[3 days later]
[Training Day]
Three days had passed since I started making ready for my first real training. The morning sun was just up, barely, and the light across the city of Floralia was still soft. I had packed everything I thought I'd need-my sword, the Nova Watch, and a few supplies for the day. Sasha's training ground was to the north, and I'd been looking forward to it for days. Finally, I'd get some real practice in.
I was about to step out through the main gate when a voice behind me caught my attention.
"Where are you going?" Lynsithea asked.
I stood still and turned around. She was in the normal elegant pose, her pale eyes curious, though her lips wore that slight playful smile she sometimes wore.
"To Sasha's," I replied, adjusting the strap of my bag. "Why?"
She turned her head slightly, then said, "Follow me."
I blinked, momentarily confused, but shrugged. It was of no use arguing with her when her expression took up that note.
From then on, I followed her curiously, knowing she would lead me to some destination or another. We strolled down the gardens of the palace, full of flowers shining in their brilliance and trees whose leaves danced with the soft breeze of the morning. Lynsithea didn't say a word; she just kept her pace until we reached the area at the back of the palace that was open and wide.
That was when I saw it.
A huge creature lay there, wings folded, scales glinting a cool, icy blue. Nothing like I had ever seen before, so grand, beautiful and yet so terrifying.
My heart missed a beat. "Is that, a dragon!?"
Lynsithea smiled and nodded, continuing ahead with no trace of fear. "Zane, meet Glacielle."
Glacielle, lifted its head as Lynsithea approached. It was almost like watching an old friend greet another. She ran her hand over its icy scales, and the beast responded by lowering its head slightly, almost in a gesture of bowing to her. Its piercing eyes shifted toward me, and I froze in place. This thing could tear me apart if it wanted to.
"Glacielle is a wyvern, not a dragon," Lynsithea said quietly, the correction spoken in a voice light yet clear. "But I suppose the two are similar enough."
I blinked and took a cautious step forward. "So. you're saying this, wyvern, is coming with us?"
Lynsithea glanced behind her shoulder, that playful smirk returning. "Why not? It'll be quicker, don't you think?"
I wasn't entirely certain how I felt about riding a wyvern for the first time, but there was something strangely appealing about arriving at Sasha's on the back of a beast like this. I nodded, still a bit uneasy, though the excitement couldn't be mistaken.
"Alright," I said, "Let's see what this thing can do.
Lynsithea sprang onto Glacielle's back with fluid ease, as if she'd done it a thousand times before. I hesitated a moment. The wyvern's scales shimmered under the sun, but when my hand came in contact with them, I pulled back-my hand recoiled because they were cold. More accurately, ice-cold. Not a surprise, considering Glacielle's appearance, but a shock nonetheless.
I struggled to find my footing, slipping slightly as I tried to hoist myself up onto Glacielle's back. Lynsithea glanced back at me with a small chuckle.
"Are you alright, Zane?" she asked, a teasing smile playing upon her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, just… not used to riding a giant cold-blooded creature" I muttered, trying to sound casual, while my pulse raced. I finally managed to settle myself behind Lynsithea, grabbing hold of whatever part of the saddle I could find.
Lynsithea half-turned again and said, "Hold on tight." There was an excitement in her eyes, a thrill she was clearly looking forward to.
I clung to the saddle. "Please be in care because this is my fir-WAAAAHH!!!"
Glacielle's wings unfolded in a great swoop, and then we were flying. My stomach dropped with the sudden rise into the air, and I clung tight to Lynsithea's waist, the wind rushing across them.
The city of Floralia fell away beneath us, shrinking as we flew higher, and my heart raced in my chest. Somewhere, in the bottom of my stomach, panic still crawled. But then again, there was something euphoric about it-the open sky above us, the wind whipping through my hair, the sight of the city spread out below.
Lynsithea twisted her head a little, her laughter just barely audible over the wind whistling around us. "First flight? Enjoying it?"
