The valley was cloaked in a strange, suspended silence. Even the wind seemed cautious, drifting lazily among the silver-leaved trees as if aware of the fragile balance that had been shattered. Ivan's chest burned with the Seal's pulse, a rhythm unlike any heartbeat he had ever known. Each step he took sent tiny tremors through the ground, the runes on his arms flickering in response.
He had practiced small bursts of energy with the silver-eyed stranger the previous day. Minor flashes, controlled releases. That had been manageable. But today, the air itself seemed alive, pressing on him, testing him. Every instinct screamed that this trial would be different.
A low, resonant rumble rolled through the valley floor. Ivan froze. The runes on his arms blazed, brightening as the energy in the ground reacted to some unseen force.
"They're coming," the stranger said behind him, her voice calm but tense. "Creatures drawn to the Seal. They'll test you. Whether you survive… will determine everything."
Ivan's stomach twisted. "Creatures? I—I can barely control what's inside me!"
Her silver eyes fixed on him. "Then you will learn. Fast. Hesitation is a luxury you do not have."
From the ridge above, the first wave appeared. Not beasts like those of Earth, but twisted forms, humanoid yet grotesque, forged from fire and jagged stone. Their movements were unnerving — unnatural, yet purposeful. Each step scorched the ground beneath them, and even the air around them shimmered with heat.
Ivan's hands shook instinctively, and the runes responded. A flicker of golden light shot from his palms, striking the nearest creature. It screamed — a soundless, piercing cry — and flew backward, landing in a shower of sparks. Ivan stumbled, nearly falling.
"You can't just panic!" the stranger shouted, dashing forward. "Focus! Let the Seal guide you!"
He swallowed, heart hammering. The Seal pulsed in response, the rhythm of its light syncing with his own erratic heartbeat. Memories not his own flashed in his mind: divine battles in distant galaxies, the creation of Naaris, the slow decay of civilizations. A warmth and sorrow mingled inside him, heavy and insistent.
"I… I have to control it," he whispered. "I have to…"
The energy surged violently again, responding to his resolve. A second pulse shot outward, deliberate this time, striking another creature and scattering fragments of its fiery form across the valley. The stranger nodded approvingly.
"Better," she said. "Not perfect, but you're beginning to understand. The Seal reacts to intent. Focus your mind, not just your fear."
A third wave erupted from the silver forest. Faster, coordinated, these creatures were sharper, more aggressive. Ivan's chest tightened, sweat dripping down his face. His hands glowed, tendrils of energy weaving through the air like serpents. Panic rose, but he forced himself to calm.
"You're stronger than I expected," the stranger said, crouching beside him. "But remember: the Seal is dangerous. One misstep, and it consumes not only the enemy but you as well."
Ivan clenched his fists, drawing energy inward. The Seal pulsed violently, responding to his command. He thrust his hands outward, forming a barrier of shimmering light. The first creature charged, and the impact clashed against the shield with a thunderous force. Stones cracked, and the air vibrated with raw power.
Ivan staggered, nearly falling, but the Seal adjusted, flowing with him, guiding him. Each movement he made became a conversation with the power inside. He realized the creatures weren't mindless; they were mirrors of his own instability. The more he panicked, the stronger and more aggressive they became.
"I… I can control it," he muttered, voice wavering, yet firm. "I… can do this…"
Another creature lunged, claws extended. Ivan reacted instinctively, the energy forming arcs of light that cut through it, consuming it completely. The air filled with sparks and smoke as the other creatures paused, sensing his growing confidence.
The stranger watched silently, her expression unreadable. "Yes… that's it. Control the flow, understand the rhythm, or it will destroy you."
He breathed heavily, chest heaving, feeling the Seal's energy now more deliberate, more refined. A calm settled over him briefly — deceptive, he knew, for the storm was far from over.
From the shadows of the silver forest, another movement stirred. Something unseen, yet palpable, a presence that made the hair on Ivan's neck rise. He didn't notice it, too consumed with the rhythm of the Seal and his own survival.
"You're doing well," the stranger said, voice low. "But the true test will not come from the creatures alone. It will come from what you fear to unleash within yourself."
Ivan's hands glowed again, brighter this time. He extended his palms, and a controlled wave of energy surged outward, scattering the remaining creatures. The valley erupted in light, dust, and flying debris. Trees bent under the force, but none fell.
He fell to his knees, exhaustion threatening to drag him into unconsciousness. Sweat streaked his face, his clothes torn, yet a triumphant, raw sense of power coursed through him.
"I… I survived," he whispered, touching the glowing Seal on his chest. The light pulsed softly, responding to his heartbeat.
From the shadowed edges of the forest, crimson eyes glowed with unblinking attention. The figure remained still, patient, observing every flicker of light, every pulse of power.
"The heir awakens," it murmured softly, voice like a knife through the air. "And the fires have just begun."
Ivan looked at the distant temple, its summit now shrouded in dark, swirling clouds. He felt a chill run down his spine. The Seal inside him pulsed stronger, responding to some unknown threat.
"This… is only the beginning," he muttered to himself, fists clenched. "I will master it… no matter what it takes."
The valley held its breath. The creatures had vanished, yet the energy lingered in the air, humming, alive. Every silver leaf, every shard of crystal seemed attuned to the power now coursing through Ivan. And somewhere beyond, in the watching shadow, eyes of crimson glowed brighter, heralding the coming trials.