Nick slowly opened his eyes.
The memory of blood and screams faded, replaced by the quiet castle lobby.
His gaze landed on a sword hanging on the wall.
A silver blade.
Sharp and polished despite its age.
A red dragon was engraved along its length, while the black wooden hilt carried marks from countless battles.
The same sword.
The sword he had used thirteen years ago.
The sword that had cut Moros's eye.
A small smile appeared on Nick's face.
Not a happy smile.
A determined one.
"One day..."
"I'll finish what I started."
---
Meanwhile, Eyrx's training continued.
Minutes turned into hours.
Hours turned into days.
The next morning, Eyrx sat in the same position on the training ground.
Eyes closed.
Breathing steady.
Trying.
Again and again.
But nothing happened.
Nick trained with Darven nearby while Vaeryn occasionally checked on Eyrx.
By evening, Eyrx finally opened his eyes.
His entire body ached.
"I got nothing."
He fell backward onto the grass.
Nick looked toward Vaeryn.
"You said he'd awaken it in two days."
Vaeryn crossed her arms.
"I did."
"And?"
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"I have a second plan."
Eyrx immediately sat up.
"I don't like that smile."
---
The next morning arrived.
According to Vaeryn, this was the final day.
The four of them gathered on the training ground.
The morning wind swept across the field.
Nick folded his arms.
"Alright."
"Tell us your second plan."
"Yeah," Eyrx agreed.
"Tell us before you accidentally kill me."
Vaeryn stretched lazily.
Then pointed at Nick.
"You know how to combine powers, right?"
Nick nodded.
"A little."
"Not perfectly."
"Good enough."
Eyrx frowned.
"Can someone explain this clearly?"
Vaeryn sighed dramatically.
"You have no patience."
Then her expression became serious.
"The first time your power awakened..."
She looked directly at Eyrx.
"You were close to death."
Realization appeared on Eyrx's face.
Then horror.
"No."
Vaeryn smiled.
"Yes."
Eyrx immediately stood up and backed away.
"No."
A blue chain shot from Vaeryn's hand and wrapped around his ankle.
"No!"
Nick raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about?"
Vaeryn answered casually.
"We almost kill him."
Silence.
Nick blinked.
"What?"
Eyrx pointed at her.
"See?!"
"I told you she wanted to kill me!"
Nick stared at Vaeryn.
"If he doesn't awaken..."
"He dies."
Vaeryn shrugged.
"If things go wrong."
Eyrx dropped onto the grass dramatically.
"Oh no."
"I am surrounded by lunatics."
"Everyone here is insane."
"You only care about your own benefits."
Vaeryn rolled her eyes.
"I'm a healer."
"If something goes wrong, I heal him."
"It's simple."
"I don't trust that!"
Nick smirked.
"Get ready."
"No!"
"We'll be here."
"No!"
"She'll heal you."
"I trust her."
"Well I don't!"
Darven suddenly spoke.
His calm voice cut through the argument.
"Eyrx."
Everyone looked at him.
"You said you wanted to find Grace."
Eyrx froze.
"You said you would risk your life for her."
The wind seemed to stop.
Darven's eyes remained steady.
"If you can't face this..."
"How will you survive the realms?"
"How will you find her?"
The words struck deeper than any punch.
Eyrx remained silent.
For several seconds.
Then slowly stood.
"...I'm ready."
Vaeryn immediately pointed at Darven.
"See?"
"You know exactly how to hit his heart."
Darven smiled slightly.
Eyrx groaned.
"Let's just get this over with."
--
The atmosphere changed.
No jokes.
No laughter.
Only tension.
Eyrx stood in the center of the training ground.
Vaeryn stood opposite him.
Nick remained nearby.
Darven watched from a safe distance.
The wind grew stronger.
Vaeryn raised her hand.
Blue chains exploded from the air.
CLANG!
One pierced through Eyrx's side.
Others wrapped around his arms and legs.
Pain shot through his body.
Eyrx fell to one knee.
A gasp escaped his mouth.
Then—
Nothing.
Silence.
For a brief moment.
BOOM!
A wave of green energy erupted from his body.
The grass bent outward.
The chains rattled violently.
Eyrx slowly rose to his feet.
His eyes glowed faintly green.
He wasn't fully conscious.
Vaeryn immediately shouted.
"Nick!"
"Now!"
Nick closed his eyes.
Red energy flowed around him.
His aura appeared calm compared to Eyrx's violent power.
He stepped forward.
Placed a hand on Eyrx's chest.
And instantly froze.
His eyes snapped open.
Shock filled his face.
Vaeryn frowned.
"What happened?"
Nick swallowed.
"This power..."
The pressure alone felt overwhelming.
Like standing beneath a collapsing mountain.
"It's enormous."
Vaeryn's expression hardened.
"Focus.
Nick nodded.
He closed his eyes once more.
Feeling Eyrx's energy.
Feeling his own.
Searching for balance.
Trying to connect them.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
Then suddenly—
The energies touched.
A bridge formed between them.
Nick stepped backward.
A portion of Eyrx's energy followed him.
The green aura weakened.
Eyrx's eyes regained clarity.
He looked around.
Confused.
Then touched his chest.
"...I'm alive?"
Vaeryn smiled.
"Good."
"Now control it."
Eyrx looked at the green energy surrounding the lower half of his body.
Only half remained.
But even that felt overwhelming.
He closed his eyes.
Focused.
Again.
And again.
Time passed.
The sun climbed higher.
Hours slipped by.
Nobody moved.
Nobody interrupted.
Only training.
Only concentration.
Then—
Eyrx opened his eyes.
A smile appeared on his face.
"I did it."
The energy around his legs moved exactly as he wanted.
Vaeryn grinned.
"Good."
Nick transferred another portion.
Eyrx repeated the process.
Again.
Again.
Again.
By sunset, sweat covered everyone's clothes.
Nick was exhausted.
"I can't take much more."
"This power is ridiculous."
Eyrx smirked proudly.
Vaeryn ignored him.
"Again."
The cycle continued until darkness covered the sky.
The moon rose above the castle.
And finally—
Eyrx stood alone.
All of his power had returned.
No chains.
No assistance.
No support.
Only him.
And the green energy flowing around his body.
Vaeryn folded her arms.
"So?"
Eyrx took a step forward.
Then another.
The energy remained stable.
A grin spread across his face.
"I did it."
Nick threw a punch toward him.
Instinctively, Eyrx reacted.
Too slowly.
Nick's fist stopped inches from his face.
"He can control it."
Nick lowered his hand.
"But he still fights like a turtle."
Eyrx frowned.
"Hey."
Vaeryn laughed.
"He needs combat training now."
Eyrx looked down at the green energy surrounding him.
Then another problem appeared.
"...How do I turn it off?"
Silence.
Everyone stopped.
Nick looked at Vaeryn.
Vaeryn looked at Darven.
Darven looked at Eyrx.
Moonlight shone across the training ground.
Nobody had an answer.
Eyrx's eye twitched.
"You're telling me..."
"I learned how to control it..."
"But nobody knows how to deactivate it?"
The silence became even more awkward.