Book One: Chapter 2

Terris slumped in his chair, his eyelids fighting a losing battle against the rising sun. He hadn't slept a wink the night before, his excitement about the new apprentices keeping him wide awake. Now, as the designated senior student for the day's lecture, he struggled to maintain an air of composure across from Eodor.

Eodor, ever the picture of focus, straightened his robes and began. "Welcome, new apprentices," he boomed, his voice echoing across the quiet hall. "Today, we embark on a journey to understand the very essence of our being – Qi."

Terris, with a jolt, forced himself upright. He caught a few of the apprentices stealing curious glances at his clearly sleep-deprived state. A sheepish grin flickered across his face, earning a few stifled giggles.

Eodor, unfazed, continued, his voice taking on a more philosophical tone. "Qi, my friends, is not simply energy. It's the lifeblood of the cosmos, the invisible thread that binds all things together. It flows through every living creature, every planet, every star."

Terris, finally alert, leaned forward, captivated by Eodor's explanation. He loved this part, seeing the awe and wonder spark in the apprentices' eyes.

Eodor paced back and forth, his hands gesturing dramatically. "For millennia, beings have harnessed the power of Qi for noble pursuits. Some, like the Jade Order, strive for balance and harmony, using Qi for healing and benevolence." He paused, his gaze sweeping across the eager faces before him.

"However, the path of Qi is not without its perils. Greed and ambition can twist its essence, leading one down a darker path." Eodor's voice took on a somber tone. "Many years ago, after the tragic slaying of Master Lyra, a great schism ripped through the ranks of Qi users. A decade of conflict, known as the Decade of Schisms, saw brother turn against brother, friend against friend, all fueled by their twisted understanding of Qi."

Terris interjected, finally finding his voice. "And the Ascendants? What happened to them?"

Eodor nodded, acknowledging Terris' question. "The Ascendants, or now the Nepherite Empire, those who had become corrupted by their lust for power, were deemed too dangerous to remain. They were exiled, forced to wander the cosmos forever seeking that which would ultimately consume them."

A collective gasp arose from the new apprentices, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and fascination.

Eodor smiled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "But that, young apprentices," he said, "is a tale for another day. Today, we focus on understanding the fundamental flow of Qi within yourselves. Through meditation and practice, you will learn to feel this energy, to harness it, and to use it for good."

Terris, energized by Eodor's lecture and the apprentices' eager engagement, felt a surge of pride. This was more than just a lecture – it was the beginning of a journey for these young students, a journey that could change their lives, and perhaps, the course of the universe. And he, Terris, would be there alongside them, every step of the way.

Eodor let his words hang in the air for a moment, the weight of the past and the potential of the future settling on the young acolytes. Then, with a flourish, he extended his hand, palm open towards the ceiling. A flicker of concentration crossed his face, followed by a faint blue glow emanating from his fingertips. It intensified, swirling and coalescing until a miniature ball of flame danced above his outstretched hand.

"Qi," he declared, his voice ringing with power, "with proper channeling, can generate all sorts of energy, and morph them to your liking. Fire, for instance, can be used for warmth, for light, or even for purification." He extinguished the flame with a gentle flick of his wrist, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke.

The classroom erupted in a flurry of activity. Most of the apprentices, wide-eyed with wonder, stood up from their chairs, shifting their weight and fidgeting in their seats. They were eager to try, to experience this incredible power for themselves.

Terris, sensing the growing excitement, seized the opportunity to add his own touch. With a mischievous grin, he shot a glance at Eodor and whispered, "Hold onto your hats, newbies." Then, focusing on his own flow of Qi, he reached down and grasped the heavy wooden table they used for their lectures.

For a brief moment, the table remained stubbornly earthbound. Terris grunted slightly, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Then, with a visible surge of effort, he lifted the table effortlessly a few inches off the ground. Slowly, to gasps of amazement from the acolytes, he began to spin it around, the air whistling past the spinning surface.

The room erupted in applause. Terris, relishing the attention, bowed theatrically, his face flushed with pride. He lowered the table back to the ground with a flourish.

Eodor chuckled, the sound warm and affectionate. "Show off," he said, shaking his head but with a smile playing on his lips. He addressed the wide-eyed students. "Don't worry, everyone gets a chance to try. But remember, mastering Qi takes discipline and patience. It's not a parlor trick."

Terris shot back playfully, "Says the one who just lit a miniature sun in front of them."

Eodor grinned. "Well, it's the only time you get to outshine me in something, so I'll savor it if I were you."

The excitement in the air crackled louder than the small fire Eodor extinguished with a flick of his wrist. Terris and Eodor exchanged a look, the playful energy from their display replaced with a focused determination.

