Mountain air bit at Solaris's lungs as he completed his third lap around Maron's designated training course. The sun had barely crested the eastern ridge, painting the compound in pale gold light. On any other morning, he might have paused to appreciate the view—mountains stretching to the horizon, valleys shrouded in mist, the world awakening beneath a canvas of pink and orange clouds. But Maron's training regimen left little room for scenic appreciation.

  "Two minutes, forty-three seconds," Maron announced as Solaris crossed the invisible finish line. The ex-Delta Force operator stood with perfect military posture, stopwatch in hand, his weathered face betraying nothing. "Shave seven seconds off that time."

  "That's... impossible," Solaris panted, hands on knees as he caught his breath. "The terrain—"

  "Irrelevant," Maron interrupted. "In combat, terrain is just another variable. Adapt or die. You have two minutes before your fourth lap."

  Beside Maron, Akira cooled down from his own run, his breathing controlled despite the exertion. The young Japanese man had completed the course five seconds faster than Solaris, a fact that clearly pleased him despite his attempts to appear indifferent.

  "Breathing technique," Akira suggested, demonstrating a rhythmic pattern.

  Solaris nodded gratefully, mimicking the technique. As his breathing steadied, he glanced toward the third member of their morning training group.

  Era stood several meters away, completing a series of stretches that Maron had assigned. Her movements flowed with unnatural precision, her olive-toned skin occasionally rippling with subtle obsidian patterns when she extended too quickly. Unlike Solaris and Akira, she showed no signs of fatigue despite having completed the course at nearly the same pace.

  "Again," Maron called to Era. "Your form is too mechanical. Feel the movement, don't just execute it."

  Era adjusted immediately, her subsequent stretch carrying more natural fluidity. The transformation was subtle but significant—mechanical perfection yielding to something more authentically human.

  "Better," Maron acknowledged with characteristic brevity.

  Solaris had expected Maron to treat Era with heightened caution, perhaps even thinly veiled hostility. Instead, the older man had approached her training with the same demanding precision he applied to everyone. The silent message was clear: if Era wanted acceptance, she would earn it through the same trials as anyone else.

  "Tanaka!" Maron barked. "You're up. Beat your previous time."

  Akira nodded sharply, moving to the starting position with disciplined focus. At Maron's signal, he launched into motion, attacking the rugged mountain trail with precision born from years of martial training.

  "Man he's good," Solaris observed, still catching his breath.

  "Kid's been training his body since he could walk," Maron replied, eyes tracking Akira's progress through the treeline. "Family martial tradition going back generations. Different approach than yours, but effective."

  "And what's my approach exactly?"

  "Chaotic genius," Maron stated flatly. "You improvise well but lack foundational discipline."

  Before Solaris could protest this eerily-accurate assessment, Maron turned toward Era. "Your turn. Course remains the same. Objective: complete under two minutes thirty seconds."

  Era nodded, moving to the starting position with that subtle uncanniness that still marked her movements despite her efforts to appear human. "Understood."

  "One condition," Maron added, eyes narrowing slightly. "No cheating. I want to see your baseline capabilities without whatever that Draco thing can do."

  "Understood," Era repeated, though a brief flicker of obsidian beneath her skin suggested an internal dialogue with her other half.

  At Maron's signal, Era launched forward with explosive acceleration. Her form blurred slightly as she reached the treeline, navigating the rugged terrain with preternatural awareness.

  "Jesus," Solaris whispered, watching her effortlessly clear obstacles that had left him winded.

  "Yeah," Maron acknowledged grimly. "Whatever that matrix stuff is, it makes her something else entirely."

  They tracked Era's progress as she disappeared into the forest, reappearing moments later along the ridgeline at a pace that should have been impossible on the steep incline.

  "She's not even trying," Solaris realized aloud.

  "Nope," Maron agreed. "She's holding back significantly."

  Era completed the circuit in exactly two minutes and thirty seconds, returning to the training area without a single bead of sweat or elevated breathing. She came to a perfect stop before Maron, awaiting assessment.

  "Two-thirty exactly," Maron noted, studying her with narrowed eyes. "Down to the millisecond. That's... precise."

