Morning light filtered through the training courtyard, soft against the worn stone paths.
Arin stretched, muscles still stiff from the previous day's ordeal. The sheer pressure from the demonic shadow, really did awaken him in some way.
Mira adjusted her simple training gear beside him, watching him silently for a moment before speaking.
Kael approached, his steps measured, eyes scanning both of them. He stopped a few paces away, folding his hands behind his back.
"Arin...Mira," Kael began, voice calm but carrying weight. "You've pushed beyond yesterday's threshold. Your Ember control is impressive, but even mastery requires rest, so, Today, your training will pause..."
Arin frowned slightly. "Pause? But we—"
"No exceptions," Kael interrupted, though his tone softened slightly. "Your bodies and minds need recalibration.
Ember energy remains high; pushing now risks backlash. Arin, this is not loss. This is strategy. You will regain your strength, observe the world outside these grounds. Growth comes from control and...reflection."
Mira tilted her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "So… we're free today?"
"Yes," Kael replied. "No exercises, no controlled aura drills. Consider it a test of patience and awareness.
I will not accompany you but You are responsible for your choices and safety."
Arin exhaled slowly, tension leaving his shoulders. "Finally… some time off. But what should we do?"
Kael's eyes sharpened. "Kyoto town. Walk the streets. Watch people. Notice patterns in their movement, subtle spiritual currents.
Do not provoke or interfere. Treat this as observation. Learn to read life outside the courtyard, outside the norm. You are a quick learner, so I know you will catch on quick."
Mira nudged him playfully. "That sounds… like a normal day. Are you sure we're supposed to train?"
Kael allowed a small nod. "Like I said , Observation is also training.
Your control extends beyond combat. Temper your impulses. Cause Awareness is a weapon, a weapon which needs to be sharp as any blade."
Arin glanced at Mira. "Seems like Kael just gave us the perfect excuse to explore the town.
I don't think he wants us wandering aimlessly—he wants us noticing, analyzing… like always."
Mira laughed softly. "I guess we can handle that. Streets, temples, markets… maybe even that old shrine by the river?"
Arin grinned. "Exactly what I was thinking. Lead the way?"
Mira stepped ahead, her stride confident despite the usual caution around spiritual matters. "You know it. But promise me you won't overthink and get lost in your thoughts like you always do.
Let's just walk, enjoy, and… keep an eye out for anything unusual."
Arin raised an eyebrow. "Anything unusual like what?"
Mira's smile faded slightly. "Like what kael said, we don't act, we only observe, we only act when it's utmost importance.
Yesterday's shadows taught me to notice more than before. Let's just stay alert. Nothing else."
Arin nodded, tightening the strap on his satchel. "Deal. But if we see anything weird, you let me handle the first approach, okay?"
Mira snorted. "Haaa ...Arin, Arin. You mean we handle it together. Don't forget I can stabilize you when things go south...I don't have ember, like you and kael but I can be useful on my own way...."
Arin laughed, feeling the weight of yesterday's trial linger but softened by the promise of a calm day. "Fine. But I'm in charge of offense."
"Only offense? That's dangerous thinking, Arin," Mira teased. "Don't forget, one wrong pulse, one spike of fear… and I'm fixing you while you wonder what went wrong."
"Don't worry, Mira. Today's just a walk… but let's stay sharp."
Mira glanced around, scanning rooftops and alleyways casually. "Kyoto town has its charms, but it has shadows too. Just stay close, and don't try to impress anyone with your glow."
Arin smirked. "Noted. No dramatic displays. Just observation and maybe some sightseeing. Just the two of us.."
Those last words, caught Mira by surprise, her blush getting visible.
The two of them started walking along the cobblestone streets, the scent of fresh pastries mingling with incense from distant shrines.
Lanterns swayed gently in the morning breeze, the town alive with early shoppers and merchants setting up stalls.
The streets of Kyoto were alive with morning activity—merchants calling out, the scent of fresh bread and incense mingling in the air.
Arin and Mira walked side by side, their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestone streets. Despite the apparent calm, both were alert, senses sharpened by training.
"Arin..." Mira called, as she came closer and closer.
"...hmmm?"
"Do you ever think, the shadows, the ghosts, the demons. Will we ever be free from them?" She asked casually.
But for arin. Memories sparked.
The answer was No. They won't. This situation. This unnatural toxicity of the underworld. It will only double down. More and more.
But he wouldn't say that. She was already bearing enough. He wouldn't tell her about the coming disasters. Remembering her eyes going blank at that time. In his grim dark future.
He couldn't help but come closer, grabbing her soft hands.
"It will Mira. It surely will. Our future will be bright...." Arin muttered, grabbing her hand right, afraid of losing it again.
