Shadows of Ascension

72. The Warning Before the Storm

The wind howled as Aiden, Luca, and Riona descended the snowy mountain, their boots sinking into the thick snow with every step. The blizzard showed no signs of stopping, and visibility was low.

"We've reached the other side," Luca shouted over the roaring wind. He pulled his cloak tighter around himself. "Soon, we'll enter the Lawless Area."

Just as he finished speaking, a loud voice echoed through the storm.

"Wait!"

The three of them turned sharply. Aiden reached for his weapon, but then his eyes widened. Through the snow, a massive figure emerged, towering over them like a mountain itself.

"The Yeti...?" Luca muttered in disbelief.

Beside the giant beast stood an old man in a dark cloak.

"Master Yun?" Aiden asked, confused. "What are you doing here?"

Master Yun walked forward, his hands folded behind his back. "I forgot to tell you something, Aiden. I need to speak with you. Privately."

Aiden hesitated, glancing at Luca and Riona. They looked equally confused but nodded, stepping back to give them space.

Once they were alone, Mr. Yun studied Aiden carefully. "So, child... I have a question for you."

Aiden raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Have you ever been blinded by rage during battle? Have you ever felt yourself surging with more power than usual when enraged?"

Aiden was taken aback. His mind immediately flashed back to moments in his past-times when his emotions ran wild, when his anger seemed to fuel his strength beyond his normal limits.

"Yes... it has happened," Aiden admitted. "But I never really thought much of it. I figured it was just... adrenaline or something."

Master Yun narrowed his eyes. "I see... You may not have unlocked your shadow skills yet, but those moments you experienced... they were glimpses of that power."

Aiden felt a chill-not from the cold, but from the weight of the words.

"The shift of power is so sudden," Master Yun continued, "that you may lose your mind if you're not careful. It's extremely dangerous."

Aiden frowned. "Well, I haven't really lost my mind before... but the rage I felt in those moments was definitely intense."

Master Yun sighed. "Then you're lucky. The Five Ancient Skills are so powerful that even a mere glimpse of their strength can overwhelm the user. But..." He looked Aiden straight in the eyes. "If you do unlock your power completely, you will be able to control it."

Aiden clenched his fists. "So what do you suggest?"

Master Yun's expression darkened. "Let it consume you."

Aiden's breath caught in his throat. "What?"

"You heard me."

"But... didn't you just say it's extremely dangerous?" Aiden asked, shocked.

Master Yun nodded. "I did. But it is the only way to overcome it. The next time you feel it taking over... don't fight it. Embrace it. Understand it. And then, once you truly grasp its power, you will be able to master it."

Aiden hesitated. Every instinct told him this was reckless. "And what about Luca and Riona? Shouldn't they know about this?"

Master Yun's face hardened. "No. Don't tell them a single thing."

Aiden's stomach twisted. "Then... what should I tell them?"

Master Yun smirked slightly. "Tell them that I warned you about the Lawless Area. Tell them that there are no monsters there-because the monsters are the hunters themselves. No laws apply. They do as they please. It's a playground for verdicts and bounty hunters."

Aiden swallowed. He'd heard rumors before, but hearing it from Master Yun made it feel more real.

"And one last thing," Master Yun continued. "The climate shift is extreme. The Lawless Area is a desert. As soon as you step into the sands, you'll know you've arrived."

Aiden nodded, absorbing every word. "Understood."

Master Yun gave him one final look. "Good luck on your journey, kid. You're going to need it."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the blizzard, the Yeti following behind him.

Aiden stood there for a moment, letting everything sink in. Then he turned back to Luca and Riona, ready to move forward-toward the unknown dangers that awaited them in the Lawless Area.