Chapter 2: The Path of Control
Eldric dropped to the ground, sweat dripping from his forehead as he pushed himself through intense training. The morning sun rose behind him, casting golden light across the clearing. The old man sat nearby in a worn chair, arms crossed, watching intently.
"You're doing well, Eldric," the old man said. "But that's enough push-ups. Now we begin with something new combat moves."
"Moves?" Eldric asked, standing up and wiping his face.
"Martial arts. You'll need them. Kai alone won't save you in a real fight."
Without another word, the old man stood and began demonstrating basic strikes punches, kicks, knees. Eldric followed, mirroring each motion. His form was sloppy at first, but with repeated guidance, he improved. He moved faster ducking, sweeping, jumping as instructed.
"Good. You have potential. But you'll need to train this every day. Don't rely only on your kai. A true warrior hones his body and spirit."
Eldric panted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I just want to become a true argonaut."
The old man nodded. "Then it's time to learn control. You've awakened your kai now you must master it."
"But I haven't even finished learning the basics," Eldric said.
"Control is part of the basics. Now, focus. Release your kai like I taught you yesterday."
Eldric closed his eyes, steadying his breath. Slowly, white energy flowed from within, surrounding him in a soft glow. He smiled, feeling the warmth… but then, the glow flickered and vanished.
"What?" Eldric gasped. "It's gone!"
"That's the point," the old man said. "You don't just awaken kai you must command it with your will."
Eldric groaned in frustration. "So what now?"
"You meditate. For five hours."
"Five hours? I'm exhausted!"
"Then rest tomorrow. Today, you train. You want to master kai, don't you?"
Eldric sighed but sat down cross-legged. "Fine."
The old man walked away, leaving him to concentrate. As Eldric began meditating, his younger brother Raphael stepped outside the hut, rubbing his eyes.
"What are they doing out here?" Raphael asked.
The old man turned to him. "You must be Eldric's brother."
"Yeah. Is he okay?"
"He's on the path now. Let him be."
Three hours passed. Eldric's breathing slowed. His mind cleared. Suddenly, the old man returned holding a wooden staff. Without warning, he swung it down toward Eldric.
Whack!
But Eldric's instincts had sharpened. Without opening his eyes, he dodged the blow at the last second.
The old man grinned. "Excellent. You impressed me."
Eldric slowly opened his eyes. The white energy returned, now flowing stronger, steadier, responding to his will. He stood, radiant and calm.
"I did it… I can control it now."
"Yes," the old man said. "But there's one more thing to uncover."
"What is it?"
"Go look in the mirror. Check your neck."
Curious, Eldric stepped into the hut and stared at his reflection. His eyes widened.
"What is this?" he shouted. A glowing symbol had appeared on the side of his neck a number 7 encircled by massive wings.
The old man stepped inside. "That's your kai crest. Every true argonaut has one, but yours… this is rare. It might be mythical kai."
"Mythical kai?" Eldric echoed.
"It's said to be the rarest and most powerful kai of all. Few ever awaken it. I don't know what it fully means, but those wings… and the number 7… they must represent something."
Eldric stared into the mirror, awe in his eyes. "Wait… so I have one of the strongest kai?"
"It looks that way," the old man replied. "Though it's not power alone that makes a legend it's what you do with it."
Eldric clenched his fists. "Birds… wings… what does it mean?"
The old man smiled. "That's something you'll have to discover for yourself."