  "Too precise?" Era asked, genuine concern flickering across her features.

  Maron's face revealed nothing of his thoughts. "Your next circuit—push yourself. I want to see your actual limits, not what you think we want to see."

  Something shifted in Era's expression—subtle but unmistakable. When she spoke, the harmonics beneath her voice betrayed Draco's influence. "You don't want to see our limits, mountain man."

  Maron didn't flinch at the dual-voice or the subtle threat it contained. "Actually, I do. That's the whole point of training assessment." He stepped closer to Era, unintimidated despite being several inches shorter. "You want to stay here? I need to know exactly what you can do. No bullshit, buddy."

  The internal struggle played across Era's features briefly before she regained control. "I apologize. We... I will comply."

  "Good," Maron replied simply, stepping back. "When Akira returns, we move to phase two."

  The morning progressed through Maron's carefully structured regimen—strength exercises using natural features of the landscape, reflexive drills designed to test response time, and precision tasks requiring both mental and physical coordination. Throughout each challenge, Era demonstrated capabilities clearly beyond human limitation, yet she maintained just enough restraint to avoid appearing completely alien.

  By mid-morning, they had gathered in the compound's combat training area—a flat expanse of packed earth surrounded by stone markers, situated near the eastern edge of Maron's property. The space had been designed specifically for sparring, with weapon racks discretely positioned at strategic intervals and a medical kit visible near the entrance.

  "Combat assessment," Maron announced without preamble. "Controlled engagement only. Objective: evaluate technique, not victory. First match: Solaris versus Era."

  Akira moved to the perimeter, his amber eyes watching with disciplined focus as Solaris and Era took positions at opposite ends of the sparring area.

  "Rules of engagement," Maron continued, positioning himself where he could observe both participants clearly. "Solaris may activate his integrated state. Era may utilize her... abilities. Combat terminates at first conclusive advantage or my command. Clear?"

  "Clear," they responded simultaneously.

  Maron gave a sharp nod. "Begin."

  Solaris activated his integrated state immediately. The transformation had become second nature now, requiring merely thought rather than conscious effort.

  Across the sparring circle, Era underwent her own transformation—subtle but profound. Her posture shifted, becoming almost predatory as obsidian patterns rippled more prominently beneath her skin. Black sclera rippled across her eyes, her pupils expanding until fractions of her now electric blue irises remained visible.

  "Sun God," Draco's voice emerged from Era's mouth, deeper harmonics now dominant. "You honor us with this exchange."

  Solaris manifested his blue flame sword. The blade hummed with harmonic energy, creating subtle distortions in the air around it.

  "You honor our strength by drawing Solarion-Omega," Draco observed with evident reverence.

  The name resonated within Solaris, though he couldn't recall ever hearing it before. Before he could process this, Draco launched forward with explosive speed.

  Their engagement transcended ordinary combat. Draco's movements possessed both mechanical precision and predatory instinct—Era's form flowing like liquid obsidian as blade-like extensions formed and dissolved from her arms in immediate response to tactical needs. The entity clearly possessed combat programming beyond what Era's consciousness could have contributed.

  Yet against Solaris's Solarion-Omega, Draco found limited advantage. Solaris seemed to intuitively counter each attack, creating harmonic disruptions wherever it connected with Draco's obsidian form. Each successful parry sent cascading ripples through Era's body, forcing Draco to reconfigure his attack patterns.

  "Impressive," Draco acknowledged, momentarily disengaging. "The flames recognize us."

  "What does that mean?" Solaris asked, maintaining defensive positioning.

  Instead of answering, Draco resumed attack—this time with increased intensity. Era's form became increasingly fluid, obsidian patterns now completely dominant across visible skin as Draco's influence grew. The entity moved with blinding speed, creating multiple attack vectors simultaneously.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Solaris responded with remarkable synchronization, his integrated state allowing perfect cooperation between perception and response. He shadow-slid between position points, manifesting barriers and counter-strikes with fluid creativity that matched Draco's mechanical precision.

