CHAPTER 8: THE FIRST TRIAL AT THE WATERFALL
Kai practically vibrated with restless energy. "Let's begin right away!" he cried, spirit energy flickering eagerly at his fingertips.
The old man remained an unmoved pillar of calm. "Patience, novice. Our destination is ahead—the Waterfall Valley. There, the air is thicker, the pressure is greater, and the very flow of spirit is denser. It will test your endurance as much as your skill. That is our training ground."
They journeyed onward. When they reached the valley's entrance, the atmosphere itself stole Kai's breath. A heavy mist hung in the air, charged with the thunderous roar of cascading water. Icy spray stung their skin, and a palpable humidity pressed down on them.
"This place…" Kai breathed, his voice nearly lost in the din.
"Yes," the old man confirmed. "The dense air and pressure will be your first opponents. But first, a simple spar. I must gauge your current limits."
Kai planted his feet, grounding himself. White spirit energy swirled and condensed in his palm, forming a tight, brilliant sphere. "Spirit Fist!" he roared, launching himself forward.
The old man observed with quiet appraisal. Impressive. He's already learned to consolidate his power.
The energized fist shot toward its target like a bolt of lightning. "Got you!" Kai shouted in triumph.
In the space of a blink, the old man vanished, reappearing directly behind him. With a motion no more forceful than a sigh, he pressed the heel of his palm into the center of Kai's back. Kai crumpled to the stone floor, gasping for air and utterly bewildered.
"Hey!" Kai protested, scrambling back to his feet. "What kind of speed was that?"
"This," the old man answered serenely, "was one percent of my power."
Kai's eyes widened in disbelief. "One percent?! That's impossible!"
"Consider the alternative," the old man replied with a dry smile. "You are fortunate to be trained by someone who can show you such heights."
The remark, though humbling, steadied Kai's resolve. "Alright. Again."
They reset. This time, Kai moved with more caution and foresight. He unleashed another Spirit Fist, only to find the old man had once again slipped behind him. But Kai was ready. He pivoted on his heel, using his own momentum to spin and strike back in one fluid, relentless motion.
"Spirit Fist!"
A flicker of genuine surprise crossed the old man's features. Only the second exchange, and he adapts this quickly? The raw potential was undeniable. He deflected the blow with ease, allowing Kai's energy to dissipate harmlessly past him.
"Well done, Kai. Maintain this progress. Complete the five trainings, and you will become formidable," the old man praised.
He then straightened, his demeanor shifting. "Now, I will use ten percent of my power—equivalent to the force that neutralized the hunter you faced."
A thread of fear tightened Kai's voice. "What? Are you trying to kill me?"
"Control your fear. This is the next stage of your training. Survive this, and you will be halfway through your first trial. Are you ready?"
Kai squared his shoulders, a stubborn grin breaking through his apprehension. "I'm ready, old man. Do your worst."
The old man extended his hands. "Light Burst!"
A torrent of concentrated sunlight erupted from his palms, a miniature star born in the confines of the valley. Kai could only stare, paralyzed by the sheer, overwhelming intensity of the attack.
"Defend yourself!" the old man commanded, his voice sharp.
For a critical second, Kai was frozen. A flash of concern crossed the old man's face. Did I misjudge? Kai!
Then, without any conscious thought from Kai, a shroud of pure white energy erupted around him, forming a protective dome. It met the full force of the Light Burst head-on, absorbing the cataclysmic energy and dissolving it into harmless light.
The old man stared, his astonishment plain. "Already? An automatic defense..."
Kai came back to himself, his body trembling from the adrenaline and the residual energy. "What... what just happened?"
"You defended," the old man said, his voice a mix of awe and pride. "You repelled the attack."
"Me? No—I didn't do anything!" Kai insisted, utterly baffled.
"The power within you possesses its own instinct for preservation," the old man explained. "It is a part of you, and it does not wish to be extinguished. This is a promising sign." A pleased smile touched his lips. "If you commit fully to this path, by the fifth stage you will learn to command that instinct, not just be protected by it. You may even forge a unique ultimate technique born entirely of your own will."
"That is enough for now. I have seen your potential—and it is considerable." The old man's tone became practical once more. "Your next task is to complete the remainder of the first stage: Breath and Flow. Succeed, and you will have passed your first major trial."
