"Focus. Feel the flow of energy."
Marcus's voice echoed through the training room. Yeh Yao stood at the center, eyes closed, a sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. For the past hour, he'd been attempting to channel the Lightblade's energy into a ranged attack—with little success.
"I can't do it," Yeh Yao groaned, opening his eyes to stare at the glowing sword in his hand. "It's like... it won't listen to me."
Marcus approached calmly. "Light Weapons aren't ordinary tools, Yeh Yao. They have consciousness and will. You can't force it—you must form a deeper connection."
Two days had passed since their meeting in the park. Marcus had brought them to this secluded villa on Sabah's outskirts, a hidden Watchers base. The unassuming exterior concealed cutting-edge technology and ancient artifacts—an ideal facility for supernatural research and training Light Wielders.
Alicia sat in the training room's corner, immersed in ancient texts Marcus had provided. For forty-eight hours, she'd barely looked up from her studies, absorbing everything about Hellgates and the Shadow Realm.
"Maybe try a different approach," Alicia suggested, glancing up. "This text says Light Weapons respond to their wielder's emotions and intent. Instead of controlling it, try communicating with it."
Marcus nodded approvingly. "Alicia's right. The Lightblade chose you because it resonates with your character. Express your purpose to it—don't command it."
Yeh Yao took a deep breath and closed his eyes again. This time, rather than forcing the energy, he mentally conversed with the blade, conveying his desire to protect others. He envisioned using ranged attacks to shield innocents when close combat wasn't possible.
Gradually, a new warmth flowed from the hilt, suffusing his entire being. When he opened his eyes, the blade shone brighter than ever.
"Now, visualize the energy releasing from the tip," Marcus instructed. "Like water flowing through a pipe."
Yeh Yao raised the sword toward a training target across the room. Instead of straining, he let the energy move naturally. Suddenly, a brilliant beam shot forth—striking the bullseye dead-center, leaving a smoldering hole.
"I did it!" Yeh Yao gasped, staring at his handiwork in awe.
"That was amazing!" Alicia cheered, rushing to his side, her eyes sparkling with pride.
Marcus smiled. "That's the basic form of a Light Slash. As your bond deepens, you'll control its intensity, range, and shape."
Yeh Yao studied the blade with newfound understanding. This wasn't just a weapon—it was a partner, an entity requiring mutual respect.
"Thank you, Marcus," he said earnestly. "And you, Alicia. I'd never have realized this without you."
Marcus opened his mouth to respond when his phone rang. His expression hardened instantly. "Headquarters emergency alert."
After a brief call, he turned to them grimly. "Change of plans. A new Hellgate's opened in Kuala Lumpur—creatures are already emerging. Local authorities are calling it terrorism, but we know better."
Yeh Yao's stomach clenched. "You mean... we're handling this?"
"Yes," Marcus confirmed. "Your first field mission. I'd hoped for more training time, but casualties will mount if we don't act fast."
Yeh Yao glanced at Alicia. Though worry clouded her eyes, steely resolve shone through.
"When do we leave?" Yeh Yao asked, his voice steadier than expected.
"Immediately," Marcus said, already gathering gear. "Helicopter arrives in ten. We must reach KL before nightfall."
The next hour blurred past. They packed essential equipment and boarded the Watchers' private chopper. En route, Marcus briefed them on mission parameters.
"Intel suggests a small Hellgate—no high-level entities yet," Marcus shouted over rotor noise. "Our objective is locating and sealing it with your Lightblade's energy."
"How?" Yeh Yao asked, white-knuckling his seatbelt—his first helicopter ride was as thrilling as it was terrifying.
"Light energy counteracts Hellgate frequencies," Marcus explained. "Channeling it into the core causes mutual annihilation. But it requires precise control and sufficient output."
Alicia squeezed Yeh Yao's hand. "You've got this. I believe in you."
He squeezed back, drawing courage from her presence despite his trepidation.
