Chapter 5: Breaking the Chains

The days blurred together, the rhythm of life on the mountain always the same. But for Thorfinn, each moment felt like a test—every interaction, every battle, every training session was a constant reminder of the power he was barely able to control. The flames. The wings. The wild, untamed energy that seemed to pulse beneath his skin, ready to explode at any moment.

Despite his best efforts to keep it under control, he knew that his struggle was far from over. His Lunarian blood burned with the weight of his heritage, his Earth Devil Fruit powers clashing with his emotions, pushing him to the brink of breaking. Every time he trained, every time he faced a challenge, he could feel it—his powers pulling at the edges of his mind, threatening to overwhelm him.

The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the clearing where the brothers were gathered. Garp had set up an intense training exercise for them, something to push them even further than before. But Thorfinn knew that this time, it wasn't just about physical strength. It was about mastering the chaos within him.

"Alright, Thorfinn," Garp called from across the field, his voice as loud and brash as ever. "You think you can control that wild power of yours? Let's see if you can actually keep it in check this time."

Thorfinn's jaw tightened. Every fiber of his being screamed to release the fire, to let the power surge through him. But he fought it back. The last time he had lost control, he nearly burned Ace. That was a mistake he couldn't afford to repeat.

"I'm ready," Thorfinn said, his voice steady but filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty. He faced Garp, his fists clenched at his sides, the power inside him thrumming like a caged animal.

"Then show me!" Garp's voice was sharp, challenging. He had always been tough on them, but there was something different in his gaze now—a hint of pride, perhaps, or maybe it was the hope that Thorfinn would prove himself. The weight of that expectation pressed down on him, but it also ignited something deep within him. He had to do this. For his brothers. For Luffy.

The battle began, and it was as brutal as ever. Thorfinn danced between defense and attack, his movements quick and calculated. He was faster now, his mastery over Rokushiki growing with every passing day. But his powers, those wild forces deep within him, were still unpredictable. He could feel the heat building, the energy stirring beneath his skin, and every instinct in him told him to unleash it—to let the flames roar to life and end the fight in an instant.

But no. He couldn't. Not again.

He blocked a powerful strike from Garp, the force of it sending a shockwave through his body. He gritted his teeth, fighting to stay grounded. His wings twitched beneath his clothes, a constant reminder of what he was capable of, but also a reminder of the danger he posed to everyone around him.

With a sudden shift, Garp launched forward again, his fist aimed directly at Thorfinn's chest. Thorfinn's heart skipped a beat. He didn't have time to think. He had to act.

In that split second, the power inside him flared, surging to the surface with a deafening roar. Flames erupted from his back, a brilliant, scorching blaze that illuminated the entire clearing. His wings shot out, beating against the air, lifting him just above the ground. His body was a storm of heat and energy, a destructive force that threatened to tear everything apart.

But then he stopped.

Thorfinn slammed his eyes shut, forcing himself to regain control. The flames burned brighter, but he clenched his fists, grounding himself with everything he had. His wings flickered, but he kept them pressed tight against his back, forcing them to obey. He couldn't let them get out of control. Not now.

Garp's fist stopped inches from Thorfinn's chest, a grin on his face. "Not bad, kid," he said, his voice full of approval. "You've got fire, but you've learned to control it. You've got potential. Keep it up."

Thorfinn took a deep breath, his body still thrumming with the aftershocks of the power he had barely contained. His wings slowly receded, the flames dimming until they were nothing more than a faint glow. But the weight of the moment lingered.

"You've gotten better," Ace said, his voice filled with quiet respect. He walked over to Thorfinn, offering him a rare smile. "Guess you're not such a loose cannon after all."

Thorfinn nodded but said nothing. He still felt the weight of his power, still felt the chaos of his Lunarian blood boiling beneath the surface. He knew that the day would come when he couldn't control it anymore. But for now, he had passed the test. He had kept it in check.

"Alright, that's enough for today!" Garp called out, raising his voice to cut through the tension. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we go again!"

The brothers dispersed, heading back to the campfire where Dadan and the others were waiting. Luffy was already bouncing around, eyes alight with excitement.

"That was amazing, Thorfinn!" Luffy shouted, his voice full of admiration. "You were like a dragon!"

Thorfinn smiled, though it was a small, fleeting thing. "It's nothing," he said, but his heart swelled with pride. Luffy's excitement, his undying belief in him, meant more than he could ever put into words.

But as he sat down beside Luffy, he felt the weight of it all creeping back in. He had controlled it—for now. But what would happen when his control slipped? What would happen when the power inside him became too much to handle?

His wings itched beneath his skin, the fire within him still burning, and for a moment, he wondered if he would ever be free of it. If he would ever be able to live without the constant fear that one day, he might lose control and hurt the ones he loved.

But just as quickly as the thought came, Luffy's voice broke through the darkness.

"Hey, big bro," Luffy said, his grin wide and bright. "We're all in this together, right? So, no matter what, I'll always have your back."

Thorfinn's heart clenched. The sincerity in Luffy's voice was undeniable. No matter how dark the path ahead seemed, no matter how much he feared the uncontrollable power within him, Luffy's words rang true. They were family. They would face it all together.

Thorfinn looked at his youngest brother, the fire in his eyes burning just as brightly as his own. And for the first time in a long while, he felt something other than fear. He felt hope.

"Yeah," Thorfinn said quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "We'll face it together."