Louis jolted awake in a moving vehicle. His wrists were free, the restraints gone.
Across from him sat the crimson-cloaked figure who had torn through the high-security fortified compound like paper. His hood was back, revealing a man with dark, long hair, a mustache and sharp features. He glanced at Louis, then back to the road.
"Where are you taking me?!" Louis shouted, trying to open the door, but it was locked.
"Someplace safe," the man replied, eyes on the road. "Where you can learn to survive."
"You said you're my mentor. What do you want from me?"
The man glanced at him, his eyes glowing like molten magma. "Because you need help. And I won't let them destroy you."
The vehicle stopped. They'd reached a hidden entrance in a forested mountain, masked by illusion.
The invisible gate opened with a mechanical grind.
They entered a vast underground fortress. White lights casted from the ceiling, and the walls glowed with runes. Greenhouses, libraries, training domes, and labs filled the space, humming with technology and magic.
Louis stared, stunned. "What is this place?"
"My legacy," the man said. "The Earth Defenders think I'm a villain. But I used to lead them. Before I was betrayed."
Louis stared at him. "You… used to be one of them?"
He nodded. "I was once known as Commander Adrian Velas, the Blood Mage. I saw a threat no one else believed. When I tried to act, they blamed me for the disaster that followed. They erased my name. Labeled me a traitor."
The vehicle came to rest in a special parking area.
Louis still felt confused and curious as the man turned to him. "Come on."
They stepped out and walked through the fortress.
At a massive vault door, Adrian waved his hand, dissolving the locks.
The door opened into a glowing training chamber. In the center, dummies shaped like Veltrix soldiers stood ready for practice. Floating weapons hovered around a platform, unlocked only by Adrian's command.
"Louis," Adrian said, turning to him, "there's something crucial you need to understand about your power."
Louis tensed. "What?"
Adrian's voice was serious. "The Earth Defenders see you as a threat. They believe that Core inside you could destroy everything. They're planning to eliminate you."
Louis's mind raced, recalling his capture at the sterile examination room and how everyone looked at him. Like a weapon to be destroyed. "But I haven't done anything."
"They don't care," said Adrian. "Their fear drives them. They see you as a ticking bomb." He paused. "I want to help you control your power before it controls you. They may fear you, but I believe you're more than that."
"Why are you helping me?"
Adrian's gaze softened. "Because I know what it's like to be hunted for a power you never asked for. Your parents believed in me. If they were alive, they'd want you trained and protected."
"You knew my parents?"
"I stood beside them in battle. I won't fail their son."
He looked at Louis intently. "You have two paths: You can fight the Veltrix alongside the Earth Defenders, honor your parents' legacy, or let the Core consume you and become what humanity fears."
"Will I become a monster?" Louis asked, desperation in his voice.
"It's worse than that," Adrian said. "The Core will destroy you and everyone you care about. You must learn to control it. It's the only way."
He stepped into the chamber's center. "Now, come. It's time to train."
Louis hesitated, uncertain if he was making the right choice. He barely know this man but trusting the Earth Defenders seemed even more dangerous. He followed Adrian, standing in the chamber as the older man circled him.
"The Core reacts to your emotions," Adrian explained. "Feel it. Don't fight it."
Louis took a shaky breath. Suddenly, a translucent screen appeared before him.
[Core Sync: 78%]
He raised his hand, but fear held him back. "I can't do it," he growled.
"Try again," Adrian urged.
"I'm trying—"
"Close your eyes."
Louis shut his eyes, trying to clear his mind of painful memories. He opened his palm again. The Core pulsed, chains of fire bursting forth, wild and uncontrolled. Louis screamed, struggling to contain them.
"Focus!" Adrian called out. "Feel the Core, don't fight it!"
Louis took another breath, calming himself. Slowly, the chains retracted. For a moment, he was in control.
"Better," Adrian said with a nod.
Hours passed as Adrian guided him through exercises. Whenever Louis stumbled, Adrian reminded him, "Focus is key. You must be sharp as a blade, not chaotic as a bomb. You must be ready to survive."
Louis pulled himself to his feet, exhausted. "I'm tired, man. I can't keep doing this, I'm going to fail."
Adrian's tone softened. "Fear is normal. The Core is volatile. But it doesn't own you unless you let it. The first step is learning to stop being afraid."
Louis scoffed. "But what if not being afraid is not enough?"
Adrian studied him. "The difference between those who are truly powerful and those who are consumed by their power is the ability to accept their power, use it and not let it use you."
Louis ran a hand through his hair, overwhelmed. "I don't even know who I am anymore, Adrian."
Adrian crossed the room, placing a hand on Louis's shoulder. "This isn't about who I want you to be. It's about who you want to be. You're stronger than you think. Stronger than before."
Louis nodded, just almost a week ago he was just a weak human but now he is someone the whole world fears. Maybe, with Adrian's help, he could master the Core and use it for a greater good.
"Okay," he whispered. "I'll try."
****
Later that night, after the grueling training, Louis trudged back to the small, lit room Adrian had given him.
His body ached and his mind was spinning. For the first time in a long while, though, he felt a glimmer of hope. He didn't know what the future held, but he had a mentor, a purpose, and something to fight for.
Before crawling into bed, Louis paused and raised his hand, summoning the Core system screen.
The faint, translucent interface appeared before him.
[IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION]
[QUEST: Embrace your worth. Accept your power.]
[Reward: New Ability]
Louis took a deep breath, focusing on the words. He closed his eyes, relaxing his mind — not fighting the Core this time, but accepting it. He remembered Adrian's words: It's about who you want to be.
"I accept it." he said
[Quest Complete: Embrace your worth. Accept your power.]
[Reward Unlocked: Time Manipulation]