The chopper landed on a Kuala Lumpur skyscraper at dusk. As city lights flickered to life below, a black-clad woman approached.
"Update, Agent Chen," she said crisply. "Hellgate's in a derelict Bukit Bintang mall. Five attacks reported—two dead, seven injured. Local PD has cordoned the area, but they're clueless about the threat."
Marcus nodded. "Thank you, Agent Lim. Transport ready?"
"Waiting downstairs," Agent Lim replied, eyeing Yeh Yao and Alicia curiously. "The new Wielders?"
"Yeh Yao and Alicia," Marcus introduced. "Agent Lim Mei Ling, our Malaysian liaison."
After quick greetings, they took an elevator to a black SUV. Agent Lim drove while Marcus rode shotgun, briefing them en route.
"What's the exact plan?" Yeh Yao asked, steadying his nerves.
"Agent Lim gets us close," Marcus said. "Then we proceed on foot. I'll handle hostiles—your priority is sealing the Hellgate."
"What about me?" Alicia pressed.
Marcus turned sternly. "You'll stay in the car. Without a Light Weapon, that area's lethal for you."
"No," Alicia said firmly. "I won't let Yeh Yao face this alone. I can observe, document—"
"Alicia..." Yeh Yao began, but her resolute gaze silenced him.
Marcus exhaled sharply. "This isn't a game. Those creatures kill civilians instantly."
"I know the risks," Alicia insisted. "But I've studied Hellgate characteristics—I can help identify the core's location. That's critical for sealing it."
After a tense silence, Marcus relented. "Fine. But you follow orders exactly. At the first sign of danger, you evacuate. Understood?"
Alicia nodded solemnly. "Understood."
Yeh Yao studied her, torn between worry and admiration. If she wouldn't stay behind, he'd protect her at all costs.
The SUV navigated Kuala Lumpur's bustling streets before stopping at a police cordon. The abandoned mall loomed ahead—a seven-story structure, its shattered windows suggesting violent internal damage.
Agent Lim flashed credentials, escorting them past checkpoints. Officers seemed to assume they were special forces, asking no questions.
"From here, we walk," Agent Lim said, gesturing to the mall. "Eyewitnesses report creatures concentrated on the third and fourth floors. The Hellgate's likely near the central atrium."
Marcus nodded. "Ensure no one enters until we're done."
As Agent Lim returned to the SUV, Marcus faced them gravely. "From now on, absolute obedience. Expect ambushes at any moment. Yeh Yao, keep your Lightblade ready. Alicia, stay behind us at all times."
Yeh Yao closed his eyes, summoning the Lightblade. Its glow illuminated Alicia's anxious yet determined expression.
"Ready?" Marcus asked.
"Ready," Yeh Yao affirmed.
They advanced toward the derelict mall, the dying sun glinting off broken glass like sinister eyes. The entrance yawned darkly—a gateway to another world.
Marcus distributed flashlights. "Stay alert and quiet. These creatures hunt by sound and scent."
They crept inside, beams cutting through oppressive darkness. The ground-floor lobby stood deserted, littered with debris. A metallic, rotting stench hung thickly.
"Shadow energy residue," Marcus whispered. "The scent intensifies near Hellgates."
They ascended a motionless escalator to the second floor—a former clothing section, now a graveyard of toppled mannequins and racks.
A skittering sound froze them mid-step. Marcus killed his flashlight, signaling the others to follow suit. Only the Lightblade's glow remained.
"What is that?" Alicia breathed.
Marcus didn't answer, instead drawing an ornate pistol engraved with runes similar to Yeh Yao's blade.
The skittering crescendoed, accompanied by unnatural rasping. Suddenly, a black shape lunged from a storefront!
"Shadow Crawler!" Marcus fired—a silver bolt struck the creature, which screeched but kept charging!
"Yeh Yao, now!"
Yeh Yao instinctively shielded Alicia as the creature came into view: a lizard-like quadruped with glowing red eyes, knife-like claws, and serrated teeth.
