing. There was nothing I could do for them except drag them behind a building, hopefully out of harm’s way. 

Everywhere I looked, a blazing inferno. Walking down the streets, I was greeted with screams as another fire sparked in front of a group of individuals trying to escape. A quick glance of my surroundings told me the eyes that were the same color as mine weren’t looking. Nor were any of her followers. I absorbed the fire into myself, creating an opening for those fleeing. There was no use attempting to convince my mother to stop what she was doing, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t minimize the damage. 

I peered around a small shack, a bone-chilling view unfolding in front of me. My mother, fiery red hair matching the flames shooting out of her hands, surrounded by orcs, mutants, and half breeds. All the outcasts in one place. All following one woman. My mother. 

Individuals in blue and grey uniforms fought my mother and her followers. Mother was out numbered and nearly surrounded, but her flames continued to burn. Fear rattled inside me at the thought of her noticing that I was not assisting in the fight. Electricity coursed through me, tingling at my fingertips. That fear ignited when a ball of fire flew directly at me, narrowly missing my head. 

The harsh, booming voice that raised me echoed against the buildings, “Why aren’t you fighting!”

I forced myself not to shrink back, but my voice came out meek, “I never wanted to kill innocents.”

Even though she had her eyes trained on me, she was still dodging and fighting those around her, “Do they look innocent? They would kill everyone here if given the chance!”

A figure dressed in black and grey, probably a higher ranked individual, fighting Mother with an unseen power, shouted, “That’s not true! We are only here to stop your destruction!”

I absorbed more of the scene unfolding in front of me, some uniformed individuals helped those injured or trying to run. Others with water or air magic were trying to put out Mother’s fires. 

“Don’t let them trick you, foolish child! I raised you to fight for the cause! Now, fight!”

Lightning sparked and zapped from my hands, as red as my eyes. I could tell I was about to lose control, but I bit it down, dampening my magic. I locked eyes with my mother, silently pleading. 

She shook her head and spared a glance around the village, noting how dwindled her followers had become. “All forces retreat! To me!” She spun around spewing fire, creating a ring between her followers and the others, me included. Before those with water magic could begin to put out the fires, Atri, Mother’s second in command, split the ground behind the flames, creating a rift ten feet across. When the flames were finally squashed, Mother and her followers were long gone, most likely transported through a portal of Eleet’s creation. My mother had amassed a crew of powerful magic wielder’s and Eleet’s power was the most rare. Teleportation through rifts in the planes of this world. 

I closed my eyes and unleashed my magic, screaming to the sky and falling to my knees, knowing I’d been left behind. When I opened them, I expected to find a group of unconscious individuals, electrocuted, but instead I found that my lightning had been contained by a wall of hard magic. 

I wiped away the single tear that had escaped and met eyes of two different colors. One so grey it could be black, the other a rust orange. “That is some power you’ve got there. I nearly could not contain it all.”

Voice hoarse from screaming, “Who are you?”

“I am Hawx. We are here to help.” They gestured around at a group carrying an injured fae on a stretcher. 

I spoke through gritted teeth, “Looks can be deceiving.”

“I agree with you there. Though actions are a tell of who someone really is and these individuals only want to help. I only want to help.” They paused, looking me in the eye once more, “What do you want to do, young one?”

“I-I…I don’t know.” I knew my mother was cruel, but I never thought she would leave me behind. 

The fae warrior spoke again, “Come with us. We can help you master your powers.”

I stared at my hands and ground my teeth, unsure what to do. I certainly did not desire another mentor, but they seemed nice enough and they could provide the shelter I needed. Lost and without another option, “Fine, but I don’t need training.”

“Everyone needs training, but we will see how you settle in first.”

***

A fist aimed for my side, but I dodged out of the way, falling into a defensive stance. 

“Good, but do not forget to stay light on your toes.” Hawx swept for my legs and I barely managed to avoid it. 

We circled each other and I said with a snarl, “Being light on my feet doesn’t matter when I can just use my lightning.” 

Hawx gave me a stern look, “And what happens when you face off against someone like me who can counteract your powers?”

