Spark

“Beneath the bells, she could hear it: the wind. It had its own voice, a roar that steadily grew louder.”

As Mina and her family prepare for the wind day, she hears the breeze approaching. In addition to acknowledging the power of nature in the “roar” of the wind, this observation also serves as foreshadowing. The wind’s “voice” that “steadily grew louder” hints at what will happen with Mina’s own voice. After she leaves the farm, experiences lightning school, and realizes her own strength, she discovers ways to make others listen to her.

“Her heart was beating so hard that she thought she’d crack out of her own skin. It’s really happening! My beast is coming!”

When the egg fractures, Mina feels like she is cracking too, which represents the bond between her and the storm beast. Additionally, this moment symbolizes a rebirth for Mina because once Pixit emerges, Mina begins to grow into a courageous leader and lightning guardian.

“Without the storm guardians and their beasts performing their duty, Alorria would be like the world beyond the mountains, wild and dangerous.

The storm guardians and their beasts were what made Alorria great. Over the last century, with the weather under perfect control, Alorria had become the most peaceful, prosperous, safest, happiest country in the world. Everyone knew that, and everyone knew that the guardians had to serve to maintain that greatness.”

These thoughts run through Mina’s mind as proof that her parents cannot stop her from going to Mytris Lightning School. However, they also hint at national propaganda that has citizens believing that Alorria is perfect. Diction to describe the nation as “great,” “peaceful,” “safest,” and “happiest,” along with the statement that “everyone knew,” pushes citizens to elevate Alorria above all other nations and to conform.