The Crystals

"His power would increase by many folds when he was in that form. But he claimed to have no control over himself in that form," said Lazuli.

"Did he have sustain memories of the incidences in that form?" asked Zohaifa.

"Sometimes he did, sometimes he didn't."

"I never do."

"He also tapped into that form whenever he was affected by strong emotions."

"I never faced that though."

"Anyways, there is one more characteristic the mythologies mentioned which is that he could control all the elements in that form. But you need to consider that the form is beatable. So, don't think you can pick a fight with anyone and wait for the form to do the rest."

"Did someone defeat him?"

"Yes. He only tapped into that form when he was strongly affected by emotions or faced a near-death situation. But what if he was killed before he noticed? He would be killed before he would know it. He wouldn't face any strong emotions. His body would face death immediately i.e. he would not face near-death but rather death itself. Thus the form could not help him. So, he was killed by a not-so-powerful assassin. Now, ask if you have any query."

"How did I get this form then?"

"Who knows? I don't know the cause of this form. Plus, it's not a form that appears once in a thousand years or something. There were few reports from persons claiming to use this form. But it is rare considering how big Cant World is. Anything else you want to know?"

"No. Thanks for these pieces of information."

"Go to Marium's room for now. I will train the two of you after she is done studying and I am done with my works. I will send a servant to provide food for you."

"Okay."

Later, that day,

"Umm… Excuse me. Please wake up, Mister," said a servant to sleeping Zohaifa.

"Excuse me," she asked again only to be returned with snores, "I did not want to do this but I can't defy Lazuli's order."

A bucket of cold water splashed upon Zohaifa causing him to jump out of bed.

"So cold," Zohaifa said while shivering.

"I am sorry, Lazuli instructed me to throw a bucket of cold water if you don't wake up after I call you,"

the maid apologized as she scratched the back of her head.

"Nah, it's okay. I feel fresh now. Do you have a towel?"

"Here you go," she said while handing over a towel to Zohaifa, "Master Lazuli commanded you to get to the backyard within five minutes."

"I will. Don't worry."

Zohaifa arrived in the backyard. Marium stood by Lazuli with a sparkle in her eyes, excited to meet Zohaifa. A smile emerged on Zohaifa's face seeing Marium.

"You have a different presence with you. You have improved, Marium!" Zohaifa complimented.

"I was about to say that to you," Marium replied.

"We gotta spar, right?" asked Zohaifa with a confident smile.

"Yes."

Both of them took their stance in the backyard while Marium sat in the sidelines.

"Why does it feel like it has happened before?" Zohaifa asked.

"Déjà vu maybe?" Marium replied.

"Maybe you are getting flashbacks of the first test."

Zohaifa dashed to Lazuli with full speed and threw a full-powered roundhouse kick to the head. Lazuli blocked it with the elbow. Zohaifa retracted his leg to the initial position and was about to trip a little. He threw a punch. Lazuli blocked it too. Again, Zohaifa showed a sign of pain in his face.

"Stop!" said Lazuli.