It had been five days since the Abbot's death, and the village was still struggling to recover from the devastation. Ash coated rooftops, broken beams lay scattered across pathways, and the once-calm air of Ishu Chu now carried only tension.
Silas and Dre stood quietly in their room. It had been four days since they'd last seen Killian. Rumors whispered through the village that he had locked himself inside the Abbot's personal training room. Explosions had been echoing from deep underground ever since.
"I think we should check on him, Silas. Maybe he's hurt down there," Dre said, worry tightening his voice.
The two headed toward the staircase that spiraled downward. They could hear the booming even from the top step. As they descended, each explosion grew louder, shaking the stone beneath their feet.
"He's going pretty hard down there," Silas said. "I'm sure he's fine physically... but mentally? That's what worries me."
When they finally stepped into the training chamber, both boys froze.
Killian was smiling.
Not faintly. Not forced. He looked alive, blazing with purpose.
He had allowed the wooden dummies to multiply until the room was filled with nearly two hundred of them. Splinters and scorch marks lined the walls. The air shimmered with residual heat.
"He's crazy," Silas muttered, though he sounded more impressed than anything.
"I'd rather him be like this than moping around refusing to talk," Dre replied.
"Fair."
Killian sprinted across the room, not even at full speed, weaving between strikes like a dancer. He transitioned from one magic to the next so effortlessly it looked like instinct: wind launching him skyward, lightning crackling from his fingertips, spears of fire igniting mid-air before drilling into dummies below.
But the finale was something else entirely.
Killian summoned a pillar of spiraling wind intertwined with roaring flame. Then he ran around the room, creating a vortex that swept the dummies off their feet and dragged them toward the pillar. As Killian ran faster, the vortex expanded, transforming into a tornado of fire that consumed everything inside it.
By the time he stopped, breathing hard, only a wide circle of ash remained.
He looked up just as his friends rushed toward him.
They greeted him with relieved smiles and tight hugs, and for the first time in days, Killian felt steady.
"Listen guys, I've been thinking. Those people know our village is vulnerable and they'll definitely want to take advantage of that. We need to take the fight to them before they come to us," Killian said once they'd settled. "Not just for revenge. They think we're weakened. They'll attack soon, and we can't sit here waiting."
"I know," Silas said. "But we should help the village first. Look at this place... they need us."
"We'll help them now," Killian agreed, "but after that, we go to Liwei. He needs to prepare every monk for battle."
Dre grinned. "Glad to see you're back, man, and already making plans."
The boys spent the rest of the day repairing rooftops, rebuilding walls, clearing debris, and comforting families who had lost everything. Exhausted but determined, they met with Liwei Zhang that evening.
"What did you need to discuss?" Liwei asked, folding his arms.
Silas and Dre nudged Killian forward.
"I believe we need to prepare for a second attack," Killian began. "Or rather... we need to strike first. Ihuoin Mechu knows we're vulnerable. If we don't act while they're unprepared, they'll destroy us."
Liwei nodded slowly. "I know. I've already spoken to my men and begun preparations. This cannot go unanswered. I will avenge the Abbot."
Silas leaned forward, curiosity burning. "Dre and I have been wondering... who exactly were the people who attacked us?"
Liwei's expression hardened. His voice dropped.
"They are warriors of Ihuoin Mechu, our ancient enemies. Our history with them goes back generations. Ihuoin Mechu tried to seize this forest long ago, only to discover Ishu Chu already lived here. They sought to wipe us out."
He paused, anger tightening his jaw.
"The war lasted a lifetime. Everything changed when Emperor Kai Zhao gained power. Kai Zhao and his brother Jing Zhao, masters of fire and wind, nearly erased us. Kai slaughtered countless people. Jing... eventually stood against him."
Silas and Dre exchanged shocked looks.
"Jing?" Dre asked quietly.
"Yes," Liwei continued. "Kai cut his brother's eyes during the uprising, but even blind, Jing fought back with wind magic. He helped our ancestors survive until Ihuoin Mechu retreated. When Jing was banished, the Abbot welcomed him. Jing disowned his family and trained under the Abbot until he, too, became Abbot."
"So, he used to be one of them..." Dre murmured. "That actually sounds like him, doing the right thing even when it costs everything."
Liwei nodded once. "As for the assassin who killed him... his name is Weilong Zhao. Kai's son. Jing's nephew. Ruthless. Hungry for power. Killing Jing earns him favor among his people."
Dre threw his hands on his head. "Wait, he killed his own uncle?!"
Silas stared at the floor, stunned.
Killian clenched his fists. "How could someone be so heartless? How thirsty for power do you have to be to kill your own family? We have to stop them. Not just for the timing, but to avenge the Abbot."
Liwei finally allowed a small smile as he prepared to speak.
"Tomorrow, some of our strongest warrior monks return from Gevin. They are good friends of mine. It will be perfect timing. We'll attack once they rest and regain their strength. Tomorrow, we host a celebration, to lift spirits and honor their return."
Dismissed, the boys stepped out into the evening air, each lost in thought.
As they walked, Killian glanced toward the trees overlooking the village.
"Come on," he said. "There's something I want to show you, the view Dre missed that first night."
And deep inside, Killian felt the weight of another truth. A secret he had carried since the trial.
A secret he knew he could no longer hide.