  The engagement continued for nearly five minutes—a masterclass in non-human combat capabilities that left Akira watching with undisguised amazement. Despite the intensity, neither combatant gained a decisive advantage, each adaptation met with corresponding counter.

  "Sufficient," Maron finally called. "Disengage."

  Both Solaris and Draco withdrew immediately, returning to their starting positions with disciplined control. The obsidian patterns across Era's skin gradually receded as Draco's influence diminished, leaving her gasping slightly as she reasserted dominance over their shared form.

  "Assessment," Maron stated, eyes narrowed in professional evaluation. "Solaris: excellent tactical adaptation, integrated state functioning at approximately 85% efficiency. Era/Draco: advanced combat programming evident, self-limiting protocols functioning appropriately."

  Era nodded acknowledgment, having fully regained control. "The blue flames continue to disrupt Draco's coherence."

  "It's Guardian energy," Solaris explained, vanishing his blade but maintaining his integrated state. "Specifically designed to counter certain energetic patterns."

  "Like the dark mirror that is Anunnaki technology," Era concluded.

  "Exactly," Maron confirmed. "Which makes your next match particularly relevant. Akira—you're up."

  Akira stepped forward, his expression revealing nothing as he took position opposite Era. Akira carried himself with disciplined confidence, settling into a traditional stance that betrayed his lifetime of martial training.

  "Same parameters," Maron instructed. "Begin when ready."

  Unlike Solaris, Akira carried no enhanced transformation—just extraordinary human discipline refined through generations of martial tradition. He drew a practice blade from the nearest weapon rack, the wooden sword moving as natural extension of his arm rather than separate implement.

  "Ikuze," Akira stated quietly, signaling commencement.

  Era nodded respectfully before allowing Draco's transformation to flow once more across her form. When the entity again spoke through her, the dual-voice carried curious anticipation.

  "The flame sleeps within you," Draco observed cryptically.

  Akira's eyes narrowed slightly at this assessment, but he maintained disciplined focus. When Draco attacked, the difference compared to his engagement with Solaris became immediately apparent.

  Without the blue flame's disruptive properties, Draco's capabilities expanded dramatically. The obsidian extensions from Era's arms flowed with greater cohesion, maintaining structural integrity through more complex attack patterns. The entity's movements shifted toward predatory aggression rather than disciplined combat—testing, probing, hunting.

  Akira defended with remarkable skill for an unaugmented human. His lifetime of martial training manifested through perfect economy of movement, each action serving multiple purposes simultaneously. Where Draco attacked with overwhelming force, Akira responded with precise redirection, using the entity's momentum against itself.

  Yet the disparity in raw capability became increasingly evident as the match progressed. Draco accelerated his assault, forcing Akira into continuously defensive positioning. The wooden practice sword, wielded with impeccable technique, nonetheless proved insufficient against Draco's evolving obsidian weapons.

  "He's pushing too hard," Solaris murmured to Maron. "This doesn't feel like assessment anymore."

  Maron nodded grimly, his hand drifting subtly toward his holstered sidearm. "Era's losing control."

  Within Era's form, the struggle became visibly apparent—obsidian patterns pulsing chaotically as the entity pushed against Era's limiting influence. Draco's attacks grew increasingly aggressive, each strike carrying lethal intent barely diverted by Era's fragmentary control.

  Akira recognized the danger, his disciplined expression giving way to genuine concern as he narrowly avoided a blade-strike that would have caused serious injury. "Oi! Yamete!" he commanded, attempting to halt the engagement.

  Draco ignored the command, pressing forward with predatory focus. Era's voice emerged briefly—strained and desperate as she fought for control.

  "Can't... hold him back..."

  "Terminate engagement!" Maron ordered sharply, drawing his sidearm in fluid motion.

  What happened next transcended explanation.

  Something awakened within Akira—perhaps triggered by the immediate threat, or catalyzed by Solaris's proximity, or even possibly activated through some combination of survival instinct and latent potential. His eyes widened as energy cascaded through his system.

