Chapter 13: Ego

The first light of dawn painted the sky in soft pinks and golds, spilling through the window of Wren's home.

The village remained quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of morning birds.

Kyoryn stirred first, blinking away the last remnants of sleep as she sat up on her cot. Across the room, Viktor lay inches off the ground.

With a mischievous smirk, Kyoryn grabbed her pillow and launched it at him.

But Viktor caught instantly and toss it back at her. Which she caught.

Viktor stopwatch drop from his sleeve before he dangling it back and forth, "Five minute game outside."

Kyoryn rolled her eyes with a smirk on her face. "Loser buy the winner something when we get money."

Viktor gently smirked. "Fine by me, I could use a new set of clothes."

Kyoryn smirked. "Okay, i believe a nice juice steak will do."

After splashing their faces with cool water from a nearby basin, the two slipped outside.

The village was still mostly asleep, the dirt roads empty except for the occasional early riser.

A gentle morning breeze ruffled Kyoryn's hair as she stretched, enjoying the crisp air.

"Let's go check the woods," she suggested. "Might be some berries or mushrooms worth picking."

Viktor shrugged. "Sure. Beats sitting around waiting for training to start."

The two made their way toward the outskirts of the village.

Kyoryn took the lead, sniffing the air. "There should be some wild berries around here. After we have our snack, then we compete to see who is the beast." said with excitement.

The morning passed quickly as they wandered, collecting small edible plants and a few nuts. Given that Viktor lost the last fight, he was mainly collecting.

After eating their spoils, Kyoryn stretched her arms over her head. "I think I'll spend the day hunting with Wren. Should be good practice."

Viktor shot her a sideways glance. "Be safe out their, without my magic you guys would have been fried?"

Kyoryn claws revealed itself. "How certain are you."

Viktor hand started dripping water, "Very." The two stared at each other with a happy going smile.

---

As they returned to the house, they found Zenith standing near the entrance, her arms crossed, her expression as unreadable as ever.

She pointed directly at Viktor. "You. Training. Now."

Viktor let out a dramatic sigh. "Guess my relaxing morning is over."

Kyoryn clapped him on the shoulder. "Have fun getting your butt kicked."

As Viktor followed Zenith, Kyoryn turned to find Wren, eager for a different kind of challenge.

---

Zenith led Viktor through the village and into a quiet clearing surrounded by trees.

The space was wide enough for combat, yet shaded enough to remain cool under the morning sun.

She turned to face him, her twin daggers gleaming at her hips. "Do you know why humans developed their own combat techniques?"

Viktor shrugged. "Of course, human don't have the same potential compared to the other races. For example, magic is originally an elven technique but human can learn it as well. But they need a book called a grimoire which is created by elven essence. Makes manner worsted they can only use a limit amount of spell otherwise their brain will explode from the inside out."

Zenith nodded slightly. "Before humans learned to fight, they were weak. Compared to elves magic, demi-humans chi, and demons curse, they lacked strength, speed, and magic. Using the other races abilities was pointless given we more or less worthless in comparison, but through discipline, they developed a method to push beyond their natural limitations. A power beyond magic."

She unsheathed one of her daggers in a flash, her grip light yet firm.

"This technique is called Ego."

In the blink of an eye, she vanished.

Viktor's eyes widened.

No...she hadn't vanished. She had moved.

Before he could react, the cold tip of a dagger pressed lightly against his throat.

Zenith stood behind him, her expression calm. "Ego enhances one's physical beyond their capacity and enhance their perceptions. It is a discipline that requires you to let your mind have full control over your body."

She stepped back, flipping her dagger before smoothly sheathing it again.

"Now," she said, gesturing at him, "attack me."

Viktor was still stun but immediately followed her request. "Don't regret this later."

He created a spiral fireball before blasting it towards her.

Zenith didn't move, not until the last possible second.

In a blur, she sidestepped next to him, grabbed his wrist, and twisted. Before he could react, she swept his legs out from under him, flipping him onto the ground and pinned the dagger next to his head.

Viktor was sweating when he turned to his own reflection on the dagger to his left.

Zenith pick up the blade before crossing her arm. "Elves will always a one on one fight with humans since they have the magic advantage...but they will have trouble against somebody who has an Ego."

Viktor pushed himself up, shaking off the dust. "Again."

For the next several minutes, Viktor threw attack after attack, each time met with flawless counters.

Zenith barely exerted herself, her movements efficient and precise. Each time he tried something new, she adapted instantly.

After a final failed attempt, Viktor flopped onto the grass, panting. "Alright. You're fast. I get it. How do I learn that?"

Zenith studied him for a moment, then reached into a small pouch at her belt. She pulled out a tiny seed, no larger than a pebble, and placed it in his hand.

"This will determine your path."

Viktor raised an eyebrow. "A seed?"

Zenith nodded. "There are three philosophies of Ego: The Assassin, who values precision and death. The Titan, who values resilience and unshakable will. And the Templar, who seeks enlightenment and balance."

She met his gaze. "I will ask you three questions. Your answers will determine which path resonates with you."

Viktor sat cross-legged on the ground, placing the seed between his palms. "Alright. Hit me with them."

Zenith's voice was as calm as ever. "First question: If you were given absolute power, what would you do with it?"

Viktor thought for a moment. "Depends. Power's meaningless unless you actually do something with it. Most people who chase it just end up miserable. If I was given the opportunity to help with that power then I would, but at same I love myself a bit too much become selfless with it."

Zenith tilted her head slightly before continuing. "Second question: If the world itself has no meaning, why continue to live?"

Viktor smirked. "Because you can make meaning for yourself. Life's pointless, sure. But that just means we get to decide what it means to us."

Zenith studied him for a long moment before asking the final question.

"Third question: If sacrifice is inevitable, who do you choose to save? Yourself, or others?"

Viktor frowned. "If you only save yourself, you're a coward. But if you always sacrifice yourself, then you are making believe that you never wanted that life in the first place. I'd choose based on what I think is right at the moment."

Silence stretched between them.

Then, warmth spread through his palms.

Viktor looked down. The seed was glowing faintly.

Slowly, before his eyes, it sprouted. A delicate white lotus bloomed in his hands, its petals pristine.

Zenith nodded. "Your soul resonates with the path of the Templar."

She stood and pulled one of her twin daggers from her belt. Without hesitation, she flipped it in her hand and extended it to him.

"Take it."

Viktor hesitated before gripping the handle. The weight was perfect despite it feeling slightly big in his hand.

Zenith's expression remained unreadable. "Training starts now."

A slow grin spread across Viktor's face.

"Good," he said. "I was just getting warmed up."