Mira couldn't help but look down, her cheeks red from his sudden grab.
As she tilted her head, she couldn't help but feel strange .."Arin… I feel something. Faint, but… off. Shadows aren't usually this still in broad daylight."
Arin's fingers twitched at his side, faint ember-light pulsing under his skin. "I sense it too. Could be a minor demon scouting. Let's keep our distance until we understand its pattern."
Mira glanced at him. "Distance? Or are you thinking we handle it immediately?"
Arin exhaled slowly. "Observation first. Reaction second. But if it attacks… I won't hold back."
As they moved closer, the shadows in the alley warped unnaturally. A figure emerged—tall, humanoid, edges flickering like corrupted smoke. Its presence was oppressive, a heavy aura that seemed to feed on Arin's pulses of fear.
Mira stiffened. "That's not minor. Arin… that's... that's not minor at all...we should contact kael..."
Arin stayed silent, aura coalescing around his core. "I'm ready for this level of combat.... But stay sharp. I need your stabilization."
The demon whispered with a low, raspy voice cut through the morning air.
"So… the Holy Pope's grandson walks openly. Curious… reckless. I can feel your ember… it screams."
Arin clenched his jaw. "Show yourself fucktard. Stop lurking in shadows."
The demon laughed, a distorted, echoing sound. "Hahahaha...I am the shadow. I am your fear. Let's see if you awakens can contain it."
Suddenly, the alleyway contracted as the demon split into smaller corrupted duplicates of Arin's own light pulses, each reflecting slight distortions of his fear.
Arin's aura flared. "Mira, anchor me. Keep my core stable!"
Mira's hands glowed faintly as waves of stabilization radiated toward him, smoothing the flickers, countering the minor spikes. "I'm on it! Don't overextend yourself!"
Arin's eyes narrowed, focusing inward. He activated Fear Conversion, channeling his rising anxiety into controlled bursts of light.
His aura tightened, forming sharp pulses aimed precisely at the advancing duplicates.
[skill: Fear Conversion — activated]
[Ember Energy: High-Mid]
The demon hissed, recoiling slightly. "Hmmmm… fear is infinite, ember-bearer. Can you sustain control?"
Arin advanced, pulses rhythmic, each strike synchronized with Mira's stabilization waves. The demon mirrored every movement, faster and more unpredictable than any training shadow.
"Keep measuring it! Don't let panic dictate your control!" Mira shouted, aura pulsing in tandem.
Arin countered, sending a concentrated Holy Touch wave outward, cutting through corrupted duplicates. The demon screeched, edges flickering violently.
[skill: Holy Touch — activated]
[Ember Energy: Reduced to Mid]
The main demon lunged, edges sharp, attempting to strike through Arin's aura core.
Heart hammering, he shifted his pulses, drawing deeply on controlled fear. Mira reinforced each burst, preventing overflow.
"Aaaaa....i can smell it, Your fear… is deliciously potent," the demon hissed. "But I will not be contained!"
Arin's aura surged again, channeling precise bursts, Fear Conversion releasing controlled Ember into targeted strikes.
The demon faltered, feedback from the stabilization waves disrupting its form.
[skill: Fear Conversion — cooldown 3 minutes]
[Ember Energy: Mid-Low]
Arin's eyes blazed. "I'll test it fully… now!" He launched a concentrated strike, synchronized with Mira's stabilization, creating a resonance that destabilized the demon.
Just like how kael did. But with the holy touch.
The demon's voice twisted into a shriek. "Wai..what!!… your control… your ember… how?!"
[XP Gained: +120]
[Level: 3 → 4]
[Ember Status: Mid — Recovery Recommended]
The final strike sent a pulse directly into the corrupted duplicates, which dissolved into harmless smoke.
The main demon staggered, flickering violently, before disappearing into a shadowy mist, leaving only a faint aura signature behind.
Mira exhaled sharply. "Arin… are you okay? That was… intense."
Arin dropped to one knee, muscles screaming, aura stabilizing slowly. "Yeah… thanks to you. I… we did it." His pulse still raced, ember energy lingering like fire beneath the surface.
Mira smirked, though her hands still glowed faintly. "I said I'd stabilize you. Don't look so surprised."
Arin gave a faint, exhausted smile. "Next time… I'll make sure it doesn't even get close. But… that was a good test. Harder than anything in the courtyard."
Mira shook her head, laughing softly despite the tension. "Kyoto town won't be boring for long, I can tell."
Arin nodded, eyes scanning the streets for lingering anomalies. "Agreed. But for now… let's keep moving, stay sharp, and not get caught off guard."
The shadows may have vanished, but their echoes lingered in the alleyways...