Chapter — Training in the Rain
"Today, your training evolves," Zephyr announced, a sharp glint in his eyes, his voice carrying more weight than usual. "Sword training and martial arts will be added to your regimen."
Mole's heart skipped a beat. The thought of learning swordplay thrilled him, the idea of wielding a blade filling his young spirit with fire. He stretched eagerly, muscles tightening with anticipation. "I'm ready, sensei."
Zephyr raised a hand, halting him. "Before any of that, you must first learn to control the flow of energy within you."
Mole leaned forward, his curiosity ignited. "How do I do that?"
Zephyr's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Simple. Form a fist."
Mole clenched his hand tightly, body tensing.
"Now," Zephyr continued, "focus your strength into that fist. Let it be your anchor."
Mole concentrated, mind narrowing until all that existed was his fist. His breathing slowed. His eyes gleamed with determination.
"What now?" he asked.
"That's all," Zephyr replied calmly.
Mole blinked. "What do you mean, that's all?"
Zephyr chuckled softly. "When you focused your strength, you unknowingly harnessed energy. Not just muscle, Mole — energy."
Mole's eyes widened. "So I can control my energy already?"
"A little," Zephyr admitted. "But channeling energy isn't the same as directing its flow. Imagine a river. You don't just dam it. You must learn to guide it."
Mole nodded, expression hardening. "Teach me, sensei."
Zephyr bent down and picked up a stick. Tossing it to Mole, he said, "Catch this."
Mole snatched it from the air. "What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Meditate with it. Draw the energy from the stick into yourself. Daily."
Mole frowned. "How?"
Zephyr closed his eyes, holding a stick of his own. Slowly, its wood began to wither, vitality draining away until it looked lifeless.
"This is how," Zephyr explained. "If you can focus on taking, you can steal energy. Your father taught himself this. You, however, have me."
The mention of his father stirred Mole's soul. He sat cross-legged, eyes closing, determination sharpening into resolve. I can do this. For him. For myself.
He reached out with his thoughts. The stick trembled, faint energy answering his call.
"Good," Zephyr said. "Now, sustain it."
Hours slipped by as Mole maintained the flow. At dusk, Zephyr finally ordered, "Release." The stick pulsed once and returned to its natural state.
Mole exhaled deeply, sweat rolling down his forehead. "Sensei… what's the point of this exercise?"
Zephyr's gaze grew serious. "To understand your true potential. You must master both taking and giving energy."
The Vision
Far away, atop a windswept cliff, Aria of the Luminari stood before a glowing orb. It revealed Mole's training. Her eyes narrowed with urgency.
"Train well, son of Thorn," she whispered. "Fear what is coming — for I have seen it all."
With that, she vanished, leaving only the fading glow of the orb.
The Rain
The next day, the skies of Aerthys opened. Rain fell in torrents, a once-in-a-decade storm that drenched the land.
Zephyr stood firm under the downpour. "Excellent work yesterday, Mole. But today, the rain grants us an opportunity. Perfect conditions to capture a Terragrim."
Mole shivered, hair plastered to his forehead. "Isn't it too rainy for this?"
Zephyr smirked. "The rain blinds them. Slows them. You will never get a better chance."
Mole's pulse quickened. "So this is a test?"
Zephyr's eyes gleamed. "More than that. It's your first true hunt."
Zick & Angela
Elsewhere, under the same storm, blue lightning danced across the skies. Zick, cloaked in electricity, moved like a blur, striking the heavens themselves.
From the castle walls, the prince of Ignisia watched, smiling faintly. "The boy has potential. A Blackwood never disappoints."
Nearby, Angela, Zick's sister, called out, "You've trained long enough. Let me test you."
They clashed. Angela summoned her Lightning Needle Shower, Zick dodging effortlessly. Sparks filled the air as their duel escalated. A shield of lightning, rubble imbued with energy, fists, and speed colliding. Their final blows met midair, shaking the city with thunder. Both fell, exhausted, neither victorious.
The people whispered in awe. This new generation… they're taking the stage at a young age.
The prince smiled, vanishing into the shadows.
The Terragrim Hunt
At the Greenland waterfalls, Mole climbed through pounding torrents until he reached the summit. Waiting there, eyes glowing, was the Terragrim.
It bolted.
"Haaah!" Mole roared, chasing through mud and trees. He kicked down trunks to block it, but the beast leapt and twisted, dodging everything.
It's too fast! Mole thought, his lungs burning.
The Terragrim reached a hilltop and spread its wings. "Pyaaaaaa!" It soared into the rain-soaked sky.
Mole skidded to a halt, despair gnawing at him. I can't catch it. Think… THINK!
He steadied his breath, crouched low. "Total concentration… Footspring!"
Energy surged into his legs. With an explosive burst, he launched skyward like an arrow.
The Terragrim turned at the sound. Too late.
Mole slammed into it midair, seizing its leg. Together they crashed against the mountainside, tumbling hard into the mud below.
Groaning, Mole staggered up. The Terragrim lay unconscious.
Zephyr appeared from the shadows, his beard dripping with rain. "Congratulations. You did it."
Mole yelped, startled. "S-sensei?! What now?"
Zephyr's expression softened. "It's yours now. A partner. Don't even think of cooking it, as you once joked."
Mole laughed weakly, exhaustion overwhelming him. "Okay… but I'm so tired, I'm just gonna—"
He collapsed, snoring before he hit the ground.
Zephyr chuckled, glancing at the faintly breathing Terragrim. "Now his training may truly begin."
The storm raged on. Somewhere in the distance, the orb of Aria pulsed once more.
To be continued…