Kaien emerged from his meditation feeling a profound shift within himself. It was as if the very essence of his being had been rewritten, molded anew by the fusion of his consciousness with the darker, unrestrained version of himself that had resided in the depths of the Negative Current. He had given that force a name—Tide Thief—but now, after the merging, it no longer felt like a separate entity. It was him, and he was it.
The moment his eyes opened, his perception of the world seemed clearer, his connection to his Inner Tide more natural. Before, manipulating his stolen Tide Shaper abilities had felt like wrestling a wild current, forcing it to obey his will. Now, it was effortless, like the water itself desired to move at his command.
His muscles still held the stiffness of long meditation, and as he stretched his limbs, he took note of the others. The room was dimly lit by the flickering oil lamps that lined the walls, their golden glow casting elongated shadows across the floor. Everyone else was still struggling to enter the first true stage of cultivation under Master Aedric's technique, Typhoon of the Abyss.
Lyra, with her delicate hands clasped together, sat with her brow furrowed in deep concentration. A faint glow pulsed around her, the first signs of her Tide responding, but it flickered inconsistently, as if unsure whether to settle or dissipate. Across from her, Aaron, a broad-shouldered youth who had once been a street brawler, twitched with frustration, his heavy breaths breaking the silence.
Master Aedric, ever the patient observer, sat against the far wall, arms crossed, watching them all. His piercing gaze flickered briefly to Kaien, studying him intently. Kaien knew the old man could sense something had changed, but he said nothing—for now.
Kaien slowly rose to his feet, rolling his shoulders as he tested the new control he had gained over his body and Inner Tide. Every motion felt smoother, more precise. The air itself seemed to respond to his movement, and when he flexed his fingers, he could almost feel the pulse of energy that lay beneath his skin, coiling like a dormant storm.
He decided not to draw attention to himself just yet. Instead, he quietly moved to the training area outside, stepping into the open courtyard that was enclosed by weathered stone walls. The sky above was the deep blue of early dawn, the last remnants of night still lingering on the horizon.
Taking a deep breath, he reached inward, calling upon his Tide Shaper abilities. Water from a nearby trough rippled, responding instantly. He raised his hand, and the liquid lifted smoothly into the air, forming a perfect sphere. No hesitation. No struggle. He shifted his fingers, and the water followed his movements as if it were an extension of himself.
Before, his stolen Tide Shaper abilities had always felt foreign, like a borrowed tool rather than a true part of him. But now? It felt like it had always been his.
A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. He clenched his fist, and the sphere of water compressed into a thin, sharp-edged disc. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it flying towards a wooden training post. It struck the surface with a sharp crack, splitting it cleanly before dissolving into droplets.
The satisfaction of control settled deep in his chest. This was the power of true synchronization with his Inner Tide. He had spent so long fearing the Negative Current, hiding it from others, thinking it was an anomaly that he had to suppress. But after his experience within the abyss of his own soul, he understood now—it wasn't something to be feared. It was his strength.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind him. He turned to see Master Aedric standing there, his expression unreadable.
"You have found your current," the old man said simply.
Kaien inclined his head. "I have."
Aedric studied him for a long moment before stepping forward. "Show me."
Kaien didn't hesitate. He lifted his hand, calling upon his Tide once more, and this time, the water from the trough surged forward like a wave, spiraling into a twisting vortex before solidifying into a sharp-edged construct—a spear made entirely of liquid, its form held together by sheer will.
Aedric's brows lifted slightly, the closest thing to surprise Kaien had ever seen on his face.
"Fascinating," the old man murmured, stepping closer. He extended a hand, running his fingers just above the surface of the spear without touching it. "Your control has changed. This is not the same awkward manipulation I saw from you before."
Kaien nodded. "It feels… natural now."
Aedric's gaze flickered, as if he were considering his next words carefully. "You were the last of them to begin cultivating under my technique. And yet, you are already ahead."
Kaien tensed slightly at the remark but remained silent.
Aedric stepped back, folding his arms. "You've touched something deeper within yourself, haven't you?"
Kaien hesitated. He knew Aedric was perceptive, but revealing too much about the Negative Current could be dangerous. He needed to tread carefully.
"I… came to an understanding," Kaien said finally.
Aedric watched him for another long moment, then nodded. "Good. Hold on to that understanding. But be wary of how it shapes you."
Kaien exhaled slowly. He knew what the old man meant. Power, when uncontrolled, had the potential to consume.
Just then, the door to the training hall creaked open, and Lyra stepped out, blinking against the early morning light. She looked exhausted, her usually bright eyes dulled with fatigue.
"You're already out here training?" she asked, rubbing her temples.
Kaien shrugged. "Couldn't sit still."
She let out a breath that was half a laugh, half a sigh. "I still haven't managed to fully grasp the technique. It's like my Inner Tide doesn't want to follow it."
"You'll get there," Kaien said. "You're already stronger than you think."
Lyra gave him a tired smile before glancing at Aedric, who was still watching Kaien closely.
"Master," she said hesitantly, "how long do you think it will take us to properly cultivate under your technique?"
Aedric hummed thoughtfully. "Each of you will progress at different speeds. Some may take weeks, others months. It depends on how well you can adapt."
Lyra sighed again. "Great."
Aedric chuckled, a rare sound. "Patience, child. Mastery is not achieved in haste."
Kaien glanced down at his hand, clenching and unclenching his fingers. He had already taken a step forward—perhaps an enormous one. But he still had a long road ahead. The Negative Current had given him strength, but it had also given him responsibility. He couldn't afford to lose himself in it.
For now, he would continue to train. To grow. And to prepare for whatever lay ahead.