The battlefield was empty now. The only signs of the fight that had just taken place were the scorch marks on the ground and the lingering tension in Bolt's chest.
But his mind wasn't on the battle.
It was on the figure that had been watching him.
Who were they? And why had they vanished the moment he noticed them?
Bolt clenched his fists. His power was still buzzing under his skin from the fight with Carlos, the raw energy of the seven elements more controlled than before. He had gained 5% mastery, but he could feel it—there was still so much more waiting to be unlocked.
And now… someone had seen that happen.
Someone was watching.
Bolt exhaled slowly, pushing the thoughts away. Standing here wouldn't give him answers.
He turned and started making his way back to the Celestial Tempest base. His body ached from exhaustion, but his mind refused to rest. The fight, the shadow, the voice in his head, the unknown figure—it was all connected somehow.
He needed to tell Aether and Akane.
As he reached the entrance to their training grounds, he noticed Aether leaning against the wall, arms crossed.
The moment their eyes met, Aether pushed off the wall and walked toward him.
"Where the hell have you been?" he asked, his voice sharp.
Bolt blinked. "I—"
Then, before he could react, Aether punched him in the face.
Bolt stumbled back, caught completely off guard.
"What the hell?!" he snapped.
Aether grabbed the front of Bolt's shirt, pulling him close. "You disappeared. No explanation. No message. You could've been ambushed." His grip tightened. "You could've been killed."
Bolt gritted his teeth. "I can handle myself."
Aether's eyes narrowed. "That's not the point."
Bolt shoved him off. "I had to go. I fought Carlos."
Aether's expression darkened. "Alone?"
"Yeah."
Aether exhaled sharply. "Damn it, Bolt. I told you not to do reckless—"
"I won."
Aether froze.
Akane, who had just stepped out of the training room, paused in the doorway.
Bolt met Aether's gaze. "And I didn't just win. I unlocked more of my power."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Akane stepped forward. "How much?"
Bolt clenched his fists. "5%."
Her golden eyes widened. "You're saying you have actual control now?"
"More than before."
Aether ran a hand through his hair, his frustration still visible, but now mixed with curiosity. "What happened?"
Bolt hesitated.
Then he told them everything.
The fight with Carlos. The moment his power shifted. The shadow. The voice in his head. The way Carlos' power had been shut down as if something had taken it from him.
And finally… the figure watching him at the end.
When he finished, Aether and Akane exchanged glances.
Akane was the first to speak. "You're sure the figure wasn't part of the shadow?"
"No," Bolt said. "They were different. The shadow was something else, something that… I don't know, maybe it's tied to my power." He paused. "But the figure? They felt like a person. Someone who was waiting for something."
Aether's jaw clenched. "And they saw you awaken."
Bolt nodded.
Akane frowned. "Then we have a problem."
The three of them moved inside, gathering around their central training space.
Aether sat on a bench, arms crossed. "This isn't just about Carlos anymore. If someone was watching, that means word is going to spread."
Akane nodded. "Carlos losing is one thing, but you unlocking part of your power? The other factions won't ignore that."
Bolt leaned against the wall, his eyes narrowing. "Let them come."
Aether shot him a glare. "That's exactly what they want, Bolt. They want to see if you're a threat."
"I already am."
Aether sighed. "That's not the point."
Akane tapped a finger against the table. "Think about it. If Carlos was one of the strongest in the Black Squad and he lost, what do you think the other leaders will do?"
Bolt frowned.
Aether answered for her. "They'll want to test you themselves."
Akane nodded. "Or worse—eliminate you before you grow stronger."
The weight of her words hung in the air.
Bolt felt something cold settle in his chest. He knew he was strong, but the idea of every faction leader suddenly turning their attention to him…
It was different from anything he had faced before.
And then there was the figure.
Who were they?
What did they want?
Bolt pushed off the wall. "Then I need to get stronger."
Aether shook his head. "You just gained 5%. Your body needs time to adjust—"
"There's no time," Bolt interrupted. "The moment I awakened, I felt it. There's more. A lot more. I can't afford to wait."
Aether exhaled sharply.
Akane studied Bolt carefully. "Then you need to be smart about it. No more reckless fights."
Aether nodded. "Agreed. If we train, we do it together. No more running off on your own."
Bolt hesitated.
But then he nodded. "Fine."
Aether stood. "Then let's start tomorrow."
Bolt opened his mouth to argue, but Akane cut him off. "You need rest. Your body is still adjusting."
She was right, and he knew it. His limbs were heavy, his mind foggy.
He exhaled. "Alright. Tomorrow."
That night, as Bolt lay in his bed, sleep didn't come easily.
The voice still echoed in his mind.
"You are progressing… but you are not ready."
He clenched his fists. Then when would he be?
His thoughts drifted to the figure.
Was it friend? Foe? Something else entirely?
And then—
Just as he was drifting off—
A whisper.
Not in his head.
Not in his thoughts.
But from the corner of the room.
A presence.
A faint shadow, barely visible in the darkness.
And then—
A voice, soft, almost amused.
"We'll see how far you can go, Warborn."
Bolt's eyes snapped open—
But the presence was gone.
Leaving only the weight of those final words.