The air inside the Whispering Forest was thick with Manael, humming softly through the towering trees. Kaito could feel it coursing under his feet, brushing against his fingertips like a faint pulse. It was almost… alive.
"Stay close," Elden warned, his eyes scanning the shadows. "The Sanctum may be persistent, but the forest favors those who respect it."
Kaito glanced at the group. Lyra's fiery Manael glowed faintly, restrained, while Riven's shadows seemed to merge with the darkness of the woods. Aira's golden glow illuminated the small path ahead, her calm presence soothing Kaito's racing heart.
We made it this far, Kaito thought. But I know she's watching…
Elden led them to a clearing bathed in soft silver light. In the center, an ancient stone circle thrummed with Manael, faint runes etched into the moss-covered rocks.
"This place…" Lyra whispered. "It's… alive."
"It's a sanctuary," Elden said. "Manael here is concentrated, pure. We can rest, heal, and train… but be careful. It also amplifies what's inside you—your strengths, your weaknesses."
Kaito knelt in the center of the circle. His semi-immortal body ached, but the Manael pulse in the air invigorated him. He could feel it responding to him, stretching toward him as if recognizing his nature.
"I can feel it," Kaito murmured. "It's… calling me."
Aira stepped beside him, laying a hand over his. Golden Manael spilled softly between them, steadying him.
"Focus," she said gently. "Let it guide you, but don't let it consume you."
Elden demonstrated basic control techniques, showing Kaito how to channel Manael to shield others, heal, and even amplify physical strength.
"Manael is not just energy," Elden explained. "It's a reflection of the spirit. If you act recklessly, it can turn against you."
Kaito nodded, testing his connection. When he extended his hand, Manael spread like a gentle wave, brushing over Lyra and Riven, strengthening their movements and protecting them from minor cuts and bruises.
"Amazing!" Lyra exclaimed, twirling in a small circle as fire Manael flared harmlessly around her.
"Careful," Riven warned dryly. "We're not here for a show."
Kaito chuckled, but a small pang of guilt touched him—he knew he still relied too heavily on his immortality to get him out of danger.
As night fell, the forest glowed faintly with Manael. Kaito and Aira sat together near a small pool of water reflecting the stars.
"Do you ever… regret being immortal?" Aira asked softly.
Kaito shook his head. "No. But sometimes… it feels like I can't truly live the way others do. I see people grow old, live, die… and I'm always just here. Watching."
Aira's hand brushed his. "You're not just here to watch. You're here to protect, to love, to live in your own way. Even immortals can find happiness."
Kaito smiled faintly, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in centuries. "I want that. A long, happy life with the people I care about… no matter what it takes."
But not all was peaceful. High in the branches, Seraphine's black Manael shimmered, coiling like smoke. She observed silently, a smile tugging at her lips.
Interesting, she whispered. He's beginning to understand. Soon, he may be more dangerous than I imagined.
And somewhere deeper in the forest, a rustle of movement hinted that the Sanctum scouts had not given up their pursuit.
Kaito's first night in the Whispering Forest was calm, but he knew this peace was temporary. The real trials—the ones that would test his control over Manael, his semi-immortality, and his heart—were only just beginning.