Chapter 19: Trial by Fire (And a Lot of Pain)

So, About That Training…

"So… when you said you were going to teach me how to use this power," I panted, rubbing my sore ribs, "I thought you meant, like, I don't know… with some wisdom? Maybe a training manual?"

Taro smirked, standing over me as I lay flat on my back in the middle of the Outlands' most unforgiving wasteland. "Nah. Manuals are for weaklings."

I groaned. "Great. Love that for me."

Korr, standing a few feet away with his arms crossed, looked unimpressed. "You walked right into that one."

I pointed at him weakly. "Shut up."

Taro stretched, yawning. "Alright, kid. You wanna learn how to actually use the power of the fallen? Then get up."

I let out an exhausted laugh. "Oh, sure, let me just casually stand up after getting obliterated for the last hour."

Taro sighed. "Fine. If you won't stand, I'll motivate you."

I barely had time to register what he meant before a freaking energy blast slammed into my chest, sending me flying into a rock.

Korr winced. "Oof."

I groaned. "WHY ARE ALL MY TEACHERS LIKE THIS?!"

Taro smirked. "Because pain is the best teacher."

I coughed. "What about kindness?"

"Kindness won't stop a Shadow Saiyan from eating your soul."

"…Fair point."

---

Unlocking the Power of the Fallen (The Hard Way)

"Alright," Taro said, crouching next to me as I sat up. "Here's the thing, kid. You've got raw power. Stupid amounts of it. But you're using it wrong."

I frowned. "Wrong how?"

"You're treating it like an energy reserve. Like something you pull from when you need a boost."

"…Isn't that how it works?"

Taro flicked my forehead. Hard.

"Ow! What the hell, man?"

"The power of the fallen isn't just energy—it's connection." Taro leaned in, his gaze sharp. "Every warrior who ever held this power left behind their instincts, their knowledge, their will."

I blinked. "Wait… so, you're saying—"

Taro smirked. "You don't just have their power. You have them."

My stomach dropped. "Like… they're inside me?"

Taro raised an eyebrow. "That is how this works, yes."

I rubbed my temples. "Great. Just what I needed. A bunch of dead Saiyans haunting me."

Taro grinned. "Better get used to it. 'Cause if you learn how to channel them properly, you'll unlock something even Xyros doesn't have."

I tilted my head. "And that is?"

Taro's grin widened. "A real fighting style."

---

The First Test: Syncing with the Fallen

"So let me get this straight," I said, stretching. "You want me to let the voices of a thousand dead Saiyans take over my body and hope they don't wreck me in the process?"

Taro clapped his hands together. "Exactly."

Korr sighed. "This is a bad idea."

I threw up my hands. "Thank you! Finally, someone with a brain."

Taro rolled his eyes. "Relax. You won't lose control. The trick is learning to let them guide you without them overriding you."

I exhaled. "Alright, fine. What do I do?"

Taro crossed his arms. "Close your eyes. Reach into the power."

I frowned but did as he said. As soon as I focused, I felt it—the swirling energy within me. The weight of history pressing against my soul.

And then, voices.

At first, they were whispers—distant, barely understandable. But as I reached deeper, they grew louder.

"Stand tall, warrior."

"Your fists are not just yours. They are ours."

"Let go of hesitation. Strike as we once struck."

I inhaled sharply. My heartbeat slowed. My muscles felt… lighter.

I opened my eyes.

And suddenly, I wasn't just me anymore.

---

Fighting Like a Legend

Taro didn't waste time. The moment I showed any sign of syncing, he attacked.

He moved fast, but I moved faster.

I ducked under his first strike without thinking, my body shifting into a stance I had never used before. My arms moved on their own, my body reacting before my brain even processed the danger.

Taro smirked. "Not bad."

He launched a flurry of punches. I dodged each one with a precision that felt unnatural—not because it was too fast, but because it was too instinctive.

I wasn't thinking.

I was flowing.

Then, without warning, my body lunged forward—my fist glowing with golden energy—

BOOM!

The ground cracked beneath me as my punch connected with Taro's block, the force sending a shockwave through the air.

Taro laughed.

"That's what I'm talking about!"

I stepped back, breathing hard. "That was… weird."

Taro nodded. "That's what happens when you stop fighting like just you and start fighting like all of them."

I clenched my fists. The power—the flow—it was insane.

I wasn't just stronger.

I was smarter. Faster. Every move felt natural, like I had fought a thousand battles before.

Because, in a way… I had.

Korr exhaled. "Alright. That's terrifying."

Taro grinned. "And we're just getting started."

---

Twist Incoming…

We spent the next few days training, and each time I tapped into the power of the fallen, it became easier. The hesitation faded. The techniques became mine.

But something was still off.

I could feel it.

And then, one night—

I had a dream.

Or maybe… a memory.

I stood on a battlefield, surrounded by flames. Bodies littered the ground. And in the distance, I saw him.

A figure, shrouded in darkness, golden eyes gleaming like Xyros'—but stronger.

Older.

He turned, looking directly at me.

And then, in a voice colder than death itself—

"You are not ready."

I woke up in a cold sweat.

Something was coming.

Something worse than Xyros.

And if I wasn't ready?

Then I'd be the last of the fallen.

---

Next Time on Ancient Legends…

The mystery deepens!

What was that dream?!

And what does Taro really know?!

Find out next time on Ancient Legends!