The next few days were not about fighting enemies, but about facing something much harder. Themselves. The plan to reopen a path was clear, but the execution was not. Each of them had always relied on their own strength, their own control over their ring, but now that was not enough. This time, they had to move as one, think as one, and trust each other completely. Jenny stood in the center of the training area, watching the others as they prepared. There was no fear in her expression, but there was pressure. She knew that if even one of them lost focus, everything could fall apart.
Zoe and Louis guided the process, carefully explaining how the energy needed to align. It was not just about power, but about timing and balance. Each ring carried a different type of energy, and forcing them together without harmony would only create chaos. Kevin listened closely, trying to understand every detail, while Jake focused on control, making sure no one rushed ahead. Stebin, as always, struggled the most with patience. He wanted results, not repetition, but even he understood that this time, rushing could cost them everything.
Their first attempt failed.
The moment they tried to combine their energy, it clashed instead of merging. A sharp wave pushed them apart, forcing them to step back. The room fell silent for a second before Zoe quickly confirmed what had gone wrong. They were not synchronized. Their timing was off, their focus divided. It was not a lack of power, but a lack of connection. Stebin let out a frustrated breath, while Kevin quietly admitted that they had underestimated how difficult it would be.
Jenny closed her eyes for a moment, taking a slow breath. She realized that they were still thinking like individuals, not as a team. When she spoke again, her voice was calm but firm. They needed to trust each other completely, not just in battle, but in this moment. No hesitation, no second-guessing. Just one decision, shared by all of them. One by one, the others nodded, understanding what she meant. This was not about being perfect. It was about being united.
When they tried again, something felt different. The energy rose more smoothly this time, not forcing itself forward, but flowing together. It was not stable yet, but it was closer. Much closer. As the light formed between them, faint but real, Jenny felt a small sense of hope return. They were not ready yet, but they were getting there. And for the first time since losing the portal, it felt like they were no longer standing still.