Davey
"Kids, good morning.
Hope you slept well?"
Some responded,
"Yes, sir."
Cosmos rolled his eyes. "Can we move on with the training already? It's clearly morning, and since you're here with us, let's skip the unnecessary pleasantries."
His voice was sharp, his annoyance obvious. He stood with his arms folded like someone forced to attend a class he never signed up for.
The others shifted uneasily. Some stared at the ground. Others looked toward the trees behind me, as if hoping they could disappear into them.
A heavy silence settled over us—thick with tension.
I sighed, adjusting the band on my wrist. I'd seen this kind of attitude before—too many times. Kids born of divine blood, trained to be strong, but rarely taught how to be still. Or to listen.
The others gave me a look but said nothing. They let me handle it.
"Cosmos," I said, keeping my tone calm, "I get it—you're upset. But if you're going to lead anything in the future, you'll need to learn patience."
He didn't respond, but the way his jaw clenched said everything.
"So childish," Kialan muttered, just under his breath.
But not quietly enough.
Cosmos's eyes flicked toward him—sharp, burning. His shoulders tensed, fingers twitching at his sides. In the next breath, he lunged.
I sighed.
If only these two were more like Liam.
I stepped forward to intervene, but Cosmos's illusion energy surged—wild, untamed. The air around them twisted, warped by illusion. For a moment, their figures blurred, the blows nearly impossible to track.
Just a day… and his power has already grown this much?
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, despite the chaos.
By the time I broke the fight, Kialan was on the ground, coughing blood.
Could I have stepped in earlier?
Yes.
But I didn't.
Sometimes, a raw power leak teaches more than a dozen lectures ever could.
Cosmos was still crackling with residual energy, struggling to rein himself in. Liam was already at Kialan's side, trying to help.
I waited.
But Cosmos said nothing. No apology. No explanation.
I shook my head and raised a hand—calm, focused. With a subtle touch of my power, I put him to sleep. Just enough to keep him down for three minutes. Long enough to still the storm.
Kialan was already on his feet, though barely.
Disappointing. Yesterday, he'd shown massive potential. Today… not so much.
"Kialan, are you okay?"
He nodded silently.
I patted his back.
"As a warrior, don't let your guard down. You could have been killed. Even around friends—especially around friends—you stay alert."
"Thank you, Mr. Davey," he muttered.
"Call me Davey."
Behind me, I heard the shuffle of movement. Cosmos was awake again.
I helped him to his feet.
"You alright?"
He shook me off and nodded stiffly.
"But what you did just now was uncalled for," I told him calmly. "You're all on the same team. You can't just attack your teammate like that. What would you have done if you'd actually killed him?"
"Is it my fault he's weak?" Cosmos snapped.
"Weak?" I stepped in closer, dropping my voice so only he could hear. "You took him by surprise—and don't think I didn't see what you did."
I turned to face the others.
"Alright, let's begin today's lesson. And let me make this clear: what happened earlier is not to happen again. No attacking your friends. No surprise fights. If you're upset about something, or someone bothers you—come to me. Got it?"
"Yes, sir," they all mumbled.
"Now," I continued, "today's lesson isn't about strength. It's about control."
A few heads lifted. Curious.
"Your power means nothing if it can't be directed," I said, locking eyes with each of them. "You don't just throw energy around. You wield it—like thought. Like breath."
A breeze stirred across the training ground. The island was quiet.
The fight had shaken them.
Good.
This... this is how dangerous illusions can be.
Later
For the past few hours, we trained—with the help of the other trainers. This generation really is something. You can see the potential.
"Very good, Liana. That was great."
She beamed.
Not all of them are carriers, but they all carry the bloodline. That alone means they cannot be denied training. And none of them shy away from the work.
"Liam—yes, concentrate. Are you feeling anything? Any coldness?"
He shook his head.
"It's okay, dear. You're still young. Just continue with the meditation."
I moved on, glancing back.
I still don't know why he's the carrier.
---
I made my way toward where Kialan was sparring with Daniel, one of the oldest trainers.
"How is he?" I patted Daniel on the back.
"He's good," Daniel replied, "but lacks patience."
"Hmm... continue."
Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry tore through the air—from Cosmos's direction.
I rushed over, but not before hearing Daniel mutter, "Why is he so aggressive with his power? Yesterday he was calm…"
People are starting to notice. That's... not good.
By the time I arrived, we had to subdue Cosmos again. With the other trainers' help, I put him back to sleep. He was taken to rest in the hall across the training grounds.
I ended the session for the day.
I reassured the group that Cosmos was okay, though I could see the worry in their eyes.
"Go and rest. Prepare for the ceremony this evening," I told them.
They nodded, murmured their goodbyes, and began to leave.
But Kialan lingered—Liam tagging along beside him.
"Is Cosmos really okay?" Kialan asked.
"Don't worry. He's fine. Just not accustomed to the full extent of his power."
They nodded, but doubt lingered in their eyes.
I clasped their shoulders, meeting their gaze.
"Kids. He's fine. Now go and rest. Tonight won't be child's play."
They bowed and walked off—still wondering, I'm sure, when they had become so close.
That Night
Two figures moved through the shadows—concealed, unnoticed.
"Is everything ready for the vow renewal ceremony?" one asked.
"Yes. Don't worry. I've done this a long time. Why question me now?"
The other figure said nothing—just raised a hand, anger humming in the air, stretching toward where Cosmos lay asleep.
"You all think you're untouchable because of…"
He scoffed.
"Your doom is just around the corner. Waiting."
He turned his gaze to the sleeping boy.
"This is only the beginning."
His laughter—dark, bitter—echoed through the night.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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