Chapter 15: No Answers

Zianya and her group were in an open space, not far from where Jojiro was, but with enough distance to have their own ground.

Eldren looked around.

And the more he looked, the more he realized something.

-This village is bigger than I thought.

In the distance, a giant wooden wall surrounded the village completely, disappearing among the trees in both directions.

-What is that? -he asked, pointing toward the wall.

Zianya followed his gaze.

-It was built to keep intruders out -she responded-. It has the same system as the main entrance. Anyone who makes contact with it will receive a lightning strike.

Eldren whistled low.

-You all are quite cautious.

-It was Jojiro's idea -said Zianya-. There was a time when a group of giant living beings attacked the village.

Yuzo's eyes opened wide.

-Giant beings?

-Yes.

Naiden looked at him, equally surprised.

-There are giants here? I thought those were just my father's stories.

Zianya didn't add anything more for a moment. Then she continued.

-I'll tell you the rest of that story later. Right now the focus is on you getting better.

She turned toward Eldren and Yuzo.

-You two are going to train together.

She looked at both of them before continuing.

-Yuzo, you're going to dodge the attacks Eldren makes with his wind element. Using your stellar ability. Speed.

Then she turned to Eldren.

-One of the simplest ways to improve control and strengthen your element is by using it constantly.

While Eldren and Yuzo moved away, Zianya stayed beside Naiden.

-I want to focus on you.

Naiden looked at her.

-On me?

-Yes -Zianya responded-. I want to help you become capable of using your element again.

Naiden lowered his gaze for an instant.

-Will that be possible?

-It's possible -said Zianya calmly-. But it'll depend on the effort you put in.

Naiden didn't respond right away.

Something lit up inside him. An image he hadn't let himself see in days.

Himself, with fire responding to his call the way it always had.

Like before.

-Try using your element -said Zianya-. The way you always have.

Naiden lowered his gaze toward his hands.

He waited.

-As much as I want to... I can't.

Zianya observed him for a moment.

-Do you fear your element?

Naiden stayed silent.

Several seconds passed without him saying anything, eyes fixed on the ground.

-When I saw my father completely burned, lying on the ground... something inside me changed.

A pause.

-I don't know exactly what it is.

Zianya felt the weight of those words.

But she didn't let it show.

-Let's start from the beginning -she said calmly-. As if it were the first time you're using it.

Meanwhile, Eldren and Yuzo trained according to Zianya's instructions.

-I'm going to attack you for real -Eldren warned.

Yuzo felt a knot in his stomach. But he didn't step back.

-Don't hold back.

Eldren didn't wait any longer.

He launched several cutting wind gusts, one after another, straight at Yuzo.

Yuzo activated his stellar ability.

He moved.

One. Two. Three gusts. All dodged with a fluidity he didn't expect from himself.

For an instant, a genuine emotion ran through him.

I can move at this speed without problems.

I think I'm starting to understand how to control it.

Eldren watched that with an expression that shifted slightly.

And then he prepared another attack.

A different one.

One he had practiced in secret.

Eldren went all in on the next attack.

-Get ready for what's coming.

And then he named it.

-Duplicated spinning wind.

Four small tornadoes formed around him and launched toward Yuzo from different directions.

Yuzo felt the nervousness rise in his chest.

But he didn't run.

He activated his stellar ability and moved, dodging one after another as the tornadoes closed in from every angle. What he didn't know was that Eldren was controlling them, though it cost him considerable effort to keep them on their paths.

Yuzo dodged the first.

Dodged the second.

But when he tried to move toward the other two, something failed.

He lost control of his speed.

His own feet tangled together and he fell to the ground hard.

From one side, Zianya watched the scene alongside Naiden, waiting to see how Yuzo would react.

On the ground, Yuzo looked up.

The four tornadoes were still closing in.

But he didn't move.

I want to move, but my legs won't respond.

He just stayed there, watching them come.

And right before they reached him, all four disappeared at the same time.

Eldren had stopped the attack.

Zianya, with no visible reaction, turned toward Naiden.

-Let's continue your training.

To one side, Eldren approached Yuzo.

-Are you alright?

-Yes -Yuzo responded, the frustration well hidden beneath the surface.

He stood up, brushing off the dirt.

-That attack was incredible.

Eldren laughed.

-I still have a long way to go before I perfect it.

-We have to keep training -said Eldren-. Strengthen our weaknesses.

Meanwhile, Naiden tried to call fire as if it were the first time.

He closed his eyes.

-Fire, come to me. Let us join forces, so that we become one. You will be my strength, and I will be your bearer. Hear my call, and we will set our desires ablaze.

Nothing happened.

The fire didn't respond.

Zianya watched him in silence, a concern she didn't let fully show.

In his mind, Naiden kept repeating it.

Please, come back to me.

Please.