I couldn't help but grin, cold and frightened as I was. "You might've warned me first!"
She laughed again. "Where's the fun in that?"
The higher Glacielle rose, the more the view opened out into a panorama of breathtaking wonder. Soon, the city of Floralia-its white spires reaching high and its beautiful gardens-was to give place to a tapestry of fantasy landscapes.
The city greenery was blurring into the distance as we flew over vast forests, shimmering in the light of an ethereal glow, their trees not just green but glowing with faint hues of violet and blue, pulsating as if alive with magic.
Further eastward, a waterfall tumbled down off the peak of the crystal mountain. It was not clear water, as might have been supposed, but it glittered in a soft golden light, as if liquid sunlight came pouring from the heart of heaven. Lying beneath were a broad lake, whose face rippled with momentary flashes of varicoloured light, magical fish leaping forth from its bottom, and islands floating around it, held aloft in mid-air by radiant crystals fastening them above the ground.
"This is astounding" I whispered, my eyes wide, attempting to take in all this view had to offer. I hadn't realized how extensive Lynsithea's homeland truly was.
Lynsithea turned slightly, looking back at me over her shoulder. "It is even more wondrous from here, is it not?" she says with a soft smile. "Calyx is full of wonders. We are seeing but a fraction of it."
The ground changed once more as we continued north, rolling hills covered by thick, vibrant moss gave way to icy tundras that appeared to stretch on forever. Strange creatures roamed beneath them, great lumbering beasts whose fur shimmered like frost under the sun.
The tundra surface was dotted with enormous, spire-like formations of ice that pierced the air, their crystalline surfaces refracting the light in a manner that made them seem almost surreal.
Farther on, an even more amazing sight met my eyes: a city that seemed to float much further away. Huge stone platforms floated in the air, joined together by bridges made of glass so transparent it was almost unseen, buildings constructed from marble that glowed bright and metals with laced magic mirrored the sky in impressive shapes.
"Is that. a city up there?" I asked, pointing.
Lynsithea nodded. "That's Levion. It's one of the oldest cities in Calyx, kept afloat by ancient magic. Some of the most brilliant minds in our world study there."
I couldn't take my eyes off the scene before me. This journey was all so surreal. Ever since the wastelands, almost every minute brought something new and fabulous, beasts I had never seen, landscapes that seemed to have been pulled from dreams.
Glacielle let out a great rumble as we passed over a narrow ravine filled with mist, and below, rivers of glowing blue liquid snaked through it like veins of magic running through the earth. The wyvern's wings cut the air, and I felt a strange calm settle over me, almost as though my fear had melted away and was replaced by a feeling of awe and wonder.
It was a form of travel, on the back of a mythical creature, travelling through lands I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams-a world so different from the ruined Earth I knew.
I looked at Lynsithea, who was perfectly at home up in the air, her hair blowing wildly in the wind, her eyes shining bright with excitement. I couldn't help but smile. Her world… I was starting to understand why she loved it so much.
And so, our journey continued-face full of wind, the magic of the world stretching out beneath us.
We were flying across the endless skies when suddenly Lynsithea turned her head to the back and shouted above the wind.
"We've arrived," she said, pointing forward. "Borealis."
I leaned forward, peering over her shoulder as the city came into view, my breath catching in my throat. Borealis was unlike anything I had ever seen.
It was nestled in the middle of a great, frozen valley, with the whole of the city radiating from within in a sort of ghostly, blue light that reflected off the ice everywhere. Towering spires of frost rose up from the ground, each one capped with glowing orbs of light that pulsed rhythmically in time with one another to send the whole city shrouded in soft, ethereal light.
Gigantic ice bridges connected the different parts of town, spanning over rivers of frozen water that shone in the sun. Some of the buildings had been hewn into the solid ice; their walls were glassy and transparent. Others seemed to be composed of a kind of weird, shining silver metal that reflected even the vague light of a sunset.
