Muffled voices outside his door awoke Atenyos. He blinked groggily, every part of his body screaming in protest at the exertions from the day before. His mind replayed the surge of power, the black lightning coursing in his veins, and the oppressive energy that almost crushed him. He knew he couldn't allow himself to stay there, even as exhaustion screamed at him for more rest. Today was the first day he was working with Kantara's team, and he just couldn't afford any display of weakness.

As Atenyos pushed himself out of bed, the door creaked open. Ipsum stood there, his usual bright grin plastered across his face.

“Morning, sunshine! Slept well?” Ipsum said, leaning against the doorway.

Atenyos groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve had better nights.”

"Well, no time for complaints. Kantara wants us all in the training yard. He's eager to get you integrated with the team." Ipsum gestured for Atenyos to follow, and the two made their way through the guild corridors.

The training yard bustled with the team members warming up. Kantara stood in the center, arms crossed as he watched them. Atenyos ran a keen eye over the group, each of different builds and demeanors.

"Everyone, gather up!" Kantara's voice boomed, silencing the chatter. The team formed a semi-circle around him.

This is Atenyos, our newest recruit. I expect you all to get to know him, train with him, and make sure he doesn't get himself killed." Kantara's tone was serious, but a hint of humor lingered at the edges.

The team members took turns introducing themselves. Ipsum was already a known face; he explained how he could change his body temperature. As if on cue, he made his hand hot till it turned red, the heat making the air whirl around it.

Then came the physical prowess members, their outputs ranging from 18% to 22%. They didn't have any special powers, but their physique and martial arts skills spoke volumes. Each of them carried themselves with confidence, and each step taken was a calculated one, as though their bodies were weapons, honed through many battles.

First among them was Cassian, an imposing man with wide shoulders and tree-trunk-thick arms. His output came to 22%, the highest among those in the group who were without powers. Strong, he had been known for the unyielding use of gigantic weapons that nobody else could use, striking with such power and strength that it could cleave through solid stone. Given his imposing size, he was rather calm and quiet, often acting as an anchor for the team.

Next to him stood Lucian, a wiry but muscular fighter with an output of 20%. Lucian specialized in agility and speed, as his fast reflexes allowed him to easily gain the upper hand over opponents. Sharp-eyed, he was always looking on the battlefield for weaknesses and openings. Not having supernatural abilities, the uncanny precision with throwing knives and close combat techniques turned him into a force to be dealt with.

Rounding out the group was Marcellus, whose 18% output belied his strategic mind. A master tactician, Marcellus used his strength in calculated bursts, always maximizing his impact. He used a long spear with precision, keeping enemies at bay while providing support for his comrades. Without as much brute force as Cassian or the speed of Lucian, the balance of strength and intellect made him a key player in the team's success.

Of course, each of them had their own way of adding to the dynamic of the team, with their unique fighting styles and relentless vigor, despite not having any supernatural powers. They were there because of hard work, blood, and sweat and hours of grueling practice. They knew how to work as a unit, their trust in one another evident in their every move.

Then there were the power users: the first, a tall, stoic man by the name of Revior, had the power of reversing damage with the caveat of having severe backlash; sparse in speech, his words measured and well thought out.

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He was followed by a wiry energetic man named Luterra, who could accelerate his limbs. He demonstrated this as his fists flew in rapid punches that blurred in the air, his movements a little clumsy.

Finally, there was Elvora, a poised woman with pale scars lining her arms. She had the power to feel no pain and regenerate rapidly, though there's a catch: the bigger the wound, the faster it heals, and vice versa for the smaller wounds; this makes her the team's most durable member yet one with the higher risk.

As the introductions ended, Kantara motioned for Atenyos to follow him. They walked a short distance off from the group, until Kantara turned to face him.

"About yesterday," Kantara said, in a low tone. "That surge of power…what happened?"

Atenyos shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet Kantara's piercing gaze. "I don't know. I blacked out. When I woke up, everything felt. off.

