I began to wake up slowly, first feeling the weight on my eyelids, as if some part of me didn’t want to open my eyes. Darkness still clung to my senses, but a faint glimmer, barely perceptible, started to filter in.

I opened them little by little, heavily, and the first thing I saw was a dim light that didn’t seem to come from any specific place. For a moment, I couldn’t understand what I was seeing.

I blinked several times, trying to shake off the drowsiness that still clouded my senses. That’s when I noticed that the ground beneath me wasn’t the same one I’d camped on the night before.

My breathing sped up slightly, but I still didn’t move. I began to feel the thick air, dense, as if I was in a place far removed from everything I knew.

When my eyes finally adjusted, I knew it.

The place... it was that shadowy place.

I felt my heart stop for a moment. I sat up abruptly, startled, as I realized where I was. I looked around, trying to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. The same three gigantic entrances I’d seen before, when everything began. I remembered it perfectly.

My breathing quickened with each passing second, and confusion wrapped around me. What was happening? What had happened to my companions? Had I... died? My mind swirled with unanswered questions, and a cold sweat began to form on my forehead. How had I come back here? And why?

It was then that I saw something further ahead.

A figure crouched in front of the entrances. It had its back turned, a hood covering its head, and showed no sign of moving. My heart pounded in my ears as I tried to process what I was seeing. Who was it? Was it the same being who had offered me the deal? The thought sent a chill down my spine.

I rose cautiously, feeling my legs tremble under the accumulated tension. I started to walk toward the figure, my movements slow and calculated. I didn’t want to take any risks. With each step, my anxiety grew, and a part of me wished I wouldn’t get any closer. But I couldn’t help it. I had to know.

The only sound was the peculiar noise coming from the three portals. As I got closer, questions filled my mind. Was it really him? Why was he here again?

The figure didn’t move. It seemed completely oblivious to my presence, as if it didn’t care about what was happening around it. I got close enough to start circling it, always keeping a safe distance. That’s when I noticed it was holding something.

In its hand, it clutched a pendant. My pendant.

The air left my lungs in a rush. Instinctively, I reached up to my chest, searching for the familiar weight of the pendant... but it wasn’t there. The cold skin of my chest confirmed it—I didn’t have it.

What the hell was going on?

Desperation washed over me, and a shiver ran down my spine. Everything was too confusing, too real. I couldn’t understand it. My pendant, my connection, was in the hands of that figure.

Unable to control myself any longer, I shouted:

"Hey! Hey, you!"

My voice echoed through the vast darkness, but there was no response. The figure remained motionless, staring at the pendant as if I didn’t exist. My frustration grew with each second of silence.

"Give it back!" I shouted louder, the anger rising from somewhere deep inside me.

Nothing. No movement, no words.

Then the figure slowly began to raise its head, and my heart stopped.

I couldn’t see its face—the shadow of the hood hid it completely—but I knew. It was him. The same being who had offered me the deal. My legs tensed, and for a second, I wanted to run away, but something stronger held me in place.

His eyes shone intensely, a piercing blue light cutting through the shadows like two beacons. My mouth went dry, and though fear mixed with my anger, I couldn’t help but shout again:

"Why do you have my pendant?!"

The being, now standing, didn’t take his gaze off me. Each second stretched out painfully. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, and all I could do was keep demanding:

"Give it back!" I repeated, unable to hold back. "Give it back!"

A cold, deep laugh emerged from him, a sound that sent a chill deep into my core.

"Your fate is already sealed," he said, his voice deep and spectral, echoing in the empty space.

I didn’t hear him. The rage blinded me. Without thinking, I lunged at him, ready to tear the pendant from his hands if I had to.

But before I could reach him, everything disappeared.

I woke up abruptly, gasping, sweat dripping from my forehead. I was back in the tent where I’d rested the night before. My breathing was still erratic as I sat up quickly, frantically feeling my chest.

It was there.

The pendant.

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My pendant.

My fingers gripped it tightly, as if I feared it would disappear again. Relief washed over me momentarily, but doubt wasn’t far behind. Had it been a dream? A nightmare?

I stayed silent, still breathing heavily. Something in me refused to accept that it had all been a simple illusion.

I got up from the makeshift bed in the tent, still feeling the remnants of the nightmare, and stepped into the fresh air. Outside, the brightness of the day hit me immediately, but I welcomed it. A few steps away, I found a bucket of water and quickly leaned down to splash some on my face. The cold water helped clear my mind, though the feeling that something was wrong lingered beneath the surface.

As I wiped my face with the sleeve of my shirt, I heard voices nearby. Aelira and Eldrek were talking a few meters away, looking calm and relaxed. When they noticed me, they both turned, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and concern. I must have looked more shaken than I thought.

"Are you alright?" Aelira asked, her eyes focused on me, studying my expression.

I answered quickly, not wanting to dwell on what had just happened. "Yes, just a nightmare," I replied, trying to brush it off.

"Understandable," Eldrek said in his deep voice, as if he understood more than he let on.

"You didn’t dream about me, did you?" Zhavros chimed in, grinning while lying on the ground, a book in his hands. He seemed more interested in his reading than the conversation, but his casual tone made it clear he hadn’t missed the chance to joke around.

I couldn’t help but return the jab. "I would’ve woken up disgusted if that were the case," I replied, letting out a soft chuckle that eased some of the tension still weighing on my chest.

Zhavros chuckled and went back to his book, while I took a deeper breath, feeling a bit more relaxed.