The air grew colder around us as we descended, and beneath me Glacielle's icy scales seemed to radiate an even stronger chill.
Her wings beat slower, sending the wyvern gliding down with an effortless grace toward the city below. My heart pounded in my chest, partly because of the cold, but also because of the wonder of the spectacle unfolding before me.
It became even clearer as we closed in on the ground. Frost-covered trees lined the streets, their branches sparkling as if dusted with diamonds.
The people moved about, clad in thick fur-lined cloaks, moving silently on the streets packed with snow. It all felt like a silent hum, right from the magic in the air.
I could hardly take it all in. "This place, it's incredible!"
Lynsithea smiled. Her eyes shone with pride. "Borealis is one of the most magical places in Calyx. It's where the Cryo Essence is strongest. Sasha's training ground is just ahead, near the heart of the city."
Glacielle landed lightly, his enormous talons sinking into the snow with a soft crunch. As I hopped off, I felt the cold hit me full force; the air was crisp and biting against my skin. I shivered, but couldn't help grinning.
"So, this is where the real training begins, huh?" I asked, looking around at the icy beauty of Borealis.
Lynsithea nodded, a hint of mystery playing in the tugging of her lips. "Welcome to Borealis, Zane. You're about to see just how strong you can become."
Standing before the large, frosted doors of Sasha's Bastion, otherwise known as the Frost Heart, I took a deep breath.
The cold of Borealis bit at my skin despite the four layers of clothes I'd put on. The chill was seeping in, even with the jacket I had bought in Floralia. I raised my hand and firmly knocked on the door, my knuckles stinging from the cold metal.
A moment later, I heard movement on the other side, then an anxious voice, soft despite the thick doors, called out, "Is that Zane?!"
I had barely time to say anything before the doors swung open with almost surprising speed; Sasha was standing there, a big grin plastered on her face. I blinked in surprise, almost not recognizing her. The last time I'd seen her, she'd had a normal appearance, but now…
Sasha's skin had taken on an icy blue hue, almost as if she had been sculpted out of frost. Her scant, tousled hair was silvery white; her eyes sparkled like frozen lakes. She was dressed so casually, too-just a simple shirt and shorts, like the freezing temperature didn't bother her in the least. Meanwhile, I could barely feel my fingers under my thick gloves.
"You look. different," I stammered, still taking in her countenance.
She laughed, crossing her arms. "You like it? This is the real me. I only change to blend in when I visit warmer places." Her grin broadened. "You look like you're freezing."
I huffed out a breath, watching it turn to mist in the ice-cold air. "I am freezing! And I'm wearing four layers of clothes!"
She laughed again, her voice warm against the cold around us. "You'll get used to it eventually, Zane. Frost Heart's all about embracing the cold." She peered past me then, scanning the area. "Where's Lynsithea?"
"She's with Glacielle," I said, still trying to get accustomed to the freezing temperature, even in layers.
Sasha's eyes went wide, her grin disappearing for a moment as she gasped, "Glacielle? She brought Glacielle here?!" Without another word, she shot past me, running down the snow-lined path toward the wyvern.
I turned and followed her, trying to keep up as best I could. The excitement of Sasha was palpable, and upon reaching Lynsithea and Glacielle, Sasha finally slowed to a stop, looking up at the enormous creature with wonder. It lowered its head slightly, and its icy breath made a mist circle around us three.
"Lynsithea!" Sasha exclaimed, her voice full of excitement. "It's been ages! And you brought Glacielle, of all things!"
Lynsithea smiled warmly, stroking Glacielle's cold scales. "It seemed like the best way to travel."
Sasha looked up at the wyvern in awe, head shaking. "I forgot how beautiful she is. It's been years since I have seen her."
Lynsithea chuckled softly. "She's grown quite a bit since you last saw her."
Sasha's eyes glowed with admiration. "It's good to see you, Lynsithea. And you too, Glacielle." She turned back toward me and a sly grin curled.
