Pushing Limits and Pulling Back
The sound of thunder cracked low in the sky, though no clouds hung above the quiet mountain range. That rumble wasn't nature it was Kian the man made storm.
He stood in the clearing behind the hut, shirtless, breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his temple. His body was wreathed in faint arcs of green lightning, his fists clenched, arms trembling with effort. Each strike he launched left a slight burn on the practice post Chandler had set up for him. Every time he pushed, the lightning flickered erratically, lacking its usual force. He winced as he tried to channel more.
Still nothing. No improvement. Just instability.
His muscles screamed in protest, yet he pushed again, his feet digging into the earth as another pulse of lightning surged out and fizzled into the dirt.
"Damn it," Kian muttered, stumbling forward and catching himself on one knee.
"You're trying to force it again," Chandler's calm voice called out from a shaded rock nearby. The old man sat cross-legged, floating just a few inches off the ground, a smooth stone spinning slowly above his palm with ease. "Still trying to beat a storm into behaving."
Kian didn't answer. He sat there, panting, the sparks around him crackling with frustration.
Chandler slowly lowered himself to the ground and walked over, brushing the dust from his robes. His steps were quiet, but they carried weight. He stopped in front of Kian and waited until the boy finally looked up.
"You've made progress," Chandler said. "But you're trying to grow a tree by yanking it upward every day. That's not how strength works."
Kian looked away again, jaw tight.
"It's like you said, Master," he murmured. "I have to get stronger. I don't have time to waste."
Chandler exhaled through his nose, crouching to meet Kian's eyes.
"And how do you expect to grow when your body is breaking down like a rusted machine?" he said. "Power doesn't just come from blood and sweat. It comes from discipline. From balance."
He tapped a knuckle against Kian's chest.
"And from here. But your mind? It's scattered. Pulled in every direction by grief, by guilt, by fear."
Kian's shoulders twitched slightly. The flashbacks were always there. The cries. The final moments. His parents' eyes as they said goodbye.
"I can't stop thinking about it," Kian whispered.
"You're not supposed to," Chandler said gently. "But you are supposed to live through it. If you keep using pain as your anchor, you'll only sink deeper. And you'll never master what's inside you."
Kian finally looked him in the eye.
"So what do I do then?"
Chandler stood again, brushing his knees.
"You rest," he said plainly. "Training is done for today. You'll go help Nia."
"What?" Kian blinked. "That's it?"
"She needs to buy groceries and she says you need clothes that don't look like you wrestled a thunder god. You can consider it part of your training."
Kian's face soured. "Seriously?"
"Learning how to live is just as important as learning how to fight," Chandler said with a small shrug. "Power without grounding is just noise. And you're all thunder, no harmony right now."
Kian rolled his shoulder with a wince and muttered under his breath, "Fine. But if I get dragged into picking out socks for an hour, I'm shocking someone."
Chandler smirked.
"Just try not to fry anyone."
Clothes and Grocery Shopping with Nia
The sun filtered through the misty peaks surrounding the cabin as Kian wiped the sweat from his brow, the morning's training finally done. His muscles ached, but it wasn't the good kind of ache-it was the kind that came from pushing against limits and getting nothing back.
He walked into the main room where Nia was carefully folding laundry by the low-burning fireplace, humming quietly to herself. She looked up as he entered, her expression brightening.
"You're done already?" she asked, eyebrows raised. "Did grandpa actually let you off easy today?"
Kian let out a low scoff. "Not even close. He said I need a different kind of challenge today and apparently, you're that challenge."
Nia blinked, then burst into a soft laugh. "Oh? Did he finally tell you to stop looking like a half-wild mountain hermit?"
"I do not look wild," Kian defended half-heartedly, glancing down at the scuffed, faded training clothes he'd been wearing for days. "…Okay, maybe a little."
"A little?" she teased, walking over and poking his arm. "You've been wearing the same outfit since you got here. It's a miracle your shirt hasn't walked off by itself."
Kian raised an eyebrow. "You're really enjoying this, huh?"
"Very," she said, unable to hide her grin.
There was a pause. Kian shifted slightly, his gaze dropping to the floor. He hadn't been outside the mountain much-hadn't interacted with anyone besides Nia and Chandler since… since everything.
She seemed to notice the silence and gently nudged his arm.
"Hey," she said softly. "You don't have to talk about it. But you should get out. Just for a while. I know you're hurting… but doing something normal might help."
