Rise of Yahunyens: Origin

Episode 54: Pain Game

Griswa's expression remained calm, but his eyes carried the weight of determination. His voice, though steady, held a hidden fire. "Understood," he said. His gaze met Fheniz's, locking for a moment before he continued, "Not like I can go to Aeartha without knowing Gate Commanding."

His tone was serious, resolute, as if the very air around them thickened with the weight of his words. Fheniz, his posture slightly relaxed but with an undercurrent of seriousness, nodded.

"Start training. From the basics again. Energy to be controlled for energy to be enhanced. No time to rest now," Fheniz said, the steel in his voice impossible to ignore.

Griswa, with his usual presence, stepped forward, his footsteps echoing as if the very ground beneath him acknowledged his divine nature. "Gods don't need rest. But you do, Fheniz," Griswa's voice was even, a mix of respect and quiet assertion. He continued, his voice almost contemplative as he gazed toward the endless horizon outside the hall, "And you won't need to train me anymore, I am not putting any more responsibilities on your shoulders."

Fheniz, catching Griswa's intent through his aura, could tell that the young god was not just speaking about physical training. Griswa was a force in his own right, yet there was an unmistakable depth of internal struggle — the weight of his guilt, his power, and his past. His regret over Master Ehayor's death, while not consuming him, lingered in his heart. Yet, Griswa was not entirely defined by that guilt. There was more to him.

And then, there was the subconscious — a lurking, dangerous enigma inside him that haunted Griswa's existence.

Without skipping a beat, Fheniz met Griswa's contemplative gaze and said, "I have my responsibilities by right. You aren't putting them on me; I'm taking them. Only one person can bring down yourself, and that is yourself... That's much more than a responsibility I'm giving you, Griswa."

Griswa's stoic expression softened, his eyes revealing just a hint of gratitude, but still burdened by unspoken thoughts. He could sense the wisdom in Fheniz's words — not only a declaration but a truth woven into the very essence of their relationship. Fheniz wasn't just a teacher; he was more like a guiding flame, an anchor in the whirlwind of chaos that surrounded them.

Fheniz continued, his tone calm but firm, "And as your master, I do wish to know more about this subconscious of yours before we start training."

Griswa sighed lightly, his broad shoulders rising and falling as if the weight of the world rested upon them. He looked away for a moment, his mind drifting to the deeper thoughts that plagued him. He closed the door and turned.

"Fheniz... I want to know more about myself, more than anyone. Forget the subconscious — I don't even know myself as a conscious person. Even after such a long history of the Skaar Gods, I don't understand why I was born. I don't know my purpose... I have a dream, but it's not directly my own. I'm like a helper to my friends, but... have I been able to help at all?" His voice faltered slightly as he continued, "I killed our comrade. I couldn't save people, even after being a god. Because I thought I wasn't supposed to use my powers, fearing my subconscious would emerge at any moment... and then I learned that it doesn't even depend on that."

His hands clenched into fists, knuckles white with frustration.

"I am a total mess. And yet, I don't give up. I am going to help a person who was our enemy some time ago. What the hell am I doing, thinking I'm still right? My purpose is right, but my actions... they're wrong. And worse yet, they're not even in my control. Do I even deserve to be with you all?" His voice was growing quieter, as if he were speaking more to himself than to anyone else in the room. "I think I should be alone. Always with you, but we'll never be called TOGETHER. We'll free Aeartha... but we'll never be called TOGETHER. We'll defeat Thylme... but still, we'll never be called TOGETHER. So... isn't my very existence wrong?..."