CHAPTER 28

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The town was quiet as we made our way back to the inn that night. The stars were out, scattered like diamonds across the sky, their light dimly illuminating the cobblestone streets. For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t thinking about the past, about the demon, or even about my training. Alric’s words about balance had stuck with me, and the weight of those words was still settling over me.

Power is important, but so is balance.

It was something I hadn’t considered before. Every day for nearly a year, my sole focus had been on becoming stronger, on mastering the Aetheric Flow, on preparing for the moment I would finally face the demon that had destroyed my family. But in that pursuit, I had forgotten that there was more to life than just power and vengeance. I had been so consumed by my goal that I hadn’t thought about what might come after.

Alric, in his usual way, hadn’t lectured or scolded. He had simply shown me a different perspective, a glimpse of a life that didn’t revolve around revenge or the endless pursuit of strength. And in doing so, he had reminded me of something I hadn’t realized I had lost—myself.

As we approached the inn, Alric glanced at me, his eyes still sharp but softened by a hint of something else—maybe approval, maybe understanding. “Tomorrow, we’ll leave town and continue your training. But tonight, rest. Let yourself think about more than just the fight.”

I nodded, the words coming to me slower than usual. “You’re right. It’s… different here. I never thought I’d need something like this.”

Alric’s smile was faint, barely noticeable, but it was there. “We all need balance, Niv. Without it, you’ll lose sight of what you’re fighting for.”

That night, as I lay in the bed at the inn, the noise of the town quieting outside, I found myself thinking about the journey I had been on since that terrible day. My parents’ faces still haunted me sometimes, the memories of their deaths seared into my mind. The fire. The demon. The helplessness I had felt as everything was torn away from me.

But now, things were different. I wasn’t that scared boy anymore. I had grown. I had power now—more than I ever could have imagined. And yet, Alric’s lessons about control, about not letting that power consume me, were starting to make more sense.

The pursuit of power, without balance, would lead to ruin. I could see that now. And if I lost myself to my thirst for vengeance, what would be left of me when the fight was over? It was a question I hadn’t dared to ask before, but now it seemed more important than ever.

The next morning, the inn was bustling with activity. Merchants prepared for the day’s trade, the smell of baked bread and fresh fruits filled the air, and the murmur of townspeople mingled with the clatter of carts and horses. It was a peaceful scene—one that seemed so far removed from the world of demons and magic that I almost felt like a stranger here.

Alric and I left the inn early, our packs slung over our shoulders as we made our way toward the outskirts of the town. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm golden light over the fields beyond the town’s walls.

We walked in silence for a while, the only sound the crunch of gravel beneath our boots. I found myself thinking again about balance, about the things Alric had said. There was still so much I didn’t know—about the world, about myself. I had spent nearly a year focused solely on one goal, but what came after?

Alric seemed to sense my thoughts. “You’re thinking again,” he said without looking at me.

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I smirked slightly. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all. As long as you don’t get lost in it.”

We continued walking, the town growing smaller behind us as we approached the forest. The trees loomed tall and familiar, the air cooler beneath their thick canopy. It felt like coming home in a strange way—back to the place where everything had started.

“You’ve come a long way, Niv,” Alric said after a while. His voice was calm, but there was a weight to his words. “But there’s something you need to understand about power. True power isn’t about how much you have—it’s about how you use it.”

I glanced at him, waiting for him to explain.

“You’ve mastered abilities that many people would only dream of,” he continued. “Analyze, Auto-Dodge, Slip, and your new Auto-Heal. You can predict your enemy’s movements, control the very ground beneath their feet, heal yourself almost instantly. But those are just tools. Power without purpose is dangerous. It can corrupt. That’s why balance is so important.”

I listened closely, every word sinking in.

“You’re fighting for revenge,” Alric said, his tone neutral but firm. “And I understand that. But revenge can only take you so far. Once you’ve achieved it, what then? What’s left? If you don’t have something to ground you, something to live for beyond the fight, you’ll lose yourself.”

I swallowed, his words hitting harder than I had expected. “So, what do I do?”

Alric stopped walking, turning to face me. “You need to find something worth fighting for beyond revenge. Something that gives you purpose when the battle is over.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. I didn’t have an answer to that. All I had thought about for nearly a year was the demon—the creature that had taken everything from me. I hadn’t considered what would come after. I hadn’t allowed myself to.

“Take your time,” Alric said, his voice softer now. “The answer will come to you in time. But for now, we continue training. The fight is still ahead, and you need to be ready.”

We spent the rest of the day moving deeper into the forest, the familiar routines of training resuming. But something was different now. The words Alric had spoken earlier weighed on my mind. Power and balance. Fighting for something beyond revenge. It was all starting to make sense, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to accept it yet.

By the time the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor, I was exhausted. The physical toll of the day’s training was nothing compared to the mental strain of everything I had been grappling with.

As we made camp for the night, I sat by the fire, staring into the flames. The sound of the crackling wood was comforting, the heat warming my tired muscles. Alric sat across from me, silent but watchful, as always.

After a long moment, I spoke, my voice quiet. “You’ve taught a lot of people, haven’t you?”

Alric’s eyes flickered with something—surprise, maybe—but he nodded. “Yes. Over the years, I’ve trained many students. Some went on to do great things. Others… lost their way.”

I hesitated, then asked, “Why do you train people? What’s your purpose?”

Alric’s gaze softened slightly, his voice lowering. “I’ve seen what happens when power is used recklessly. I’ve seen people destroy themselves, and others, because they didn’t understand the responsibility that comes with power. I train people to help them avoid that path.”

I nodded slowly, his words resonating with me. “Do you think I’m on that path?”

Alric didn’t answer right away. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes meeting mine. “You’re not there yet, Niv. But if you’re not careful, you could end up there. That’s why balance is so important.”

I looked away, staring into the fire. The flames flickered and danced, their light casting shadows on the trees around us. For the first time, I realized just how close I had come to losing myself in my quest for revenge. I had let the need for power consume me, but now I understood. Power wasn’t the answer. It was a means to an end, not the end itself.

“I understand now,” I said quietly. “I’ll find that balance.”

Alric gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable once more. “Good. Now, rest. We still have much work to do.”

That night, as I lay beneath the stars, the forest quiet around me, I felt a strange sense of calm. I wasn’t sure what my purpose would be beyond revenge, but I knew that I needed to find it. Alric had been right all along—power was dangerous without balance. And I needed to find that balance if I was going to survive the fight ahead.

The stars above twinkled in the dark sky, distant and unmoving, but for the first time, I didn’t feel alone under their gaze. I was on a path now, one that would lead me to the answers I sought. And when the time came, I would be ready.