Two weeks passed and, in exchange for healing me, the man offered to train for Ky. One day, he would become strong enough to fight in the name of that ‘God,’ repaying our debt.

   Because of that, I spend most of my time inside the castle in a sort of ‘special room.’ He says that inside it, his energy can flow directly from the walls to the floor, and finally toward me, as I remain seated in the center of the chamber. In that way, a ‘healing energy’ would be constantly poured into my body. His explanations are usually vague, but he claims the procedure is safe and effective.

   Ky spends the entire daytime undergoing exhausting training, and we only meet again at night.

   Lately, we barely talk before he falls asleep. It makes me sad, but I understand how exhausted he is, and I love his perseverance, but... it would still be okay if he failed... if he never became strong enough and my eyes were never healed... I would still love him.

   I could never bear discovering that he sacrificed himself... just so light could return to my eyes... What would be the point of seeing the world if its true beauty and kindness was no longer there?

   The ‘deity’ says my healing will be a slow and gradual process, however, every night I can see my beloved’s soul a little more clearly. His face is almost fully formed now. No longer merely a silhouette like before, but... it still radiates the same warm light as always. It is what brings peace to calm my worried heart.

   I am not entirely sure how his training works, and he also refuses to give me details, but I understand how hard Ky is trying for my sake.

   Even if the only thing I can do is thank and comfort him, I still feel happy simply because we are together.

   Every night I wake up afraid that we might be separated again. I wrap my arms around him tightly, so that he never leaves me again.

   “Tell me what I have to do", I declared with conviction, knowing that my past, my rage, and my desire for vengeance meant nothing when weighed against Fyie’s happiness.

   “First, there is nothing you can do right now... However... I will train you so that one day, you can", he said, pausing dramatically.

   “Train me?... In what way?”, I asked.

   “You will learn the concepts and foundations behind the energy I showed you. I want you to become strong enough in the future to deal with emergency situations, like the one you faced", he explained, placing a hand on my shoulder.

   “As I showed you before, I cannot step into those worlds, which is why I want to train you, Kyros... and when you become truly strong... I will no longer need to interfere and risk destroying a world. I will be able to send you to fight in the name of my crusade", he concluded.

   “You’re saying... I can become as strong as that monster?”, I asked, afraid of the answer.

   “When you understand the true concept of the energy that shapes us, you will realize there is no limit, my young friend", he confirmed.

   With the burden of vengeance on my back and the ghostly silhouette of my father constantly haunting me, I looked at Fyie.

   ‘If I become stronger... I can truly protect her,’ I imagined. ‘I can ensure that she will be happy... no matter what I must endure... no matter how difficult the battles ahead become,’ I concluded in my mind.

   “I accept... I will fight for your crusade, as long as I become strong enough to do so", I declared, taking hold of his still-extended hand and sealing a pact I would never forget.

   “Then we begin immediately. First, Catherine will be taken to a special room where she will receive her treatment. Kyros, you will spend the day training with me, and you two will reunite at nightfall".

   Fyie and I followed him to the room. The only thing I could do in that situation was trust him, so I left her alone there, promising we would see each other again soon.

   “I’ll return at nightfall, no matter what happens", I said worriedly.

   “I’ll be waiting… darling”, she replied, stepping forward and placing a kiss on my cheek.

   I felt my face burn with embarrassment while she smiled mischievously.

   “Y-Yeah", I muttered.

   Now, alone with the ‘deity,’ I returned to the grassy field where he claimed my training would begin.

   “Kyros, the energy you’ve heard so much about is not an abstract concept. In fact, it may be even simpler for your girlfriend", he said teasingly.

   I flinched at that last statement and, pretending not to have heard it, asked:

   “Why would it be simpler for her?”.

   “I would prefer to discuss this with Catherine first, but both of you would eventually learn the truth. Even blind, she possesses the innate ability to see energy in its purest form", he replied.

   “And how do you know that?”, I asked again, assuming he had not discovered her ability to see souls.

