Samuel woke up early, and the usual scenery greeted him. As he ate his food, he was reminded of yesterday's lessons, prompting him to lower the meat in his hands as he felt his stomach begin to churn again.

He was reviled, disgusted, and frustrated by his failures. But it was truly odd, for he was never like this before. Although there were some moments like this, it was never this intense.

Was he being too emotional?

Releasing a soft sigh, Samuel stood up as he left the camp to begin his training. However, seeing that Ishkar was still busy with Ajax, he decided to sit on the fine sand and meditate.

Doing so, he realised just how severe this new sensation was and how awful and deeply rooted it is.

But when did it become like this?

Was it when I obtained the sovereign's will? Samael wondered.

Tapping further into the emotions stirring within him, Samael recoiled as he lay down. It was futile. Attempting to overcome it was a fool's errand. It was akin to a river, unbending and fierce.

It seems that whenever he loses, it acts even more violent. Just what does it want from him? At this point, it felt more of a curse than an ability he can use in battle.

Looking at the golden hue of the morning sun, Samael sighed once more. He was unsure and confused. He did not understand, nor does Ishkar help to make him understand.

Ishkar said to harness it, to use it to help himself grow even stronger in battle. But he does not tell how.

No, rather he wants Samael to learn on his own, to discover, and to grow even further.

But it was hard.

It had always been hard.

***

When Ishkar finally came for Samael, he had just finished another set of meditation. Noticing the man's presence, Samael rose up.

"Meditation, huh?" Ishkar said. "It won't help."

"I can see that now," Samael replied in defeat.

It was true; all his attempts to understand and quell the unrest in his heart had been ineffective. In fact, it worsened it even further.

"Enough chitchat, and let's begin," Ishkar said. "The training is the same; we fight until you fall."

Unsheathing his blade, Samael took the initiative as he delivered a plethora of slashes, all followed by Void cleaves.

Unfortunately, Ishkar was faster and had observed Samael's way of combat for some time now. Without much effort, he weaved through the attacks as he delivered a pillar of blood straight at the boy.

Unable to react at Ishkar's speed, Samael was thrown away. Recovering fast, he rose up as he attempted to cast when a fist struck him square in the face.

"You're troubled," Ishkar said.

Looking at Ishkar's approaching figure, Samael grated his teeth. There it was once more. What else can he do? Ishkar was simply stronger and faster. All his attacks have been failing, as if he were that—

"Weak," Ishkar said as Samael's figure shook.

Samael's ears felt deaf as he watched the man's figure inch closer and closer, overshadowing him every second that passed.

Weakness, something he was terribly familiar with.

All these years, he had fought without stop to gain power that could one day help him when he needed it. But time and time again, he is faced with the reality that he can't do anything against an opponent stronger than him.

Yes, Ishkar was stronger, faster, and had more experience. Yes, he is formidable and akin to an unstoppable force.

But when did his thinking become so twisted that he considered the swift release of surrender?

Standing before Samael, Ishkar could only shake his head as he raised his arm to deliver the final blow.

But not this time.

Ishkar's eyes widened as Samael shot straight at him, smashing his head against his chin as he was sent a few steps back.

Looking at the boy, Ishkar's brows raised, his lips forming a maniacal smile.

"So you've finally taken a step closer to it," Ishkar muttered to himself.

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Right now, Samael's fighting spirit glew multiple times brighter than ever. It was roaring, and it was beautiful.

Without a single word uttered, Samael blasted forward. Seeing this, Ishkar advanced when he was halted in his steps. Shifting his gaze down, he saw multiple chains binding his feet and arms, holding him back.

Not giving the man a chance, Samael sent his blade forward, throwing the axe at great speed.

Erupting in a laughing frenzy, Ishkar bit the chains binding his arms, shattering them with his bare teeth before he ripped the rest off.

Before the blade could even reach him, he snatched it dead on its tracks when his consciousness flickered, prompting him to drop the weapon. As he did, it flew back at Samael's grasp as the boy landed with a reckoning blow.

Ishkar shook his head as he pushed off Samael's slash. Countering fast, he smashed his foot straight down the ground, shattering it and giving Samael no foothold.

Unable to balance properly, Samael was left in a tight position as Ishkar leaped high in the sky to deliver a heavy blow.

Seeing this, Samael felt the need to dodge, but his mind was consumed by his anger. Instead, he challenged Ishkar's authority as he formed shields at his arms.

Seeing this, Ishkar's fascination died down. Just what was Samuel doing?!

Unfortunately, it was too late to stop the attack.

An ear-shattering explosion ripped through the air as Ishkar's attack collided with Samael, completely pulverising the ground and all the sand around them. The tremor was so violent even Ajax felt it at their camp.

Samuel grated his teeth as he felt the shield in his arm give and tear away. Soon, his Void skin gave up as well as his bones began to creak.

However, he remained steadfast as the emotions burning in his chest screamed at him with all their might, burning ever so brightly for each passing second of his clash with Ishkar.

