Chapter 3: Awakening the Cosmic Force
The next morning, Lysander awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside his small quarters in the village. He lay still for a moment, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest, the calm rhythm of his breathing. It was an ordinary morning, but he no longer felt ordinary. The power coursing through him, though still largely untamed, had begun to feel like a part of him—something he could shape and control if he focused.
The events of yesterday had been a breakthrough. He had touched his psionic abilities and, for a moment, felt at peace with the power within. But today was different. Today, he would need to explore something even deeper: the **cosmic energy** that made him an **Eternal**.
He dressed quickly, slipping into the simple training garments provided by the village. The material was light but strong, ideal for the rigors of training. As he stepped outside, the early morning sun bathed the village in a soft, golden light. A few villagers were already going about their daily routines, but the training grounds were quiet, save for a few warriors practicing their forms in the distance.
Master Shang was waiting for him at the edge of the field, his expression as calm as ever. Lysander approached, already feeling the weight of the day's lesson settling in his chest.
"You're early," Shang noted, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I figured I'd need the time," Lysander replied. He still wasn't sure how to explain the cosmic energy that pulsed within him, but he knew that today's training would take him closer to understanding it.
Shang motioned for him to follow, leading Lysander through the village and up a narrow path into the forested mountains. The trail wound higher and higher, the air becoming cooler as they ascended. Lysander could feel his heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of nature around him—the rustle of leaves, the distant flow of water, the subtle hum of life itself.
They reached a small clearing at the summit of a hill, surrounded by towering trees and bathed in sunlight. At the center of the clearing was a large stone platform, smooth and round, with intricate carvings etched into its surface.
"This is the **Circle of Balance**," Shang explained, stepping forward. "It's an ancient place, used by our ancestors to commune with the energies of the earth and the cosmos. Here, the barriers between the physical and the metaphysical are thin. It is here that you will learn to channel your cosmic energy."
Lysander nodded, stepping onto the platform. As soon as his foot touched the stone, he felt something—a gentle thrum of energy rising from beneath the earth, flowing into his body like a slow, steady current.
"The cosmic energy within you is vast, but it's only a part of something greater," Shang continued, his voice calm. "The universe is alive with energy, and you, as an Eternal, are connected to that. Today, we will begin to awaken that connection."
Lysander took a deep breath, centering himself as he had during his psionic training. He closed his eyes, reaching inward, searching for the cosmic energy that had been with him since his transformation. It wasn't hard to find. The moment he focused, he felt it—an infinite well of power deep within his core, pulsing with the same rhythm as the earth beneath him.
But unlike the psionics, this energy was not chaotic or overwhelming. It was calm, like a vast ocean, waiting to be stirred.
"Good," Shang's voice came from beside him, though Lysander kept his eyes closed. "Now, let it flow through you. Do not force it. Let it move naturally, as part of you."
Lysander relaxed, letting go of the tension in his body. He imagined the energy rising from the earth, merging with the cosmic power inside him. At first, it was slow—a gentle warmth spreading through his limbs. But soon, the energy began to flow more freely, and he felt it rushing through his veins like liquid fire.
His skin tingled, the hairs on his arms standing on end as the energy surged. He could feel it everywhere now—in his hands, in his chest, even in his mind. It was like his entire body was awakening, every cell alive with power.
But the most surprising thing was the clarity. The cosmic energy wasn't wild or destructive; it was pure, controlled, and infinitely powerful. It was as if the universe itself was speaking to him, offering him a piece of its infinite strength.
Lysander opened his eyes, and to his astonishment, golden light flickered around his hands. He looked down, watching as the energy danced across his skin, forming intricate patterns of glowing lines and circles.
"Remarkable," Shang said quietly, watching the display with calm approval. "You are beginning to see what it means to be an Eternal."
Lysander stared at his hands, the light fading as he willed the energy back inside. The power was immense, but it wasn't overwhelming. It was as if he had tapped into a source that had always been there, waiting for him to access it.
"I can feel it," Lysander said, his voice low. "It's... calm. Controlled."
Shang nodded. "The cosmic energy within you is tied to the very fabric of the universe. It will never betray you, but it will grow stronger as you grow stronger. Today, you've taken the first step in mastering it."
Lysander couldn't help but smile. The feeling of control, of understanding, was like a weight lifted from his shoulders. For so long, he had feared the power inside him—worried that it would consume him if he wasn't careful. But now, he understood that it wasn't about control through force. It was about harmony.
Shang motioned for him to sit again. "There is more to learn. The energy can heal, protect, and even alter the physical world. But it requires focus and intent. You must learn to channel it with precision, not just strength."
Lysander sat on the stone platform once more, crossing his legs as he prepared for the next phase of training. He closed his eyes, reaching out to the energy again, but this time, he focused on directing it, shaping it.
He felt the energy rise once more, and he concentrated on a small cut on his arm from the previous day's sparring. He guided the energy toward the wound, willing it to heal. At first, nothing happened. But then, slowly, he felt a tingling sensation around the cut. When he opened his eyes, the wound was gone, leaving only smooth skin behind.
Shang watched with a satisfied nod. "You are learning. But this is only the beginning. The cosmic energy is vast, and its applications are endless. With time, you will learn to harness it fully. But for now, practice. The more you understand it, the more it will reveal to you."
Lysander stood, feeling the energy settle back into his core. The day's training had been exhausting but rewarding. For the first time, he truly understood the depth of the power within him, and more importantly, he felt like he could control it.
As he and Shang descended the mountain, the sun setting behind them, Lysander couldn't help but feel hopeful. There was still much to learn, but he was no longer afraid of the journey ahead. The cosmic energy was not his burden—it was his gift. And with it, he would forge his path.