The Spirit Walkers and Miss Heng found a Monster Portal on the fourth floor where Howling Winter Wolves emerged. Miss Heng timed her attacks perfectly and struck down many Winter Wolves just as they materialized. Ahanu wondered if the Amber Guard had some sort of sixth sense. For the rest of the team, Paca used the Moon aspect to pierce through the monster’s shifting abilities, which slowed them down enough for them to make short work of the beasts. The Protector guarded Rainia as she repurposed the Portal, and soon, the monsters stopped emerging as the area turned into a Safe Zone.

“That was adequate work,” Miss Heng stated. Her voice was flat and her face was stoic like the cold ice they walked on.

Zena rolled her eyes and muttered quietly to the others, “Gee, thanks for the praise. I’m super motivated now.”

Paca and Rainia giggled while Ahanu worried that Miss Heng would overhear them. Adventurers started to enter through the Portal to set up a safe zone. Miss Heng beckoned the team to follow her.

“I announced this location through the Communication Scroll. The theory is that the criminals follow the scrolls. Hopefully, this will lure them to ambush us,” Miss Heng stated and eyed each of them with her dark narrow eyes. “Be prepared and stay close,” she added.

With that Miss Heng walked off to sit cross legged on top of a low ridge where she meditated. Zena shook her head.

“No one mentioned that we would be bait,” the archer muttered.

“They already shut down one safe zone portal. Why would they do another?” Paca wondered.

“They want to block us from reaching the 10th floor,” Rainia stated.

Paca tapped her chin and asked, “Then shouldn’t they be defending the Floor Portal?”

Ahanu nodded in agreement. He said, “I don’t think they will show up here. I think they achieved what they wanted and are moving on.”

Zena agreed, “That makes the most sense. But here we are wasting our time.” The archer scowled in the direction of Miss Heng. She never got used to the Amber Guard replacing their mentor and friend, Tallulah.

Rainia held up a calming hand. “We should trust Miss Heng. She has been doing this for a long time, and we are doing our part. Stay close and vigilant.”

Zena’s face softened, and she muttered, “Very well.”

“Merchants are arriving, I’m going shopping!” Paca exclaimed.

“I could restock my arrows,” Zena said and hopped to join her colleague.

When the others departed, Rainia turned to Ahanu and asked, “What do you think, brother?”

He shook his head and replied, “There is a lot we don’t know. From what we do know about the five we fought, they were all power-hungry. They wouldn’t stick around this floor. My bet? They are on the fifth floor.”

“Then why would they attack the Safe Zone?” Rainia asked.

Ahanu shrugged his armor-plated shoulders. “Like I said, there is a lot we don’t know. Maybe they need the portals for their own purposes?”

Rainia nodded and said, “That could be.”

“What about you? What do you think?” Ahanu asked.

Rainia knelt down on the blue ice and scooped some of it up in her hands. “Some of the ice here is rich with spiritual energy. Especially near the portals. As a Spirit Walker, there is a lot we can harvest from this floor. But, as an Adventurer, I want us to reach the 10th floor and end the threat of the Fiendish Lord.”

Ahanu nodded and he glanced up to where Miss Heng meditated. “She could be right and this is a way for us to ambush the ones that killed Talluah.” He snarled for a moment as he recalled the man named Shiv. His hands flexed as he itched to avenge his friend.

Rainia gripped his shoulders and pulled her brother into a warm embrace. “We all miss her, but do not let your vengeance cloud your judgment or change your gentle heart.”

Ahanu sighed. A tear dropped freely down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it away. A knight must never cry, for it is a sign of a lapse in discipline. He cleared his throat.

“Go, sister, and harvest the magical ice. I will talk with Miss Heng and see if I can change her mind so that we can go to the fifth floor.”

Rainia smiled gently and patted Ahanu’s cheek. She nodded and turned away. Ahanu walked up the low ridge toward the Amber Guard. As he neared he felt a tingling sensation press up against his Will.

“Hello, Ahanu,” Miss Heng greeted without turning to face him or opening her eyes.

“How did you do that?” He asked.

“Like with anything. With practice,” she replied. Her eyes remained closed.

Ahanu removed his helm to scratch his dark, curly hair. “Can you show me?”

Miss Heng opened her eyes and he couldn’t tell if she was glaring at him or being indifferent. Ahanu cleared his throat.

“If you are busy, I understand.”

Miss Heng tilted her head and said, “As you can see, I am not busy. Do you still want to learn?”

Ahanu nodded, and Miss Heng patted the spot next to her. “Sit,” she ordered.

