“Forza?”

I pulled my broom back in surprise, eyeing the paragon with a wary gaze. Now that I’d exposed him, the slight disturbances in the room coalesced into a full picture. Forza had been behind me the whole time, stepping into my blind spots.

This is why Kynari kept coming over every couple of months. She was training by watching her father. I realized. You know, he may be unbeatable, but I haven't sparred a single time since that first rock. I could use a little fun.

My adrenaline surged as I raised my broom, eager to face off against a real opponent for a change.

I struck without hesitation.

My broom tip stabbed into Forza’s chest, but he moved out of the way at the last second, his smile growing wider.

Okay, so he’s not going to kill me for this. Good. I thought.

I launched a blitz of stabs, bashes, and slashes at him with renewed vigor.

All of it hit thin air.

When I leapt, he stepped out of my reach. When I struck him, he swiveled out of my weapon’s path. His eyes never left me as he moved, his calm gaze showing that he was totally in control.

But while Forza had been watching me, I’d been watching the sidelines.

“Kynari, now!” I said.

A blaze of red light erupted at my words as a new challenger entered the battle. They leapt at Forza from behind with a flurry of punches and kicks, the attacks all missing by a whisker.

Kynari’s lips curled into a smile, her fingers curling into claws.

“Hi daddy,” she beamed. “I’m going to hit you now.”

She dropped low and swept her leg across the ground, aiming for her father’s ankles and I struck out at his torso. Our attacks were simultaneous and unescapable.

Or so I thought.

My broom tip struck thin air as Forza stepped back onto Kynari’s foot, using it as a foothold. She yelped in surprise as her leg spun through the now empty space, her father gliding through the air atop her limb.

Kynari growled and she swiped at her father, but he dodged her attack by jumping lightly off her leg, laughing as his shoes touched the ground.

I was waiting for him with a strike to the head.

Swish.

The air shifted as Forza twisted his upper body, dodging my attack without moving from his position. His red eyes glimmered as he watched me, then he sprang back, dodging Kynari’s clawed hand as she tried to take advantage of his immobility.

Together, we launched a dozen attacks, each missing by a hairsbreadth. My strikes improved quickly. At first there was a finger’s width between Forza and each strike. Then a fraction. And finally, a whisker.

“I’ve got you,” I said.

I heaved all my energy into a final strike, certain that it would land.

Forza sped up, dodging my attack easily.

I gaped at him, “that’s cheating.”

“But this isn’t,” Kynari’s voice brushed against my ear.

She lunged past me, her hand glimmering with red light as she ejected her valoa from her passageways, the motes hardening and forming a claw-like replica of her hand. It extended a foot beyond her body, tearing through the air toward Forza.

I skidded to a halt, frozen in shock. Kynari was using a path ability.

Instead of dodging, Forza lifted his finger.

Flesh met valoa as the paragon pushed gently against the red claw, stopping it in mid-air. Sweat poured down Kynari’s forehead as she tried to force her valoa to push past her father’s finger.

In my eyes, it looked like an egg was trying to crack a mountain.

“Interesting,” Forza smiled. “You two have improved immensely.”

“Ugh,” Kynari jumped back, her claw returning with her.

She shook her hand and the claw dissolved, transforming back into valoa. Some of it returned to her body, but most dissipated into the air.

For the first time since the fight began, Forza gave us a genuine smile, filled with pride and joy.

It felt nice.

Forza turned toward me, and I gave him a tired wave, “Suna, you’ve shown great progress despite the pain you’re undergoing. Laakari said you could handle a fight, but I was hesitant. You’ve proved me wrong. I’ll let you take the trials of Violence and Challenges again. And we will continue to spar on a regular basis. There are many improvements you can make.”

“Sure,” I panted, my energy reserves spent. “Maybe tomorrow, though.”

“Of course,” Forza glanced at Kynari. “I need to talk to my daughter about her new-found strength.”

I thanked the paths for his words. I'd thought he’d want to fight even more. Instead, I was allowed to leave, and I walked toward my room.

Okay, now I need to collapse into a heap and groan the rest of my day away.

****

My feet dangled over the edge of my bed as I collapsed onto it, breathing heavily as my exhaustion teamed up with my pain to beat me down. I laid my head onto my pillow, reveling in the coolness of its surface, and sighing in contentment. For a few blissful minutes the chaos of the world disappeared, reality and dreams mingling in a perfect harmonic waltz of tranquility.

Then Kynari slammed my door open.

