The morning air was crisp as Rian, Elara, and Eli sat around the small wooden table in Elara's cozy cottage, finishing up their hearty breakfast. The table was adorned with remnants of warm bread, roasted meat, and a colorful assortment of fresh fruit. Eli eagerly devoured the last piece of bread, his eyes bright with anticipation.
Rian, having polished off his meal first, leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. He glanced over at Eli, a serious expression settling on his face. "Eli," he began, catching the young boy's attention, "the obstacle course was just the start of our training today. We're going to the waterfall."
Eli's eyes widened with curiosity. "The waterfall? What are we going to do there?"
Rian smiled mysteriously. "You'll see," he said cryptically. "But first, pack spare clothes and a towel."
Excitement sparked in Eli's eyes as he nodded eagerly. He jumped up from his seat and dashed to his room, already planning what to bring.
Meanwhile, Elara looked at Rian with a playful grin. "Can I come too?" she asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. "It sounds like fun."
Rian chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Sure, Elara. It'll be good for all of us."
With Eli packed and ready, the trio set off from the cottage, following a winding path through the forest. The journey was pleasant, with sunlight filtering through the canopy above and casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. Birds chirped cheerfully in the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
After a leisurely walk, the sound of rushing water grew louder, signaling their approach to the waterfall. As they emerged from the trees, a breathtaking sight greeted them—a majestic waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff into a crystal-clear pool below. Sunlight danced on the water, creating a shimmering curtain of mist around the falls.
Elara spread out a cozy blanket on a flat patch of grass near the base of the waterfall, creating a comfortable spot for herself to watch as Rian and Eli prepared for their training. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over the scene.
Rian stood beside Eli at the edge of the pool formed by the waterfall's cascade. He had a large log balanced on one shoulder, and Eli held two smooth stones in his outstretched hand. They both faced the waterfall, the mist from the cascading water enveloping them in a refreshing coolness.
"Alright, Eli," Rian began, his voice carrying over the gentle roar of the waterfall, "we're going to focus on your inner strength now. Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing."
Eli nodded solemnly, taking a deep breath as he closed his eyes. Rian's voice guided him through the meditation exercise.
"Imagine a pool of mana forming in your core," Rian continued, his tone steady and reassuring. "Feel it growing with each breath, filling you with energy."
Elara watched with fascination as Rian's instructions seemed to transport Eli into a realm of concentration. His small chest rose and fell with each deliberate breath, and his brow furrowed in concentration. The sound of the waterfall provided a natural backdrop to their training, its constant rush instilling a sense of serenity.
As Eli stood with his eyes closed, focusing intently on Rian's guidance, he became acutely aware of the mist from the waterfall enveloping him. The cool droplets gently kissed his face and arms, adding a tactile dimension to the exercise. He concentrated on his breathing, imagining the pool of mana Rian had described.
Suddenly, Eli felt a peculiar sensation—a subtle shift in the air around him. It was as if the water droplets themselves were responding to his presence. Curious, he opened his eyes slightly, still maintaining his meditative state.
To his astonishment, Eli saw small water droplets floating in mid-air around him. They moved with a graceful fluidity, dancing in harmony with the mist from the waterfall. Eli's eyes widened in wonder as he realized what was happening—he had unlocked water manipulation.
"Rian!" Eli exclaimed in a hushed tone, his excitement bubbling over. "Look!"
Rian turned to Eli, his expression turning from serene guidance to pleased surprise. "You've done it, Eli," he said softly, a proud smile spreading across his face. "You've unlocked water manipulation."
Elara, who had been watching with bated breath, gasped in delight. "That's amazing, Eli!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride for her younger brother.
As Eli stood, exhilarated by his newfound ability to manipulate water, Rian watched with pride and a hint of caution. The young boy's excitement was palpable, but Rian knew there was more to be done. He gestured for Eli to step out of the water, back onto the rocky shore.
"Eli, try to manipulate the water again," Rian instructed, his voice encouraging yet firm.
Eli nodded, his eyes focused on the water droplets. He took a deep breath and reached out with his mind, attempting to coax the water into swirling around him. To his dismay, the droplets remained still, unmoving despite his efforts.
"Again," Rian urged after a few moments of silence.
Eli's brow furrowed in concentration as he tried once more, willing the water to obey his commands. Yet again, nothing happened.
This cycle repeated several and Eli's frustration increasing with each failure. By the eighth attempt, Rian's tone had shifted slightly, a hint of annoyance creeping in.
"Eli, what's going on?" Rian's voice was tight with barely concealed disappointment. "You did it before. Why can't you do it again?"
Eli looked up at Rian, his eyes brimming with confusion and a touch of fear. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice small. "It just...it won't move."
