Days had spilled in ever since that training session-an energy whirlwind of sorts-and learning had swallowed him so deep. Zephyr was deep into learning how to merge his shadow manipulation with other elemental abilities, and with all his might trying, ambition weighed itself upon him more. Every night, he and Mira laboured late into the night, breaking and working the fire, calling the shadows, pressing each other onward and upward. Indeed, the improvement was undeniable but so were the shadows at his mind's edges.
One afternoon, at the peak of the sun whose golden rays blanketed across the training ground, Zephyr sat alone on the edge of a stone fountain. Trickling water should have serenely soothed him rather than build up his inner struggle. He stared at the bottom of the fountain, its reflections rippling and distorting with each gentle sway of the water.
"Lost to thought again?" he heard the sound of Mira's voice cut through his reverie; he turned to find her approaching with a play of amusement upon her face, toying with a small flame between her fingers, which danced across the grassy surface in step with her footsteps.
"Just thinking about how much further ahead everyone else is that I have to go," Zephyr confessed, running a hand through his hair frustration bubbling to the surface.
"You are doing great, Zephyr! We all have our strengths. Yours is just different from ours," she said, seating herself beside him. "You have made incredible progress. You are not the same person who joined the Guild."
He liked what she said, but they were hollow words against the tide of his insecurities. "I still can not get rid of this feeling that I will eventually lose control. I see how naturally Lyra handles her shadows, and it puts doubt into my mind."
Mira shook her head, her face stern. "You cannot compare yourself with others because each Conduit has his path that he will have to follow. Just remember what Kieran told you: synergy. You have to find that special balance with your powers. That won't happen in one night.
"Perhaps I just need to push myself even harder. I want to be someone who can stand against the Eldritch," Zephyr firmly said, "someone who protects others without fear.
"Then let us practice more!" exclaimed Mira exuberantly as fire in her words again sparked his mind. "However, we need to take a rest, too. Too much of it will only exhaust you."
"Alright, but today shall count. I want to try something different," he said, getting up with a spark of determination finally welling within him.
"Lead the way, then!" she cheered, getting up and following him to where they do their training.
They walked further, deeper into seclusion near the edge of the training grounds, treetops over and around them, shading the space with virtual intimacy from prying eyes of fellow Initiates. "What is your idea?" Mira asked, becoming quite curious.
"I want to try and mould my shadows into something solid," Zephyr said. "I was thinking about how Lyra had created that shadow shield in our last training session. I want to try bringing my shadows into real form, such as that of a weapon."
Mira raised an eyebrow. "That's an ambitious goal, but I believe in you. Just focus on what you want to create.
Zephyr took a deep breath, his eyes closed as he focused hard on the shape of the dagger: lean, powerful, sure. Indeed, he could almost have sworn he felt its weight in his hand, cold gleam of metal bright with promise. He drew his energy together and willed the shadows around him rise and coalesce before him in a churning mass.
It was with concentration that the shadows took some forms, and in an instant his doubts began to assail him with almost irresistible whispers of defeat and loss of control. "No! I will not let you win!" he shouted in a loud voice, fighting against this darkness that gradually set in within his mind.
She watched with amazement as tendrils of shadow coiled and twisted, congealing into something solid. There, the dagger began to take shape: dark, shining, reflecting with an otherworldly glimmer. "Zephyr! You're doing it!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands with glee.
He opened his eyes and saw the dagger darting before him-a crystallized manifestation of will and determination. "Gosh!" Zephyr gasped, his body bursting with excitement tinged by incredulity.
"Now, let's see how it feels!" Mira exclaimed, shining with enthusiasm.
Now he reached and took the dagger; against his palm, it felt cool. It pulsed life-a link between him and the shadows he willed into being. Raising it, he did some test with its weight then plunged it through the air in a dark arc. Behind, a trail of energy marked its path.
"Whoa! That's awesome!" cheered Mira.
Emboldened, Zephyr started to train in many forms of movements-smooth and swift strikes through the air. It was as if the dagger extended his own self, fluid at every swing. The power felt from it, whispers from the Abyss telling him to let go-embrace chaos within.
And with each step, this gnawing twinge of temptation it was getting the better of him, speaking louder in his head-promising strength and mastery if only he gave into the Abyss this one time. "Give license to your power, Zephyr. Allow the shadows to guide you," it beckoned.
"No!" he exclaimed aloud, shaking his head clear of such vain thoughts. "I won't give in!"
Mira stepped closer, concern etched on her brow. "Hey, are you alright? You look like you're fighting some war in there."
"It's just.the shadows. They're always whispering," he finally admitted, lowering the dagger to let the shadows dissipate back into the ground. "I don't want them to take over. I have to keep focused.
"Then let's do something to take your mind off things!" Mira brightened. "How about we spar? It'll be a great way for you to practice your control under pressure."
"Brilliant idea!" Zephyr exclaimed as relief washed over him in a wave.
They faced off, and as they began to circle, sparring, Zephyr fell into the rhythm of their movements. Flames danced around Mira, and he focused on dodging, returning with his shadows. Every time he fought back-hard-focus all his energy into reclaiming control.
They sat down laughing against the nearest tree, both panting from exertion after several rounds. "You're really getting better," Mira said, smiling warmly. "You handled those flames like a professional!"
"Thanks! But I'm still working on keeping my focus," said Zephyr, beads of sweat wiping off his brow. "I will never let the whispers take over, distracting me during a fight. It could be the thin line between life and death."
You'll get there-we all have our wars we need to face. And remember, I am here to help you through it.
Just as he opened his mouth to reply, Kieran came up to them, a pensive look on his face. "I have been watching you two train. Zephyr, I do see great potential in the use of shaping shadows. That's not something many can do, but with great power comes great responsibility."
"Thanks, Kieran; I'm trying to harness it properly," Zephyr said with a hint of pride in his voice.
Kieran nodded. "Just be careful that shadows invite temptation, and that road is lined with perils. I would also advise training more often with Lyra; she has experience with shadows."
"I'll think about it," he said, a flicker of unease crossing his eyes. He did not want to get closer to chaos she represented, yet he knew she could teach him so much.
Good, push your limits, but never forget your humanity, Kieran said as he prepared to walk away. And let's also not forget this: the Abyssal Guild doesn't just stand for power but unity.
Mira turned toward Zephyr as Kieran walked away, her lips playing with a tease. "Looks like you got yourself a new training partner in Lyra."
"Yeah, I guess so," he returned, though his heart did somersaults at the very thought. "But I still have you, right? Alone, I can't do nothing to fulfill the mission."
"Anytime! We are in it together, Zephyr," she said, measured in tone, sure.
Yet, it was a promise still echoing in his mind, but a new determination surged inside Zephyr-to be cast into the darkness, to hear the whispers, face trials that were to come, and not let go of those friends anchoring him. The way would be rough, but he was not to walk alone.
The sun was low, casting the training grounds into early twilight, and Zephyr breathed deep into the mystique to come. Beyond his threshold lay the Abyss, but he went to step into the dark-armed with shadows and flames, and the bonding of comradeship to light the way.