I followed Eldran up a small hill in the underground paradise of the Amazighs. The serene beauty of the place was a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart. Light filtered through the canopy of leaves above, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air was filled with the gentle hum of hidden streams and the sweet scent of blooming flowers, creating an almost magical atmosphere. Eldran stopped under the shade of a large, ancient tree, his eyes fixed on Sheherazade and the Amazighs in the distance.

"She really resembles them…" he said softly, his voice tinged with sadness and melancholy. The weight of his memories seemed to press down on him, adding years to his worn face. His usually bright eyes were clouded with a distant sorrow, as if he were reliving a painful past.

I stayed silent, sensing that he had much to share. Eldran turned to face me, his expression grave. "Once, the Amazighs were a proud warrior tribe of the kingdom of Mahraja. They were revered, their strength and honor unmatched. To see them now, so defenseless, it's shattering."

His words cut through me, a reminder of the burden I carried. The image of the once-mighty Amazighs, now reduced to shadows of their former selves, filled me with a deep sense of urgency. "Su, you need to beat Kala's disciple in the final match of the tournament," Eldran said, his voice low and urgent. "If you don't, Mehmoura and the Amazighs will cease to exist."

"Cease to exist? What do you mean?" I asked, a chill running down my spine. The very thought of such a fate was unimaginable.

"The tournament is a Mahrajan tradition that has gone on for hundreds of years, even before the fall of the kingdom. Its purpose was to nominate a hero from each tribe to join the Mahrajan knights," Eldran explained. "But Kala has twisted it. For the last four years, he's been conducting horrific experiments, altering the nature of mana in people, making them go berserk."

He paused and then showed me his arm. It was corrupted, greenish-black with veins that looked ready to explode. The sight was horrifying, a grotesque reminder of the darkness we were up against.

"Eldran, your arm…" I gasped, my worry evident. The corruption was far worse than I had imagined, a sinister disease that threatened to consume him.

"This is the result of Kala's research," Eldran said grimly. "I can barely contain it, especially now after our fight. The only way to stop the corruption is to break Kilian's mana core."

"Why Kilian and not Kala?" I asked, frustration and fear mingling in my voice. The enormity of the task ahead felt overwhelming.

"Kilian is Kala's most powerful weapon, his mana is corrupted and modified to the utmost degrees. His mana core is what controls the corruption ," Eldran said, his voice grave. He hesitated for a moment, then continued, "One of Kala's men confessed this after i beat him to a pulp. He revealed everything before succumbing to his injuries. If you don't break Kilian's mana core before noon on the day of the match, it will start radiating corruption to the whole arena, contaminating all of Mehmoura and turning it into an unstoppable bloodbath."

"Kilian…" I muttered, feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. The name echoed in my mind, a looming shadow that threatened to drown out all hope.

"I know you're doubting yourself, Su, but you have to do this. If you don't, everyone will be lost," Eldran said, his eyes filled with determination. His unwavering faith in me was both a comfort and a burden.

"But Eldran, why can't you fight Kilian? You're incredibly strong. With your strength, you could destroy him," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice.

Eldran shook his head, a look of solemn resolve on his face. "Each of us has our own roles to play. I must find Kala and stop him once and for all. His schemes have wrought too much destruction, and only I have the strength to confront him directly. Your role, Su, is to defeat Kilian and save Mehmoura from corruption. We must trust in each other to fulfill our roles."

"The last match is in two days, Eldran. I don't know how I'm supposed to beat him," I admitted, my voice breaking. The reality of the situation was sinking in, and it was terrifying.

"Aura," Eldran said simply.

"Aura?" I echoed, confused. How could something as intangible as aura be the key to victory?

"It was for a brief moment, but I felt aura radiating from you when you fought Kilian," Eldran explained.

"But you said I had no mana core, no ability to radiate aura," I protested, the frustration clear in my voice.

"Your body has this incredible ability to adapt to harsh environments Su, forcing itself to use aura even though it's not stable," Eldran said. "You have the potential, Su. I will show you how to use it in the next two days."

I looked at him, my mind racing with doubts and fears. But beneath it all, a flicker of hope started to grow. Eldran believed in me, and I had to believe in myself too. The weight of his words settled into my bones, a call to action that I couldn't ignore.

"I'll do it," I said finally, my voice steady. "Teach me how to use aura."

