Chapter 9: A New Path
The air was thick with tension as Pod sat on a low stone wall, gazing out at the dimly lit forest around him. Morgan stood nearby, his arms crossed, observing Pod with a mix of curiosity and authority. Lira had fled into the night after Morgan's attack, her twisted motives still fresh in Pod's mind. His senses still hummed with adrenaline, but his thoughts were far more chaotic.
"You could've stopped her sooner," Pod said, breaking the silence, his voice edged with frustration.
Morgan's gaze shifted to him, his expression unreadable. "She served her purpose."
Pod clenched his fists. The way Morgan spoke—the way he had used him as bait—angered him. He wasn't some pawn in the Midnight Sun's games. Yet, there was something undeniable in Morgan's power, something Pod knew he needed to understand if he was going to survive. And now, there was another question lingering in his mind: how much did Morgan truly know?
Morgan stepped closer, his presence commanding. "Pod, the world you're stepping into is far more dangerous than you realize. If you're going to make it, you need to learn the truth about your power."
Pod tensed. "And what truth is that?"
"The power inside you," Morgan began, his eyes narrowing slightly, "it isn't just about strength or abilities. Choujin powers draw from the deepest, darkest parts of a person's soul. They reflect who you are at your core—the desires you suppress, the fears you refuse to acknowledge. Every time you use that power, you're feeding that darkness."
Pod's heart pounded. He had felt it—the pull, the corruption that threatened to consume him every time he tapped into his abilities. But hearing it confirmed by Morgan sent a chill down his spine.
"So," Pod muttered, "the more I use my powers, the more I lose myself."
Morgan nodded. "Exactly. That's what happened to Lira. She was consumed by her own darkness long before tonight."
Pod's mind reeled. He had thought gaining power would allow him to protect those he cared about, to stop the chaos in Shigatsu, but now it seemed like the more power he used, the more he risked becoming something monstrous.
"And what about you?" Pod asked, his voice low. "You've got power too. How do you keep it from consuming you?"
Morgan's jaw tightened. "I don't. I just control it."
Pod frowned. That wasn't much of an answer, but before he could press further, Morgan turned and motioned for him to follow.
"Come with me. It's time you learned what's really at stake."
Pod hesitated for a moment but ultimately pushed off the wall and followed. He didn't trust Morgan completely, but he knew he needed guidance. And right now, Morgan was the only one offering it.
The two of them walked in silence through the forest until they reached a clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood a large stone building, its structure worn and ancient, like it had been there for centuries. Vines crawled up the sides of the stone, and the air around it felt heavy, charged with an unseen force.
Pod's senses flared as they approached the entrance. He could feel the presence of Choujin energy radiating from the building—powerful, dangerous. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious, but Morgan strode ahead without hesitation.
"What is this place?" Pod asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Morgan stopped in front of the door, resting his hand on the cold stone. "This is where I was trained. Where I learned to master my power, to control the darkness."
Pod frowned. "You're going to train me here?"
Morgan didn't answer right away. Instead, he pushed open the heavy stone door with ease and motioned for Pod to follow him inside.
The interior of the building was dimly lit, with tall, narrow windows that let in slivers of moonlight. The walls were lined with strange symbols, etched deep into the stone, and the air smelled of dust and old magic. Pod's senses picked up the faint hum of energy pulsing through the walls, as if the building itself was alive.
Morgan led him down a long hallway, past several doors that were tightly sealed. Pod could feel the power behind each one, the kind of power that made his skin crawl.
"What's behind those doors?" Pod asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Morgan didn't look back. "Memories. Mistakes."
Pod's brow furrowed. The cryptic answer did little to ease his nerves, but he kept following. They eventually came to a large, open room with a circular stone floor. In the center of the floor was a strange, glowing symbol—one Pod had never seen before.
Morgan stepped into the center of the circle and gestured for Pod to join him.
"This," Morgan said, his voice echoing slightly in the empty room, "is where we start."
Pod stared at the glowing symbol, unsure of what it meant. His instincts told him to be wary, but he stepped into the circle anyway, feeling the energy shift around him as he crossed the threshold.
"Why here?" Pod asked, glancing around the room.
"Because this place is more than just stone and symbols," Morgan replied. "It's a conduit—a way to tap into the power that connects all Choujin. This is where you'll learn to control the darkness inside you."
Pod's heart pounded in his chest. "And what if I can't?"
Morgan's eyes met his, cold and hard. "Then the darkness will control you."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of Morgan's words hung heavy in the air, and Pod couldn't shake the feeling that he was standing at a crossroads. His power, the thing he had once thought would save him, was now the very thing threatening to consume him.
Morgan stepped closer, his voice low. "You've been given a rare gift, Pod. The ability to absorb and amplify the darkness in others—it's more than just a curse. It's a weapon. But it's a weapon that can destroy you if you don't learn to master it."
Pod swallowed hard. "So what do I do?"
Morgan raised his hand, and the symbol beneath their feet glowed brighter, casting a strange light around the room. The energy in the air grew thicker, more intense, and Pod felt it wash over him like a wave.
"You train," Morgan said, his voice firm. "You learn to control the darkness. You learn to become more than just a Choujin."
Pod's senses sharpened as the power surged around him, filling the room with an electric charge. He could feel it—raw, untamed energy pulsing beneath the surface. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, and Pod knew this was just the beginning.
Morgan stepped back, giving him space. "Focus. Close your eyes. Feel the power inside you."
Pod did as he was told, his heart racing as he let the energy flow through him. At first, it felt chaotic, wild, like a storm raging inside him. But as he concentrated, he began to feel something else—a thread of control, buried deep within the chaos.
He reached for it, grasping at it with his mind, and slowly, the energy began to shift. The storm quieted, and for the first time, Pod felt a semblance of control.
Morgan watched him closely, his eyes unreadable. "Good. Now hold onto that feeling."
Pod's breath was shallow, his body tense as he focused on maintaining control. The power was there, waiting for him, but it was fragile—so easy to lose.
"Don't let go," Morgan instructed, his voice steady. "The moment you let go, the darkness will take over."
Pod's muscles trembled with the effort of holding on. The darkness inside him was relentless, pushing against his control, trying to break free. But he held firm, refusing to let it consume him.
Minutes passed like hours, but eventually, Pod opened his eyes. The room was quiet, the energy subdued. He had done it—he had controlled the darkness.
Morgan nodded, a rare hint of approval in his eyes. "You're starting to understand."
Pod exhaled, his body still buzzing with energy. This was just the beginning, but for the first time since gaining his powers, he felt like he had a chance—however small—to master them.
"Now," Morgan said, stepping out of the circle, "we move forward. There's no turning back."