The deeper they went—
The heavier it became.
Not physically.
Internally.
Kael felt it in his core.
Aetherion didn't surge.
It… settled.
Like something was forcing it into alignment.
"…This place is restricting it."
Riven shook his head slightly.
"…Not restricting."
"…Stabilizing."
Kael frowned.
"…Feels the same."
"…It's not."
Riven stopped walking.
Turning to face him directly.
"…Restriction suppresses."
"…Stabilization allows control."
Silence followed.
Kael processed that.
Then nodded slightly.
"…So this is where people like you train."
A faint pause.
"…Among other things."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"…And what exactly are you?"
Riven held his gaze.
No hesitation.
"…Someone who survived long enough."
That wasn't an answer.
But it was enough.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"…Right."
A brief silence passed.
Then—
Riven stepped forward again.
"…From this point on—"
"…You don't fight to win."
Kael raised an eyebrow slightly.
"…Then what?"
Riven's gaze sharpened.
"…You fight to control."
The words hit differently.
Not like advice.
Like a rule.
"…Your power isn't lacking."
"…Your control is."
Kael's expression didn't change—
But he didn't argue.
Because he knew it was true.
Riven turned slightly—
Gesturing toward a distant platform.
Wider than the others.
Clear.
Empty.
"…You'll start there."
Kael followed his gaze.
"…Training?"
"…Evaluation."
A brief pause.
Then—
"…If you fail—"
Kael looked back at him.
"…I die."
Riven didn't deny it.
"…Eventually."
Silence.
Then—
Kael stepped forward.
No hesitation.
"…Then I won't fail."
For the first time—
Riven's expression shifted.
Just slightly.
Not quite approval.
But… something close.
"…We'll see."
The platform ahead waited.
Silent.
Still.
And as Kael stepped onto it—
The space beneath him reacted.
Light patterns forming.
Energy aligning.
Watching him.
Testing him.
And far above—
The others observed.
Waiting.