  Blue flames erupted from Akira's form—not consuming him but emanating from him, engulfing the wooden practice sword in azure fire that matched Solarion-Omega. The conflagration expanded outward in a controlled explosion, creating a perfect sphere of blue energy with Akira at its center.

  Draco reacted with immediate recoil, the obsidian extensions retracting violently as the entity withdrew deeper into Era's consciousness.

  "Unbelievable," Maron whispered, weapon still trained on Era though his eyes fixed on Akira's transformation.

  The flames subsided gradually, condensing until they maintained stability only around Akira's wooden sword and—most significantly—a small blue flame that continued burning directly over his heart.

  Silence settled across the training area as everyone processed what they had witnessed. Era had collapsed to her knees, gasping as she regained full control of her shared form. Solaris maintained vigilant positioning, Solarion-Omega manifested. Maron's sidearm remained drawn but lowered slightly as the immediate threat subsided.

  Akira stood motionless, staring at his burning weapon with equal parts wonder and confusion.

  "Eeeh... Nani kore?" he managed finally, his disciplined composure temporarily abandoned.

  Solaris approached carefully, his black sclera eyes studying the blue flames with analytic precision. "The Guardian energy awakened within you," he observed quietly.

  "Guardian energy," Akira repeated, the concept clearly unfamiliar despite his lifetime of martial training. "This is... similar to your sword?"

  "Yes," Solaris confirmed.

  Maron had finally holstered his weapon, though his vigilant stance betrayed continued caution. "Training session terminated," he announced, his voice returning to its characteristic command tone despite the extraordinary circumstances. "Everyone stand down."

  Era had regained her feet, her expression revealing both exhaustion and shame as she struggled to maintain composure. "I apologize," she offered quietly. "Draco's predatory nature... we underestimated it."

  "You nearly killed Akira," Maron stated flatly, professional assessment leaving no room for polite evasion.

  "Yes," Era acknowledged, meeting his gaze directly. "We failed to maintain appropriate restraint protocols. It won't happen again."

  "Damn right it won't," Maron replied, stepping closer until he stood directly before her. "Because if you ever lose control like that again, I'll put you down permanently. Are we clear?"

  Something shifted in Era's expression—subtle but significant as Draco's influence briefly surfaced. The entity regarded Maron with predatory assessment, clearly measuring the threat against its own capabilities. After a moment of silent evaluation, Draco seemed to reach a conclusion, the obsidian patterns receding completely from Era's skin.

  "Clear," Draco responded through Era, the dual-voice carrying grudging respect rather than submission. The entity acknowledged Maron's authority without surrendering its pride.

  Maron held Draco's gaze for another moment before nodding once—neither friendly nor hostile, simply confirming understanding.

  "Solaris, get Era back to the east cabin, and get Eli over here." he instructed. "Akira, you're with me. We need to figure out what the hell just happened to you."

  As Solaris guided Era toward the compound, he glanced back to see Akira still staring at the blue flames surrounding his wooden sword—the supernaturalness of its continued burning without consuming the material beneath. More significant was the small blue flame that remained visible directly over his heart, pulsing gently in rhythm with his breathing.

  Evening settled across the compound, shadows lengthening as the sun descended behind the western mountains. The day's events had created a natural separation among the residents—Akira with Yuki and Mei in the main house's north wing, Maron and Eleanor consulting in his tactical office, Era secluded in the east cabin under enhanced monitoring.

  Solaris and Eli had retreated to their own cabin, processing the day's revelations while preparing for sleep. The small space had gradually acquired personal touches during their stay—Eli's sketches of crystalline structures from higher dimensions, Solaris's journal entries describing integration experiences and small mementos gathered from the surrounding forest.

  "I still can't believe Akira manifested the Blue Flame," Solaris said, settling onto the bed beside Eli. "It’s awesome, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t expect it."

  "The Blue Flame responds to specific consciousness patterns within our DNA," Eli explained, her straight blonde hair catching the lamplight as she turned toward him. "Vander had it. You have it. And apparently, Akira has it too.”

  "And that name—Solarion-Omega," Solaris mused. "Draco knew it immediately, like it was part of some ancient record."

  "Solarion-Omega?" Eli repeated, her eyes suddenly widening. "Did you say Solarion-Omega?"

