Towan let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders easing as his Essentia intertwined with Rheon’s. The indigo energy pulsed faintly, cold yet steady, like a river carving its path through his battered channels.

“Maybe I’m overthinking this…” he murmured, closing his eyes. The hum of Essentia filled the silence, a fragile harmony of silver and indigo.

His thoughts drifted to Elliot. “He’s probably at the library by now,” Towan said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Hope he finds something useful… Whether it’s about the Corruption or how to handle larger amounts of Essentia without tearing myself apart.”

His gaze dropped to his leg, fingers brushing the bandages where his pathways had nearly shattered. The memory of the fight flashed—Rheon’s calm deflection, the blinding silver aura, the searing pain as his body gave out.

“I never thought I’d push my pathways to the breaking point,” he admitted, his voice tinged with regret. “After all my training, I figured they’d be strong enough.” He exhaled sharply, the weight of his recklessness settling heavily on his chest. “I was reckless.”

“You sure were.”

The voice cut through the stillness, sharp and familiar, yet laced with an edge that sent a shiver down Towan’s spine.

His head snapped toward the window. The wind surged, rattling the glass and sending the curtains billowing inward. For a heartbeat, a shadow stood behind the fabric—tall, hooded, its edges blurred like smoke.

Towan’s breath caught. “Master…?”

The figure didn’t move, but the air grew heavier, charged with an Essentia that felt both foreign and achingly familiar.

The wind sighed again, shifting the curtains aside to reveal Towan’s Master standing there with a nostalgic smile.

"How have you been, Towan?" he asked warmly.

Towan’s eyes widened in shock. It had been ages since he’d seen his Master. "Wha—" he stuttered, his heart pounding at the unexpected reunion.

The Master’s gaze softened as he observed the traces of strain on Towan. "Looks like you overdid it," he remarked gently. "What did you want to prove, Towan?"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Towan swallowed hard, the memory of the spar still vivid in his mind. "I just…" His voice trailed off into silence. In truth, it had been nothing more than a spar—a reckless attempt to test his limits. There was no need to push so far, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had gone too far this time.

Noticing his hesitation, the Master stepped closer, his tone calming. "There’s no need to fear, Towan."

"Fear?" Towan echoed, confusion lacing his words.

"Do not be afraid," the Master continued, his voice both reassuring and firm. "Your path is still in its early stages. Your strength will grow as you walk it, step by step."

In that moment, the truth struck Towan like a sudden burst of light. He was afraid—afraid of not being strong enough to fulfill his destiny, to achieve what he had set out to do. The memories began to swirl in his mind: the countless battles against corruption where he had to rely on others; the overwhelming sight of Eryndar fighting with a power he could barely comprehend; the moments when even the support of friends couldn’t fill the gap between him and the challenge at hand.

And then, a flood of images from his past rushed through him—the sight of corruption seeping into his long-forgotten home, the desperate days when he and Elliot fled from their parents in search of a better life, and the very first encounter with his Master. He remembered how, in a desperate moment, his Master had saved him and Elliot from a corrupted bear, planting the seeds of hope and strength in his young heart.

Towan’s hands trembled as he absorbed these memories. The Master’s calm presence seemed to anchor him amid the storm of his doubts. "I’ve seen you struggle," the Master said softly, "and I know the weight you carry. But every scar, every defeat—it’s all a part of your journey toward true strength."

Towan met his Master’s gaze, the uncertainty in his eyes slowly giving way to determination. "I want to be strong," he whispered, more to himself than to his Master, "so that I can protect what matters. So that I can stand up to the corruption, even when I feel powerless."

A gentle smile crept back onto the Master’s face as he nodded in understanding. "Strength isn’t measured solely by the power you wield, but by the courage to keep moving forward despite your fears," he said. "Remember, the path ahead is long, and every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to the strength you seek."

As the wind calmed outside, Towan felt a newfound resolve settle within him. The road ahead was uncertain and fraught with challenges, but with his Master’s guidance echoing in his heart, he was ready to face the future—one step at a time.

Footsteps approached steadily, each one heavy with a powerful Essentia that pulsed even through the closed door.

"Looks like someone's here," the Master remarked softly, his tone signaling that it was time for him to vanish into the shadows.

Towan's attention snapped to the door. "Huh?" he murmured, then caught sight of an approaching figure. "Master! Hide qui—" His words were cut short as he spun back, only to see the curtains swaying in the gentle wind.

The door creaked open, revealing Rheon. His left arm was wrapped tightly in bandages, clinging to his body as if shielding a painful secret.