Eight months.
That was how long it had been since Lioran and his companions had sealed themselves inside the dimensional containers—eight months of isolation, pain, pressure, and relentless training. For the outside world, time had moved forward in slow, ordinary steps. Seasons changed. Winds rose and fell. But inside the containers, time had stretched, twisted, and crushed those within it.
A long metallic corridor echoed with steady footsteps.
TAP… TAP… TAP…
Shourya and Skanda walked side by side, their figures illuminated by the pale blue glow of the dimensional chamber ahead. The air itself felt heavier the closer they got, as if the space was aware of what awaited them.
"It's already been eight months," Shourya said quietly, his hands clasped behind his back. "They haven't stepped out of their containers even once."
Skanda nodded, his eyes forward. "Yeah. Honestly, I didn't think they'd last this long."
Shourya exhaled slowly. "Do you think their training is complete?"
"When I checked a few days ago, they were doing fine," Skanda replied. "If I had to guess… today is the day."
Shourya frowned slightly. "Mastering Prāṇa-tability isn't easy. It usually takes at least a year. Sometimes two… even three."
A faint smirk appeared on Skanda's face. "Yeah. But I know someone who did it in just six months."
Shourya groaned. "I told you a hundred times—that was just a rumor."
Skanda chuckled. "Maybe. But I believe it. Because I know how much of a genius you really are."
"Enough," Shourya snapped, though there was no real anger in his voice. "Let's go see the results of their training."
"Hm," Skanda hummed in agreement.
They reached the massive doors of the dimensional chamber.
THOOOM—
The doors slid open, revealing rows of floating containers, each sealed in its own spatial boundary. Energy currents pulsed faintly around them like living veins.
"Let's visit Aishwarya's container first," Skanda said.
"No," Shourya replied instantly. "Not first. I'm not prepared."
Skanda burst out laughing. "Hahaha! What kind of grandfather needs to prepare before seeing his granddaughter?"
"I am not an ordinary grandfather," Shourya retorted seriously. "She's my cute little princess. I want her to see me as the world's best grandfather."
Skanda raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but she never does. She still calls you Gramps."
Shourya froze.
"…I know," he muttered, his shoulders slumping slightly. "But still."
"Suit yourself," Skanda said, already walking ahead. "I'm going in."
"Wait—!" Shourya sighed. "I'm coming."
Aishwarya — Flame Refined
The moment they stepped inside Aishwarya's container, heat washed over them.
FWOOOOSH—
Dozens of small fireballs floated in the air, circling a single figure at the center of the chamber.
Aishwarya.
She still was in that pose. Her once-short hair had grown longer, brushing her shoulders. The flames reflected in her calm eyes, making them glow like molten amber.
What once looked awkward now looked… powerful.
Suddenly, her expression sharpened.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One by one, the fireballs exploded.
Thick smoke swallowed the chamber.
"Cough! Cough!"
Her voice echoed through the haze.
As the smoke cleared, Aishwarya waved her hand irritably. "Tch—this smoke is disgusting. Now I'll have to take another shower."
She froze.
"…Oh."
Skanda and Shourya stood there, watching.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked.
"We came to see your training," Skanda said with a proud grin. "Looks like it's complete."
"Yeah," Aishwarya replied casually. "I finally learned it. Prāṇa-tability, I mean. And I created a few techniques using my fire attribute."
Shourya's eyes softened. "Well done, then let's check others"
She smiled—but only for a moment. "You two go ahead. I seriously need a shower."
"You don't want to see their results?" Skanda asked.
Aishwarya shook her head confidently. "I already know how it'll turn out."
Shourya nodded. "Alright. Let's go, Skanda."
"Hm."
As they left, Shourya glanced back once more, a quiet pride filling his chest.
Sharin — The Black Radiance
Sharin's container was… wrong.
The moment they entered, darkness swallowed everything.
No walls. No floor.
Just black.
Shourya raised his hand, making his Prāṇa glow.
FWOOM—
The light revealed thick black smoke filling the chamber. At the center, Sharin hovered in his pose, his entire body wrapped in darkness.
Shourya's breath caught. "Is that… his Prāṇa?"
"I've never seen anything like it," Skanda said slowly. "Black Prāṇa… especially with a light attribute. This shouldn't even match it."
"We still know so little about Prāṇa," Shourya muttered. "Especially light attributes. Every recorded user had different sub-attributes."
Suddenly—
SHIIK—
Sharin's eyes opened.
The smoke scattered violently.
WHOOSH!
He stood.
Lights turned on.
"So," Skanda said, breaking the silence. "Training complete?"
"Yeah," Sharin replied calmly. "It took longer than I expected."
"And Prāṇa-tability?" Shourya asked.
"I got it," Sharin said. "I'll show you later."
Skanda smiled. "Then let's check on Lioran."
Lioran — Frozen on the Edge of Death
The moment they entered Lioran's container—
WHOOOOOO—
A raging blizzard assaulted them.
"The weather's awful," Skanda shouted over the wind.
"Where is Lioran?" Shourya demanded.
They spotted a mound of snow in the distance.
As they approached—
Their blood ran cold.
"Lioran…" Sharin whispered. "Don't tell me…"
"Quick—remove the snow!" Shourya ordered.
They cleared it away.
Lioran was frozen solid inside ice, still locked in his training pose.
"LIORAN! NOOO!!" Sharin shouted.
"We have to melt it now!" Skanda yelled.
Shourya suddenly clicked button on the control panel.
BOOOOM—
The environment shifted instantly—blazing desert heat replaced the blizzard.
The ice cracked.
CRRRRAACK—
It melted.
Lioran collapsed to the ground—then suddenly gasped.
"Gah—! I thought I died."
Shourya grabbed him by the collar. "You idiot! Do you know what would've happened if we were late?!"
He scolded him relentlessly.
After a while, Lioran smiled weakly. "Sorry… but my training's complete."
Shourya paused.
"…Oh. Nice."
Skanda stepped forward. "That's great. Because I have a mission for you."
Lioran looked up. "What kind of mission?"
Skanda's eyes darkened.
"Tell me," he said slowly. "Do you want revenge?"
TO BE CONTINUED...