The days at Poseidon’s temple passed in a blur of intense training and relentless challenge. Kermit was a stern but patient mentor, pushing Luna to her limits as she strove to master the elements. The temple itself seemed to come alive during their sessions, the water rising and falling with every clash of their powers. The ocean outside mirrored Luna’s emotions—sometimes calm, sometimes stormy, as she grappled with her frustrations.
“Again!” Kermit’s voice echoed through the vast chamber, commanding yet calm. His blue eyes were steady as they watched Luna summon a vortex of wind and water, attempting to form a perfect spiral.
Luna gritted her teeth, her muscles straining as she focused every ounce of her will on controlling the elements. The wind howled around her, and the water responded, swirling in a dance of chaos. But just as she began to stabilize it, the vortex faltered, collapsing into a wild surge that sent waves crashing against the temple walls.
“Damn it!” Luna cursed, her frustration boiling over as the water splashed against her, soaking her to the skin.
Kermit raised a hand, calming the waters with a mere thought. “You’re forcing it, Luna,” he said gently. “You need to let the elements flow naturally, not try to bend them to your will.”
“I’m trying,” Luna snapped, though she immediately regretted the harshness in her tone. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “It’s just… it’s not enough. No matter what I do, I feel like I’m falling behind. Elian has grown so strong, and I’m still struggling.”
Kermit’s gaze softened as he approached her. “Power isn’t something you can measure against another person, especially someone you love. Elian’s path is his own, just as yours is yours.”
Luna sighed, wiping a strand of wet hair from her face. “But we’re supposed to be equals, partners. How can I stand by his side if I’m not strong enough?”
Kermit smiled faintly. “You are strong, Luna. But strength isn’t just about raw power. It’s about control, balance, understanding. You’ve faced incredible challenges, and you’ve overcome them. That’s strength.”
Luna looked down, her fists clenched. “It doesn’t feel like it. Every time I think I’m getting better, I just end up feeling weaker.”
“Because you’re setting impossible standards for yourself,” Kermit replied, his tone gentle but firm. “You’re trying to compare your growth to Elian’s, but you’re different. You have your own strengths, your own abilities.”
They resumed their training, but each session left Luna more frustrated than the last. Kermit’s mastery of water was effortless, a testament to his centuries of experience as Poseidon’s reincarnation. He wielded the elements with such grace and precision that it made Luna’s efforts seem clumsy in comparison. Every time she tried to match his skill, she fell short, and the weight of her perceived inadequacy grew heavier.
After yet another failed attempt to control a particularly powerful wave, Luna collapsed onto the smooth stone floor of the temple, breathing heavily. She stared up at the domed ceiling, feeling a knot of frustration and despair tightening in her chest.
Kermit sat down beside her, his expression thoughtful. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”
Luna shook her head. “I have to. I don’t have time to get this wrong. Vishnu is out there, and we don’t even know what he’s planning. And then there’s this… evil version of Elian. I can’t afford to be weak.”
“You’re not weak, Luna,” Kermit said softly. “But you need to give yourself room to grow. You can’t force progress.”
She sighed, closing her eyes. “It’s just… Elian’s power is so immense. He’s learned his Domain Expansion, and it’s like he’s on a completely different level. I don’t want to hold him back.”
Kermit was silent for a moment, considering her words. Then he asked, “Luna, have you ever wondered how Kaliyah and I stay happy through all the challenges we’ve faced?”
Luna opened her eyes and turned her head to look at him. “I have, actually. You two seem… so at peace, even with everything going on.”
Kermit smiled, a touch of warmth in his eyes. “It’s not because we’re stronger than anyone else, or because we’ve never faced adversity. Believe me, we’ve had our share of struggles. But what keeps us strong is our trust in each other. We don’t measure our worth by our individual power, but by how we support one another.”
Luna listened intently as he continued, his voice calm and steady. “There are times when Kaliyah is stronger, and times when I am. But it doesn’t matter, because we know that together, we’re unstoppable. We’ve learned to balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and that’s what makes us powerful.”
A tear slipped down Luna’s cheek as she absorbed his words. “I’m afraid I’m not enough for Elian. That I’ll never be enough.”
Kermit placed a hand on her shoulder, his grip reassuring. “You are enough, Luna. Elian chose you because he sees your strength, even if you don’t. And the fact that you’re here, training so hard, pushing yourself to be better—that’s proof of your power.”
Luna wiped away the tear, taking a deep breath. “How do I stop feeling this way?”
Kermit leaned back, looking out at the endless expanse of water that surrounded them. “It’s not about stopping the feelings. It’s about embracing them, understanding them, and then letting them go. Focus on what you can control, Luna. Trust in yourself, and in Elian. You’re stronger than you think.”
She nodded, feeling a flicker of hope reignite in her chest. “Thank you, Kermit. I needed to hear that.”
He smiled. “That’s what I’m here for. Now, let’s try again. This time, don’t force the elements. Let them guide you.”
With renewed determination, Luna stood up, ready to continue. The training was grueling, but with each session, she began to notice subtle improvements. The water responded more smoothly to her commands, the wind became an extension of her will. She still struggled, but the frustration began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of confidence.
As the day drew to a close, Kermit and Luna stood side by side, watching the sunset over the ocean. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, the water reflecting the colors in a shimmering display.
“You’re making progress,” Kermit said, breaking the silence. “Don’t lose sight of that.”
Luna nodded, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. “I won’t.”
“Good,” Kermit replied, a smile in his voice. “Remember, Luna, power isn’t just about what you can do alone. It’s about what you can achieve together. Trust in Elian, and trust in yourself.”
As the night fell, Luna prepared to rest, her body exhausted but her spirit renewed. She knew she still had a long way to go, but with Kermit’s guidance and Elian’s support, she felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Tomorrow would bring new trials, but for now, she allowed herself a moment of peace, knowing that she was growing stronger with each passing day. And as she drifted off to sleep, she held onto the hope that, together, she and Elian would be able to overcome anything—even the darkness that threatened to tear them apart.