Forbidden Pack Doctor

The Ancient Techniques

I started practicing the ancient techniques the very next morning. The elder's instructions were clear but difficult, written on crumbling parchment that had survived centuries. I studied the symbols and diagrams until they burned into my memory. The clearing behind the compound became my training ground, a quiet space surrounded by ancient oaks and wildflowers. I stood in the center, trying to focus my mind and channel the Shadow Gift. The power hummed beneath my skin, restless and eager.

Feel the power, I whispered to myself, my eyes closed. Control it. Do not let it control you. The words became a mantra, repeated over and over until they lost meaning and gained something deeper.

The first attempt was a small success. A heavy rock sat in front of me, gray and unmoving. I reached out with my mind, visualizing the energy flowing from my core through my arms and into the stone. The rock trembled, then lifted slowly into the air. It hovered for a moment, defying gravity, before I set it down gently. The power felt incredible a rush of warmth and strength that made me feel invincible. But the second attempt went wrong. I pushed too hard, too fast. The rock shattered violently, pieces flying in every direction. I barely dodged in time, throwing myself to the ground as shards of stone whistled past my head.

Asher watched from the side, his arms crossed and his expression tense. He had been there since dawn, refusing to leave me alone with the dangerous power. You are doing well, Soren, he said, his voice calm but cautious. Take it slow. There is no rush.

I need to get better faster, I replied, brushing dust from my clothes. The Gift is growing stronger every day. If I do not learn to control it, I will hurt someone. I already hurt Rina. I cannot let that happen again.

Lucas arrived later with old family journals, their leather bindings cracked with age. He carried them in a worn satchel, handling them with the reverence of someone who understood their value. I brought these, he said, laying them out on a flat stone. Our bloodline has used these techniques for generations. My grandfather wrote in these journals. My great-grandmother before him. They all struggled with the Gift the same way you are. Let me show you some tricks that worked for them.

Asher tensed but nodded, his jaw tight. If it helps her, I will not stop you. But I will be watching. Every moment.

The training continued for hours. I had small successes that filled me with hope. I learned to create small energy shields that flickered to life around my hands, glowing faintly in the afternoon light. I practiced redirecting the power, pushing it outward in controlled bursts. But the dangerous setbacks were scary. One time, the power surged unexpectedly and I accidentally knocked down several trees, their trunks splintering like matchsticks. Another time, the energy backlashed and threw me across the clearing, leaving me gasping for breath. Asher rushed to my side immediately, his hands checking me for injuries.

Are you hurt? he asked, his voice tight with fear. His eyes scanned my body for wounds, his fingers gentle but urgent.

I am fine, I said, sitting up slowly. But I need more control. I cannot keep failing like this.

Lucas offered his knowledge patiently, never growing frustrated with my mistakes. Breathe through the surge, he instructed. Anchor yourself to something real. Something that grounds you. Like Liam or Asher. Think of their faces when the power starts to overwhelm you. Let their love steady you.

His advice helped. I felt the difference immediately. When the Gift surged during my next attempt, I pictured Liam's bright smile and Asher's steady gaze. The power settled, responding to the anchor I had created. The energy shield stabilized, glowing steadily around my body.

Scouts brought worrying news in the afternoon. A mysterious immortal faction was moving toward the compound, their numbers larger than any we had faced before. They seemed to know about the Shadow Gift, and they seemed to know about me. Their advance was slow but deliberate, a message of intimidation.

We need to be ready, Asher said, his voice grim. This is getting bigger than we thought. The Eternal Legion is not just hunting Gift carriers, they are coming for Soren specifically. They want her power, and they will not stop until they have it.

I kept training late into the evening, the sun dipping below the horizon and painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. My body ached with exhaustion, but I pushed through it. I repeated the exercises over and over, feeling the Gift respond more readily each time. Then it happened. During a final session, I achieved my first successful controlled use of the Gift. I created a stable energy shield that held perfectly, glowing around me like a second skin. The power flowed smoothly, responding to my will without resistance.

I did it, I whispered in amazement, staring at the shimmering barrier around my hands. I actually did it.

Asher smiled proudly, his eyes shining with love and admiration. You are incredible, Soren. I never doubted you for a moment.

The Gift was growing, but I was starting to control it. New threats were coming, but I was becoming stronger too. The techniques were working, slowly but surely. I had a long way to go, but for the first time since the Gift awakened, I felt hope. Real hope that I could master this power and use it to protect the people I loved. The shadow inside me was no longer just a curse, it was becoming a weapon, a shield, a part of who I was. And I was determined to make it my own.