The makeshift training field on the northern plateau of Nionderland echoed with the sound of energy slicing through the air. Crimson lightning danced between the cracks of reality, and a suffocating aura loomed over everything — it was Inavy's training.
Darius barely dodged the flaming attack headed his way.
— "Caelum Ardentem!" — Inavy roared, spinning his Chaos katana and ripping through the air.
The sky turned red, and heat swallowed the field. A blazing domain emerged, making Darius instantly sweat.
— "DUDE! Is this training or execution?!" — Darius shouted, dodging by a hair's breadth.
Inavy grinned, panting, watching the effect of his new technique.
— "I'm getting the hang of it… Nion still talks too much in my head, but I think I've reached about 70%."
Darius, fixing his torn clothes, crossed his arms.
— "If you're leveling up like that, then so am I! I'm not falling behind, Inavy!"
Inavy smiled. Darius clenched his fists, channeling his Light and Space Aura.
— "Time to evolve... I already have names: Solen Prime, Starfield... and, well, I'll keep the third one a surprise."
A few meters away, Rose watched them train.
They were growing. Shining. And she…?
She smiled warmly, but something inside her hurt. A whisper echoed:
"Will you always be the one who needs protecting?"
Rose took a deep breath. She couldn't accept that.
Later, after the training ended, she approached Diana.
— "Train me."
Diana raised an eyebrow.
— "You want to improve your healing?"
— "No. I want to fight. I want to be someone who can protect too."
Diana grinned.
— "Let's do it. I noticed a long time ago… you have more Primordial Aura than Rudius."
— "What?!" — Rose's eyes widened.
— "I'm serious. Your potential is buried under fear. Let's bring it to the surface."
Two weeks passed. Then four. Then two months.
Rose awoke before dawn and trained with Diana until the moon returned to the sky. Water swirled around her body. Her Natural Primordial Aura expanded like a living sea. She created:
🌊 Techniques of Rose Eldara – Heiress of the Primordial Ocean
Primordial Tidal WaveSummons a living, sentient wave capable of sweeping through entire cities. Its density can be altered to crush any matter.
Abyssal PressureHarnesses the force of the ocean floor, compressing the enemy down to a molecular collapse.
Inner SeaOpens an oceanic dimension that drags enemies into an aquatic hell.
Leviathan's ScaleHer body is coated in water as solid as liquid diamond. Each layer destroyed regenerates automatically.
Touch of the Eternal Desert (Forbidden Technique)Drains all water from the enemy's body with a touch or glance. The victim turns to dust, stone, or a mummified husk.
Diana nearly fell over when she saw it for the first time.
And then the day came.
Rose walked onto the training field and looked at Inavy with determination.
— "I want to train with you."
— "Seriously?" — Inavy raised an eyebrow.
— "I'm not staying behind anymore."
The battle began. The field was consumed by water and chaos. The Primordial Tidal Wave roared. The Leviathan's Scale held its ground.
But…
— "Caelum Ardentem," said Inavy.
His katana cut through the water, the scales — the world itself.
Rose fell, defeated, gasping for breath… but smiling.
— "You cheated, Inavy..."
— "Sorry, Rose. Next time I'll go with 40%."
She grinned mischievously.
— "Come at me with 100%, Chaos boy."
Inavy froze. His mind short-circuited. His cheeks flushed red.
— "N-never say it like that again, Rose…"
Darius, in the background, burst into laughter.
— "Pervert."
— "Shut up, Darius!" — Inavy shouted, throwing a rock at him.
The two started arguing like kids. Rose, sitting on the grass, laughed.
— "You guys are the best."
They stopped. Looked at her. And smiled too.
Peace. Strength. Friendship. That was the feeling in the air...
But…
Elsewhere…
A macabre silence blanketed the ancient Sanctuary of Yon.
The ancestral chains were broken. The seals melted. Darkness devoured all.
Tyrus stood before the altar.
With a hand cloaked in shadows, he touched the sealed weapon:
— "Spear of Destiny… at last."
The energy tore through the sky, and the world trembled.
— "Now… the heroes will beg for their lives."
Nionderland – Central Plateau
Meditating, Lorien opened his eyes with a shiver.
— "He moved… Tyrus just got stronger."
At the same time, Inavy felt the disturbance. His smile vanished. The sky seemed heavier.
— "Tyrus… it's begun."
Darius stopped smiling. Silence fell.
War had been declared.