The morning sky was painted in hues of violet and amber as Greg made his way to the training center. The twin suns were still low, casting long shadows that stretched across the ground. He had woken up even earlier than usual, driven by the excitement and determination that had carried over from the previous day's sparring session.
The streets of Veyara were just beginning to stir, with shopkeepers opening their doors and vendors setting up stalls, selling exotic foods and wares from distant planets. Greg felt an odd mix of familiarity and strangeness in this world, as if he were both a tourist and a resident. His life on Earth felt distant, like a fading memory, yet it provided a foundation for the values and instincts that guided him in this new realm.
As he entered the training center, he found that the arena was empty except for one person—Commander Threx. The blue-skinned warrior was in the middle of an intricate series of movements, his body flowing seamlessly from one stance to another, as if he were conducting a symphony of combat. Threx's eyes were closed, his breathing steady and deep, his form radiating a calm yet formidable aura.
Greg hesitated for a moment, not wanting to interrupt, but Threx's voice broke the silence before he could decide whether to speak. "You're early, Greg," he said, his tone both welcoming and amused. "Eager for another round?"
Greg grinned, stepping closer. "I guess you could say that. I've got a lot of catching up to do, and I want to make the most of my time here."
Threx nodded approvingly. "Good. That kind of dedication is exactly what you need if you're going to master not just combat, but yourself. There's much more to being a warrior than learning to swing a blade or throw a punch."
The statement piqued Greg's curiosity. "What do you mean?" he asked, genuinely interested.
"Combat is more than just a physical endeavor," Threx explained, pausing his movements to look Greg in the eye. "It's about understanding your own limitations and overcoming them. It's about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your opponent's. But most importantly, it's about mastering the flow of energy—not just within your body, but also in the world around you."
Greg listened intently, the words resonating with a deeper truth. "You mentioned energy manipulation yesterday. How do I learn to control it?"
Threx's eyes gleamed with a hint of challenge. "There are many paths to mastery, but they all begin with the same foundation: understanding the source of your energy. Sit down," he said, gesturing to the center of the arena. "We're going to start with meditation."
Greg did as instructed, crossing his legs and resting his hands on his knees. Threx took a seat across from him, his posture upright and composed. "Close your eyes," he instructed, his voice calm and steady. "Breathe in deeply through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth. Focus on the sensation of your breath, the rise and fall of your chest."
As Greg followed the instructions, he felt a sense of stillness begin to settle over him. The noise of the outside world faded into the background, and his awareness turned inward. "Now," Threx continued, "I want you to imagine a small flame inside your chest. This flame is the core of your energy. As you breathe, see if you can make that flame grow brighter, stronger."
The visualization was difficult at first, but as Greg continued to focus, he started to feel a warmth spreading from the center of his chest. It was subtle, like the glow of embers, but unmistakable. He concentrated on the sensation, willing the warmth to expand, to flow through his limbs.
"That's it," Threx said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "Feel the energy flow within you. Let it expand and contract with each breath. This is the first step—becoming aware of the energy and learning to direct it."
Greg found himself getting lost in the exercise, the flame in his mind growing brighter and more intense. He felt as if he were tapping into a wellspring of strength, a power that had always been there but had lain dormant, waiting to be awakened. The feeling was invigorating, and it brought with it a surge of confidence.
After what felt like hours, Threx's voice brought him back to reality. "Open your eyes," he instructed. Greg did so, blinking as the light of the training arena flooded his vision once more. He felt different—more centered, more connected to his own body.
"That was… incredible," Greg said, still coming to grips with the experience. "I could actually feel the energy."
Threx nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Good. You've taken your first step on the path of energy mastery. But be aware—this is only the beginning. Manipulating energy in combat requires not just awareness, but control. You need to be able to summon and direct it at will, to infuse your strikes or reinforce your defenses."
He rose to his feet, motioning for Greg to follow. "Now that you've learned to sense your energy, let's see how you can apply it in battle. We'll start with basic techniques, and as you progress, I'll teach you more advanced applications."
The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of training. Threx taught Greg how to channel his energy into his limbs, enhancing his strength and speed, as well as techniques to project energy outward in concentrated bursts. The exercises were demanding, and Greg found that maintaining his focus while simultaneously moving and striking was far more difficult than meditation.
His first attempts at projecting energy resulted in little more than a faint shimmer around his fists, but Threx was patient, guiding him with careful instruction and encouragement. "Remember, it's not just about force—it's about intention," Threx advised. "Visualize the energy moving from your core to your hands, like water flowing through a channel."
