17. The Unseen power

The dense forest around them hummed with an eerie quiet, the air thick with anticipation. The group stood in a clearing, surrounded by ancient trees whose twisted branches seemed to bend toward them, as though the forest itself was watching. Rachel had set the pace, guiding them deeper into the heart of the wild, until they had reached a small, secluded glade. The ground here was smooth, dotted with patches of soft moss, and a strange energy seemed to linger in the air.

Rachel, as calm as ever, had stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face Sou and Rema. There was something about him now, a quiet authority that sent a ripple of unease through Sou's chest. This wasn't just another test—it felt like the turning point of their journey.

Rachel's voice broke the silence. "We've come far, but we're not ready. Not yet. The Sun King is not just a mortal with strength beyond imagination. No, he is something darker, older. To defeat him, you need more than skill with a blade or quick thinking. You need power. Real power."

Sou's heart skipped a beat. "Power? What kind of power?" His voice was laced with both curiosity and a trace of skepticism. He had already been through so much—facing strange creatures in the forest, dealing with Rachel's cryptic words, and confronting the reality that this journey was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. But now, power. Magic, even?

Rachel turned his piercing gaze on Sou. "I'm talking about magic. Spiritual power. The kind that flows from within, from the very essence of the universe. The kind that only those with the true belief in their heart can tap into. It's not just an ability—it's a force, a connection to something greater than ourselves."

Rema scoffed, crossing her arms with a shake of her head. "Magic? That's not something that just exists. Magic isn't some fairytale. It's not a child's play. You can't just... wish it into being."

Rachel's eyes twinkled with a knowing smile. "Ah, Rema, my dear. You're more wrong than you know. In this world, everything exists, if you only know how to tap into it. Magic isn't a dream or a fantasy—it's reality, and the sooner you understand that, the sooner you'll unlock your own potential. Magic, like the gods themselves, will come to your aid when you believe, when you have the courage and kindness to make it real."

Sou couldn't help but grin, despite the lingering doubt in his mind. "I knew it," he said, his voice filled with excitement. "I told you, Rema! Magic is real! You just have to believe."

Rema rolled her eyes, but there was a glimmer of uncertainty in her gaze. "Yeah, whatever," she muttered, though she couldn't completely suppress the intrigue that crept into her tone. Magic—whether she wanted to admit it or not—was something she had never truly considered, and now it was being laid before her, far more real than she had ever imagined.

Rachel turned to Sou, his expression growing more serious. "Now, we need to test your aptitude for magic. You've come this far, but before we can begin training, I need to know if you have the potential. The Sun King is no mere foe, and if you want to face him, you need to understand what kind of power you can wield."

Sou's pulse quickened. Magic. It felt so absurd, so out of his reach, but he was determined to believe. This was it. This was the key to saving everything they had fought for. He extended his hand, a sense of expectation rising within him. Rachel placed a smooth, palm-sized stone in his grasp. It was cold to the touch, rough around the edges, but something about it felt different. Alive, even.

"Hold it tightly," Rachel instructed. "And concentrate. Focus on it. Feel the energy. It's all about intent—if your will is strong, the stone will respond."

Sou's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. This is it, he thought. This is where everything changes. He closed his fingers around the stone, squeezing it with all his might. He focused on it, imagining the stone as a vessel for untapped power. Maybe fire, he mused. Or electricity. That would be cool, right?

He felt a slight tingling in his hand, a subtle warmth spreading through his fingers. But he refused to let his mind wander. He concentrated harder, willing the stone to respond. He imagined flames swirling around him, the crackle of fire at his fingertips. Or electricity arcing across his skin. Anything, he thought. Just make it work.

The air around them grew still. It was as though time itself had frozen, and in that moment, Sou felt something stir within him—something ancient and powerful. There was an undeniable presence at the edge of his senses, a force waiting to be awakened. He closed his eyes, his breathing steady, and focused on that power, willing it into existence.

And then, with a sudden burst of light, the stone in his hand began to glow. At first, it was faint—a mere flicker—but within seconds, it blazed with a bright, electric blue light. The glow was so intense that it bathed the entire clearing in its radiance, casting long shadows and illuminating the trees around them.

Sou's breath caught in his throat. The power—his power—was real.

The others watched in awe. Dr. Ren's jaw dropped, his eyes wide with astonishment. Rema, too, stood frozen, her expression a mix of disbelief and wonder. "What... what is this?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Rachel smiled, his gaze filled with approval. "You did it, Sou. The stone responded to you. It's more than just magic—it's a manifestation of your own spirit. You have the potential, the connection to the forces beyond this world. You just need to learn to harness it."

Sou looked down at the stone in his hand, the blue glow pulsing like a heartbeat. It was warm now, almost comforting, and he could feel the energy flowing through him—raw, untamed. This is real, he thought again, a thrill running through his veins. The power was in his grasp.

But then, a sudden shift in the air broke the moment. The blue light flickered, dimmed, and then faded completely. Sou's hand felt cold again, as though the magic had retreated. He looked up at Rachel, his expression full of questions.

"Don't be discouraged," Rachel said, his voice soft yet firm. "Magic doesn't reveal itself all at once. It's a process. What you've experienced today is only a fraction of what you're capable of. The key is to believe in yourself, to trust the power within you. When you do, you'll be able to channel it at will."

Rema stepped closer, her curiosity evident now. "So, does that mean we all have the potential for magic?" she asked, a note of wonder creeping into her voice.

Rachel chuckled softly. "Not all of us. Magic is personal. It responds to your heart, your spirit. Sou's potential is strong, but it will take time and practice to fully awaken. As for the rest of you..." He glanced at Rema and Dr. Ren, his expression thoughtful. "There's more than one way to harness power. Don't worry. We'll find your strengths soon enough."

Sou glanced down at his hand again, the memory of the stone's power still fresh in his mind. This was only the beginning. The journey ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet comprehend, but now he knew—he wasn't just facing a foe of strength. He was facing a battle of wills, of belief, of magic itself.

And as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the forest, the winds of change whispered through the trees. The storm was gathering, and soon, they would all be caught in its fury.