After our fight the other day, we went back home to recuperate. The thing about healing is that sometimes your body can recover, but your mind and soul remain wounded. Master's healing technique was remarkable, but it fell short of mending the deeper scars. Perhaps only God possesses the power to heal us completely.One wound that refused to heal was the one in my heart. The relentless barrage of pain, death, and sorrow had left a gaping hole inside me. Often, I felt an unbearable ache deep within my chest. I tried my best to keep a brave face, forcing a smile that never reached my eyes. But beneath that fragile façade, a storm raged, violent and unrelenting. It was as if my very soul was caught in a tempest of grief and despair.There were nights when the darkness seemed to close in, suffocating me with memories of everything I had lost. I would lie awake, staring at the ceiling or the night sky, feeling the weight of my loneliness press down on me until it was hard to breathe. My mind was a battlefield, where echoes of the past clashed with the cruel reality of the present.Yet, I couldn't let this agony consume me. I had to push on, for the sake of my friends who relied on me, and for my own sake too. Each day was a struggle, a constant battle to keep the darkness at bay. And though the pain was ever-present, I held onto a fragile hope that one day, the storm would pass, and my heart would know peace again.We had come this far so I wont give up now. I must get out of here to see my family and find out the mysteries of all this that has happened and is still happenidn in this world. We set out and finally arrived at the Veil after a few more hours of walking. The journey had been mercifully uneventful; no more monsters had attacked us along the way. As we walked, we talked more about the island, its mysteries unfolding with every word Master Zonare spoke."The island is full of secrets," Master Zonare began, his tone thoughtful. "There are a handful of creatures here that even I can't defeat."Durato raised an eyebrow, incredulous. "You? Unable to defeat a creature? Hard to believe."Master Zonare nodded solemnly. "It's true. Though rare, there are monsters whose power far exceeds my own. I've seen them, and they are not to be trifled with."Laylah shivered slightly. "Like those colossal birds we encountered?""Exactly," Master Zonare replied. "Some of those creatures possess strength and abilities that surpass even my own. I must remain vigilant to ensure our survival."I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. "It's hard to fathom. You're the strongest human I've ever seen, Master. Yet, there are beings out there..."He nodded again. "Strength isn't everything. Strategy, wisdom, and sometimes sheer luck play a crucial role. Take the thunderbird, for instance that Rome encountered. Its power is immense. I might have a chance against the rock bird, but even I would struggle against the thunder bird."Durato shook his head. "I can't imagine facing something like that. It makes our training seem... inadequate."Master Zonare smiled reassuringly. "That's why we train, Durato. To be prepared for whatever challenges we might face."Laylah chimed in, her voice filled with determination. "We'll get stronger. We'll face whatever comes our way, together."We continued our journey in silence for a while, each of us lost in our thoughts. The gravity of Master's words weighed heavily on us. Finally, we reached the Veil, the shimmering barrier that marked the edge of the island's influence."Here we are," Master Zonare said, his voice breaking the silence. "The Veil. Beyond this point, you will find a different world, one that is both familiar and strange."I looked at my companions, their faces reflecting a mixture of determination and apprehension. "Are we ready for this?" I asked, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil.Durato nodded. "We have to be. There's no turning back now."Laylah took a deep breath. "We've come this far. We can handle whatever lies ahead.""Yea you can but not yet.The Veil itself was a sight to behold, a colossal curtain of shimmering energy cascading upward into the heavens, resembling an immense waterfall suspended in time. As we approached, the air vibrated with an energy unlike anything we had ever encountered. It was as if the very essence of the world was concentrated here.Master explained that every three to four months, the Veil would weaken, allowing strong monsters and sometimes strong enough people under certian circumstances to pass through. He emphasized the need for an extreme boost in power and defense to survive such an occurrence. "We must harness the aura of the Nova Force within us," he said. "Laylah and Durato has started to tap into it, but they need much more training.""What about me?" I asked."Something is off with you but you have tapped into a bit, not like the others though." He explained."I see, I guess I have to train a little harder." I said as I walked away to hide my face of shame am defeat. I felt slightly jealous but I didnt let that consume me."It's ok Rome, you'll get there soon." Said Laylah as she slapped me on my shoulders.To illustrate the Veil's formidable nature, Master picked up a stone and hurled it into the cascading energy with all his might. The stone flew through the air, a dark blur against the luminous backdrop, but as it went in, not even 2 seconds, it decelerated abruptly. It hovered for a moment, suspended by an invisible force, before plummeting to the ground with crushing pressure, shattering into fragments upon impact.We peered into the Veil, the swirling mists parting just enough to reveal the landscape beyond. The ground beneath it was barren, an endless expanse of dust and desolation stretching as far as the eye could see. