The next day felt like an eternity for Anir. He sat restlessly, dreading the approach of nightfall. Part of him wanted to run, to ignore Ebdo and whatever twisted truths he might reveal. He wished, with a desperation he hadn't felt before, that all of this was just a nightmare—that his father wasn't gone, that the world he'd once known was still intact. But as evening descended, reality settled in: this wasn't a dream, and there was no waking from it.
When night finally arrived, Anir took a deep breath and prepared himself, steeling his mind. He slipped out the door and made his way toward the address Ebdo had given him. The air felt colder than usual, the streets empty and quiet. As he approached, he spotted a lonely house standing in isolation, surrounded by nothing but darkness.
He checked the address once more, confirming it, and knocked. A moment later, he heard Ebdo's familiar voice. "Come in."
Inside, Anir found Ebdo seated on a worn sofa, dressed in dark, lightweight armor that gleamed slightly in the dim light.
Anir raised an eyebrow. "Why are you wearing armor?"
Ebdo smirked. "It's for your training."
Anir glanced around. "Here? There's barely any space, and won't we ruin the place?"
"Don't worry about that," Ebdo replied dismissively. "First, let's start with some basics. What elements can you use?"
Anir hesitated, recalling his attempts the previous night. "I can use fire, wind, water… and… space and shadow."
Ebdo's expression shifted, his face registering a flash of genuine surprise. "Wait—two divine elements? Did you just say space and shadow?"
Anir nodded, a bit unsettled by Ebdo's reaction. "Yeah… though I haven't mastered them yet."
Ebdo shook his head in disbelief. "I expected strong elements, knowing your father had shadow, fire, water, wind, and earth… but two divine elements? That's almost unheard of. There are only two people known to wield divine elements—well… there were, until now."
Anir felt a shock ripple through him. Even though his father's diary had hinted at his abilities, the weight of Ebdo's words made it feel real in a way it hadn't before. Summoning his courage, he asked, "If he was that powerful, then… how did he die?"
Ebdo's expression darkened. "Elements aren't everything, Anir. Power depends on many things—skill, knowledge, strategy. Your father… well, he was one of the strongest men I'd ever known. But there was a complication. He had a rare and dangerous curse, one he received while fighting his most formidable enemy—the only other wielder of a divine element."
Anir's eyes widened. "A curse?"
Ebdo nodded, a sorrowful look in his eyes. "Yes. This curse slowly weakened him over time, binding his ability to use the shadow element. It clouded his mind, sapped his strength, and left him vulnerable. Without his shadow powers, he lost his greatest weapon. And in the end… they got to him."
Hearing this, Anir felt a surge of anger rise within him, mixed with a deep sense of loss and helplessness. His fists clenched, and his jaw tightened. He thought of the people responsible for his father's death, of the pain his father must have endured, and his desire for revenge burned brighter than ever.
Ebdo placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice calm but firm. "Don't let your anger blind you, Anir. I'm not saying you shouldn't seek justice. But going after them recklessly will only lead to your own downfall."
Anir took a deep breath, calming himself as best he could. Ebdo was right; anger alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to learn, to become stronger, smarter.
Anir nodded, his voice steady. "Let's begin our training."