Eldric's gaze shifted between Kael and Vasra, the weight of the decision hanging in the air. The old man's eyes, deep and knowing, held a quiet intensity that made Kael feel as though he were being examined in ways he didn't fully understand.
"Vasra is right," Eldric finally said. "Time is a luxury we don't have. The mark is only the beginning, and you need to learn to control it before it consumes you entirely. The path forward will not be easy, but it is the only way."
Kael nodded, though his thoughts were tangled. The mark felt like an insistent, living thing within him—alive, pressing against his skin, demanding attention. But what was it? How could something so powerful be contained? He had no answers, only questions that seemed to multiply by the minute.
Eldric moved toward a nearby shelf, his gnarled fingers tracing the spines of ancient books. He pulled one free and handed it to Kael. "This is a record of those who came before you," the old man explained. "It contains knowledge of the mark's origins, and more importantly, the ways in which it can be controlled. But it is not enough to simply read about it. You must experience it for yourself."
Kael took the book, feeling the weight of it in his hands. The leather cover was worn, and the pages inside crackled with age. But there was something more to it—the book pulsed with a faint energy, like it was alive, just like the mark. Kael's fingers brushed against the cover, and for a brief moment, the mark on his hand flared, its warmth spreading through him.
"You must begin your training now," Eldric said. "The first trial will test your mind. The power of the mark is tied to your emotions, your mental state. You must learn to calm yourself, to push aside fear and doubt."
Kael swallowed, the weight of the words sinking in. The first trial? What could it possibly entail?
Vasra stepped forward, her face serious. "You must understand that the mark will only grow stronger as your emotions grow stronger. If you cannot control your feelings, you will lose control of the power."
Kael clenched his fists, his heart pounding. He could feel the truth in her words. Every time he felt fear or anger, the mark seemed to respond, becoming more intense, more insistent. He had to learn how to tame it, or it would overwhelm him.
Eldric motioned for Kael to follow him. "Come. The first trial begins now."
They moved deeper into the sanctuary, passing through a narrow stone corridor that seemed to pulse with an energy Kael could not describe. The air grew colder the further they went, and soon they arrived at a small, circular room. The walls were covered in more of the strange symbols Kael had seen earlier.
"Sit," Eldric instructed, pointing to a cushion in the center of the room. "You will begin by meditating. Clear your mind, and focus only on the mark. Let its power flow through you, but do not allow it to consume you."
Kael hesitated but obeyed. He sat down cross-legged on the cushion, the cool stone floor pressing against his legs. His hands rested on his knees, his breathing slow and measured. He closed his eyes, trying to focus, but all he could think about was the mark. It burned beneath his skin, its heat radiating through his hand, and suddenly the memories of the battle with the Shadowborn surged back—its growl, its claws, the surge of power that had exploded from him.
His mind raced. He couldn't concentrate. The mark was too much. His emotions—fear, uncertainty, confusion—pressed against him, making it harder to focus. But then, he heard Eldric's voice, calm and steady, breaking through the chaos of his thoughts.
"Focus on your breath," Eldric instructed. "In and out. Breathe deeply. Let the power within you settle. It is not your enemy, but a part of you. Control it, and it will obey."
Kael took a shaky breath, trying to calm himself. He forced his mind to clear, focusing on his breathing, inhaling deeply through his nose and exhaling slowly through his mouth. The heat from the mark seemed to intensify for a moment, but Kael pushed it aside, focusing only on the rhythm of his breath.
The seconds turned to minutes, and Kael began to feel something shift. The burn of the mark softened, and the frantic pulse of its energy began to slow. His breath grew deeper, more measured, and with each exhale, the power within him seemed to calm.
He didn't know how long he sat there, but eventually, he felt a stillness inside—a quiet place where the power of the mark didn't overwhelm him. It was there, just beneath the surface, but now it felt controlled, restrained.
Kael opened his eyes, blinking against the dim light of the room. He was surprised to find that the mark on his hand had stopped pulsing. The heat was gone.
Eldric was standing nearby, watching him closely. "Well done," he said, his voice approving. "You've passed the first trial. The mark reacts to your emotions, but you have learned to control it. This is the first step toward mastering it."
Kael let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He felt a mixture of relief and pride. But there was no time to rest. He knew this was only the beginning.
Vasra stepped forward, her eyes steady. "The first trial is only the beginning. The next step will be much harder. But if you can continue to control the mark, you'll grow stronger. Remember, the mark feeds on your emotions. If you let them control you, the mark will too."
Kael nodded, his mind still buzzing from the experience. He had taken the first step, but he knew that the trials ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine. The journey was just beginning, and there was no turning back.