The Weight of Power

Panic flickered in Alex's mind as he struggled to understand the situation. His breath came in short, uneven gasps, but his thoughts were interrupted when his gaze shifted back to Sol.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the sight before him.

"Sol ?" Alex whispered, his voice laced with both shock and confusion.

The scene before him was beyond comprehension. An invisible force gripped his body, holding him immobile, and Alex instinctively knew the source of it. It was Sol.

On the other side, Sol barely stood upright. His arm trembled as he stretched it forward, fingers splayed wide. His hand was enveloped in a vibrant purple energy, starkly different from his usual blue aura.

What was even more shocking was Sol's condition. He was barely conscious, his black eyes rolling back as though he were on the verge of collapsing. It was sheer willpower keeping him upright.

His breaths were heavy and labored, his chest heaving with every intake of air. The world around him was dark; his vision had long since faded to black. Yet, he endured.

Then, with a final, shuddering gasp, Sol's strength gave out.

[THUD]

He collapsed face-first onto the ground, unconscious. The grip on Alex's body dissipated instantly. Gasping, Alex stumbled forward, free at last. He stretched his limbs, testing his range of motion, his green eyes wide with lingering amazement.

Finally steadying himself, Alex cautiously approached Sol's prone form. The boy lay motionless, his face pale and drenched in sweat. Scratching the back of his head, Alex muttered under his breath, his eyes darting over Sol's small, frail figure. 

"What the hell?"

****

The morning sunlight streamed through the narrow corridor as two figures walked side by side. Captain Dominus's imposing presence dominated the space, his stern expression exuding an air of authority and pride. Beside him walked Jaz, her shiny black hair and deep black eyes gleaming under the light. Her steps were confident, her demeanor exuding strength and determination.

"I heard he learned to manipulate his aura. Is that true?" Dominus asked, his voice calm yet carrying an edge of authority.

Jaz nodded slightly. "Yes, Captain. But he still has a long way to go." Her tone was light yet respectful, her words carrying a hint of pride.

Dominus's lips curled into a rare smirk. "Impressive." The word lingered in the air. To master aura manipulation was no small feat, and Sol had achieved it in just four months—a feat that would earn him the title of "Prodigy" in the Imperial Academy. In Dominus's mind, Sol had already earned that status.

Jaz's eyes flicked toward Dominus, her steps faltering for a brief moment. It was uncommon—unsettling, even—to see the Captain wear an expression of amusement.

Yet, she said nothing as they continued down the corridor, stopping before a large metallic gate, its surface etched with ancient runes that seemed to pulse with their own inner light.

Dominus turned to face his companion, his golden eyes searching her face.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" 

Dominus asked, his golden eyes locking onto Jaz. His voice was calm, but there was an underlying seriousness to his question.

Jaz hesitated briefly before nodding firmly. "Yes." Her voice wavered for a fraction of a second, but her resolve quickly overcame any lingering doubts.

Dominus studied her for a moment before placing his hand on the imprint etched into the metallic door. Golden energy radiated from his palm, flowing into the intricate markings. With a resonating hum, the massive door began to open, revealing the room beyond.

Jaz's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she watched.

Aura Signature?

There were three core practices for any warrior: [ Aura Manipulation ] , [ Aura Signature ], and [ Aura Armament ]. 

To master all three was to earn the coveted title of Aura Master. There were only seven such masters in the Central Lands, and Dominus was one of them. 

Jaz wasn't surprised by Dominus's mastery of Aura; his reputation as an Aura Master was an well-known fact. What caught her off guard was how he used his Aura Signature to open the metallic door. This meant no one else could access the chamber but him. 

A flood of curiosity rose within her. She had passed by this door before, but it had never opened like that. So Why now?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the door creaked open, revealing a breathtaking sight. The room beyond shimmered with a metallic brilliance, unlike any other quarters on the ship. 

The walls shimmered with a metallic luster, and at the center was a large sparring arena designed to withstand even the most intense aura combat. The scale and craftsmanship of the room were breathtaking.

As they stepped into the arena, Dominus turned to Jaz, his expression growing serious. 

"You know the rules." His voice was cold, his golden eyes hard as steel. "There are none. Even killing is allowed....So come at me with everything you have."

Jaz hesitated for a moment, her body tense. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. This was no ordinary sparring match. It was a true battle, a test of her strength and resolve.

Memories of her recent encounters flooded her mind: the harrowing battle with Grak, the relentless pursuit of the Artifact, the Imperial Order, and the looming dangers of the Borderlands ahead. Each ordeal had tempered her resolve, honing her determination like a blade forged in fire.

I need to become strong. No!… I must become strong.

Her resolve hardening. Her black eyes turned cold, a reflection of her unyielding intent. Crimson aura erupted from her body, dense and fiery, radiating a palpable killing intent.

Dominus smirked at the display. The tension in the air grew thick as her aura surged, pressing against him like an invisible blade. Yet, he didn't flinch. He had faced foes far more fearsome, their sharper killing intent and power...greater.

"Good"

He said, his voice low and approving. Golden aura flared around him, vast and overwhelming, swallowing Jaz's crimson energy in an instant. The sheer magnitude of his power was suffocating, a reminder of the chasm between them.

Suddenly, Dominus's expression shifted. He stiffened, his golden eyes narrowing as he glanced upward. A sharp, familiar but strange sensation coursed through him. His heartbeat quickened, and for a brief moment, his focus wavered.

Jaz seized the opening. Without a moment's hesitation, she lunged forward, her movements a blur of speed and precision. With a sharp, fluid motion, her hand carved through the air, unleashing a crimson arc of energy. The slash blazed toward Dominus, crackling with raw power as it ripped through the arena with lethal intent.

Dominus smirk deepened as he refocused, his golden aura surging, radiating an unshakable dominance. With a casual flick of his aura-infused hand, he deflected the crimson slash effortlessly, as though swatting away a mere inconvenience. 

The attack veered off course, crashing into the wall behind him with a resounding impact, leaving a jagged mark etched into the surface.

However, the mark didn't last. The wall seemed to shimmer momentarily before absorbing the energy, the damage vanishing as if it had never existed.

"Not bad," Dominus said, his voice steady but genuine. There was no mockery in his tone—only acknowledgment.