The Spark Model worked.
Not in theory.
In people.
Within a week, thirteen Learners across three cities activated powers unique to themselves—none blessed by divine Talent, none bound to a class or bloodline. Each one shaped by personal knowledge, refined skill, and a burning will to understand.
And with each new awakening, Kael's model gained believers.
But belief was a double-edged blade.
Because the Talented Houses noticed.
And they were afraid.
---
The city of Rinhalor fell into silence before noon.
Not because of plague.
Not because of war.
But because of a decision.
The ruling house, led by High Talent Virex of the Line of Voice, declared all Spark-derived awakenings illegal.
"An affront to the divine," he called it.
"A cancer on the Weave."
His Sentinels marched through the Academy of Thought and arrested twelve students and two professors. Their crime: thinking without permission.
The Spark Model had spread—
—and now it faced its first wall.
---
Back in Weavemind, Kael studied the message.
They had sent him a warning.
Not a declaration of war, not yet.
Just this:
> "Build your tower higher, Learner.
But know this: The gods are not the only ones with thrones."
Kael crushed the scroll in one hand and turned to Lyssa.
"They're trying to contain it."
Lyssa, now fully in command of Weavemind's defensive protocols, nodded grimly.
"They'll do worse than contain it, Kael. They'll brand it heresy. They'll twist it into a weapon. And if that fails…"
"They'll erase it," he finished.
She didn't deny it.
He walked toward the Spark Chamber, where dozens of new Learners worked side-by-side—children, elders, dropouts, geniuses, former Talents, dreamers. Not one of them had the same Weave signature.
And that was the point.
Kael looked over them and said, "We need a new framework."
Lyssa tilted her head. "Another Spark?"
"No," he said, eyes sharp. "A shield."
---
They worked for four days without rest.
Kael, Lyssa, and the newly awakened builders began constructing a Weave firewall—not to block others out, but to create a decentralized network of Spark Nodes. Each one held the principle of the Spark Model and could replicate it. Kill one, two more would grow.
And at the center, Kael embedded the next Law:
> "Understanding cannot be silenced."
It was not arrogant.
It was a promise.
---
But far away, in the Talented capital of Aerensyr, the High Circle of Blood convened.
Seven of the greatest Talents in the world.
One of them spoke.
"He made gods nervous," she said, her voice ice.
Another replied, "Then we do what gods cannot."
"What's that?"
"We kill the question."
They turned to their strongest asset.
The Manifold—a former Talent turned weapon, whose power could erase memory and thought from the Weave itself.
And they gave him a name:
> "Kael."
And an order:
> "Erase him."
---
But Kael wasn't done yet.
That night, in the dark of the world, Kael activated the first Open Spark Beacon—a structure meant to radiate permission and pull those willing to learn, grow, and fight the divine status quo.
And from the north—
—from the shattered coast of the Broken Watch—
—a girl felt it.
And began walking toward him.
She was Talent-born.
She was dangerous.
She was chosen by no one—
Except herself.
And Kael would soon learn:
He was not the only one rewriting fate.