A bit steadier, I walked over to where Eldrek and Aelira were, leaving the bucket behind. "Where are Lyris and Nymira?" I asked, expecting to see them nearby.

Aelira looked at me and answered calmly, "They went to gather supplies. They should be back soon."

I nodded, taking another sip from my canteen, feeling the cool water run down my throat. As I adjusted my belt, Aelira gave me a probing look.

"Shall we continue with the next part of the training in the meantime?" she asked, making it clear she didn’t want to waste time.

I patted my cheeks lightly with both hands, trying to fully wake myself up and make sure I was ready. "Yes, let’s go," I replied, with determination.

Eldrek nodded with a slight smile. "Make it worthwhile," he commented as he watched us leave, as if he knew the importance of what was coming.

I felt a bit calmer after refreshing myself and drinking water.

Aelira looked at me with that serene expression she always had. "We’ll have a duel," she said firmly, "and I want you to start using your chaos magic."

I raised my hands, a bit incredulous and nervous. "I’m not sure about this, Aelira. What if I lose control? Yesterday, I barely managed to hold it back."

Aelira arched an eyebrow, her gaze locked onto mine. "Yesterday you committed to continue this training, no matter what. Or was that a lie?" Her calm tone had a sharpness I couldn’t ignore.

I scratched my head, frustrated. I knew she was right, but doubt gnawed at me. Finally, I sighed. "You’re right. Let’s continue."

"Good," Aelira said, stepping back. "What I want you to do is face me without thinking about who I am. Let the chaos flow, but—and this is important—apply it as you learned yesterday. You need to allow it to flow only to the point where you feel you can control it. Am I clear?"

I nodded, processing her instructions. I thought about how relentless Aelira could be as a teacher. It was no wonder Nymira had come so far under her guidance.

"I understand," I replied finally.

"Perfect," Aelira said. "Then let’s begin."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was to come. Aelira stood in front of me, her stance relaxed but ready. Don’t underestimate her, I told myself. This was going to be a challenge.

At first, I decided to test with light attacks, channeling the chaos in a controlled way. I launched a few blows toward her, letting the dark energy flow from my hands.

Aelira deflected them with ease, moving with an impressive grace. Each of my attacks seemed like a simple exercise for her. Her defenses were flawless, and I noticed that she was always one step ahead, anticipating my moves. As the fight progressed, I began to feel more confident; my attacks became fluid, and the chaos responded precisely to my control. I was getting it.

"Well, Aelira, I think I’m getting it," I said aloud, letting my confidence show.

"Don’t lose focus," she replied, keeping her gaze steady on me. Her tone was a warning that reminded me not to get cocky.

Focus, Darius. Focus, I reminded myself silently, concentrating on keeping control over the chaos.

But the more confident I felt, the more I began to lose control. The assurance turned into overconfidence. And then, I felt it: the chaos within me started to overflow, intensifying, slipping out of my grasp. My hands trembled, and the dark energy escaped me like a beast I couldn’t contain.

Aelira noticed the shift immediately. "Don’t let it take over, Darius. Remember yesterday’s training," she said, staying alert as she continued to deflect my attacks.

I tried to listen, but it was too late. The chaos clouded my thoughts, consuming my control and unleashing my power. I clutched my head, trying to clear my mind, but the chaos had broken free, roaring like a storm within me. Everything I’d learned was falling apart.

From a distance, Eldrek and Zhavros, watching the intensity of the fight, sensed the explosion of chaos in the air.

Zhavros, standing next to Eldrek, sighed and murmured, "Oh, damn. Here we go again..."

There was no time for more warnings. Without further notice, a wave of chaos erupted from me, sending uncontrolled attacks toward Aelira. Dark energy burst from my hands in unpredictable, powerful bursts. Aelira, calm as ever, began to dodge and deflect each blow, using her agility to stay out of my direct reach.

Each strike I launched was stronger than the last, and I noticed that Aelira had to adjust, her movements becoming more calculated and swift. My power was forcing her to truly push herself. But she, ever the strategist, seemed to be waiting for something.

Finally, she let me get closer than I should have, as if waiting for the right moment. And then, in one fluid move, Aelira landed a direct hit, her open palm striking the center of my chest. I felt a burst of energy, similar to the luminous technique Nymira had used before. The pain shot through me, and before I could react, Aelira swiftly swept my legs, sending me crashing to the ground.

Dazed, I lay there, but before I could move, Aelira pressed her hand to my chest, not to strike again, but to steady me. Her luminous magic began to flow, calming the chaos within me, just as Lyris had done before. I let out a groan as the warm, purifying energy dispelled the darkness, slowly restoring peace to my mind and taming the storm that had broken loose.

When I finally came to, gasping and disoriented, the first thing I asked was, "What... what happened? Why does my chest hurt?"

Zhavros approached, shaking his head in amusement. "What are we going to do with you, kid? Seems like you enjoy getting exorcised."

Still on the ground, I managed a nervous laugh, though the pain lingered. Aelira, crouching beside me, looked at me seriously.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her tone softer this time.

"I think so," I replied, still catching my breath.

Aelira stood up and offered me her hand to help me to my feet. I took it, feeling my legs still a bit shaky. "Enough training for today. We’ll talk about this later," she said, walking away.

Zhavros looked at me, then flashed a teasing grin and burst into laughter. "The princess wiped the floor with you!" he laughed even harder.

I let out a faint chuckle, barely audible. "Well... I guess I deserved it."