Not wanting to admit they were right, I threw a punch that, of course, they sidestepped. To be fair, they had over one hundred years of training. Between stamping down my lightning and the effortless way Hawx dodged and deflected my blows, my fury only grew. Desperate to hit something, I attacked with a rapid succession of punches. Hawx slipped between my fists and moved like a leaf in the wind. In the process, they managed to spin me around, dulling my airflow with a headlock. 

Mother’s voice sounded like a warning in my head, Never let anyone get the better of you.

The grip on my powers slipped and the raging lightning coursed through my body. It threatened to shoot out of my fingertips, but Hawx smothered it, “You are in control, not the power. Breathe and let it pass through you.” 

Their soothing tone had the opposite effect that they wanted and I spit out, “I’m done with this! Let me go!”

They freed me from their grip and I finally noticed a male standing beside the sparring ring, watching. 

I shouted at him, “What are you looking at?” 

Bolts singed the air around me, but I bit them back before they could take over. 

The large fae male raised his hands in surrender, an amused smirk spread across his face, “Woah, sparks. The name’s Arkyn. I’m Hawx’s father. They asked me to bring you something. You want it or not?”

‘Sparks’… Interesting. 

Curiosity got the better of me, seeing a wrapped object at his feet, and I strode over to him, “What is it?”

Hawx joined the two of us and Arkyn lifted the object, handing it to me, “See for yourself.”

The object was heavier than I anticipated and I gently pulled back the cloth to reveal a beautifully crafted sword. I tilted the blade back and forth in the light, running my finger along it. Though it was smooth to the touch, when the light hit it, there were ripples in the metal that resembled bolts of lightning. 

“This is beautiful. Thank you, Arkyn.”

Arkyn bowed slightly, “Hawx couldn’t give me a name, but if you want one engraved on the blade, let me know.”

The name he called me echoed in my head. Sparks. I had abandoned my old self the moment my mother turned her back on me, vowing to remain nameless until I found a name that felt like it belonged. I returned Arkyn’s smirk from earlier, “Sparks is perfect.”

***

“Remember, use only the skills I taught you. Only use your powers if you absolutely have to. It will give you away otherwise,” Hawx whispered from beside me. 

We were standing outside of what was suspected to be an opium den. Four months of training later, Hawx finally deemed me ready for an actual mission. Hawx’s mother, the General of the Collective Species Army or CSA, caught wind of this supposed den and the opium peddlers who ran it. Our job was to go in quietly and take out the peddlers with as few casualties as possible, while also protecting the innocents.

I followed Hawx’s lead, several others behind me as they picked multiple locks and we snuck into the small hidden door that led to the cellar. The immediate scent of incense crawled up my nose and down my throat, suffocating me. The extreme use of incense was most likely a way to cover the smell of the opium smoke that was heavy in the air. 

We shuffled silently along the left wall, but quickly froze when there was the sound of a door opening and footsteps on the stairs. 

A halting hand and a hushed, “This one is all you, Sparks.” 

This would be the first time truly facing someone without using my lightning and I couldn’t help but doubt my ability to do it. Though, I knew Hawx would have my back if I needed them.

The female orc that appeared was petite with large tusks that were barely visible in the dark cellar. I held my breath, stalking silently across the space between us, pouncing before she realized she wasn’t alone. With a swift flat-handed hit to the neck, the female went down. 

I breathed a sigh of relief as Hawx’s hand rested on my shoulder, “Well done. You have successfully secured your first prisoner without any assistance from your magic. Help me tie her up.” I had to admit, it felt good not to rely upon my powers. 

Once the orc’s hands, feet, and mouth were bound, we secured the cellar and made our way up the stairs. Voices seeped through the cracks around the door, the smell growing stronger, threatening to gag me. Having learned the floor plan from an anonymous insider, we knew where they were extracting the opium and where individuals were partaking in the vile drug. 

Hawx carefully cracked the door open and I noted the scattered individuals. A fae and an elf at the extraction table, three more orcs sitting on a couch, talking amicably, and more disembodied voices coming from other rooms. The smoke was a visible cloud infiltrating every corner. Quickly shutting the door, Hawx delivered a hushed plan, denoting who each of us would take down. 