"Now, Zane, ready for some real training? I hope you aren't afraid of a little cold."
I shivered despite the layers I wore, but I managed to grin. "As long as it doesn't kill me."
Sasha chuckled, already waltzing into the Bastion. "Don't you worry, kid. We'll harden you up in no time!"
As we stepped inside Sasha's Bastion, somehow the temperature felt a little colder. We were in huge training grounds with icy pillars lining the walls; large spaces open, as though the floor shimmered as though it was made from frozen glass. The cold mist clung to everything, making the air still crisper.
Sasha strode on ahead of me; her bare feet, cosseted by some warm beach rather than the ice-cold floor, padded silently. Still growing accustomed to such blatant cold, which bored into my very marrow despite all my layers, I followed with more caution.
Stopping beside a large rack of weapons, Sasha turned to me, grinning, and pulled down a long, sleek weapon gleaming under the icy light.
A training lance, its shaft was made from a dark cool metal, and it tipped with a razor-sharp point that shone like frozen starlight.
"This is what you shall use," she said as she handed me the lance. It was balanced in weight, but even in my gloved hands, I could feel the cold ice emanating from it.
"Training with a lance will give you strength and precision and swiftness."
I nodded, clenching the lance tightly. Already, I could feel the cold seeping into my hands. But before I could say another word, Sasha cocked her head, an almost somber look on her face now.
"But first," she said, "you need to lose that jacket."
I blinked. "What? But it's freezing in here!"
She raised an eyebrow. "Precisely. If you wear all those layers, you will never be able to move right, and your muscles will not acclimate to the cold. Training here is just as much about hardening your body as learning technique. You will warm up as you start moving, but you cannot do that bundled up like a snowman."
I stared reluctantly from the four layers of jackets I was wearing to Sasha, who obliviously didn't seem fazed in her simple shirt and shorts.
After a moment of hesitation, I let out a deep exhalation and tugged off the first jacket, then the second, then the third, until I was left in just a shirt. The cold suddenly felt like a fist to the chest, and I couldn't quite bite back a shiver.
Sasha grinned. "Good. Now, pick up the lance. Let's see what you're made of."
I took the lance once more, my arms already bracing against the nipping cold. At first, my movements felt like weights, as if my muscles all wanted to fight against it. I was conscious of every breath in the room, every harsh touch of icy air against my skin.
Sasha, on the contrary, looked at ease. "Don't worry, Zane. You'll get used to it. The cold won't break you; it will make you stronger."
I nodded, my teeth chattering just a little. Taking the lance in hand, I followed Sasha to the center of the training grounds. The cold was crippling, but her eyes gleamed with challenge. This wasn't just about fighting; this was about endurance. And in this world, that was a skill I was going to have to learn.
"Ready?" Sasha asked, her eyes glinting with anticipation.
I was freezing, standing in the middle of the training area, with the chill seeming to seep right into my bones. The lance was heavier in my hands now, as I had shed my layers of clothing, but I could see the challenge in Sasha's eyes, the readiness to push me to my limits, and I was bracing myself for what was to come.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lynsithea seated off to the side, leaning against a carved ice pillar.
She seemed utterly relaxed now, her earlier concern having given way to casual ease. She was cradling a steaming mug between her hands-hot chocolate, I realized, with tendrils of steam curling upwards from the rich dark liquid.
She sipped slowly, her gaze straying to the movements on the training ground, a smile serene and placed upon her face. It was the contrast that struck the true chord between her serene presence and the intensity of the training.
Sasha then took note of my distraction and called out, "Focus, Zane! No daydreaming. You're here to train, not to admire the scenery."
I snapped my attention back to her, trying to ignore the chill now making my fingers numb. "Got it. Just… trying to stay warm."
Sasha raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. She started showing me the basic stances and moves there were with the lance, sure and smooth in her movements. I imitated her motions as closely as I could, my muscles fighting against the cold and the strange weight of the lance.
