"Wake up," Trasam said aloud.
His own eyes snapped wide open.
He sat up slowly, stretching his limbs. Around him, the others were already awake—moving through drills, shouts, and strikes under Shi's instruction.
The training grounds buzzed with energy.
Shi stood tall at the center, his voice calm but commanding.
"Tai—work on your speed! You're powerful, but too slow to face what lies ahead."
He turned toward Xei without missing a beat.
"You've got strength and speed, but your mind is fragile. Go meditate—with Sai and Amal."
Then his eyes shifted to Amal.
"Your martial arts are awful. I'll train you myself."
Trasam observed in silence for a moment. The lion within him stirred—proud, but cautious.
"You're training them?" he asked.
Shi didn't look back. "Yes. I want them to finish the last training with me
Trasam stepped closer.
"I can see that. But… I'm sorry to say this, Shi—they've learned enough from you. It's time for them to move on."
Shi paused. The wind stirred the grass beneath their feet.
He slowly turned to face Trasam.
"I know," he said quietly. "That's why I didn't argue with you yesterday."
There was no bitterness in his voice. Only calm.
"A master never stops training his students… not until they're complete, but I have completed they training now it your turn
He looked out across the plains, where dark clouds loomed on the horizon.
"But I believe in them," he continued. "And belief is the only weapon I have left."
Trasam remained silent.
Shi turned away from him.
"You can train them," he said. "But not me."
He took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"I will train myself. And when I return… I won't just be a master—I'll be something sharper. Something useful."
Trasam gave a slight nod of respect.
Without another word, Shi walked away.
Sai watched from a distance, quiet.
Tai's fists clenched.
Xei said nothing.
No one called out. No one said goodbye.
Later, Trasam stood before Tai and Amal.
"Come with me," he said.
They followed him across scorched land and cracked stone until they reached a jagged peak—glowing faintly red, smoke hissing from its surface.
"This mountain," Trasam said, "will teach you speed."
Tai squinted at the glowing crevices.
"How?"
"You run," Trasam said. "Run and keep running… because lava will chase you. If you're too slow, the mountain will claim you."
Amal's heart pounded.
"Wait. You mean real lava?"
"Yes," he said calmly. "The mountain doesn't lie. You either move—or burn."
Tai clenched his fists, fire already dancing in his blood.
"I'm ready."
Far from the mountain, in a quiet grove, Sai and Xei sat cross-legged in silence.
Sai glanced at his brother.
Does he even know how to meditate?
Xei noticed the stare.
"What's wrong?"
Sai asked quietly,
"Do you… know how to meditate?"
Xei smirked.
"I used to meditate all the time back in the castle."
Sai rubbed his hands together. It had been so long since they spoke like this—just as brothers.
"…Let's start," he said.
They both closed their eyes. Time passed. A soft wind rustled the grass. Birds called from above.
Then Xei suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Sai.
"Can we fight?" he asked.
Sai blinked.
"Why?"
"I want to see if I still can," Xei said.
"You beat me and Tai before," Sai reminded him. "You're stronger than you think."
Xei shook his head.
"No. The old me did that. Not this one."
Sai raised his hands.
"Okay, no need to get angry."
Xei sighed, eyes down.
"I'm not angry… I just hate talking about that version of myself."
Sai leaned back.
"You didn't even meditate, did you?"
"No," Xei admitted.
Sai stood slowly.
"Fine then. Let's fight."
He raised his hand and launched a small blast of flame.
But Xei didn't move nervously—he calmly dodged to the side. Then, without warning, he bent down, picked up a rock, and threw it.
Thud!
The stone hit Sai square in the forehead. He dropped instantly—unconscious.
Xei stood over him, silent.
"I need to find Shi," he muttered.
He looked around, found a stick, and knelt to write in the dirt:
Don't follow me. I'll return.
He stood, took one last glance at his brother… and walked away.
Alone.