Jake fled. Pulses of energy rippled through the air, pounding his eardrums. The ground trembled beneath him, an aftershock knocking him off balance. He staggered but kept moving, leaving the clash of titans behind. He promised me he wouldn’t die. He’ll be fine. His mind clung to the words, but doubt gnawed at the edges. A stronger surge of power sent him sprawling. A flash of light seared his vision as his skull met the ground. He groaned, pushing himself up, ears straining for sound. The battle’s power was fading. Silence crept in. Is the fight over? Who won? Somewhere in the distance, birds began to sing again. The sound should have been comforting, but dread settled deep in his gut. After one last glance back, he forced himself to keep running.

  Jake ran for a long time; his legs burned, and his breath ragged. Through his blurry vision, he saw a barn looming ahead, and exhaustion crashed over him. He staggered toward it, his pace no longer urgent, just desperate. Inside, the air was stale with old hay and rot. An unsteady ladder led to the upper floor. Jake climbed it, wincing at every creaking rung, then settled near a broken window. He gathered splintered wood into a makeshift seat and slumped down, eyes locked on the path below. I’ll wait here. Gareth will find me.

  The sky darkened. Then the rain came.

  It whispered against the roof, then grew into a steady drumbeat. Water veiled the world, hiding everything, drowning all sound. No way to tell if a friend or foe is approaching now. The sound swallowed everything, hiding footsteps, hiding answers. His eyelids grew heavy. The rhythmic patter on the roof lulled him into a fog. He tried to fight it and stay awake just a little longer. But sleep took him before he could resist.

  Later, Jake startled awake, full of confusion. What’s that noise? An intruder?

  His heart pounded as his eyes darted around in panic. A few rats scurried across the rotten planks. He exhaled slowly, forcing the pieces of his mind back into place. “Gareth?” he called tentatively. There was no answer. It was daytime outside. The rain had stopped. I slept. I’m dry. I’m alive. Could be worse.

  Mechanically, he did an inventory of his possessions. Not much. They had left without gear or food. He sighed. This refuge could only be temporary. Thirst and hunger would force him to move soon enough. His gaze flicked to the rats skittering nearby. He muttered, “And you’re not looking tasty… yet.”

  Jake sat back by the window. He would wait a few more hours. Maybe Gareth had to take refuge from the rain, and he would soon see his mentor stride toward the barn with a lazy grin on his face. He would probably boast about how he won his fight. Jake grinned at the thought of his mentor. A few more hours… but then I leave.

  Several hours later, Gareth still didn’t show up. Jake couldn’t stop his mind anymore, and the thoughts rushed in. Where will I go? Away, far away. Maybe toward the coast. There would be no enemies there. Or would there? He wasn’t even sure who his enemies were. Gareth had never been clear in his explanations, only hinting that a whole faction was after them. A stranger arriving in a new place? Easy to spot. They’d find me quickly.

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  Jake mulled over the thought. What if he went back to his old ways? Small thefts, a few bigger heists from time to time. Cities he knew. He could even stop using the mist powers. If I don’t use them, they won’t detect me. Yes, that could work. He’d leave this nightmare behind. Pretend nothing happened.

  Without warning, the stone flared. Heat, color, and light burst from Jake’s pocket. Panic seized him. He yanked it out and started hitting it with his palm. "Shut up, shut up, shut up! You’ll get us caught!" The jewel dimmed, slowly returning to its dormant state. Jake glared at it, breathing heavily. There’s no peace as long as you’re with me. His fingers curled tightly around the jewel. I need to leave you behind. His decision was made. He would bury it deep, so deep that no one would ever sense it. Jake pushed himself to his feet and strode toward the ladder. Might as well do it now.

  But just as his feet touched the ground, he stopped. Slowly, he took the jewel out again, staring at the dim, pulsing light. This is my only link to my father. To my past. His grip tightened. His pulse pounded in his ears. A slow-burning anger overtook his fear. And then he said out loud to make it real: "I’m not being robbed of my legacy by shadow monsters." His expression hardened into something grim, something resolute.

  Leaving the jewel behind was not an option. That left only one path forward. He had to go to the one place that could hold answers. It was where it all started and where it would finish. For better or worse. Jake remembered the fear that had made him flee in terror the last time. I didn’t know what fear really meant back then. He didn’t like it, but the more he thought about it, the more it appeared to be the only solution. I have to go back to that damn College. He wasn’t ready, though. Jake rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. I have to train.

  The weight of fate pressed heavily on Jake’s shoulders as he walked away. Along the way, he “borrowed” what he needed, replacing lost gear, pocketing a few coins, and gathering enough food to last a few days.

  Jake set his heavy backpack down, eyeing yet another wooden barn with a crumbling stone building beside it. He had scouted the place earlier. There’s everything I need here. After setting his camp, he walked toward the barn. “Alright, let’s start with wood,” he muttered, rubbing his hands together. He winced before setting his lips in a serious expression. He took off at a run and leaped toward the barn’s wooden wall. Mid-air, he phased. Above and beyond. Jake crashed through the rotted planks, hitting the hard ground in a tangled mess of limbs and splinters.

  The apprentice groaned and pushed himself up, already grinning, ready to shoot back at Gareth’s inevitable teasing.

  But silence met him.

  The absence hit like a punch to the gut. A lump formed in his throat, growing unbearable, threatening to choke him. Before he broke down, he croaked, “Again.” He sprinted at the wall and vanished into swirling ribbons of pink mist. Broken wood and pain were his only rewards.

  The barn was almost a ruin now. Just a few pieces of the wooden wall remained standing. Jake, battered and bruised, took a swig of water. He wiped his mouth and said in his mentor’s booming voice. “Wood check, next level: phase through stone, your father could do it.” He started walking toward the crumbling stone building. Half of the first floor remained. But the stairs were destroyed. Jake had a half-smile. “Good, I can train vertical phasing too.” His eyes twinkled, and he chuckled, “This is gonna hurt.”

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