Meanwhile, Lynsithea had been sipping away at her hot chocolate, contented-looking. She watched with silent amusement, the corner of her lips curling into a soft smile every now and then. It was a stark contrast, the warmth of the hot chocolate to the cold surroundings that enveloped us.
"Looks like you're surviving," Lynsithea called cheerily across the ice. "How's the training going?"
I glanced over at her, giving her a thumbs-up despite the chill. "Surviving's about all I can manage right now."
Lynsithea chuckled, taking another sip of her drink. "You'll get used to it. Besides, it's all part of the process. Sasha's training is intense, but it's worth it."
Sasha, overhearing a bit of our conversation, added, "Exactly. You're not just training your body, Zane. You're conditioning yourself to handle the harshest conditions. By the end of this, you'll be tougher than you've ever been."
I nodded, steeled myself, and refocused on training. First, every motion felt a struggle; gradually, my body began to adjust. The cold became part of the routine, something to be endured rather than struggled against.
I could feel Lynsithea off to the side with my peripheral vision; she was placid in her presence, a gentle juxtaposition once again against this cruel world. I started breathing deeply and pushed through in much discomfort, knowing full well each moment spent in this training was taking me closer to what I was working for.
"Alright, let's see what you're made of, Zane," Sasha said as her voice carried on with both challenge and encouragement. "Show me what you've learned."
At that, I gripped the lance tightly and focused my mind to push my way through the cold. The hot chocolate tasted nice, but it was a waste of time since I was here to train-to get stronger. And besides, as I moved, I could almost feel the warmth of Lynsithea's encouragement spurring me on.
I set up for my first strike, emulating Sasha's precise movements-the lance firmly held in my hands. I breathed deeply, ready for the attack. The cold now felt almost distant, replaced by this intensity in training. My gaze stuck on Sasha, waiting for her signal.
Just as I was going to make my move, Sasha shot forward with a speed that belied her slender build. In but a moment, her figure of ice blue turned into a blur, closing the distance between us.
I wasn't ready for it yet. Sasha sidestepped my strike and skillfully tripped me with one swift and calculated movement.
I went down hard onto the frozen ground. The impact was jarring, and the cold seeped through my shirt and in through my bones, and I had hardly braced in time for the shock to hit.
Sasha was over me in a flash, her expression challenging yet encouraging at the same time. "Too slow! Again!"
I heaved myself up, shaking off the cold shock. "I'm trying!" I said, trying to ignore the ache in my limbs, the sting of skin against icy ground.
"Trying isn't enough!" Sasha said, neither her eyes nor her voice hostile but firm.
"In a real fight, you will never get that tiniest speck of time to go over something. You need to be faster, sharper, instinctive. The cold is just an added layer of challenge, and you need to overcome it."
I nodded, determination ablaze in my eyes despite the chill. "Understood. Let's go again."
Sasha fell back, her eyes never leaving mine. Again, I lifted the lance; my body was already sore from the fall. This time, I attempted to see beforehand what she was going to do, shifting my attention away from the blow to being prepared to act.
I resumed my strike again, guard up, senses alert. Sasha was a blur until she closed in again. This time I was ready. I shifted my weight, trying to adjust to her speed and agility.
But Sasha's form was quick and practiced despite my effort. She dodged my strike with ease, precision etched in every movement. She skimmed over the icy surface as if floating, her control over her body perfect.
"Again!" Sasha yelled as she stepped further away from me, an encouraging edge within her tone. "You're getting there, but you need to be quicker. Feel the flow, respond with no hesitation."
I got up, heaving a heavy breath, and brushed the snow off my clothes. I glanced over at Lynsithea, who had been standing off to the side, observing intently at the training, her hot chocolate now forgotten as she watched in keen interest.
"You're doing great, Zane!" Lynsithea called out, her voice laced with encouragement. "Just keep pushing. You've got this."
