Another night came and went. The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the clearing where the group had made their temporary camp. For now, the group's focus was on themselves—on honing the new abilities they had gained from the obelisk and preparing for the trials to come.
The air was crisp and cool, the forest alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant bird calls. The group had gathered in the centre of the clearing, their faces set with determination. Today was about training, about pushing their limits and learning to work together. Each of them had something to teach, and each of them had something to learn.
Lily stood at the front of the group, her sharp eyes scanning the others. "Okay guys," she said encouragingly. "We've all gained new abilities, but we need to understand them better if we're going to survive. I'll start by trying to teach you how to sense mana more clearly.
It's not just about feeling it—it's about understanding it, distinguishing between different frequencies and signatures. This will help us identify resources, and more importantly, threats and each other in the heat of battle."
The group nodded, their expressions serious. They formed a loose semi-circle around Lily, their eyes closed as they focused on her instructions.
"Close your eyes, let the mana come to you first, then reach out, to feel the mana around you. It's not just a hum—it's a symphony, a complex web of energy. Each source of mana has its own unique signature. Focus on the differences. The forest has its own mana, the dungeon has its own, and each of us has our own as well."
The group concentrated, their breathing slow and steady. At first, there was nothing—just the faint hum of mana they had grown accustomed to. About an hour went by. As they were focusing, they began to notice subtle differences.
The mana of the forest was vibrant and alive, pulsing with the energy of the plants and animals. The dungeon's mana was darker, more oppressive, filled with a sense of danger and bloodlust. And then there were the signatures of their companions—each one distinct, each one unique.
Ethan was the first to speak with awe. "I can feel it," he said. "It's like… each of you has your own rhythm, your own pulse. It's incredible."
Lily smiled, her expression proud. "Good. That's the first step. The more you practice, the more clearly you'll be able to distinguish between different sources of mana."
The group then took a break. They were already feeling some fatigue. They had a small snack and a drink, making small talk amongst each other. They spoke about the weather and how they felt about recent events, thinking about Maria, wondering how she was doing back in the safe zone.
---
Ethan stepped forward next, his usual bravado tempered by a newfound seriousness. "The obelisk showed me how to amplify my mana internally," he said.
"It's not about brute strength or controlling. You have to channel your mana through your body, guiding it to where it needs to be. That's how you can enhance your physical abilities, sharpen your reflexes, and even heal faster."
He demonstrated by focusing his mana, his muscles tensing as the energy flowed through him. His movements became faster, more precise, his strikes more powerful.
"It's not easy," Ethan admitted. "It takes a lot of focus, and it's exhausting. But it's totally worth it. If you can do it, you'll be way more useful in a fight."
The group practised under Ethan's guidance, their movements slow and deliberate at first, but growing more fluid as they gained confidence. They could feel the difference—the way their bodies responded, the way they felt their strength and speed increase with each passing moment.
Sam, meanwhile, observed the group with a keen eye, his notebook in hand. He had gained a deeper understanding of the world from the obelisk, and he used that knowledge to provide insights and explanations.
"Mana behaves in predictable patterns," Sam said calmly and analytically. "It flows like water, following the path of least resistance. If you can understand those patterns, you can manipulate it more effectively. For example, when you're circulating your mana internally, try to visualise it as a current, flowing through your body."
The group listened intently, their understanding of mana deepening with each passing moment. Sam's knowledge was invaluable, providing a framework for their training.
Next, it was Victor's turn. "Lily's ability to sense mana is powerful, but given how we are able to learn it, I doubt she's unique. If she can sense us, so can others. I believe that's why the obelisk gave me the ability to suppress my mana, to make myself invisible to those who can sense it. I'll try to teach you how to do the same."
The group listened intently as Victor explained the technique. It was a subtle skill, requiring precise control over their internal mana. They had to learn to dampen their energy, to make it blend into the background rather than stand out.
"This is basically the opposite of what Ethan does. Rather than amplifying your mana and having it circulate, it's like… dimming a light," Victor said. "You're not extinguishing it completely, just making it harder to see."
The group practised under Victor's guidance, their faces tense with concentration. It was a difficult skill to master, but they made progress. While they weren't able to supress their mana yet they were at least able to sense it more clearly.