As the hours passed, Greg began to make progress. His energy projections became stronger, more defined, and he could feel the difference in the impact of his strikes. By midday, he was exhausted, every muscle in his body aching from the intensity of the training. But the satisfaction of his accomplishments kept his spirits high.
"Take a break," Threx finally said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've earned it. We'll resume after lunch, and then we'll get you back into some sparring matches. I think you'll be surprised by how much you've improved."
Greg nodded, grateful for the respite. He grabbed a nutrient bar and water bottle from the supply area, finding a quiet corner to sit down. As he ate, he reflected on everything that had happened since his arrival in this world. It felt surreal, like a vivid dream, yet it was more real than anything he had ever experienced. Here, he was more than just an ordinary man. Here, he could be someone who made a difference.
After lunch, the afternoon training resumed with another round of sparring. This time, Greg was paired with a different partner—a bulky reptilian humanoid with scales like polished armor and a fierce look in his yellow eyes. The alien introduced himself as Zalthor, and his voice rumbled like thunder as he spoke. "Don't expect me to go easy on you," he warned, his tone half-joking.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Greg replied, adopting a ready stance.
The match began with Zalthor coming at him with surprising speed for his size. Greg dodged the first blow, feeling the rush of wind as the strike missed his head by inches. He could sense the power behind Zalthor's attacks, and he knew that taking a hit would be more than just painful—it could end the match in a single blow.
Drawing on his training, Greg focused on channeling his energy, infusing his movements with newfound agility. He dodged and countered, striking at Zalthor's sides and legs to exploit any openings. The reptilian fighter was relentless, his strikes heavy and unyielding, but Greg's enhanced reflexes allowed him to stay in the fight, weaving between the attacks.
With a sudden burst of energy, Greg launched himself forward, striking Zalthor's chest with a concentrated burst of force. The impact sent the reptilian stumbling back, and the spectators erupted in cheers.
"Well done!" Threx shouted from the sidelines. "Keep that pressure up, Greg! Don't let your guard down!"
The battle continued, each clash testing Greg's limits and forcing him to dig deeper into his reserves. As the minutes passed, he felt fatigue creeping in, but he refused to give up. This fight was more than just a sparring match—it was a test of everything he had learned, a chance to prove that he belonged.
Finally, with one last surge of energy, Greg landed a decisive blow that knocked Zalthor off balance. The reptilian hit the ground with a thud, and Threx stepped in to signal the end of the match.
"Victory goes to Greg!" he declared, and the training center echoed with applause.
As Greg helped Zalthor back to his feet, he felt a sense of pride well up inside him. He had faced a powerful opponent and emerged victorious. But more importantly, he had discovered the strength within himself—a strength that would only grow with time.
After the intense sparring session, Greg's victory brought a moment of satisfaction, but it also highlighted just how far he still had to go. The battle had drained him of nearly all his energy, and even though his training allowed him to channel more power than before, there was an unmistakable feeling that he was merely scratching the surface of what he was capable of.
The training center gradually emptied as the other warriors left, leaving just Greg, Commander Threx, and a few stragglers finishing their own routines. As Greg caught his breath, Threx approached with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"You've shown great potential today," Threx began, his tone conveying both praise and a hint of challenge. "But to become truly formidable, you'll need to go beyond physical training. There's an upcoming opportunity that might be perfect for you—a trial that will test not just your strength, but your adaptability and resolve."
Greg perked up, curious. "A trial? What kind of trial are we talking about?"
"It's known as the Trial of the Shattered Veil," Threx explained, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "An ancient tradition among the warriors of this world. It's a simulated combat environment that pushes participants to their limits and often beyond. You'll face different challenges, from hostile creatures to environmental hazards. It's a way to unlock your true potential—or to discover your breaking point."
Greg's eyes narrowed with determination. "I'm in. When does it start?"
Threx chuckled at the eagerness. "You're not the first to jump at the chance. However, this isn't just about bravery. There's a level of preparation required, and I want to see you put in at least a week's worth of advanced energy training before you enter. You'll need to master projecting energy at a distance and refining your control to increase efficiency."
Greg nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Alright, I'll train as hard as I can. If the Trial of the Shattered Veil is what it takes to push myself further, then I'm ready for it."
The week that followed was the most grueling of Greg's life. The days blurred together as he trained relentlessly, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion and then beyond. Each morning began with meditation to deepen his connection to his energy core, followed by advanced techniques that required him to harness energy in new ways—projecting it not just outward in bursts, but shaping it into precise forms.
