Yohan was breathing heavily, his muscles sore from the relentless training Ethan had put him through. His father, unyielding as ever, watched with a critical eye as Yohan wiped the sweat from his brow.
Ethan finally spoke, his voice firm but not unkind. "Your physical training is over. Now, you must learn to use the Sasa power."
Yohan looked up, confused. "Sasa power?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, the ancient power of our clan. You'll need it to defeat Ashura. And from this moment on, you cannot rely on your god's power."
Yohan's eyes widened in disbelief. "Why? What happened?"
Ethan sighed and explained, "All the escaped souls have been destroyed. Your contract with the divine has ended, which means you are no longer a god."
Yohan raised his hand, trying to summon the familiar divine energy that once flowed through him. But no matter how hard he tried, nothing happened. He felt the emptiness where his godly power used to be. "I can't feel it," Yohan said, panic creeping into his voice. "What can I do now?"
Ethan placed a hand on Yohan's shoulder, his gaze firm. "You learn to use our clan's power. The Sasa power is ancient, and it runs in our blood. It's not godly, but it's strong enough to fight Ashura if you can master it."
Yohan closed his eyes, focusing inward, trying to sense the power his father spoke of. He concentrated, reaching deep into his being, but there was nothing. Frustration built up as he tried again and again, but the power wouldn't respond.
He opened his eyes and shook his head. "I'm trying, but nothing is happening."
Ethan frowned, watching his son's struggle. "What do you mean nothing happens?"
"I don't feel anything," Yohan said, a hint of desperation in his voice. "I'm trying to reach for this Sasa power, but it's not there."
Ethan crossed his arms, thinking for a moment. "It's not that the power isn't there, Yohan. It's that you're still thinking like a god. You've relied on divine power for so long that you've forgotten how to access the power of your own bloodline."
Yohan clenched his fists, frustration building. "Then what do I do?"
Ethan stepped closer, his voice more gentle now. "You need to clear your mind. Stop thinking about the godly power you once had. That's gone. You are mortal now, but that doesn't make you weak. The Sasa power is inside you, but it's different. It requires patience and focus. You've been relying on raw power for too long. Now, it's time to learn control."
Yohan took a deep breath, calming himself. He knew his father was right. He had always relied on brute strength, but now he needed to take a different approach.
Ethan placed a hand on Yohan's chest. "Feel it here, in your heart. The power of the Sasa Clan runs through your veins, but it's subtle. It's not about force. It's about balance."
Yohan closed his eyes again, this time focusing not on trying to summon power, but on feeling the flow of energy within him. Slowly, he began to sense a faint presence, like a gentle current of energy. It wasn't as overwhelming as his godly power had been, but it was there.
Ethan nodded in approval as he saw Yohan's body begin to glow faintly. "That's it. You're starting to feel it. Now, don't rush it. Let it grow naturally."
Yohan kept his focus, the frustration ebbing away as he allowed the energy to flow through him. It wasn't as powerful or immediate as his godly abilities, but it was strong in its own way. He could feel it growing inside him, slowly but surely.
Ethan stepped back, a small smile on his face. "Good. You're on the right path, Yohan. This is only the beginning, but with time, you'll master the Sasa power. And when you do, Ashura won't stand a chance."
Yohan opened his eyes, determination shining in them. "I'll master it, Dad. I'll become even stronger than I was before."
Ethan smiled and nodded. "That's the spirit. Now, let's continue. There's still much to learn before you face Ashura."