The crimson sun hung motionless in the sky.
Its red light washed over the silent world Israel had created, painting the land in shades of blood and shadow.
The air felt heavier than before…thick, tense.
Israel stared at his trembling hands.
"…So this is really mine," he murmured.
A few steps away, Femi stood with his arms crossed, eyes sharp and unreadable.
"Yeah," he said calmly.
"And now comes the part where you find out if you're worthy of it."
Israel looked up.
"…You said you wouldn't hold back."
Femi smiled slowly.
"I lied," he replied.
"I'm holding back just enough so you survive."
The ground beneath them cracked.
Power surged upward, shaking the land.
"Give me your best shot," Femi said coolly.
Israel charged.
From Femi's perspective, Israel moved painfully slow… like a tortoise struggling through sand.
Israel threw a punch with all his strength.
Femi didn't flinch.
He looked down at Israel, disappointed.
"…Really, bro?" Femi said.
He swung his arm once.
CRACK.
Israel was sent flying, smashing into the sand. Femi laughed loudly.
"What was that?" he said. "You serious right now?"
Israel coughed as he struggled to his feet.
"Why didn't you use your power?" Femi asked.
"I told you," Israel replied, wiping blood from his mouth,
"I can't access the seal."
Femi's laughter faded.
"Oh… now I see," he said quietly.
"You're not taking the power as yours."
"Because it's not mine," Israel snapped.
"It is," Femi said firmly.
"And until you accept that…this goes nowhere."
Israel clenched his fists.
"I've tried so many times," he said bitterly.
"I don't want to lose control again."
He looked away.
"What if I hurt someone?"
"What if I hurt you… or Tari?"
Femi smiled faintly.
"I told you already," he said.
"Even at full power, you still wouldn't be able to touch me."
Israel dropped to the sand.
"…I don't think I can do this."
Femi stared at him.
"You really believe that?"
"Yes," Israel replied quietly. "It's too much."
Femi turned his back.
"Success," he said calmly,
"is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm."
He glanced over his shoulder.
"You lost control once. That doesn't mean you're done."
Then, more softly,
"And if you're worried about Tari….she's fine. I promise."
Israel looked up.
Before he could respond, Femi cut him off.
"Level one," he said.
"We start from the basics."
Israel stood.
"…Okay."
"Good," Femi nodded.
"Close your eyes."
Israel obeyed.
"I'm doing it," he said. "What next?"
"Feel the air," Femi said.
"How it moves around you. Sync with it. Become part of it."
"How can I become air?" Israel asked.
"Just focus."
A soft glow began leaking from Israel's body.
"That's it," Femi said.
"Don't stop."
The light grew brighter, spreading outward.
"Now open your eyes."
Israel did.
His eyes glowed pure white.
"…Did I do it?" Israel asked.
Femi smirked.
"Yeah. Look at yourself."
Israel stared at his glowing hands.
"…Cool," he said with a grin.
Femi studied him closely.
"No tattoos," he muttered.
"Just raw energy…"
"Alright," Femi said.
"Punch me."
"…Are you sure?"
"I won't move," Femi replied.
"And it won't hurt."
Israel rushed forward, throwing a storm of punches.
Then he jumped back.
"…Why didn't you move?" Israel said.
"I felt everything land!"
Femi laughed.
"None of them touched me."
"…What?"
"Every living being releases an invisible barrier," Femi explained.
"A heat-like wave that reacts to danger."
"So… everyone has it?"
"As long as they're breathing."
"Then how do people hit each other?"
"The stronger the being," Femi smiled,
"the stronger the barrier."
Israel stared.
"…So I can't touch you."
"You can," Femi said.
"It's just difficult."
"How?"
"You're the seal," Femi replied.
"If you push hard enough, you can break any barrier."
Israel frowned.
"…What exactly is the seal?"
Femi paused.
"…Another day."
"Seriously?" Israel groaned.
Femi laughed.
"Now move."
"This time," Femi said,
"try to land one clean hit."
"What about the barrier?"
"I'll drop it," Femi replied.
"So come at me with everything."
Israel smiled.
"Alright!"
They clashed.
Punches.
Kicks.
Dodges.
Femi avoided everything effortlessly.
"Is that all?" Femi taunted.
"I expected more."
He kept talking.
Pushing.
Provoking.
"Even an old lady moves faster."
Something snapped.
Growls escaped Israel's throat.
Black tattoos spread across his body.
"Israel?" Femi said sharply.
Israel charged like a beast.
Wild.
Uncontrolled.
"Control it!" Femi shouted.
But Israel couldn't hear.
Inside
Darkness.
A vast empty void.
"Femi?!" Israel shouted.
"Where am I?!"
A figure emerged.
It looked exactly like him.
But with black eyes.
Cold smile.
Who are you Israel asked,
"I am you," the figure said.
Fear froze Israel's body.
"If you want to leave," the figure continued,
"you must defeat me."
The clone attacked.
Pain exploded.
Strangling.
Crushing.
Then…
Femi's voice echoed.
Don't give up.
Golden light burst from Israel's eyes.
The void shattered.
Israel snapped back to reality.
He gasped.
"What… happened?"
Craters covered the land.
The tattoos faded.
Femi smiled.
"Welcome back," he said.
"You snapped out of it yourself."
"…Not really," Israel replied.
"I heard your voice."
"That place," Femi said quietly,
"was your deep unconscious."
"…I fought myself."
Femi froze.
"…Did he have tattoos?"
"No."
Femi exhaled in relief.
"…Good."
Israel narrowed his eyes.
"You really love keeping secrets."
Before Femi could reply….
"Wait," Israel said suddenly.
"How long have we been here?"
"Uh…."
"Take me home!" Israel shouted.
Snap.
They appeared high in the sky.
Screams filled the air.
Israel looked down.
His school was burning.
"…Femi?" he whispered.
As he turns.
Femi was gone.
TO BE CONTINUED…..