Tobi woke to a pounding in his head, the ache a dull reminder of the previous day's training. The events played back in fragments: Moritaka's smirk, Hiki's strict commands, and the searing, uncontrollable energy that had burned through his body like wildfire. The weight of it all was suffocating, but there was no time to dwell.
A faint hum buzzed in the air as Tobi sat up, his dimly lit room cast in hues of artificial orange. Friend lounged in the corner, his translucent form blending into the shadows.
"Sleep well, champ?" Friend asked, his voice light, yet layered with concern.
Tobi groaned in response, rubbing his temples. "I feel like I've been hit by one of those trucks Hossam drives."
"Training's supposed to do that," Friend said, hopping closer. "Means you're getting stronger—or at least you're not dead yet."
Tobi shot him a glare, but the fox's glowing eyes only twinkled in amusement.
Before Tobi could retort, a knock echoed from the door. It creaked open, revealing Hiki. She stood with her usual stern expression, her arms crossed, radiating authority.
"Get up," she said curtly. "We're starting early today."
Tobi frowned, still half-asleep. "Is that really necessary? I just—"
"It is," Hiki interrupted. "You're not going to have the luxury of rest when things get worse. And trust me, they will."
Reluctantly, Tobi pushed himself off the bed and followed Hiki through the labyrinth of hallways in the compound. The artificial lighting buzzed faintly, flickering sporadically, a constant reminder of their fragile underground existence.
As they entered the training grounds, Tobi noticed the subtle shift in atmosphere. Sparring sessions were more intense; the usual chatter among trainees was replaced by grim determination. Even Moritaka, who usually exuded arrogance, appeared focused as he sparred with another fighter.
Hiki led Tobi to a secluded area, where an array of training tools and weapons lay scattered.
"You need to understand something," Hiki began, her tone sharp. "You're not just any Awakened. Your power is... different. That makes you a target—not just for the creatures out there, but for those who'd rather see you eliminated than risk what you might become."
Tobi clenched his fists, the weight of her words sinking in. "So what am I supposed to do? Just keep blasting energy until I figure it out?"
Hiki shook her head, her gaze piercing. "No. You'll learn control. Raw power is useless if you can't wield it." She gestured to the energy stabilizer Tobi had used the previous day. "We're starting there."
Tobi groaned inwardly, but he picked up the device. As soon as it activated, the faint shimmer of the barrier surrounded him, pulsing in time with his uneven breathing.
"Focus," Hiki instructed. "Channel your energy, but don't let it overpower you. Think of it as a thread—something you guide, not something that drags you."
Tobi closed his eyes, trying to envision what she described. He felt the familiar warmth of his power building in his chest, but as it traveled to his hands, it wavered, unsteady.
"Careful," Friend's voice echoed in his mind. "Don't overdo it."
The stabilizer flickered as Tobi struggled to maintain control. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fought against the chaotic surge threatening to escape.
"Steady," Hiki said, her voice firm but not unkind. "You're in control, Tobi. Not the other way around."
Finally, the energy settled, a steady hum vibrating through the stabilizer. Tobi opened his eyes, his chest heaving with effort.
"Better," Hiki said, nodding in approval. "But you've got a long way to go."
Before Tobi could catch his breath, Moritaka strolled over, his trademark smirk back in place.
"Still babysitting the newbie, I see," he said, twirling a dagger between his fingers. "You sure he's cut out for this?"
Tobi glared at him, his fatigue briefly forgotten. "You want to find out?"
Moritaka laughed, a low, mocking sound. "Easy, kid. No need to get all worked up."
"Moritaka," Hiki warned, her tone icy.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, I'm just making conversation." He glanced at Tobi, his expression turning serious for a moment. "But you should know—out there, hesitation gets you killed. You can't afford to be weak."
With that, he sauntered off, leaving Tobi seething.
"Don't let him get to you," Hiki said. "He's rough around the edges, but he's not wrong. You need to be ready for what's coming."
Tobi's frustration simmered as they resumed training. Hours passed, each exercise pushing him closer to his limits. By the time they finished, his muscles screamed in protest, and his mind felt like it had been wrung dry.
As they walked back to the compound, Hiki's demeanor softened slightly. "You did well today. Keep this up, and you might survive longer than I thought."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Tobi muttered, too tired to muster any sarcasm.
Later that night, Tobi lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. Friend sat beside him, unusually quiet.