Kantara watched him for a few seconds, his face inscrutable. "Alright. But if anything like that ever happens again, you have to tell me. Understand?"

Atenyos nodded, fully aware he could never tell the truth.

Later that day, the team was dispatched on a routine mission to a nearby forest. Reports of corrupted animals had come to the guild-a sign that a Bright Dark gate might have opened in the recent past.

The forest was unnaturally still as they made their way through it. Even the air was thick, as if the trees themselves were holding their breath. Atenyos stuck close to Ipsum, who led their group with an easy confidence.

"Keep your eyes open," Kantara warned. "The Bright Dark leaves no witnesses, but weaker creatures like animals can still be corrupted.

On cue, a guttural growl resounded from the trees. A pack emerged, their fur matted and eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

"Here we go!" Ipsum shouted, his hands already flaming up.

The team leaped into action. The physical prowess members charged forward, their fists and weapons clashing against the corrupted wolves. Cassian led the way, his large battle axe cleaving into the corrupted wolves with raw strength. Lucian darted around, his knives thrown true with each calculated movement. Marcellus held at bay many of the beasts with his spear, his measured strikes and defensive stance making openings for the others. All combined, their strength and coordination proved vital in the chaotic battle.

Revior held his ground, reflecting the wolves' attacks back at them; though, the effort left him wincing in pain. Luterra darted in and out of the fray, his accelerated punches and kicks delivering rapid blows.

Atenyos wavered, his fists clenching in effort as he worked to call forth his power without allowing it to overpower him. As a wolf leapt toward him, instinct slammed him sideways against the ground as he belched a blast of energy outward. It was too hard; the wolf sailed into a tree with a nasty crack.

"Nice shot!" said Ipsum, fire dancing along his arms as he reduced another wolf to ashes.

The battle was over just about as fast as it started, the corrupted animals lay motionless around them. Kantara scanned the area, his face grim.

"This isn't normal," he said. "This was way too easy; where's the pack lead… Something's off."

Back at the guild, Kantara set up a sparring session to get a feel for Atenyos's abilities. The team watched as Atenyos squared off against Ipsum, grinning mischievously.

"Don't hold back now," Ipsum teased.

Atenyos took a deep breath, focusing on controlling his power. The two circled each other before Ipsum struck, his heated fist aiming for Atenyos’s shoulder. Atenyos dodged and countered with a swift punch, his power flaring briefly.

The sparring continued, each exchange pushing Atenyos to his limits. He struggled to maintain control, his power flickering unpredictably. By the end of the session, he was drenched in sweat, his body aching from the effort.

"You have potential," Ipsum said, slapping him on his back. "But you need to work at that contro, and we still don't know what your power is, those flashes and energy, pretty sure there's more to it"

Atenyos nodded, his frustration evident.

The day took a turn when Iruim summoned the team for an emergency mission. They gathered in the briefing room, where Iruim stood with a map spread out before him.

“We’ve received reports of a Bright Dark pack leader in a nearby abandoned village,” Iruim began. “This isn’t a routine mission. This creature is dangerous, and their presence indicates something much larger at play.”

The room fell silent, the weight of the mission sinking in.

"Kantara, your team will handle this. Atenyos, consider this your first real test. Prove to us that you belong here."

Atenyos felt his excitement mix with dread. It was his chance to prove himself, but the stakes were higher than he'd anticipated.

As the team prepared to depart, Kantara again pulled Atenyos aside.

Stick with me during the mission," Kantara said. "Bright Dark creatures like these aren't like anything you've faced before. Don't try to be a hero."

"Hero?? Don't worry I won't" Atenyos said in a sarcastic manner as to say to Kantara that he's not here to play hero, though still his eyes filled with determination.

The team stood at the edge of the forest, staring out into the dark outline of the abandoned village. Thick with tension, the air held the faint growls of some unseen creature in the darkness.

"Let's move," Kantara commanded, heading onward into the unknown.