Walter, ever the observer, absorbed everything with quiet determination. He didn't have the same natural aptitude as the others, but he made up for it with effort and focus.
He practised each skill diligently. By the end of the day, he had made significant progress, becoming a jack-of-all-trades—not as skilled as the others in their specialities, but more versatile overall.
"You're doing well, Walter," Victor said approvingly. "You might not be the strongest or the fastest, but you're able to pick up on things quickly."
Walter nodded calmly but with determination. "I'll keep practising. There's still a lot to learn."
---
AJ, meanwhile, spent this time studying the blueprints of his body and the human form. The obelisk had given him the knowledge to reshape his gelatinous form, but it was a complex process, requiring precise control over his mana. He practised shifting his body, his form rippling and flowing as he experimented with different shapes.
He had made significant progress. He could now take on the form of a human, though his limited mass meant he could only maintain the shape of a 7-8 year-old boy. His lack of control meant he couldn't maintain it for long and his features were blurry and indistinct.
"You're getting better, AJ," Lily said encouragingly. "It's not perfect, but it's a start. With more practice, you'll be able to transform back into your original form."
AJ's form rippled, the hum of his voice echoing in their minds. "Thank you. I… will keep... practising."
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. The group had spent the day training, teaching and learning to harness the new abilities the obelisk had given them.
Now, as the fire crackled softly in the centre of their makeshift camp, they sat in a loose circle, their faces illuminated by the warm glow of the flames. The towering dungeon loomed in the distance, its dark silhouette seemingly calling out to them to challenge it.
Lily sat cross-legged, breaking the silence. "We've made good progress," she said softly. "But there's still so much we need to do. The dungeon… it's not going to be easy."
Victor spoke "No, it won't. But we're stronger now. We've got new abilities and new tools."
Ethan leaned back against a log. "Yeah, but are we ever really going to be ready?"
Sam, who had been quietly observing, spoke up. "It's an opportunity given to us by the obelisk. If we can conquer it, we'll gain valuable experience. It's a risk, but it's one we need to take if we're going to get anywhere in this world."
The group fell silent, their thoughts turning to Maria. Her leaving still weighed heavily on them. Lily's expression softened as she stared into the fire, her mind drifting back to the day Maria had chosen to stay behind.
"Do you think she made the right choice?" Lily asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Staying with Richard… for her kids?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and unspoken. For a moment, no one answered. Then Victor sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I don't know," he admitted.
"I want to say no, that she should've stayed with us. But… I get it. Her kids… they're everything to her. She did what she had to do to protect them."
Ethan nodded, his expression grim. "Yeah. I don't like it, but I get it. Richard's a bastard, but he's got power over her. If Maria can keep her kids safe by staying there… then maybe it was the right call."
Sam leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "It's not just about her kids," he said thoughtfully. "Maria's smart. If anyone can figure out how to undermine him from the inside, it's her. She might be playing the long game."
Lily's eyes widened slightly. "You think she's still on our side?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't think she ever changed sides. She's staying with Richard for her kids, sure. But it's probably, partly for us too. Buying us time, giving us a chance to get stronger."
Walter nodded thoughtfully. "Sam's right. She's not gone. She's just… taking a different path. When the time comes, she'll find her way back to us."
The group fell silent, for the first time since Maria had left, they felt a glimmer of hope.
They hoped she hadn't abandoned them, they secretly hoped she had sacrificed herself to give them a chance. Believing that to be the case, it was now up to them to make the most of the chance she gave them.
AJ, who had been quietly listening, rippled slightly, his form shifting as if to draw attention to himself. The group turned to him, their expressions curious.
"AJ," Lily said encouragingly. "What do you think?"
"Maria… strong," AJ said. "She… protect. We… protect too."
The group stared at him. AJ's words were spoken much more clearly than earlier in the day, and the weight of his words hit them like a punch to the gut.
Maria had protected them, it would be their turn to protect her the next time they met.
Victor's expression was grim but resolute. "AJ's right. Maria's out there, fighting her own battle. We're out here, fighting ours. Despite not being physically with us she's fighting with us. We'll take down Richard all together."
Lily's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she nodded with determination. "We will. No matter what it takes."
Ethan cracked his knuckles, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And when we do, Richard's going to regret ever crossing us."