I jolted awake, gasping for air as if I'd been drowning. My chest felt like it was caving in, each breath a struggle against the weight pressing down on me. My hands trembled uncontrollably, fingers twitching as if they had a mind of their own. It was as though the very air around me had turned to ice, chilling me to the bone.
My heart pounded in my ears, a frantic drumbeat that only intensified the nausea twisting my insides. I could feel my stomach churning, threatening to revolt as I tried to steady myself, but it was useless. The world around me seemed to spin, disorienting me further, and I couldn't tell if I was going to pass out again or be sick right there.
Every muscle in my body felt weak, drained of all strength. It was like I'd been sucked dry by whatever I had encountered in that darkness. My limbs were heavy, unresponsive, as if they belonged to someone else. Even the simple act of sitting up seemed impossible; I could only lie there, helpless and shivering, my mind racing to make sense of what had just happened.
But no matter how hard I tried to piece it together, it eluded me, slipping through my grasp like a wisp of smoke. All I knew was that something profound had shifted inside me—something terrifying and unknown. And I wasn't sure if I'd ever be the same again.
I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision, which was still blurred from the aftereffects of whatever had just happened. A sudden, unexpected chill touched my cheek. Startled, I realized it was the cool condensation from a bottle of water, pressed gently against my skin. My eyes struggled to focus, but I couldn't quite make out who was holding it.
"Here, you look like you could use this," a voice said softly, a hint of concern in the tone.
Without hesitation, I reached out and took the bottle, my hands still shaking slightly. The cold plastic felt like a lifeline in my grip, grounding me in reality. I could barely manage a nod of thanks as I twisted the cap off with trembling fingers and brought the bottle to my lips. The water was blissfully cold, soothing the dryness in my throat and the heat that seemed to burn within me. I drank greedily, not realizing how parched I had become.
"Thank you," I managed to murmur once I had drained half the bottle, my voice hoarse and unsteady.
"You're welcome," the voice replied, calm and reassuring. The person stayed close, not moving away or rushing off like I half-expected. Instead, he extended a towel toward me. "You're sweaty, here."
I glanced down at myself and noticed for the first time how drenched I was in cold sweat. My clothes clung uncomfortably to my skin, and I could feel beads of moisture running down my face and neck. I accepted the towel gratefully, using it to wipe my face and then patting down my arms and chest. The simple act of drying off made me feel a little more human, a little more in control of my body again.
"Thanks," I repeated, my voice a little steadier this time, though still tinged with exhaustion. I finally managed to lift my head and squinted at the person who had come to my aid. My vision was still a bit fuzzy, but I could make out his features now. He was a young man, maybe a little older than me, with dark hair and an easygoing expression. There was something about him that radiated a sense of calm, like he had seen it all before and wasn't easily fazed.
For a moment, an awkward silence settled between us. I could tell he wanted to say something, and I was too drained to initiate any conversation. The events of the past few minutes—or however long it had been—left me feeling raw, vulnerable. I was still trying to process what had happened, let alone engage in small talk.
"You know," he started, breaking the silence, "I saw you training earlier. It's what got me curious."
His words caught me off guard. I hadn't realized anyone had been watching me. The idea that someone had been observing my meditation, or whatever that was, made me feel strangely exposed. I managed a shy smile, unsure of how to respond.
He seemed to sense my discomfort and quickly added, "I just wanted to say that you were doing well. Meditation like that, trying to tap into your powers, it's not easy. Focusing like that is a skill in itself."
His praise made me blush slightly, though I was still too shaken to fully appreciate it. "I… I wasn't sure if I was doing it right," I admitted, my voice still a little shaky. "I couldn't tell if I was actually getting anywhere, or if I was just… I don't know, imagining things."
He gave me an understanding nod, his expression turning a bit more serious. "It's normal to feel that way, especially when you're just starting out. But trust me, what you were doing is important. The basics are everything. If you can't focus, if you can't quiet your mind enough to feel what's inside you, you'll never be able to control it when it finally does come out."
His words made sense, but I couldn't shake the doubt lingering in my mind. "But how do I know if I'm actually making progress? It feels like I'm just... grasping at shadows."
He took a seat beside me on the floor, leaning back against the wall. "Everyone struggles with that at first. The key is consistency. You won't always feel like you're making progress, but you are, even if it's just a little bit at a time. Every session where you can maintain focus for even a few seconds longer than before, every time you feel that energy even if just for a moment, that's progress."
I looked down at my hands, still gripping the water bottle. His words were encouraging, but I still felt a heavy weight in my chest, a fear that maybe I wasn't cut out for this after all. "But what if I never unlock it? What if I'm just… not strong enough?"
He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Everyone has the potential, Alex. Everyone. It's not about strength in the way you're thinking. It's about learning to listen to yourself, to your own instincts. Your power isn't something you have to force out. It's already there, inside you, waiting for you to acknowledge it."
His confidence was contagious, and I found myself wanting to believe him. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. "So, you really think what I'm doing is right? Even though I haven't… well, I haven't unlocked anything yet?"
He nodded firmly. "Absolutely. You're on the right path. The fact that you're questioning it, that you're trying to refine your approach, that's a good sign. It means you're not just going through the motions—you're actively engaged in the process. That's more than half the battle."
I felt a small spark of hope ignite in my chest. Maybe he was right. Maybe all these doubts and fears were just part of the journey, something everyone went through. I still had a long way to go, but for the first time since starting this training, I didn't feel completely lost.
"What about you?" I asked, curious now about the person who seemed to know so much. "Have you unlocked your power?"
He chuckled softly, a sound that was both amused and self-deprecating. "Yeah, I have. Took me a while, though. And trust me, I had my fair share of doubts too. It's not something that happens overnight. It took a lot of frustration, a lot of almost-giving-up moments before I finally got there."
His honesty made me feel a little better about my own struggles. "What's your power, if you don't mind me asking?"
He hesitated for a moment, as if considering whether to tell me or not. But then he smiled again, this time with a hint of pride. "I can manipulate sound. Not just hearing things differently, but actually shaping sound waves, bending them, amplifying them, even muting them completely."
I blinked, impressed. "That sounds… incredible."
"It has its perks," he admitted with a grin. "But it's also a huge responsibility. Power is like that, you know? It's not just about what you can do with it, but how you choose to use it."
I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. The weight of his advice settled on my shoulders, but it didn't feel burdensome. Instead, it felt like something I could carry, something I could learn to handle.
"Thanks," I said, meaning it. "I really appreciate you talking to me."
"Anytime," he replied, standing up "I think my teammates's are calling me. See you around Alex." He said as he walked away.
Oh, I forgot to ask his name
I stood up and decided to leave too, I need to rest for tomorrow's practical test. Everything seems so hasty, It's not been a week since the incident passed but everyone seems to be adjusting, unlike me.
Before I locked the door, I saw a name below mine. "Elite Trainee Chase". I muttered.