Electricity boiled in my veins, but I had to keep it under control. This was my opportunity to prove to myself and Hawx that the sometimes infuriating, yet invigorating months of training were worth it. 

The next several minutes were a well-choreographed blur of sneaking and incapacitating our respective opponents. Not once did my fingers so much as tingle with a spark. The two side rooms were even easier, most of the individuals in them innocents, only guilty of getting swallowed whole by this drug. 

Zero casualties, eight prisoners, and six innocents later, we were on our way back to the two wagons we stashed for just this purpose, a cool breeze on my damp forehead. The air around me sweet after the suffocating den. 

Hawx sidled up next to me, a firm hand grasping my shoulder, “You did great, Sparks. I am proud of you. You helped change many lives today for the better.” 

I met Hawx’s gaze and didn’t bother trying to hide the smile that came to my face. I never knew pride could exist without immense guilt. 

***

The stairs up to Hawx’s home creaked as I approached their front door. I stood there for a moment, the bronze knocker, an open book with a sword down the center, stared me in the face, daring me to make myself known. In the six months I’d been here, I had only visited Hawx’s house a handful of times. Even though I’d always been welcomed with open arms, I still felt strange coming here, like I was burdening them. Besides, I wasn’t always in the mood to be lectured by Hawx. 

I raised my hand to knock, but thought better of it. Maybe this wasn’t the best decision. I turned to walk back down the stairs, porch creaking. 

The door opened and Vivica, Hawx’s wife, stood in the doorway, “I thought I heard someone out here. Come in, Sparks! We were just about to sit down for some dinner.”

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude on your meal.”

She put one hand on her hip, waving me over with the other, “Nonsense! Get in here!”

“Alright…”

Vivica ushered me into the foyer and Hawx’s voice echoed down the hall, “What is it, my love?”

“Sparks is here.”

We entered the dining area, Hawx setting out plates for the two of them, “Sparks! What a nice surprise. What brings you by?” It was always strange seeing Hawx out of uniform, like I was violating their privacy.

I shifted uneasily from foot to foot, tamping down the electricity that threatened to expose my discomfort. Hawx had spent the last few months teaching me how to control my powers and not explode at any emotion. Mother never taught me I could use my power for good and learning that had completely changed my perspective, but I did miss the release I felt in using my lightning. 

I cleared my throat, “I need to talk to you about something important.”

Hawx furrowed their brows, their orange and grey eyes sweeping over me for any hint, “Of course. Please join us. We can discuss it over dinner if you would not mind.”

I took a seat across from them, “Sure, thanks.”

Vivica ran into the kitchen to fetch a third plate, then sat beside Hawx. 

Hawx’s ever observant eyes on me, “What is bothering you?” Damn them and their ability to read me like an opponent. 

I sighed, “It’s my mother. She’s causing trouble again.”

Vivica turned to Hawx, gauging their reaction. The latter remained stone-faced, “I had heard rumblings of that, but could not confirm it. If you believe it is her that is all the confirmation I need. What have you heard?”

My teeth ground in frustration. How could they know about this and not tell me? But my anger was dulled at the way Hawx believed in me. No one ever had as much as them. I tried to keep the bite out of my voice, “Why didn’t you tell me you suspected she was back?”

“Because I did not know for sure until now.”

I inhaled deeply, steadying myself, “What are we supposed to do?”

“I am not sure, but I would be very grateful if you helped me with this. Your knowledge of her will give us an edge.”

Looking down at my barely eaten food, words built in my throat, “I almost sought her out.” I met Hawx’s eyes, “But I came here instead. What does that say about me?”

Their lips turned up, almost imperceptibly, “It says that you have grown greatly and I am very proud of you.”

Outwardly, I rolled my eyes, but inside I was simply a young mutant desperate for reassurance.

Hawx ripped off a piece of chicken, “Let us enjoy our dinner, but in the morning I will talk to the General.”

I wasn’t sure if the surge in my power was from relief or terror, but I stayed and ate all the same. There would be time to deal with Mother later. For now, I wanted to savor a warm meal with my newfound family.