The encounter with the mysterious figure haunted Bolt's mind long after they had vanished. Their cryptic words echoed in his thoughts.
"The War God watches over you, but he is not the only one."
Who else was watching? And what did they want?
Back at their faction's base, Aether, Akane, and Bolt gathered in the main hall. The weight of the recent events pressed down on all of them.
Aether leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "We need to assume that whoever that was—they're powerful. Maybe even stronger than Valeon."
Akane's expression was unreadable. "They didn't attack us. That means they have their own plans for Bolt."
Bolt clenched his fists. "I'm tired of being someone else's pawn. If I'm going to be the Warborn, then I need to be the one in control."
Aether nodded. "Then it's time we start planning ahead. We can't afford to keep reacting. We need to be prepared for whatever's coming next."
Akane turned to Bolt. "You said you wanted to push your power further. Are you really ready for that?"
Bolt met her gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "I don't have a choice."
Aether and Akane exchanged glances.
"There is one way," Aether said slowly. "But it's dangerous."
Akane hesitated before continuing. "There's an abandoned training chamber deep beneath the academy. It was sealed off years ago after a student lost control and nearly destroyed the entire wing."
Bolt raised an eyebrow. "And you want me to train there?"
Aether smirked. "You want to control your power? That place forces you to your limits. If you can't handle it, you don't deserve to call yourself the Warborn."
Akane shot Aether a sharp look. "This isn't a joke. If Bolt isn't careful, he could lose himself."
Bolt took a deep breath. He understood the risks. But after everything that had happened, after all the people watching him, waiting for him to fail…
He couldn't afford to be weak anymore.
"I'm doing it."
That night, the three of them slipped out of their base, moving through the academy's hidden tunnels.
After nearly an hour of navigating long-forgotten corridors, they reached the entrance.
A massive steel door stood before them, covered in seals and warning signs.
Aether placed a hand on the door. "It's been shut for a long time. No one's supposed to be here."
Akane exhaled. "Which means no one can help us if things go wrong."
Bolt stepped forward. "Then let's not waste time."
With a deep breath, he pushed open the door.
The chamber inside was massive. An underground arena, its walls reinforced with unknown metal. The air was thick with trapped energy, pulsing with the remnants of battles long past.
Bolt felt something stir within him.
The voice from before, the one that had spoken to him during the fight with Carlos, whispered again.
"You are progressing… but not yet ready."
Bolt clenched his jaw. "Then let's change that."
Aether activated the chamber's controls. The room shifted, ancient mechanisms roaring to life. The walls glowed with arcane symbols, and suddenly—
A wave of pure fire erupted from the ground, rushing toward Bolt with deadly speed.
He didn't hesitate.
With a flick of his wrist, he willed the flames to part—and they obeyed.
I'll
For a moment, even Aether looked impressed. "Looks like you're already getting the hang of it."
But the trial wasn't over.
The ground beneath them cracked open, and massive stone pillars shot out, threatening to crush Bolt.
Bolt reacted instinctively, summoning the power of Earth.
He raised his hands—and the pillars stopped mid-air, bending to his will.
Akane's eyes widened. "That was fast."
Bolt smirked. "I told you. I'm ready."
Aether pressed another sequence on the controls.
The chamber rumbled violently.
A figure emerged from the darkness—a shadowy entity with glowing red eyes.
Bolt's smirk faded.
This wasn't part of the training.
Aether turned to Akane. "That's not supposed to happen."
The figure moved.
Faster than anything Bolt had ever seen.
One moment it was across the room—the next, it was in front of him.
Bolt barely dodged as a blackened blade slashed through the air, cutting just inches from his face.
The entity's voice was deep, filled with ancient power.
"You think you are ready, Warborn?"
Bolt gritted his teeth. "Who are you?"
The entity didn't answer. It lunged again.
Bolt threw up a barrier of lightning and wind, attempting to counter, but—
The figure dispersed into shadows, reforming behind him.
Before Bolt could react—a hand gripped his throat.
Aether and Akane rushed forward, but an invisible force slammed them back.
The entity lifted Bolt off the ground.
"You are strong... but strength alone is not enough."
Bolt struggled against the grip, his mind racing. This wasn't an ordinary opponent.
This was something else entirely.
The entity leaned closer, its red eyes burning into Bolt's.
"When the time comes, will you rise... or will you break?"
Then—it released him.
Bolt collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.
The entity took one last look at him—then vanished into the darkness.
Akane and Aether ran to Bolt's side.
"Are you okay?" Akane asked, eyes filled with concern.
Bolt nodded weakly, his mind still reeling.
Aether's face was grim. "That wasn't part of the training. That thing… it came for you."
Bolt sat up, staring at where the entity had disappeared.
This wasn't just training anymore.
This was a warning.
And he wasn't sure if he was ready for what was coming next.