Chapter 26 – Art of Failure.
Nyra sat cross‑legged, fire flickering faintly at her fists, her breath steady like meditation. Damon slowed as he approached, watching the glow pulse in rhythm with her concentration.
She rose suddenly, eyes bright.
"I can fly."
Damon tilted his head, amusement tugging at his mouth.
"Show me."
Her fists ignited, flames licking up her arms. Her legs followed, fire wrapping tight until her whole body shimmered in heat. She lifted, black shirt loose against her frame, leggings taut against her knees, rising into the air on streams of flame.
Damon's lips curved into a grin, his sister's determination written across her face. But then the fire faltered. She dropped, disappointment etched in her eyes — not fear. She knew he'd catch her. He did, arms steady, lowering her gently.
Her frustration burned hotter than the flames.
"I've been practicing since we stepped in. I don't even know if my bond will fly when I get one."
Damon's smile widened.
"That was just a couple hours ago. You get frustrated too easily. Do you intend to give up so easily?"
She frowned.
"If you stop training after a couple hours, that's fine. But you'll look back and wonder why you didn't try harder. Don't stop."
A voice cut in behind them.
"Wow. I wish I had a big brother."
They turned. His hair was golden‑brown, tied loosely, eyes glowing amber. Worn robes, faint sigils stitched into the fabric.
Nyra crossed her arms, smirking.
"I'm not sharing."
She gestured.
"Damon, meet Solaren. He'll be one of your Light tutors."
Damon hesitated, then extended his hand. Solaren's grip was firm, normal compared to Draven's crushing strength.
"I thought there were three," Damon said.
Solaren pointed toward a woman. Long dark hair braided over one shoulder, eyes luminous white. Elegant robes shimmered with faint threads. She waved, Damon returned it, and she turned back to teaching a soldier how to shape a sphere of light.
"That's Serenya," Solaren said. "She's at the Aegis stage."
Damon's gaze shifted again. An older man stood nearby, silver hair cropped short, steel in his eyes, simple robes hanging with authority. He noticed their attention, gave Damon a respectful nod.
"That's Caelith," Solaren added. "Also Aegis."
Damon asked, "And you?"
Solaren brushed his hair back, trying for elegance.
"Crest stage, of course."
Nyra leaned close, whispering into Damon's ear, standing on her toes.
"He's not. He's Aegis. Some would even argue weaker."
Solaren snapped, half comedic, half angry.
"I heard that!"
Nyra giggled. "I've got to meet mine, then see Zarnek for my project." She slipped away.
Solaren turned back to Damon.
"Well. Let's get down to business."
He asked, "What has Earth taught you about light?"
Damon thought, then answered.
"Well, we know light is extremely fast. We also use lightyears to measure the distance it travels in a year."
Solaren chuckled.
"The Queen did say you were what Earth calls a nerd. I don't know what lightyears are, but you're right about the speed."
A glint of metal flashed toward Damon's face. He noticed too late. Solaren's hand snapped up, catching it. A soldier stammered an apology.
Solaren smiled.
"Perfect."
Damon blinked.
"Huh?"
"Light itself is fast. For an Eterna user with affinity to light, mastery means moving at its speed — or faster. Bravira, for example, is a master."
Damon's eyes narrowed.
"So she's Sovereign?"
Solaren shook his head.
"No. The tigress is lethal, but she's only at the Aeon stage. Sovereign is rare. Currently, only the Queen is at that stage in Woewyn."
Damon swallowed, thoughts racing. So that's why Bravira and the others obey her every word. My mother's been putting up with my nonsense all this time.
Solaren's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Trust me. The Queen can be harsher than Bravira when she wants to."
Damon exhaled slowly.
"Okay. Let's see what our Prince can do with light."
Damon lit his fist.
"How did you learn that?" Solaren asked.
"Gradually. Fighting a demon."
Solaren nodded.
"Good. Now I'll teach you how to source any part of your body."
Damon dimmed the glow, uncertain. Solaren gestured toward the wall, runes flaring into a projection. Three paused videos of Damon's fights appeared.
"You were watching me? Even when I went back to Earth?"
"Yes. We needed to plan a training routine."
The first fight played. Damon's awakening. Eterna settling in his body. The bike scene — front tyre raised against bullets.
"See the problem?" Solaren asked.
Damon nodded.
"I got lucky none hit me."
The explosion sent Damon flying back. Solaren paused.
"From this, we know your defense needs work."
"So how do I get better defense?" Damon asked.
"Radiant Veil."
Damon frowned.
"What?"
Solaren lit his palm.
"Punch me. Once without Eterna. Once with."
Damon struck. The first punch landed heavy, Solaren unmoved. The second, with Eterna, pushed his hand back.
"Defense," Solaren said, "means light absorbing force, spreading it across your body."
Damon's eyes narrowed.
"What if I cover my whole body?"
"Then it drains into the ground, depending on the attack."
Solaren's body flared, blinding white. Damon shielded his eyes, too late. A punch came from above — Damon blocked. The second never touched him, but the air cracked, pressure slamming him back.
Damon staggered, grin breaking through.
"You blinded me so I wouldn't see the real attack. Kinda like I did with Ragnar."
Solaren's brows lifted.
"You fought Ragnar? Who won?"
"I did. Only because I used my brains."
Satisfaction flickered across Solaren's face. He walked towards Damon.
"Focus," he said, walking closer. "Feel the light. Let it flow around you, inside you, on you."
Damon closed his eyes. His fists lit. The glow dimmed, spread to his elbows, then back to his hands.
"Hold it," Solaren said.
Damon steadied, relaxed. The light spread across his body, dim at first, then brighter. Soldiers turned, watching. The glow intensified, Solaren shielding his eyes. Damon stood calm, concentration perfect, light stable.
Solaren lowered his arm, smiling.
"Well. My student's a prodigy."
"Reduce it," he said.
Damon opened his eyes, still holding the light.
"Ermm… how?"
"The same way you do with your hands."
Damon tried. His fists dimmed, but the rest blazed on. Soldiers muttered.
Solaren stepped forward, tapped two points on Damon's neck. The light vanished instantly.
Damon touched his neck.
"How did you—"
Solaren cut him off.
"I'm not the combat tutor. I'll teach you later."
He placed a hand on Damon's shoulder, another on his own waist, eyes closed, smile faint.
"Well done, kid. You failed."