He glanced at her and really looked at her. There was no pity in her eyes. Just quiet understanding. Patience.
Kian exhaled, a slow breath that released a fraction of the weight on his chest.
"Alright," he said. "Let's go get this over with."
Nia smiled shyly , a little surprised, but happy. "I promise I won't let you look ridiculous."
Kian gave her a skeptical look. "That's what I'm afraid of."
The Clothier's Quiet Wisdom
The small town nestled in the mountains was the kind of place where time moved a little slower. Paved roads wound between modest two-story buildings, and cafés sat beside hardware shops and grocers with old signage and flickering neon lights. Children laughed in the distance, their voices echoing off the hills, while townsfolk greeted each other by name. It wasn't big enough to be busy, but not so small that it felt forgotten.
It was peaceful.
Too peaceful, Kian thought.
He walked beside Nia, hands in his jacket pockets, his head low. Though the soreness from training still clung to his muscles, it was the ache beneath his skin the kind that came from memory and loss that weighed him down more.
He hadn't spoken much on the walk into town. Nia didn't press him. She talked casually about how the mountain air kept the town's bread fresh longer, how there was a cat at the corner store that didn't like anyone but her, how the old man who ran the clothes shop made the best mint tea in the world.
Kian only half-listened.
They reached a brick-front store on a quieter street. A faded sign above the glass door read Ethan's Cloth & Stitch in neat, cursive letters. The glass was clean, the mannequins behind it dressed in simple, tasteful outfits. When Nia pushed open the door, a soft chime rang out overhead.
Warm lighting flooded the shop. Racks were filled with well-kept clothing,no dust and no clutter. A few customers were browsing quietly, a radio played some slow instrumental music, and the scent of cedar drifted faintly through the air.
"Ethan?" Nia called softly.
From behind the counter, a tall man in his late sixties stepped forward, brushing lint from his vest. His hair was silver and neatly combed back, with a calm, lined face and sharp, observant eyes. His sleeves were rolled up, and a measuring tape hung around his neck.
"Ah, Nia," he said, smiling. "You brought company."
Nia grinned. "He needs clothes. Grandpa said if I let him keep wearing torn pants, he'd disown me."
Kian offered a faint nod. "I didn't realize shopping was part of the training."
Ethan chuckled, his voice a low, smooth rumble. "Learning how you carry yourself and how you're seen is a kind of training, too."
As Nia moved deeper into the store, picking out sizes and styles, Ethan lingered near Kian, his gaze lingering on the boy's shoulders, on the way he stood like he was bracing for a storm.
"You've lost something," Ethan said softly. It wasn't a question.
Kian didn't answer. His jaw clenched slightly.
Ethan folded his arms, leaning a bit on the counter beside him. "There's a kind of weight I recognize when I see it. Grief isn't just sadness. It's heat without a flame. Cold without frost. And if you're not careful, it hardens inside you."
Kian looked at him finally, eyes dark with something he hadn't yet said aloud. "Then what do I do with it?"
The old man's gaze softened. "You carry it. You let it move you but not break you. Sometimes the things that hurt the most are the ones that help shape the strength you never knew you had."
Kian didn't know why, but those words settled deep. Maybe it was the way Ethan said them. Maybe it was the look in his eyes the kind that said I've been where you are.
Nia called from the other side of the store, her arms now full of shirts and jackets.
"Try these! If they don't fit, I'm blaming you!"
Kian nodded to Ethan as he turned to follow her, and the older man gave him a knowing smile. He said nothing else. But his words had left an impression quiet, sure, and resting just beneath Kian's skin.
Something was stirring.
He didn't know what yet.
But it was there.
Kian stood inside the fitting room, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The clothes felt strange looser than his usual attire, but at least they were comfortable. He tugged at the shirt, unsure of how to feel about it. It wasn't a battle-ready uniform or anything close to what he was used to, but maybe it wasn't so bad.
Outside the dressing room, Nia could barely contain her excitement. She bounced from foot to foot, glancing over to the entrance every few moments. "Come on, Kian! I can't wait to see you in these! You're going to look amazing, I just know it!"
Kian sighed, still uncomfortable about the whole idea of shopping for clothes he didn't actually need. "I don't see why we couldn't just get something practical... like combat gear."
