Ethan awoke to the soft hum of ethereal energy that seemed to permeate every corner of the training grounds. His eyes fluttered open to a landscape that felt entirely out of place, a world that was simultaneously serene and unearthly. A bright, shimmering sky stretched above him, while iridescent trees glowed faintly in hues of blue and purple, their leaves gently swaying despite the absence of wind.
He rose to his feet, feeling an odd weightlessness in the air, as if gravity itself were altered. The ground beneath him was firm, yet it shimmered like liquid, reflecting the celestial lights that surrounded him. Ethan instinctively flexed his fingers, feeling the familiar pulse of Divinacea within him. The power was still there—his new ability to heal—but there was something more. Something beyond simple physical restoration. He could feel it in the air, in the space around him, in the hum of the environment itself.
As he took his first step forward, the peacefulness of the place was interrupted by the sound of distant voices. He glanced around and saw a group of people gathering near a stone archway in the distance. Curious, Ethan made his way toward them.
The closer he got, the clearer the situation became. A group of Awakened individuals, each with their own distinctive energy, stood in a loose circle. Their eyes were sharp and assessing, as if they were all silently judging one another.
At the center of the group stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with fiery red eyes. His aura crackled with intensity, and flames danced at his fingertips, curling in the air like living serpents. This was the man Ethan had seen earlier—the one who had challenged him.
Kael.
"You're the one who healed yourself, huh?" Kael's voice was low and menacing, and it sent a ripple of tension through the air. "You think you can just fix everything? You think healing makes you special?"
Ethan didn't flinch. He wasn't afraid, but he could feel the palpable hostility emanating from Kael. He had already dealt with one test—he wasn't about to back down from another.
"I didn't heal myself to be special," Ethan said quietly, his voice calm but firm. "I healed because it's what I do."
The other Awakened observed the exchange, their expressions unreadable. Some seemed curious, others skeptical. A few of them exchanged glances, as if waiting for something to happen.
Kael took a step forward, his flames intensifying as his fists clenched. "You don't get it. Here, it's about power. Not kindness. Not weakness."
Ethan didn't move, his posture relaxed but alert. "I'm not here to prove anything to you."
Kael's lips twisted into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "We'll see about that."
Without warning, Kael lunged forward, his fist wreathed in fire, aimed directly at Ethan's chest. The flames moved with a speed and ferocity that would've incinerated most opponents in an instant.
But Ethan wasn't just "most" opponents.
He raised his hand instinctively, his Divinacea flaring to life within him. The moment Kael's punch made contact, Ethan's hand glowed a bright green. The heat from Kael's fire was absorbed into the healing energy, dissipating like smoke in the air. Ethan didn't hesitate. He focused on Kael's arm, his power flowing into the man's skin, mending the raw burns as if they'd never existed.
The flames on Kael's fist flickered and dimmed, and the man stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide with surprise.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kael demanded, his voice dripping with confusion.
Ethan remained calm, his hand still extended. "I'm healing you. You didn't have to attack me. This doesn't have to be a fight."
The other Awakened watched in silence. No one spoke. Ethan could feel the tension growing. Kael's fiery aura wavered, his confidence faltering in the face of Ethan's unexpected response.
Kael took a step back, glaring at Ethan with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "You think you can just—heal me? I'm not some pet you can fix. I came here to test you."
"I'm not here to fight," Ethan repeated. "But if you keep pushing, I will."
Kael's lips tightened, his gaze narrowing. His fists clenched again, and the flames surrounding him flared back to life, but this time, there was hesitation in his movements. He was no longer certain of what Ethan was capable of. The display of power—of control over life and death itself—was unsettling. And Kael, despite his fierce demeanor, wasn't ready for that.
"You're lucky," Kael muttered, taking a few steps back. "I'm not in the mood for a real fight. But don't think this is over, Awakened."
Ethan watched Kael walk away, his fiery aura gradually fading, leaving behind only the faint scent of smoke. The other Awakened seemed to relax, but only slightly. The test was over—for now.
A soft voice interrupted the silence.
"You've shown restraint," the voice said. Ethan turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows of a nearby archway. This person was older, dressed in flowing robes, and their eyes glowed with an otherworldly intensity. They exuded an air of quiet authority—someone who had been here far longer than Ethan.
"I didn't want to hurt him," Ethan said, his voice low but steady. "But I had to stop him. I couldn't just let him attack me."
The figure nodded. "You've made a wise choice. But make no mistake: healing isn't just about stopping pain. It's about controlling the battlefield. If you heal without purpose, it can become your greatest weakness. It could make you a target for those who value brute strength above all else."
Ethan felt the weight of those words settle heavily on his chest. He hadn't yet understood the full extent of his abilities, but this realm—this place—was far more dangerous than he had anticipated. The power to heal was incredible, yes. But it also placed him in a delicate position. One where he would have to decide when to show mercy, when to heal, and when to simply walk away.
"I'm ready for what comes next," Ethan said, though the doubt in his voice wasn't lost on the mysterious figure.
"Are you?" the figure asked, their voice taking on a more cryptic tone. "Then prepare yourself. The trial of the Awakened is coming. And if you survive, you may find yourself promoted to the Chosen."
Ethan's heart raced. The trial. It was coming.
The figure gave a knowing smile. "In the meantime, you have much to learn."
And with that, they disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ethan standing alone in the vast, glowing sanctuary of the Awakened.