N/A:I'm going to update this chapter tomorrow. The translation took 1,000 words, and I don't want to lose quality. But I have outside duties. I'll review it tomorrow. Thanks for your patience.
Darkness had swallowed me whole, but I jolted back to reality with a gasp.
Waking from that nightmare, I scanned the room—my room. A throbbing headache spun my vision blurry.
From the doorway, the clatter of a silver tray. A damp cloth slid from the bowl as I turned, and then—her. No one in this world I'd rather see first. Finn.
—Hey Finn, how's—
Before I could finish, she lunged into my arms, her grip trembling as tears soaked my back. When I pulled back, the shadows under her eyes were stark. Had she slept at all? —Finn, what happened?
Valdor entered, his voice a bucket of ice water.
—What happened is you nearly died. Your arrogance against Jannes almost killed you.
—B-but how? —My voice cracked.
—When you challenged Jannes a third time, he stopped holding back. —He pointed to a shattered wooden sword in the corner. —One blow fractured your skull. That toy snapped your ribs.
My throat dried up. No words came.
—Thank the sisters. They nursed you day and night in secret. —Valdor ruffled my hair. —Don't scare them like that again. Poor Finn barely slept. —He stood. —At least thank her when she wakes. I'll wait outside.
When she wakes? I looked down—Finn was already deep asleep. I lifted her onto the bed, draping the damp cloth over her forehead.
—Rest, Finn. —I whispered before leaving.
In the hallway, I nearly collided with Kenia.
—Young Marl. —She hid something behind her back. —Finally awake.
—Hey Kenia. —The bruises under her eyes mirrored Finn's.
—A relief to see you up… My sister must be overjoyed. —She averted her gaze, noticing I'd seen her exhaustion. —I must go, young Marl. Duties await.
—Oh, sure. —I shrugged. As she passed, a red vial in her hands jogged my memory. —Kenia! —She turned just as I pulled her into a hug. —Thank you. For saving me.
She said nothing, just walked away.
Outside, Valdor waited by the training field.
—Time you learned to wield your kio. —His voice was flint. —Against Jannes, that was the only difference. You struck first, but his kio outmatched yours.
I swallowed. No more arrogance. Finn's embrace had felt like a goodbye.
—To control kio, you must first understand it. —Valdor crossed his arms. —It's not just energy inside us. It's the essence of existence itself. In everything you see, touch… even the air you breathe.
I struggled to focus, my mind still replaying the fight.
—Everything?
—Everything. —A faint smile. —Not just living things. Earth, water, fire… even inanimate objects.
That made me blink.
—Objects? But… if they're not alive, how?
—Because kio isn't life. It's the force shaping the world's causality. Objects can't wield it—only endure our manipulation.
His words settled like puzzle pieces. The superhuman warriors, the nightmare beasts—all kio's work. Was this why technology never thrived here? Narnesians had molded kio instead of machines.
I met Valdor's gaze, a new unease stirring.
—So… kio is everything?
He shook his head.
—No. Matter and kio are distinct. Physical laws still govern all… though kio bends them. But it's the cornerstone.
A chill crawled down my spine. This wasn't just combat training. It was learning to harness the world's foundation.
—Kio manifests in three forms. —Valdor's voice rumbled. —First: natural kio.
—Natural kio?
—The energy in plants, water, air. It sustains life. We absorb it passively—through breath, drink, food. Nonessential for survival, but vital for our nature.
Something nagged at me.
—If we absorb it, why can't we use it like our own kio?
—Natural kio isn't fully compatible. Our cells assimilate it, but effects like plant regeneration? Beyond us without refinement. —Valdor's gaze dropped. —When Jannes crushed your skull, we used passionflower extract to save you.
The red vial in Kenia's hands. I almost smiled.
—I've read stories of warriors drinking potions. Do they harness natural kio?
—Exactly. —Valdor nodded. —Kinetics refine it into elixirs. Since we can't manipulate it directly, these potions borrow properties—healing, stamina. Crucial for grave injuries. —His eyes flicked to my chest, where Jannes' dagger had once pierced.
—But there's a cost. —His voice hardened. —Natural kio isn't meant for us. It forces accelerated healing, leaving internal scars. Like whipping a tired horse. Overuse corrodes the body. That's why I forbid potions for minor wounds or fatigue.
The implication hit. Soldiers in tales grew weak, their bodies rotting from dependency.
—That's why your training's been raw. Rely on potions, and your muscles forget how to grow. A quick fix that steals your future strength. —He locked eyes with me. —I only allowed Finn to give you kai tea. Just enough to function without true healing.
I nodded shakily.
—I understand.
Valdor held my gaze, then grunted approval.
—Good. Because this is just the beginning.
—Now we discuss animal kio —Valdor said, shifting topics with grave emphasis.
I adjusted my posture, still processing the revelations about natural kio.
—The kio of beasts?
—Exactly —he affirmed—. Unlike natural kio that merely flows through the environment, animal kio is aggressive. It doesn't just sustain life—it mutates it. Strengthens bodies beyond natural limits.
—Like the alpha beast?
Valdor's eyes lit up at my question.
—A perfect example. Alphas are ordinary creatures warped by animal kio. —He raised a calloused finger before I could interrupt—. Remember this: depending on their environment, some beasts develop extreme resilience, unnatural speed, even elemental affinities.
Visions of twisted, towering monsters flashed through my mind. I swallowed hard. So kio didn't just define life—it could reshape it. Adapt it into something monstrous.
—Moreover —Valdor continued—, parts of these creatures crystallize with dense kio. Scales tougher than steel, hides that repel blades. That's why Jannes claimed the alpha's corpse—materials from powerful beasts forge weapons and armor beyond mortal craft. And the stones? Pure energy fueling our economy.
