ZINKEN

Shu’en narrowed his eyes, gripping the wooden practice sword tightly in his small hands. The courtyard was still now, with the early morning sun casting long shadows over the stone and dirt.

His heart raced, not from the training itself, but from a thought that burned hotter than any physical pain.

In just two months… Yalemul will be back.

He could picture it vividly: the fire engulfing the village, the bandits’ screams echoing, the air thick with ash and smoke, his father’s head severed from his shoulders, villagers falling one by one, the unholy resurrection of the dead.

He had barely survived it once. The memory of that last moment—the explosion in his skull, the searing pain of life being violently torn away—haunted him.

I can’t let it happen again.

Every moment, every heartbeat, every drop of sweat on his tiny brow had one purpose: mastery. Mastery over Zinken. Mastery over life and death itself, no matter the cost.

Ei’sen, noticing the fierce determination in his son’s eyes, stepped forward cautiously. His tone was calm, but his voice carried the weight of generations of wisdom.

“Shu’en… before you can wield Zinken effectively, you need to grasp its flow. You must feel it in every fiber of your being. And for that, you need to understand Core Energy.”

Shu’en tightened his grip on the wooden blade, his gaze steady.

“Core Energy,” Ei’sen began, spreading his hands as if cradling something invisible, “is the essence of who you are. It’s more than just strength or skill. It’s your life force… your spiritual willpower. Every thought, every heartbeat, every breath you take is connected to it.”

Shu’en tilted his head slightly, absorbing each word with careful consideration, feeling the truth resonate in his bones even before he fully understood.

Ei’sen continued his slow pacing across the courtyard, his hands moving as if he were sketching invisible patterns in the air.

“This energy flows through what we call ‘Ninsei Channels.’ Picture them as veins, but not the kind that carry blood these are the veins of your very life.

They connect your heart, mind, and spirit. When your channels are clear, strong, and stable, you can harness your aura, project your power, and eventually manipulate Zinken.”

Shu’en’s small fingers twitched, and he felt a faint pulse resonate within him as he envisioned the flow Ei’sen described.

“But,” Ei’sen said, halting mid-pace and lowering his voice just a touch, “if these channels become blocked, weak, or unstable, your body will fight back. People can become ill, frail, and unable to tap into even a fraction of their energy. In the worst cases… your aura can spiral out of control, your body can betray you, or you might completely lose your grip. That’s why Zinken isn’t a toy, Shu’en. It’s not something to be handled carelessly, no matter how quickly your body picks up movements or techniques.”

Shu’en’s gray eyes flickered as he recalled the memory of Yalemul’s power—the surge of energy that could shatter bones, bring the dead back to life, and warp reality itself.

He finally grasped, in a way only someone who had witnessed such raw power could, that Zinken was more than just energy. It was the delicate balance of order and chaos in life, intricately tied to the channels within a warrior.

Ei’sen knelt down to meet Shu’en’s gaze, his tone softening, yet the weight of responsibility remained palpable.

“You need to connect with your Core Energy, Shu’en. Feel it coursing through your Ninsei Channels. Control it. Guide it. Only then will you be able to manipulate Zinken safely. And believe me… mastering that flow is far more challenging than mastering a hundred swords.”

Shu’en pressed his lips together, his mind already racing with calculations. He could feel a faint pulse of power stirring within him, small yet persistent.

He had sensed a shadow of it before, during the attack—the same pulse that had saved him, that had helped him survive Yalemul’s unnatural revival. Now, he finally understood what it was.

I need to control it. I have to master it. Just two months… that’s all I’ve got.

Ei’sen’s hands hovered just above Shu’en’s shoulders, not quite touching, but guiding him nonetheless.

“Let’s start with awareness. Close your eyes. Tune into your heartbeat. Feel the warmth in your chest. That’s your Core Energy. Follow its path your Ninsei Channels—from your heart, through your limbs, to your mind, and back again. Sense the current, the rhythm. Let it flow freely. Don’t force it—never force it. Just guide it.”

Shu’en nodded, even though his thoughts were racing ahead of the lesson. He shut his eyes, feeling the flow, the surge, the faint echoes of power he had caught a glimpse of before. Every channel, every pulse, every flicker of life within him… he could feel it now.

Ei’sen’s voice softened, almost a whisper: “Zinken isn’t just about strength. It’s about control. It’s life, it’s death, it’s your very essence. You must respect it, Shu’en. Bend to it, don’t break it. And remember—one misstep, one surge of uncontrolled energy, and it could consume you entirely.”

Shu’en opened his eyes, a faint glow of determination shining through. “I understand… Father. I will master it. No matter what it takes.”

Ei’sen nodded solemnly, his hands now resting lightly on Shu’en’s shoulders. “Good. That’s the first step. Control your flow. Control your Core Energy. And remember, Shu’en… this is just the beginning.”

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the courtyard. Sunlight sparkled off the wooden sword in Shu’en’s hands. And deep within him, the faint hum of Zinken stirred, waiting to be fully awakened.

