Sarper said firmly. "You and Exile will master your Ash. No more running. No more fear."
Amal blinked. "What is Ash?"
Sarper folded his arms, the sunlight casting sharp lines across his aged face. "Ash is your essence. It is the energy within you. It connects to your soul, your mind, your instincts. If you master it, you will grow stronger, faster, and wiser."
Exile tilted his head. "How do we master something we don't even understand?"
Sarper turned and began walking. "Follow me."
They followed Sarper deep into the Bear Realm's forest, where trees shimmered with golden light and birds sang with echoing harmony. A gentle river fell over smooth rocks in the distance, and strange, peaceful animals roamed freely.
At a small clearing surrounded by white-blossomed trees, Sarper stopped. "Sit."
They sat.
"Close your eyes. Breathe in… and out," Sarper instructed calmly. "Now, imagine a single drop of water. Just one. Let it fall… feel it."
They followed, breathing deeply, silence wrapping around them like a warm blanket.
Each day, the training continued. They meditated. They listened. They imagined. They connected with the flow of Ash.
That night, they went to rest, but Amal didn't sleep.
She sat alone, quietly repeating Sarper's teaching. Her Ash grew slowly, steadily. She thought to herself, When I return, I'll be stronger than Sai, Tai, and even Xei.
She trained every night.
And her Ash kept growing.
Then one night… she wondered something dangerous.
What if I let the Ash consume me? Could I take control of that chaos?
She closed her eyes again, focused on her breathing, and imagined the drops of water… then she let herself go.
Her Ash burst out around her.
It was wild. Untamed. Powerful.
Sarper jolted awake. He felt it.
A storm of dark power shook the forest.
He ran outside. "Amal! Don't—!"
But a dark mist exploded from the training grounds, sending waves of wind across the Bear Realm.
Amal opened her eyes.
Everything was black.
She floated in darkness.
"…Am I dead?" she whispered.
"No," said a deep voice from within the void.
She turned—her eyes widening. A tall, human-like snake stepped out of the shadows. Its scales shimmered like galaxies, and its aura felt ancient… and overwhelming.
"I said that," the creature spoke again.
Amal's body moved on its own—she bowed, trembling, not from fear… but instinct. His power made her limbs obey.
She tried to speak. Nothing came out.
The snake chuckled. "Do not fear, child."
"S-sorry," she managed to whisper.
The snake's eyes narrowed. "Our time is short. But I will see you again."
With a wave of its finger, a pulse of energy knocked her back.
She woke up with a gasp.
Sarper stood over her, his eyes wide with awe. "Amal! Are you alright?"
"I… I'm fine," she breathed.
Exile ran over. "Amal! How do you feel?"
Sarper looked at her carefully. "You haven't just mastered your Ash…"
He paused. "You tamed it."
He stepped back. "There is… nothing more I can teach you."