MORTAL FREEDOM

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light illuminating the forest below. From the top of the hill, the rebel camp seemed to shimmer, the glow of dying fires mingling with the soft hum of lanterns scattered among the trees. The world felt still, yet alive, as though holding its breath for something extraordinary.

Wilson sat beside Sara-fin, his thoughts racing. Her presence was calming, yet electrifying. The kiss they had shared lingered in his mind, a moment of solace amid the chaos of his life. He turned to look at her, her face bathed in silver light, her eyes lost in the distant stars.

"You're quiet," he said softly.

Sara-fin glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

She hesitated, then said, "About all of this. You. The surge. The war that feels like its always one step away from destroying everything." She paused, her voice quieter now. "And about how, for the first time in a long time, I don't feel so hopeless."

Wilson felt a warmth spread through him. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "You've been strong for so long," he said. "Maybe it's time someone else shared the burden."

Sara-fin smiled, her fingers tightening around his. "And you think that someone's you?"

Wilson grinned. "I mean, I can fly. That's got to count for something."

She laughed, a soft, melodic sound that eased the tension in the air. "You're not wrong."

Wilson hesitated, then said, "Speaking of flying… do you want to try it?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Me? Fly?"

He nodded, standing and extending his hand toward her. "Come on. It's amazing. I promise I won't drop you."

Sara-fin looked uncertain for a moment, but then she took his hand and stood. "All right," she said, a playful challenge in her tone. "Let's see if you can keep that promise."

A FLIGHT THROUGH THE STARS

Wilson closed his eyes and focused, calling on the surge within him. The golden light began to shimmer around him, soft at first but growing brighter as it enveloped his body. He turned to Sara-fin, his hand still holding hers.

"Ready?" he asked.

She nodded, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her expression.

The surge responded instantly. Wilson lifted off the ground, pulling her with him. Sara-fin gasped as her feet left the earth, her grip on his hand tightening. The wind rushed past them as they rose higher, the camp below shrinking into a sea of flickering lights.

"Oh my God," she whispered, her voice trembling with awe. "This is… incredible."

Wilson smiled, his confidence growing as he guided them through the air. They glided over the camp, their bodies glowing faintly against the dark sky. Rebels below paused in their tasks, some pointing and murmuring in amazement as the pair soared overhead.

Sara-fin stretched her free arm out, her laughter echoing through the night. "I feel like I'm flying in a dream!"

"You are," Wilson said, his voice warm. "The best kind of dream."

They circled the camp twice, Sara-fin growing more comfortable with each loop. Her initial nervousness gave way to pure exhilaration, and Wilson felt a surge of pride knowing he had given her this moment of joy.

As they descended, Wilson aimed for the clearing in front of her father's cabin. He landed gently, lowering Sara-fin to the ground as their glow began to fade. She looked at him, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Thank you," she said. "That was… amazing."

Before Wilson could respond, he noticed movement in the cabin window. Mr. Brian stood there, watching them silently. His expression was unreadable, but his presence was enough to remind Wilson of the stakes they faced. He gave Sara-fin a small nod, then turned and headed back to his own cabin.

A DANGEROUS WITNESS

Miles away, under the shadow of the Ministry's towers, a farmer trudged through the cobblestone streets of the capital. His heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and fear. He had seen something unbelievable that evening a man flying through the night sky, glowing like a falling star. The man had landed near the rebel camp, and the farmer was certain it was the boy from the posters: Wilson Tanga.

The Ministry's bounty was a fortune beyond the farmer's wildest dreams. It could buy him a new life, far from the fields and the back-breaking labor. But as he approached the grand doors of the Ministry, doubts began to creep in. The Ministrians were powerful, but they were also ruthless. Would they reward him or silence him?

The guards at the entrance eyed him suspiciously as he explained his purpose. After some deliberation, they escorted him inside, leading him through dark, echoing corridors to a chamber where Lord Dominic awaited.

The chamber was cold and vast, its walls lined with statues of the Ministrians. Dominic stood at the far end, his hands clasped behind his back. His piercing gaze settled on the farmer as he entered.

"You have information?" Dominic asked, his voice calm but dangerous.

"Yes, my lord," the farmer stammered, bowing low. "I saw him the boy from the posters. He was flying near the hills, glowing like the sun. He's with the rebels."

Dominic's expression darkened. He stepped closer, his presence looming. "You're certain of this?"

"Yes, my lord. I swear it."

Dominic smiled coldly. "You've been most helpful."

The farmer straightened, relief flooding his face. "Thank you, my lord. I"

The sound of a blade slicing through air cut him off. The farmer gasped, his hands clutching his throat as blood poured from the wound. He collapsed to the floor, his wide eyes staring lifelessly at Dominic.

Dominic wiped the blood from his blade with a cloth, handing it to a nearby guard. "Dispose of him," he ordered. "We can't risk word of the boy's powers spreading to the masses. If they learn the surge has left our control, it will be chaos."

As the guards dragged the body away, Dominic turned to Lord Phil, who stood silently nearby. "Prepare the army," Dominic said. "If the boy is with the rebels, they've declared war."

Phil nodded, a cruel smile forming on his lips. "It will be done."

THE EXCAPE

In the Ministry's lower levels, a young man and his two companions moved quickly through the shadows. Jayce, Sara-fin's older brother, had spent years infiltrating the Ministry as a spy for the rebellion. He knew the risks of his mission, but when he overheard Lord Dominic's plans, he knew he couldn't wait.

"We have to move," Jayce whispered to his friends, two fellow rebels who had helped him gather intelligence. "If they're mobilizing the army, the camp won't stand a chance unless they're warned."

One of the rebels, a wiry man named Elias, frowned. "We'll never outrun them."

Jayce smirked. "That's why we're not going to. We're going to take one of their vehicles."

The plan was risky, but it worked. The trio commandeered a Ministry transport and sped toward the hills under cover of darkness. Jayce's mind raced as they neared the rebel camp. He hadn't seen Sara-fin in months, but he knew she was strong. Still, the thought of her—and the entire camp facing the Ministrians' wrath made his stomach turn.