But Nia wasn't having it. "It's not about combat right now! You've been wearing the same stuff for too long. You deserve a change. Trust me, it's going to be fun."
With a final sigh, Kian gave in and stepped out of the dressing room.
As soon as Kian emerged, Nia's breath caught in her throat. He looked… different. The clothes fit him well, highlighting his build and giving him a polished look that contrasted with his usual combat-ready appearance. She hadn't expected him to look quite so... striking.
Kian shifted awkwardly under her gaze. "So, how do I look?" he asked, tugging at the shirt again.
Nia blinked, her face flushing slightly as she tried to hide her reaction. "I… uh…" She quickly turned away, her hands brushing through her hair as she fumbled for words. "You look... good. Really good."
Kian raised an eyebrow. "That's it? You're acting like you've seen a ghost."
Nia cleared her throat, taking a deep breath to compose herself. She couldn't help it seeing him in these clothes made him look more… well, more like someone who didn't belong in the wilderness. More like someone who belonged in a place like this someone who could fit into the world.
"Well, I wasn't expecting you to look so... well put together," Nia muttered, smiling awkwardly. "I mean, I knew you had the potential, but seeing it for myself wow."
Kian didn't know what to make of her reaction, but before he could say anything else, Nia was already gesturing for him to follow her.
"Come on," she said, her excitement bubbling again as she led him out of the store. "Let's take a walk around and see what else we can find. You deserve it."
As they made their way down the cobbled streets, people began to notice them. Kian felt the eyes of the town's people on him, and the weight of their stares made him feel uneasy. The whispers though mostly subtle couldn't be ignored. There was a certain way people were looking at them, some eyes lingering longer than others.
At first, Kian didn't know how to react. It wasn't uncommon for him to be noticed in the past, but here in this small town, it felt different. People weren't just looking at him they were eyeing both him and Nia with a sort of quiet envy.
Nia noticed it too, her grin widening when she saw how uncomfortable Kian was becoming. She slowed her pace and glanced at him with a knowing look.
"You're feeling it, huh?" she teased.
Kian's gaze flickered around, and he felt the heat of the attention intensify. "What's going on? Why are people staring like this?"
Nia suppressed a giggle and glanced around, meeting a few eyes with a playful expression. "Well, it's because we look like a couple," she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Kian's brow furrowed, a mixture of confusion and disbelief crossing his features. "A couple?" he repeated, incredulous. "You mean... us?"
"Yep, us," she confirmed with a wink. "People are probably wondering if we're together. They'll see two good-looking people walking through town, and naturally, they'll think we're a couple. It's the easiest explanation."
Kian blinked, trying to process what she'd just said. He glanced at Nia, noting how carefree she was, practically radiating confidence as she seemed to take all the attention in stride. "You're not… embarrassed by that?" he asked, still trying to wrap his head around the idea.
Nia shrugged casually. "Not at all. I'm used to it. Besides, it's not a bad thing, right? I mean, I'm good-looking, and you're…" She paused, her lips quirking upward. "Well, you're growing on me."
Kian was at a loss for words. He didn't understand the dynamics, didn't get why people would make assumptions based on just the way they looked together. But Nia seemed to have no trouble with it.
As they continued walking, the stares never seemed to stop, but now Kian couldn't help but feel more aware of it. He was with Nia, and whether he liked it or not, the way they were perceived by the people around them was going to be different.
He wasn't sure what to make of it, but Nia's easy smile and the playful teasing made him feel a little more at ease.
Grocery Shopping
After their trip to the clothing store, Nia led Kian down the small town's cobbled streets, the warmth of the afternoon sun filtering through the trees above. The grocery store wasn't far, nestled between a few quaint, family-owned shops. The scent of freshly baked bread greeted them as they stepped inside. It was a cozy place, filled with the colors of fresh produce stacked high and the gentle hum of local chatter.
Kian's eyes immediately darted around the store, zeroing in on the food. His stomach growled audibly, a soft reminder that he hadn't eaten much recently. He hadn't really been hungry during his training, but now that he was out in the world, the sensation hit him all at once.
"Whoa, look at all this," he murmured, walking over to a fruit stand. He reached for a bright, ripe apple, the juices already making his mouth water. "I could eat all of this."
Nia laughed softly, watching him with a playful glint in her eyes. "I knew you'd be excited. You've been eating nothing but the basics for days. Time to indulge a little."
