The sky above Aethrion burned with streaks of golden light as the sun hovered high, casting glimmers over the vast marble courtyard. The grounds were enormous—etched with ancient runes that hummed faintly, resonating with energy as if alive. At the center stood Rudraen, arms folded, his cloak fluttering in the warm current that swirled through the open-air chamber.
Two figures stood before him: Ariv Senra and Rohit, their gazes fixed, determination burning behind their eyes. The others—Vaishnavi and Neel—watched silently from the viewing hall, their reflections shimmering against the crystal barrier separating them from the training zone.
> Rudraen's voice cut through the silence like steel:
"From this moment on, you'll learn what it truly means to control the energy inside you. Here in Aethrion, raw power without discipline is a death sentence."
Ariv tilted his head, an almost lazy smirk tugging at his lips. His aura simmered faintly beneath his skin—wild, untamed, yearning to burst free.
> Ariv (thinking):
Control my aura? For years, I had no choice but to let that cursed locket suppress it. And now that it's gone… it feels like a storm raging inside me. A storm that refuses to be chained again.
Rohit clenched his fists. Small cracks spidered beneath his feet as his Terra Veil responded instinctively, particles of stone hovering in the air around him.
> Rohit:
"Just tell us what we need to do."
---
Scene 2: The Challenge Revealed
With a subtle gesture, Rudraen summoned a floating cube—a translucent monolith radiating pure force, its glow pulsating like the heartbeat of an ancient god. The weight of its presence crushed down on the courtyard like an unseen mountain.
The temperature shifted. The ground quivered. Even breathing became heavier.
> Rudraen:
"This cube is called the Aether Core. It amplifies every ounce of energy flowing through you. Fail to keep balance, and your own aura will devour you. Succeed… and you'll take your first step toward survival in this realm."
He let the words linger, like the whisper of a blade poised against their throats.
Rohit's jaw tightened. "So basically… don't lose control."
> Rudraen:
"That's the simplest way to put it. But don't mistake simplicity for mercy."
The ground trembled as the cube unleashed a surge of force, enveloping the two in a spiraling vortex of energy. The barrier walls shimmered, sealing the chamber.
---
Scene 3: The Struggle Begins
Rohit reacted first. His instincts roared awake as jagged spires of stone erupted from the floor, anchoring him against the crushing pressure.
> Rohit (gritting his teeth):
"Damn… it feels like gravity's tripled!"
Sweat trickled down his temple. His Terra Veil was strong, his bond with the element firm—but even so, the Core's oppressive force clawed at his focus.
Meanwhile, Ariv… stood still.
Eyes closed. Arms loose at his sides. But his breathing—shallow, uneven—betrayed the storm inside him. He could feel it: that monstrous tide of energy, no longer restrained by the locket, swelling uncontrollably.
It's like a thousand voices screaming in my veins. Every fragment of power I kept buried is awake. If I move carelessly, it'll tear me apart.
The Aether Core pulsed, sending waves of amplified energy that lashed at their bodies. Rohit roared, slamming his palm to the ground as a wall of stone rose, shielding him briefly.
But Ariv… did nothing.
Not because he couldn't.
Because he was listening—to the chaos within.
---
Scene 4: Cracks in Reality
The marble beneath Ariv's feet fissured without warning. Crimson sparks flickered across his silhouette, and for a moment, the very air bent around him, warping space like ripples in glass.
Rohit's eyes widened. "Ariv… what the hell is that—"
A deep hum filled the chamber, vibrating through bone and blood. Rudraen's gaze sharpened, hand unconsciously brushing the hilt of his blade.
> Rudraen (thinking):
His aura isn't just unstable… it's sentient. This isn't mere energy—it's something primal. Something that shouldn't exist in this age.
The cube glowed brighter, as if provoked. Ariv's hair whipped violently as a storm of raw force coiled around him, shards of energy orbiting like fragments of shattered stars.
Then… his eyes opened.
And for the first time, they saw it—pupils glimmering with fragments of a galaxy, endless and merciless.
BOOM!
The Aether Core exploded into a million shards of light.
---
Scene 5: The Aftershock
The blast ripped through the chamber, slamming into the reinforced barrier that shielded Vaishnavi and Neel. The walls groaned, runes flaring crimson as they absorbed the shockwave.
Vaishnavi stumbled back, her hand pressed against the glass. Her voice trembled—not with fear, but awe.
> Vaishnavi:
"What… what is happening to him?"
Beside her, Neel's expression darkened, his usual calm cracking under the weight of revelation.
> Neel (thinking):
Galaxy Zenith… awakened without restraint. If this continues, Aethrion itself won't hold him. Ariv… what are you becoming?
---
Scene 6: The Edge of Collapse
Inside the chamber, Ariv stood at the epicenter of a raging maelstrom. Every inch of his body radiated raw, unfiltered power. The ground caved under his feet. The air burned with static.
> Ariv (gritting his teeth):
No… I can't let this control me. If I give in now, it's over. I won't… let this damn energy own me!
He roared—a sound that wasn't just human, but something more. His fists clenched, and with sheer will, he pulled the storm inward, compressing it against his core. Sparks died out. The whirlwinds slowed.
Finally… silence.
Ariv stood panting, steam rising from his skin. His clothes were tattered, blood trailing down his forearms—but his aura… was calm.
Barely.
---
Scene 7: Judgment
The chamber doors groaned open. Rudraen stepped forward, eyes scanning the fractured floor, the shattered cube… and the boy who had just defied the laws of energy control.
For a moment, the seasoned warrior said nothing. Then:
> Rudraen:
"You… are dangerous. But you passed."
Rohit slumped against his stone wall, exhausted but breathing. His eyes darted to Ariv—half in disbelief, half in silent fear.
> Rohit:
"Passed? He damn near broke the room…"
Rudraen ignored him. His gaze never left Ariv, whose expression remained unreadable. Only his clenched fists betrayed the battle still raging inside him.
---
Scene 8: Watching Shadows
From the observation hall, Vaishnavi exhaled shakily, her heart pounding. She pressed a hand to her chest, whispering under her breath:
> Vaishnavi:
"What are you, Ariv…?"
Neel stayed silent. His fists curled so tightly his knuckles turned white. For the first time, he wasn't sure if Ariv was just his friend—or something far beyond any of them.