The next morning, Aarav awoke to the faint hum of the coma world. The cracked hourglass rested beside him, its sand glowing softly like embers in the dark. Mira and Kian were already waiting, standing in the alley that now felt more like a training ground than a city street.
"Time moves differently here," Mira said, her voice calm but firm. "One hour there can be a week for your mind and body here. We'll begin with basic control exercises."
Aarav rubbed his eyes, still feeling the lingering weight of yesterday's first leap. "Control exercises? I barely managed one leap yesterday."
Kian crossed his arms, his staff glinting in the surreal light. "Then you'd better get used to it fast. This world won't wait for your hesitation."
Mira guided him to a flat clearing. "The first exercise is simple: stabilize your presence in this world without using the hourglass to leap. Focus. Breathe. Align your mind with the flow of time around you."
Aarav closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He felt the currents of time ripple around him, faint vibrations brushing against his senses. Slowly, he spread his awareness, sensing the flow of hours, minutes, and seconds like a river. His pulse began to synchronize with the rhythm, the chaotic ticking of countless clocks fading into a steady hum.
"Good," Mira said approvingly. "Now, move through the flow. Walk as if the world itself is guiding you. Do not rush. Do not resist. Let time support your steps."
Aarav opened his eyes and tentatively took a step forward. The air shimmered slightly around him, and he felt the slightest tug as though the world was gently nudging him forward. Step by step, he moved across the clearing. For the first time, he felt a connection—his presence was anchored, and the world responded to him.
"Excellent," Kian said, nodding. "You've got the potential. But potential alone won't save you. You'll need reflexes, strategy, and the ability to sense danger before it arrives."
Aarav frowned. "Danger? Already?"
Before Kian could answer, the air in the clearing shifted. Shadows coalesced at the edges of the field, darker than the natural darkness of the world. A figure emerged, humanoid but twisted, moving with unnatural speed and grace. Its eyes glowed with a cold, predatory light.
Mira's expression hardened. "This… is your first threat. It's a creature that feeds on travelers who cannot anchor themselves in time. Do not underestimate it."
Aarav's heart raced. "What do I do?"
"Observe first," Mira instructed. "Understand its movement. Its attacks follow patterns—like the flow of time itself. Adapt. Use your connection to time to anticipate."
The creature lunged, a blur of shadow and jagged limbs. Aarav barely had time to react. Instinctively, he reached for the hourglass, but remembered Mira's instructions: do not rely on it yet.
He focused, feeling the currents of time ripple. As the creature moved, he detected the slight delay in its motion—moments it could not adjust. Timing his steps carefully, he sidestepped its first strike.
Kian moved alongside him, deflecting the creature's next assault with his staff. "See? It's predictable if you feel the rhythm. You just need to trust your senses."
Aarav's confidence grew. Step by step, he moved with precision, anticipating the creature's swings, countering, and dodging. Each moment felt stretched, elongated—time bending around him, giving him the clarity he needed.
Mira's voice cut through the tension. "Now, strike when the moment aligns with the flow of time!"
Aarav hesitated, then lunged forward, striking the creature at the exact moment its shadow flickered backward. A bright pulse erupted from the impact, and the creature dissipated into fragments of darkness, scattering like smoke in the wind.
He stumbled back, breathless, but triumphant. "I… I did it."
Mira smiled faintly. "You did more than survive. You adapted. That is the first step toward mastering your powers."
Kian grinned. "Not bad for a rookie. But remember, that was just the first one. The real threats are coming—and they won't be so predictable."
Aarav's gaze fell to the glowing hourglass. Its sand now seemed to pulse in response to his heartbeat. He realized that each leap, each encounter, each trial would not only test his powers but also his mind, his courage, and his resolve.
Hours passed in training. Aarav practiced controlling small leaps, anchoring himself in different points of the day, observing moments from various timelines, and sensing the flow of events around him. Mira and Kian corrected his mistakes, guided his movements, and gradually, he felt less like a pawn and more like a player in the intricate game of time.
By the end of the day, exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Yet, for the first time, he felt a spark of hope. He could survive this world. He could uncover the truth about his father. And perhaps, just perhaps, he could wield time itself to set things right.
As the surreal sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in deep violet and crimson, Aarav held the hourglass in his hands. He looked at Mira and Kian.
"Tomorrow," he said with determination, "I want to attempt a bigger leap. I need to see the night my father died."
Mira's eyes darkened. "Be careful. That leap will be dangerous. The closer you get to critical moments in time, the stronger the resistance—the forces that protect history itself."
Kian's grin was wry. "And don't forget the creatures. Not all threats are visible. Some are shadows within shadows. Step wrong, and it could cost you more than just a few hours."
Aarav nodded, feeling the weight of his journey settle on his shoulders. He had taken his first real step toward mastering time, and with it, toward the truth about his father's death.
The night deepened, stars swirling in unnatural patterns above the city. Somewhere in the distance, shadows stirred, whispering promises and threats alike.
Aarav Sharma closed his eyes, gripping the hourglass tightly. Tomorrow, he would leap again. And this time, he would confront the moment that had haunted him for two long years.