Two days later at the training session, I collapsed twenty minutes in.

I lay panting on my back, gazing up at the cloudy skies.

"I think the weather is impacting your ability Ezekiel."

Azure walked over to me and to my surprise, plopped beside me and closed his eyes, sighing. "I don't think I am the correct person to be teaching you this."

"There are eighteen other Asterius. And all others are dead," I lifted my arm and looked at the roman symbol on it. In the last session,  Azure had told me the significance of the numbers. "It has to be you."

Azure looked at me. "Perhaps a fire affinity Nuvue would be better suited. Although that only leaves Obsidian among the seniors, who does not get along with you.  And Aranya, who is still too young to be training you."

I scoffed. "Young like, three hundred?"

"Two fifty."

"Wow, she's a baby."

The corner of his thin mouth flickered into half a smile. "I suppose you are correct. It has to be me."

"Azure," I began, finally making my mind up to ask him something that had been bothering me since last semester. "How is it possible for an air Nuvue to manipulate the liquid state of water into solid?"

Azure stared straight ahead. "It's not. I suppose-" his eyes glazed over as he thought hard. "It could be done, but it would require highly advanced magic." he looked at me. "Why do you ask?"

I shrugged nonchalantly. "I just...saw someone. Do something. It is possible then?"

"Yes." Azure nodded, "If the air Nuvue is able to manipulate the air around the surface of water, then the water can be frozen. However, it requires immense control and I would hold anyone who can do that in extreme high regards."

"Would the size of the water have an effect?" I asked, my heart beating slightly faster. It seemed like Elijah was capable of much more advanced magic than I had thought.

"Size? I suppose you mean surface area?" he looked at me for confirmation as I nodded and continued. "Absolutely. The larger area the more difficult it will be."

I sighed and sat up straight. "Let's start."

I didn't like the idea that Elijah was so strong. I knew I needed to strengthen my powers,

Azure stared at me, a distant look in his eyes. "There is someone I need you to meet, Ezekiel. I was hoping...it would be some time later. But...it is time," I stared at him curiously as he got to his feet. "It's time to pay a visit to the Sognare."

A while later, we had walked over to the palace gates of the Sentinel Sognare. I gazed in wonder at the sign of the sun etched on its highest towers, still illuminated by a golden glow. The walls on topmost towers seemed to glitter and I wondered if it was actually made of diamonds.

A huge fountain stood at the center of the high rise compound, a massive foundation with what looked like an angel mounted on it. She was pouring water from a large container which seemed to shimmer as if, it too, was encrusted with diamonds.

It was surreal as I walked through the medieval castle, its wall grey stone with tiny walls. There were several busts of illustrious sentinels who had lost their lives in the Dark War- The Supremes against the Umbras of the Chasm. The Umbras were dark, shadow creatures, manifestations of impenetrable darkness.

 There were several nondescript rooms on either side of the hallway as Azure led me straight ahead to the foot of the staircase. "The person I want you to meet resides on the nineteenth floor."

My eyes widened. "Please tell me you guys have a lift or something."

"Resilience is an indispensable quality dear Ezekiel," Azure said as he stepped up on the first stair. "I suggest we hurry."

I sighed and started following him up the staircase. By the time we reached the nineteenth floor, I collapsed on the carpeted ground, trying to catch my breath as Azure stood over me, gazing at me with an amused smile on his face. "It is sometimes hard to believe that you're yet a child Ezekiel."

"I'm...not...a...child."

"Of course not."

He waited patiently for me to catch my breath as I got up and finally took in the massive hallways that we were in. It was made of simple grey stone walls. Much like a castle with long windows lining the stone walls. At the center of the hall however was a pole with luminous letters etched on them.

At the far end of the hallway another wooden door stood. Towards which Azure led me. "I need you to follow and do exactly as I do," he whispered from the corner of his mouth as I nodded and he opened the door.

I felt like I was blinded by the sudden light.

The room inside was not much different than the one outside. However, there were large windows, carved into the stone that tried to usher in sunlight. A pedestal stood on my lift, on which a huge orb of light danced, bathing the floor  in its glow. On the far right was a bed, beside a fountain which trickled merrily. Near one of the larger windows, sat a man. His eyes opened as we entered and I did a double take at hi striking irises.

Golden. Like sunlight.

