The Contract
The new set of skills unlocked by Kai was directly linked with fire. Nobody in the academy had any skill that used fire so Kai was left in the dark. Using such skills could mean trouble for Kai but it was the best shot he had at winning any obstacles he would face in the future. The lessons were soon over and the recruits all proceeded to train their skills. Most of the elite recruits that were present already had experience on what to do and could easily come out successful in any obstacle challenge. The elites who had more money were home-trained by either retired alien hunters or special trainers that had Astral Nodes. Kai wasn't skilled and would find it hard to level up using meditation but it was the best shot he had since he could not afford to buy skill points from the shop.
Kai stood at the edge of the training field, heart pounding as he felt the simmering energy within him, a power he had only barely begun to understand. The sun's rays beat down on him, a relentless reminder of the fiery abilities he'd unlocked, yet fear gripped him like a vice. What if he lost control? Would his flames consume everything he cherished? He couldn't shake the vivid memories of his sister's frail form, the reflection of his turmoil. She needed him to be strong, and in his pursuit of strength, he felt the weight of her fragile hope resting on his shoulders.
As he observed the elite recruits effortlessly commanding their elements, a sinking feeling twisted in his stomach. They trained ahead, each movement graceful and precise, while he stood still, a variable yet to be solved. The fire within him pulsed; it was eager to be unleashed but could just as easily transform into a dangerous inferno. Clenching his fists, he reminded himself that this power was a gift, not a curse, but doubt gnawed at his mind. The specter of losing himself beneath the surface of his flames loomed ominously.
Kai felt a rush of warmth as Frode approached, his easy grin contrasting starkly with Kai's turmoil. "Hey, man! By the end of the year, I guess you would no longer be poor," he joked, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Kai. A wave of irritation pushed against Kai's thoughts, but humor offered a reprieve. He simply nodded, deflecting the conversation before it could delve deeper into his fears. But then Frode's words echoed in his mind—Have you seen your contract? The word 'contract' dredged up a memory that echoed his confusion and unease. He had no clue what Frode meant, but his curiosity amplified his anxiety.
"No, what contract are you talking about?" Kai found himself asking, the question spilling out before he could second-guess himself. Frode's expression shifted slightly, a glimmer of excitement kindling. Just meet with the Colonel, he'll brief you about it, he replied, and Kai suddenly felt propelled toward the Colonel's office, propelled by the urgency of needing answers. The weight of the future pressed on him—he could no longer afford to ignore any opportunity, especially one that could alter the path before him.
As he stepped toward the Colonel's office, the glass doors parted with a smooth hiss. The dimly lit environment swiftly illuminated his entrance, revealing an office filled with action-packed memories of past recruits woven into the crystalline decor. But his curiosity was dwarfed by the looming presence of the unknown. The Colonel's voice broke the silence, a raspy command that made him feel small. "Take a seat, boy." Later, Kai took a deep breath, ready to delve into whatever awaited him within the pages of those files that were handed over to him by the Colonel. But as he read, a chill gripped his heart. The truth about the contracts wasn't just an audacious formality; it had ramifications that could either empower or destroy him.
"But how did you know, sir?" he managed to ask, a tremor of vulnerability slipping into his tone. The Colonel's cool gaze bore into him like fire on ice, calm yet unyielding. "For every recruit that comes here for the first time, this is their objective." The Colonel's words sounded cold. The weight of the journey ahead crushed down on him, the unrelenting pressure feeding his fears. Each choice he would make would resonate with repercussions—would he embrace the flames that danced beneath the surface, or would he falter and let them consume him? With each unturned page of his file, another thread of uncertainty unraveled, the path to power intertwining with the haunting prospect of losing himself forever. Kai took his leave almost immediately.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the academy was cloaked in a mix of anticipation and dread. Kai stood at the edge of the training grounds, His mind raced with thoughts of self-doubt. What if the elite recruits were right? What if he never truly unlocked the potential of his newfound powers? It was a fear that gnawed at him, threatening to extinguish the flame within. But amidst the uncertainty, a flicker of resolve ignited in his chest—he had to train. He had to discover the limits of his abilities or perish trying.
Kai made his way to the training chambers, the echo of his boots against the concrete creating a rhythm that matched the thrum of his heartbeat. The chambers were empty, a cavernous space filled with shadows that seemed to taunt him, whispering of the challenges that lay ahead. With a determined exhale, he focused his mind and summoned the fire. The heat enveloped him, a warm embrace that contrasted with the chill of anxiety gripping his chest. He visualized the power as a wild beast, waiting to be tamed. Each movement, each flicker of flame was a step deeper into the unknown, and he could feel the weight of uncertainty pushing against him.
With each passing moment, the shadows in the chamber transformed, morphing into phantoms of doubt. He pictured the elite recruits—skilled, well-trained, and confident. They had been raised in a world of privilege, trained by the best in unique environments where the Astral Nodes coursed through them like blood. Here he was, an outsider, struggling to master what they wielded with ease. A bead of sweat trickled down his brow as he unleashed a burst of fire, its roar filling the chamber, briefly silencing his fears. But the fleeting moment of triumph was swallowed by the echo of his insecurities. Would it be enough? Could he rise above the elite, or was he destined to be left in their shadows?
He had seen Frode's smug reassurance earlier, the unshakeable confidence exuding from him like a second skin. That comment about becoming not poor was a reminder of what he lacked, both financially and in skill. But Frode's words held another layer—a promise of potential. With every doubt that threatened to consume him, the thought of his sister's frail figure rose to the surface of his mind, her suffering fueling his desire to master his powers. Pushing back against the encroaching apprehension, he called upon her memory, the love they shared burning brighter than the surrounding darkness.
In that moment, determination formed the core of his flame. He took a step closer to the center of the chamber and planted his feet firmly. The fire leaped higher in response to his resolve. 'I'll show them,' he growled to himself, the sound reverberating against the stone walls. He could not allow doubt to drown him; he had to face whatever came next with the ferocity of the flames he commanded. Intensity filled the air, crackling and alive as he envisioned each movement. He began to train, feeling out the edges of his abilities, pushing beyond what he thought possible.
The fire now mirrored his growing confidence, voraciously licking the air as he shifted forms and styles. He envisioned the elite recruits' faces again—then pushed harder. The pain began to seep into his muscles, but each twinge of discomfort was a reminder: he was not just training for himself; he was fighting for his sister, to give her hope, to bring her back from the brink.
But just as he felt he was gaining control, an unexpected shift rippled through the air, and the flames extinguished abruptly, leaving him in a suffocating darkness. Panic clawed at his insides, and he fumbled in the void, desperate for that familiar heat, that sense of security. Shadows closed in, memories of past failures creeping back. Would he always be at the mercy of forces greater than himself?
A low growl cut through the silence, and the darkness expanded. Something—no, someone—was waiting in the shadows, a challenge arising from the depths of his trepidation. The weight of uncertainty pressed against him again, and as he inhaled sharply, the reality of the unknown loomed larger than ever. Could he confront this new foundation of fear, push through the darkness, and awaken the flame within him once and for all?