They didn't go back into the void right away. Even Adrian knew rushing it would be a mistake. If they were going deeper this time, they needed control—not luck.
Training started early. No breaks, no jokes. Even Riven kept it simple: "Stay alive."
Adrian stood in the arena, facing Kai and Veyr. "So what exactly are we doing?"
"Stability," Veyr said.
"That sounds boring."
"It isn't," Kai replied. "If you lose control in there, we won't pull you out in time."
That was enough to make Adrian focus. "…Alright."
He activated the mark slowly. The shadows formed around him, calm but heavy. No explosion. No chaos. Just pressure.
"Hold it," Veyr said.
Adrian frowned. "That's it?"
"For now."
Seconds passed. Then minutes. The pressure didn't spike—it built slowly, like something pushing back from the other side.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "…It's pushing."
"Don't fight it," Kai said. "Balance it."
Adrian exhaled. Instead of resisting, he let the pressure exist. The shadows flickered once, then steadied.
"…There," Veyr said.
Adrian opened one eye. "…Okay. That's new."
"Step forward," Veyr added.
Adrian blinked. "Seriously?"
"Yes."
He hesitated, then stepped forward. The pressure spiked immediately. His breath hitched. "…Yeah, that's worse."
"Stay with it," Kai said.
Adrian clenched his fist. "…Still here."
The shadows darkened, heavier now, but not out of control. Not yet.
Then it slipped—just for a second. The shadows flared too fast.
"…Tch—"
Kai grabbed his arm instantly. "Anchor."
Adrian shut his eyes, steadied his breathing, and forced the shadows to settle. After a few seconds, they calmed.
"…Got it."
Kai didn't let go immediately. "Don't rush."
"…Yeah."
They stopped there. No pushing further.
Adrian dropped his hand, the shadows fading. "…That was close."
"Too close," Veyr said.
Adrian glanced at him. "…You've done this before."
"Yes."
"And you lost control?"
"…Almost."
That was all Adrian needed to hear.
Kai stepped back slightly. "This isn't just about going in."
"I know," Adrian said.
"It's about coming back."
Silence followed.
"…Yeah," Adrian muttered.
The next part was worse.
"Sit," Veyr said.
Adrian stared at him. "…You want me to meditate?"
"Yes."
Adrian groaned but sat anyway. "If I fall asleep, that's on you."
"Focus," Kai said.
Adrian closed his eyes. At first, his mind was loud—too many thoughts. The void. The voice. The figure.
But slowly, it quieted.
And in that quiet, he felt it.
The connection.
Faint. Constant.
Waiting.
Adrian's eyes opened. "…It's always there."
"Yes," Veyr said.
"You're never fully disconnected," Kai added.
Adrian looked at his wrist. The mark pulsed once, soft and steady. "…So even now… I'm still linked to that place."
No one disagreed.
He stood up slowly. "…Then next time, I won't be surprised."
"Confidence isn't control," Kai said.
Adrian smirked. "…Working on both."
Veyr turned slightly. "We're not ready yet."
"We're getting there," Adrian replied.
Kai didn't argue.
As they started to leave, Adrian stopped. "…Hey."
They both looked at him.
"When we go back in… don't hesitate."
Kai frowned. "…Adrian—"
"I mean it," Adrian said. "If something goes wrong, pull me out."
Silence.
Veyr nodded. "We will."
Kai took longer, then said quietly, "…We won't let it get that far."
Adrian gave a small smile. "…Good."
But deep down, none of them were completely sure.
Because next time—
It wouldn't be training.
It would be real.