After the victory that Niral and Kyle achieved against the monster, their journey became clearer. However, the path to the sage was not free of challenges. The road began to turn into rough terrain, and new difficulties loomed on the horizon.
Throughout the journey, Niral continued to train his abilities to control the ether. Kyle was a good mentor, but he knew that the sage was the only one who could open the door to deeper knowledge.
The path was fraught with dangers, as they passed through dense forests, which were home to other monsters. There were tales of ancient beasts that no one dared to approach. Despite this, Niral and Kyle had no choice but to continue.
While they were camping one night, a conversation took place between them. "What is the ether, really?" Niral asked, sitting by the fire.
Kyle pondered the fire for a moment before responding. "The ether is the foundation of everything. It is the force that connects us to the world and gives us life and energy. But not everyone can use it. It requires a deep connection to the world and nature."
"And how can I improve my use of it?" Niral asked.
"Training, but it's more than that. It's about internal balance, understanding yourself before you understand the world."
That night, Niral fell asleep thinking about Kyle's words. Could he reach this balance? And would he be ready for what awaited him in the future?
Niral and Kyle continued their journey, and eventually, they arrived at a small village located at the foot of the mountain where the sage lived. However, there, they faced a new challenge.
The village was under threat from another monster, one more powerful and complex than the one they had faced before. The monster moved in the shadows, attacking at night and instilling terror in the hearts of the villagers.
"We won't be able to reach the sage if we don't get rid of this monster first," Kyle said firmly.
Niral looked at Kyle, then at the villagers who were in despair. He couldn't ignore their suffering. "We will do it."
That night, they prepared for battle. The monster was cunning, sneaking through the shadows and attacking from unexpected places. But Niral was more prepared this time. He learned from his previous battles and used the ether with greater skill. However, the monster was fast and dangerous.
As the fight intensified, Kyle suffered a serious injury to his shoulder, leaving Niral to face the monster alone.
"Kyle!" Niral shouted as he saw his friend fall.
But despite the fear he felt, he did not retreat. He focused on the ether and summoned all his strength to fight. With a decisive blow, Niral succeeded in landing a fatal strike on the monster, bringing it crashing to the ground.
However, the battle was not easy, and Kyle was in critical condition. "We need to reach the sage quickly," Niral said as he tried to help his injured friend.
Finally, after a grueling journey, Niral and Kyle reached the summit of the mountain where the sage lived. The place was filled with tranquility and positive energy, and the sage was sitting there, waiting for them.
"I have been waiting for you," the sage said in a calm voice.
Niral greeted him and presented their problem. "We need your help; my friend is injured, and I need to understand the ether more deeply."
The sage looked at the injured Kyle, then at Niral. "The ether is not something that can be controlled easily. But it is a part of you now, and you must learn how to handle it."
Niral sat with the sage for several days, receiving profound lessons in understanding the ether. The sage taught him how to listen to the flow of energy around him and how to integrate it with his will. The process was long and arduous, but Niral began to feel progress.
During this time, Kyle slowly healed with the sage's assistance. However, the sage knew that Niral would need to face greater challenges in the future.
"The power you possess is part of something greater. There are forces in this world that you will not yet understand, but you will face them soon," the sage said on the last day before bidding them farewell.
After the training period with the sage, Niral felt improved. But he knew that his true journey had just begun. His world was no longer what it used to be, and the path ahead was filled with challenges.
Kyle, despite his injury, was ready to continue. "We survived the worst, Niral. But what awaits us may be greater than anything we've faced."
Niral looked toward the horizon, knowing that there was much to discover. The journey had begun, and they would not stop until they reached the end of the road.
"I will not stop until I find the truth," Niral said confidently.