What do you mean I'm not human?" Jamir's voice trembled with disbelief, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I look human. I smell human. I am human!"
Kael's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes narrowing with an almost amused expression. "Hmph. I'm surprised you don't even know of your own uncanny physiology."
Jamir's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? I'm definitely human."
Kael's gaze grew colder. "You're not human, Jamir. At least, not in the way you think. Yes, you share the same anatomy as humans, but there's something more—something far more complex beneath the surface."
Jamir stepped back, his mind racing. "What do you mean? What am I, then?"
Kael studied him for a moment, as if deciding whether to reveal more. "I know you've felt it. The energy inside you—something different from what any human possesses. And it's not the same as mine, or your mother's. You're… something else. An unknown."
"Unknown?" Jamir repeated, trying to make sense of the words. "How can I be unknown?"
"You're not like me, and you're not like her," Kael continued, his voice steady. "You have the appearance of a human, but your origins are something I can't fully explain. Something new. Something the world has never seen before." Kael's eyes sharpened. "You're the first of your kind."
Jamir felt the ground beneath him shift. His entire world suddenly seemed uncertain. "First of my kind? What does that even mean?
I don't know, but we can learn about it together
Ahhh this is all too much for one day
Deep breaths… Jamir inhaled slowly, trying to steady his racing mind. Okay, I need to sit down. This is a lot to take in… and all in one day.
"Tell me about it," the man replied with a dry chuckle.
They both shared a smirk, the tension in the air crackling between them.
"So… let's get to learning more dances, shall we?"
But then, something changed. The man's eyes glowed a deep, menacing red, and his hand began to radiate a golden energy. With a sudden movement, he gave a soft blow to Jamir's chest.
In an instant, Jamir was swept off his feet, flying backward as if he weighed nothing at all. But before he could hit the ground, the man held him in place with his other hand, preventing the crash.
Jamir's heart raced. The shock of the impact left him speechless, his body stiff as he floated in the air, held by the man's grip. His life flashed before his eyes, and for a moment, it felt like everything around him was moving in slow motion.
What… what is happening?
The man's voice, calm and steady, cut through Jamir's panic.
"Jamir, son of Princess Zena, heir of the Zena inheritance, and one of the many heirs of the Crimson Empire… You are about to unlock a core, or heart, whichever you may call it."
Jamir tried to focus, his mind swimming in disbelief. He could barely process the words, but he could feel the strange, overwhelming power emanating from the man's touch.
"I'm just going to add a tiny bit of Asurian Qi," the man continued, his voice steady. "I want you to feel the way the energy moves through your body. Close your eyes and remember this feeling."
Jamir hesitated, then did as he was told, closing his eyes. He focused on the sensation—the subtle pulse of the energy coursing through him, warm and foreign. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before, something alive and ancient.
"Remember it," the man's voice urged. "Because this is just the beginning."
The hell with this kid? The man muttered under his breath. He's learning fast... maybe a little too fast.
He turned his focus back to Jamir. "Good. Good. Now, move the energy around your body as you inhale and exhale."
Jamir nodded, doing as instructed. The sensation of the energy coursing through him was strange, but not unpleasant. With each breath, he felt it shifting, flowing within him, responding to his commands.
"Now gather it into your fist," the man's voice came, calm but firm. "And open your eyes."
Jamir followed the order, the power inside him pulling together like a gathering storm. When he opened his eyes, he gasped. His fist was enveloped in swirling black flames and crackling black lightning. The energy was wild, intense, but oddly controlled at the same time.
His heart skipped a beat, but the flames didn't burn him. The lightning didn't sting. Instead, it felt like he was holding a beam—something solid, something powerful, but strange.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the weight of it in his hand, wondering how something so dangerous could feel so… natural.
Such power... The man thought, his eyes narrowing as he watched Jamir. Not even I can do that. This is both terrifying and exciting at the same time. He might even be stronger than Vanden.
He paused, considering the implications. I'll need to teach him all five dances and spar with him to get an estimate of his true strength.
Jamir's grin spread wider, his excitement nearly palpable. "Haha, with this, I could pass it off as an ability... but I wonder when I'll get an actual ability."
He paused for a moment, thinking. Well, only time will tell. I can't wait to show Anna and Dan what kind of monster I am. Haha...
The man's voice snapped through the air. "Jamir, focus. Stop smiling like a prehistoric idiot."
"Let's have a spar, Uncle Kael," Jamir smirked, his eyes glinting with challenge. "If I win, you teach me that Qi Venom technique. I'm guessing that's something you came up with?"
Kael raised an eyebrow, impressed by the audacity. "Hmm… If you combine my Qi Venom with that mysterious energy you just unleashed, you could probably make the Phantom Flare lethal," he murmured, almost to himself. This kid… He felt a thrill of recognition. He's as battle-hungry as his mother. Maybe even more.
Jamir's smirk deepened. "So what do you say, old man?"
Kael's expression hardened into a knowing smile. "Bring it on, kid."
Deviant Surge!" Jamir shouted, summoning the energy as he focused on the sensation of power flowing through his body. He inhaled deeply, feeling each breath sharpen his senses, slowing the world around him. Time and space seemed to expand, his awareness stretching to every movement, every subtle shift.
Kael moved, launching a fierce kick aimed at Jamir's face, but Jamir dodged it with ease, a smirk flashing across his face. "Why so slow all of a sudden, old man?" he taunted, laughter echoing in his voice.
"Slayer's Swipe!" Jamir roared as a claw-shaped arc of dark lightning crackled from his hand, streaking toward Kael with blinding speed. Jamir followed close behind, his body charging forward with unrestrained power.
"First Dance: Phantom Flare!" His battle cry filled the air as he struck, fists and elbows launching a relentless barrage.
"Ahhhh! Roooar!" Jamir's roar echoed, filled with raw, untamed energy, a force Kael hadn't expected.