   “Well, first, you must have realized that we are in a world separate from Alpha and Beta, correct?”, he questioned.

   “You said neither world could withstand your presence, so that was my guess", I answered, waiting for confirmation.

   “Indeed, you are correct. This world exists separately from the other two, and consequently contains far more energy, making it powerful enough to endure the weight of my soul", he began.

   “Here, it will be even easier for you to understand the basic concepts… watch".

   In an instant, he created a sort of clone from his own energy. It possessed his height and physical features, though without clothes or shoes. Its skin and hair shone white like snow.

   “The principle that nothing is created from nothing still applies, therefore, I cannot create clothing or organic matter with my energy", he stated, while standing beside his clone.

   “Think of this as the human soul".

   His explanation continued as a flow of white energy enveloped the clone’s arms, legs, and head, all converging toward its heart.

   “Energy becomes a continuous flow moving exclusively toward what would be the soul’s heart. That is the place where energy accumulates... the core".

   I observed the demonstration carefully.

   “Now, regarding Catherine, I believe she can observe this flow with exceptional clarity. I built this castle long ago, but traces of my energy still remain within it. That is why she can see it, unlike the plains where we stood before".

   His words made sense, but they did not explain everything she could see. If it were merely energy flow, she would not perceive faces or colors.

   “All of this will be explained to her later, but for now..".

   He extended his right palm toward me.

   “I am going to bombard you for some time until you can feel the flow entering and leaving your body", the man said with a cold smile. I already knew it would not be pleasant.

   A wave burst from his hand toward me and dissipated around my body. Within seconds, it mirrored the exact same flow pattern he had shown within the clone. It became visible around me, entering through the extremities of my body and traveling toward my heart.

   “The flow is not always visible, but I adapted it to make it as clear as possible. Now, concentrate on drawing the dissipated energy back into your body", he explained.

   We remained silent for the next several minutes while I focused on the training. According to him, absorbing the natural flow should be an instinct inherent to every soul. It was like the circulation of blood within our bodies, yet, somehow, it could be consciously controlled with enough effort.

   “With the energy I’ve sent into you, your core will exceed its maximum capacity and release the excess outward. You must absorb it again before it dissipates into the atmosphere. That will be your initial training", he finished.

   After one hour, I realized I was beginning to understand the flow’s pattern, becoming capable of controlling it for several seconds before the energy fully dispersed.

   After three hours, I could control it for an entire minute.

   And after five hours, he called me once more.

   “You’re doing well, but it is not enough. By the end of today, you must be able to prevent the energy from dissipating for twenty consecutive minutes, otherwise... forget about dinner", he said provocatively, attempting to break my concentration.

   “I’ll bring Catherine to the dining hall. Remember, I will know if you lie about the time", he concluded before turning away and heading back toward the castle.

   “Fuck…”, I whispered, discoraged by how long it would take.

   It took another three hours beneath the stars, but eventually, I managed to precisely maintain the flow for the required twenty minutes. Without wasting another second, I stood up and sprinted toward the castle.

   I met the man again along the way. He congratulated me on completing the task and warned me that the following days would be even worse.

   I arrived at the dining hall breathless, desperately longing for a chance to talk with her.

   Fyie stood before me. Her hands held the utensils, yet, no steam rose from her food, that was already cold. I felt guilty for making her wait and hesitated, thinking she might be furious.

   She heard my footsteps and turned around. The moment she saw me, a wide smile appeared on her face, reminding me why I had fallen in love with her.

   A warm embrace welcomed me, ignoring how filthy I was.

   “I missed you", she whispered into my ear before letting go. “Now, let’s eat... you must be hungry".

   Seeing the purest and most beautiful expression imaginable, I became certain of what needed to be done.

   I promised myself I would become strong enough to protect her and never show weakness again. I wanted to prove to her that I was capable of it as well... no matter what that God demanded from me.

   The man left us alone. We spoke about our day and decided to place a little more trust in the words of that mysterious being.