Jason, Connor, and Annabelle arrived at the sprawling fields just beyond the edge of the kingdom. Annabelle spun around, arms wide, her face glowing with wonder. "Woah! This place is huge!"
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, this is where Grandpa trains me."
Connor crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful as he turned to Jason. "Alright, Jason. Show us what you've got."
A confident grin spread across Jason's face as he stepped forward. "Alright, step back and watch closely."
Jason summoned his energy, fire sparking to life at his fingertips. With a deep breath, he thrust his hands upward, unleashing a massive column of flames that roared into the sky, illuminating the fields.
He dusted his hands off theatrically and turned back to them. "Well? How's that for a start?"
Annabelle burst into laughter, her grin mischievous. "Is that really the best you've got? Step aside, delivery boy. Let me show you how it's done."
She strode past him, her movements fluid and assured. Closing her eyes, Annabelle focused her energy, the air around her beginning to ripple and swirl. With a swift kick, she sent a wave of wind slicing through the clouds above, parting them to reveal a brilliant expanse of blue.
Jason's jaw dropped as he stared at the sky in disbelief. "What the—"
Annabelle smirked and crossed her arms. "Top that!"
She sauntered back toward Connor, her playful energy infectious. "Hey, Connor," she said, "how about a quick race before we transform?"
Jason's ears perked up. "Wait—did you just say transform? You guys can transform?!"
Connor and Annabelle exchanged knowing smiles. "Step back, Jason," Connor warned with a calm, steady tone. "This is going to get intense."
Jason obeyed, his excitement barely contained. He watched as they closed their eyes and concentrated, their bodies beginning to glow. A low hum filled the air, followed by a blinding surge of light. When the glow subsided, Jason squinted, his vision adjusting to the sight before him.
Two radiant figures stood where Annabelle and Connor had been. Their bodies were no longer flesh and bone but pure energy—Connor a vibrant blue and Annabelle a shimmering yellow. Power radiated from them, the ground beneath their feet trembling slightly.
Jason took a cautious step forward, awe and disbelief warring on his face. "Woah!"
The figures shimmered for a moment before the light faded. Annabelle and Connor stood before him once more, their human forms restored.
"That was amazing!" Jason exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement. "Your energy—your power—it's on a whole other level!"
Annabelle slung an arm around his shoulders, her grin teasing. "Don't worry, kiddo. You'll get there eventually."
Jason's gaze shifted to Connor, his curiosity burning. "What does it feel like? Being in that form, I mean. I have to know!"
Connor tilted his head thoughtfully. "When we transform, we become pure energy. Our bodies—organs, bones, everything—they cease to exist. We become something entirely new."
Jason's brow furrowed. "But how do you think? How do you feel in that state?"
Connor glanced at him, then looked skyward as if searching for the right words. "Honestly, I don't fully understand it myself. To put it simply, we exist beyond the comprehension of life itself."
Jason stared at him, a sense of reverence creeping into his expression.
Annabelle clapped her hands, breaking the moment. "Hey, Connor, how about you train Jason first? I need to stretch my legs a bit."
Without waiting for a reply, she took off at hyper speed, disappearing into the distance.
Jason's eyes widened. "She's so fast…"
Connor smiled, his gaze following her. "She is. Annabelle possesses the power of the fastest elementiel. If you want to keep up with her, you'll need to reach your ultimate form. Even then, it might not be enough."
Connor placed a hand on Jason's shoulder, his expression calm but encouraging. "Come on. I know just the place to get started."
Jason nodded, a smile tugging at his lips as they walked together.
They arrived at a tranquil lakeside, the water glimmering under the afternoon sun. Connor and Jason removed their shoes, stepping barefoot onto the cool, rippling surface. Jason glanced around, his confusion evident. "Why are we training here?"
Connor crouched, letting his fingers trail lightly across the water's surface. "I noticed something earlier. Your energy control is inconsistent. You're using more power than necessary, and that'll tire you out quickly in a real fight."
Jason frowned. "Oh… I see."
Connor offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. You'll understand why we're here once we start training. Now, come at me."
Jason straightened, determination flashing in his eyes. "Alright, here I come!"
He charged forward, aiming a low kick at Connor's legs. Connor sidestepped effortlessly, using Jason's momentum to push him back.
Jason lunged again, this time unleashing a stream of fire. Connor weaved through the fiery barrage with practiced ease, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye. A subtle sweep of his leg sent Jason tumbling into the shallow water with a splash.
For a while, the two clashed. Jason launched relentless attacks—fire, kicks, punches—but Connor evaded them all with an almost casual grace. Each time Jason thought he had him, Connor was one step ahead, leaving Jason sprawled in the water once again.
