Amari and Daniel woke with the first light of dawn spilling over the village rooftops. The inn room was quiet, the smell of baked bread and smoke from chimneys drifting in from the streets. They checked out their room, shouldered their packs, and stepped into the morning air.
"This village isn't our final stop," Amari said, scanning the streets. "We're staying here a bit before heading to the house in the water. Gives us time to train."
Daniel nodded, adjusting his earpiece. "Makes sense. I've got this feeling… we're not strong enough yet. Something tells me the Dark Family won't go easy on us."
Amari smirked, calm and fierce. "Exactly. That's why we think ahead. Power isn't just brute strength—it's strategy, control, and knowing your limits."
They made their way through the quiet village, senses sharp. Daniel's eyes flicked to every shadow, every flicker of movement. "Something feels off here," he muttered.
Amari nodded, equally alert. "I was just about to say that. I don't know what it is yet, but stay on your guard. We can't afford surprises."
After checking into a small inn, they entered their room. Sam's voice buzzed through their earpieces.
"Today's lesson: learning to sense and control your essence," Sam said.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Amari replied, straight to the point.
"Same," Daniel said nonchalantly.
Sam continued, patient but precise: "You don't need to leave the room. First, sit down and close your eyes. Focus. Sense each other's essence. Concentrate."
Amari closed his eyes and leaned forward slightly. "I feel it… it's like someone is here, but my eyes are shut."
Sam's diagnostic hum sounded approving. "Yes, Amari. That's correct. Now, Daniel?"
Daniel frowned, concentrating. "Not yet…" He paused, taking a deep breath. "Wait… I feel it! There—like a pull, a presence. Someone's there."
"Good," Sam said. "Now the real challenge: control it. Spread your essence evenly throughout your body. If it's concentrated too much in one area, you could seriously injure yourself."
Daniel flinched. "Ouch… that sounds painful."
Amari chuckled lightly. "Good thing Sam's teaching us, huh?"
"Exactly," Daniel muttered, rolling his shoulders as he focused.
Sam guided them: "Stand up. Sense your essence again. Feel it in your whole body. Let it flow, not just to one spot. Balance it, connect with it."
Minutes passed. The room felt charged, like the air itself hummed with energy. Amari's eyes fluttered open. "Whoa… I feel it. My essence is flowing everywhere. I feel… light, and strong all at once."
Daniel's grin was calm but satisfied. "Yeah… I can feel it too. My whole body feels alive. Like I could move mountains."
Sam's tone was approving. "Excellent. That's enough for today. Tomorrow, you two will fight blindfolded."
Amari tilted his head, curious but steady. "Blindfolded? How?"
Daniel's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh… we'll sense each other's essence."
"Exactly," Sam said. "It's not going to be easy. Your connection to your essence, your focus… every sense will be tested."
Amari and Daniel nodded in unison. Calm, ready, fierce. "We're ready," Amari said, voice low but certain.
As night fell, the village quieted and the boys laid down in their sleeping bags. Their bodies were sore but buzzing with energy. Tomorrow, they would push past limits, testing the edge of what their eyes and essence could do.