I stared at my hands, torn between awe and dread. We didn't just have kio—we could consume it, weaponize it. If my theory was right… that god sent me here to master these very techniques.
Valdor crossed his arms, inhaling deeply.
—Which brings us to the final form of kio…
I leaned forward as his gaze sharpened.
—Reasoned kio.
—Why "reasoned"?
He planted his staff in the dirt, the wood groaning under his grip.
—Because only thinking beings can will it into form. Beasts mutate blindly, manifesting one or two crude elements. But we—and other sentient races—manipulate it deliberately. Combine affinities. Refine its flow.
—So chants are necessary?
—Not always. Jannes relies on them because he lacks sensory control. But true talents shape kio without incantations. Many mistake this for kenkai, but it's a skill anyone can develop.
—Kenkai?
—We won't delve into kenkai today—useless to teach what you lack. Focus instead on what you can learn.
The term meant nothing to me, but I nodded. For now, understanding kio was enough.
—Then how's it used?
—Reasoned kio, or controlled kio, splits into two types —Valdor raised two fingers—. First: elemental kio, which manifests primary affinities.
My pulse quickened.
—You mean people can throw fire or summon wind?
A faint smirk.
—Yes, but not as you imagine. They don't "control" elements—they transform their kio into them. Because the iron law of reasoned kio is: types cannot merge, only convert. Release raw kio into the world, and natural kio absorbs it. But transformed kio? That we command.
—And the second type?
—Control kio —he said calmly—. This reshapes kio internally. Enhances speed, strength, reflexes.
—That's it?
—Hardly —Valdor barked a laugh—. Recall how objects harbor kio? They can't wield it, but we can. Their kio resists, but overcome that resistance… —He levitated a cluster of stones effortlessly, unlike the prisoner's shaky attempt—. And you remake reality. Sharper blades. Impenetrable shields. Of course— —the stones clattered down— gravity always collects its debt.
I stared, mind racing.
—So… nothing stops me from hardening armor until it's unbreakable?
—Only your kio reserves and mastery —he grinned—. And remember: controlled enhancements aren't permanent. Release your grip, and the object reverts.
Silence settled as I absorbed this. Valdor ruffled my hair like a child grasping arithmetic.
—Some are born with external control kenkai. Their kio defies the rules—taking shapes outside their bodies.
—Doesn't that break the laws you just described?
—Absolutely —he chuckled darkly—. Kenkai overwrites causality itself. Grants random individuals impossible gifts. Some manifest as I described… others defy comprehension.
Valdor stood and extended his hand toward me.
—Now that you understand kio theory and a glimpse of kenkai… it's time you use it.
Determination burned in my chest. I clenched my fists, my eyes alight with nervous excitement.
—I'm ready.
He pulled a small spherical stone from his pocket, like a marble.
—Before teaching you kio, I must gauge your capacity —he said, rolling the gem between his fingers—. This crystal stores vast amounts of kio. Pour everything you have into it… until you collapse.
I swallowed hard.
—Until I collapse?
—Yes. It'll reveal your limits and shape your training —Valdor's smile was faint—. Doubt you'll shatter it like the Mertens twins.
I took the stone with trembling hands.
—And after this… you'll teach me to shape objects with kio?
Valdor laughed outright.
—That depends on your kenkai. Let's see what you're made of.
This was my moment. Champion of a god. Divine chosen one. Surely I'd overload this stone, awaken with three kenkais—
I closed my eyes, channeling energy through my palms, pushing with all my might.
When I opened them… the stone lay unchanged.
I blinked.
—Nothing… happened?
Valdor's brow furrowed.
—How peculiar. Perhaps you lack kio entirely.
His tone was gentle, but the words struck like a gut punch.
—But you said kio is in everything…? —My voice cracked. A lump formed in my throat. Maybe because I'm human. Not Narnestian enough.
Valdor rested a hand on my head.
—Some races are kio-blind by nature. But never a Narnestian —exactly what I didn't need to hear—. I'll investigate. For now, return to the castle. Help Finn.
I nodded numbly, each step heavier than the last. No kio at all?
Back in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, boots still on, staring at the ceiling. The physical pain was bearable. The humiliation wasn't.
Hours passed. Maybe days. The sun had set when the door creaked open.
—Marl? —Finn's voice was soft beside me.
The mattress dipped as she sat. I didn't move. Couldn't.
—Valdor told me… about your kio —she ventured.
—Here to laugh? —I spat, more bitter than angry.
—Here to help —she corrected, effortlessly pulling me upright. Her strength wasn't just physical—it was her presence. Her warmth.
—Actually, I came to teach you about the Four Forces —she took my hand, her touch sending a shiver through me—. Kio, kenkai, keno, and…
Before she finished, energy surged through me—vibrant, electric, awakening every cell. Not like before. More.
—Kai.
My body thrummed. Arms vibrating. Hair standing on end.
—You may lack kio —Finn smiled, luminous— but your body accepts kai like no other.
I gaped at my hands. They burned—not with pain, but power. Real, raw power.
—Most Narnestians can't handle a tenth of this dose —her grin turned proud—. Now, move it between your palms. Then… pull them apart.
I focused. The kai flowed like liquid lightning. When I separated my hands—
A crackling blue arc connected them, flickering like stormlight before vanishing.
I stared, trembling not from fear, but awe.
Finn hugged me then, her embrace an anchor. I clung back, whispering into her shoulder:
—Sorry for snapping at you.
—Don't be —she squeezed tighter—. I live to watch you break limits.
My face burned. I pulled away awkwardly.
—Thanks, Finn…
Her laughter was sunlight.
And in that moment, I learned a truth no world had taught me:
Not all is lost.
Sometimes, you just need a different path.
And that path…
Begins with an outstretched hand.