The sun had barely risen when Kael dragged Thalren out of the cabin.
"Up."
Thalren groaned and rolled onto his back.
"Five more minutes…"
Kael kicked the side of the bed.
"You want to control the relic or not?"
Thalren immediately sat up.
A few minutes later, he stood outside the cabin, still half asleep. The morning air was cool and the waves rolled calmly across the shore.
Kael stood waiting near the beach.
Today he carried something unusual.
Two heavy iron chains.
Thalren frowned.
"What are those for?"
Kael tossed them onto the sand with a loud metallic sound.
"For you."
The boy stared.
"You're joking."
Kael picked up the chains and wrapped them around Thalren's waist and shoulders.
Each link was thick and heavy.
The weight immediately pulled down on his body.
"What is this supposed to do?" Thalren complained.
Kael pointed toward the water.
"You're going to run."
"In the water."
"With those."
Thalren looked at him like he had lost his mind.
"I can barely walk!"
Kael shrugged.
"Good."
The boy sighed deeply and began walking toward the waves.
The chains clanked loudly as he moved.
When the water reached his knees, the resistance doubled.
By the time the water reached his waist, every step felt like dragging a mountain.
"Run!" Kael shouted from the shore.
Thalren tried.
His legs moved slowly.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
The waves pushed against him constantly, throwing off his balance.
After ten steps, he fell forward into the water.
Kael didn't move.
"Get up."
Thalren pushed himself back to his feet.
His breathing was already heavy.
He tried again.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The chains dragged behind him like anchors.
But he kept moving.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
By the time the sun climbed higher, Thalren collapsed onto the wet sand.
"I'm dying…" he gasped.
Kael walked over and crouched beside him.
"You're improving."
Thalren glared at him.
"I feel like I'm getting weaker."
Kael shook his head.
"Your body is learning to endure pressure."
He tapped the heavy chains.
"Someday, the pressure of the depths will feel like this."
Thalren slowly sat up.
"You keep talking about the depths like it's a different world."
Kael looked toward the horizon.
"In many ways… it is."
The old man suddenly tossed the wooden sword again.
"Stand."
Thalren groaned but obeyed.
They moved back toward the open sand.
"Attack me," Kael said.
Thalren swung.
Clack.
Blocked.
He swung again.
Blocked again.
But this time, something changed.
The necklace suddenly glowed.
A faint blue light spread across the crystal.
Thalren's next movement became faster.
His sword sliced through the air with unexpected speed.
Kael barely blocked it.
"Again," the old man said.
Thalren attacked repeatedly.
Strike after strike.
Each swing carried more force than before.
The crystal's glow grew stronger.
Water from the nearby waves began to swirl toward him.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Focus."
Thalren concentrated.
The warmth from the crystal spread through his arms.
Another swing.
This time, when his sword cut through the air—
A small arc of water followed the blade.
Kael stepped back immediately.
The water arc slammed into the sand with a splash.
Thalren froze.
"Did you see that?!"
Kael nodded slowly.
"Yes."
Thalren stared at his sword.
"I moved the water…"
Kael crossed his arms.
"Not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
"The relic moved it."
Thalren frowned.
"But it happened when I attacked."
Kael pointed at him.
"Which means your movements triggered the power."
The boy looked down at the glowing crystal.
"So if I learn to control it…"
Kael finished the sentence.
"You'll be able to fight with the power of the tide itself."
Thalren's eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
Kael smirked.
"Maybe."
The boy tightened his grip on the sword.
"Let's try again."
They resumed training.
This time Thalren focused completely on the feeling inside the crystal.
Strike.
Block.
Strike again.
Each movement felt smoother.
Stronger.
The water near his feet began responding more often.
Small splashes.
Tiny currents.
Nothing massive yet.
But the change was undeniable.
Finally, Kael raised his hand.
"That's enough."
Thalren dropped to the sand again, exhausted but smiling.
"I actually did something today."
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
He looked toward the horizon again.
"But that power is still very small."
Thalren sighed.
"Of course it is."
Kael's voice became serious.
"Because the true masters of the sea possess far greater power."
Thalren looked up.
"Sea Kings?"
Kael nodded.
"They control currents strong enough to sink fleets."
The boy stared at the glowing crystal.
"Then I'll surpass them."
Kael chuckled.
"You're ambitious."
Thalren stood up slowly.
"I have to be."
He looked toward the endless water.
"Something down there is watching me."
Kael didn't deny it.
The waves rolled steadily against the shore.
And far beyond the island…
Deep beneath the silent darkness…
Something enormous continued to move.