[The masked leader] Tsuneo gestured for the others to go ahead. We scout the eastern ridges. You with me. He led Tamotsu back towards the huge stone village gate. The two guards watched them approach, hands on weapons.
Your power, Tsuneo said as they walked, his voice calm. Ice. Pure ice, forming so fast after death? I've seen many death-gifts. Fire. Shadow. Stone skin. Speed. Common. But frosting?" He shook his head slightly. "Rare. Maybe one in a hundred years. Never seen it myself."
Tamotsu touched his chest, the cold spot pulsing softly. "Why rare?"
Don't know, Tsuneo admitted. Maybe the soul needs a special kind of cold. Or maybe the Vale reacts differently. He nodded towards the village. "Sanctuary. Big place. Safe behind walls. But safe isn't free."
"What happens inside?" Tamotsu asked, eyeing the guards.
Tournaments, Tsuneo stated. Constant fighting. The strong prove themselves. Win titles. Become protectors."
"Titles? Like what?"
Stone Warden is the main one in this village , Tsuneo explained. Strongest fighters. They go outside of the walls and hunt demons. They also keep order inside. They fight the strongest demons of the Vale. Others fight to be Ash Stalkers – scouts, hunters. Or Ember Healers – ones who can mend wounds with warmth. But Stone Warden? Top tier. Earned with fists, blades... or gifts. He glanced meaningfully at Tamotsu.
"Sounds harsh," Tamotsu muttered.
"Patience is a shield, Tsuneo said suddenly. His hand shot out like a snake, fingers stiff, aiming for Tamotsu's neck!
"Ah!" Tamotsu flinched. The icy power surged. Frost raced down his right arm, encasing it in jagged ice just as Tsuneo struck.
The blow hit the ice-arm. Tamotsu staggered back, arm numb but safe.
Tsuneo lowered his hand. Good.Instinctive defense. Speed acceptable. He took a step back. But remember Lesson One: Patience is a shield. Trust is a knife you hand away. Never drop your guard. Not even talking. He tilted his head. "Call me Tsuneo."
"Tsuneo," Tamotsu breathed, willing the ice to melt. "Got it."
"Now," Tsuneo said, turning away from the gate. "Your real training. Follow."
Tsuneo led him to a huge, open area near the village – flat stone marked by countless scrapes and burns. The Proving Ground. Where they test power. Now you.
"Focus," Tsuneo commanded. Summon your ice. Not a weapon. Just a simple shape. A sphere. Stage One: Spark. Just feel the cold, make it visible. He pointed to the ground.
Tamotsu tried. He concentrated. A wisp of frost formed on his palm. Stage One... Spark?"
Yes. Now Stage Two: Flow. Shape it. Move it. Make the sphere.
Tamotsu pushed. Frost swirled. A jagged ice lump formed, then cracked. He tried again. A misshapen ball appeared, melting fast. Sweat dripped down his temple. "It's... hard. Tiring."
Control, not force, Tsuneo said, unmoved. Feel the cold. Be the conduit. Stage Two requires focus.
Tamotsu strained harder. Head pounding. He formed another lump, slightly rounder. It took all his energy. His vision swam. His legs felt like water. "I... can't..." he gasped. The world tilted. Exhaustion slammed into him. He stumbled, tripped over his own feet, and fell forward towards the hard stone ground.
No! His mind screamed pure panic as he fell.
The icy power in his chest made an impact outwards – wild, uncontrolled, desperate.
A circle of sharp ice spikes, each as long as his forearm, erupted from the ground around him just before he hit! They formed a protective ring, points outwards.
Tamotsu thudded onto the ash inside the ring, gasping, completely drained. The spikes stood tall and deadly.
Tsuneo, who had been standing close, moved like lightning. He flowedbackwards, his cloak swirling, effortlessly avoiding the sudden forest of ice. He landed silently a few feet away, staring at the spikes. Not just surprised. Shocked.His masked gaze locked onto the perfectly formed defensive ring.
"Stage Three: Manifest..." Tsuneo murmured, almost to himself. "From nowhere... uncontrolled... and defensive?" He stepped closer, examining the spikes. "Not just on you... pulled from the Vale itself?" He looked down at the exhausted Tamotsu, a new intensity in his voice.
What are you? Stage Three Manifestation... by accident?" He crouched. "Rest. Then we talk. This changes things.