Panting heavily, Jason sat in the shallows, water dripping from his hair. "I almost had you that time."
Connor laughed with a warm tone. "You're doing great. Keep it up."
After a moment of silence, Connor's expression grew contemplative. "Jason," he asked, his voice steady, "why do you want to get stronger?"
Jason blinked, startled by the sudden shift. "Because I want to protect people."
Connor tilted his head. "And why do you want to protect people?"
Jason hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Because… I have the power to."
Connor's gaze turned sharp, his voice firm. "And what if you didn't have the power? Would you still risk your life for others?"
Jason's breath caught. He stared at Connor, then slowly looked down at the water. "Honestly… I don't think I would."
His hands curled Into fists as he continued. "If someone doesn't have the power to save others, why should they throw their life away? Everyone has dreams, goals, people who care about them."
"Being unable to save someone hurts like hell, but ultimately, there was nothing you could do."
He looked up, meeting Connor's gaze. "These powers are apart of me now. I have to do everything I can to protect people. It's ok to put my life at risk because I'm powerful enough. That's just how I see it."
Connor studied him for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "You're not wrong," he said. "It's dangerous to risk your life for others, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try."
He turned his gaze to the sky, watching the clouds drift lazily by. "I don't think you need supernatural strength to save someone. Sure, it's risky. But the act of trying—the willingness to help—can make all the difference. That's what really matters."
"These powers we possess, should inspire others to try and protect someone, no matter how risky it might be."
Connor glanced back at Jason, his smile widening. "We may have godlike powers, but at the end of the day, we're still human."
Jason's eyes widened as thought to himself, "That's right. Back then, I didn't even think twice before risking my life to save Stacey and Jon."
Connor extended a hand toward him. "The good we do for others, no matter how small, has a way of coming back to us. All that matters is that we try, even when it feels hopeless."
Jason reached out, grasping Connor's hand and pulling himself to his feet. "Right," he said with a small, grateful smile.
Connor smiled as he took a steady stance. "Alright, Jason. Come at me again. This time, really focus on your energy."
Jason closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling with a deliberate rhythm. The cool sensation of the water beneath his feet grounded him, the gentle ripples providing a natural cadence to his breathing.
Slowly, he began to feel the energy within him, chaotic at first, then gradually settling into a harmonious flow.
When he opened his eyes, they shone with renewed determination. He surged forward, faster and more precise than before.
Connor's eyes widened slightly, impressed. "His speed just increased," he murmured, sidestepping Jason's punch and preparing to counter with a spinning kick aimed at Jason's back.
But this time, Jason blocked the attack with his forearm and, with lightning reflexes, landed a clean, resounding hit on Connor's chest.
Connor staggered back slightly, smiling with pride. Jason stood still, his eyes scanning his hands and body as he noticed the energy flowing seamlessly over him, like a shimmering, fluid current.
"Woah," Jason muttered, awestruck by the newfound control he felt.
Connor straightened and walked toward him. "You feel it now, don't you? The water isn't just for practice. It's a teacher. It helps you understand how energy flows through your body, just like how streams and rivers carve their paths."
Jason nodded, his gaze flickering to the water beneath them. "Yeah, I understand it now. Energy is like water—it needs direction, focus, and balance to flow properly."
"Exactly," Connor said, his voice filled with approval. "Properly controlling the flow of energy through your body is critical. Without that control, you'll exhaust yourself too quickly. But with it, you can channel incredible power efficiently."
Jason's confidence grew as he stood straighter. "Right. Thanks a lot, Connor."
Connor grinned and stepped back into position. "No worries. Now, let's keep training."
Jason smiled and nodded, his resolve stronger than ever.
They trained until the evening sky burned with hues of gold and crimson. Connor finally called it. "Alright, that's enough for today. You're improving, Jason. Keep it up."
Jason grinned, brushing water from his soaked shirt. "Thanks, Connor. I just hope I can catch up to you and Annabelle soon."
Annabelle dropped from the sky, landing lightly beside them. "Looks like you two have been busy," she teased.
Connor stretched, his tone playful. "Yeah, but now it's your turn. He's all yours, Anna."
Annabelle smirked as Connor walked off. Jason raised an eyebrow, already sensing trouble. "Let me guess," he said. "You're going to teach me how to improve my speed, right?"
Annabelle laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, no, delivery boy. I'm going to teach you…"
Annabelle leapt into the air, soaring effortlessly above the lake. She spread her arms wide, her silhouette framed by the setting sun. "…how to fly!"
Jason gawked at her, his jaw nearly hitting the water. "F-fly?!"