CHAPTER 4
AWAKENING OF THE FIST PHASE**
Kael breathed deeply—fearful, but determined.
His real training had finally begun.
Master Rokan stepped back, folding his arms as the wind shifted through the clearing behind the training grounds. The faint shimmer of astral particles still clung to Kael's skin, like stardust refusing to leave him.
"Kael," Rokan said, voice lowered, "before you can wield the Astral Core, before you can even dream of controlling it… you must first awaken the Fist Phase."
Kael swallowed. "What… what is the Fist Phase?"
Rokan raised one finger.
"A warrior's strength is divided into four internal gates. The Fist Phase is the first. The foundation. Without it, your power will tear your body apart. It teaches you how to root strength into your limbs—how to channel energy correctly without exploding from within."
Kael tensed. "Exploding?"
Rokan nodded casually as if discussing weather.
"If you make a mistake, your fist may detonate. Or your bones might crumble. Or your heart might—"
"Okay, okay!" Kael waved both hands, pale. "I understand."
But Rokan's expression softened.
"Don't fear it. You were born for this."
Kael looked down at his hands… his mother once told him his fists were "too small to cause trouble." Now they trembled with a strange glow—barely visible, faint blue veins of energy pulsing under his skin.
"Stand in the Astral Root Stance," Rokan instructed.
Kael spread his feet apart, lowering his center of gravity. His body wobbled.
Rokan shook his head. "Again."
Kael corrected it.
"Lower. Firmer. Let the earth feel you."
Kael lowered more… his legs trembled like dry twigs.
"Again."
Again.
Again.
Hours passed. Sweat dripped, mixed with dust. His legs burned as if hot irons branded his muscles. His arms shook violently each time he tried to tighten his fists.
"R…Rokan…" Kael gasped. "I can't feel my legs…"
"Good," Rokan replied calmly. "That means you're learning."
Kael looked up, betrayed. "How is that good!?"
Rokan tapped Kael's forehead.
"Because your body is rejecting weakness."
Kael clenched his teeth. He didn't want to fall. He didn't want to disappoint Rokan again. He wanted to become strong—strong enough to protect his mother, his dying village, and himself.
He breathed in, feeling the cold wind sting his lungs.
Boom—
A faint pulse burst from Kael's chest. His eyes widened as blue light surged along his arms for a split second.
"I—I felt something!"
Rokan nodded. "That is the Astral Core responding. Good. But do not force it."
"I'm not! It just—"
Suddenly, a sharp crack split the air.
CRACK!
Kael collapsed, clutching his arm.
"I felt like… my bone snapped."
"It did," Rokan said.
Kael screamed. "WHAAAT?!"
Rokan crouched beside him, placing two fingers on Kael's forearm. A gentle wave of energy passed through.
The bone realigned itself, glowing faintly as it repaired.
Kael gasped. "You healed it?"
"No," Rokan corrected, "your Astral Core healed it. I only guided it."
Kael froze—astonished.
Rokan stood. "Again."
Kael's face twisted. "Again!?? I just broke my arm!"
"And next time," Rokan said, "you must make sure it doesn't."
Kael forced himself up, shaking, drenched in sweat, muscles screaming. But he set his feet in the Astral Root Stance again.
His breath steadied.
His fists tightened.
Sweat dripped to the dirt.
And then—
BOOM.
A second pulse shot through him, stronger, steadier. His fist glowed like a star being born.
Rokan's eyes sharpened. That's it… he's awakening faster than I expected.
Kael exhaled slowly, watching the glow fade.
"My fist… it feels hot… no, alive."
"That," Rokan said, stepping closer, "is the beginning of the Fist Phase. From this moment forward… your fists are no longer ordinary."
Kael stared at his hand in awe.
"Does this mean I can finally fight back?" he whispered.
Rokan's expression darkened, but pride flickered in his eyes.
"Not yet. But you can learn to strike without dying."
Kael nodded.
He didn't care how long it took. He didn't care how much pain he had to endure.
Because for the first time in his life—
he could feel power.
Real, terrifying power…
…awakening inside him.