The morning air in Aetheria thrummed with quiet energy. On the edge of the village, where mountains twisted across the sky like jagged wounds, two figures stared each other down in a large, open clearing.
Riku braided and tightened the wraps on his hands as his eyes drilled into the one man that stood before him, Captain Kaito, a man who had mentored him for years. This wasn't just training anymore. After everything—the war, the Spirit raids, and the loss of friends—Riku had returned from his journey a changed man. And today…he would prove it.
Kaito finished tightening one glove over the fingers. "You've grown, Riku. But let's see how far. Show me your strength."
The ground suddenly rumbled, and he dashed forward. Kaito easily absorbed the opening strike; however, the force behind Riku's blow billowed like a heavy wind through the swaying treetops.
"You are quicker." Kaito noted as he landed in a backflip. "But still not quick enough."
Whereupon it was Kaito who counter attacked, his blade slicing through the air with dreadful elegance. Riku ducked under it, twisting in mid-roll so as to send a blast of wind in Kaito's direction, which was scatted by a flick of the palm. The fray continued: punches, kicks, and elemental sparks were released in the fury of combat.
Then something changed.
Kaito charged forward with yet another blow as Riku suddenly settled into a deep stance. Steam poured from his shoulders. Reddish-orange light pulsed faintly through his veins. The air around him began to pulse.
"What—?" Kaito's eye narrowed.
Riku blew out a plume of steam. "I wasn't done yet..."
Then a voice invaded his mind.
"Open the gate... let the power flow."
His body jerked slightly—and then exploded forward, faster than Kaito could blink.
Pulse Gate: First Opening — Crimson Surge!
Across the clearing, a strong red energy streaked away from Riku—who was gone and back again to hammer a fist into Kaito's back. Kaito turned in time to block; however, the shockwave from the impact ripped a crater in the earth beneath them.
"I've never seen this energy before..." Kaito muttered as he slid back across the dirt.
Again Riku shot off, now flickering like lightning. His movements became erratic and unpredictable. No longer was it raw speed—it was rhythm, flowing like a heartbeat in combat.
Kaito could not help but smile. "He's… surpassed me."
After several more exchanges, Kaito raised a hand to signal him to stop. Riku, panting and steaming, stumbled back but smiled.
"You've unlocked it," Kaito said. "Your first Pulse. That is no ordinary technique, Riku. That is power few in Aetheria can ever hope to wield."
Riku clenched his fist, feeling the energy still thrumming within him. "I will master it then. I have to if I want to save everyone."
Kaito nodded. "Then the real training starts now.