Rian's expression softened, and he placed the log he had been carrying down beside him. He took a step closer to Eli, his eyes searching the boy's face. "You're trying too hard," he said gently. "Your mana should flow like the water, not fight against it."
Eli nodded, his face tight with concentration. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes again, attempting to follow Rian's guidance. His small hands trembled slightly as he reached out with his mind, trying to manipulate the water once more. But, despite his best efforts, the droplets remained still.
"Again," Rian instructed, his tone calm but firm.
For the fifth time, Eli tried to focus, but frustration boiled inside him as the water stubbornly refused to move. His breath quickened, and he felt the sting of tears welling up in his eyes. With a defeated groan, Eli collapsed to his knees, punching the ground hard.
"Why can't I do it?!" he screamed, his voice echoing around the waterfall. Tears streamed down his face as he gripped the earth beneath him, his body trembling with the weight of his frustration. "Why can't I do anything right?!"
Rian stood in stunned silence, confusion washing over him. Eli's sudden outburst caught him completely off guard. The boy was crying, his shoulders shaking with each sob, and Rian couldn't quite understand why.
"Eli…" Rian began, his voice gentle, but he was cut off by an eerie rustling in the trees nearby. His instincts kicked in, and he stood quickly, scanning the surroundings. "Something's coming," he muttered.
Before Rian could react further, a group of grotesque goblin-like creatures burst from the underbrush, their eyes glowing a sickly green. They moved with unnatural speed, their movements jerky, as if controlled by an unseen force. Their shrieks filled the air as they lunged toward the trio.
"Elara!" Rian shouted
Elara, who had been sitting on the blanket, sprang to her feet with a look of grim determination. Her hands moved swiftly, conjuring dark tendrils of shadow magic that swirled around her fingers. As the goblins tried to surround her, she thrust her hands forward, sending waves of shadow towards the nearest creatures. The dark energy sliced through them effortlessly, leaving several goblins crumpling to the ground.
One goblin managed to leap past her defenses, but with a flick of her wrist, Elara sent a tendril of dark magic wrapping around its neck, snapping it with a sickening crack. Her eyes glinted with a fierce intensity as she moved with deadly precision, cutting down the creatures that dared approach her.
Meanwhile, Rian turned his focus back to Eli, who was still on his knees, paralyzed with fear and frustration. "Eli, get up!" Rian barked, urgency lacing his voice.
As the goblins closed in, Rian knew there was no time to waste. He moved swiftly to the edge of the pool, his hands outstretched as he manipulated the water with practiced ease. The liquid responded instantly to his command, swirling around him in a fluid dance. With a swift motion, Rian rapidly cooled the water, freezing it into a sharp dagger of ice.
Without hesitation, Rian dashed forward, showing no mercy as he drove the ice blade into the nearest goblin. The creature shrieked as it fell, and Rian moved to the next with ruthless efficiency. His movements were fluid, each strike precise, his face set in a mask of cold determination. The ice dagger gleamed in the dappled sunlight as Rian cut through the remaining goblins with deadly grace, leaving a trail of lifeless bodies in his wake.
Eli watched in awe, his earlier frustration forgotten as he stared at Rian's unrelenting assault. This was more than just a teacher; Rian was a warrior, and in this moment, he showed no hesitation in dealing with the threat before them.
As the last goblin fell, Rian straightened, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths.
Rian turned toward Eli, his expression still hard, but his eyes—those calm, steady eyes—flickered with something Eli had never seen before. For a moment, Eli froze, feeling an icy chill run down his spine. There was something fierce, almost dangerous, in Rian's gaze, a side of him Eli hadn't known existed.
The air felt heavy with the aftermath of the battle. Eli's breath caught in his throat, his pulse quickening. He forced himself to look away from Rian and glanced over at Elara. The scene around her made his stomach churn—goblin bodies lay strewn across the grass, lifeless, dark blood pooling beneath them. Elara, her face still set with grim focus, stood amidst the carnage, her hands slightly trembling from the power she had unleashed.
The sheer brutality of it all hit Eli like a wave. His heart pounded, and without thinking, he clapped a hand over his mouth as nausea surged within him. He stumbled toward the water's edge, his vision blurring as he dropped to his knees.
The cool mist from the waterfall did nothing to ease the sickness rising in his throat. Eli gagged once, and then heaved, the contents of his stomach spilling into the clear water below. His body shook as he tried to steady himself, but the violent scene replayed in his mind—the sight of Elara snapping a goblin's neck, the emotionless precision in Rian's icy strikes. This wasn't the training he had imagined.