I took a deep breath and focused on the task at hand. The cold kept chewing, but I didn't give up-I wanted to be better. I turned around and faced Sasha again, determined to do my best.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes and settling into my center to focus. It was a bitter cold, but I tried to clear that from my mind as I centered my breath. The training lance felt like an extension of my body as I moved forward, knowing that whatever Sasha threw at me, I had to be ready for.
Sasha watched me with an acutely keen eye, sharp, ready to test this new focus. "That's more like it," she said approvingly, her voice a mix of challenge and encouragement.
In one swift motion, Sasha launched herself at me. I felt the chill of the air as she swung at my face. Following instinct, I sidestepped and raised the lance to deflect her blow. Sharp was the impact, yet I was ready to ward it off-my reflexes sharpened by months of hard training.
Sasha looked a little surprised. "Not bad! Let's see how you handle this!"
She hastened her pace, striking faster and with precision. Each attack followed the other so fast, movements blurred in grace as if made from ice.
I could barely keep up, but my instincts overtook me and guided me through as I deflected and parried her relentless strikes.
My arms were starting to ache, but I willed myself to keep my attention; block and parry began to flow more smoothly as I habituated to the speed. I could feel the sweat forming on my brow despite the freezing cold, the effort of training making me work harder than ever.
Meanwhile, Lynsithea watched from the side, and though her eyes had been on the fierce training, it was not all she was looking at.
I followed the shift in her gaze, knowing I caught it when it darted to the corner of the training ground, where my broken watch had been lying in the dirt.
It had lain there since I'd stripped off my coverings, its face cracked open to the chill light of the Bastion. But now something was happening. The watch started to glow with a faint, soft light, the cracks across its face limning with a gentle, steady pulse.
Lynsithea's eyes widened in surprise and alarm as she realized something unexpected: the watch was glowing. She rose, her feet carrying her to it out of curiosity. A look of curiosity mixed with concern etched on her face as she reached to touch the glowing gadget.
The training ground again, but this time, I was fully engaging in the defense, my body moving near enough on autopilot as I continued to block Sasha's strikes. Every strike was followed by a quick counter, and though the pace was fast, I could feel that sense of control start to kick in.
"Good!" Sasha yelled, her voice full of encouragement. "You're getting the hang of it. Keep it up!"
While I continued to deflect and block, my peripheral vision could see Lynsithea's intent look. A small part of me was more concerned, despite the seriousness of the training, with finding out what was happening with the watch.
But for now, I pushed that thought aside, focusing on Sasha's relentless attacks. With each successful block, I felt my confidence grow a little more, knowing I was starting to get the hang of it. The watch could wait; right now, the only thing that mattered was proving I could handle whatever Sasha threw at me.
As Sasha prepared her finishing blow, she came at me much quicker indeed, her lance leading the way on a beeline for my person. The brute strength with which she was drilling this strike was impressive to say the least; I just felt an influx of determination. Rather than parry the strike, I decided to make a riskier move.
In one smooth motion, I shifted my stance and grabbed the shaft of Sasha's lance with my own.
The cold metal from her lance was slick and nipped at me, but I grasped it, and off the contact point, the formation of ice began to take shape. Her eyes widened in surprise as I was successful in stopping her attack, her strength met by a surprising resistance for a moment.
In that instant, I caught her lance, and the Nova Watch, still lying near Lynsithea, began to shine all the more brightly. Its light pulsed harder, casting an eerie, luminous glow against the ice.
Lynsithea watched it, amazement and wonder spreading across her face.
In one swift movement, I yanked Sasha's lance from her grasp and pulled myself around on it, counterattacking. The cold was forgotten as the exhilaration of adrenaline coursed through me, swinging the lance with an acuity I had never before had. Sasha, wholly taken by surprise by the sudden shift in tactics, fought to be quick enough in defending herself.
The lances clashed in a flurry of exchanged blows, the icy sound of clashing metal echoing across the training hall. Sasha struck with fast and measured strikes, but I battled with the sense of desperation, and the nearness to freedom cut my movements sharper and more defined.
