A quiet night breeze rustled the leaves overhead, the moon hanging high in the sky, casting a silvery glow across the clearing. The Forest of Dawn was unusually peaceful tonight—perhaps even respectful—acknowledging the quiet evolution happening under its watchful canopy.
Alex opened his eyes slowly, breath controlled, heart steady. The moment he had long waited for had finally arrived. He could feel it—not just the essence flowing through him, but the subtle thrum of power humming beneath his skin.
Beside him, Lily's eyes fluttered open as well. A faint silvery sheen lingered in her irises before fading away, replaced by a calm and clear gaze. She exhaled, soft and slow, a wisp of cold vapor curling in the air, like a whisper of the moon's blessing.
They both sat in silence for a moment, letting the sensation settle. Then Alex moved, stretching his limbs. A strange, sticky sensation clung to his skin. He looked down and noticed the thick, tar-like residue coating his arms and chest.
"Ugh," he muttered, pulling a face. "What is this?"
Lily glanced at her own arms and cringed. "Gross…"
From the edge of the clearing, Harvis approached with a knowing smile. "That," he said, gesturing to the goo, "is your body's waste—impurities expelled as your body refines. A good sign. Congratulations, both of you."
Alex stood, still peeling sticky sludge off his arms. "So we broke through?"
Harvis nodded. "Layer One of both Essence Sensing and Flesh Tempering. You've successfully laid the foundation. Your energy is flowing freely now, and your bodies are beginning to adapt to the elemental affinity you each possess."
Lily glanced at her brother, her smile widening. "We did it, Alex."
He grinned back, pride lighting his face. "Yeah… We actually did."
Liz emerged from the tent, stretching. Her eyes fell on the pair, then on the residue. "Ew. Guess that means you're finally stepping up."
Harvis chuckled. "Indeed. They've moved past the most painful part of the early stages. Now, their journey begins in earnest."
---
After a quick bath in a nearby stream—much to Alex and Lily's relief—the group gathered for breakfast. The mood was light, energized by the progress made. Even Liz seemed a little more tolerant than usual.
As they ate, Harvis began to explain the changes they could expect from here onward.
"Now that your body has begun adapting to your respective energies," he began, "you'll notice more control and less resistance when channeling essence. Your strength, endurance, and reflexes have improved, even if it's not visible at first glance."
Alex took another bite of the dried meat, chewing thoughtfully. "I definitely feel stronger. Like... I could punch a tree and it'd feel it."
"You probably could," Harvis smirked. "Just don't make a habit of it."
Lily tilted her head. "What's next, then?"
"Next," Harvis said, leaning back, "is building consistency and control. The foundation is important, but without steady growth, you'll plateau."
Liz crossed her arms. "They'll need sparring partners soon. Controlled pressure helps refine reflexes and combat intuition."
Harvis nodded in agreement. "And we'll be moving soon. This spot has served us well, but we've drawn attention. It's time we head toward the next waypoint."
Alex looked up. "Where are we going?"
"Deeper into the forest," Harvis replied. "Toward the river valley. Stronger herbs grow there, and so do more dangerous beasts."
Lily's expression turned wary. "Grade 2 beasts?"
"Possibly," Harvis said. "But we won't engage unless necessary. This phase of your training still focuses on cultivation and survival. Combat comes gradually."
---
The following week passed in a rhythm of discipline and steady effort. Every night, Alex and Lily cultivated under the moon and stars, essence flowing through them like streams finally connected to their source. They could feel it—lunar energy wrapping gently around Lily, celestial pulses resonating within Alex like starlight coursing through his veins.
Their bodies grew stronger, leaner, more attuned. Each movement felt easier, each breath deeper. The first layer was just that—a beginning—but it was enough to ignite the fire of momentum within them.
During the day, they foraged with caution and discipline, gathering herbs and observing beast behavior from a distance. Harvis often shadowed them, offering pointers when necessary but rarely interfering. He wanted them to grow through their own judgment.