My friend let out a loud groan as she flopped face-first onto the bed beside me. She swatted at my face to distract me as her other hand stole my pillow.

I glared at her but didn’t take it back.

You know what, I’ll let her have this one. It's been a big day for her. I thought. I’m definitely not letting her do it because I can’t move. No, definitely not that.

“Was he there the whole time?” I asked.

“Just the last five years. Maybe six. I think you did pretty well,” Kynari flicked my shoulder playfully. “My dad’s eyes actually widened a bit when you went for that last strike.”

“Me? You're the standout,” I stared at her. “That floating red claw you made looked like a path ability. Have you already taken the first step?”

People could only step onto a path when they turned seventeen years old. Usually, they didn’t step onto a path for years after reaching the required age, but I’d never heard of someone stepping onto a path before then.

But Kynari had a lot of valoa. And she was technically a genius.

So, anything was possible.

“I took a half-step,” Kynari tried to look proud, but her lack of breath spoiled the effect. “Some of my valoa reached Saiph-rank.”

“Half-step,” I repeated the words.

That was the term used for when a person saw the next step of their path but couldn’t progress further because their overall valoa was too low ranked. Half-steps could get a glimpse of their future potential by using a lesser version of the path ability they would unlock.

“Can I see?” I asked, curiosity welling up inside me.

Kynari took a deep breath, conjuring a tiny mote of valoa on her right palm. Then, in her other hand, she conjured another. The two lights twinkled happily as they flew in front of me, tugging at my hair. They had the same hue, and the same texture, but their radiance was different. Both were brilliant, but one shone brighter than the other.

“Naoa, and Saiph,” I said. “Bonded?”

“Yup,” Kynari beamed. “Well, some of it. Most of it is still free.”

There were two main types of valoa; free, and bonded.

There were also four path-types for each main type of valoa; Challengers-type valoa, Engima-type valoa, Insight-type valoa, and Violence-type valoa.

Free valoa was the type that kept bouncing off me. It existed everywhere and twinkled happily through the atmosphere. Everyone started out by absorbing free valoa from the surroundings, and those that stayed in the first step almost always used it as their main type of valoa.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Bonded valoa was different. Very different.

Over time, free valoa would choose to form a deeper connection with a person, merging into their being. Personal talent played a part in it, and Laakari had told me that different people could bond with valoa at different rates. However, valoa was equally responsible for initiating a bond, and so the bonding speed would fluctuate depending on their mood.

If a bond formed, the valoa couldn’t be absorbed by other people. Nor could it be stolen. It was part of a person’s being, and the source of their powers. Crucially, only bonded valoa could guide people further than the first step of a path.

The four path-types of bonded valoa grant different boons:

Challenges-type valoa: The golden valoa of the path of Challenges increased dexterity.

Enigma-type valoa: The green valoa of the path of Enigma provided intelligence.

Insight-type valoa: The blue valoa of the path of Insight endowed wisdom.

* The blue valoa of the path of Insight endowed wisdom.

* The golden valoa of the path of Challenges increased dexterity.

* The green valoa of the path of Enigma provided intelligence.

* The blue valoa of the path of Insight endowed wisdom.

* The red valoa of Violence granted strength.

* The golden valoa of the path of Challenges increased dexterity.

* The green valoa of the path of Enigma provided intelligence.

* The blue valoa of the path of Insight endowed wisdom.

* The red valoa of Violence granted strength.

* The golden valoa of the path of Challenges increased dexterity.

* The green valoa of the path of Enigma provided intelligence.

* The blue valoa of the path of Insight endowed wisdom.

* The red valoa of Violence granted strength.

Violence-type valoa: The red valoa of Violence granted strength.

Since valoa only granted these boons to those that bonded with them, free valoa simply couldn't compare.

“Wait, let me update my notes.”

I groped at my bedside table lazily, refusing to get up and ignoring the pain. I also ignored Kynari’s giggles as she compared me to a wobbly newborn calf. I quickly found the piece of paper I was looking for and a writing tool.

Valoa quality ranks (important!):

Naos: This is the natural rank of the free valoa that can be absorbed by anyone (except me apparently). It converts into Saiph quality valoa over time. (Kynari is here.)

Saiph: Guides people to the first step of a path. A person’s valoa may only be 100% Saiph-rank at the age of 18 (earlier if the person’s valoa containers are healthier/stronger: see valoa container notes). By the age of 18 everybody has at least a bit of Saiph-rank valoa, though some take years to reach 100%. New note: Kynari is partially here (partial conversion – half-step).

