Nicolas looked at Aether, whose presence was expanding.
"We cannot brush over the Hecate threat," Aether said firmly, eyes narrowing at Nyx.
"This is not a discussion to be had among the chosen," she replied, her gaze now glaring.
"This is all your fault, first witch," Bahamut growled at Nyx, his voice like grinding stone. "You poisoned the minds of three generations of kings to hide your own weakness. They will reap what you sowed."
He paused, voice deepening. "Let war forge the strongest chosen and cull the weak."
"Watch your tongue, vile lizard!" Aether snapped, lightning now arcing from his forearms.
"Ha! Infant primordial," Bahamut mocked. "You grow bold with your mother present. Shall I remind you why none of them challenge me?"
Black and red aura seeped into the circle. A glow appeared between Bahamut's razor-sharp teeth, the air growing hotter by the second. Nicolas and Sofia winced, visibly in pain.
"This meeting is over," Nyx said, disgusted, and snapped her fingers.
Mike's mind was yanked out of the astral space.
He opened his eyes, hand still resting on the orb.
Across from him, Nicolas wore a deep frown.
"I'm going to call Sofia after the council meeting," he said, stepping away. "We need to coordinate a plan with the council. If Tartarus opens, it could destroy the world."
Mike stared at him. "How do we stop that from happening?"
"Same thing Nyx said before Aether and Bahamut turned the meeting into a pissing contest, we need to learn our powers. Hone them. Grow stronger." Nicolas sighed. "There will be more than just demons. And we still don't know why chosen are being given trials in the first place."
"Any leads on why the world changed?"
"None. The gods are still hiding everything."
He turned from the orb and headed for the council chamber.
"I need to tell Lisa about Tartarus. Olympus might know more."
Back in the council room, the rest of the members were still seated. They were mid-discussion, analyzing pantheon activity across different regions. Mr. Johns interjected occasionally, lecturing like a professor. Hunter, bandaged and pale, looked half-asleep.
Mike shook his head. He took the seat next to Hunter and nudged his chair with a bump.
"Aw, man!" Hunter jolted. "I was finally zoning out the old spider's rambling!"
"Listen here, boy," Mr. Johns snapped. "You may have brought back a Djinn, but you keep almost dying. Might want to learn something if you plan to live longer."
Mike's tone hardened. "Listen to what Nicolas has to say."
Hunter sighed. "What now? I'm already halfway dead."
"Hecate is trying to open Tartarus," Nicolas said flatly, his voice silencing the room.
Leo's hands gripped the table. "That explains what she's trying to unlock beneath the world. Olympus claimed they didn't know, but they've been gathering intel."
"I'll go with the delegation to get answers," Lisa muttered, rubbing her temples. "I should've stayed in Greece."
"Will you go meet with Olympus?" Nicolas asked Mike.
"No," Mike said, shaking his head. "I don't play their games. I'll hunt more powerful demons and angels. I know how to grow stronger now. I'll find Hecate. I'll get to Kelsey when she opens that door."
"Very well," Nicolas nodded. "We'll give you what we have on demon movements."
He turned to the others. "Everyone but council members and Mr. Johns is excused. We'll notify you if there's news on Tartarus."
Outside the chamber, Hamza was waiting.
"Mike! I'd like to train with you," he said. "You have great power, but you need control. I believe I can help."
Mike nodded. "Alright."
Then he turned to Henry. "Where can we spar?"
Henry grumbled. "Follow me."
No mockery this time. Just quiet resolve.
"Mike!" Hunter called after them. "I'm heading to my cabin to rest. I gave Hamza the address. Come find me when you're done, we've still got a deer to eat."
Mike smiled faintly. "Take care, Hunter."
As they walked, he turned back to Henry.
"My parents still staying here?"
"Yes. In the apartments behind the temple with the other families."
"Can you tell me which one? I'll visit them after training."
"I'll have it ready for you," Henry said as they approached a large set of double doors. He pushed them open.
Beyond was a smaller dome chamber with an elevated circular arena at its center. Five pedestals with floating diamond-shaped crystals lined one wall. Training weapons lined another. There were benches to the north, and a glowing crystal-blue pool behind them.
"Thank you, Henry," Mike said, stepping into the room.
Hamza walked up onto the platform. "Don't transform yet. Show me your control, in human form."
Mike followed and lunged forward, throwing a fist at Hamza. But every strike was easily deflected.
"You have raw power because you're a dragon," Hamza said. "But you're not focused. Channel your power into your fist. Visualize it without transforming."
"Can't I just transform? Isn't that better?"
"You must have full control over both forms. You need to distribute your power, not just unleash it."
Mike frowned. "Fine."
He closed his eyes. Visualized the dragon's might in his hand.
Scales began to form. Red aura shimmered and trailed like smoke.
"Too much," Hamza said. "Picture the power inside your human fist. No scales."
Mike tried again. The scales receded. Only the red aura remained.
"Good. Now attack me."
Mike struck again. But as he punched, he lost focus. His hand transformed. The blow launched Hamza almost off the platform.
Hamza rolled to a stop, grinning. "See? You broke focus. Power surged."
Mike nodded, frustrated. "Alright. I get it."
"Control means prolonging the fight. Efficiency is survival. I don't have your power, but I can fight longer."
Mike scoffed. "But I can eat my enemies to heal. Why worry?"
"Fool. Listen to the fire creature," Bahamut growled in his mind.
"What happens," Hamza asked, "when you face an enemy you can't overpower? What if there's no one left to eat?"
Mike hesitated. "Then I finish them fast. Or escape."
"So, flee. And leave allies to die?" Hamza snapped. "Like when you passed out and Hunter nearly bled out?"
Mike looked down. The memory of Hunter on that rooftop still stung.
"You won't always fight alone," Hamza said. "You must protect others. And that means control."
Mike nodded. "Alright. I'll practice it."
Hamza laughed. "The fists are just the beginning. You need to distribute power across your whole body."
He stepped back into position. "Now again. Let's continue."