One day, after a long trek, Alex stopped mid-step and turned to Lily. "You feel that?"
Lily nodded slowly. "Energy. Faint... but steady."
They moved silently, hiding behind thick foliage. Ahead, a small clearing revealed a Grade 2 frost wolf—its coat shimmering with crystalline ice, eyes scanning the forest with sharp intelligence. It was guarding a patch of Stoneblossom Petals—one of the herbs Harvis had mentioned for body refinement.
"We need those," Lily whispered.
"Yeah," Alex replied, eyes narrowing. "But we're not strong enough to take it down directly."
They both watched, breathing quietly, hearts steady. Lily studied the way the wolf moved—how it circled and sniffed, the timing of its patrol. A plan slowly formed.
"We don't need to fight," Lily murmured. "Just distract it long enough for one of us to grab the herbs."
Alex glanced at her, then nodded. "I'll draw it off. You get the herbs. If anything goes wrong, we fall back immediately."
"Deal."
With a deep breath, Alex picked up a stone, infused it lightly with essence—just enough to create a sound when thrown—and launched it into the bushes opposite their hiding spot.
The wolf's head snapped toward the sound. Seconds later, it growled and moved to investigate. Alex stepped out slowly, staying just within the wolf's peripheral vision before dashing off, luring it away.
Lily waited until the wolf vanished from sight, then sprinted into the clearing. She moved quickly, grabbing the Stoneblossom Petals and a few extra herbs nearby before retreating.
Minutes later, Alex returned, winded but grinning. "Worked like a charm."
"Nice job," Lily said, holding up the herbs.
They returned to camp triumphant, earning rare words of praise from both Liz and Harvis.
---
Another week passed, filled with more training, herb gathering, and increasingly complex meditation routines. Alex and Lily could now sense fluctuations in energy with far more precision than before. Their control improved, and their understanding of their affinities deepened.
Lily began to notice how the moon's phase affected her cultivation—the fuller it was, the smoother her energy flow. Harvis explained how lunar energy waxed and waned in sync with the moon, and that she could eventually learn to draw power from different phases.
Alex, meanwhile, found his connection to celestial energy growing more vivid. During meditation, he often visualized stars drifting through his mind's eye—each with its own hum, its own presence. Harvis began introducing him to the concept of celestial mapping: identifying and aligning his inner energy with specific stellar signatures.
"These aren't just metaphors," Harvis said one evening, drawing glowing lines in the air. "Celestial energy connects to the greater cosmos. Some cultivators can draw from constellations or even distant realms. If you master this, you'll not only become stronger—you'll become harder to predict."
Alex took those words to heart, spending hours each night mapping his inner constellation.
---
After three weeks of this intense routine, the changes were undeniable.
Alex stood before a fallen log, body steady. With a breath, he surged forward and punched. The wood cracked, splintered, and snapped in two.
Lily, nearby, raised her hand. With a whisper of energy, a faint wave of frost shimmered out, coating the grass in silver frost. Her control was still limited—but it was there.
They had become cultivators—not just in name, but in strength, will, and presence.
Harvis watched them both with a thoughtful expression. They were progressing faster than he'd anticipated, and far beyond what most could achieve in such a short time.
But more importantly, they were growing the right way.
Strong roots. Clear minds. Steady hearts.
"You've come far," he said quietly that night as they sat around the fire. "But the road ahead will be harder. You've built your foundation. Now you must begin climbing."
Alex looked up, eyes shining with determination. "We're ready."
Lily nodded beside him, her voice calm but firm. "We'll keep going."
Harvis smiled faintly, the firelight dancing across his blindfold. "Good. Then rest tonight. Tomorrow, we move."
As the fire crackled and the stars shimmered above, the forest seemed to lean in just a little closer—as if acknowledging the birth of two rising stars under its vast, ancient sky.