What is Left of Me

The air in the forest felt thick with anticipation as Lee and Kuran trudged forward, the sounds of the outside world gradually fading behind them. The path they followed had been nothing but a series of overgrown trails, the remnants of old roads barely visible under the moss and ivy that crept across them. Every now and then, Lee could hear the distant sounds of wildlife, but the usual buzzing hum of the city felt worlds away.

"Are we close?" Lee asked, his voice low as he glanced at Kuran.

Kuran gave him a brief, reassuring glance. "We're almost there. Keep your focus, and stay alert."

Lee nodded, his heart still racing. The power inside him—it had been both a curse and a blessing. Since awakening, he'd felt more alive than ever, but there was a deep unease, as if something was lurking just beneath the surface. His body felt different, stronger, faster—yet out of control. He didn't fully understand what was happening to him, but he knew he had to learn to harness it before it consumed him.

They reached a clearing, and ahead of them, the towering stone archway loomed—its intricate carvings glowing faintly, as if pulsing with some ancient energy. Lee hesitated for a moment, staring up at the arch.

"Is this it?" he asked.

Kuran's expression hardened, the usual calm replaced with something more serious. "Yes. Beyond this is where we meet Sagittarius. She'll help you—if you're ready."

Lee swallowed, taking a deep breath. He had been told Capricon's story, the tale of the Zodiacs and their unique powers. But this was the first time he was stepping into the unknown, and uncertainty gnawed at him. Still, there was no turning back.

Together, they stepped through the arch.

The other side was unlike anything Lee had imagined. Gone was the overgrown forest; in its place stood an expansive plateau with jagged stone pillars reaching toward the sky. The air was sharper here, and a strange energy seemed to vibrate through the ground beneath his feet. The sky above was a deep, violet shade, the clouds swirling lazily with a soft, unearthly glow.

In the distance, Lee spotted a figure standing at the edge of the plateau, her white hair almost glowing under the strange light. She turned as they approached, and Lee felt his breath catch in his throat. There was something commanding about her, a presence that seemed to fill the space.

She was tall, slender, and wore a simple yet elegant tunic that clung to her lithe form, a bow strapped to her back. Her ivory eyes met his, sharp and calculating, though there was a softness to them as well, as if she could see through him.

"You must be Lee Geon," she said, her voice carrying a calm, confident undertone.

Lee nodded, a little taken aback by the way her gaze seemed to pierce through him. "Yes, I am."

The woman studied him carefully for a moment, then stepped forward, extending a hand. "Sagittarius. I've heard about you."

Lee hesitated, then took her hand, surprised at how strong and steady her grip was despite her ethereal appearance. "It's an honor to meet you."

Sagittarius smiled faintly, lowering her hand. "I'm sure Capricon has given you some understanding of the path ahead, but I'll explain it more thoroughly. You've been awakened, and now you're starting your journey. But there's more to this than just raw power."

Lee frowned, not entirely sure what she meant. "What do you mean?"

Sagittarius motioned for him to follow her as she walked across the plateau. "I'm going to show you something. A fragment of the power that lies within all of us."

They stopped in front of a large stone circle, engraved with runes that seemed to pulse with life. Sagittarius placed her hand on one of the stones, and Lee could feel a slight shift in the air, as if something ancient and powerful was waking. She turned to face him, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"This is where I've been practicing," she said quietly. "Here, I attempt to master my ability. It's not much, but it's a start."

Sagittarius raised both hands, and the air around her shimmered. With a fluid motion, she stepped through a swirling portal that appeared in front of her. Lee blinked in surprise as she disappeared, only to reappear moments later, several yards away, looking slightly frustrated.

"That's teleportation," she explained, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "I can open portals, but they're unstable and unreliable. The distance is limited, and I can't always control where I end up."

Lee stared at her, impressed despite her frustration. "That's still incredible. How do you do it?"

Sagittarius sighed, brushing her hair back as she moved closer to him. "Teleportation is just one of the many powers we possess. But to truly master it, I need to understand its limits. And that's where things get complicated."

She gestured to the stone circle beneath them. "You see, the process of unlocking our true abilities is a journey. First, you awaken your power, then you explore it. You test its boundaries, push against its limits. But even after that, it's not enough. To reach the next stage, you have to transcend."

Lee's brows furrowed. "Transcend? What do you mean?"

Sagittarius gave him a knowing look. "Transcendence is a step beyond your current state. To transcend, you must push your body and soul to the brink of death. Only through surviving that experience can you truly unlock your full potential. Most don't survive the process, but those who do receive a new body—stronger, more resilient. It's not just a physical transformation; it's an ascension of sorts."

Lee took a step back, the weight of her words sinking in. "And you've... transcended?"

Sagittarius shook her head. "No. Not yet. Only Capricon has reached that level. He is the pinnacle of what we can become."

Lee stared at her in awe, the enormity of the process hitting him all at once. "So, that's what I have to do? Push myself to the edge and survive?"

Sagittarius nodded. "Yes. But remember, it's not just about surviving. It's about understanding your power and mastering it. Capricon has reached that level because he understands his abilities like no one else. He's the first of us to fully transcend."

Lee's heart raced as the pieces began to fall into place. He had much to learn, and the road ahead would be anything but easy. But he couldn't back down now. Too much was at stake.

"I'll do whatever it takes," he said, determination flooding his chest.

Sagittarius smiled, her ivory eyes softening for a moment. "I'm sure you will. But remember, it's not just about power. It's about what you do with it. Choose wisely, Lee Geon.