Without hesitation, Kian bit into the apple, his eyes closing as he savored the sweet flavor. A small crackle of lightning sparked in the air around him as he chewed, his excitement causing his powers to stir uncontrollably. It was an instinctual reaction he couldn't help it.
Nia looked up, noticing the faint glow beginning to surround him. "Kian," she said softly, moving closer. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice soothing. "You need to calm down a bit. Not here. Remember?"
Kian blinked, as if snapping out of a trance. He glanced around, suddenly aware of the static in the air. Some of the apples nearby had begun to tremble slightly, rolling toward him from the electric charge in the air.
"Right, sorry..." He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the surge of energy. His hair started to settle, the crackling energy slowly dissipating as Nia's calming presence worked its way into his senses. She always seemed to know how to help him regain control.
"It's okay," Nia smiled, a little amused. "Just... try not to fry everything."
Kian chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't even notice."
She grinned at him, but then her expression softened. "I get it. You haven't had anything like this in a long time, huh?"
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I didn't realize how much I missed real food."
They continued their shopping, filling their basket with vegetables, meats, and various other items. Kian was practically in a daze as they moved through the aisles, his mind on the food more than anything else. Nia picked out a few things she needed, and they eventually made their way to the checkout.
Kian, in a good mood now, helped carry the bags, looking far more relaxed than he had in days. "This is kind of nice," he said, walking beside Nia. "Just... being out here. Not in some grimy training facility, but in a normal town. People here don't seem to care who I am."
Nia glanced at him with a knowing smile. "You'd be surprised. People can be more observant than you think." Her voice dropped slightly. "But, let's not stick around too long. We'll be fine."
Kian nodded, his eyes scanning the street as they walked toward their next destination. "Where are we going now?"
"Well," she said, flashing him a teasing grin, "I figured we'd grab something to eat. I know you've been starved, and the food here is great. Plus, you could use a break from all that training."
Kian smiled. "I'm not going to argue with that."
At the Restaurant
The restaurant was a quaint, cozy little spot on the corner of a busy street, with large windows that offered a clear view of the bustling town outside. The smell of grilled meats and fresh herbs greeted them as they stepped inside, and Kian immediately felt his mouth water again.
"You're going to love this place," Nia said, leading him to a table by the window. The place wasn't busy, but there were a few other patrons seated, enjoying their meals and conversation.
Kian slid into the chair, his stomach growling louder this time. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now. As the waiter handed them menus, Nia leaned back in her chair, watching him.
"Take your pick," she said. "Everything here is good, but I'd recommend the steak. It's amazing."
Kian glanced through the menu, his eyes still distracted by the delicious aromas filling the air. But as he looked up, he caught a few people at a nearby table staring at him and Nia. At first, it was just a glance or two, but then it became obvious they weren't being subtle about it.
Kian furrowed his brow, feeling an uncomfortable pressure settle in the air. "What's going on? Why are they staring?"
Nia looked around casually, then leaned in slightly, a teasing smile on her face. "Well," she said with a wink, "it's because we look like a couple."
Kian blinked. "What?"
"They're jealous, Kian," Nia said, her grin widening. "They think we're a couple, and it's making them... well, envious."
Kian stared at her for a moment, still processing the idea. His face flushed a little, but he quickly turned his gaze back to the menu, trying to ignore the attention. "I don't know what to say to that."
"Nothing to say," Nia replied. "Just embrace it. Let them stare all they want."
As they chatted and waited for their food, Kian couldn't help but notice the lingering glances that followed them. The energy between them was odd something Kian hadn't quite expected but couldn't deny was there.
But before Kian could ponder it further, the bell above the door chimed as someone entered. The atmosphere shifted slightly. Kian didn't know why, but he could feel eyes narrowing from a distance, and then the subtle hum of whispers started in the corners of the room. They hadn't come here to be noticed, but it seemed like they were. And not for a good reason.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Something wasn't right.
Going home
The restaurant had a calm, pleasant atmosphere, but Kian couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. It wasn't just the stares from the other patrons that made him uneasy it was the strange tension that seemed to be hanging in the air, like a storm waiting to break. Nia, ever perceptive, must have felt it too because she kept glancing around, her smile fading slightly as the conversation shifted.
"We should probably head back," she said after a while, her voice soft but serious.
