The room's air shimmered with the faint glow of dream energy as Jarek stood with his hands outstretched, the orb of light before him now steady and vibrant. Hours had passed since he had first struggled to connect with the energy, but now, a quiet confidence had replaced his earlier frustration.
The sphere hovered between his palms, its surface smooth and pulsing with a rhythm that matched his own heartbeat.
"Good," Rhea said, pacing around him. Her sharp gaze took in every detail, searching for any signs of instability. "You're starting to understand it now. Feel the flow, don't fight it. Let it respond to your intention."
Jarek nodded, his focus unwavering. He shifted his hands slightly, and the orb elongated, stretching into a narrow, gleaming blade. The energy held its shape, its edges sharp and precise.
Rhea stopped, her arms crossed as she watched. "Not bad," she admitted. "But the Driftlands are unpredictable. You'll need more than weapons if you're going to survive there."
Jarek glanced at her, his expression curious. "What's so dangerous about the Driftlands?" he asked, lowering the blade and letting the energy dissolve back into the air.
Rhea sighed, leaning against the table. "The Driftlands are where the boundaries between dreams and reality are weakest," she said. "It's not like the rest of the Hollow Realm. There, the environment shifts constantly, and it's filled with rogue dream fragments, pieces of forgotten thoughts and nightmares. Some are harmless, but others…" She trailed off, her tone darkening. "Let's just say they don't take kindly to visitors."
"Sounds fun," Jarek said, his tone dry.
Rhea arched an eyebrow. "This isn't a joke," she said. "The Driftlands have consumed some of the strongest cultivators I've ever known. If you're not prepared, you'll be torn apart, physically and mentally."
Jarek's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Then I need to be ready," he said.
Rhea stepped closer, her expression serious. "Channeling dream energy is only the first step," she said. "You also need to learn how to shield yourself. The Driftlands will try to invade your mind, twist your thoughts, and turn them against you. A strong barrier can protect you, but it takes focus and control."
She held out her hand, and a translucent dome of golden light appeared around her, shimmering faintly. "This is a basic shield," she said. "It won't hold against stronger attacks, but it'll block out most of the Driftlands' influence."
Jarek studied the barrier, his brow furrowed. "How do I make one?" he asked.
"Start by focusing on the dream energy," Rhea said. "Imagine it expanding outward, forming a protective layer around you. It's like breathing, steady and natural. Don't force it."
Jarek closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He reached for the golden glow within him, the energy of the Forge that now pulsed through his veins. Slowly, he visualized it spreading outward, forming a thin, shimmering shell around his body.
The barrier flickered into existence, faint and uneven at first, but it grew stronger as he focused.
"Good," Rhea said, her tone approving. "Now, hold it. The Driftlands won't give you time to stop and adjust."
Jarek nodded, his concentration unwavering. The barrier held steady, its surface smooth and radiant.
Rhea circled him, testing the shield's strength with light taps of her own energy. The barrier rippled but didn't break.
"Not bad, not bad at all," she said. "But let's see how it holds under pressure."
She stepped back, her expression sharp as she summoned a sphere of energy in her hand. Without warning, she hurled it at Jarek.
The impact sent a shockwave through the barrier, and Jarek staggered slightly but managed to keep it intact.
"Again," Rhea said, sending another blast.
Jarek gritted his teeth, bracing himself as the energy collided with the shield. The strain was evident, but he held firm, the barrier glowing brighter with each attack.
After a final, stronger blow, Rhea stepped back, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "You're getting there," she said. "But remember, the Driftlands won't just attack you physically. They'll try to unnerve you, make you doubt yourself. Stay focused, no matter what."
Jarek let the barrier fade, his breathing heavy but steady. "Got it," he said.
Rhea nodded, her gaze serious. "One last thing," she said. "The Driftlands respond to emotion. If you let fear or anger control you, the realm will amplify it. Stay calm, stay in control, and trust your instincts."
Jarek smirked faintly. "You sound like you actually believe in me," he said.
Rhea rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head," she said. "Now, let's practice a bit more. The Driftlands aren't going to wait for you to be ready."
...
By the end of the session, Jarek stood in the center of the room, his body surrounded by a stable barrier of golden light. He moved with purpose, channeling the energy into a blade, then a shield, then dissolving it back into the air.
Rhea watched from the side, her arms crossed but her expression faintly proud. "You're ready, not completely there, but just enough for a short trip into the driftlands" she said finally.
Jarek turned to her, his gaze steady. "Are you sure?"
"It will have to do, for now," she said. "The rest, you'll have to figure out for yourself."
He nodded, a quiet determination in his eyes. The Driftlands awaited, and while the path ahead was fraught with danger, Jarek knew he wasn't the same person he had been when he first stepped into the Hollow Realm.
He was stronger now, and he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.