Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, spilling into the room in gentle streaks. Arin slowly opened his eyes, muscles aching and body heavy from the exhaustion of the previous days.
For the first time in what felt like forever, there were no nightmares pressing down on him—only the faint warmth of morning.
Beside him, Mira sat quietly, adjusting the blanket around his shoulders and placing a small water bottle within reach. Her eyes held concern, but also relief.
"Morning… finally…" Arin's voice was weak, cracking slightly. "I can breathe without… nightmares."
Mira smiled softly. "Yeah, finally. You looked so tired yesterday… I was worried."
Arin let out a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess… I didn't realize how much I carried… until it all stopped for a second."
From the corner of his eyes, the faint hum of his system monitored his vitals
[system: ember energy Mid — vitals stabilizing]
Arin's hand hovered over the light streaming in, feeling a subtle glow from within—fragile, but alive.
Downstairs, Kael was already at the table, calmly sipping from a large cup of tea. His presence was steady, precise, almost surgical, yet carried a warmth beneath his composed exterior.
Arin and Mira joined him, the aroma of herbs and bread filling the room.
"Don't spill that tea, hero, or your aura might go haywire again," Mira teased lightly, trying to ease the lingering tension.
Arin managed a faint smile. "I promise… I'll try not to collapse first."
Kael set his cup down, eyes observing quietly. "You've grown since I last saw you. Not just in strength… in control. Your grandfather would be proud, even if he can't say it himself."
Arin shifted slightly, tension flickering across his features. Kael's presence was strong, calm, and precise—but controlled, almost surgical in its restraint. Mira noticed the slight stiffness in Arin's posture.
"Kael… I… I need to ask… about grandpa," Arin said finally, voice barely above a whisper.
Kael nodded, his expression calm but attentive. "Yes? What about him?"
"That day… he left a note," Arin hesitated, recalling the words, "Had to step out early. Work I couldn't delay. Get to school on time."
He muttered, His hands tightened around the cup.
"I… never saw him again after that day. Where is he now? What… why did he leave me like that?"
Kael's eyes softened, tinged with a quiet seriousness. "Yeah, about that, He… sent me.
Your grandfather asked me to keep an eye on you while he handled some things he couldn't delay.
He didn't want you to worry, and he said he trusted me with your safety until he returned. That's why I've stayed close, watching from the edges until you were ready to notice."
Arin swallowed hard, the knot in his chest tightening. "So… you're here because of him?"
Kael nodded. "Yes. And… he said if something ever went wrong, I should stay with his grandson and make sure nothing happens to you. Even if that meant I couldn't return home for a long time."
Mira reached out, touching Arin's arm gently. "See, your grandpa, me and now ...him. You're not alone, Arin. Not anymore."
For a brief moment, Arin let himself relax, sipping his tea and letting the warmth seep in. But then, his system flickered suddenly
[system warning: anomaly detected — memory interference].
Startled, Arin's eyes flicked to Kael. "Something…something's wrong with me."
Kael's brow furrowed slightly. "Hmm? What happened...?"
...
"I… I have this… system inside me," Arin admitted, voice tight. "It tracks fear. Gives me missions. Helps me fight… Shadows. You… wouldn't understand."
Kael's expression shifted to curiosity, tinged with concern. "I… I see. I can't say I fully understand… all awaken like us have unique capablities, but that's part of you, right?"
"Yes… it's mine," Arin said softly. "Grandpa hinted at it once… said some things are hard to explain.
But I realized it's tied to me alone. No one else can use it. No one else can feel it… not even you."
Mira squeezed his hand gently. "Then we'll figure it out… we, okay Arin. WE."
"Haha...okay, okay....We..."
Arin glanced toward the window again, sunlight catching the faint shimmer of his aura.
Internally, his thoughts raced: I feel safer… but something isn't right. Why did the system flicker? Am I… losing control? Kael doesn't know… he can't know yet. But I can't ignore it.
Kael noticed the tension in Arin's posture. "Arin, controlling this… whatever it is… is exhausting you, isn't it?"
"It… it is," Arin admitted. "Every fight, every step… I thought I could handle it alone. Grandpa probably knew it'd be too much for anyone else to bear."
"Even so… you don't have to face it alone. I'm here. Mira is here. And… I'll teach you to control it safely, your Ember, your powers ... step by step," Kael reassured him.
And
Kael stood from the table, setting his empty cup aside. "If your body's stable, we start light. I want to see how your control's holding up."
Arin blinked. "Now?"
"You said you're breathing without nightmares," Kael said, his voice even. "That means the haze is lifting. Best time to test your limits before it comes back."
Mira looked between them. "You sure he's ready? He barely stood straight this morning."
"I'll stop him if he pushes too far," Kael said simply.
Arin sighed, then nodded. "Fine. Let's see how bad I've gotten."
They moved outside, the air cool against Arin's skin. The courtyard was quiet, bordered by old stone and overgrown vines. Kael stopped a few steps ahead and turned.
"Same stance I taught you last time," he said.
Arin positioned himself, feet firm, hands loose. His balance wavered slightly, but he steadied. Mira crossed her arms from the porch, watching.
Kael's eyes flicked toward the faint shimmer around Arin. "You're leaking ember. Focus on the core, not the edges."
Arin closed his eyes, exhaled slowly. The glow tightened, faint ripples pulling inward. A low hum filled the air.
[system: calibration engaged — 72% stability]
Kael circled once, observing. "Better. Keep it contained. Don't let emotion drive it."
Arin grit his teeth. "That's easier said than done."
"Exactly why we train," Kael said. Then, a step closer, voice calm but direct: "you said Fear gave you some sort of power right? The thing about Fear is, it sharpens you, but control defines you. Don't fight the fear — measure it."
Mira frowned. "That's....a cold advice."
"It's how he survives," Kael replied without looking back.
Arin's aura flickered — a pulse of unstable light flaring briefly before fading. He caught his breath, sweat forming along his neck.
[system warning: sync drift detected — adjusting output]
Kael's tone stayed level. "Stop."
Arin dropped to one knee, breathing heavy. "My System's off again… keeps trying to balance itself."
"Then we find the trigger," Kael said. "Step by step."
Mira moved closer, handing Arin a towel. "You're pushing him too soon."
Kael met her eyes. "If I wait, it gets worse."
Arin looked up at both of them, his voice steady despite the fatigue. "He's right. If I don't understand this now, it'll take over later."
Kael nodded once. "Then we keep going tomorrow. Same time."
Arin gave a small nod. "Yeah. Tomorrow."
Mira exhaled, shaking her head but not arguing. "You two are going to drive me insane."
Kael's mouth twitched — almost a smile. "Then you'll fit right in."
[Mission Announcement]
[cle...#@@&##.&)$ the missi#!?@)/ ]
[Reward: Advance Ember Manipulation]
[Punishment: Dance with the Demon]
'..wh..what?'