Capítulo 3: 3. The First Test
The earth roared beneath Caelus's feet, responding to the will of his alternate self with devastating force. Pillars of stone erupted from the ground, surging toward him with terrifying speed. Caelus gritted his teeth, raising his hand to summon a shield of earth, but the weight of the attack slammed into him like a freight train. His body was thrown backward, crashing into the ground with a bone-rattling impact.
Pain shot through his chest as he gasped for breath, his vision swimming. The ground beneath him was cold and unforgiving, the taste of dust filling his mouth as he struggled to push himself back up. He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't strong enough. The power inside him was there, but it was raw and unfocused. He could feel it, pulsing just beneath the surface, but every time he tried to reach for it, it slipped through his fingers.
"You're wasting your time," the alternate Caelus growled, his voice dripping with contempt. He stood tall and confident, the earth shifting beneath his feet like an extension of his own body. "You think you can control this power after barely scratching the surface? You're nothing compared to me."
Caelus's chest tightened, frustration and fear battling for control inside him. He had to find a way to turn the tide. He had to win. But how? His alternate self was stronger, faster, more experienced. Every move he made seemed effortless, the earth responding to him like a loyal servant. Meanwhile, Caelus felt like he was fighting against his own body, struggling to harness a power that refused to be tamed.
A low rumble echoed through the air, and Caelus looked up just in time to see another wave of stone pillars barreling toward him. Panic surged in his chest, but this time, something inside him snapped. Instead of running, instead of trying to dodge, he stood his ground.
His hands shot out, palms open, and he willed the earth to obey.
For a moment, nothing happened. The pillars continued their deadly approach, and Caelus could almost feel the impact looming. But then, with a sharp crack, the ground beneath him split open, and a massive wall of stone surged up to meet the attack. The two forces collided with a deafening crash, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground.
Caelus's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the dust settle. He had done it. The wall had held. The attack had been stopped.
But there was no time to celebrate. His alternate self sneered, his eyes gleaming with fury. "So, you've finally figured it out," he said, his voice a low growl. "But don't think for a second that means you've won."
With a roar, the alternate Caelus slammed his fist into the ground, and the earth erupted beneath him in a violent explosion of stone and dirt. Massive chunks of rock shot into the air, hurtling toward Caelus with terrifying speed. He barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as the ground beneath him shattered.
The force of the impact sent him tumbling across the ground, his body skidding to a stop in a cloud of dust. Pain lanced through his side, but he forced himself to his feet, his breathing ragged. He couldn't keep this up. He was already exhausted, and the fight had barely begun.
His alternate self was relentless, attacking again and again with the precision of someone who had spent years mastering the art of battle. Caelus, on the other hand, was barely keeping up, each attack pushing him closer and closer to the edge of defeat.
But he couldn't lose. Not here. Not now.
He closed his eyes, forcing himself to focus. The power inside him—it was there, waiting. He just had to find it. He had to control it. He had to make it his own.
With a deep breath, Caelus reached deep within himself, searching for the connection he had felt earlier. The earth wasn't just beneath his feet. It was a part of him, as much a part of him as his own heartbeat. Slowly, carefully, he let the power flow through him, feeling it surge from the ground up into his core.
The next attack came, but this time, Caelus was ready.
He raised his hand, and the ground responded in kind. A jagged wall of stone shot up from the earth, blocking the attack with a resounding crash. The impact sent a shudder through Caelus's body, but he held firm, his hand trembling as he maintained control.
The alternate Caelus snarled, his eyes narrowing. "You're starting to get it," he said, his voice cold. "But you're still too weak."
Without warning, the ground beneath Caelus shifted again, but this time it was different. The earth trembled, but there was no eruption of stone. Instead, the ground began to sink, pulling Caelus down with it. He gasped, trying to pull himself free, but the more he struggled, the deeper he sank. It was like quicksand, dragging him down inch by inch.
Panic surged in his chest as the earth closed in around him. He could feel the weight pressing down on him, crushing his lungs, suffocating him. His mind raced, his body thrashing against the relentless pull, but it was no use. He couldn't break free.
"This is the end," the alternate Caelus said, his voice dark and triumphant. "You don't deserve this power. You've never fought for it. You've never earned it. And now, you'll pay the price."
Caelus's vision blurred as the pressure intensified, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The earth was swallowing him whole, burying him alive. He could feel the darkness closing in, the edges of his consciousness beginning to fray.
But then, deep inside him, something shifted.
It was small at first, barely noticeable, but it grew with every passing second. It was the power—the connection to the earth. It wasn't just a tool. It wasn't something to be wielded or controlled. It was a bond, a relationship, something deeper than he had realized.
The earth wasn't his enemy. It was a part of him. And he was a part of it.
Caelus closed his eyes, letting the connection wash over him. He stopped fighting, stopped struggling, and instead, he listened. He let the earth speak to him, let it guide him. And slowly, the pressure began to ease.
The ground beneath him shifted, and instead of pulling him down, it began to lift him up. The weight on his chest lessened, his breath returning in short, shallow gasps. The earth was no longer crushing him. It was carrying him.
His eyes snapped open, and with a burst of strength, Caelus pushed himself free, the ground releasing him from its grip. He stumbled forward, gasping for air, but the power inside him was stronger than ever.
He turned to face his alternate self, his eyes blazing with determination. The earth thrummed beneath his feet, responding to his will with newfound intensity.
The alternate Caelus's expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists. "You think you've won?" he spat, his voice laced with anger. "You think you can take what's mine?"
Caelus didn't respond. He didn't need to. The power was his now. It wasn't just borrowed. It wasn't stolen. It was a part of him, as much a part of him as his own soul.
With a final surge of energy, Caelus raised his hand, and the ground beneath his alternate self erupted in a violent explosion of stone and earth. The attack was swift, precise, and devastating.
The alternate Caelus had no time to react.
He was thrown backward, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact. For a moment, everything was still. The air was heavy with the scent of dust and earth, the world around them silent.
Caelus stood there, his body trembling from the effort, his breath coming in short, ragged bursts. He had done it. He had won.
But the victory felt hollow. As he looked down at his fallen self, a strange emptiness settled in his chest. This version of him had fought so hard, sacrificed so much. And now, it was over.
The earth beneath him pulsed softly, a reminder of the power he had gained. But with that power came a weight—an understanding that this was only the beginning. There were more battles ahead. More versions of himself to face. And each one would be harder than the last.
Caelus closed his eyes, the realization sinking in.
This was only the first test.
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