Part - 1
Morning came quietly, the forest still damp with dew. One by one, the camp stirred to life. Lethan yawned and stretched as he stepped outside his tent, glancing back to where Orren and Rahim were still asleep. A little further ahead, Velra emerged from her tent as well.
"Miss Velra," Lethan asked softly, "are you feeling alright? You seemed so exhausted after… yesterday."
Velra brushed a lock of hair back and gave a small smile. "Yes. It was painful—more than I imagined. But it was worth it. I feel lighter now, as though I can move without weight holding me down."
"That's good," Lethan nodded. "We should be leaving soon. Could you wake Miss Selvara? I'll rouse the others."
"Of course," Velra said. "But first, I should thank Master Marr."
She walked toward Marr's hut and knocked. The door opened almost immediately. Marr stood in the doorway, silent as stone.
"Come inside," he said simply. "I have tea prepared."
Velra entered and saw Nadir already seated at the table. Marr poured her a cup and gestured for her to sit.
"How does it feel, awakening your Rha?" Marr asked, watching her closely.
Velra bowed her head slightly. "That is why I came—to thank you. And… it feels strange. Light. As if I could do anything. Master Marr, will I be able to learn Suppress now?"
Marr's eyes narrowed slightly. "Suppress cannot be learned so easily. It belongs to those who wield Dominion Rha. Until we know your nature, there is no path forward."
Velra leaned forward. "Then… how do we find out?"
"We do not guess," Marr replied firmly. "We test." He stood, his presence filling the small hut. "Finish your tea, then come outside. Nadir, clean the dishes."
"Huh?" Nadir muttered but quickly looked away.
Moments later, Velra followed Marr out into the clearing. Orren, Rahim, and Lethan were finishing the last of the packing, while Selvara lingered nearby.
"Velra," Orren called, "How do you feel now?"
"She is well," Marr answered for her. His voice left no space for interruption. "But before you leave, we must test her Rha."
Velra turned to him. "Master Marr, what is the process?"
Marr reached into his sleeve and drew out a small grey stone, smooth and plain. He held it up for all to see.
"This is the Stone Test," he said. "Every initiate must take it. You grip the stone, release your Rha wild, and the stone will answer. Each nature leaves its mark."
His eyes passed slowly over the group as he explained:
"Dominion… the stone remains unchanged, but feels heavier in your hand.
Flow… its edges soften, the surface reshaped as though by water.
Fang… cracks, sharp lines, the bite of a blade.
Fury… it grows warm, trembles, even bursts apart.
Pulse… the stone thrums faintly, as if with a heartbeat.
Resolve… it darkens, shadow filling its veins."
Marr turned back to Velra, placing the stone in her hands. "There is no choice here. The stone will reveal your truth—and once revealed, you cannot turn from it."
Orren stepped closer, "Are you ready?"
Velra looked down at the stone, her palms trembling ever so slightly. Then she nodded. "I am."
Part - 2
Velra gripped the stone tightly, breath steadying as she prepared. But just as she was about to begin, her gaze flicked toward Orren.
"How… do I release my Rha?" she asked quietly.
Orren blinked, caught off guard. "Huh? Well… you just do."
"That's not an answer," Velra muttered.
Rahim chuckled. "Just try. You'll know when it happens."
Velra inhaled, focused, and poured her will into the stone. For a moment nothing happened. Then, the edges softened, the rough surface smoothing under her fingers until it felt like a pebble worn down by centuries of river water.
Everyone leaned in, watching.
"Congratulations," Orren said, smiling wide. "You've awakened the Rha of Flow. That's a good one."
"Flow?" Velra tilted her head. "What does that even do?"
"It'll suit your rapier perfectly," Orren explained. "It sharpens movement, speeds ambushes, makes your body flow like water. There's more, but you'll have to discover that yourself."
Velra turned immediately to Marr. "And what about Suppress? Can I learn it now?"
Marr and Orren exchanged a look. Then both faced her.
"Don't dwell on what you don't have," Marr said flatly. "Make use of what you do."
Velra's brow furrowed. She ignored him and locked eyes with Orren. "Tell me. Yes or no."
Orren hesitated. She wasn't going to let this go. "Well… it's complicated…"
"Complicated? Just say it!" Velra snapped.
