Lug limped down the steps of the crypt.

His leg was sore and his foot had a blue color that indicated that leaning on it was a bad idea.

When he reached the last step, he stopped for a moment to look around.

There were pieces of wood everywhere.

Dried blood on the floor, on the walls, on the pieces of wood.

Everywhere.

But the most amazing thing was the hole in the back wall.

It looked like someone had tried to smash it with a jackhammer.

"Did I do that?" Lug asked the young looking ghost who was sitting in his chair.

The Wise One had his legs crossed, one hand on his thigh and the other holding the pipe he had brought to his mouth.

"Let's just say you've finally lived up to the expectations I had for you." replied the ghost with a smile.

It was not the usual smile.

It was - for the first time - accompanied by his eyes, which he squinted slightly.

His face had a relaxed look.

Lug walked forward, avoiding stepping on the pieces of wood.

He looked at the few bones that had been placed on the side.

They had probably flown from the coffin.

"Sorry about that." Lug said to the ghost.

"These are the remains of my father.” he replied coldly.

"Your... Father? I'm so sorry." said Lug, lowering his head.

"Don't be, he got what he deserved. But let's move on. Let's talk about you."

Lug let his back slide against the wall, until sitting on the floor.

He was near the biggest bloodstain that marked the spot where Hannah had found him.

"What happened?" Lug asked.

"I activated a whole bunch of brain connections through your energy centers. I managed to reactivate your memory, but I also activated something else... Something deeper."

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

The ghost had dug his cheek in by pressing it against his index finger, his head bent, his gaze wandering along the ceiling molding.

"What was that?" asked Lug, his body tense, his heart pounding.

"I don't know, and I hate not knowing." replied the Wise One, mechanically scraping the bottom of his pipe.

"Okay, but then what happened after I fainted?"

"Fainted? You really don't remember anything?" asked the ghost as he looked at Lug, he had stopped scraping his pipe.

"My head got hot, then nothing and... I had a dream."

"A dream? What kind of dream?" The Wise One moved his body forward, in his chair.

He was agitated.

"I was... In a wide space. Everything was black, but I could see the surroundings clearly. And in the sky, a black sun."

"A black sun..." the ghost repeated.

"Does that mean anything to you?" Lug asked.

"No. Nothing at all." The Wise One shrank back in his chair, as if retreating.

"I see." Lug was moving a stone on the floor with his foot.

The Wise One rubbed his chin.

"After I gave you back your memories, you seemed to be agitated, mumbling strange words. That's when I felt your energy change. You started to strengthen your reptilian brain in a *very* intense way."

"My reptilian brain?" Lug asked.

The Wise One looked annoyed at having to explain - what he thought was - the obvious.

"The brain that manages your primitive behaviors, your most basic needs like feeding or reproducing... right down to your most violent impulses." explained the ghost, soberly.

"So...Mmmmh." Lug tried to understand, but nothing made sense.

"You focused an enormous amount of energy on your reptilian brain and went into *survival mode* if I may say so. You started to attack me."

Lug jerked upright, which had the effect of reviving the pain in his ribs.

"I... Ugh... I attacked you?!" he said doubtfully, with a grin that the pain had caused.

"Yes, your speed was prodigious, and so was your strength. I quickly hid in the wall, so you began to smash it."

Lug looked again at the hole in the wall, his eyes were bulging.

"So it was me who did this?"

"Yes, you went on a rampage against the wall. You brilliantly reinforced every limb of your body just before each blow. It was your leg that made the biggest impact against the concrete. But after a few minutes, you looked lost, started mumbling again and sat on the floor."

Lug hid his face in his hand, out of dismay and shame.

"You weren't yourself, but you showed a mastery and power that proved me right, you are truly special."

"I could have killed someone..." said Lug, as he lightly tapped the back of his head against the wall against which he sat.

"Good thing this place is all about the dead." joked the ghost.

"What about Hannah? Did she see anything?"

"No, I told her to get out as soon as I sensed you were losing control."

Lug looked reassured.

"So, now what?" he asked.

"We continue the training, of course. But no more reinforcement, you're already way past your *master's* level."

"No time to waste, huh?" said Lug, tilting his head which was still leaning against the wall.

"That's a luxury you don't have. But don't worry, I've got the right training for your… *condition*." said the ghost, whilepointing to a flat stone on the ground.

"A stone?"

"You'll ricochet."

Lug looked at the stone, then at the Wise One.

"How much?"

"The lake, in the mountains. You'll ricochet the whole length."

"Pffffoo, is that possible?" Lug asked.

"Yes. And then you will make the stone come back to you, still ricocheting." added the Wise One, with his usual confident look.