Shu’en’s petite figure stood completely still, eyes shut tight, fingers delicately wrapped around the wooden sword as if it were a part of him.

The morning air was fresh and crisp, filled with the earthy scent of dew and stone, and the courtyard felt like it was holding its breath.

He turned his focus inward, sensing the life force flowing through him, tracing the Ninsei Channels like strands of silver light connecting his heart, mind, and spirit.

At first, the sensation was subtle—like a gentle vibration just under his skin—but it gradually intensified, syncing with his heartbeat, a warm current spreading through every limb.

Flow… feel the flow… don’t force it… guide it…

A tiny spark flickered at the center of his chest, a soft hum of energy that only he could perceive. His gray eyes flew open, sharp and resolute, reflecting the first stirrings of Zinken awakening within him. The courtyard appeared ordinary, yet to Shu’en, every stone, every leaf, every shadow pulsed with potential, responding to the gentle tug of his will.

Ei’sen, observing closely, nearly stumbled back in astonishment. “By the gods… he’s already picking it up…” he whispered to himself, a mix of fear and pride swirling within him. “That’s… way earlier than anyone should even be able to touch it…”

Shu’en tilted his head slightly, a subtle grin appearing on his lips. It wasn’t pride—it was understanding. He could feel it now, the rhythm, the current, the potential. Just a flicker, but it was enough to start gaining control.

Ei’sen cleared his throat, striving to keep his voice steady. “Good, Shu’en. Now… let’s see how much of your spiritual power you can project outward.”

Shu’en’s gaze darted to his father, a mix of curiosity and concentration lighting up his face.

Ei’sen reached for a glass cup resting on the nearby table and gently placed a single leaf inside. It was small and delicate, perfectly balanced on the surface of the water.

“This,” Ei’sen said, “is your first challenge. You’re going to channel your Core Energy—your Zinken—into the leaf. Keep your eyes on it, feel its presence, and try to guide its movement. Picture where you want it to go… then let your energy flow there naturally.”

Shu’en nodded, his expression serious and focused, as he knelt beside the cup. Sunlight danced on the water, casting soft reflections across his face.

“Focus,” Ei’sen encouraged softly. “Take your time. Don’t force it. Let the energy lead the leaf.”

Silence enveloped them as minutes ticked by. Shu’en’s small hands hovered just above the cup, fingers twitching ever so slightly, a gentle pulse of Core Energy extending from him to the leaf.

His gray eyes narrowed in concentration, so intensely focused that even the breeze seemed to pause around him.

The leaf trembled slightly, tilting this way and that. Shu’en adjusted his approach, subtly guiding the energy with movements so fine they were nearly invisible, his internal rhythm pushing and pulling at the fragile balance.

Ei’sen’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Steady now… keep your focus, Shu’en… just feel it…”

Then, a sudden, almost imperceptible lift at the tip of the leaf made Ei’sen’s jaw drop. “Wait… did it just—?”

Shu’en’s eyes widened a fraction, his mind still entirely on the leaf. Slowly, almost miraculously, the leaf began to rise, its edges tilting upward, spinning gently before settling perfectly face-up on the water.

Ei’sen stumbled back a step, mouth agape, eyes wide with disbelief.

“Face-up… that’s incredibly rare…! Most can barely get it to move… let alone flip like that without tools or extreme control!”

Shu’en blinked, a faint smirk playing on his lips, as if it were the easiest thing in the world. “It… listened,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, just for himself to hear.

Ei’sen knelt beside him, his voice quivering just a bit with a mix of awe and fear.

“Shu’en… do you even grasp what you just accomplished? You’ve channeled your energy… your Core Energy… in such a controlled way… and influenced an object purely with your will… face-up… that’s something extraordinary for someone your age…”

Shu’en shrugged lightly, tilting his head. “It just obeyed. That’s all there is to it.”

Ei’sen shook his head, a nervous laugh escaping him despite the rapid beating of his heart. “No… no, Shu’en… this is… this is beyond rare. This… this is a level that most people never reach in their entire lives.”

The small leaf floated gently, calm and perfectly still on the water’s surface, as if it were acknowledging its master.

Shu’en’s gray eyes sparkled with quiet determination. If I can control this… I can control Zinken. And if I can control Zinken… Yalemul won’t win. Not next time.

Ei’sen, still trying to catch his breath, looked down at his son, a mix of fear, pride, and awe swirling within him.

“Alright… this is just the beginning. But Shu’en… if you can harness your energy this effectively, the road ahead… it’s perilous. Even for me, even for anyone alive. You need to train wisely… or it could consume you.”

Shu’en’s gaze hardened, his eyes locking onto his father’s with unwavering resolve. “I understand, Father. I will master it. No matter what it takes. I won’t let it happen again.”

Ei’sen nodded slowly, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. The weight of what had just transpired hung heavy between them, but neither spoke.

In the stillness of the courtyard, the leaf floated face-up, and a quiet promise lingered in the air: a promise of control, mastery, and survival.