It was morning. The first pale light of dawn filtered through the narrow slits of the underground bunker, painting long streaks on the polished Sual floor. Nathaniel and Eddy were following their daily routine: a 5:00–6:00 AM jogging session, followed by breakfast at 6:30 AM. The air in the bunker smelled faintly of metal and oil, a clean, mechanical scent that reminded Nathaniel of the precision and power surrounding him. Every morning, he felt the vibrations of the machinery beneath the floor, subtle but constant, as if the bunker itself were alive, waiting for them to awaken.
The silence between their footsteps was punctuated by the distant hum of the ventilation system and the faint buzz of the energy panels embedded in the walls. Nathaniel always thought the place breathed like a giant beast—calm, patient, and unyielding. Sometimes, when he lay awake at night, he imagined the bunker speaking to him, whispering secrets through the vibrations, urging him to become stronger.
They were training in their underground base, a fortress built from Sual, a metal whose solidity surpassed that of raw diamond. Its walls reflected a dim, bluish glow from the embedded energy panels, casting long shadows along the corridors and making the room feel larger than it actually was. The bunker was a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with the latest technology and training equipment. From holographic targets for combat practice to energy simulators that reacted to even the slightest fluctuation of aura, everything in the space was designed to push a young warrior to his limits.
Sometimes, Nathaniel would stand still in the middle of the room, staring at the holographic dummies that shimmered into existence with a simple voice command. He imagined himself striking them down with waves of power, explosions lighting up the metallic walls, his name echoing through the chambers like thunder. The thought always made his heart pound, even if reality reminded him he was still only a boy learning the basics.
Eddy spoke to Nathaniel, his voice calm but tinged with excitement. "So, as I told you yesterday, you've become strong enough for me to explain the basics of energy. You're ready to learn how to control your powers."
Nathaniel's small chest puffed up with enthusiasm, his dark eyes shining with anticipation. "That's great! I'm eager to launch energy waves and create explosions!"
Eddy chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through the bunker like a gentle echo against the metal walls. His laughter carried a warmth that contrasted with the cold, mechanical environment. "Ah, but it'll be child's play for you once you master your Xenos!"
The word struck Nathaniel like a spark. He tilted his head, curiosity bright in his young eyes. "Xenos? What's that?"
Eddy's eyes sparkled as he began to explain, and Nathaniel could feel the weight of the lesson about to unfold. His mentor's tone shifted, becoming slower, deliberate, as though each word carried centuries of knowledge. "In our world, there are several types of energy sources: magic, Xenos, ether… There are probably more, but knowing these three types of energy, the others are likely just derivatives."
He paused for a moment, letting Nathaniel digest the words, before continuing. "Magic is unique to humans. It allows us to manipulate the four elements: water, fire, earth, and air. Each human has at least one affinity with one of these elements. Magic is used for purification, growth, resurrection… It encompasses everything that is good, pure, and develops beings."
Nathaniel's eyes widened as he tried to imagine the invisible threads of magic stretching from one element to another, twisting through air and water, igniting fires in imagination. His young mind conjured visions of rivers bending to a mage's will, forests blooming in a single night, or flames dancing in graceful arcs above outstretched palms. He whispered almost dreamily, "So humans can create life?"
Eddy nodded gently. "In a sense, yes. A skilled mage can accelerate growth, heal wounds, or purify corrupted lands. There was once a woman who restored an entire village struck by plague, breathing health back into dozens of souls with her magic. That is the true essence of it: creation and renewal."
Nathaniel felt his heartbeat quicken, both with admiration and envy. To heal with a touch, to give instead of take—that sounded beautiful.
Eddy continued, his voice low but filled with authority. "Magic is a powerful force, but it's not the only one. Xenos, on the other hand, is a bit different. It's mainly associated with demons… Xenos is a powerful and malevolent energy. It embodies destruction, explosions, death… basically everything that lurks on the darker side of existence."
Nathaniel listened intently, his mind painting violent, chaotic images: firestorms consuming cities, shadows ripping apart the ground, crimson waves of energy tearing through battlefields. The images both terrified and thrilled him, like watching lightning strike too close yet being unable to look away. He interrupted, almost whispering, "So, I'm a demon?"
Eddy shook his head, leaning closer so that his gaze could meet Nathaniel's. His eyes softened, but his tone carried weight. "You're not human… nor demon. I don't sense any dark energy coming from you, but I do sense Xenos within your soul. Energies are found within our souls. If I can perceive your soul, I can perceive these energies."
Nathaniel felt a shiver run down his spine as Eddy's eyes seemed to bore into him, scanning, measuring, searching for something buried deep within his being. The sensation was overwhelming but exhilarating, a mix of fear and awe that made his small hands curl into fists.
"You have a significant amount of magic and Xenos that hasn't taken shape yet. That's why I said that once you master your Xenos, it'll be child's play." Eddy's tone was calm, but the weight behind his words made Nathaniel feel the gravity of his potential.
"There are humans who possess Xenos, but they're rare and often very powerful. Xenos is associated with demons due to its dark nature. However, a human who's evil enough could also develop Xenos," Eddy continued, pacing slowly around Nathaniel, as if the floor itself were part of his lesson. His footsteps echoed faintly, each step marking the rhythm of the revelation.
Nathaniel tried to imagine what it would feel like to control Xenos, to shape it, to wield it as if it were an extension of himself. The thought sent an electric thrill through his body, making the hair on his arms stand on end. For a fleeting second, he imagined himself unleashing a storm of destruction, his enemies trembling before the raw force of his power. Then, almost guiltily, he wondered if Eddy would still look at him with the same warmth.
Eddy paused, taking a deep breath, as if the very air contained the energy he was about to share. "The last type of energy is ether. It's spiritual energy and encompasses everything that's spiritual. By manipulating ether, we can see information about an opponent's soul, touch souls like ghosts, listen to what they say… Ether touches everything that's not physical. We can even destroy souls if we reach a good level of understanding."
The word "destroy" made Nathaniel blink. He didn't fully understand it, yet he felt its weight. His mind pictured invisible threads connecting beings, fragile strands that could be plucked apart or strengthened, and a cold awareness that power always came with responsibility. For the first time, he realized that not all strength was meant for combat—some powers touched the very essence of existence.
Eddy's gaze hardened slightly. "Ether is dangerous not because of its destructive capacity, but because it touches truth. Lies cannot stand against it. When you peer into someone's soul, you see them stripped bare—every fear, every hope, every crime. Imagine what such knowledge could do in the wrong hands."
Nathaniel shuddered. To glimpse someone's soul sounded almost invasive, like reading a diary written in blood and tears. And yet, the idea fascinated him. He wondered if one day he would see his own soul that way, to understand what truly made him different.
Eddy concluded, his voice steady and assuring, "These are the three main types of energy you should know. There are levels of mastery for each type of energy, but at school, we'll be able to structure your learning better. You'll learn how to control your powers, how to use magic, Xenos, and ether. You'll become a powerful warrior, capable of facing any challenge that comes your way."
Nathaniel nodded slowly, absorbing each word as if they were droplets filling an empty vessel. Around them, the bunker hummed with a quiet energy, the machinery and metal responding faintly to the aura Nathaniel did not yet fully understand. The day stretched ahead, long and bright with promise, filled with exercises, lessons, and the slow awakening of the powers within him. Every shadow, every glint of metal, seemed to pulse with hidden meaning, a constant reminder that his journey was only beginning.
He clenched his fists once more, a silent vow forming in his heart: whatever his soul contained—magic, Xenos, ether—he would master it. Not for destruction, not for glory, but to discover the truth of who he truly was.