I lay down on my bed in my room. Crickets chirp outside in the night, a cold breeze slipping through the open window. And for once, I can honestly say I'm not thinking about anything. No worries. No weight in my chest. It feels like a decade since I've been able to say that.
I close my eyes and fall asleep.
The morning air wakes me as my alarm goes off. I get ready—brush my teeth, throw on clothes, the usual. I head downstairs, the house quiet, the floorboards creaking beneath my feet as I step outside.
Zach is already there, like usual.
"You look like you're in a better mood," he says.
"I guess I am," I reply with a small smile.
"Well, I'm glad," he says. "The last couple days you've looked kind of groggy. A little depressing, honestly."
"Depressing is harsh," I say. "I was just tired."
"Alright, man. I'm just glad you're doing better."
As we walk toward school, Ava joins us a little later.
"Hi, William. Hi, Zach," she says.
"Hi, Ava," we both reply.
"The dinner was great," she says. "I really enjoyed meeting your friends. Where did you meet them?"
"Uh… just around town," I say, obviously lying as I scramble for an excuse. "There's this coffee shop I go to a lot. They go there too."
"Cool. What coffee shop?" Zach asks.
"Just… a random place. It doesn't really matter."
Ava looks at me for a moment as we keep walking. "Weird. Anyway, you won't guess what."
"What?" I ask.
"I got the go-ahead to keep pushing the investigation," she says. "You know, all the unconscious people and the disappearances around the city."
"Really?" Zach says. "That's good. Though you and this conspiracy—it's not gonna go anywhere."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've heard that a thousand times," she says, rolling her eyes. "It will."
We make it to school and split off our usual ways. Ava and I walk to English together. We sit down, and the day passes quickly. English blends into lunch, lunch into the next class. Nothing crazy happens.
Just a normal day.
And honestly, normal feels nice.
Math is the last class of the day. I sit down next to Mike and notice he's drawing again, like always. This time it's a ninja in a dark cloak.
"That's cool," I say. "What is it?"
Mike looks up at me. "You know it's rude to look at people's stuff."
"Oh—sorry. I thought we were—"
"I guess you thought wrong," he cuts in. "Keep your eyes on your own work."
I turn toward the window, confused. We used to bond over his drawings—exactly like this. I don't get why he's acting like that.
I shake it off.
After school, I walk to the coffee shop. Same route as always—left, right, door open. The bell rings. I head down the hidden entrance, slide too fast, fall on my back, groan, then get up.
I'm the last one here.
Maya, Jordan, Shu, and Cameron are already waiting.
"You're late," Jordan says.
"He's not late," Maya replies. "He's on time."
"Yeah," Cameron adds. "If he was late, Shu would've said something."
"Well, if he got here after us, he's late," Jordan argues.
"Yeah, yeah," I say. "I get it."
Shu steps forward. "Alright. Since everyone's here, let me explain today's training."
We all quiet down.
"Today, you'll focus on gaining better mastery over your powers," Shu says. "This will likely take over a week to fully understand. The training will be meditation."
Maya frowns. "What does that mean?"
"Yeah," Jordan says. "I'm not gonna lie, Shu—I don't get it."
"Your goal is not to speak with your dragon," Shu explains calmly. "Not yet. Your goal is to visualize your element."
He looks at each of us in turn.
"Cameron, imagine a spark forming in front of you. William, imagine a fire igniting before your eyes. Maya, imagine water holding its shape in the air. Jordan, imagine the earth rising and floating."
Shu pauses.
"This practice will allow your powers to come to you more naturally. In battle—or in emergencies—you won't always have time to force your element into existence. This teaches control. Even small progress will be a success."
We nod.
"Understood?" Shu asks.
"Yes, Sensei," we all say
We all sit with our eyes closed, focusing on what Shu told us—me especially.
I try to imagine a flame. A small one, right in front of my eyes, burning brighter and brighter, like a campfire fed with sticks. But the more I focus, the smaller it becomes. I try again. And again. And again.
Before I realize it, the training session is over.
I open my eyes, and the only person who managed it today is Cameron.
"Whoa," he says. When I look over, I see it—small but steady, hovering in front of him. Electricity.
"I did it," he says.
Shu studies the electricity for a moment. "Interesting. You adapted faster than the rest of you, Cameron."
Everyone stares at him in shock. Cameron is the youngest out of all of us—usually the one who messes around the most. But today, he proves us wrong. He shows all of us up.
Jordan slams her fist into the ground. "Damn it."
Maya, calm as ever, smiles at Cameron. "Good job."
"I'm still shocked no one else managed it on the first day," she adds. "Even Shu said small progress is a big deal."
Shu steps toward us. "Alright. That's enough for today. I don't want any of you getting fatigued."
We stand and head out of the shop together.
Jordan turns to Cameron. "So how'd you do it?"
He shrugs. "I don't know. I just cleared my mind. Didn't force anything—and then it showed up."
"Seriously?" Jordan says.
"Yeah. That's all it was."
"Well, however you did it," Maya says, "you did great."
"Thanks," Cameron replies.
I watch them talk—bickering, laughing, breaking down Cameron's sudden breakthrough. Then I look inward.
Why couldn't I do it?
I felt focused. I felt calm. I did everything Shu told us to do. And still—nothing. No flame. Not even a spark.
We all head our separate ways. I walk home alone. It's a short walk. When I get inside, the house is empty—my mom and dad aren't home yet. I head upstairs and lie down on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Over the next few days, training continues.
And for me, nothing changes.
Each session ends the same way—frustration. No progress at all. Meanwhile, everyone else starts to succeed.
The next time we train, Jordan finally gets it. A rock lifts from the ground, floating silently in front of her—steady and patient, like the earth itself is waiting for her command.
The session after that, Maya succeeds. A single droplet of water hangs in the air before her eyes, calm and controlled, like the sea holding back a storm.
And me?
Nothing.
No heat.
No flame.
Not even smoke.
"Don't worry about it," Shu tells me. "This technique is difficult. Some dragon keepers take years to understand it."
But if I'm supposed to be the leader—if Cameron, Jordan, and Maya can all do it—then why can't I?
Jordan teases me about being the last one. Maya shuts her down when she does. Cameron tells me I'll get it soon.
I want to believe them.
If this is supposed to make me stronger—like the shinobi gi, like everything Shu's been preparing us for—then why am I falling behind?
Something's wrong.
Or maybe… something's wrong with me.
Time passes quicker than I expect.
As the next day begins, the day of the celebration is finally here