The next evening, Kairo found himself standing in the middle of his apartment's dimly lit living room, his arms aching from hours of practice. The golden energy still felt foreign, like trying to write with his non-dominant hand, but it was there—flickering, faint, and stubbornly elusive. Every time he thought he had control, it would sputter out, leaving him frustrated and exhausted.
"You're overthinking," Zephyr said, lounging in the armchair by the window, his tone calm but firm. "Aeterna is not something you force. It's something you harmonize with."
"Harmonize?" Kairo snapped, his patience wearing thin. "What does that even mean? You keep throwing these vague words at me like I'm supposed to just get it."
Zephyr raised a brow, unbothered by Kairo's outburst. "And yet, you managed to tap into it last night. How do you explain that?"
Kairo opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. The truth was, he didn't know. The golden energy had surged forth in moments of pure instinct, when his mind was too clouded with fear or desperation to think.
"That's what I thought," Zephyr said, standing and brushing imaginary dust off his coat. "Your problem isn't your ability, Kairo. It's your fear."
"I'm not afraid," Kairo shot back, though the words rang hollow even to him.
Zephyr's piercing gaze met his, and for a moment, the room felt heavier. "A lie," Zephyr said simply. "You fear the unknown. You fear failure. And most of all, you fear that you are not enough."
Kairo's jaw tightened. "You don't know me."
"I know more than you think," Zephyr said, his voice softening. "And I know that fear, left unchecked, will consume you faster than any shadow ever could."
The words struck a chord, and Kairo hated how much truth he saw in them. He wanted to argue, to push back, but his shoulders slumped instead.
"Then how do I stop being afraid?" he asked quietly.
Zephyr stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "You don't. Fear is natural. But you learn to move through it, to act in spite of it. That is the difference between surviving and thriving."
Before Kairo could respond, the temperature in the room dropped abruptly. The air grew thick, pressing against his skin like an invisible weight. A familiar, acrid scent filled his nostrils, and his pulse quickened.
"They're here," Zephyr said, his tone as calm as ever.
Kairo turned toward the source of the disturbance, his heart racing. The shadows at the edges of the room began to writhe and twist, their forms elongating into something unnatural.
Three figures emerged, each one more grotesque than the last. Their bodies were black as tar, with glowing red eyes that burned with malice. Kairo felt the golden energy stir within him, but it was faint, like a flame struggling against the wind.
"Why now?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"They sense your power," Zephyr said, his silver rod appearing in his hand as if summoned by thought. "And they will not stop until they've consumed it."
Kairo swallowed hard. He'd seen these creatures before, but there was something different about them now. They felt... stronger. More focused.
"Stay behind me," Zephyr instructed, stepping forward.
"No," Kairo said, surprising himself. "I need to do this."
Zephyr glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Are you sure?"
Kairo nodded, his hands clenching into fists. "You said I have to move through the fear. Well, I'm doing it."
The faintest hint of a smile touched Zephyr's lips. "Very well. But remember: focus, breathe, and harmonize."
The creatures snarled in unison, their forms rippling as they charged. Kairo's heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay grounded. He closed his eyes, tuning out the snarls and focusing on the warmth in his chest.
"Come on," he muttered to himself. "Work with me here."
The warmth flared, and golden tendrils began to spread down his arms. When he opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with energy. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
The first creature lunged, its claws swiping through the air with deadly precision. Kairo raised his hand instinctively, and a shimmering barrier of golden light materialized in front of him. The creature's claws struck the barrier, sending ripples of energy outward, but the shield held.
"Not bad," Zephyr said from behind him.
Kairo didn't have time to feel proud. The second creature circled around, its movements quick and erratic. It lunged at his side, and Kairo twisted just in time to throw up another shield. The barrier absorbed the impact, but the effort left him winded.
"Focus!" Zephyr barked. "You're letting your fear control you again."
"I'm trying!" Kairo snapped, gritting his teeth.
The third creature approached more cautiously, its red eyes locked onto him. It didn't attack immediately, instead circling him like a predator sizing up its prey. Kairo could feel its malice, a palpable force that made his skin crawl.
"Stop reacting," Zephyr said. "Anticipate. Act."
Kairo took a deep breath, his mind racing. The golden energy surged again, stronger this time, and he felt a strange sense of clarity wash over him. The creature lunged, but this time, Kairo was ready.
He stepped to the side, pivoting on his heel, and thrust his hand forward. The golden energy shot out in a concentrated wave, striking the creature square in the chest. It howled in pain, its form flickering like a dying flame before disintegrating into smoke.
"Yes!" Kairo shouted, a grin spreading across his face.
The victory was short-lived. The remaining two creatures snarled, their forms growing larger and more menacing. Kairo's confidence wavered, but he forced himself to stay focused.
"You're doing well," Zephyr said, his tone approving. "But remember, strength is not enough. You must harmonize."
"What does that even mean?" Kairo asked, dodging another attack.
"It means trusting your energy," Zephyr said. "Let it guide you."
Kairo didn't fully understand, but he didn't have time to argue. He closed his eyes briefly, reaching for the golden warmth again. This time, he didn't try to control it. He let it flow freely, allowing it to shape itself.
When he opened his eyes, the energy had formed a shimmering aura around him. The remaining creatures hesitated, their snarls faltering.
Kairo stepped forward, raising his hands. The energy surged outward in a blinding wave, engulfing the creatures. They howled in unison before collapsing into ash, leaving the room eerily quiet once more.
Kairo collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving. The golden energy faded, but the warmth remained, a comforting presence in the aftermath of the chaos.
Zephyr approached, his expression unreadable. "Well done," he said.
Kairo looked up at him, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. "That was... insane."
"It will get easier," Zephyr said, offering him a hand.
Kairo hesitated before taking it, allowing Zephyr to pull him to his feet. "What now?"
Zephyr's eyes gleamed with something like pride. "Now, we prepare for what's to come. The voice you heard, Kairo—it wasn't random. The Abyss knows you, and it won't stop until you've fallen or risen to meet it."
Kairo's heart sank, but he nodded. "Then let's get to work."