Chap 12

Lumen is sitting on his bed, the faint morning light streaming through the window of the house where they're resting. He stares at the floor, his hands resting on his knees.

Lumen: (Whispering to himself) "I remember that night…"

As Lumen continues staring at the floor, the scene begins to shift. The room transforms into a dark, filthy, cold place. A man lies on the ground, covered in blood, sobbing quietly.

Vessel: (Whispering, almost inaudible) "Please… end it…"

Lumen approaches slowly, a look of compassion on his face. He kneels beside the vessel, extending his hand.

Lumen: "I can help you… Let me heal you."

Vessel: (Wailing, tears streaming down his face) "I can't take it anymore… Please, just… make it stop."

Lumen hesitates, his gaze fixed on the broken man before him. The pain and despair on the vessel's face move him deeply.

Lumen: (Gently) "You don't have to suffer anymore. I can end your pain, but I need you to trust me."

Vessel: (In a trembling whisper) "Do it… make it stop…"

Lumen closes his eyes, focusing. He places his hand on the vessel's chest, channeling his energy. A soft blue light begins to emanate from his hand, enveloping the man's body.

Lumen: "I'm so sorry… I promise your pain ends now."

The vessel looks at Lumen with tear-filled eyes, but a quiet acceptance settles in his gaze. Lumen continues channeling his energy, gently subduing the vessel's soul with a compassionate touch as he takes over the body with the same tenderness. The light intensifies until the man's body stills, the pain finally fading from his face.

Lumen, still kneeling, watches as the light dissipates. He feels the weight of responsibility settle over him, but a firm resolve grows within.

Lumen: (Whispering) "Your fight is over. Now it's my turn to bear this burden."

The scene returns to the present. Lumen opens his eyes in the room, a determined look on his face.

Takeru is training outdoors, his relaxed posture contrasting with the intensity in his eyes as he focuses. Niori watches from a distance, her expression thoughtful.

Niori: (Thinking) "Takeru always seems so carefree…"

Takeru finishes opening a sequence of portals in front of him—five ahead and one behind—then drops his stance, panting heavily and sweating. He notices Niori watching and grins.

Takeru: "Hey, Niori. Thinking about challenging me?"

Niori: (Smiling back) "Maybe another day. I'm just trying to figure out your technique."

Takeru: "Oh, it's simple. It's just about not overthinking it. Let the soul act on its own."

Niori: (Serious) "And when the body fails? What's left?"

Takeru: (Pausing briefly, thoughtful) "…When the soul fails, the mind and body have to step up. It's a dance, you know? All three in harmony."

Niori nods, pensive. Takeru notices the seriousness on her face.

Takeru: "Hey, Niori. What's bothering you?"

Niori: (Sighing) "Nothing… it's just that all this feels so heavy. The fight, the future… the feeling that we're always one step behind Genesis. I feel like we're going to fail, and I keep wondering how you all seem so okay."

Takeru: "It's simple—we're not. Everyone here is fighting their own battle. Each of our souls is going through a storm; we just manage to hide it."

Niori feels as if something clicks inside her, as if everything suddenly makes sense.

Niori: (Reflective) "Everyone's soul, huh…"

Takeru: "Come on, let's spar. You look like a truck ran you over, all mopey like that."

Niori flashes a defiant smile, her mood lifting slightly.

Niori, smiling: "Think I'd lose to you?"

The two head to the field, standing three meters apart, ready for combat. Niori gives a small, euphoric grin, while Takeru laughs confidently.

Niori charges quickly, throwing two punches. Takeru blocks both and tries a backhand strike. Niori ducks, landing an uppercut right after. Takeru stumbles back slightly, his sweat and worried grin evident. Niori sweeps his legs, knocking him down, then springs up fast.

Niori: "Told you I wouldn't lose, haha!"

Takeru quickly performs two hand seals, creating a portal beneath him and falling through.

Niori, surprised: "That little—" (looking around) "Where'd he go?"

Takeru, laughing: "Right here!"

Niori looks up to see Takeru descending with a kick. She dodges narrowly, losing her balance. Takeru opens a portal behind her, and she falls through, landing where he had fallen earlier. She hits the ground, starts to get up, and looks up to see Takeru pointing two fingers at her like a gun.

Takeru, grinning wide: "Pew!"

Niori flops back onto the ground, laughing.

Niori: "Looks like you're not as weak as you used to be, huh?"

The scene shifts to Izumi and Leonhart sitting at a wooden table in the center of the training field. The distant sounds of training battles echo around them. Both are exhausted from intense practice.

Izumi: (Sighing, gazing at the horizon) "Leonhart, sometimes I wonder if all this is worth it. Every day seems to pull us further from the peace we're after."

Leonhart: (Thoughtful) "Peace isn't something you achieve without sacrifice. I had to lose my family to learn that. The fire that took my wife and kids showed me how fragile life is. But it also taught me that giving up isn't the only path."

Izumi: "I know what you went through was awful. I can't imagine your pain. But sometimes it feels like we're fighting something we can't beat. Genesis is… different."

