The air in the cramped apartment felt like it was ionizing. Techyon stood up, his shadows lengthening against the wall. His voice didn't shake, but it carried a weight that made the floorboards groan.
"If you're telling the truth..." Techyon started, his eyes flashing with a dangerous white spark. "Then why? Why did they leave me alone? If my father was that strong—if he could kill sixty million Monarchs—why couldn't he protect his own family?"
Cinder looked away, the flickering light of the apartment reflecting in his tired eyes. "I don't have all the answers, kid. After the Second War, he vanished. Some say he's hiding. Most say he's dead. The world hasn't seen the Arcon of Hope in over a decade."
"He's not dead," Techyon snapped, his fist clenching so hard his knuckles turned white. "I can feel it. If that blood is in me, then he's out there. I have to find him."
Cinder stood up, his S-Rank aura settling over the room like a heavy cloak. "We don't know where he is. But I know someone who might."
Techyon stepped forward, his intensity nearly matching the S-Rank's. "Who? Tell me."
"We have to go to Hydro City," Cinder said gravely. "The Hydro Arcon... he fought alongside your father in the Great War. If anyone knows where Arax went after the sky turned white, it's him."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Techyon turned toward the door, his momentum already shifting. "Let's go to Hydro City. Right now."
"Calm down, kid," Cinder warned, his hand landing on Techyon's shoulder like a lead weight. "If a Monarch senses you—or even one of their high-ranking Soldiers—we're in trouble. You're a beacon of Light in a world that's been dark for fourteen years. We move carefully."
Techyon didn't stop. He reached for the door handle, his jaw set in stone. "Careful or not, we're going."
Cinder let out a short, dry laugh. "Fine. But we aren't just 'traveling.' If we're going to cross the Wastelands to reach the Hydro Arcon, I have to train you. That form you used in the dungeon... what was it called? The System called it an 'Auto-Counter,' right?"
Techyon paused, looking at his palms. "According to the System, it was a [PASSIVE: AUTO COUNTER (SIGN)]. It only triggered because I hit 6% HP. It was a survival instinct."
"Well, 'Survival Instinct' won't cut it where we're going," Cinder said, a spark of fire dancing between his fingers. "Can you use that form without dying first? Can you pull that auto counter energy at 100% HP?"
Techyon looked internal, searching for the spark he felt at the lake. "No. I... I never even thought of that."
Cinder's eyes narrowed, a predatory smile touching his lips. "Then that's where we start. I'm going to train you until you can summon that light with a heartbeat—or until you break. Let's see if the Blood of Hope can handle an S-Rank's pressure."