He sat crossed legs next to her on the cold, packed ice and snow.

“Closing your eyes helps, though it is not needed,” Miss Heng said.

Ahanu closed his eyes.

“Breathe in and focus on your breath,” she stated.

Ahanu peeked at her and replied, “I know how to meditate.”

“Do you want to learn or not?” Miss Heng snapped.

Ahnau closed his eyes and muttered, “Sorry.”

“Through meditation, you are sharpening your focus. Narrowing it to one thing, which is your breath. As you get better, you can expand it to focus on the present,” Miss Heng stated.

Ahanu sharpened his mind to focus solely on his breath. Slowly, he started to expand his awareness to other sensations, including the cold against his body and the faint sounds of the Safe Zone.

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“How do I sense people?” Ahanu asked through his closed eyes.

“Patience!” Miss Heng snapped.

Ahanu flinched. He resumed his breathing and maintained awareness. He lost track of time when Miss Heng spoke again.

“Take this,” she handed him a beaded necklace.

Ahanu felt Runes etched along its smooth surface. Miss Heng answered before he could ask.

“It is the Mind aspect. I expect you to study them, but in the meantime learn the final Glyphs.”

Ahanu opened his eyes and nodded. Miss Heng showed him how to shape the Glyphs with his hands. It was hard work as the movements needed to be precise. He failed many times, and even though he expected harsh criticism, none came. Miss Heng was surprisingly patient, but she was also cold, like the ice he sat on. Her stern face showed no emotion.

“What am I doing?” He asked.

“Completing these Glyphs allows you to manifest your Will outside of your mind,” Miss Heng answered.

Ahnau blinked. “I don’t understand.”

Miss Heng sighed and explained, “To put it simply, you are Summoning pure Will. Unlike the other aspects where they are drawn from other realms, Will comes from within.”

The Spirit Walker Protector did feel a gentle tug. Was it against his Mind? He couldn’t explain it, but there was a tingling that he felt in his perception.

“I can’t see if you did this correctly. You have to tell me,” Miss Heng snapped.

Ahanu cleared his throat. “Sorry, yes, I felt a tug on my brain.”

Miss Heng smirked. “Good. Now tap the flat side of the beads. There, you should feel a different set of Runes.”

She showed him the activation glyphs that he was to shape with his hands. Again, it took many tries, and she waited. Finally, when he did it correctly, he felt he could Shape his Will. It was like dough, but invisible and only touched with his mind. He told Miss Heng this.

“Good, you are learning quickly. Flip the beads over, and you will find a final set of Runes,” she instructed. Again, she showed him the same pattern he used before.

Miss Heng continued with her instruction. “Once you finish this final Glyph, you will be able to extend your Will outwards. I like to Shape it as a sphere that expands away from me in all directions.”

Ahnau’s face strained as he molded his Will into a sphere around him. It was hard, like trying to cup water in one’s hands. When he lost it, he needed to start all over again.

“Do not give up!” Miss Heng snapped.

Ahnau nodded, and he continued. Eventually, he was able to do it. Not very far, but far enough where his Will touched upon Miss Heng. He knew it was her, and it was hard to explain how. The best way he could describe it was as if he smelled her. But without any scent. He just knew it was Miss Heng. Like recognizing her face in a crowd. Ahanu had a thought.

“Is this how you were able to detect the Winter Wolves when they materialized?” He asked.

“Precisely how,” Miss Heng answered, and she continued, “When you reach out with your Will, it connects with other Wills and reports back to you. In a way, you become more sensitive to their intentions.”

Ahnau was already thinking about the combat application. “How long can I hold out my Will?”

Miss Heng smiled. It was a rare sight, and one that Ahanu found pleasing, as he realized that the Amber Guard was quite beautiful, even though she was not terrifying.

“That is what makes the Mind aspect unique compared to the others. You are not pulling from another realm but from your own Will. Therefore, you can hold it for as long as you are able to hold it. Unlike, for example, the Water aspect. I Summon water, and I can Shape and Control it, but depending on how much energy I put into the spell, it will fade over time no matter what,” Miss Heng explained.

“Can I Shape another’s Will?” Ahanu asked.

Miss Heng shook her head. “No, that is another major difference between the Mind aspect and the others. It is impossible to Shape or Control another’s Will. However, you can insert your Will into their minds. Like a thought, a feeling, or a command.”

She tapped a bracelet and finalized the Glyphs with her hands. Ahanu was impressed with the smoothness in which she completed the patterns. She did the movements quickly and finished by saying, “Stand.”

