Everything’s normal so far. World Force is still building and—oh. 

I forgot how nice this was. It’s kinda warm, filling even. Honestly I’ve been wanting to eat, but I’m starting to feel full.

Why would anyone ever stop this?

Why—

A wave of nausea hit me, snapping me away from the euphoric hypnosis from before. I opened my eyes and noticed my skin glowing a bright red.

“I felt the influence,” I said. A quick glance inward showed the cluster of cores wrapped around a rebelling violet energy, thrashing near my Nexus.

“I didn’t seem any more powerful than before, at least,” Elric offered. “But I have to wonder, why does the influence show up in other energies? Why only with Body Refinement?”

We fell silent. It was a good question really, but I didn’t think it needed an answer right now. Though, I threw something out anyway. “The dogs, Luna… maybe other beasts too; they don’t seem to have the problem.”

“So just us. Just humans?” Griffith asked.

I nodded. “Seems like it.”

“We talked about this before, didn’t we?” Thea spoke up.

We turned, not sure what she was getting at.

“Well,” she began, “energy, body, and spirit right? We don’t know what comes next, but maybe to really get anywhere, you need all three.”

“What if we just kept advancing with cultivation?” Sia asked. “Would we never have been stopped?”

Thea shook her head. “That’s what I'm saying. Maybe energy alone won’t cut it eventually. Maybe we’ll need spiritual sense. Maybe a stronger body.”

“Alright,” Griffith cut in, tone sharp. “No use lingering on pure conjecture. We don’t have a problem right now, just stay alert. All we need to do is be cautious of changes.” He looked at me. “Peter. Convert the Precursor Energy.”

I glanced around, and felt the bumps in the road... Yeah, not exactly ideal conditions for a match. And unless I dropped, what, a thousand pushups? I wasn’t going to convert anything.

“Drake!” the commander shouted. “Get outside!”

I heard a groan, some half-swears, and the shuffle of someone climbing out of the cart ahead.

“Go on, Peter. Keep it quick, no need to overdo it,” Griffith added.

I nodded and jumped out.

The carriage kept moving, faster than I expected. Not quite jogging pace, but definitely brisk, like a power walk.

“What’s going on, Peter?” Drake asked groggily. Looked like I’d woken him from a nap.

“Need to do some light sparring. Light,” I emphasized.

Yawn. He rotating his neck, cracking it with several soft pops. “Alright. Let’s move a bit, I want more sleep after this.”

I had no problems with that, and what followed was a quick exchange of blows, fast and light, pushing our only our reflexes. It was easy enough to drop into autopilot. 

It wasn’t training. Just exercise for conversion.

Wyrem, I called inward, letting my body move on its own. I’ve got a question.

You need to rely on yourself more, he said, already expecting it. Luna has her training to focus on too, but it’s not just that. Depending on her to manage your energy? That’s a crutch, not a good one.

Yeah, but in battle—

In battle, use everything. Of course, he agreed.

I don’t mind helping him, Luna added.

That’s not the point, Wyrem said. Peter, your control isn’t bad, really, but stop using her to cover for your weaknesses. Same with that strange power.

“Ugh.” A foot slammed into my chest, knocking me off balance and flinging me back.

I… yeah, you’re right. I hadn’t really thought about it. Most of the fights I’d been in lately were the life-or-death kind; there was no time to reflect, no one to catch me if I slipped. But now? I wasn’t alone. I was with people who could watch my back.

I took Drake’s outstretched hand and pulled myself up.

“You finished?” he asked.

I glanced inward. The energy was calm now, violet particles softly pulsing, ready to join the flame. My skin had also returned to its usual tone. “Looks like it. Let’s head back.”

Sure, we were still heading into danger. But this kind of sparring, training on my own terms… it gave me room to breathe. To grow. To focus on actually getting stronger without the use of those special techniques.

Thanks.I wasn’t thinking about it like that, I told Wyrem.

He might be useless when it comes to information, Luna chimed in, clearly begrudging the words, but sometimes his advice isn’t total garbage.

I am a castle. A horde of absolute knowledge, Wyrem said, huffing like he was perched on some throne. You just can’t comprehend it all yet.

You’ve taught me literally nothing except that you could teach me to fly… I’M A FLOWER!

Flowers could grow wings if they tried, he declared as if it should be obvious.

I left them to that conversation, their voices fading into the back of my mind as I jogged to catch up and hopped back onto the carriage. Griffith must’ve gone up front, everyone else inside, except Trevor and Drake, were younger members.

