The next morning, Riku stumbled through his usual routine, still shaken by the dream and the strange way his body had healed. His mind was clouded, torn between disbelief and a growing sense of urgency. What had happened to him? Why had his abilities manifested so differently from before?
Arashi's training methods were rigorous, but they were the only thing that kept Riku grounded in this chaos. If anyone could help him uncover what was happening, it was Arashi—his mysterious mentor who had been guiding him toward his hidden potential for the past two years.
After an exhausting morning of strength training, Riku found himself standing in the middle of a vast, open field on the outskirts of the city. The wind whipped through the grass, bending it in all directions. Arashi stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching him intently.
"You're distracted," Arashi's voice was calm but firm.
Riku wiped sweat from his brow, avoiding eye contact. "I can't help it, Arashi. There's something wrong with me. Something's different after that dream."
Arashi tilted his head slightly, a glint of understanding flashing in his eyes. "And that difference is your potential. The Essence that courses through you is changing. It's evolving. I've known from the start that you were different, but I didn't expect this kind of rapid development."
Riku took a deep breath, feeling a wave of frustration. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why didn't you explain what I was capable of?"
Arashi's expression softened. "The path you're walking has never been clear. You're not just training to be a warrior; you're awakening something much greater. Something that's tied to your past, your bloodline."
"Bloodline?" Riku frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"
Arashi stepped forward, placing a hand on Riku's shoulder. "Your abilities are a result of a divine power, an Essence so ancient and powerful that few have ever seen it. In your past life, a being known as the Divine Avatar was said to hold this power, and it has now awakened within you. That dream you had, the one where you fought and killed those A-Rank Beasts? That was not just a dream. It was a manifestation of the power you're beginning to harness."
Riku's mind raced as he processed Arashi's words. A divine power? The Divine Avatar? The thought of being connected to such an overwhelming force filled him with both awe and fear.
"Why me?" Riku muttered, voice shaking slightly. "Why am I the one who's chosen for this?"
Arashi gave a small, knowing smile. "That is the mystery you must solve. The Divine Avatar is not a title given lightly. It is said that only those who are truly worthy can awaken it. But with this power comes great responsibility. You will be tested—by your enemies, by yourself, and by the world. Your destiny will not be an easy one to bear."
Riku took a step back, the weight of Arashi's words sinking in. "So what do I do now? How do I control it? How do I use this power?"
Arashi's gaze turned serious. "You continue to train. But now, you focus on understanding the essence of the Divine Avatar. Feel it, experience it, and let it guide you. It won't be easy. You'll face obstacles, both within and outside yourself, but it's the only way you'll ever understand what's truly happening."
Riku looked down at his hands. The power that had coursed through him in the dream—the destructive force he wielded without even knowing how—it terrified him. But at the same time, it gave him hope.
"I'll do whatever it takes," he said, voice steady. "I won't stop. Not until I know what this power really is."
Arashi nodded. "That's the spirit. But remember, this power will not only define your future, but it will also change the world around you. You will need to decide whether you will use it to protect or destroy."
As the days went on, Riku's training intensified. He spent hours focusing on his Essence, learning to control and channel the divine power that surged within him. He meditated, practiced combat techniques, and pushed his body to its limits. With every session, he grew stronger—his body becoming more agile, his mind more focused.
The progress wasn't always linear. Some days, Riku could barely focus on his Essence at all. Other days, it felt as though the power within him was too much to contain. But with Arashi's guidance, he learned to balance his abilities.
On one particularly stormy afternoon, Riku stood before a massive stone pillar, his eyes closed as he concentrated. The rain fell in sheets, but he didn't flinch. He could feel the Essence stirring within him—slowly at first, but then it began to surge like a tidal wave. He reached out with his mind, feeling the power settle into his limbs.
A pulse of energy erupted from his chest, the ground beneath him cracking as the Essence exploded outward. The wind howled, carrying the power of his Essence to every corner of the field.
Riku opened his eyes, breathless. The pillar before him had been shattered, reduced to rubble in an instant.
"This is just the beginning," Arashi's voice echoed behind him. "You've only scratched the surface."
Riku looked at the shattered stone, a sense of awe filling him. I can do this. I will control this power. I will become the warrior I was meant to be.