Mizar: Guides people to the second step of a path. This is the first rank that requires active illumination of bonded valoa, increased valoa container quality, and also opened valoa passageways, all which are difficult to achieve. Most people never reach Mizar-rank because they cannot bond with the valoa they absorb.

Alioth: Guides people to the third step of a path. Bonded valoa only.

Castor: Guides people to the fourth step of a path. Bonded valoa only.

Deneb: Guides people to the fifth step of a path. Bonded valoa only. Brother is(was?) here. Laakari is here.

Altair: Guides people to the sixth step of a path. Bonded valoa only.

Hadar: Guides people to the seventh step of a path. Bonded valoa only. Forza is here (are all paragons here?).

The higher the ranking, the greater the boon given to the person. At Naos-rank, red valoa empowered a person enough to lift a stone half their size without training. At Saiph-rank, red valoa granted people the strength to lift a boulder.

A Deneb-rank, my brother claimed he could split a mountain with a single kick.

Forget bonding with valoa. I can't even absorb free valoa. I sighed. And I really wanted to be able to kick mountains in two when I was a kid.

“You and your notes,” Kynari smiled.

“Teshima Academy isn't going to accept anything less than perfection,” I replied. “If I can't get the boons valoa gives, then I have to make sure I'm well-rounded enough to beat you in the areas where you're not monstrously gifted.”

I smiled as I spoke. I knew that Kynari worked just as hard as I did. Maybe even more.

“How strong are you now?” I asked.

“Humm, I'm not sure,” Kynari said.

Gold and red valoa both flowed through her veins, but Kynari’s focus was on bonding with her red valoa, granting her additional strength. I'd seen her use that strength to leap explosively across rooms, and shatter rocks with her kicks.

“I think I could punch a wall and the wall would lose,” she said. “Or at least, I wouldn't break anything. Speaking of valoa, I need to replenish mine. Do you mind?”

“Only if I don’t have to move. Or talk. Or breathe.” I said. “Ow, everything hurts.”

Kynari chuckled and clambered atop my bed, crossing her legs into a meditative position. Her breathing steadied, and the room warped with light as red valoa fluttered into existence, drawn to her by instinct and absorbed the instant they touched her skin. Years ago Forza had declared that Kynari had a fifth tier affinity. At the time, neither of us knew what that meant. All we knew was that it was really impressive. As it turned out, it wasn’t actually impressive.

It was really, really impressive.

A normal person had tier one affinity, ranking from low, medium and high. If they were lucky, they got a high ranked tier one affinity. When moving up from tier to tier, the impact on absorbing speed wasn't additive. It was multiplied.

Kynari had a high fifth tier affinity. Her body absorbed valoa like a man dying of thirst drank water.

Twenty-three spots across her body lit up with valoa, spread disjointedly and unevenly throughout every limb. Each one was an unlocked valoa passageway.

“You formed a connecting line using twenty-three passageways,” I muttered. “You’re a training freak.”

Because she had valoa inside her passageways, and not impurities like I did, unlocking even a single passageway took months of dedicated training.

The average person unlocked ten in their lifetime.

“Thank you,” Kynari smirked at my surprise. “You’re not the only one who listened to Mr. Laakari’s lessons.”

“You could have fooled me,” I said.

If anyone saw her now, they wouldn't think that she had opened her passageways at random. But I recognized the rare formation she’d unlocked.

The ability-type it provided was as strong as it was rare.

“You have a manipulation-type ability,” I stated.

“The best kind,” Kynari said.

I turned over, laying on my back and letting out a deep breath. Today I fought against Forza, and I hadn’t tripped, or hesitated. All of it had been instinctual, honed into my body after years of practice.

So, I wasn’t just cleaning. I smiled. Teshima, you sly building. I’ve got to find a way to give you a gift.

Finally, after years of pain and training, I felt like I was getting somewhere. And if Forza had been telling the truth about more sparring, then I was looking forward my progress over the next few years.

Kynari slapped my side, snagging my attention, “hey, my dad said we can both use the fighting room now. We’re going to take those trials so much.”

I groaned.

****

On my fourteenth birthday I was dressed in my finest combat clothes. Form fitting and deep black, they felt like I was wearing a second skin. The scent of food was in the air and Teshima had adorned itself with various ornaments weaved from valoa.

Also, I was being attacked by my birthday candles.

“SUNA DODGE.”

I rolled across the floor of the dungeon, several thumps reverberating from where I’d stood. With a nimble shift of my weight, I threw myself up from the ground, my gear drowning in dust as I gazed at my opponents. Five tall candelabras staggered off the ground, cracks spreading out from where they’d smacked into the rocks.

