Chapter Thirteen: New Bonds, Ancient Secrets

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## Chapter Thirteen: New Bonds, Ancient Secrets

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The days following the "Black Lab" mission passed in relative calm. Laila was taken back to the Night Guard's secret hideout, where she received the necessary medical care. She slowly regained her health, and her shy smile returned to her face. As for Lux, he recovered quickly from his injuries thanks to Raven's body's capabilities, and resumed his training, but this time with a clearer goal: to master the power that emerged during his confrontation with the Dark Lord.

Lux spent a lot of time with Laila. Their relationship grew stronger day by day. Laila, with her innocence and spontaneity, reminded him of his old world, and gave him hope in this dark one.

One evening, as they sat in the shared living room of the hideout, Laila playing with a small doll Echo had given her, Lux asked her, "How are you today, Laila? Are you feeling better?"

Laila looked up, a faint smile on her lips. "I'm fine, Lux. Thank you for saving me."

"No need to thank me," Lux said, gently patting her head. "I would always do it."

Laila was silent for a moment, then said in a faint voice, "I saw him. In my dreams. The man with the mask."

Lux felt a shiver run through his body. "The Dark Lord? Did you see him clearly?"

Laila nodded slowly. "He was talking about power. Very great power. And he said that I am... a key to unlocking it."

Lux remembered Echo's words about Laila being a "human key" to the energy source. This confirmed that the Dark Lord was hunting her for a fundamental reason. "Don't worry, Laila. We won't let him hurt you again."

In the following days, Lux intensified his training. Echo focused on helping him control the new power he had shown. This energy was different, more like controlling the essence itself, not just an enhancement of physical strength.

"What is this power, Echo?" Lux asked during one training session, as his hands glowed with a faint light. "It's not just Raven's strength."

"It is the power of the soul, Lux," Echo replied, her eyes fixed on his glowing energy. "Your true soul is interacting with Raven's genetically modified body, awakening abilities the original Raven could never have dreamed of. It is the ability to manipulate energy on a fundamental level, and to adapt to any threat. It is very rare."

Lux trained to channel this energy, using it to create protective shields, or to increase the power of his attacks, or even to cause small energy explosions. It was a difficult and sometimes painful process, but he was determined to master it.