(David POV)
The roar of the waterfall felt endless, like the voice of the world screaming at me to give up.
My muscles trembled. The cold sank deep into my bones, biting harder with every second. My breath became uneven, my teeth clenched as the pressure forced my body lower, threatening to crush me into the riverbed.
Silent every noise…
Lazarus' words echoed in my head, but the water drowned everything—thoughts, doubt, pain.
How am I supposed to focus like this?
My mind wandered. My legs slipped slightly, and panic surged through me as the current shoved me back. I slammed my foot down, barely keeping my
The freezing water crashed against my body, its weight crushing down on me like the sky itself. My muscles screamed, my breath staggered, yet I remained standing beneath the waterfall.
"You're doing well. Don't stop," Lazarus said from behind me.
"How is this supposed to help?" I forced out through clenched teeth.
"Silence your thoughts. Concentrate. Connect, maintain… endure."
I almost laughed. Barely holding my power before was hell enough—now I had to do it while my body was being torn apart by cold and force.
"Yes," he said calmly, that familiar smile in his voice. "Now focus."
I closed my eyes and tried reaching for my soul, but the roar of the water shattered my concentration. My thoughts scattered, my mind restless.
"Silence everything," Lazarus said firmly. "Pull your mind inward. Focus, David."
I gathered every thought, every emotion, every fragment of will, and pushed them into one point.
And then… I was there again.
Within my soul.
The figure stood before me, unmoving. A shadow shaped like a man, chains bound tightly around its wrists. It felt familiar… yet distant.
I stepped closer, my heart pounding.
"What are you?" I asked quietly.
No answer.
"What are these visions? Why can't I remember? What am I?"
Still, it did not move. No words. No reaction.
Frustration burned through me. The figure slowly raised its chained hands toward me, just as before. I stared back—not in fear, but in desperation.
I reached out.
The moment our hands met, a surge of energy exploded through my body. Pain followed—but this time, I endured it. I controlled it. I didn't break.
The power flowed through me like a storm I could finally stand within.
And then, i opened my eyes.
The waterfall still raged above me… but I was still standing.
Unbroken.
Ah… I can feel it now, your presence. It's magnificent, Lazarus said, excitement flickering in his voice.
Now maintain it. Endure it—till you can't.
Till can't? I asked through clenched teeth.
To truly master the flow of power, you must push past your limit. What you're doing now is only the beginning.
This is harder than I thought, Lazarus.
If you want answers, you must be willing to sacrifice for them. Now, show me how long you can last.
I planted my feet against the riverbed and steadied my breath. His words ignited something inside me, an ember of resolve—but the waterfall answered with cruelty. The current grew heavier, crashing against my body like an unrelenting will, as if the world itself was testing my resolve.
My muscles screamed.
My lungs burned.
Every breath felt stolen.
Still, I refused to fall.
The chains within my soul rattled faintly, responding to my struggle. Power flowed—unstable, violent—but this time, I didn't let it consume me. I held it. I endured it.
The water struck harder.
And I stood.
(Central Valnic)
The city of Valnic stood tall—stone and marble layered with history, authority, and quiet judgment. Sunlight filtered through high windows of the grand library, casting long shadows between endless shelves of ancient knowledge.
Elisa sat beside her friend, a book open before her, though her eyes barely traced the words.
"You've been tense since you came back," Rebecca said softly, closing her own book. "What's wrong?"
Elisa exhaled slowly. "You always notice, don't you?"
She hesitated, then continued, "Every time I'm here… memories return. Some good. But the bad ones—those linger longer."
Rebecca frowned. "Don't tell me you still haven't moved on from what happened four years ago. Elisa, it wasn't your fault."
Elisa's fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"I don't even know if he would want to see me," she said quietly. "I left when he needed me the most."
"You needed time too," Rebecca replied gently. "To heal. To learn. You can't blame yourself for that."
"Four years," Elisa whispered. "Four years, Rebecca. And yet it still feels unfinished. I was there when it happened—but he was the one who carried the pain. Not me."
Rebecca reached across the table, placing a hand over hers.
"You need to calm yourself. When the time comes, talk to him. Face it—whatever it is."
Elisa looked up. "You really think so…?"
"I do," Rebecca smiled. "Now stop overthinking. We have exams to worry about."
A small smile finally broke through Elisa's worry as they returned to their books, though her thoughts were already far from the library.
(Village of Sand)
The sun climbed higher, hanging above the desert like an unblinking eye. By noon, its heat pressed down on the village, swallowing every shadow it touched.
Shino stood alone on the third-floor balcony, his hands resting on the stone railing as his gaze swept across the silent streets below. The village looked peaceful… too peaceful.
"Sir."
Hera's voice cut through the stillness.
He didn't turn immediately.
"There's a change of plans," Shino said at last. "We'll be spending another night here."
Hera stiffened. "What caused the sudden decision?"
Shino turned to face her then, his eyes sharp and unreadable.
"We need to investigate this place."
Hera narrowed her gaze. "So you felt it too."
"Yes," he replied calmly. "There's something wrong with this village. Something beneath the surface. And whatever it is… you sense it as well."
Hera nodded slowly. "I do."
"Good," Shino said. "Then I'll need your cooperation."
"You have it," she answered without hesitation.
"First rule," he continued. "Do not inform the others about the change in plans. Tell them we're resting an extra day to recover before setting out."
"Understood."
Shino turned his attention back to the village, eyes scanning every alley, every rooftop.
"Stay sharp," he added. "If you notice anything unusual, alert me immediately."
"Yes, sir."
Hera bowed slightly and walked away, her footsteps fading down the corridor.
Shino remained on the balcony, unmoving.
The wind swept through the streets below, carrying sand
The market buzzed with life as Hiron and Peter wandered through the narrow streets, voices overlapping, footsteps stirring sand into the air. Merchants called out from wooden stalls, fabrics fluttered in the dry wind, and the scent of spices clung thickly to the atmosphere.
Hiron suddenly slowed, his gaze settling on a small stand tucked between two larger shops. Steam rose gently from iron pots, carrying with it a rich, comforting aroma.
"Wait," Hiron said, stopping.
Peter followed his eyes and smiled. "Soup?"
Hiron nodded. "Looks like it."
They each bought a bowl and moved aside, standing beneath a shade cloth as the heat pressed down on the market. Peter lifted his bowl, inhaling deeply.
"It smells amazing," he said. "I bet it tastes even better."
Hiron took the first sip, his shoulders relaxing almost instantly. "Yeah… this is really good."
Peter tasted his own and let out a quiet breath of satisfaction. "Wonderful."
For a moment, the noise of the market faded into the background. No battles. No missions. Just warm food, shared silence, and a rare sense of peace as they ate slowly.
"I was wondering to ask you, why did you become a Valnic soldier?" Hiron asked.
"Well… it all started when I was a kid. My father was a soldier too, and I admired him so much. I wanted to be like him. But things went bad when he lost his right leg in battle and was unable to continue."
"From that day, I decided to become the greatest soldier in Valnic history—to be honored and respected by all."
"I see… In that case, I will help you push toward your goals and teach you all I know."
"Really?"
"Yes. I will help."
"Thank you, Hiron. I really appreciate your support."
They both smiled and laughed, their mood light. But suddenly, the air shifted, heavy with an ominous presence.
"You sense it too?" Peter asked.
"Yeah… I do. Keep your eyes sharp."
Their gazes scanned the crowd, and Peter's eyes caught a man in black clothing, a cloak hood shadowing his face.