Chapter 5: The First Lesson
The morning sun cast long shadows across the forest clearing where Ethan and Galen Torin stood. The air was thick with the scent of pine, and the distant sound of a river's flow provided a soothing backdrop. Despite the calm atmosphere, Ethan couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his chest.
He had agreed to train with Galen, but the weight of his decision felt heavier with each passing minute. The power inside him was still so raw—unpredictable. He had no idea how he was supposed to learn to control something as destructive as the Heaven-Devouring Void Art.
Galen stood in front of him, his expression stern. "Today, we begin your first lesson. You'll need to clear your mind, Ethan. The Void Art feeds on emotions—fear, anger, doubt. It grows stronger with every negative feeling you allow to dominate your mind. Your first task is to find inner peace."
Ethan furrowed his brow. "Inner peace? I'm supposed to meditate or something?"
Galen nodded. "Precisely. But don't think of it as something simple. Meditation is about more than emptying your mind. It's about control. You need to learn to channel your emotions and your thoughts. If you can control them, you can control the Void Art."
Ethan sighed, sitting down on a nearby rock, trying to steady his breathing. The idea of meditation seemed absurd to him. He had never been the type to sit still and clear his mind. But Galen's words kept ringing in his ears: If you can control your emotions, you can control the Void Art.
"Alright. I'll give it a try." He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing, just as Galen had instructed.
For the first few moments, everything seemed calm. The sounds of the forest, the rustling leaves, and the flow of the river all blended into a single, soothing rhythm. But then, like a wave crashing over him, the power inside him stirred.
Ethan could feel it—an immense pressure building in his chest, as if the Void Art itself was reacting to his attempt at stillness. His heartbeat quickened, and the familiar feeling of being overwhelmed washed over him. The power wanted to break free. It wanted to consume him.
"Focus, Ethan," Galen's voice pierced through the chaos in his mind. "Don't let the power control you. You control it."
Ethan gritted his teeth, trying to push back the rising tide of energy within him. He had to calm it, had to gain control before it overwhelmed him again. His hands clenched into fists as he focused on his breathing, trying to block out the temptation to give in to the raw force inside him.
It was hard—so hard. His mind raced, thoughts flashing by faster than he could catch them. Memories of his family, the village, the life he had lost. The desire to protect them surged through him, but with it came fear—the fear of losing everything again.
The Void Art fed on that fear. He could feel it creeping into his mind, twisting his emotions, urging him to act—to use the power recklessly. But he knew that if he did, he would be no better than the immortal who had fallen before him. He couldn't let the power consume him.
"Calm your mind," Galen said again, this time with more urgency. "Focus on the present. Only in stillness will you find control."
Ethan's breath came in ragged gasps, but slowly, he began to center himself. The memories faded, the fears receded, and all that remained was the moment—the calm, steady rhythm of his breathing. The surge of power inside him began to quiet, and for the first time, Ethan felt a flicker of control.
His body relaxed, and the oppressive feeling in his chest began to subside. The Void Art wasn't gone, but it was no longer raging against his mind. It was there, contained, waiting.
"Good," Galen said, his voice approving. "You're beginning to understand. The Void Art is like a river—it can be gentle, flowing, and life-giving if you guide it. But if you let it run unchecked, it will flood everything in its path."
Ethan opened his eyes, feeling a sense of accomplishment, though the power still lingered in the back of his mind, like a restless beast. "I did it," he said, more to himself than to Galen.
"You've only just begun," Galen replied, a glimmer of pride in his eyes. "This is the first step in your training, Ethan. But it will not be easy. The Void Art will challenge you every step of the way, and you will be tested in ways you cannot yet imagine. The true test will come when you face the darkness within yourself. It will try to take control of you, and when that happens, you must be ready to stand your ground."
Ethan nodded, determination rising in his chest. He had a long way to go, but for the first time, he felt like he had a chance. He could feel the Void Art inside him, not as an enemy, but as a part of him—something he could learn to control.
"I'm ready," Ethan said, his voice steady. "Teach me the next step."
Galen studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. But remember, Ethan, true mastery comes with time. You must be patient. The Void Art is not a tool—it is a reflection of your soul. The better you understand yourself, the better you will be able to control it."
As the day wore on, Galen guided Ethan through more lessons, each one focused on strengthening his control over his emotions and the power within him. Slowly, he began to understand the subtle dance between the Void Art and his own psyche. The more he trained, the more he could feel the power inside him becoming an extension of his will, not a force that dictated his actions.
By the time the sun began to set, Ethan was exhausted but filled with a sense of accomplishment. He had taken the first step toward mastering the Void Art, and though the road ahead was uncertain, he was determined to walk it.
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End of Chapter 5