Kane stood in the center of the spiral of glowing roots, feeling the Pulse vibrate through her like an unseen tide. The forest outside the Valley of Echoed Roots seemed distant, irrelevant, and even Adrian, standing beside her, appeared to fade into the periphery. All that mattered was the energy under her feet, the rhythm in her veins, and the whispers of her ancestors pressing against her consciousness.
Aric’s voice was calm but firm. “The second stage is not about strength or speed. It is about communion. You must attune your mind and body to the Pulse fully. Let it flow through you, not just around you. Let it become a part of your essence.”
Kane nodded, closing her eyes. She inhaled slowly, drawing the valley’s energy into her lungs as if it were air itself. The Pulse answered her,
