The forest swallowed them whole.
Tall trees blocked the moonlight, their shadows stretching like claws across the narrow path. Arin followed Rudra in silence, his thoughts heavy, his arm still faintly burning beneath his sleeve.
They stopped beside a small clearing.
"Sit," Rudra said.
Arin obeyed without question.
Rudra struck the ground with his staff again.
"Close your eyes."
Arin did.
"Chakra is not strength," Rudra said calmly. "It is awareness. Every human has it, but most never listen."
The air around them thickened.
"Feel your heartbeat," Rudra continued. "Not with your ears. With your will."
Arin clenched his jaw. He focused.
At first—nothing.
Then warmth.
A steady rhythm beneath his chest. Something vast and deep, like an ocean waiting to rise.
"That's it," Rudra said. "Now guide it."
The warmth surged.
Too fast.
Pain tore through Arin's body as chakra exploded outward, cracking the earth beneath him. The markings on his arm flared violently.
Rudra slammed his staff down.
The surge stopped.
"You're forcing it," Rudra said sharply. "That's how demons use power. Humans don't."
Arin's breathing was ragged. "Then how?"
Rudra met his gaze.
"You listen."
Hours passed.
Sweat soaked Arin's clothes. His muscles screamed. Again and again, he tried—failed—tried again.
Finally, the chakra responded.
It flowed.
Smooth. Controlled.
A thin layer of blue light coated his skin like invisible armor.
Arin opened his eyes slowly.
"I… I can feel everything," he whispered.
Rudra nodded. "Basic reinforcement. With training, you'll cover weapons, strengthen bones, even resist demon strikes."
Arin clenched his fist.
The chakra followed.
Hope flickered for the first time since Aanya was taken.
Rudra's expression darkened.
"But this is where the danger begins," he said.
He stepped closer.
"The demon blood inside you will grow stronger as you grow stronger. If you lose control, it will answer before your chakra does."
Arin swallowed.
"Then teach me to control it."
Rudra studied him for a long moment.
Then he nodded once.
"Very well."
He reached into his robe and pulled out a small blade.
Before Arin could react, Rudra slashed his own palm.
Dark blood dripped onto the ground.
Arin's body reacted instantly.
The markings on his arm ignited.
His chakra twisted—dark threads weaving into the blue.
Arin gasped, falling to one knee.
Rudra watched carefully.
"This is demon blood," he said. "Feel what it tries to take from you."
Arin's vision blurred.
Power surged.
Violent. Tempting.
His heartbeat thundered.
Then—
He forced it down.
The markings dimmed.
Rudra's eyes widened slightly.
"…Impressive," he muttered.
He closed his hand, the wound sealing itself.
"You didn't let it consume you."
Arin looked up, exhausted but standing.
"I don't care what I become," he said quietly. "As long as I can save her."
Rudra turned away.
"Then your path is set."
They began walking again.
Neither noticed the shadow clinging to the tr
ees above them.
Two glowing eyes watched silently.
And somewhere far beyond the forest, a demon smiled—feeling the link grow stronger.
---
To be continue...