Every counterattack was testimony to the hard training, and the light of the Nova Watch seemed to feed into my determination as if it spread its radiance over the whole scene.
Sasha's eyes lit up with approval as she emulated my now-aggressive stance. "That's more like it!" she yelled excitedly. "You're finally getting into the rhythm!"
Between us, the struggle transformed into a dance of steel and ice, with the cold biting into my skin; however, there was also the urging heat of the Nova Watch. With every blow and with every counter, I felt in better control as my movements flowed out from my will.
Lynsithea watched closely, turning back to the glowing watch from time to time, a look of growing concern on her face. But even then, she seemed to sense that this was a moment important to me and left me to my training.
Pressing the advantage, Sasha's face went from surprise to real admiration. She moved with fluid agility, but now I was pacing her, every attack and counter a testament to how far I'd come.
Finally, Sasha's lance clashed against mine with a final, decisive blow; she stepped back then, breathing hard but satisfied. "Excellent work, Zane," she said, her voice full of pride. "You have really come along."
I nodded heavily, still trying to catch my breath as my body hummed with the energy of fighting. The Nova Watch glowed brighter now, and its light created a warm aura about my person.
Lynsithea approached, an expression of curiosity and relief on her face. "That was impressive," she said, staring at the glowing watch. "And the watch… It's glowing brighter than before."
I wiped the sweat from my brow, staring at the pulsating Nova Watch-my mind a mixture of curiosity and confusion. It had been cracked, almost unworkable; now, it was glowing bright, in time, almost alive.
"Why is my Nova Watch glowing?" I said, flipping it over between my hands and not understanding the appearance of such a phenomenon. "It was broken before. How can it suddenly start to glow like that?"
Lynsithea had been standing close by; at the watch, a look of deep consideration crossed her face. She bent her head closer to me and whispered, "Ether Link"
Sasha caught the term and raised an eyebrow. "Ether Link? You mean the…?" She didn't finish the sentence, yet the tone told she knew something about the concept.
Lynsithea nodded, her eyes glowing with the light of the watch. "Yes, but it is weird. Zane is just a human and doesn't have any magic essence inside his body. It usually requires one to connect to magic essence or a magical source through an Ether Link."
Sasha's ears perked up. "The Ether Link is a mystic bond, capable of anchoring an object to a magical source or entity. It is usually used to channel and amplify the flow of magical energies. If the watch glows, it may be reacting to some latent energy or connection that isn't immediately apparent."
I looked at them, my confusion growing. "So, what does that mean for me? And how is it connected to me if I don't have any magic essence?"
Lynsithea furrowed her brow, pondering what it could mean. "Strange. The Nova Watch maybe relates to residual energy or an attachment from the past. Sometimes the object retains a little of some magical link, even when that link has been shattered or otherwise broken. Still, for it to react so strongly. it's surely interesting."
Sasha nodded. Her face had turned contemplative. "Indeed. It might be a remnant of an old enchantment, or a link to something greater. It's rare, but not impossible. The watch may just be indicating the activation of a dormant connection."
I flipped the watch over in my hand, the light dancing in shifting patterns on the ice beneath me. "So, what should I do about it?"
Lynsithea gave me an encouraging smile. "For now, we should keep an eye on it. It might be a clue to something more important or could be merely a manifestation of the training. Either way, it is worth investigating further when we have the time."
As our discussion on the Nova Watch continued, Sasha's demeanor changed subtly. In less than the blink of an eye, she had a shard-like, glinting ice dagger in her hand.
Silently, she flicked her wrist, sending the dagger flying toward me with a precision that was impressive.
The cold cut around me, and a feral instinct snapped into place. I felt the chill before my brain processed the visual of the dagger. I reacted faster than I ever had before-reached out and caught the ice dagger in the middle of its flight. The freezing metal bit into my palm; the chill of it was extreme, but I didn't let go. The dagger lay safely in my grasp.