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, a stark reminder of the power we were up against.In that moment, I felt a profound sense of determination. I could see the other side partially but we couldnt touch it. This barrier was too much for us now.The path ahead was fraught with danger, but it also held the promise of unimaginable power and discovery. We would need to master the Nova Force, to train relentlessly and push beyond our limits. Only then could we hope to face the challenges that awaited us beyond the Veil.We knew that to safely cross this treacherous field, we had to master the control of our auras and don protective gear. The challenge was immense, a true test of our abilities and endurance."To pass through the Veil, we needed more speed, strength, and defense," Master Zonare explained, emphasizing the rigorous training regimen that awaited us. "That's why you're training with weights."Laylah, panting from exertion, glanced at the heavy gear strapped to her. "So that's why you had us wear this stuff from the start," she said."Yes," Master Zonare confirmed, his voice steady and authoritative. "In case you ever need to leave. This world is full of powerful monsters, and you must be strong enough to defeat them also." He continued, "Monsters who look like us are the worst. You will encounter them.""We'll be ready." said Durato.We had not taken off the weighted gear since the beginning of our training; it had become a part of us. Each of us carried over 250 pounds, starting from a mere 50 pounds and gradually increasing the load. In addition, I used my Gravity Nova Force to amplify the gravity around my body. This technique required immense focus and drained a lot of energy over extended periods, so it wasn't always active. Our hard work did not go unrecognized. Master Zonare rewarded our progress with swords and gear crafted from the remains of a defeated disaster-class monster, an Oobleck. This creature was a Non-Newtonian fluid monster, becoming harder under applied force. However, if the force was overwhelming, it could be defeated. For Master Zonare, it must have been a simple task.The gear, mostly our cloak, made from the Oobleck's material was extraordinary. Infused with Nova Force, it transformed, its properties adapting to our needs. Activating it required minimal energy, and a single charge lasted a week. By varying the amount of energy, we could adjust the material's shape and strength, tailoring it to our combat requirements.One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, Laylah, Durato, and I sat around the fire, admiring our new gear."Can you believe it?" Laylah said, holding her katana up to the firelight. "This scabbard was once a monster."Durato nodded, running his fingers along the edge of his longsword. "Master Zonare's skills are beyond anything I've seen and my sword, what material is this, it's.....wow. These weapons feel like they're alive.""Alive and deadly," I added, examining the dark purple and blue patterns on my own gear. "But we need them to be. The Veil won't be forgiving.""How does your gear feel?" Laylah asked, adjusting the red and blue hood of her outfit. "Mine fits perfectly, like a second skin.""It's amazing," I replied. "The weight and gravity of our training are becoming more bearable. My muscles are getting stronger, and my control over my aura is improving, though I still have a long way to go."Durato grinned. "Don't worry, you'll get there. We've all made incredible progress. Just look at us."He gestured to our matching gear, each piece infused with our individual colors—Laylah's red and blue, Durato's black and blue, and my dark purple and blue. Even the handles of our swords matched our uniforms."We're not just preparing to cross the Veil," I said, feeling a surge of determination. "We're preparing to confront whatever awaits us beyond it."Laylah looked at me, her eyes reflecting the fire's glow. "And we'll face it together. Our gear, our skills—they're all extensions of our will now."Durato sheathed his sword, his expression serious. "But we can't forget the masks. We need to cover ourselves completely to get through the Veil. The masks made from the monsters we killed will protect us."I nodded, remembering the tough, protective skin of the masks. "It's the perfect protection for our faces. Now, we just need to finish our training."And so we did. We followed our training regime, which grew more extreme each day. The intensity was relentless, but our progress was undeniable. Laylah and Durato mastered aura mode quickly, while I struggled, but I was determined to catch up.Before we knew it, a year had passed. Our bodies were stronger, our minds sharper, and our gear an integral part of us. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but equipped with our newfound skills and gear, we felt a glimmer of hope. The Veil's mysteries beckoned, and we would be ready.As we stood at the edge of our training ground, looking out at the ominous Veil, Laylah spoke softly, "This is it. Everything we've worked for."
Durato placed a hand on her shoulder. "We're ready. Let's show the Veil and ehat's beyond what we're made of."