As his knees began to buckle and his strength wavered, Samael did not feel a single hint of regret as his consciousness dimmed.

For once, he felt calm, and the frustration remained silent.

Then the darkness took him once more.

***

Ishkar dusted himself as he shifted his gaze at Samael's unconscious body laying on the sand, his clothes torn apart by the force of their collision.

"What great willpower," Ishkar muttered.

In all the time he has fought and defeated people, not one, not a single soul has dared face him head-on in a battle of attrition.

Every single one of them trembled at the thought of facing his wrath; they cowered and avoided him. They were all...

Weak.

Yes, although he said Samael was weak, that was far from the truth. If anything, Samael was the strongest person he's ever encountered, far stronger than him.

But why?

Ishkar does not measure one's strength through their power. No, instead, he judges if they are strong or weak depending on their fighting spirit and will.

Ishkar believes that a person's power is but a manifestation of their inner fighting spirit, of their will to stand above others and get to the top.

And Samael has been the only one to stand there and fight without fear. What he said, he said to make him realize. And that he did.

But to think he would go this far...

"You truly surprise me, kid," Ishkar said as he kneeled to take Samael in his arms.

Now, it was only a matter of time to see how far he'd go. How far this training will take him. And with how much he gave, that much he will also reap.

Carrying the battered boy back to their camp, Ajax hastily approached the two.

"What happened?" he asked.

A smile made its way to Ishkar's lips. "He has done it. It is now time to wait and see how far he'll reach."

Ajax's brows raised at this revelation. In the last month they've been training, he has seen the amount of effort and persistence Samael showed. He knew it was, but it was a matter of time before he got what he desired. But to think it would be this soon is beyond him.

"What were you guys trying to achieve?" Ajax asked.

As Ishkar set Samael down, he spoke.

"You'll see."

Rising to his feet, he resumed. "For now, we focus on you."

"What more must I learn?" Ajax asked.

His training was simple compared to Samael. He just had to hone his own fighting skills without the aid of his element. A rather simple task.

"There is one more," Ishkar said. "You may have learnt how to fight, to strike, and to take down your opponent, but you are missing one more thing."

"What's that?" Ajax asked.

"A sturdy body," Ishkar said as he beckoned. "Follow me."

Unsure of what he meant, Ajax followed the man as they arrived at a sand cave hidden far from the camp. Inside the cave was a single crimson lake.

"What's this?" Ajax asked as he looked around.

"This place my clan calls the "lake" of rebirth," Ishkar said.

"Lake of rebirth?" Ajax asked as he neared the body of water.

"This is the last step," Ishkar said.

"What will I do this time?" Ajax asked.

"You will bathe in it," Ishkar said.

"And what will happen?" Ajax followed.

"Your bones will break and reform, your flesh will tear and regrow. You will be strengthened in pain and hang at the thread separating life and death," Ishkar said. "Will you still do it?"

Ajax spared him one brief glance before he began to take his armour off. Ishkar could only smirk.

When Ajax was done, Ishkar finally saw his face. It was not what he expected, but becoming an esteemed warrior nonetheless.

Without hesitation, Ajax stepped inside the crimson lake, submerging his body slowly but surely without a hint of hesitation.

The water was viscous, almost as though he was walking in slime and mud. Yet, it bore the scent of iron and was hot to the touch.

As he delved deeper, the water reached up to his chin as he took one deep breath.

Then he submerged fully.

Ishkar applauded Ajax's bravery. But this was only the beginning, for the real trial is yet to begin.

Deep in the lake of crimson, it began.

Ajax's eyes blasted open as a blinding pain impaled the entirety of his body. He gritted his teeth as the sensation worsened.

But that was but the beginning.

And as Ajax thought he'd already experienced the worst of it, it surpassed his expectations.

His consciousness dimmed as another blinding pain sweeped through him, along with the sensation of his bones being crushed.

Each passing second, he could feel his bones crack, shatter, and reform. They would stick out of his flesh, impale his skin, and restitch back in place.

To add more to this torture, the next process began as Ajax's flesh began to be torn off due to the intense heat. It was like melting meat straight out of the bone before regenerating.

He wanted to scream in pain. But Ajax simply bit his lips, or what's left of it, as he steadfastly stood against the currents of change.

Then he lost his senses, one by one.

His hearing became impaired as he went deaf.

His sense of touch numbed.

His sense of smell withered.

His sense of taste faded.

Finally, his vision dimmed before darkening.

Left with nothing but his thoughts, Ajax was assaulted by his own thoughts and the voices that came with them.

Seconds became minutes, and soon minutes to hours.

Yet, for Ajax, it felt like an eternity of agony.

Watching the crimson lake violently stir, Ishkar knew it had begun.

Now, he can only wait for the two to finish their transformations. The simple thoughts of what they may have become sent shivers down Ishkar's spine.

Oh, just how much stronger can they become?

He cannot wait for it.