Ahanu felt like he wanted to get up. But he didn’t, so he remained seated. It was odd, like a memory of something that he knew not to be true.

“Very impressive,” Miss Heng acknowledged.

Ahanu scowled. “I don’t like having you throw spells at me like that.”

Miss Heng’s eyes widened, and she smiled. She reached out and ran her fingers gently through his curly hair. He wanted to stop her, but it felt good.

“I am sorry. Your Will is very strong. Much more than the average warrior. Your work with Runes has truly paid off. Especially if you wish to advance to and beyond the Adept rank,” Miss Heng said.

Ahanu glanced down, and he replied, “I feel like I should have studied Rune magic sooner, and now it will be too late for me to advance further.”

“I agree,” Miss Heng stated flatly and added, “But I am a pure Rune caster, and I am biased.”

Ahanu sighed, “Jeze has it right. She trained both her mind and body earlier on.”

Miss Heng scowled and then rubbed the bridge of her nose. “That girl, if she just directed a fraction, a tiny fraction, of her discipline toward her manners, then she would go very far. But do not compare yourself to her. She is a unique individual. Besides, there are many pure fighter Adept ranked adventurers.”

The Protector looked up. “Really?”

Miss Heng answered, “Sure. Look at Berserker Orn, for example. Training one’s body and learning all that there is to combat requires a degree of discipline that will inadvertently strengthen one’s Will. The Frostsworn shun magic, except for their Cold Priests. Yet, they have plenty of Adept-ranked adventurers.”

“What about Elites?” Ahanu asked.

Miss Heng chuckled. “There are not many Elites, period.”

“But, all Elites were Rune casters first, correct? Like Master Couzart,” Ahanu pointed out.

“How should I know? I do not track the Elites or their histories!” Miss Heng snapped.

Ahanu closed his mouth. He saw that he had hit the limit of her patience. Miss Heng glanced and gripped his arm.

“You are very strong and are nearing your physical peak. Just like there are many ways to train your body, there are many ways to train your Will. You perfecting the Mind aspect will complement your combat ability and enhance your Will,” Miss Heng said.

Ahanu crunched his face. He felt he would be too distracted to fight if he focused on the Mind aspect. Miss Heng saw his doubt. She glanced around and saw that the Safe Zone was fully established.

“Looks like I was wrong. They will not come to us,” she said and rose to her feet. “Come, let us spar.”

“What?” Ahnau asked as he stood up.

“Summon and Shape your Will. Extend it outwards, and once you are finished. I will punch you in the face,” Miss Heng replied.

Ahanu hesitated, and as fast as a striking snake, Miss Heng struck him in the face. The pain focused him into the moment. Ahanu glared at her.

“Hurry up. Your opponent will not wait for you. I will give you a moment,” Miss Heng said.

Ahanu followed the routine she had shown him. He struggled with the gestures, and Miss Heng punched his face again, but this time he blocked it. Fluid like a flowing river, she grabbed him and kicked his legs out from underneath. The fall knocked the wind out of him, and he quickly recovered and tackled her. The two wrestled before Miss Heng escaped his hold and disengaged.

“Try again,” she said.

This time, Ahnau Summoned, Shaped, and Controlled his Will. It added another layer of perception for him. Normally, in a fight, he would study his opponent’s waist and torso. All attacks stemmed from the body and he had developed a unique understanding to spot an incoming attack right away. Unless the opponent was a skilled fighter and used feints. That was the ebb and flow of a fight. There were small wins and losses until it was over.

But with the Mind aspect, Ahanu was able to detect feints and predict attacks much more clearly. Miss Heng unleashed a barrage of punches, elbows, knees, and kicks. Ahanu dodged, parried, and weaved away from each attack. He felt her Will touch upon his, and when he attacked back, she easily defended. The two went back and forth, and Ahanu didn’t realize it, but he was going hard. He was not holding back. He was heavier and stronger than Miss Heng, but she was more skilled. She not only jabbed with her fists but with Her Will. It disoriented him, and she landed a kick to his body. Ahanu snarled and rushed forward with a combination of punches designed to create an opening for a kick to her body. But she was not there, and instead, he found himself lying on his back. Ahanu quickly scrambled back to his feet, but his teacher was walking away from him.

“Good, very good. I do not recommend you using this in a real fight, but to continue training it in sparring,” Miss Heng said from over her shoulder.

“Where are we going?” He asked.

“Out. I suspect our quarry is not on this floor,” Miss Heng answered.

“What’s the plan?” Ahanu hurried after her.

“We go to base camp and touch base with the others and prepare ourselves for the fifth floor,” Miss Heng answered.