Powerful by Lauren Roberts

Five years before the main story begins in Powerless, Adena meets Paedyn. The two girls form a partnership to survive in the slums of Loot: Paedyn steals food while Adena, a skilled seamstress, ensures they have proper clothing. They remain inseparable until, in the present narrative, Paedyn is chosen to represent Loot in the Kingdom of Ilya’s Purging Trials—a deadly contest where most participants do not survive.

When Adena watches Paedyn being escorted to the Trials, she catches the eye of Makoto, also known as Mak, who is there to see his own loved one, Hera, taken away. The next day, Mak saves Adena from an Imperial guard and shares his plan to infiltrate the castle to find Hera. He needs Adena to sew him an Imperial uniform, which will allow him to use his "Phaser" abilities to pass through the castle walls and search for Hera undetected. In exchange, Mak promises to provide Adena with food, water, and a chance to accompany him so she can see Paedyn.

Despite their differences—Adena finds Mak condescending, while Mak considers her naively cheerful—the two form an uneasy alliance. As they work together, they begin to develop a mutual attraction. Mak, fearing vulnerability and feeling unworthy of Adena, resists his feelings until one night, after Adena is harassed on the street, she seeks his protection. Mak confronts the men who frightened her, and though Adena never learns what happened, she notices his increased protectiveness afterward. Mak also teaches her self-defense, which proves useful when one of the harassers threatens her again. Together, they handle the situation, strengthening their bond.

Later, an Imperial guard summons Adena to the castle to sew a dress for Paedyn for a Trial ball. When Adena informs Mak, he reacts negatively and confesses his secret: he is not a Phaser but a “Wielder” who can only use his ability to pass through solid matter with her help. His plan hinges on her presence. He also admits his ultimate goal is to escape Ilya with Hera. Feeling betrayed, Adena leaves for the castle in anger.

Makoto sneaks into the castle using the uniform to explain himself. He reveals that Hera is his cousin, who protected him when they fled from their abusive father. Their father, who gave Mak his scar, had threatened to turn him over to the king, knowing the king would eliminate him to secure Prince Kai as the kingdom's sole Wielder. Mak has lived in hiding since. He confesses his feelings for Adena but remains conflicted. Adena convinces him that attempting to rescue Hera would be suicide, and he reluctantly agrees. Before parting, he asks her to meet him at the smithy after her work at the castle.

As Adena spends more time at the castle, she meets Prince Kitt, the king's heir, who seeks her advice on impressing Paedyn, with whom he is smitten. Meanwhile, the king shows a disturbing interest in Adena’s connection to Paedyn and expresses disapproval that Paedyn survived the first Trial.

Hera’s death devastates Mak, but with Adena’s support, he processes his grief. Their bond deepens, and they share a kiss. On the eve of the final Trial, Adena and Mak plan to meet at the Fort, their shared refuge, after Adena finishes preparing Paedyn for the ball. However, the king summons Adena, breaks her fingers, and imprisons her in the dungeon. She is drugged and taken to the arena, where she becomes the target of the final Trial: the first contestant to reach her in the center of a deadly maze and kill her will win.

Adena regains consciousness in the arena, confused and terrified. As Paedyn reaches her, Adena realizes she has been fatally wounded by another contestant. She dies in Paedyn’s arms while Mak watches in anguish from the stands.

Mak leaves the arena, grief-stricken, but soon feels Adena’s presence. From her new perspective as part of the sun, Adena reflects on her love for both Paedyn and Mak, vowing to watch over them forever.

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