They didn't train right away.
For once.
Pushing harder wasn't the answer anymore. They had already seen what happened when they tried to force it.
The connection fought back.
And it was getting stronger.
Adrian sat on the edge of the arena floor, staring at his wrist. The mark pulsed quietly, steady like a heartbeat.
So we can't break it head-on," he said.
Kai stood nearby. "Not without risking everything."
Veyr added, "And even then, it might not work."
Adrian let out a dry laugh. "Great. Love those odds."
Silence followed.
Then Adrian looked up. "So what's the 'way around'?"
Kai didn't answer immediately.
Veyr did.
We stop feeding it."
Adrian frowned. Explain."
Veyr stepped closer. "The connection exists because it's active."
A pause.
"It responds to you. Grows with you."
Adrian crossed his arms. "So I just… don't use it?"
Kai shook his head. "It's not that simple."
Veyr nodded. "Even when you're not using it, it's still there.
Adrian sighed. "Then what does 'stop feeding it' mean?
Veyr's gaze sharpened slightly.
You stop reacting to it."
Adrian blinked. "That's it?"
No," Kai said. "It's harder than that."
Veyr continued, "Every time you push it… every time you reach into it…"
A pause.
It grows stronger."
Adrian looked at his wrist again. "So I've been making it worse."
No one corrected him.
Then what?" Adrian asked. "I just ignore it and hope it goes away?"
Veyr shook his head. "No."
Kai stepped forward. "You control when it connects."
Adrian frowned. "Isn't that what I've been doing?"
"Not completely," Kai said. "It's been pulling you too."
That was true.
Too true.
Adrian exhaled slowly. "So I take back control."
Veyr nodded once. "Exactly."
A pause.
"You decide when the link opens."
Adrian smirked faintly. "And when it closes."
Kai met his gaze. "Yes.
Silence settled.
Then Adrian stood up.
Alright."
Kai watched him. "You're going to try it now."
Adrian shrugged. "Better than sitting around."
Veyr didn't object.
Do it carefully."
Adrian smirked. "When have I ever done that?"
Neither of them answered.
He raised his hand.
The mark pulsed.
But this time—
He didn't push it.
Didn't reach for the connection.
He just… held it there.
This feels weird," he muttered.
The shadows formed slightly.
Then stopped.
Like they were waiting.
It's waiting for you," Veyr said.
Adrian nodded slowly. Yeah. I can feel that."
Kai stepped closer. "Don't respond."
Adrian exhaled. Right.
The pull came.
Soft this time.
Subtle.
Like a quiet invitation.
Adrian felt it immediately.
There it is."
Don't follow it," Kai said.
Adrian clenched his fist slightly.
I'm not."
The pull increased.
Not aggressive.
But persistent.
Like something trying to get his attention.
Adrian ignored it.
The mark pulsed again.
Stronger.
Then again.
Faster.
It's pushing harder," Adrian said.
Veyr nodded. "Because you're not responding."
Adrian smirked faintly. "Good."
The pressure built.
But Adrian didn't move.
Didn't reach.
Didn't react.
Just stood there.
Holding the line.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The pull stopped.
Just like that.
Gone.
Adrian blinked. Wait."
He lowered his hand slightly.
It stopped."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "It… released you."
Veyr's gaze sharpened. "No."
A pause.
"It lost the connection."
Adrian looked at his wrist.
The mark still pulsed.
But softer now.
Quieter.
I didn't go in," he said.
Kai nodded. "You didn't respond."
Adrian let out a slow breath.
So it couldn't pull me."
Veyr stepped closer.
That's it."
Adrian looked at him. "That's what?"
"The weakness."
Silence.
Kai frowned. "If he doesn't engage…"
"It can't fully connect," Veyr finished.
Adrian's expression shifted slightly. "…So instead of breaking it…"
A pause.
I starve it."
Veyr nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian let out a quiet laugh.
That's actually kind of simple."
Kai didn't smile. "Simple doesn't mean easy."
Adrian glanced at him. "Yeah, I figured that."
He looked back at his wrist.
The mark pulsed once.
Slow.
Almost… weaker.
So if I keep doing this…"
Veyr answered, "The connection weakens."
Kai added, "Or it adapts again."
Adrian smirked faintly. "…Of course it might."
Silence settled again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Less uncertain.
More… focused.
Adrian rolled his shoulders slightly.
Alright."
Kai looked at him. "What are you thinking?"
Adrian's smile faded just a little.
I think we've been playing its game."
A pause.
Now we change the rules."
Veyr nodded slowly.
Kai didn't argue.
Because for the first time—
They had something real.
Not just power.
Not just resistance.
But control.
Adrian glanced at both of them.
Next time I go in"
A small pause.
It'll be because I choose to."
The mark pulsed once.
Quiet.
Waiting.
But not pulling.
Not anymore.
And somewhere—
Far beyond them—
Something shifted.
Because for the first time—
It wasn't in control of the connection anymore.