"Yeah, I'm starting to feel it too," Kian replied, standing up and stretching. He'd eaten well, but the weight in the air hadn't lifted. Something told him it wasn't just the food that had unsettled him it was the look in the eyes of the strangers that had entered the restaurant shortly after them.
They left the restaurant and stepped out into the street, the early evening air cool against their skin. The town had started to quiet down now, the last of the shoppers heading home, and the streetlights flickered on, casting a soft glow over the path back to where they were staying.
As they walked, Kian kept his senses sharp, his eyes scanning the surroundings for anything out of the ordinary. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. At first, it was subtle a few quick steps behind them that didn't seem to belong to anyone they'd seen before. Kian's instinct kicked in, his heightened awareness alerting him to the faint sound of footsteps echoing in the distance.
He turned to Nia, lowering his voice just enough for her to hear. "We're being followed."
Nia's eyes flickered with understanding, but she didn't show any outward signs of alarm. Instead, she gave him a small nod, her hand instinctively reaching for the small energy-charged bracelet she wore, a subtle but powerful defense against any unwanted situations. "Let's pick up the pace."
Kian didn't need any more encouragement. He had already reached out with his senses, feeling the pull of something off about the footsteps. The subtle drag of the third set of feet behind them, just enough to be heard but not too obvious. He tried to focus on the pattern of the footsteps, each step becoming louder and more deliberate, and then without warning it clicked.
"Stop," Kian whispered urgently, reaching for Nia's wrist. "Get back."
He pulled her back a few steps, his eyes now scanning the alleyways and corners of the street. A few seconds later, the first figure appeared. Then, another. And another. Three men stepped into view, wearing dark, nondescript clothing that blended easily with the shadows of the evening. Their eyes were cold and calculating, scanning Kian and Nia as if they had been waiting for this exact moment.
Kian's heart rate quickened. He knew what was coming, and he wasn't ready for it. They were after Nia he could feel it. The way they were focusing on her, their postures too deliberate. This wasn't just a random attack. They'd been following them from the moment they left the restaurant. Kian's senses flared with tension as he positioned himself in front of Nia, standing between her and the approaching danger.
"Stay behind me," he murmured, his voice low and steady, though his body was coiled, ready to move at a moment's notice.
"Don't do anything rash," Nia warned, her voice surprisingly calm. She trusted him, but she could tell this was going to be difficult.
The three men slowly closed the gap, their movements deliberate, almost as if they were testing Kian's reaction. But he wasn't going to wait for them to make the first move. As the first man lunged, Kian's instincts took over.
Without thinking, Kian raised his hand, sending a surge of lightning through the air toward the man. The crackling energy hit its mark, knocking the man back a few steps, but the others were quick to recover, coming at him from two sides. Kian's heart raced. This wasn't a fight he was prepared for. He had no backup, no other means of attacking just raw, uncontrolled power.
His gaze darted to Nia, who stood just behind him, ready to help but holding back. Kian gritted his teeth. He couldn't risk losing control in front of her. He needed to end this quickly. His mind raced, trying to remember anything from his training that could help him.
Then, suddenly, it clicked. His eyes narrowed as he recalled Chandler's words: "Push yourself. Push until you break."
Kian's fingers twitched. He could feel the electrical currents coursing through his body, but they weren't enough to keep up with the attackers. The move he needed—the one Chandler had suggested wasn't quite there yet. But in that moment of desperation, he tried something. Something reckless. He reached deep into his energy reserves, attempting to channel more power into his muscles, hoping the surge would give him an edge.
His body crackled with energy as lightning surged around him. His eyes flared with a bright glow, his hair spiking upward from the static in the air. A pulse of energy exploded from his body, jolting through his muscles. The rush was overwhelming, but it was just enough.
Kian's vision blurred for a moment as the surge of energy overloaded his senses. He staggered, his legs shaking as the side effects of the sudden power boost hit him. He could feel his muscles screaming at him, his body feeling heavier by the second. But there was no time to rest.
The space around him began to distort. Blue Moon. He didn't know how it happened, but the energy he had gathered seemed to form a small, crackling mass in his palm a ball of raw, condensed energy. He hurled it at the attackers, and the moment it made contact, the world seemed to warp. The ball of energy pulled them in, forcing the three men toward it before the electrical surge erupted. They were blasted back by the crackling explosion of lightning and energy, their bodies convulsing under the force.
