The sun was high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the Spirit Realm's training grounds. Shin, Kuro, and Miko stood together, sweat glistening on their foreheads from the morning's rigorous training. Yet, despite the intensity, they suddenly burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the vast open plain.
"You should've seen your face, Miko," Shin teased, clutching his stomach.
Kuro smirked. "And you, Shin, acting all serious earlier like you're the master of the Spirit Arts."
Miko rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. "Alright, alright. Enough joking around. Let's show Elder Ralnor what we've really learned."
Shin stepped forward, his grin widening. "Fine, let me go first. Prepare to be amazed."
---
Shin's Leaf Fury
Taking a deep breath, Shin extended his arms, his fingers weaving intricate gestures. The air around him began to hum with energy as nearby leaves floated into the air, glowing with a soft green light.
"Watch closely," Shin said, his voice filled with confidence.
The leaves gathered behind him, swirling in an elegant, glowing spiral. With a sharp flick of his hand, Shin directed them toward the towering mountains in the distance.
The leaves shot forward like bullets, glowing brighter with each passing second. When they collided with the mountains, explosions erupted, each leaf carving massive holes into the rock. The once-majestic peaks were left riddled with gaping craters, their surfaces glowing faintly from the impact.
Elder Ralnor's eyes widened in shock. "That… that is incredible! Your control and precision are remarkable for someone so young."
Shin turned, a smug grin on his face. "Thanks, Elder Ralnor. That was just a warm-up."
---
Kuro's Tiger Claw
Kuro stepped forward next, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, my turn. Get ready to witness some real power."
Planting his feet firmly on the ground, Kuro shifted into a low, powerful stance, his muscles tensing as he brought his hand back, readying a punch. A fiery red and orange aura began to envelop his fist, growing brighter and more intense by the second.
"TIGER CLAW!" Kuro roared, punching forward with all his strength.
From his fist, a massive spectral tiger claw burst forth, glowing with a fiery energy. The claw dashed through the air, leaving a blazing red trail in its wake. When it struck the mountains, the force was cataclysmic. Rocks shattered and crumbled as the claw carved a massive, jagged mark into the surface, resembling the strike of a colossal tiger.
Shin whistled, impressed. "Not bad, Kuro. Not bad at all."
Elder Ralnor nodded, his expression one of awe. "Your raw power is astonishing. Such destructive force paired with control is rare."
Kuro smirked. "Thanks. I've been working on it."
---
Miko's Overwhelming Power
Miko stepped forward last, his expression calm but determined. "I'll go next, but I'll need to hold back. If I go all out, I might destroy this entire place."
Elder Ralnor raised a hand. "A wise decision. Power without restraint is dangerous. Show us your strength, but keep it controlled."
Miko nodded and raised a single finger. A small, glowing blue sphere began to form at its tip, pulsating with an immense, concentrated energy. The air around him grew heavy, vibrating with power.
"Here we go," Miko said softly.
In an instant, the sphere erupted into a beam of golden energy, surging forward at light speed. The beam struck the mountains, erasing them entirely in a blinding flash of light. When the brilliance faded, only smoldering craters remained, their edges glowing fiery red from the heat of the blast.
The sheer devastation left Shin and Kuro speechless. Elder Ralnor, too, stared in stunned silence before finally breaking into a wide grin.
"Miko," Ralnor said, his voice filled with admiration, "your power is… beyond extraordinary. The precision, the control, the sheer force—it's nothing short of phenomenal."
---
The Elder's Assessment
As the dust settled, Elder Ralnor turned to face the trio, his eyes filled with pride. "You three… I have never seen young people with such strength and potential. You might just be the strongest warriors I've ever encountered in my lifetime."
Shin crossed his arms, grinning. "So, you think we've got what it takes to defeat the Demon King?"
Ralnor hesitated for a moment before nodding. "If anyone can do it, it's you three. Together, you might be the only ones capable of standing against the darkness that threatens both this world and the Spirit Realm."
The trio exchanged determined glances, their confidence bolstered by Ralnor's words. They knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but they also knew they had each other—and the strength they had gained through their training.
"Let's keep going," Shin said, his grin unwavering. "We've got a Demon King to defeat."