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Eldran nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "We'll start immediately. There's no time to lose."

We spent the next hours under the tree, Eldran guiding me through the basics of aura. His instructions were clear, his patience unwavering.

"First, Su, you need to understand that aura is the manifestation of your inner energy," Eldran began, his voice calm yet firm. "It's not just about strength; it's about control and focus. Close your eyes and try to feel the energy within you."

I closed my eyes, trying to tune into the sensations within my body. At first, I felt nothing but the pounding of my heart and the rush of my breath. But slowly, a faint warmth began to stir in my chest.

"Good. Now, imagine that warmth spreading through your body, like water flowing through a river. Let it reach every part of you," Eldran instructed. "Breathe deeply, in and out, and let the energy flow with your breath."

I followed his instructions, visualizing the warmth moving through my limbs, my fingers, my toes. It was a strange, almost surreal sensation, but I could feel the energy beginning to spread.

"Focus, Su. Concentrate on maintaining that flow. Don't let it waver," Eldran encouraged. "This is your aura, your inner strength. It will respond to your will."

I nodded, my brow furrowing in concentration. I could feel the aura radiating from me, a gentle, pulsating energy. But it flickered, unstable, as if it might vanish at any moment.

"You're doing well, but remember, you're only just beginning. Your aura will be weak and unstable at first," Eldran said, his tone serious. "You need to learn to sustain it, even under stress. This will be your biggest challenge."

"How do I do that?" I asked, my voice strained with effort.

"Practice and persistence. You must condition your body and mind to hold the aura longer each time," Eldran explained. "We'll start with short bursts. Hold your aura for as long as you can, then release it. Rest for a moment, then try again. Each time, push yourself a bit further."

He paused, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "But I can show you a beginner trick. It's simple, but it might just give you the edge you need. Watch closely."

I closed my eyes again, mimicking his steps. Gathering the energy within me, I visualized it flowing to my palms. A faint shimmer appeared, barely noticeable, but it was there. Encouraged, I tried again, pushing the energy with more focus. The shimmer grew stronger, a tiny spark of blue light dancing on my fingertips.

"Good, Su! You're getting it!" Eldran said, his voice filled with genuine excitement. "Keep practicing this trick. It will help you control your aura better. Remember, it's all about focus and persistence."

The hours passed in this manner, each exercise pushing me further, testing my limits. Eldran's guidance was relentless but encouraging, his belief in me unwavering. The aura within me felt stronger with each passing moment, responding more willingly to my commands.

As night fell, we returned to the main encampment. I was exhausted, but determined. The fate of the Amazighs and Mehmoura rested on my shoulders, and I would not let them down. Eldran's teachings had planted a seed of confidence within me, a belief that perhaps I could rise to the challenge.

Two days had passed, and now, standing in the arena, the vast expanse of the battleground stretched before me. The crowd's roar echoed in my ears, a cacophony of excitement and fear. Kilian stood across from me, his expression cold and unyielding. The air was thick with tension, the weight of the battle ahead pressing down on me.

The sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting long shadows on the ground. My heart pounded in my chest, the memories of Eldran's training fresh in my mind. I took a deep breath, feeling the aura within me, its power a tangible presence. I glanced at Eldran in the crowd, his eyes locked onto mine, a silent promise of support and strength.

As the announcer's voice rang out, the crowd's cheers echoed, and the match began. Kilian moved with a predator's grace, his eyes fixed on me. I could feel the corruption radiating from him, a dark, unsettling aura. But I stood my ground, my resolve hardening. With Eldran's teachings echoing in my mind, I raised my hands, ready to unleash the aura I had so painstakingly mastered.

Kilian smirked, his voice dripping with disdain. "I'm surprised you had the guts to show up, Su. Do you really think you stand a chance?"

I met his gaze, my eyes blazing with determination. "Let's end this, Kilian," I said, my voice steady and fierce. "For the Amazighs and Murad."

The mention of Murad seemed to stir something in Kilian, his smirk faltering for a moment. But he quickly recovered, his expression hardening into one of cold malice. "Bold words. Let's see if you can back them up."

The tension between us was palpable, the air thick with anticipation. The crowd's roar faded into the background as I focused on my opponent, my aura pulsing with a newfound strength. The battle had begun, and with it, the fight for the future of Mehmoura. The stakes had never been higher, and I was determined to overcome the darkness that threatened to engulf us all.