Threx showed no mercy in his instruction. Whenever Greg faltered or made a mistake, the commander would calmly point out the error, then make him repeat the exercise until it was performed flawlessly. The sessions included simulations of combat scenarios designed to test not only his physical capabilities but also his strategic thinking and adaptability under pressure.
During one particularly challenging exercise, Threx set up multiple holographic targets that moved at unpredictable speeds and fired back with energy projectiles. Greg's task was to hit each target while dodging incoming fire, a trial of reflexes and precision.
Greg gritted his teeth as he narrowly avoided a barrage of projectiles, his body moving instinctively as his mind raced to keep track of the targets. He launched a series of energy blasts, each one directed by sheer willpower. His aim was improving, but he still missed several shots, and a few grazes from the holographic fire left his skin tingling from the simulated impact.
"Focus, Greg!" Threx's voice echoed through the training center. "Don't just react—anticipate. Read the pattern of the targets' movements. You're letting your instincts take over, but you must master the mind and the body as one."
Taking the advice to heart, Greg slowed his breathing, allowing his awareness to expand outward. He could almost feel the rhythm of the moving targets, like the ebb and flow of a tide. With renewed clarity, he raised his hand and directed the next energy blast, striking the nearest target with pinpoint accuracy. One by one, the remaining holograms flickered and disappeared as his shots found their mark.
"Well done," Threx acknowledged with a nod. "You're starting to understand. But remember, this was just practice. The Trial will be far more demanding."
The day of the Trial of the Shattered Veil arrived, and the training center was abuzz with anticipation. Greg found himself among a group of participants, each one exuding a different kind of confidence. Some wore armor that bore the scars of countless battles, while others had an air of calm mastery. There were beings of various species, some humanoid and others more alien, with features that hinted at capabilities far beyond what Greg could imagine.
Standing at the front of the gathering was a tall, elegant figure clad in ceremonial robes. She had a regal bearing, with deep purple skin and silver hair that flowed like liquid metal. Her voice carried a weight of authority that silenced the murmurs of the crowd.
"Welcome, challengers, to the Trial of the Shattered Veil," she began, her gaze sweeping across the assembly. "The rules are simple: survive. The environment you will face is an ever-changing landscape that will test your combat skills, endurance, and wits. Should you fall, you will be extracted from the simulation, but remember—failure here could mean death in a real battle."
Greg felt a shiver run down his spine. There was no turning back now. His heart beat faster as he walked toward the designated entrance portal, where a shimmering field of light marked the boundary of the simulated environment.
As he stepped through the portal, the world around him shifted. He found himself standing in a desolate wasteland, the sky above a stormy swirl of dark clouds and flashes of lightning. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground, and the air was thick with the scent of sulfur. In the distance, he could hear the roar of some monstrous creature—no doubt one of the many dangers he would face during the trial.
The first challenge came almost immediately. A pack of beasts, their forms resembling oversized wolves with sleek black fur and glowing red eyes, emerged from behind the rocks. They snarled, baring rows of razor-sharp teeth as they circled him.
Greg instinctively dropped into a combat stance, his energy already coursing through his body. He focused on his breathing, drawing power from his core and letting it flow to his hands. As the first wolf lunged, Greg sidestepped and released a burst of energy, striking the beast in midair and sending it crashing into the ground.
The others were quick to follow, attacking from different angles. Greg moved with a fluidity that he hadn't possessed a week ago, dodging and countering each strike. He aimed for precision, conserving his energy for when it mattered most. One by one, the beasts fell, disintegrating into particles as the simulation registered their defeat.
But there was no time to celebrate. The ground trembled, and from the distance, a towering figure emerged—an enormous creature with rocky skin and eyes like molten lava. It lumbered forward with slow, deliberate steps, each one shaking the earth beneath Greg's feet. This was no ordinary beast; it was a true test of his strength and resolve.
Drawing upon everything he had learned, Greg prepared himself for the battle of his life.
The towering creature loomed before Greg, its massive form radiating heat like a furnace. Each step it took left molten footprints on the rocky ground, and its eyes glowed like twin suns, boring into him. The sheer size of the beast was intimidating, but Greg's newfound determination overcame any hesitation. He could feel the familiar rush of energy surging through him, ready to be unleashed.
Greg's gaze hardened as he assessed the situation. He remembered Commander Threx's words: "Master the mind and the body as one." This was not merely a test of his physical capabilities but of his ability to stay calm and strategize under immense pressure. He had to think quickly.