They all had their eyes closed, immersed in cultivation.

Even Bristle—Hrzzzz. Oh, no. He was just sleeping. Curled up on Vel’s lap like he had no responsibilities in the world. He must be training some time, especially with how fast he moved in that last fight. Maybe he did by resting.

I didn’t want to interrupt the others, most of them were probably preparing to forge their Spirit Weapons. Speaking of which… I should probably look into modifying mine. Just one more thing on the ever-growing list of personal upgrades.

Still, they’d probably be more annoyed if I said nothing.

“Thea,” I called, lightly shaking her shoulder.

She stirred quickly, needing only a couple more taps before opening her eyes. “Yeah? I’m training, so just a second, okay?”

“Yeah. It’s important,” I said. “I’m going to absorb the Precursor Energy.”

Her eyes shot open like a reflex. Without hesitation, she moved to wake the others one by one, skipping only her sister. A chorus of half-asleep grumbles followed, with her voice quietly repeating, “He’s doing it now. Get ready.”

Even my dog stirred at the sound, stretching out his legs before lazily plopping down at my side like he somehow understood what was happening.

Once everyone was groggily staring at me, Thea returned and took my hand.

“We’re right here, okay? If anything happens, just know that.”

She squeezed, and I squeezed back. “Thanks. Everyone.”

I’m here too! Luna said, her voice fierce. I don’t know what you saw before, but we can handle it together. She tightened the thorns around my wrist, a gesture support.

I’d like to go see that creature myself, Wyrem added, his tone distant. But since I have no ability to, for now, I’ll stay here.

I smiled and closed my eyes, focusing everything into a single point. A needle-shaped core, sharp and sure, piercing straight into the formation that surrounded this strange new fuel.

Shatter.

#

I wish I could say the sight of exploding suns didn’t shake me. That I was used to it by now. I wasn’t. I knew what to expect, but it didn’t help.

This place, the eyes, that smile, almost like a proud parent, it radiated something just... wrong. Something impossibly still and vast. An imitation of warmth with none of the soul.

Even as its voices harmonized, my skeleton buzzed with static, and my soul shuddered.

“You’re still advancing. Even now.” Piece by piece, the porcelain face came into view. Flawless, smooth, and wrong. A perfect but improper imitation of a human being. “Do you not care what happens to your home?”

The smile stretched just a little wider.

My home? It was already gone. “You… why haven’t you killed me? Us?”

There was no anger in his voice. Just calm. “I told you last time.”

The air pressed in, thick and suffocating. I could feel something probing me, like hands without form, combing through my being.

“Oh? Congratulations.”

Nothing followed, but I couldn’t leave. Not by will or force. And strangely, he wasn’t mocking me like before. The fear, while still heavy, had started to thin, just slightly.

“You can’t interfere with us…” My eyes widened.

“Hahaha!” Laughter burst through the void, echoing like thunder wrapped in static.

I clutched my head, trying to keep it from shattering. The sound wasn’t just loud, it scraped down on my spirit.

“Y-you,” I gasped through clenched teeth.

“You didn’t harm my world?” A crooked grin forced its way onto my face. “You can’t.”

“Oh, Peter.” His voice dropped, slow and soft, like a disappointed parent correcting a child. The grin he wore wilted into something worse; an artificial frown, unnatural in every way that mattered. “Don’t be so naive. Of course I harmed it. But I also elevated it.”

"Then…" He’d been playing with me the whole time?

“I was infuriated before. Immature, even with that new man, but now I see. They’re all connected to you.”

The mouth vanished completely, leaving only that flawless silver hair and a face too sculpted to be real. “It’s just been so long since anyone advanced like you. I wasn’t ready. What you saw before was admittedly... an exaggeration.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.

“Because I can make it worse, Peter, and I will. Or…” He paused, the space between his words stretching. “…I could slow it down. Let them grow first. Learn to survive.”

His words oozed through me like honey laced with something sick. Jolts of warmth crawled up from my toes, curling into my mind.

“Just agree to take in my blood. I won’t even take back my Will,” he cooed. “Can you imagine it? You’re already powerful. With my bloodline…”

My eyelids grew heavy. It wasn’t a bad idea, not really. He wasn’t just offering power; he was offering ease. No more clawing forward or desperate fights. With that strength… we’d survive. No, we’d thrive.

My hand began to lift on its own.

“Just say the words, Peter. Grant me your bloodline, and everything will work out.”

My mouth opened, but just before the sound could leave, something deep inside me pulsed.

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