"Alright, class!" Terris boomed, a hint of theatrical flair still lingering in his voice. "Time to put your newfound knowledge to the test. Let's see what kind of hidden fire burns within you all!"

Eodor, the ever-organized one, chimed in, "We'll be heading outside to the courtyard for this exercise. Fresh air and open space tend to do wonders for Qi flow."

With that, the group of students, including a slightly nervous Sylva, followed Terris and Eodor out into the bustling courtyard of the Jade Temple. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the neatly trimmed grass, creating a serene atmosphere.

Terris and Eodor instructed the students to find comfortable positions and close their eyes. Silence descended upon the courtyard, broken only by the soft chirping of birds and the occasional rustle of leaves.

Sylva, ever the bookworm, found the meditative process challenging. Her mind, used to dissecting complex texts, buzzed with a thousand thoughts. Images of her family, the flickering picture frame, and the cold anger she felt towards the war all threatened to engulf her concentration.

Suddenly, a gentle touch on her shoulder startled her. Master Yuna, her long silver hair gleaming in the sunlight, stood beside her. Her blue eyes held a calming depth.

"Breathe, Sylva," Master Yuna instructed softly. "And focus. Don't chase thoughts away, but let them pass like clouds across the sky. Channel all of your energy, the good, the bad, the everything, into the palm of your hand. Imagine a small flame, flickering to life."

Sylva took a deep, calming breath, attempting to follow Master Yuna's guidance. She closed her eyes once more, picturing a tiny spark in the center of her palm. Minutes ticked by, and frustration began to gnaw at her. Why couldn't she do this? Was she destined to remain a failure?

Just as despair threatened to consume her, a flicker of warmth surprised her. In her mind's eye, the tiny spark had grown a tad brighter. It wasn't much, just a faint orange glow, but it was a start. A surge of pride washed over her, replacing the self-doubt.

Eager to share her newfound success, Sylva peeked open one eye. Around her, most of the students were struggling. Some managed a tiny wisp of smoke, while others remained frustrated. Terris, ever the enthusiast, was bouncing around, offering support and encouragement. Eodor, more reserved, was demonstrating a steady blue flame in his hand.

Sylva smiled, a flicker of something new lighting up her eyes – a combination of hope, determination, and the warmth of newfound achievement. Maybe, just maybe, she could learn to control this power. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold, as Sylva, along with her fellow students, continued their first tentative steps towards harnessing the power of Qi.

"Enough everyone," Master Yuna's voice cut through the focused silence, her hands clapping together once. "We'll have more time to practice tomorrow. For now, let's all prepare for the evening meal."

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the group. The intense concentration had taken its toll, leaving beads of sweat gathering on brows and a pleasant ache in focused muscles. Students bowed to their masters and seniors, their faces filled with a mix of exhaustion and the thrill of their first attempt at channeling Qi.

Sylva, however, remained rooted to the spot. Master Yuna's words barely registered amidst the newfound warmth in her palm. The faint orange glow, a testament to her determination, had begun to intensify. It wasn't much, but to her, it was a blazing sun.

Fueled by a desire to maintain the flame, Sylva pushed her concentration further, ignoring the growing strain. Suddenly, the small fire flickered wildly, morphing from a steady flame into a billowing plume of smoke. Disappointment washed over her in a cold wave. Had she overexerted herself?

A warm hand landed on her shoulder. Eodor stood beside her, a slight smile on his lips. "Whoa there, Sylva," he said gently. "Easy does it. Remember, mastering Qi takes time."

Terris, ever the optimist, beamed at her. "See that? You almost had it going! Honestly, it took me weeks before I managed a decent flame. You did great today, Sylva!"

Sylva looked at them, their genuine encouragement washing away her disappointment. A small smile played on her lips. "T-thanks," she stammered. "I... I will not disappoint you all."

Eodor chuckled. "You won't," he assured her. "The only thing you need to worry about is disappointing yourself, not us. Come on, let's get cleaned up and grab some dinner. I bet Terris already has his sights set on another epic feast!"

Master Yuna joined them, a warm smile gracing her features. The four of them walked off together, the setting sun casting their shadows long across the courtyard. Terris, ever the showman, began to launch into a detailed description of the evening's culinary delights, his voice filled with an infectious enthusiasm. Sylva listened, a spark of determination reignited in her eyes.

This was just the beginning. There would be challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. But with the support of her friends and teachers, Sylva knew she could overcome them. Here, at the Jade Temple, she would hone her abilities, learn to control the flow of Qi, and perhaps, one day, use this ancient power to bridge the gap between war and peace. The path ahead stretched out before her, filled with both promise and uncertainty. But as she walked alongside her newfound friends, laughter echoing in the cool evening air, Sylva felt a deep sense of hope and belonging for the first time in a long time. The future, once shrouded in darkness, now shimmered with the possibility of a brighter dawn.