Dark & Light – Chapter 5: The Weight of Power

SNAP.

The sharp sting of a slap jolted Rai out of his spiraling thoughts. His head snapped to the side, the warmth of Vael's palm lingering on his cheek.

"Snap out of it."

Rai's breath hitched. His vision refocused, the blurred edges of his panic fading as he met Vael's piercing gaze. The Exiled Demon stood before him, arms crossed, completely unfazed.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Vael's voice cut through the silence like steel.

"What's wrong?"

Rai swallowed hard. His fingers clenched and unclenched.

"It's… the demonic energy," he muttered. "When I saw it in my hands, it—it looked just like my father's when he—"

His throat closed up.

He couldn't say it.

But Vael understood.

He exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Listen to me, kid. I'm a demon."

Rai flinched but didn't look away.

"If you can't wield demon energy, then I can't teach you the techniques I know."

Rai's breathing was still shaky, his mind caught between fear and frustration.

Vael sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Your father is a cruel bastard, but that doesn't mean all demons are. Plenty of us have given our lives to escape the war." He gestured to himself. "Look at me. I left everything behind for peace."

Rai blinked.

He had never really thought about that.

The war had been his entire world growing up. Demons and Angels hated each other. That was all he had ever known.

But here stood Vael—a demon who had abandoned war.

Maybe… not all demons were like his father.

Slowly, Rai exhaled and looked back at his hands.

The swirling dark energy still flickered there, wrapping around his palm like black fire. His fingers were steadier now.

He clenched his fists. This power didn't belong to his father. It belonged to him.

Lesson Two: Extending Energy

Vael watched as Rai steadied himself.

"Good," he said simply. "Now, let's move on."

Rai furrowed his brows. "Move on? But I haven't even—"

"You need to push your energy further," Vael interrupted. "Conjuring it is one thing. Controlling it beyond your body is another."

Rai straightened.

"What do I have to do?"

Vael stretched out a hand, palm facing outward.

"You need to extend your energy beyond your arm—make it stretch into thin air. Think of it like reaching with an invisible hand."

A faint flicker of dark mist coiled from his palm, stretching out like a long shadow before fading away.

"It's one of the basics."

Rai nodded, determination flickering in his golden and crimson eyes. He focused, feeling the familiar warmth of his light energy and the slithering cold of his dark.

He concentrated, trying to push it beyond his fingertips.

Nothing.

He clenched his teeth, trying again—harder.

Still nothing.

His hands shook with effort, sweat beading on his brow. Come on, just a little more—

The energy flickered, but it never extended.

Reality Check

Rai groaned in frustration, rubbing his temples.

"Why isn't it working?"

Vael, leaning against a nearby tree, smirked. "Because it's hard."

Rai shot him an annoyed glare. "That's not helpful."

Vael chuckled, pushing himself off the tree and walking over to him. "Listen, not even the biggest geniuses get this on their first try." He patted Rai's shoulder and motioned toward the tavern. "Come on. You need food."

Rai hesitated but followed. The moment he stepped inside, the warm glow of the candles and the scent of freshly cooked stew greeted him.

He sat down, his body exhausted, but his mind still wired with frustration.

Vael set a bowl in front of him, taking a seat across the table.

As Rai ate, Vael leaned back and observed him.

"It's a technique that takes years," Vael thought to himself. "I honestly hope this child has any form of talent… otherwise, he might be doomed."

Nightfall

The night passed quietly.

After cleaning up, both retreated to their rooms.

Rai collapsed onto his bed, his body sore from his first real day of training. Sleep came quickly.

But in the next room, Vael remained awake.

He sat by the window, staring into the darkness of the forest beyond.

Something was on his mind.

The child was young. Too young for this kind of burden.

And yet…

Vael clenched his jaw.

"If a true Hybrid exists, and his energy is balanced… maybe there really is a way to end this war."

He sighed, leaning back in his chair.

But was that even possible?

And if it was…

Would Rai be strong enough to survive it?