[Training in the Abyss]

The days blurred together as I trained under Lirael's watchful eye. I was learning to control the Abyss, but it wasn't as easy as I had hoped. Every time I thought I had a handle on it, something would go wrong. It was like trying to hold onto a wild beast that was determined to break free.

Lirael was patient, though. She never lost her temper, never showed frustration. She simply watched me, observing every mistake, every struggle, and every small victory.

"We'll start with something simple," she told me one morning, her voice steady. "Close your eyes."

I obeyed, trying to calm my breathing. The air in the room felt heavy, thick with the energy of the Abyss. It was always there now, swirling just beneath my skin, like a beast waiting for its chance to strike.

"Focus on your breathing," she continued. "Slow it down. Feel the air fill your lungs and empty out again. Don't fight it. Let the Abyss be a part of you, but don't let it control you."

I nodded, trying to follow her instructions. But as soon as I focused on my breath, the Abyss began to stir. It was like a ripple in the calm waters of my mind. At first, it was small, a faint whisper, but it quickly grew louder. The pressure in my chest tightened, and my skin began to burn.

I gritted my teeth, trying to push it down. But the Abyss wouldn't be ignored. It pushed harder, taking hold of my senses, clouding my thoughts.

I opened my eyes, gasping for air. "I can't do it," I muttered, my hands trembling.

Lirael was still watching, her face calm. "You're trying too hard. The more you resist, the stronger it becomes. You can't fight the Abyss. You have to learn to let it flow through you."

I wiped the sweat from my brow. "How am I supposed to let it flow through me without losing control?"

"It's a balance," she replied. "The Abyss is powerful, yes, but it's also unpredictable. If you try to force it, you'll only make things worse. Let it in, but don't let it take over. You have to guide it, not fight it."

I closed my eyes again, trying to relax. The Abyss was still there, lurking just beneath my thoughts, but this time, I tried to let it be. I didn't push it away. I didn't try to force it into submission. Instead, I let the energy flow through me like a current, feeling it spread through my veins.

For a moment, it was calm. The pressure in my chest eased, and the burning sensation faded. I opened my eyes again, feeling a little lighter.

Lirael nodded. "Better. But don't get too comfortable. The Abyss is not something you can ever truly tame. It's a part of you, but it will always be a danger."

I frowned. "So, what's the point of all this training? If I can't control it, what am I supposed to do?"

"You can learn to live with it," she said. "You don't need to control it perfectly. You just need to be strong enough to keep it from controlling you."

I felt a sense of frustration bubbling up inside me. Every time I thought I understood, I was faced with more uncertainty. How could I live with something that was always trying to consume me? How could I find peace with something that was so dangerous?

But I had no choice. The Abyss was part of me now, and if I wanted to survive, I had to learn to deal with it.

Over the next few days, Lirael taught me how to harness the Abyss without letting it overwhelm me. It wasn't easy. Every time I let it in, it felt like a battle, like I was walking on a razor's edge. One wrong move, and the darkness inside me would take over. But with each lesson, I grew a little more confident, a little more aware of the fine line I was walking.

"You're making progress," Lirael said one evening after a particularly difficult session. "But you still have a long way to go."

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, feeling exhausted. "How long will this take?"

Lirael didn't answer right away. She seemed to be considering the question. Finally, she spoke. "It's different for everyone. Some people take years to learn to control the Abyss. Others never learn at all."

I felt a knot form in my stomach. Years? I didn't have that long. The followers of the Abyss were still out there, hunting me, and I couldn't afford to waste time.

"I don't have that long," I said, my voice tight. "I need to be stronger now."

Lirael met my gaze, her eyes serious. "You're strong already, Kieran. But strength is not enough. You have to be smart. You have to understand the Abyss and how it works. Only then can you use it without being destroyed."

I clenched my fists, frustrated with myself. I wanted to be stronger. I wanted to be ready for whatever was coming, but it felt like I was moving too slowly.

"I can't wait for years to be ready," I said through gritted teeth. "I need to fight now."

Lirael's expression softened, but she didn't say anything for a moment. Then, she spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "You'll fight when the time is right. Until then, you need to focus on learning. The Abyss is not something to rush into."

I stared at her, frustration bubbling in my chest. But as much as I hated it, I knew she was right. I couldn't just jump into battle without understanding what I was up against. I had to be patient, even though every part of me wanted to charge ahead.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Okay. I'll keep training. But I don't have much time."

"You're learning quickly," Lirael said, giving me a small, approving nod. "But you're right—time is not on your side. You need to be prepared. And the followers of the Abyss will keep coming for you. The more you grow in power, the more dangerous they'll become."

Her words sent a chill down my spine. It wasn't just about surviving anymore. It was about keeping the Abyss from consuming me before I could even figure out how to use it.

The pressure in my chest increased again, but this time, I wasn't afraid. I focused on my breath, letting the energy flow through me. The Abyss was there, but it wasn't in control. I was.

For now.