Tears mixed with the sweat on his face as Eli stayed crouched by the water, trying to catch his breath. The sounds of the rushing waterfall drowned out everything else, but he couldn't escape the feeling that his world had just shifted.
Rian approached Eli cautiously, his eyes softening as he knelt down beside him. He placed a hand gently on Eli's back, his voice calm but laced with concern. "Eli… what's wrong? Talk to me."
Before Rian could say more, Eli jerked away, slapping Rian's hand off with a force that surprised them both. He scrambled back a few steps, his eyes wide with fear as he looked up at Rian.
"What did I just witness?" Eli's voice trembled, barely above a whisper, but the fear and confusion were clear. He couldn't recognize the man in front of him—the calm, reassuring mentor was gone, replaced by someone who had shown no mercy, not even a hint of hesitation. Eli's chest tightened as he stared at Rian, struggling to reconcile the person he thought he knew with the cold warrior who had just cut down those goblins.
Rian opened his mouth to speak, but Eli's gaze shifted to Elara, still standing amidst the carnage, her expression unreadable. "Elara…" His voice cracked, his throat tight. "How… how did you kill those goblins without even hesitating?"
Tears welled in his eyes as he searched his sister's face for answers. He had never seen her like this before—so calm, so deadly. Everything about the moment felt wrong, and Eli's mind raced, desperately trying to understand the brutal violence he had just witnessed.
Rian straightened up, his gaze hardening. "If this sight scares you, Eli," he said bluntly, his voice cutting through the air, "then you're not suited to be a fighter."
Eli's eyes widened in shock, and anger surged through him. "That's not true!" he yelled, his voice cracking. His heart raced, and his fists clenched at his sides. "What you and Elara did—it's not what a hero would do! Heroes protect people, they don't slaughter like that!"
Elara started to speak, her lips parting as if to explain, but Eli cut her off, his voice rising with emotion. "I didn't think my sister was a cold-blooded murderer!"
At that, Elara's eyes filled with tears, her tough exterior cracking. She blinked rapidly, trying to keep her composure, but the hurt in her expression was undeniable. Before she could react, Rian moved swiftly, wrapping her in a tight hug, shielding her from Eli's harsh words.
Rian held her close for a moment, his jaw clenched, before turning back to Eli. His voice dropped to a cold, quiet tone, one that sent a chill through the air. "Go back to the house, Eli."
Eli stood his ground, defiance burning in his chest. "No," he said, his voice trembling but firm. "I'm not leaving—"
Suddenly, Rian's voice erupted, loud and filled with an anger Eli had never heard from him before. "Go inside the house, Eli!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the forest. "You have no right to say that to your sister after what she went through to keep you alive when you were taken by the Obsidian Order!"
As the words left Rian's mouth, a surge of mana burst from him, the energy swirling wildly around him. The air crackled with intensity, and Eli could feel the overwhelming power radiating from Rian's body. The water nearby rippled, and the leaves in the trees trembled under the force of Rian's unleashed energy. Eli stumbled back, his heart pounding, as the weight of his words and Rian's raw fury hit him all at
Without thinking, Eli turned and bolted toward the house, his legs moving faster than they ever had before. Tears blurred his vision, but he didn't stop. He didn't look back. His chest tightened, and his throat burned with emotion as he ran, leaving Rian and Elara behind.
Back by the waterfall, Rian's mana slowly began to settle, though the tension in the air remained thick. He loosened his hold on Elara, stepping back slightly to look into her eyes, his brow furrowed with concern.
"Are you okay?" Rian asked softly, his voice a stark contrast to the fury he had unleashed just moments before. His eyes searched her face, trying to read the emotions swirling within her.
Elara wiped away a tear with the back of her hand, her shoulders trembling slightly. She took a shaky breath and nodded, but the sadness in her eyes lingered. "I'm fine," she whispered, though her voice was unconvincing. She glanced in the direction where Eli had run, her heart heavy with the weight of his words. "He didn't mean it… did he?"
Rian sighed, glancing at the path Eli had taken before turning his gaze back to Elara. "He's scared, Elara. He's confused. But that doesn't make what he said true." His voice was steady, but a hint of guilt lingered in his tone. "You've done more for him than he even realizes."
Elara nodded, though the knot in her chest tightened. "I just... I didn't want him to see me like that," she admitted, her voice wavering. "I didn't want him to think I could be so… cold."
Rian offered a small nod, though his face remained serious. "We'll talk to him once he's had a moment to calm down. He's not ready to face the truth yet, but he will be." He glanced back toward the house.
The two stood in silence for a moment, the sound of the waterfall and the rustling trees filling the air. Despite the chaos that had just unfolded, they found a brief moment of peace between them—though both knew that a much more difficult conversation awaited when they returned to the house.