Asha and Faida emerged from the side chambers dressed in their new training gear. The outfits were light and flexible, designed for unrestricted movement, yet fortified with enchanted fibers to withstand intense Zowa surges. The fabric glimmered faintly in the dim light of the temple, resonating with the energy of the training hall itself.
Tidiane stood at the center of the hall, arms crossed, his sharp gaze assessing them as they approached. His expression was neutral, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of anticipation. "Good," he said finally, his voice steady. "Now we begin."
Faida, always energetic, stepped forward eagerly. "What's first? Is it sparring? Target practice? Something to push us to our limits?"
Tidiane smirked, shaking his head. "Patience, Faida. Strength without control is a wild flame—it can burn out as easily as it ignites. The first step in your training is mastering your Zowa flow. Without it, you'll never reach your true potential."
He reached into a pouch at his side and pulled out two small bundles of herbs, their green leaves faintly glowing. Handing them to Asha and Faida, he gestured for them to consume them.
"What are these for?" Asha asked, inspecting the bundle curiously.
"They'll help ease your connection with your Zowa," Tidiane explained. "Normally, this level of control takes years of disciplined practice. But we don't have that kind of time. If you're serious about this journey, we must take shortcuts."
Asha frowned, his brows knitting together. "Shortcuts? Doesn't that mean we'll miss something important?"
Tidiane's eyes softened. "You're wise to ask that, Asha. Yes, this is only a temporary measure. While the herbs will accelerate your learning, you must continue to train regularly to strengthen your natural connection. Do you trust me?"
Asha nodded slowly. "I trust you."
Faida, already chewing on her bundle, grinned. "It tastes weird, but let's get to it!"
---
The Flow of Power
Once they had consumed the herbs, Tidiane instructed them to sit cross-legged and close their eyes. His voice was calm yet firm as he guided them through the process. "Your Zowa is like a river," he began. "It flows through you, connecting every part of your body. To control it, you must see it clearly in your mind. Picture it as water flowing freely. Then, choose where to direct it."
Asha and Faida followed his instructions, their breaths steady as they focused inward. Faida was the first to react. Her Zowa flared around her like a soft, golden aura, and she let out a triumphant laugh. "I did it!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet. "Asha, look!"
Asha opened one eye, his concentration breaking as he watched Faida demonstrate. She shifted the energy from her legs to her arms, punching the air with a force that sent small gusts rippling outward.
Tidiane chuckled, clearly pleased. "You're a natural, Faida. Your control is impressive."
Asha, however, struggled. Each time he tried to concentrate his Zowa into one part of his body, it dispersed before he could stabilize it. After several failed attempts, he groaned in frustration. "Why can't I do it?!"
Tidiane crouched beside him, his tone gentle yet firm. "Asha, you're trying to force it. Zowa isn't something you can command—it's something you flow with. Stop thinking of it as a force to control. Instead, see it as a tap of water. Let it flow naturally, and guide it with intention."
Taking a deep breath, Asha closed his eyes again, Tidiane's words echoing in his mind. He imagined a stream of water, calm and steady, flowing through him. Slowly, he directed the flow toward his arms, feeling the energy gather there.
When he opened his eyes, his fists were glowing faintly, and Tidiane nodded in approval. "There you go, Asha. Now focus and refine it."
Encouraged, Asha repeated the exercise, each attempt bringing him closer to mastery.
---
The Orb of Power
As Asha grew more confident, Tidiane introduced the next step. "Now, gather your Zowa into your palms and shape it into an orb. This is a foundational technique for channeling destructive force."
Faida was quick to try, her energy forming a small, glowing orb within seconds. She laughed excitedly, holding it up for Asha to see. "Look! I did it again!"
Asha grinned, but his attempts were met with difficulty. His Zowa was more turbulent, refusing to condense into a stable shape. Tidiane watched him carefully, understanding the deeper reason behind Asha's struggles.
"The Great Blessing within him is too vast," Tidiane thought. "It's like trying to contain a storm in a bottle. He'll need time to learn control."
After several tries, Asha's frustration peaked. But instead of giving up, he remembered his father—how Tendaji had stood unyielding against overwhelming odds. Determination flared within him, and he tried again, pouring every ounce of focus into the task.
Suddenly, the floor beneath him cracked, and a massive orb of Zowa energy formed in his hands, glowing with an intensity that made Faida gasp. Asha stared at it in awe, the sheer power pulsing through him unlike anything he'd felt before.
He aimed at a nearby boulder and released the orb. The resulting explosion shattered the rock into countless fragments, the impact reverberating through the training hall.
Faida ran to him, her eyes wide with amazement. "Asha, that was incredible! How did you do that?"
"I… I just thought of my father," Asha said quietly. "I wanted to do what he did when he fought Zaria."
Tidiane clapped him on the shoulder, pride shining in his eyes. "That was excellent, Asha. You've surpassed my expectations."
---
A Bond Strengthened
Not to be outdone, Faida turned to Tidiane with a determined expression. "Teach me how to do that!"
Tidiane smiled. "It's all about precision and control. Think of the orb like a raw egg—it's delicate, and if you're not careful, it'll break."
Faida nodded, focusing her Zowa with renewed determination. Her first attempts were shaky, but with Tidiane's guidance, she soon formed a perfect orb. When she launched it, the energy flew straight and true, creating a smaller but equally impressive explosion.
Tidiane clapped his hands, a rare grin spreading across his face. "You've both done well. Honestly, I thought this would take much longer. You've proven you're ready for what lies ahead."
Asha and Faida exchanged a glance, their faces lighting up with joy. "We did it!" they shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the hall.
Tidiane nodded, his tone turning serious. "This is only the beginning. When you return from your quest for the Moonstone, we'll begin advanced training. Until then, stay focused and stay safe."
As they prepared to leave, Daktari entered the hall, carrying a small packet of glowing pills. "These will heal any wound," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "Use them wisely, and may your journey be safe."
Asha and Faida bowed deeply. "Thank you, Daktari," they said in unison.
As the two young warriors left the hall, Tidiane and Daktari watched them go. "They'll come back stronger than we can imagine," Tidiane said quietly.
Daktari nodded. "There's no doubt about that. They carry the future of Nyemba with them."