“Focus your intent,” Xyros urged, his calm voice cutting through the static of her thoughts. “Energy responds to clarity of purpose. Will it to obey.”

  Zaria raised her hand, her fingers twitching as another flicker of light formed at her palm. She unleashed another Energy Pulse, the force rippling through the air before striking a distant target stone. Her chest heaved as the glowing remnants of her shot dissipated. She clenched her fists. It still wasn’t strong enough.

  “Again,” Xyros said, nodding toward the next target. “Feel the energy, let it flow, but don’t let it control you. You control it.”

  Minutes turned into what felt like hours. Each burst of energy left her more drained than the last, her arms trembling as the strain set in. Zaria’s breath grew ragged, her focus faltering. Another Pulse fizzled out before it could even leave her hand, the backlash tingling unpleasantly against her skin.

  “Enough,” Xyros said, holding up a hand to halt her. “Take a moment. Steady your breathing.”

  Zaria wiped her brow with the sleeve of her coat, frustration gnawing at her exhaustion. “I’m trying, but it’s—”

  “You’re overthinking,” Xyros interrupted, stepping closer. His tone softened, but his words carried weight. “Stop forcing it. You’re not fighting the energy; you’re guiding it. Let it become an extension of you.”

  She let out a slow breath, nodding as she refocused. Xyros gestured toward another target. “Now, with intent. Picture the energy hitting its mark. You’ve done it before; trust yourself.”

  Zaria raised her hand again, this time grounding herself in the moment. She imagined the energy coiling, aligning with her will. When she released it, the Pulse roared to life, striking the target dead-center with a resounding crack.

  “Better,” Xyros said, approval glinting in his eyes. “Now again, until it feels as natural as breathing.”

  The sharp tang of ozone lingered in the air as Zaria stood in the circle of stones, her chest rising and falling with the effort of practice. Sweat trickled down her brow, and her arms burned from repeated bursts of energy. Yet, as the stones hummed faintly beneath her feet, she couldn’t help but feel a spark of pride in the progress she was making.

  Xyros watched her from the edge of the circle, his arms crossed, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re getting there,” he said at last, his tone carrying an edge of satisfaction. “Not perfect, but you’re on your way to mastering these skills.”

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  She exhaled sharply, brushing a stray curl away from her face. “Great. Now what? Am I supposed to keep blasting rocks until I collapse, or do I finally get to know why I’m chasing these spheres?”

  Xyros’s expression shifted, that infuriating mask of cryptic calm settling over his features. “Patience, TechNav,” he replied smoothly. “You’ll understand the purpose of the spheres in time. With knowledge comes power, as I’ve said.”

  Zaria snorted, folding her arms. “Right. Because vague riddles are super helpful. What am I supposed to do, wander around yelling, ‘Here, spherey-spherey’? Hope they roll over like obedient pets?”

  A flicker of amusement danced in his eyes, and his lips quirked into a grin. “That’s certainly one approach,” he said, his voice tinged with mockery. “Or…” He let the word hang in the air, watching her with maddening patience.

  Her brow furrowed. “Or what?”

  “You could simply ask for a map,” he said, his grin widening.

  Zaria groaned, running a hand down her face. “Fine. Can you give me a map, oh wise mentor?”

  Xyros extended his hand, a faint blue glow sparking at his fingertips. Her TNC flared to life, and a holographic map unfurled before her eyes. Dots marked four distinct points, each pulsing faintly against a swirling, topographical display.

  “These are the spheres,” Xyros said, his tone practical now. “Your task is to retrieve them and return them to me. The path will not be straightforward. Obstacles will test your skills, your resolve. But you’re ready.”

  Zaria studied the map, her initial irritation fading as she traced the glowing markers. Her fingers twitched as if reaching for the spheres themselves. “Alright,” she muttered, determination settling over her like a second skin. But then she hesitated, her gaze shifting to Xyros. “Before I go… my ship, my crew… Walter. What happened to them?”

  Xyros’s expression darkened briefly, a shadow passing across his face. “Your crew is safe,” he said, his voice low, deliberate. “For now. As for Walter…” His lips curved slightly, though his eyes betrayed nothing. “Your furry friend is likely causing his usual brand of chaos somewhere.”

  Zaria’s jaw tightened. “That’s not an answer. Where are they?”

  Xyros met her gaze evenly, his calm unshaken. “Answers will come in time, Zaria. For now, focus on what’s in front of you. Trust me—this is the only way.”

  Her eyes narrowed, the frustration rising in her chest again. “For a mentor, you’re really bad at the ‘actually helping’ part.”

  Xyros chuckled softly, his amusement only stoking her annoyance. “Trust me, Zaria. You’ll thank me later.”

  With a casual gesture, he pointed toward the edge of the plaza, where the glowing glyphs marking the arena’s exit shimmered faintly. “Now go. The spheres won’t find themselves.”

  Zaria glanced one last time at her TNC, the glowing markers pulsing like tiny stars on her map. The weight of uncertainty pressed on her shoulders, but she straightened, pushing it aside. She might not know all the answers, but one thing was clear: if she didn’t move forward, she’d never find them.

  “Alright,” she muttered with a smirk. “Time to show this game why I’m the plot twist it didn’t see coming.”