Lynsithea's eyes blew wide as she saw that the Nova Watch started to glow again.
For a moment, it flared brightly, starting then to fade. Her gaze flickered between the glowing watch to Sasha, a furrowed look crossing her face.
Sasha's face was serene and impassive, but the slight twitch at the corners of her lips told it all. "Good reflexes, Zane. I wanted to see how well you could handle an unexpected threat. Your instincts are getting better."
I looked down at the ice dagger in my hand before raising my eyes at Sasha. "What was that for?"
Sasha shrugged lightly, her tone light yet serious. "Just a test. It's good to be ready for surprise attacks, especially given our world. How well you could react quick and adapt is crucial."
Lynsithea approached, her eyes darting between the watch and the training ground. "The watch. it glowed once more when you caught the dagger. But now it's fading."
Sasha nodded thoughtfully. "It is as if the watch acted upon stimuli from outside, maybe connected with your physical and mental state. Suddenly, it acted-the sudden action and the poignancy of focus could have evoked it. There's something to investigate here."
I turned the ice dagger in my hand, feeling its cold weight. "So, it's connected with my reactions and focusing?"
Sasha nodded. "That's a possibility. It's reacting to your energy and maybe even your readiness for combat. The more you train and push your limits, the more we may learn from this watch."
Lynsithea furrowed her brow, deep in thought. "It could be the clue to something much important. That watch could be more than a gadget. We should keep monitoring that and see if it gives us some patterns or responses now that we've done this."
I nodded, curiosity mixed with determination churning in my stomach. The Nova Watch was turning out to be a rather mysterious and intriguing part of my journey. For the time being, I focused on the ice dagger currently in my hand and my training ahead.
"Alright," I said, turning to Sasha. "What's next?"
Sasha grinned again, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Now that you've proved you can handle surprises, let's move on to some more advanced techniques. You're doing good, but there's always room for improvement."
As I followed Sasha along to the next part of my training, my mind kept straying back to the Nova Watch and its soft glow.
The way it sprang to life, then faded once more, had set the ideas whirling in my brain into good motion. With each step, the same question kept reappearing in my brain, 'How did Ethan make this watch?'
Ethan had always been a figure of great knowledge and skill, someone who understood technology and the perils of emotions. But this watch, its ability to glow, its connection to my reactions, seemed to be beyond that realm-the melding of the technological with something entirely different.
I recalled Ethan telling me stories of how he made devices, always with a hint of mystery about the inner workings and purpose behind each.
'Was the Nova Watch part of some grand design he had in mind?'
'Had he put something more into it besides simple mechanical parts?'
It was plausible that it could relate to magic or another hidden power, considering Ethan's deep connection with advanced technology and how mysterious his past had been.
With more training, trying to keep my eyes on that which was before me, my mind would start to wander.
'What if Ethan knew something about this watch that I didn't?'
'What if it was all part of something bigger, some hidden potentials left for me to uncover?'
It was as if this watch wasn't just an accessory, but some contraption with its own life, responding in ways I didn't really comprehend from all my efforts and changed circumstances.
A memory of Ethan's words, of his craftsmanship, was in this dance of parry and strike. How the watch reacted to my training could be a clue, a piece of the puzzle Ethan had started long before. It was his way, maybe, of guiding me-or testing me, even from beyond his reach.
"Focus, Zane!" Sasha's voice managed to bring me down from the clouds as her tone was laced both with encouragement and challenge. I blinked to refocus on training coming my way.
I nodded, putting my contemplation aside for now; answers would come sooner or later, I was sure. But until then, the best way to honor Ethan's legacy was to train harder and understand the watch's purpose, enjoy the challenges ahead.
The soft glow of the Nova Watch continued to flicker in my mind as I dove back into training, reminding me of how much mystery was still left to be unraveled on a journey so inextricably linked with Ethan's past and my future.