"What's on your mind?" Tobi asked, breaking the silence.
Friend's glowing eyes flickered. "Just thinking about what Hiki said. About you being a target."
Tobi frowned. "You think she's right?"
"She's not wrong," Friend said. "Your power is... special. People fear what they don't understand, and fear makes them dangerous."
Tobi sighed, the weight of the day pressing down on him. "I didn't ask for any of this, you know."
"I know," Friend said softly. "But here we are. And like it or not, you're the only one who can decide what happens next."
As Tobi drifted into an uneasy sleep, his dreams were filled with fire and shadow once more. This time, however, the flames seemed to beckon him, their glow promising both destruction and a chance at clarity.
Somewhere deep within, Tobi felt the threads of his power beginning to weave together. The question was, would he learn to control them in time?
Tobi awoke to the muted hum of the safehouse. The muffled sounds of training and the occasional clang of metal filtered through the thick walls of his room. His body ached from the previous day's exercises, a dull reminder of the grueling hours he'd spent trying to stabilize the wild energy that surged within him.
Friend sat curled at the foot of Tobi's bed, his black fur shimmering faintly in the dim light. His glowing eyes regarded Tobi with quiet amusement.
"Up and at 'em, champ," Friend said. "The world won't wait for you to find your footing."
Tobi groaned, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Can't I get one morning where you're not the first thing I hear?"
"Sure. But then who'd remind you that you're humanity's next big hope?" Friend quipped.
Ignoring him, Tobi shuffled to the small washbasin in the corner. The cool water splashed against his face, chasing away the remnants of restless sleep. As he dried off, a knock at the door interrupted the quiet.
"Tobi, get up," Hiki's sharp voice called from the other side. "We've got work to do."
Tobi sighed. "No rest for the unstable, huh?"
In the training grounds, Hiki wasted no time. She tossed Tobi a weighted staff, its surface gleaming with intricate runes.
"Today, we work on control," she said curtly. "Moritaka, you're sparring with him."
Tobi stiffened as Moritaka approached, his signature smirk firmly in place. The red-haired fighter twirled his own staff effortlessly, the motion as natural as breathing.
"Don't worry, kid," Moritaka said. "I'll go easy on you. For the first five seconds."
Hiki shot him a warning look, but Tobi barely noticed. His focus was on the staff in his hands, its weight grounding him against the whirlwind of energy he carried.
"Start," Hiki commanded.
Moritaka lunged without hesitation. Tobi barely had time to raise his staff before the force of Moritaka's strike sent him stumbling backward. The energy within him flared in response, crackling at the edges of his vision.
"Focus, Tobi!" Hiki barked. "Don't let it control you—control it!"
Tobi gritted his teeth, steadying himself as Moritaka advanced again. This time, he sidestepped the attack, using the staff to deflect Moritaka's blow. Sparks of energy flickered along the weapon's surface, but Tobi kept them in check.
"Not bad," Moritaka admitted, his grin widening. "But let's see how long you last."
The sparring continued, each clash of their staffs pushing Tobi closer to his limit. Sweat dripped down his face as he fought to maintain control, the energy within him threatening to surge free.
Finally, with a burst of frustration, Tobi lashed out, sending a shockwave of energy through the staff. The force knocked Moritaka off balance, and he stumbled backward, his smirk replaced by surprise.
"Enough!" Hiki called, stepping between them.
Moritaka straightened, brushing himself off. "Impressive," he said, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "You've got power, kid. But raw strength won't save you out there."
Tobi didn't respond, his chest heaving as he struggled to calm the storm inside him.
Later that day, Tobi sat alone in the safehouse's common area, nursing a cup of lukewarm tea. Friend perched on the armrest of his chair, his tail flicking lazily.
"You're getting there," Friend said. "Slowly, but surely."
"Doesn't feel like it," Tobi muttered.
Before Friend could respond, Hiki entered the room, her expression unreadable. She handed Tobi a folded map and a small communicator device.
"We've got a mission," she said. "You're coming with me."
Tobi blinked. "What? I'm not ready—"
"You don't have a choice," Hiki interrupted. "We've received reports of Supe activity near the edge of the Wastelands. If they're after what I think they are, we need to stop them."
Tobi hesitated, his fingers tightening around the map. "And what do you think they're after?"
"The same thing we are," Hiki said. "The relics."