The abandoned train station had become a strange kind of home for the six of them. Days turned into weeks as Orin pushed them to master their powers. Each Guardian grew stronger, their abilities beginning to feel less like a mystery and more like an extension of themselves.
But the Dark One was not idle.
Leo slammed his hands together, sending a burst of fire spiraling toward the dummy Orin had set up in the training hall. The wooden target erupted into flames, reduced to ashes within seconds.
"Not bad," Skye said, watching from the corner as she practiced her wind manipulation, sending small gusts spiraling around her hands.
"Not bad?" Leo smirked, brushing soot off his sleeves. "That was epic."
"Sure, if your goal is to barbecue everything in sight," she teased.
"Hey, it's effective!" Leo shot back, though his grin widened.
Calypso entered the room, her presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. She carried herself with a quiet confidence, the air around her shimmering faintly, as if the stars themselves were just out of reach.
"Still setting things on fire, Valdez?" she asked, her tone playful but her eyes serious.
Leo turned to her, his bravado slipping just slightly. "Only the stuff that deserves it."
She gave him a small smile before turning her attention to the glowing orbs she had conjured, each one representing a fragment of the cosmos.
Skye caught Leo staring and nudged him with her elbow. "Eyes on your flames, fireboy."
Leo scowled, though his cheeks turned faintly red.
Outside, Jasmine and Zane worked near the pool, their training area transformed into a swirling vortex of water and light. Jasmine manipulated the water with precision, forming intricate patterns that danced in the air before splashing back into the pool.
"Think fast," she called, flicking a stream of water toward Zane.
He raised his pocket watch, twisting the hands backward. The water slowed mid-air, droplets hanging in a shimmering arc before he stepped aside and let them fall harmlessly to the ground.
"Nice try," he said, a rare grin tugging at his lips.
"Show-off," Jasmine muttered, though there was no malice in her voice.
They continued sparring, their movements growing more synchronized with each passing moment. As Jasmine sent another wave of water toward him, Zane's gaze lingered on her for just a second too long, causing him to misstep.
She laughed as the wave caught him, soaking his boots.
"Distracted?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Never," he replied, though the faint blush on his cheeks betrayed him.
In the garden, Bruce moved among the plants, his hands brushing against the leaves. Under his touch, the greenery thrived, growing faster and healthier than anything should.
Skye hovered nearby, the wind swirling gently around her. She watched as Bruce knelt by a patch of soil, coaxing a small tree to grow from a seedling into a sturdy sapling.
"Impressive," she said, leaning against a nearby post.
"Just doing my part," Bruce replied without looking up.
"You're way too humble for someone who can make trees grow out of thin air," Skye said, her tone light.
Bruce finally glanced at her, his expression softening. "And you're way too nosy for someone who keeps calling me serious."
She laughed, the sound like a breeze rustling through leaves. "Maybe I just like figuring people out."
"And what have you figured out about me?" Bruce asked, his voice low.
Skye hesitated, her usual playful demeanor faltering for a moment. "That you care more than you let on," she said finally.
Bruce looked at her for a long moment before nodding. "Maybe."
That night, the six of them gathered around the fire once more. The air was heavy, a storm brewing in the distance. Orin stood before them, their face hidden as always, but their voice carried a note of urgency.
"The Dark One grows stronger," Orin said. "It has begun to send its agents into the world. Shadows that seek to unbalance the elements."
"What kind of agents?" Zane asked, his tone sharp.
"Corrupted beings," Orin replied. "Twisted by darkness. They will target each of you, trying to sever your connection to your element."
"That sounds... awful," Jasmine said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It will be," Orin said. "But you are stronger together. Trust in your powers—and in each other."
The Guardians exchanged uneasy glances. The bonds between them were growing, but trust was a fragile thing, especially when the stakes were so high.
"What do we do if we face one of these... things?" Bruce asked.
"You fight," Orin said simply. "And you win."
As the fire crackled, the six of them felt the weight of their task settling over them. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—they would need each other more than ever.