The beast raised a gargantuan arm, its rocky skin cracking to reveal veins of molten lava coursing beneath the surface. With a rumbling growl, it brought its fist down like a falling meteor, aiming to crush Greg where he stood. Greg leaped sideways just in time, feeling the searing heat as the creature's fist slammed into the ground, sending shards of molten rock flying in every direction.
Greg dodged and rolled to avoid the debris, his mind racing as he tried to devise a plan. Direct energy attacks would likely have little effect against something with a body of solid stone and flowing lava. He would need to exploit its weak points—if there were any.
As the creature's other arm began to rise, Greg noticed something: the cracks in its skin widened during moments of motion, exposing larger sections of molten veins beneath the rocky exterior. A thought struck him—those veins must serve as the creature's vulnerable spots. If he could channel his energy into a concentrated beam to pierce those veins, he might be able to disrupt its core and bring it down.
The monster swung again, this time with a sweeping motion that aimed to knock him off his feet. Greg dove underneath the swing, narrowly avoiding the blow, and rolled into position behind the beast. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his hands and concentrated his energy, gathering as much power as he could muster into a single point. His palms burned with raw force as he shaped the energy into a narrow, focused beam.
"Here goes nothing!" he shouted as he released the beam toward one of the cracks in the creature's leg. The concentrated energy shot forward like a spear, striking the exposed vein with a blinding flash. The beast roared in pain as the molten vein exploded, causing magma to spurt from the wound. It staggered, its balance momentarily disrupted.
Seizing the opportunity, Greg pressed the attack. He darted toward the creature's other leg and repeated the process, aiming for another vulnerable vein. His beam hit the mark again, and the beast let out a guttural roar as more lava spilled from its wounds, pooling around its feet.
The creature stumbled, its movements growing slower and more labored. Yet, despite the damage, it still refused to go down. Greg could see that it was regenerating, the cracks in its rocky skin slowly sealing shut. He needed to act fast or risk losing the progress he had made.
Greg's mind raced for a solution. If targeting the veins was causing significant damage, then perhaps attacking the creature's core directly would end the fight once and for all. But getting close enough to the core, which lay at the center of its chest, would be perilous. He'd have to take a calculated risk.
With renewed determination, he sprinted toward the beast, dodging another swipe of its massive arm. He leaped onto the creature's leg and began scaling its rough exterior, using the cracks and jagged edges as handholds. The heat was almost unbearable as he climbed, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving upward, forcing himself to ignore the pain.
Halfway up its torso, the creature became aware of his presence. It roared and thrashed, trying to shake him off, but Greg clung on with all his strength. He pushed forward, reaching the chest area where the core glowed like a fiery heart beneath the rocky surface.
Greg gathered the last of his energy, focusing it into his fist. He was going to deliver a direct blow to the core, using his own body as a conduit to unleash the full force of his power. With a roar of his own, he drove his fist into the creature's chest, channeling everything he had into the point of impact.
The results were immediate. The energy surged through the creature, igniting its core like a star going supernova. The beast's roar turned into a deafening scream as the light within it grew brighter and brighter, until finally, its entire body erupted in a massive explosion of light and heat.
Greg was thrown backward, tumbling through the air. He hit the ground hard, skidding across the rocky surface before coming to a stop. His vision blurred, and his entire body ached, but when he finally managed to look up, he saw that the towering beast was gone—reduced to nothing more than a pile of smoldering rubble.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, a disembodied voice echoed through the wasteland.
"Congratulations, Greg. You have completed the Trial of the Shattered Veil."
The world around him began to dissolve, the simulated environment collapsing into particles of light. Moments later, Greg found himself back in the training center, lying on the cool metal floor. He was still catching his breath when Threx appeared above him, looking down with a rare smile on his face.
"You did well," Threx said, extending a hand to help him up. "Not many make it through their first trial unscathed—though you're clearly far from unscathed."
Greg took the offered hand and struggled to his feet, wincing at the various bruises and burns covering his body. Despite the pain, he couldn't help but smile. "So… did I pass?"
Threx's expression turned serious. "You did more than just pass, Greg. You showed that you have the potential to become one of the great warriors of this era. The Trial was only the beginning. From here, the true journey begins."
As Greg processed Threx's words, a sense of accomplishment washed over him, but it was accompanied by an even stronger sense of anticipation. The path ahead was bound to be filled with even greater challenges, but he was ready to face them head-on. He had taken his first step into a larger universe, and there was no turning back now.