By the second night of Energy Cultivation, Miguel had awakened Sub-Levels Four through Seven—nodes at his temples, shoulders, knees, and spine. Lola Sabel watched as he shaped energy into a gentle wave that healed a wounded bird's broken wing.
"Evil cultivators take energy by force," she said, sitting beside him. "They rip it from living things, leaving nothing but emptiness behind. But we draw it with permission, and we give back in return."
She gestured to the spring. "When we take energy from the water, we plant new herbs along its banks. When we draw from the earth, we care for the soil. That is balance."
A loud crack echoed through the valley—followed by the sound of trees falling. "They're clearing a path straight to us," Amihan called out, rushing toward them. "They want to make sure we can't hide in the forest."
Miguel stood, feeling the blue nodes hum with energy. "What if I use my energy to create a barrier? Block their path?"
"Sub-Level Eight: the Throat Node—allows you to speak with energy itself," Lola Sabel said, placing her hand on his neck. "Awaken this node, and you can ask the land to help us. But you must be careful—asking too much can harm the very things you're trying to protect."
Miguel focused, and the Throat Node blazed to life. He spoke to the trees, to the earth, to the wind—and felt them respond, their energy rising to meet his.