Louis jolted awake in a moving vehicle. His wrists were free, the restraints gone.
Across from him sat the crimson-cloaked figure who had torn through the Earth Defenders' compound like it was paper.
"Where… where are you taking me?" Louis croaked, still dazed.
"Someplace safe," the man replied calmly, not looking at him. "Where they can't find you. Where you can learn to survive."
Louis frowned. "You said you're my mentor. Why? What do you want from me?"
The man glanced at him. His eyes glowed like molten magma. "Because you need help. And I won't let them destroy you."
The vehicle rolled to a stop. They had reached a hidden entrance carved into the side of a forested mountain, masked by illusion, invisible to the naked eye.
The gate opened with a deep, mechanical grind.
They stepped through and descended into a vast underground fortress, Vast chambers were revealed: greenhouses, libraries, training domes, and labs humming with arcane tech.
Louis stared in disbelief. "What is this place?"
"My legacy," the man said simply. "The Earth Defenders think I'm a villain. But I used to lead them. Before I was betrayed."
Louis stared at him. "You… used to be one of them?"
The man nodded slowly. "I was once known as Commander Adrian Velas, the Blood Mage. I saw a threat no one else believed. When I tried to act, they blamed me for the disaster that followed. They erased my name. Labeled me a traitor."
He stopped at a massive vault-like door, waved a hand, and the locks dissolved.
The door opened into a training chamber glowing with power: dummies shaped like Veltrix soldiers, floating weapons, and glyphs dancing through the air waiting for the mage's command.
"Louis," Adrian said, turning to face him. "There's something crucial you need to understand about your power."
"What is it?" Louis asked, curious.
Adrian leaned in, his voice serious. "The Earth Defenders see you as a threat. They believe that the Core could lead to chaos, and they're planning to eliminate you."
"Eliminate me? But I haven't done anything!"
"Exactly," Adrian replied. "But their fear drives them. They believe your power is a ticking time bomb."
Louis's heart raced.
"Louis, you've something dangerous inside you, and they'll stop at nothing to destroy you. I want to help you understand and control your power before it begins to control you. They may fear you, but I believe you can stand against them."
"Why are you helping me?" Louis asked.
"Because I know what it's like to be hunted for power you never asked for. Your parents believed in me. If they were alive, they'd want you trained and protected."
"You knew my parents?"
"I stood beside them in battle," Adrian said. "I won't fail their son."
Adrian held his gaze. "You have two paths before you, Louis. You can fight the Veltrix alongside the Earth Defenders, honor your humanity and your parents' legacy, or you can risk losing yourself, letting the core consume you totally, and becoming what humanity feared."
"What if I become a monster?" Louis asked in desperation.
"You must control it," Adrian urged. "If you don't, it will destroy you and everyone you care about."
He stepped into the center of the chamber. "Now come. It's time to train."
Louis answered and stood still as Adrian circled him slowly.
"The Core reacts to your emotions," he explained. "Feel it, don't fight it."
Louis took a deep breath.
[Core Sync: 78%]
He raised his hand, but his fear held the chains back.
"Argh! I can't do it," he growled, panicked."
Try again," Adrian urged gently.
"I'm trying,"
"Close your eyes,"
Louis closed his eyes, remembering the operating room, the pain, and the betrayal.
He opened his palm again, and the Core pulsed with energy. Chains burst forth, fiery and wild, slamming around him.
Louis screamed as he struggled to control them.
"Focus, Louis!" Adrian called out. "Like I said, feel the Core, don't fight it!"
Louis nodded, taking another deep breath. He closed his eyes once more, calming his mind. Slowly, the chains retracted, and he felt the power flow through him. He was in control.
"Better," Adrian said with a nod.
Hours passed as Adrian pushed him through exercises.
Whenever Louis stumbled, Adrian reminded him, "Balance is key. You're a blade, not a bomb."
After a grueling session, Louis collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
Adrian looked down at him, seeing how hard he had tried.
"If your parents were here, they would be so proud of you," he said softly.
Louis smiled weakly, lifting himself again. "I'll keep training."
***
Later that night, the training chamber lay quiet.
Adrian sat alone in his study, lights dim, encrypted scrolls scattered across the desk.
He held a rusted token in his hand, and then a soft beep echoed.
"Secure channel established," the AI confirmed.
Adrian leaned forward. "Call Earth Defenders. Authorization: Omega Vault. Code: Legacy Blood."
"Holographic link initializing," the AI replied.
The air shimmered as a multi-screen projection flickered to life — six luminous panels displaying the live feed.
Commander Arthur appeared first, his image hazy but then clear.
Arthur's eyes widened. "Adrian?"
"I'm not calling to argue," Adrian said. "I'm calling to offer a solution.
"Other screens came up; Nicholas immediately stiffened when he saw his face.
"This is unauthorized," he ordered. " Cut the feed."
"Spare the theatrics," Adrian said flatly. "This isn't a declaration of war."
Flora, another Earth defender, raised an eyebrow. "From the man who nearly tore our ranks apart?"
George snorted. "You're the last person I'd take advice from."
"Then take it from your own laws," Adrian said coolly.
Arthur stared at him for a moment. "What are you suggesting, Adrian?"
"Trial of the Worthy."
Silence.
Dan rubbed his temples. "Adrian, That's not been invoked since the Meta-Wars. It's practically medieval."
"It's legal," Adrian pressed. "Sanctioned by Defender charter... Louis Lee is not your enemy, but you're making him one. This gives him a chance."
Arthur hesitated. "And if he fails…?"
"Then he dies," Adrian answered. "But at least he dies fighting, not strapped to a table."
"Can he even survive it?" Tara cut in. "He's still a child."
"He'll be trained and ready," he said. "But you all never thought about him being a child before you proposed to kill him!"
"Well, well," Warrior Nicholas finally said. "The crazy infamous traitor wants to make a scene."
Adrian smirked. "You always loved drama, Nick."
Nicholas folded his arms. "You're proposing the Trial of the Worthy for the boy?"
"Like I said, you test him. If he wins, he's proven himself not a threat but a force, and he will join the fight against the aliens. If he fails, he dies. We both get what we want."
Nicholas turned to Arthur. "Arthur, prepare the arena. Send the notice. The trial begins in two days."
"Yes, sir." Arthur nodded and turned to Adrian.
"In two days, right, Adrian?" Arthur gritted his teeth. " But if the boy dies, you die with him, I swear."
The screen went black.