There had been fourteen of them to start with, each appearing from the walls of the fighting room. It hadn’t taken me long to work out that I couldn’t face them head-on.

A single hit would spell my doom.

“SUNA, DODGE AGAIN.”

Two of the five candelabras struck out, each throwing the flames of several scented candles into my face. I stepped back, dodging the first, and flicked the other aside with a deft swivel of my palm, redirecting its attack into the nearby wall.

Forza's training was taking fruit, but unfortunately his training was all about dodging.

'Dodging is the foundation of what you'll need,' Forza had told me. 'If you can dodge a rock, you can dodge a punch. Oh, and make sure to smile while you dodge. That helps make you stronger.'

I'd taken his words to heart, and quickly discovered that Teshima's footwork lessons had paired perfectly with Forza's techniques.

That wasn't a coincidence.

“Telling me to dodge doesn’t help,” I shouted back to my companion. “And why the heck are you having a picnic?”

Kynari was kneeling down on the ground a few meters away, where Teshima had conjured a comfortable and tranquil mossy patch of dirt for her to sit on. She was dressed in the same black combat uniform I was, its form fitting design and sleek material utterly wasted as she focused on making sure the edges of her picnic blanket were perfectly straight.

Several candles had tried to crush me as she watched.

“I’m not having a picnic,” Kynari rolled her eyes. “I’m setting one up. It’s your birthday, silly. Of course we’re going to celebrate.”

A candelabra’s tip whizzed past my head, trying its hardest to make sure my birthday was also my death day. I kicked it in the middle of its long body, and it snapped in half with a wail. I caught the upper half and slammed it into another candle, causing it to fold and cry out as it disappeared into the ground.

They can’t actually feel pain. I reminded myself. Teshima is just messing with me.

I turned around and froze as three more candelabras growled and edged toward me from all angles.They struck out in unison, swiping at my legs, chest, and head at the same time.

A swift shift of my leg stopped the lowest swing, while my right hand grabbed the top candelabra, and I quickly repositioned the arm to halt the middle one too. The impact on my elbow hurt, but it also meant I had my left hand free.

I use it to grab the middle candelabra, swinging it and the top one into the dungeon wall, shattering their candles.

Then I stomped the last one that had gone for my legs, ending the fight.

“Thank the paths, I’m done,” I fell to the floor, my hands on my knees, as I recovered from the strikes that I’d been dealt with.

“You’re being so dramatic,” a giggle caressed my ears. “But it’s your birthday, so I won’t tease you for it.”

Kynari held out a hand toward me, and like I had a thousand times before, I took it. The moment our fingers met, she tugged. Hard.

Wait, does she remember how strong she is, oh no-

Pop.

My vision blurred as I was pulled toward Kynari faster than any mortal man should be. A flash of red light shimmering across her skin was the only warning I got before my head slammed into hers.

Skull met skull. Flesh met flesh. Lip met lip. She felt nothing, but I rocketed across the floor.

That was my first kiss.

It hurt.

“Oh paths!” Kynari’s shout was as loud as lightning. “Sorry- wait, Suna, your face is normal!”

“Thank you?!”

Two orange eyes filled my vision as Kynari leaned over me, her face creasing with worry and her auburn hair tickling my chin as she jabbed a finger into my cheek. “No, I mean you’re not hurt.”

“Huh,” I touched my lips in a daze.

I moved my hands over my cheeks, and my forehead, and my chin, confirming what was there. Or rather, what wasn’t there. No wounds graced my features.

“I’m not hurt,” I said. “Why aren’t I hurt?”

Normally, Kynari’s body was as tough as a rock.

She’d bonded with enough red valoa that hitting her head-on should have split my skull. My teeth also should have shattered. Or at least cracked.

“I’m not hurt,” I repeated, my confusion clear to see.

“Suna.”

There were no wounds at all.

“Suna.”

In fact, I felt better than ever.

“Suna.”

“Kynari, what?” I raised my head, only to see Kynari pointed at me.

She was pointing at my lips.

A speck of red fluttered out of my mouth, shining crimson light across the surroundings.

It didn't bounce off me or fly away from me like I was the ugliest person in the world. Instead, it fluttered curiously over my lips, sinking into my skin, then popping out the other end.

In my surprise I flung the light out of my body, and it spun lazily into the air. But I didn’t care about the loss. I was focused on my gain.

For a single moment, the impossible had been done.

I had absorbed valoa.