Kai stood tall, determination hardening his features. "Then let's get started."
The old man gave a nod of approval. "Your eagerness will serve you well, Kai. It is one reason I chose you."
Kai's curiosity was piqued. "What reason? Tell me."
The old man chuckled softly. "Do you recall the essence of Stage One?"
"Of course," Kai replied. "Breath and Flow. To sense the spirit energy within and around me, and to synchronize my breath with its rhythm."
"Precisely. And as I said, everything here is dense. Even the simple act of breathing is a trial."
Kai interjected, slightly embarrassed. "When we clashed, I almost passed out from the strain."
"That is to be expected," the old man said. "You must acclimate. It will take at least a week. For the first three days, you will sit upon that ledge—" he pointed to a narrow, spray-slicked rock outcrop overlooking the raging waterfall "—and you will not sleep."
"No sleep?" Kai blurted out. "How is that even possible?"
"Through mastery of breath," the old man stated firmly. "If you fall, the regimen extends by a day. Do not fear the drop; the pool below is deep, and your spirit likely will not let you perish. But if you fail, the trial is prolonged. If you endure the three days, you will have achieved fundamental control over your life force."
"And spirit control?" Kai asked. "How do I train for that?"
The old man retrieved a dark, oddly textured stone from beneath a ledge. Its surface was scarred and looked impossibly hard. "This stone is nearly unbreakable by conventional means. If, by the end of this week, you can shatter it with a single, focused strike, you will have learned to command your spirit, not just harbor it."
"You expect me to break that in one week?" Kai let out a disbelieving half-laugh. "No pressure at all."
"You must accomplish this, Kai," the old man's voice was grave. "Your survival in this world depends on it."
Kai's voice grew quiet. "The World Government is hunting me."
"They are not the only ones," the old man added, his expression darkening.
Kai's brow furrowed. "There are others?"
The old man's eyes grew hard as he listed the threats. "Beyond the World Government, there are the Hükümran, the Hunter Association, the Assassin's Guild, and the great kingdoms themselves—should they learn of your existence, they will all seek to control or eliminate you. Then there are the powerful pirate fleets, and the most unpredictable of all: the Independents."
"I've never heard of the Independents," Kai admitted.
"Then listen closely," the old man said. "Independents bow to no flag and serve no master. They are singular forces of nature, acting on whim and immense power. They are profoundly dangerous. Trust no one lightly."
Kai felt his resolve crystallize. The path ahead was terrifying, but it was his path. "Then there's no time to waste. Let's begin."
Nexan Kingdom — Domain of Hükümran Impernos
Deep within the Nexan citadel, a royal messenger knelt before a throne of obsidian and cold-forged iron. The figure upon it, draped in black silks and an aura of menace, was Impernos. He rose slowly as the news was delivered.
"So, the rumors are true," Impernos murmured, a predator's smile slicing across his features. "The Twin Stars have returned to the world. If I can seize but one... entire kingdoms will bend to my will. The world itself will have no choice but to bow."
Narrator's Note:
This world is divided among five great kingdoms, each a sprawling empire of dozens of vassal states. Most pledge allegiance to the World Government—all but one.
The Ielian Kingdom: A land of eternal summer, protected by near-impenetrable borders and a legendary guardian.
The Ashura Kingdom: A vast expanse of deserts and scorching heat, which grew rich and powerful through merciless warfare and shrewd trade.
The Ice Kingdom: A frozen realm ruled by a reclusive king who operates as he pleases, his ties to the World Government be damned.
The Hortex Kingdom: The only realm to experience all four seasons. It is the center of technological advancement and hosts the sacred soil of Rio, where the Five Great Elders of the World Government reside.
The Nexan Kingdom: After the last great war, it seceded from the World Government and remains fiercely independent. It is a haven for lawlessness, where crime flourishes and the dreaded Hükümran have their strongest hold.
On a windswept cliff overlooking the desolate plains that led to Nexan, a lone figure stood. Morde gazed at the kingdom's jagged silhouette on the horizon, his dark eyes narrowed. A faint, knowing smile touched his lips as he exhaled.
"Nexan at last," he murmured to the howling wind. "Now, it's time to find what I'm looking for..."