Tirnanog

The group sat around the campfire, the soft crackling of flames providing the only sound in the otherwise quiet forest. Schneizal, leaning casually against a log, twirled a stick in his hand, his sharp eyes fixed on Youth. Sequana sat cross-legged, her grimoire closed but resting on her lap, a curious expression on her face. Vriede leaned back, her wolf ears twitching slightly as she stared at the young man with her usual calm demeanor.

Youth, sitting across from them, seemed lost in thought. His eyepatch was slightly askew, revealing faint traces of the scar beneath. The weight of their gazes didn't escape him, but he remained silent, staring into the flames.

Schneizal was the first to break the silence. 

"Alright, man?," he said, tossing the stick into the fire. 

"Time to spill. That Grade 3 stunt back there… How in the heavens did you pull that off?"

Youth sighed, shifting uncomfortably. 

"I… don't know."

Sequana frowned, her blonde brows furrowing. 

"Don't know? You don't just become a Grade 3 without knowing how. That kind of power doesn't just appear out of nowhere."

"She's right," 

Vriede added softly. 

"Most people spend their entire lives trying to reach that level. Even for the strongest, it's almost impossible. And yet, you managed to transform… twice now, from what I've heard."

Youth looked up at her, his expression guarded. 

"The first time was a year ago," he admitted. 

"It happened in the forest. I was sparring with some villagers, and then… something snapped. My body felt like it was on fire, and before I knew it, I… transformed. But I couldn't control it."

Schneizal's interest piqued.

 "Oh? What happened?"

Youth's voice dropped, a hint of shame creeping in. 

"I went on a rampage. I destroyed everything in my path—trees, boulders… even the sparring ring. I couldn't stop myself. It was like my body wasn't my own anymore. I only stopped when I collapsed from exhaustion. When I woke up, I was back to Grade 2."

The group exchanged uneasy glances. Schneizal let out a low whistle. 

"Sounds like a wild time. And this time? What triggered it?"

Youth hesitated, his hand instinctively brushing against the edge of his eyepatch. 

"I think… it has something to do with this." 

He lifted the patch slightly, revealing his glowing red eye. The faint X-shaped mark shimmered ominously in the firelight, drawing their collective attention.

Sequana leaned closer, her voice cautious. 

"Your eye? What's so special about it?"

Youth exhaled, the memories of his father's final moments flashing through his mind. 

"Eleven years ago, my father… he put something in my eye. It was during the chaos, just before he…" He trailed off, swallowing hard. 

"It was some kind of gem. He said it held the power to reunite the heavens and earth. I don't fully understand what it is, but every time I transform into Grade 3, it's as if that gem comes alive. My eye burns, my body changes, and that power takes over."

Vriede's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. 

"So you think the gem is the reason behind your transformation?"

Youth nodded. 

"It has to be. Nothing else makes sense. But I still don't understand how to control it. The transformation isn't something I can summon at will. It's like… it has a mind of its own."

"Huh, for all the years i've known you, i've always suspected that something up with your eye, i always brush it off as marble to replace your old eye" Vriede replied

Sequana frowned, tapping her grimoire thoughtfully. 

"That's dangerous, Youth. If you can't control it, it could end up controlling you. And if it's tied to something as powerful as a Grade 3 transformation, the risks are even greater."

Schneizal grinned, though his tone held a hint of seriousness. 

"Dangerous or not, it's one hell of a trump card. But you're playing with fire, my friend. You'd better figure it out before it burns you."

Youth's jaws tightened. 

"I've been trying. That's why I've kept it hidden for so long. But now, after what happened in the village, I don't think I can avoid it anymore. If I want to stand a chance against Ketergia… against Bastion… I need to understand this power."

Vriede's expression softened. 

"Then we'll help you. You're not alone in this, Youth. Whatever this power is, we'll figure it out together."

Sequana nodded, her earlier wariness giving way to determination.

 "Agreed. If that gem is tied to your father's mission, it's worth uncovering its secrets. But you'll need discipline. Power like that doesn't come without a cost."

Schneizal smirked, his usual cockiness returning.

 "And if things get out of hand, I'll just knock you out. No big deal."

Sequana turn on Schneizal and replied to his statement

"You? You really think you could take him on a fight after what we saw? You're such a hilarious clown HAHAHAHA. You should audition for a circus!"

Schneizal irritated

"I'll slice your stupid face off even if it's the last thing I do!"

"Go on try, idiot!"

Both grunted at each other like a bunch of 10 year olds.

Youth couldn't help but chuckle, a small smile breaking through his otherwise serious demeanor. 

"Thanks, Schneizal. I'll keep that in mind."

The fire crackled as the group settled into a momentary silence, each lost in their thoughts. Above them, the stars twinkled in the vast night sky, a reminder of the challenges still ahead. For Youth, the path was uncertain, but with his friends by his side, he felt a flicker of hope—a belief that, together, they could uncover the truth and harness the power within him.