Azure dropped into a low bow and I immediately copied.

"Azure." The man said in an ancient, deep voice that seemed to reverberate into my bones.

Azure straightened up. "Ezekiel Joziah Hunt," he gestured toward me. "The last of the fallen stars."

The man got up from his meditation position and walked over to me. He was well over six feet tall, towering. He had broad shoulders and muscular chest that was covered by a white tunic. His eyes were striking on his dark skin and dark hair. He had sharp cheekbones and long lashes. Classically beautiful. I felt a strange aura radiating from him, of years of ancient power Ancient, infinite magic. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and gazed at me curiously. My eyes widened as my eyes fell on his rippling muscles and I saw the Roman numeral I etched onto it. Just like mine.

Helios.

"Rise up, Asterius," he said as I obeyed, my heart racing wildly.

"You're...Helios?" I asked, my throat suddenly dry.

The man nodded, his eyes flitting over to my arm and back to my face. He walked over to me, "May I see your symbol?"

I nodded. His voice had a strange quality, like I was compelled to do whatever he told me to. I rolled my shirt back and revealed the dark red mark. The man sighed, closing his eyes and seeming to mumble something in prayer. "It is wonderful to meet you my child. To see someone of my own brethren. I have waited over a millennia."

"But...I...I thought you were –" I bit my tongue just as I was about to finish.

"Dead," He finished, smiling in an amused way. He took a deep breath as I nodded. "I did not die. Although, it took me eight centuries to regain my health."

I gaped at him. "That's...a lot."

"Some of my reflexes are rather slow. Yes. But Azure tells me that I am to be the one to train you. Something that honours me," he took another deep breath before continuing. "Although, there is something you must know before-"

There was a sharp intake of breath and I glanced in surprise at Azure. "Helios. I would like to talk to you for a moment."

Helios glanced at him before nodding ever so slightly. "Ezekiel, would you?"

I nodded and bowed before exiting out of the room, my heart hammering. It was hard to believe that there was another Asterius. The first Asterius, who sealed the Chasm. He was a mythical hero. An epic legend. And yet here I was, in the Mythical Sognare with him.

The door opened after a while as Azure stepped out. "Helios suggests starting your training right away Zeke. If you are alright with it."

I nodded and walked back into the room. The door closed as Azure left, leaving me in the towering presence of Helios. Helios retook his seat on the floor by the window, which now that I saw, had a view of the entire forest from the looks of it.

"Sit Child."

I went and sat in front of him, feeling dwarfed by his massive frame.

"First thing you need to practice is peace of mind. Only when you have complete control over your mind can you wield your powers."

The next one hour, I found myself learning to meditate. Apparently, the concept of meditation did not normally exist in Obscura. He gave me instructions in his deep mellow voice, to try and center my breathe, to try and feel my powers.

I could feel the warmth in my chest, but it was hard to keep my thoughts from wandering.

I tried to concentrate on the light inside me and then suddenly, my vision blanked out completely.

It felt like I was no longer controlling my thoughts as the building I had seen so many times floated into my vision. Fire burning it viciously. The same vision that kept frequenting me. I opened my eyes, panting. There was a heavy weight in my stomach as I tried to even my breathing.

The vision always left me dreadfully worried and sad, Like a huge hollow had opened in my chest.A void that could not be filled.

"It will take time."

I gazed at Helios, who was staring back at me with a gaze that made a shiver run up my spine. "I will be resuming tomorrow."

I nodded and walked out of the room, bowing respectfully to him. A very worried Azure stood in front of me, trying to make his face impassive as I entered.

As we stood on the open compound and I waited for Azure to teleport me, I made a split second decision. "Azure," I began hesitantly. "Would it be okay..if you were to drop me at Neronz?"

Azure looked at me curiously. "I have instructions to drop you at the school, for your safety."

I bit my lip and glanced away, nodding. The uneasy feeling in my stomach from the vision was getting unbearable and I had the intense urge to meet Crystal.

"However, " Azure said, a small smile in the corner of his lips. "Even the thousand years of my life make me remember the pangs of young love," he stretched out a hand for me to take. "I shall drop you where you wish. But I shall disappear immediately. Take care Ezekiel."

I nodded and thanked him as immediately, there was a rush of air and I closed my eyes as we travelled through thousands of kilometres at the speed of light.