Early Morning — Forest Clearing
Garron steps back into the forest clearing just as the sun peeks over the trees. He's surprised to find Bobby still training, drenched in sweat, his breaths shallow.
Garron: "Did you even sleep last night, or did you train the whole time?"
Bobby (looking away): "No... I just got here."
Garron (crossing his arms): "Don't lie to me, Bobby. I can tell what you've been doing just by looking at you. That's why I asked you to come with me, but you refused."
He pauses, observing Bobby's tired face.
Garron: "You haven't eaten anything either, have you?"
Bobby (hesitates): "Hmm..."
Garron (reaches into his satchel): "Here, eat this. Ryn made these especially for you."
Bobby (startled): "For me?"
Garron: "Just stop worrying and eat. You'll need the energy."
Bobby (smiles faintly): "Thanks."
He begins eating quietly.
Garron (thinking to himself): "His resonance is improving. I can feel it flowing a little more clearly than yesterday. He's learning faster than expected. But how...?"
As Bobby finishes the last bite, Garron steps forward.
Garron: "After you're done, take some rest. You'll need it. Because the next step will be harder."
Garron (smirking): "I'm going to give you a task — something that'll test your flow of resonance, push your control, and force it to align."
Bobby (wiping his mouth): "I'm ready. What is it?"
Garron: "We'll see after your rest. Come back here in two hours. And don't be late."
Later — Treehouse
Curious, Garron silently follows Bobby at a distance. Bobby walks quietly through the woods until he reaches a hidden spot where a small treehouse is built high in the branches.
Garron stops behind the trees, watching as Bobby climbs up a simple wooden ladder and enters the treehouse.
Garron (surprised): "This whole time... he's been staying here?"
He turns away and walks back toward the clearing, deep in thought.
Garron (thinking): "Even after all my efforts, I haven't been able to find any information about him... or his parents. It's like he came out of nowhere."
⏳ Two Hours Later — Forest Clearing
Bobby returns to the clearing, refreshed and focused. Garron sits casually on a tree trunk that had fallen across the path, arms folded.
Bobby: "I'm ready. What's the task?"
Garron (tosses a leaf into the air): "Leaf."
Bobby (raises a brow): "Leaf? What am I supposed to do with it?"
Garron: "You have to keep this single leaf suspended in the air using only your resonance, balanced on the palm of your hand — while you run, jump, duck, pivot."
Bobby (tilts his head): "Wait... I have to run through the forest like that?"
Garron (nodding): "Yes. And if the leaf falls — or your resonance flow breaks — you start over. From the beginning."
Bobby (nods slowly): "Understood."
Garron (serious now): "This is about more than just strength. It's about rhythm. Discipline. Let's see how far you've come."
Training Begins — Forest Path
Bobby takes position, steadying his breath. He places the leaf on his open palm and starts moving.
On the first and second attempts, he doesn't even make it past the starting stretch. The leaf drops with every sudden shift of balance or misaligned breath.
By the tenth attempt, he manages to cross farther — the leaf trembling but holding for a few seconds longer.
He pauses, hands on his knees, panting.
Bobby (thinking): "What am I doing wrong? What should I change?"
Garron watches from a distance, arms crossed.
Garron: "Stop forcing it. Let the resonance flow with your breath. Don't hold it like a weight — guide it like a stream."
Bobby nods and steadies his posture again.
Garron (continuing): "And keep your core engaged. Resonance isn't just in your hand — it travels through your spine, your legs, your focus. Find your rhythm."
Bobby takes another deep breath. His eyes narrow.
The training continues.
Evening — Forest Path
As the sun begins to set, the sky awash in warm orange, Bobby continues the task with determination. It's already between five and six o'clock, and his body is sore, covered in sweat and dirt.
He's now able to reach halfway through the forest — a major improvement from where he started. He's lost count of how many times he's run the course.
On one final attempt, he stumbles, the leaf dropping from his palm again. He falls to his knees, exhausted.
Garron (firmly): "That's enough for today. Let's go."
Bobby (panting): "But... I didn't make it past half the forest. I can't stop now."
Garron (sharply): "I said it's enough."
Bobby (lowering his head): "Fine..."
Garron (thinking): "How can he still be standing after all this? Is it the energy he's kept stored all these years... or something else entirely?"
Later — Garron's Home
Garron (calling): "Hey, Ryn. Look who I brought with me."
Ryn (smiling as she sees Bobby): "Oh, you must have been training hard. Go freshen up. Here, take these clothes."
Bobby (surprised): "These are for me?"
Ryn: "Yes, take them."
Bobby: "Thanks."
Later, everyone sits down at the table for dinner.
Garron: "Ryn, where's Lara? I didn't see her."
Ryn: "She's training with my brother. He said she'll be late."
Bobby (in his mind): "So.. she's training too."
Next Morning — Garron's Home
Ryn wakes up and notices Bobby isn't in the house. She walks toward the main room.
Ryn: "Garron, Bobby isn't here. Did he leave already?"
Just then, Lara walks out of her room, rubbing her eyes.
Garron: "I think he went to the forest again. He's pushing himself hard every day to improve his resonance."
Ryn (softly): "He's working so hard..."
Lara pauses, folding her palms tightly.
Without a word, she turns and walks back into her room.
To be continued...
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End of Episode 12
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