  Solaris nodded, surprised by her reaction. "Yeah. Draco called my sword Solarion-Omega. Why? Does it ring any bells?"

  Eli sat up straight, excitement transforming her features. "Oh my god, SOLARION? YOOO!" She practically bounced on the bed. "I REMEMBER NOW! Solarion was peak gameplay! You were like Roger, dude, too early to end the system, but just in time to set up the foundations for the future! I can’t believe I forgot when we were in New Tara. The memories have been on the tip of my tongue ever since…"

  Solaris blinked, momentarily taken aback by both her enthusiasm and her distinctly otaku speech pattern. This side of Eli—the exuberant fan-girl beneath the cosmic multi-dimensional awareness—never failed to delight him.

  "Roger, huh?" he asked, unable to suppress a smile.

  Eli continued, gesturing expansively and metaphorically putting on her coke-bottled nerd glasses. "Solarion was one of your most legendary incarnations! You were basically the Joyboy of your era—setting everything up for future generations while the World Government—I mean the Anunnaki—tried to erase all evidence of your existence!"

  Despite the serious implications, Solaris found himself laughing at her enthusiasm. "Damn, Roger and Joyboy, huh…"

  "Like Un’Claye said, you established pathways that would allow future incarnations to reconnect more easily. Solarion-Omega was your signature weapon!" Eli explained, settling slightly though her eyes still sparkled with excitement. "You're unconsciously re-manifesting your most powerful tools from past incarnations."

  Solaris absorbed this information, wondering how much of his current abilities represented new development versus remembered capabilities from ancient incarnations.

  Eli's expression shifted toward sheepish acknowledgment. "Honestly? My memory is still fuzzy though. When you've lived as long as we have, remembering the specifics from millions of years ago, especially thousands of incarnations later, is a serious stretch." She shrugged apologetically. "That's why we have our soulkin to help us remember. And the Akashic Records of course."

  "So, basically, you only remember Solarion through... One Piece analogies?" Solaris asked, amused.

  "Hey!" Eli protested, playfully pushing his shoulder. "When you've been incarnating for eons, sometimes pop culture references are the most efficient shorthand for cosmic concepts. Besides," she added with a playful wink, "I'm a total otaku, and I will stop at nothing to stan my oshi."

  "Stan your oshi?" Solaris repeated, eyebrow raised, quite knowledgeable about these concepts. Despite his familiarity with these terms, he was still surprised after not hearing them for a while.

  "You, obviously," Eli replied, her playfulness softening into something more genuine. "If I had to have an oshi in the multiverse, it would absolutely be you."

  The sentiment touched something deep within Solaris. Even amid cosmic revelations and world-changing events, these small, personal connections anchored him to what mattered most.

  "We're going to be okay, aren't we?" he asked, the question emerging from some vulnerable place beneath his growing confidence. "With everything happening—the anomalies in space, the gathering Sovereigns, Un'Claye's return..."

  Eli met his gaze directly, blue eyes holding his with perfect clarity. "More than okay," she assured him, shifting closer until their foreheads touched. "We're practically invincible."

  She embraced him then, arms wrapping around him with surprising strength for her small frame. The simple physical connection carried reassurance beyond words—flame to flame, soul to soul, across countless incarnations.

  "You mean the world to me," Solaris whispered against her hair. "I would do this all again if everything were to reset. Not just for the people of Earth, but for you too. You are my favorite person in the multiverse. And the only one I’d want to spend infinite amounts of time with."

  Eli pulled back slightly, giving him a knowing look that needed no translation. For the next half hour, there wasn't any sleeping done—just the rediscovery of connection between two kindred souls.

  Afterward, they lay together in comfortable silence, the cabin's small space feeling like the entire universe contained in miniature. Sleep eventually claimed them both—the deepest, most peaceful rest either had experienced since arriving at the compound.

  As his consciousness faded, Solaris found himself wondering about Solarion and The Light Bearer, about ancient foundations laid for future awakening. And nothing, not even the Anunnaki themselves, would take that away from him now, no matter what.