Kian, weak from the strain of using that much energy, collapsed to his knees. His vision blurred, the world spinning around him. Nia rushed to his side, her face pale with concern.
"Kian!" she exclaimed, kneeling beside him.
He tried to push himself up, but his muscles were sore, and the dizziness made it impossible to stay on his feet. His body felt like it was burning from the inside out. "I... I did it..." he whispered, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Nia's expression softened, but she gently shook him. "You need to rest."
But Kian's mind was already fading into unconsciousness, his body overwhelmed by the energy it had used.
Kian Wakes Up and the Aftermath
Kian's eyes fluttered open, the first thing he felt was a dull ache in his head. His body was sore, especially his muscles, which felt like they had been run through a grinder. He tried to push himself up, but his limbs trembled, as though they were still struggling to catch up with the immense strain he had just put on them.
A soft chuckle reached his ears before anything else. "Look who's finally awake," Chandler's voice echoed in the dimly lit room.
Kian blinked, trying to focus, and saw Chandler sitting nearby, a smirk on his face as he watched him slowly sit up. Nia was beside him, her eyes filled with concern but also amusement as she glanced between the two men. The warmth from the fire crackling in the corner of the room offered a sense of comfort, but Kian couldn't ignore the exhaustion that weighed him down.
"You really went all out, didn't you?" Chandler continued, shaking his head in mock disapproval. "That move you pulled earlier, it's a great show of potential, but you're not going to last long using it recklessly. You've still got a long way to go in terms of control."
Kian rubbed his temples, trying to clear the fog in his mind. "What happened?" he muttered, still trying to piece everything together.
"You pushed yourself too hard, kid," Chandler explained. "But you pulled something off that I wasn't expecting. That move you did stimulating your muscles with lightning well, it's got potential. I think we can call it... 'Ohm's Law.' It's fitting, don't you think? You used electricity to enhance the flow in your body, like an electrical circuit."
Kian let out a groan as he tried to sit up straighter, but his muscles suddenly seized, causing him to wince in pain. "Ugh… what the hell? My body feels like it's made of stone…"
Nia couldn't hold it in anymore. She burst out laughing, her bright laughter filling the room. "You look like you're trying to move a mountain, Kian!" she teased, her eyes twinkling with humor. "You're going to feel like a walking boulder for a while."
Kian glared at her with a playful frown, his body still trying to adjust to the cramps that were slowly setting in. "This is embarrassing... I can barely move."
Chandler stood up, walking over to Kian with a slight grin tugging at his lips. "You should feel lucky you've got a solid foundation to push against. Not everyone can do what you did, even with a drawback. Ohm's Law it's a short-term transformation. It's like you're temporarily switching your body to overdrive, but it doesn't come without consequences. It'll wear you out fast."
Kian gave a small, sheepish smile despite his discomfort. "Guess I pushed myself too hard. I'll be better next time."
As Kian finally pushed himself to his feet, his muscles protesting every movement, Chandler eyed him for a moment before giving an approving nod. "I have to admit... you look good in those clothes. I thought you'd be too focused on the fight to care, but now I see I was wrong." He gestured toward Kian's outfit still a bit new and unfamiliar to him. "Nia's got taste, after all."
Nia smiled widely, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I told you it'd look good!" she said proudly. "I'm glad you like it."
Kian, still sore, couldn't help but feel a little lighter. For the first time since everything had happened, a small smile tugged at his lips. He looked down at the new clothes, realizing that they didn't just fit him well they made him feel... normal, in a way. His clothes didn't feel like a reminder of his past loss, but rather like something that symbolized a new start.
"I guess I do look good," Kian said, his voice a little quieter now, a hint of genuine satisfaction in his tone. The weight of his grief had lightened, not completely gone, but at least more manageable now. He wasn't drowning in it as much as he had been. Nia's teasing, Chandler's encouragement, and his own progress had helped him realize something: he wasn't alone anymore. He didn't have to be the person who carried the burden of his family's loss alone.
"You're getting there," Chandler said, giving him a proud, almost fatherly smile. "But don't get too cocky. I'll push you harder tomorrow."
Kian chuckled, though it was softer than usual. "I'll be ready for whatever you throw at me."
As Nia stood beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm, Kian realized that, for the first time in a long while, he felt hopeful. He wasn't just the boy who had lost everything anymore. He was someone who had people who cared about him, and someone who had the potential to grow beyond what he thought was possible.