The next morning brought no peace.
Colon pushed Eren harder each day. Training in fire manipulation, instinct reactions, energy focus. Eren's body ached constantly, but each session unlocked more fragments of forgotten power.
But with power came danger.
It started with strange signs around the city: birds falling from the sky, rivers turning murky, whispers in the wind that chilled even the warmest day.
"The Order's preparing something," Mira said as they gathered again in the safehouse.
Colon stood silently by the door, watching.
"They can feel your awakening," he said. "They fear it."
Eren rubbed his temples. "Then let them come."
Colon's expression darkened. "Be careful with that wish."
That night, the Order struck.
Kade and Sol had gone out to find supplies. They never came back.
Panic set in.
Lyra clutched Eren's hand, her voice shaking. "We need to find them."
Eren's fire surged in his veins, instincts screaming.
Colon spoke softly: "This is their tactic. They cannot beat you… so they will hurt those around you."
Eren's heart twisted. "I have to save them."
"You must go alone," Colon said. "It's a trap. They'll use your friends to draw out your power."
"I don't care!" Eren shouted.
Colon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then be ready. Tonight, you'll be tested."
The Abandoned Cathedral
The air was thick with darkness.
Eren stepped inside, golden fire flickering around his fists.
At the far end of the hall, Kade and Sol hung in chains, unconscious but alive.
The masked leader stepped from the shadows.
"You came," the leader hissed.
Eren clenched his fists. "Let them go."
The leader smiled beneath the silver mask. "You are becoming what we feared. But you're not complete yet."
Black energy crackled in the leader's hands. "Let's see how strong you are… without control."
The battle was savage.
Eren's power surged beyond anything he'd felt before. Fire lashed out in wild arcs, the cathedral shaking from the heat and force. The leader fought with cold, draining energy that clashed against Eren's flames.
But the leader was right: Eren's power was raw and untamed.
In a wild burst, Eren's fire exploded, collapsing the ceiling and sending shockwaves out for miles.
When the dust cleared, Eren fell to his knees, drained.
The leader was gone.
Kade and Sol groaned, slowly regaining consciousness.
"I thought… we were done for," Kade muttered weakly.
Eren helped them down. "I've got you."
But inside, guilt gnawed at him. His power had nearly destroyed them all.
Back at the safehouse
Colon sat across from Eren.
"You felt it, didn't you?"
Eren nodded.
"I almost lost control."
Colon's expression was serious. "The stronger you become, the more dangerous it is to lose focus. If your dragon soul awakens without balance… you won't just destroy the enemy. You could destroy everything."
Eren buried his face in his hands.
"I don't know if I can handle this."
Colon spoke gently: "That is why I was made… to teach you how."
Eren looked up, eyes burning.
"Then teach me faster."
Far away, in the Hollow Star's sanctuary
The masked leader knelt once more before the shadowed altar.
"I failed again."
A voice, ancient and cold, echoed:
"Failure was expected. He is nearly ready. The only way to stop him… is to strike before the final awakening."
The leader whispered, "It will be done."
In the shadows, hundreds of cloaked figures gathered.
The true battle… was coming.