The morning sun filtered through the curtains of the room where Sam, Masha, Sara, and Alan had gathered. The events of the past few days had been nothing short of intense, but now, as they sat together in the quiet of the palace, a sense of peace began to settle over them. The teleporter they had obtained meant that they could return to the Void whenever they needed, but for now, they had decided to go back to Earth and take a much-needed break.
Sam stared at the teleporter in his hand, his thoughts far away. The words of Valkor echoed in his mind, a reminder of the power he wielded and the responsibility that came with it. Valkor had told him he wasn't strong enough to maintain the full power of the Arcon, and that truth weighed heavily on him.
"I need to train," Sam murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "Valkor's power… I can't control it the way I need to."
Alan, sitting across from him, looked equally troubled. He had always been confident in his abilities, but the recent battles had shaken that confidence. The confrontation with Steve had shown him just how much he still had to learn, how much stronger he needed to become.
"You're not alone," Alan said, his voice filled with quiet resolve. "I thought I was strong enough, but… it's clear I have a long way to go."
Masha and Sara exchanged a glance, sensing the tension in their friends. They had all been through so much together, and they knew that the challenges ahead would only grow more difficult. But for now, they were back on Earth, where things were a little more grounded.
As the group sat in contemplative silence, Mark entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention. He was the one who had guided them through the most difficult parts of their journey, and now, it seemed he had something important to share.
"Mark," Sam began, looking up at him. "We've been talking about how we need to train, to get stronger. But we're not sure where to start."
Mark nodded, a knowing smile on his face. "I've been expecting this. And I'm glad you're all thinking about it. But before you dive into training, there's something you need to know."
The group listened intently as Mark continued, his tone serious. "As the creator of the Arcons, I know every detail about them, every secret they hold. And there's something important you should understand—you can train with your Arcons."
Sam, Alan, Masha, and Sara exchanged surprised glances. "Train with our Arcons?" Sara echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion. "How is that even possible?"
Mark's smile widened slightly, as if he had been waiting for this moment. "It's a technique that's not well known, even among those who wield Arcons. But because I created them, I can teach you how to do it. Your Arcon is more than just a weapon; it's a partner, a part of you. And with the right training, you can learn to communicate with it, to draw out its full potential."
Sam's eyes widened with realization. "So you're saying… we can actually train directly with our Arcons? Like… interacting with them?"
"Exactly," Mark confirmed. "It's not something that happens overnight, and it requires intense focus and discipline. But if you're willing to put in the effort, you can unlock abilities you never knew you had. And more importantly, you'll learn to control the power of your Arcon without being overwhelmed by it."
Alan's expression shifted from confusion to determination. "This could be exactly what we need. We've all been pushing ourselves to get stronger, but it feels like there's a barrier we can't break through. If this can help…"
"It will help," Mark assured them. "But before you start this new phase of your training, I want you all to take some time to rest. Go back to Earth, focus on your studies, and let your minds and bodies recover. The Shade Society will be quiet for a while. Use this time wisely."
The mention of their studies brought a small, sheepish smile to Sam's face. "Right… exams are coming up. I almost forgot about that."
Sara chuckled, nudging him playfully. "We've been a bit preoccupied with, you know, saving a kingdom and all."
Masha grinned, though the thought of returning to school and exams was far from exciting. "Still, Mark's right. We can't let our grades slip. If we're going to protect the world, we might as well make sure we graduate."
The group shared a light laugh, the tension easing as they embraced the idea of returning to some semblance of normalcy, even if just for a little while. The battles ahead would be fierce, but for now, they had each other—and a little time to rest.
"All right," Sam said, standing up and looking at his friends. "Let's head back to Earth, focus on our studies, and then we'll be ready to train with our Arcons. We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but I know we can do it."
The others nodded in agreement, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. With the teleporter in hand, they knew they could return to the Void whenever they needed, but for now, their priority was to recharge and prepare for the challenges to come.
Mark watched them with a mixture of pride and anticipation. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he also knew that this group was special. They had already accomplished so much, and with the right guidance, they would become even stronger.
As they prepared to leave, Mark gave them one final piece of advice. "Remember, the bond you have with your Arcon is as important as the bond you have with each other. Nurture it, respect it, and it will serve you well."
With that, the group activated the teleporter, and in a flash of light, they found themselves back on Earth. The familiar sights and sounds of their world greeted them, and for the first time in a while, they felt a sense of calm.
But even as they settled back into their lives, the knowledge of what awaited them kept them focused. They had a mission, a purpose, and now, with Mark's guidance, they had a plan.
And so, with determination in their hearts, they began to prepare—not just for their exams, but for the battles that lay ahead. Because they knew that when the time came, they would be ready.