Marr's voice cut through the air like steel. "Short answer: yes. You can learn Dominion. But…"
Velra's eyes lit up. "Then I'll learn Suppre-"
"Enough." Marr's tone silenced her. "Leave it."
"Why?!"
"First," Marr explained, "your affinity lies in Flow. Dividing your focus will weaken both paths. Second, your progress in Flow will be far swifter than in anything else."
Velra crossed her arms. "So what? Then I'll just work harder."
Marr shook his head. "This is not about hard work. Even if you trained day and night, it would take a decade merely to awaken Dominion Rha, and years more to reach Suppress. Flow will carry you much further, much faster. Do not waste it."
Her lips tightened, frustration clear. She wanted Dominion. She wanted Suppress. But no matter how she argued, the truth didn't change.
Orren stepped in gently. "Don't sulk, kid. Flow has techniques far greater than Suppress. And once your mastery grows, you'll be able to resist Suppress anyway. You're already a Slayer at this age, your future's bright. Don't ruin it chasing what isn't yours."
Velra stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. Suddenly, she slapped both cheeks with her hands, the sharp sound echoing.
"You're right. Enough whining. I'll master Flow."
The tension broke into small smiles. Soon, their bags were packed and the company stood ready to leave. As they waved goodbye, Marr called out, his gruff voice carrying weight even in parting:
"Orren, take care of that greatsword."
"Velra, Grow strong."
Nadir adjusted his belt uneasily.
"Nadir, bring more coins next time."
"Wha-what?!" Nadir nearly tripped.
"Selvara," Marr said more quietly, "when the time comes, I will keep my promise."
And when his eyes settled on Rahim, he said nothing.
Rahim frowned. "What? Say something!"
"Don't be stupid," Marr replied.
"I'm not stupid!" Rahim shouted, but Marr had already turned his back.
With that, the party set off, their laughter and bickering fading into the forest. Marr remained standing, watching until they disappeared. For a long moment he was silent.
He had lived alone for years, his heart hardened like stone. Yet in only a day, this rowdy band had stirred something old and forgotten in him. Perhaps it was because he saw in them Faris Zahad… or Daelric Dreamiac… or perhaps simply because he had come to care for them.
He turned back toward his lonely hut, muttering under his breath.
"Brats."
Part - 3
Weeks passed, and silence reclaimed the bamboo grove. Marr sat slouched on the old bench beside his forge, a mug of stale tea by his side. He stared at the embers of the dying fire, when suddenly, he froze.
Someone was behind him.
Without turning, Marr smirked.
"You're as silent as ever… what brings you here, uninvited guest?"
A stone fell at his feet with a dull thud. The figure's voice was low, clipped, unreadable:
"Can you break it?"
Marr glanced down at the stone, his brows narrowing.
"I can. But I already told you what my payment is, right?"
"Already done," the man replied.
"Good," Marr muttered. He rose, joints cracking, and trudged into the forge. From a locked chest he pulled out a hammer, short-handled, gleaming white, veins of thunder-blue flickering faintly along its surface. It hummed as if alive, as if the storms themselves had been sealed within.
Carrying it back, Marr asked flatly:
"You're sure?"
The man gave a single nod.
Marr gripped the hammer tight, raised it high, and brought it crashing down on the stone. The air quaked with the impact. When the dust settled, a hairline crack, so fine it was almost invisible—ran across the stone's surface.
The man stepped forward, retrieved it, and said simply, "The deal is done."
And then, just as he had come, he faded into nothing.
Marr stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space. Then he stretched, rolling his shoulders, the hammer still in his hand. He walked slowly toward the grove's entrance.
Without even glancing back, he swung the hammer in a lazy arc behind him.
The effect was anything but lazy.
In a single breath, his hut, his forge, and half the bamboo forest exploded into splinters and ash, torn apart. Marr didn't flinch, didn't look back. He simply stepped across the grove's threshold.
This time, his body did not hurt. No cuts, no bleeding, no curse.
He stopped at the edge of the trees, gripping the hammer, his face a storm of grief and fury.
"At last…" his voice was gravel, heavy with years of waiting.
"It's time. I'm coming for you, Ysolde Kaerrin."
End of Chapter.