Leonhart: (Firmly) "Genesis is powerful, but not invincible. He's a reminder of what happens when someone loses their humanity for absolute power. That's why we need to be better, stronger—not just physically, but morally. You can't achieve anything if you don't know your own morals."

Izumi: (Reflecting) "You're right. Brute strength won't cut it. We need strategy, trust in each other, and an understanding of our own weaknesses."

Leonhart: (Smiling faintly) "Exactly. That's where our training comes in. Every strike, every fall teaches us something new. Today's pain is tomorrow's strength."

Izumi: (Smiling back) "Let's focus on improving as a team. Fighting not just for ourselves, but for each other. We need to trust that our souls are connected in this purpose."

Leonhart: (Nodding) "And never forget that, despite everything, we're still human. Our humanity is our greatest strength. That's Genesis's weakness—he's lost his."

The scene moves to the training field, set and ready. Izumi, Takeru, Niori, Lumen, and Leonhart take their positions. The sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the field.

Lumen: (Raising his hand) "Let's begin. Remember, this is training, but treat it like a real fight. Let's see how much you've improved."

Izumi and Takeru exchange a determined glance. Niori closes her eyes briefly, opening them with a sigh, her calm and focus unshakable.

Leonhart: (Nodding) "Here we go."

Leonhart strikes first, unleashing a torrent of flames at Izumi. Izumi counters with a void beam, consuming the fire. Takeru seizes the distraction to open a portal behind Leonhart, appearing suddenly to attack.

Takeru: (Grinning) "Surprise!"

Leonhart turns just in time to block Takeru's strike with a wall of fire. Niori spots a slight hesitation and attacks from the other side, forcing Leonhart to split his focus.

Niori: (With a battle cry) "Here I come!"

Meanwhile, Lumen channels electrical energy, slamming his hands into the ground to form multiple lightning bolts that arc toward Izumi, creating an electric cage around him. Izumi, however, uses his Divine Art, detonating an orb to carve a momentary path through the lightning, charging at Lumen.

Izumi: (Determination in his eyes) "Don't think you'll trap me that easily!"

Lumen smirks, recognizing Izumi as a formidable foe. He fires a concentrated lightning bolt, which Izumi narrowly dodges, countering with a void energy blast before rushing in with void-imbued fists.

On the other side of the field, Takeru and Niori team up to pressure Leonhart. Takeru opens strategic portals to redirect Leonhart's fire attacks, while Niori uses her agility to strike and evade his counters.

Takeru: (Laughing) "Looks like we're getting you, Leonhart!"

Leonhart: (Breathing heavily) "Don't get cocky. I'm just warming up!"

Leonhart gathers a large amount of flame in his hands, unleashing an explosion that forces Takeru and Niori back. But Niori feels something odd. She begins sensing everyone's souls more clearly, as if they're somehow linked.

Niori: (Confused) "I… can feel everything…"

She taps into this newfound ability to anticipate her allies' and opponents' movements, adjusting her strategy in real-time. It gives her an edge, letting her dodge attacks and create openings for her team.

Niori: (Shouting) "Izumi, right side! Takeru, portal!"

Izumi and Takeru follow Niori's lead, catching Leonhart off guard. Izumi capitalizes on a moment when Lumen is regaining his stance to fire a void beam from the right, while Takeru opens a portal beneath Niori.

Takeru: (With a confident, mischievous grin) "Up you go!"

Leonhart looks up, spotting the portal overhead but not seeing Niori, leaving him briefly puzzled. In the next instant, Niori appears behind him, landing a solid kick that throws him completely off balance.

Leonhart: (Smiling, impressed) "That's teamwork!"

Lumen, seeing Niori's new skill in action, shifts his focus to her. He concentrates a powerful bolt and hurls it her way. Niori senses his intent through his soul and dodges at the last second, the bolt scorching the ground where she stood.

Lumen: (Frustrated) "You're becoming a problem, Niori."

Niori: (With a defiant smile) "That's what I do best."

The fight rages on fiercely, with everyone showing marked improvement. Izumi is more efficient with his void abilities for both defense and offense. Takeru is quicker and more tactical with his portals. Niori is mastering her soul-sensing, making her an unpredictable opponent.

Lumen is interrupted by Izumi, who keeps attacking to hold Lumen's attention but gets knocked back by a kick. Rising, he realizes he can't sustain his void fists much longer—they drain too much Ether and demand constant focus.

Izumi: "Screw it! All or nothing!"

Izumi extends his arm, trying to summon his katana. It begins to take shape, but his focus wavers, and he collapses. Lumen fires a lightning bolt that hits him square on. Izumi screams in pain and blacks out on the field. Lumen quickly advances on Niori, who was mid-strike to aid Leonhart. He lands a flying kick, knocking her down. Leonhart then drops Takeru with a punch. Takeru struggles to open another portal, nearly linking it to the one above Leonhart from earlier, but overexerts himself and falls unconscious.

Finally, after a long and grueling session, Lumen raises his hand, signaling the end.

Lumen: (Panting, but pleased) "That's enough for today. You all showed incredible progress."

Leonhart: (Breathing heavily, smiling) "Agreed. We're on the right track."

The chapter closes with everyone asleep, exhausted but with visible, significant progress.