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"Focus, Cael! Focus!" Eldrod's voice cut through the haze of pain, sharp and piercing. His words felt like a whip, snapping across Cael's mind, keeping him from falling into the abyss of agony.
Boom!
The energy inside Cael surged, vibrating the very air around him. Every nerve in his body screamed in protest. His vision blurred as pain flared in his chest, and his bones felt like they were cracking. Sweat poured from him in torrents, his clothes sticking to his skin like they were drenched in oil.
"How long?" Cael gritted through his teeth, unable to hold back the scream that clawed at his throat. His hands clenched into fists, the pain almost unbearable, but the strange, fiery energy still surged, demanding to be controlled.
Eldrod stood by, his hands clasped behind his back, watching Cael with an intensity that made Cael's skin crawl. "You're barely scratching the surface, boy. The cleansing will take time. You're reshaping your entire foundation. This is where true power begins."
Cael hissed, his body shaking. "This... this isn't right!" His voice cracked as a pulse of agony sent him to his knees. "It's too much! I can't take it!"
Eldrod didn't flinch. "You've already decided to walk this path. No one told you it would be easy." He stepped forward, his hand resting on Cael's trembling shoulder. "But remember, Cael, this pain is the key. You want power, don't you? Then you must endure this."
Cael closed his eyes, grinding his teeth together, trying to focus through the excruciating fire burning within him. He could feel the power surging through his body—raw, untamed, and wild. But he couldn't control it. Not yet.
Bang!
The ground beneath him cracked, the energy surging outward, breaking apart the stone beneath his hands. Cael gasped, forcing himself back to his feet, his vision swimming. His arms trembled under the weight of it all.
"Get it together!" Eldrod's voice was hard as iron. "Don't you dare give up now. You're still weak, but if you survive this, if you control it, your foundation will be stronger than anything you've ever felt."
Cael's breathing was ragged, but he nodded. "I won't... I won't quit."
"Good," Eldrod said, a rare smile curving his lips. "Now, take control."
With an enormous bang, the air seemed to ignite as Cael's body exploded forward, surging with power he couldn't yet contain. The energy within him roared like a beast, clawing at him, demanding release.
The sudden surge knocked Cael off his feet, but instead of crumpling, he clenched his jaw and forced his body to respond. His legs shook as he stood, but something in him clicked. He could feel the energy shifting, flowing through him, winding itself tighter, until—
Hisssss!
The surge of power, like a wave crashing over him, pulsed through Cael's body. It felt like liquid fire running through his veins, but now, he could control it. It wasn't a chaotic storm anymore. It had a direction. A purpose.
"That's it!" Eldrod shouted, his voice thick with approval. "You've done it! You've focused the Qi!"
Cael's breath hitched. "It... feels different."
"It should," Eldrod replied, his voice softer now, as he stepped closer. "The process of cleansing is painful, yes. But now, it's working. You're shaping the foundation of your power."
Cael winced, trying to adjust to the steady flow of energy inside him. It still hurt, but it wasn't as intense. He could feel it settling, solidifying. His body was becoming stronger—more refined.
"Don't get too comfortable, though," Eldrod added, eyes narrowing. "This is just the beginning. There's more."
Cael shook his head, his body shaking from both exertion and relief. "More? What do you mean more?"
Before Eldrod could answer, the ground beneath them shifted with a low growl.
Cael snapped his head up just in time to see a massive shadow sweep across the clearing. His eyes widened in disbelief as a creature appeared from the shadows. It was enormous—far larger than any animal Cael had ever seen. A beast with scales that glittered like molten metal, its eyes glowing a haunting red.
Cael's heart skipped a beat. "W-What is that?"
"Your next trial," Eldrod said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You've cleansed your body, but now you must prove yourself. Defeat this beast, and you will truly begin your journey."
The creature reared its head, snapping its massive jaws in Cael's direction. It was a serpent—no, a dragon-like creature—its body coiled and coiled, a vast, writhing mass of muscle and scale.
Cael felt the pressure in his chest. His breath quickened. "I'm not ready for this! This... this thing is huge!"
"You won't know if you're ready until you face it," Eldrod replied. His voice was cold, but his eyes gleamed with something... approving. "Now fight."
The beast roared again, its massive head lunging towards Cael, teeth gleaming like daggers. It moved with terrifying speed, its body coiling to strike, the air shimmering as it cut through the space between them.
Cael didn't have time to think. He jumped backward just as the serpent's jaws snapped shut, barely missing him. He landed hard on the ground, his legs buckling from the force. The creature hissed, flicking its tail in irritation, and lunged again.
Boom!
Cael's pulse raced as he struggled to his feet, adrenaline surging through him. He couldn't let this creature get the best of him. Not after everything he'd been through.
"Dammit!" Cael swore under his breath, his chest tightening. The beast lunged again. This time, he was ready.
In an instant, Cael twisted his body, his arms glowing with the energy he'd just learned to control. He extended his hand, thrusting it forward with all the force he could muster. His Qi flared around him like a shield.
"Die!" Cael roared.
With a CRACK, the serpent's head collided with Cael's Qi-infused palm, the force of the strike sending shockwaves through the air. The serpent's head snapped back, its roar of fury echoing through the mountains. But it didn't fall. It recoiled and lashed out again, faster this time.
"Focus!" Eldrod's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and clear. "Use the power inside you! Control it!"
Cael nodded, gritting his teeth. The serpent's head came toward him again, and this time, Cael was faster. His Qi flared, and with a mighty leap, he launched himself into the air, his body powered by the energy coursing through him.
As he descended, Cael slammed his fists into the serpent's skull. The impact was like thunder. The beast screeched in pain, its body crashing to the ground, momentarily stunned.
Now was his chance.
Cael didn't waste a second. He shot forward, his body a blur of motion, every fiber of his being focused on the beast before him. His hands glowed with the power he had only just begun to master. With a roar, he plunged his fist into the creature's neck.
Boom!
The force of the strike was enough to crack the stone beneath them. The serpent's body went limp, its massive form collapsing as Cael stood over it, panting heavily.
The pain in his body was still there, but it was different now. He had won. He had claimed victory, but at a cost.
He turned to Eldrod, his breath shallow, his body aching with exhaustion. "I did it. But... I don't know how much longer I can keep going."
Eldrod stepped forward, a rare, approving smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You've done well, Cael. But this is just the start. There's much more ahead."
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