The boys woke early, the faint gray light of morning creeping through the inn's window.
Daniel stretched and sat up. "I'm going to walk around town. See if anything looks suspicious."
Amari nodded immediately. "I'm coming with you. We stay together. Something about this place doesn't sit right with me."
Daniel grabbed his jacket. "Yeah. You're right. We can't let our guard down."
They stepped outside—and the village felt wrong.
No voices.
No footsteps.
No movement.
Only the faint chirping of crickets echoed through the empty streets.
Amari narrowed his eyes. "It's way too quiet."
Daniel scanned the buildings. "Where is everyone?"
"I don't know," Amari said calmly, "and I don't want to find out the hard way. Let's focus on training."
Daniel nodded. "Agreed."
After walking the empty town with no sign of life, Sam's voice came through the earpiece.
"Are you two ready for today's training?"
"Yeah," they said in unison.
"Good," Sam replied. "Today you fight blindfolded. Like I told you—this won't be easy."
Sam guided them to an open field outside the village. The wind brushed across the grass as the boys pulled blindfolds from their packs.
Amari smirked. "We'll warm up first. You go on offense. I'll defend."
Daniel tied the blindfold around his eyes. "Sounds good."
The world went dark.
Daniel slowed his breathing and focused. His essence spread outward—and suddenly, Amari appeared in his mind like a heat signature, glowing with energy.
"I see you," Daniel said calmly. "Let's go."
Daniel rushed forward, fists flying. Amari blocked every strike, each impact sharp and controlled.
Daniel heard Sam's voice. "Don't rush. Feel. React."
"Got it," Daniel muttered.
Daniel dropped low, sweeping Amari's leg. Amari stumbled but caught himself—then grabbed Daniel's leg and pulled.
Both hit the ground—but rolled back to their feet instantly.
Then Daniel stopped moving.
Amari frowned. "Why are you just standing there—"
BOOM.
An invisible force slammed into Amari's chest, sending him skidding backward.
Daniel smirked. "You forgot I had that move."
Amari groaned as he stood. "Yeah… that one still hurts. What's it called again?"
Daniel thought for a second. "Didn't name it yet… but I will. Air Fist."
Amari smiled. "Creative. I like it. Now stop talking—let's fight."
Daniel's essence surged.
Amari's eyes widened slightly. "I can feel it. You're stronger."
"I know," Daniel said calmly.
Daniel dashed forward, wind ripping through the field as rocks and dirt kicked up behind him. His punch slammed into Amari's guard, pushing him back.
A left hook—blocked.
A fake.
Daniel went low with a kick, but Amari jumped over it. Daniel followed up with rapid body blows, each strike powered by controlled essence.
Just as Daniel moved in to finish—
"That's enough," Sam said. "Switch."
Daniel removed the blindfold and handed it to Amari.
Amari exhaled. "Good job. If Sam hadn't stopped us, you would've had me."
Daniel shrugged. "Nothing special. Ever since we learned essence control, everything feels sharper."
Amari nodded. "That's true. Thanks, Sam."
"No problem," Sam replied. "Your turn, Amari."
Amari tied the blindfold on.
The world disappeared—but his essence lit everything up.
Without hesitation, Amari fired green beams forward. Daniel dodged with lightning speed.
Amari dashed in, throwing a punch—Daniel vanished.
Amari blasted the ground beneath him, launching himself into the air. He twisted mid-flight and fired a beam into Daniel's side.
Daniel rolled away as Amari landed.
"I'm not done," Amari said calmly.
His essence flared violently.
"This is my final move."
Green energy spiraled around him.
"Green Dragon."
A massive dragon-shaped beam formed behind him, roaring forward.
Daniel braced himself, essence exploding around his fists.
The dragon collided with Daniel's counter—
BOOOOM.
The shockwave flattened the field.
Both brothers were thrown back.
Amari ripped the blindfold off and rushed over. "Daniel! You okay?!"
Daniel groaned, then smirked. "Yeah… I'm fine. Just stings a little."
"I didn't mean to—"
Daniel cut him off. "Don't apologize. Training and fighting mean pain. That's how we grow."
Before Amari could respond—
Clap… clap… clap…
A slow applause echoed behind them.
"Aww," a man's voice said. "Isn't this cute."
Amari and Daniel turned at the same time.
They didn't know who he was—
But both felt it.
Something was very wrong.