Joshua exhaled sharply. "And that's how I got here."
The cave fell into silence, the flickering fire casting long shadows across the rough walls. The old man sat still, his gaze distant, lost in thought.
"If what he says is true… then I've finally found a way out of this cursed place," the old man mused silently. "After all these years… after being sealed here, never meant to return…"
His fingers twitched slightly, but his face remained calm. He leaned forward, his voice carrying a weight Joshua couldn't quite place.
"So, you're saying someone forced you through the Unknown World's gate?" The old man's tone was casual, but his eyes gleamed with something else. "Interesting."
Joshua frowned. "Why does that matter?"
The old man chuckled. Because people don't just end up here. This place is a graveyard for the forsaken. A prison for those deemed unworthy of the world beyond. His gaze turned sharp. "And yet… you don't belong here."
Joshua's jaw clenched. "I know that."
The old man's smirk deepened. "Then tell me, Joshua Destiny… do you want to escape this hell?"
Joshua's expression hardened. "Yes, of course, I don't want to be here."
The old man let out a low chuckle, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "Don't worry," he said smoothly. "I can help you escape this hellhole."
Joshua narrowed his eyes. "Really?"
The old man's grin didn't waver. Of course. But first, you need to become stronger. "There are creatures in this world far more powerful than the Akugbe." His tone grew serious. "If you face them as you are now… you won't survive."
Joshua frowned. "And how do you know that?"
The old man chuckled. "Because you're inexperienced when it comes to fighting creatures and monsters. Tell me, have you ever battled one before?"
Joshua hesitated for a moment before replying, "No… but I did fight an Akugbe."
The old man raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Alright, I'll give you that. Surviving an Akugbe is no small feat."
He leaned forward slightly. "But don't worry—with the abilities you possess, I can make you stronger."
Joshua's eyes narrowed. "My abilities?"
The old man nodded, a glint of intrigue in his gaze. "Yes." "I took a look at them… and I must say, I was quite impressed."
Joshua frowned. "My abilities? What exactly can I do?"
The old man stroked his beard. "You possess something quite unique." "Your power adapts and shifts, allowing you to harness multiple abilities depending on your will."
Joshua narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
The old man smiled. "Your ability is called Prismatic Dominion." Your eyes change color based on the power you are using—each shade granting you a different ability. "Energy manipulation, precision, nature's influence, shadow control… the list goes on."
Joshua's eyes widened. "Wait… so that's why my eyes turned red when I was fighting the Akugbe —"
"Yes," the old man interrupted. "That was your power at work." "Right now, you can only use one ability at a time, but with training, you may unlock even greater potential."
Joshua took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "And how do you know all this?"
The old man smirked. "Because I've seen countless abilities in my time… but yours is something truly special."
The old man narrowed his eyes. "So tell me, how were you able to activate your power during your fight?"
Joshua exhaled, his gaze dropping as he recalled the moment. "I was inside the Akugbe… trapped." "I thought I was going to die." His fists clenched. "Then, memories started rushing back—my wife, my kids, my parents... and the betrayal." His voice tightened with anger. "The emotions were too much, and suddenly, I felt something ignite inside me. My eyes burned, my body moved by instinct, and before I knew it, I was blasting my way out."
The old man stroked his beard, deep in thought. "Hmm… So your power awakened through intense emotion." He nodded slowly. "That's not uncommon, but if emotions alone trigger it, then you still lack control."
Joshua frowned. "Then how am I supposed to control them?"
The old man smirked. "That's where training comes in. But first, I need to see just how much potential you really have."
The old man led Joshua to the mountainside— vast, rocky terrain with jagged cliffs and deep crevices. The ground was uneven, covered in patches of dark soil and scattered boulders. A thick mist rolled down from the towering peaks, giving the place an eerie, almost otherworldly feel. The distant growls of unseen creatures echoed through the air, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking beyond.
The old man stopped and turned to face Joshua. "This will do." He took a few steps forward, stretching his arms. "Now, listen carefully." His voice carried an edge of excitement. "I'm going to fight you, and you'll have to activate your powers and use them against me."
Joshua tensed. "Wait, what?"
The old man grinned. "No more questions." "If you want to survive in this world, you need to awaken your abilities at will—not just when you're desperate." His stance shifted slightly, his presence suddenly heavier. "Now, come at me."
Joshua hesitated, his body still sore from his battle with the Akugbe. "You're seriously telling me to fight you? An old man?"
The old man chuckled. "Old?" "Kid, you have no idea who you're dealing with." His eyes gleamed with something unreadable—excitement, maybe even amusement. "Now stop wasting time and attack me!"
Joshua clenched his fists. I need to activate my powers again... but how? Last time, it happened when he was overwhelmed with emotions—his past, his betrayal, the sheer desperation to survive. But could he force it to happen now?
He took a deep breath and rushed forward, throwing a punch straight at the old man's chest.
Before his fist could land, the old man disappeared.
What?! Joshua barely had time to react before a force slammed into his back, sending him skidding across the rocky ground. He groaned, pushing himself up, but the old man was already behind him again, standing casually with his arms crossed.
"Pathetic," the old man sighed. "You're holding back."
Joshua wiped dirt from his face and glared at him. "I don't even know how to use my powers!"
"Then figure it out!" The old man suddenly lunged forward, moving so fast Joshua barely saw him. A fist came straight from his gut.
Move!
Joshua instinctively tried to dodge, but he wasn't fast enough. The impact knocked the air from his lungs, and he crashed against a boulder. Pain shot through his body.
"Is this all you've got?" The old man stood over him, shaking his head. "No wonder you almost died against the Akugbe."
Something snapped inside Joshua. The frustration, the pain, the humiliation—it all boiled over. His vision blurred, and suddenly, the world around him seemed to slow down.
Then, a burning sensation surged through his eyes.
The old man stepped back, his lips curling into a smirk. "There it is."
Joshua stumbled to his feet, panting. He could feel it—the power thrumming inside him, waiting to be unleashed. Then,
His eyes turned red.
"Good," the old man said. "Now show me what you can do."
Joshua clenched his fists, feeling the energy coursing through him. His vision sharpened, and his body felt lighter, stronger. He could sense every movement, every shift in the air.
This power… it's real.
He dashed forward, faster than before, aiming a punch at the old man's face. This time, the old man didn't vanish—he merely tilted his head, dodging with ease.
"Better," the old man admitted. "But not good enough."
Before Joshua could react, a palm struck his chest. The impact sent him flying back again, but this time, he twisted his body midair, landing on his feet.
The old man raised an eyebrow. "You're adapting quickly."
Joshua smirked, his confidence growing. He rushed in again, throwing a flurry of punches. The old man dodged each one, but Joshua wasn't just attacking blindly anymore—he was watching, learning.
He feinted a punch, then suddenly twisted his body, swinging his leg up in a powerful kick. The old man barely blocked in time, his expression shifting ever so slightly.
"Oh?" he mused. "You're actually thinking now."
Joshua didn't respond—he just kept attacking, faster, stronger. His movements became sharper, his strikes more precise. The surrounding air crackled with energy as his red eyes glowed brighter.
The old man finally took a step back, nodding. "Enough."
Joshua halted, breathing heavily. His whole body was burning with exhaustion, but he felt incredible.
The old man smirked. "Now we're getting somewhere."
Joshua straightened. "So… did I pass your test?"
The old man laughed. "Test? Kid, this was just the warm-up."