Journey to the Top : The path of Power

The night was cold and still, and the only sound that broke the silence was the crackling of the campfire. Aisha sat beside it, wrapped in Roy's outer garment, her eyes fixed on the dancing flames. The firelight highlighted her delicate features—her almond-shaped eyes, deep and full of emotion, framed by long lashes. Her face was soft yet defined, her skin glowing in the flickering light. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, creating a striking contrast against the warm hues of the fire. Despite the exhaustion and sorrow etched on her face, there was an undeniable beauty about her—one that seemed both fragile and resilient. She looked lost, as if the flames reflected her shattered spirit. Roy sat across from her, his gaze steady and unflinching, watching her as she struggled with the aftermath of everything she had endured.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence hung heavy between them, filled with unsaid words and emotions. Aisha knew she owed Roy an explanation, and despite being grateful that he wasn't pressing her for one, she felt the weight of what had happened. Finally, her voice broke through, barely above a whisper.

"I'm from the Sword Sky Sect," she said, her eyes still fixed on the fire. Her voice trembled, and she took a shaky breath before continuing. "I'm a second-layer Muscle Forging expert. Not that it matters now..."

Roy raised an eyebrow, a look of curiosity crossing his face. He had heard of Sword Sky Sect—one of the lesser sects, but still formidable enough to command respect. He didn't respond immediately, waiting for Aisha to continue.

"To become stronger, I need resources," she said, her voice gaining a hint of bitterness. "And to get those resources, I have to complete missions for the sect. Missions that I am too weak to complete on my own. It's a vicious cycle—one that I can't seem to break. That's how Ron baited me. He promised to help me complete the mission, and I thought it was my chance to finally prove myself... but instead, I ended up here." Her voice wavered, and she clenched her fists in frustration.

She looked up at Roy, her eyes filled with tears. "I'm weak, Roy. Everyone looks down on me. They see me as nothing but a burden. Even my own sect... they treat me like I'm worthless." Her voice broke, and she covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking as she began to cry.

Roy watched her for a moment, his eyes softening. He had seen this before—people broken by the world around them, forced into a cycle they couldn't escape. He knew what it felt like to be powerless, to be treated like you were nothing.

"I thought... I thought joining the sect would change everything," Aisha continued, her voice muffled by her hands. "I thought I'd get stronger, that I'd prove myself. But no matter how hard I try, I can't keep up. I don't have the talent that the others do. I don't have the connections, the resources... I'm just... I'm just me."

She looked up at Roy, her eyes red and swollen. "I'm going to be left behind, aren't I? Everyone else will grow stronger, and I'll still be here, struggling just to survive. I'll never be able to reach the top, not like this." Her voice broke again, and she let out a sob, the tears streaming down her face.

Roy's expression remained calm, though his eyes held a depth of understanding. He let Aisha cry, knowing that sometimes, words were not what was needed. She had been holding in her fears, her frustrations, for so long—and now, it was all coming out. He waited until her sobs had quieted, her breathing still shaky but more even.

"Power is not something that is fixed, Aisha. It's a variable—it can change, grow. You know what realm I'm in?" Roy said finally, his voice steady but challenging.

Aisha blinked, looking at him in confusion. "You seem to be somewhere in the Bone Forging realm... but your power..." She trailed off, realization dawning on her as she understood just how powerful Roy truly was, despite his cultivation level.

Roy gave a small nod. "Exactly. My power doesn't match my realm, does it? That's because power isn't just about cultivation levels. It's about how you use it, how determined you are to push beyond your limits." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Do you want to be powerful and live life on your own terms? Or do you want to live a life directed by others?"

Aisha's eyes widened slightly, her breath catching in her throat.

"What does it matter if your cultivation level is lower than others? What matters is that you make your cultivation stronger than anyone else's at the same level. It will take time, effort, and pain—but so what?" 

This was something Roy had realized through repetitions of Bone Forging. If he had only done it once, he knew he would be the one dead today. Normally, most people reached Muscle Forging within a year, but he had deliberately stayed in Bone Forging for 2 years, tempering himself beyond the usual limits. The benefit was undeniable—he had become stronger, more resilient, and able to face challenges that would have broken others.

Roy's voice grew fiercer, a fire igniting in his eyes. "You can't let your current state determine your future. You have to fight, claw your way up if you need to, and make every bit of your power count."

Roy stood, his presence seeming larger, almost overwhelming as he spoke. "The world will try to break you, tell you that you're not enough, that you'll always be weak. But you have a choice, Aisha. You can decide that you won't let anyone else write your story. You can decide that you'll be the one who stands at the top, no matter how many times you fall." He reached out his hand, his eyes locking onto hers, filled with unshakable determination. "It's your choice. Do you want to give up, or do you want to rise?"

Aisha blinked, tears still in her eyes, but now there was something else— a spark of determination. She took his hand, her voice trembling but resolute. "I... I want to rise."

Roy nodded, his fierce expression softening slightly. "Good. But remember, this is your journey. You will have to take it yourself. Life can be short, Aisha, and that's fine. But it cannot be controlled by someone else."

Aisha stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never expected anyone to say those words to her—to give her the freedom and the courage to take control of her own fate. It felt almost unreal, like a dream she was afraid to wake from.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking again, though this time it wasn't from sorrow. It was hope—a fragile, trembling hope that maybe, just maybe, she wouldn't be left behind after all.

After the incident, Roy had brought Aisha near the hut and explained everything to Kevin. Kevin listened intently as Roy recounted the events, and he couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation. Later, when Aisha and Roy had their conversation by the fire, Kevin had been listening from a distance, his heart pounding in his chest. He had been unable to sleep, and hearing the low voices by the fire, he had quietly approached, staying just far enough away to remain unseen. Roy's words resonated deeply, sending chills down his spine. He could feel the raw determination in Roy's voice, and it wasn't just Aisha who was affected. Kevin felt a surge of motivation, an urge to push himself beyond his limits. The sheer intensity of Roy's conviction lit a fire in Kevin that he had never felt before—a fierce desire to grow stronger, not just for himself, but to be someone who could stand tall alongside Roy.

Roy nodded, watching Aisha as she slowly rose to her feet on her own. They stood there, the fire crackling beside them, the cold night air wrapping around them like a blanket. The flames seemed to flicker in sync with the newfound resolve that now coursed through both Aisha and Kevin.

Kevin, still hidden, clenched his fists, feeling a newfound resolve. He knew he had a lot to learn, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Roy's words had lit a fire in both Aisha and himself, and he was determined not to let that flame die out. He also went near the fire.

The three of them sat together by the campfire, talking until late into the night. They shared their fears, hopes, and determination, the warmth of the fire offering a sense of comfort in the cold night. Eventually, exhaustion overtook them, and they slept near the fire, huddled under makeshift blankets.

In the morning, Aisha took care of her fallen friends' bodies, her eyes filled with sorrow but also resolve. Before leaving, she approached Roy and handed him all the Aura crystals she had collected. "Take these, as a thank you," she said, her voice earnest.

Roy shook his head, declining. "I can't take all of them," he said, but he accepted half after Aisha insisted.

With tears in her eyes, Aisha turned to Roy and Kevin. "Thank you... for everything. Next time we meet, I promise I'll be stronger." She gave them a determined smile before walking away, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

Kevin took a deep breath. He knew he had found something important here—an opportunity to push himself, to grow beyond the weak, naive boy who had once been too weak to stand up by himself.