He swung—the blade severed a forelimb! The Crawler shrieked but attacked again, jaws snapping for his throat!
This time, Yeh Yao pivoted smoothly, plunging the blade into its chest. Light erupted from the wound, disintegrating the beast into ash.
"Good work," Marcus said. "But we must hurry—that noise attracts more."
They quickened their pace to the third floor, where the stench became overpowering.
"We're close," Marcus said.
The former food court was a warzone of overturned tables. But the true horror was the center—a two-meter-wide violet vortex hovering mid-air, crackling with dark energy.
"That's the Hellgate," Marcus whispered.
Alicia consulted her notes. "A Class-I portal emitting Alpha-level entities. The core's that blackest central point."
Three more Crawlers emerged from the vortex, sniffing the air.
"I'll engage them," Marcus said. "Yeh Yao, seal the portal. Remember—steady energy into the core until it collapses."
Yeh Yao nodded, gripping the Lightblade tightly as Marcus drew the creatures away with gunfire.
"Alicia, stay here," Yeh Yao said. "Run if there's danger."
Alicia nodded bravely. "Be careful."
Approaching the vortex, Yeh Yao felt its malevolent energy like physical nausea. Steeling himself, he raised the blade, recalling Marcus's instructions.
"Focus. Channel the energy."
The Lightblade brightened as power surged through him. He aimed at the vortex's heart and unleashed a radiant beam!
The portal convulsed violently, purple and white energies clashing with ear-splitting shrieks!
"Keep going!" Marcus shouted mid-battle. "Maintain output!"
Yeh Yao's arms trembled from strain. Something resisted fiercely from the vortex's far side—as if fighting to keep the gateway open.
"Yeh Yao, behind you!" Alicia screamed.
A Crawler had slipped past Marcus, lunging at Yeh Yao! He couldn't break concentration without ruining the seal—but neither could he defend himself!
At the last second, Alicia smashed a chair into the creature's head! Distracted, it turned on her with a hiss!
"Alicia, run!" Yeh Yao begged, powerless to intervene.
Instead, she fended it off with the chair, buying him precious seconds! Marcus, pinned by two others, couldn't assist!
Rage and desperation surged through Yeh Yao—he couldn't let Alicia die! This emotional surge triggered something profound—the Lightblade flared blindingly, its beam intensifying twofold!
The vortex shuddered violently before imploding with a thunderous shockwave that flung everyone backward!
As Yeh Yao scrambled up, the Hellgate was gone—only empty space remained. The remaining Crawlers disintegrated mid-air.
"Alicia!" He sprinted to where she lay dazed but unharmed.
"I'm okay," she mumbled, sitting up. "Just got knocked down."
Yeh Yao crushed her in a hug. "You terrified me! Why didn't you run?"
"I couldn't abandon you," she said simply, as if it were obvious. "We're a team, right?"
Speechless, Yeh Yao just held her tighter.
Marcus joined them, looking weary but satisfied. "Excellent work. The area's secure—for now."
"For now?" Yeh Yao asked, still clutching Alicia's hand.
Marcus's expression darkened. "This was one of many Hellgates—and they're multiplying. We must find the root cause."
Yeh Yao looked between Alicia and Marcus, resolve crystallizing. "Then where next?"
"Hawaii," Marcus said. "We find the Light Hammer's Wielder. Only with all five can we end this crisis."
Yeh Yao helped Alicia up. Tonight had clarified both the stakes and his responsibilities—but also awakened newfound determination.
"We'll find them," he vowed. "And we'll stop this together."
They exited the mall beneath a starless sky. This was merely their first step—greater challenges awaited. Yet oddly, Yeh Yao felt at peace. Whatever came next, he wouldn't face it alone. With Alicia beside him, Marcus guiding them, and future allies to meet, they'd protect this world together.
Tomorrow, they'd depart for Hawaii—to find the next Light Wielder.
This was only the beginning of the Gaia Expedition.