Plans were no longer just words, but ideas coming into fruition.
Today happened to be the first day of our training. The humans from the town were all very respectful of the Elves and other races from the refuge camps that had agreed to train. Although they weren't thrilled about being near the same race that was against them in the first place, they eventually agreed and everything worked out.
Even more surprising than getting the elves to agree, Blasius did too. After mulling over it for days, he eventually decided that it could be good to train all together. That it would save both time and stuff, and we desperately needed both if we were to get anywhere in our fight.
The majority of the floor of the community center was taken up with sparing—we were taught how to defend ourselves, with and without weapons, and for some of the women who were pregnant or elders who weren't willing to participate in battle, the town's doctors had decided to teach them how to treat basic wounds as a start on their first aid journey.
For some of the non-human races, amongst themselves they taught each other how they could use their own abilities to assist where the humans lacked strength and agility.
I couldn't even tell how much time passed since we started, I just knew it had been hours. I started to feel dizzy and tired, so I allowed myself to sit down for the first time since we started our basic training. The aching in my chest gave me the reminder that it had been so long since I regularly took to exercising. I hadn't been getting much activity recently, and we couldn't get any while we were locked up. The last time I was regularly active had to be more than half a year ago, back when I was still at home.
I took a deep breath as I looked around the large hall. Everyone seemed so dedicated and hardworking, there was barely a person resting in sight. After a few minutes, the leaders of the practice convened together and decided that it would be enough practice for the day, so everyone started gathering up and leaving.
Blasius was the first to come sit at my side. I could see how hard he had been working as he lifted his shift up to wipe the sweat from his forehead. It also gave me a glance at what lied underneath, although I felt too shy to look for long. Admittedly, Blasius was getting more physical activity than I was since we had escaped, and he had even created a small, daily workout routine for himself. The slightly toned abs that were revealed as he lifted his shift was proof that it was doing him well, allowing him to gain back what he had lost while in the dungeon.
After a few seconds, Menas and Silva came to join us on the floor.
"That was fun!" Silva beamed, despite the quick rise and fall of her chest.
"But tiring," Menas added. Blasius hummed and I nodded in response.
"I can't believe this is actually happening," I admitted. "There was no way I could have imagined this when we first escaped."
"Even a week ago, I couldn't have imagined this," Blasius added.
"It was lucky you met your parents." Menas nodded along to Silva's words, "There's no way we could have accomplished this on our own."
I look around at my friends. It's hard to imagine I met them only a few months ago with the amount of closeness I feel toward all of them. I felt like I've known them for a lifetime, we've been through so much together. They do say going through traumatic events with others creates a strong bond. I supposed I felt so close to them because I know that I can trust them, after all they've been there for me throughout the worst time in my life.
The moments I met the three of them flashed through my mind.
I had somehow ended up horizontally on my new bed when someone came and joined me in the room. It was a girl who was probably around my age. She had dark, kinky hair pulled messily to the back of her head where it was secured by an elastic, stopping the curls from skewing her vision. Her hairstyle showed off the way her ears were long and pointed at the ends. Her eyes, which were focussed toward the upper bunk on the opposite side of me, were a bright shade of gold. They stuck out due to the contrast between her skin colour and eye colour.
"Oh! My gosh. I forgot to tell you my name is Silva."
I laughed to myself thinking of when I met Silva. I could almost say she was a little bit more tamed now. I wondered if the weight of the situation was in caught up to her. I turned my head to look at her in front of me now. In some ways, she hadn't changed a bit. Her eyes still sparkled and her skin still glowed, and although tamed, her positivity still radiated from her whenever she spoke.
"So, this is Menas! The guy sleeping with us. I just met him a few days ago but he's a super cool dude. I'm sure you'll love him," Silva said, and as she complimented him I watched his cheeks flush slightly.
Our roommate, Menas, was of average height, slightly muscular, had dark brown eyes and hair, and skin that was lightly tanned. He had a cute look—almost childish—but at the same time, you'd never mistake him for someone younger than he was. From what I knew of him from the conversation that I had entered a few hours ago, he was mostly quiet. He was always paying attention to who was speaking but rarely added his own words.
Menas and I were similar in some ways. I think, being an omega, he was used to having things decided for him rather than being a decision maker. It reminded me of me. My childhood was filled with being spoken for and not being able to get out my own thoughts. I admired our friendship dynamic now because there was no hierarchy, there was just the four of us being accepting of each other no matter where we came from. I think this allowed Menas to break out of his shell a little bit. Although he still wasn't talkative, and I knew he would never be, he actually talked now and it made me smile seeing how far he's come.
"Is everything alright?" It was the mystery guy. He was back at the table. He was staring at me, as was Menas and Silva.
"Yeah," I responded. "I'm fine. Just a headache."
The man stared at me. Something in his gaze felt familiar and comforting, almost. Like I had known him for my entire life. A comfort only your family and closest friends could provide.
It all made sense now, thinking back on when I met Blasius. There was always something there that I tried to hide from myself, thinking I was being pathetic, gushing over a man that I had only just met. I used to be upset when boys at my school would tease me because of my purple eyes, when mothers would tell their sons to stay away from me because of how I would faint from the inability to control my visions when I was younger. I expected to be alone forever, that no one would ever get close to me knowing about my clairvoyance. I unconsciously melted into Blasius, still sitting beside me, and he wrapped an arm around me without even thinking. It's crazy how much things have changed.
"I'm ... so glad I've had the opportunity to meet you all, despite the circumstances. This friendship is the most important thing I've ever had."
"Awww, Amicia!" Silva practically screeched as she scooted over to give me a hug.
They all agreed, sharing their own stories on how our friendship has helped. Even if they hadn't, I knew they all felt the same way I did. This friendship was more important than any of us realized.
♕♕♕
The next morning, we worked on combat again. Blasius asked me if I wanted to spar with him, and although he was definitely out of my weight class, I imagined I would be up against some pretty big guards if we were to infiltrate the castle, so I thought it would be a good experience. Even if he was bound to wipe me on my feet a few times.
At the beginning he went pretty easy on me, moving his weapon at half the speed I had seen him use it yesterday. His feet were also slow, giving me a fair battle.
At one point, he held the tip of his weapon (really just a pole, so no one would get hurt, and the blacksmith hadn't prepared enough for everyone yet) out to me, poking me in the chest playfully. But the push was enough to send me toppling backwards. I had my hands out behind me, trying to catch my fall, but before I could, I felt large arms wrap around my waist.
With his arms around me, and me balancing with a single foot on the ground, he used the opportunity to lean in, planting a gentle kiss right on the tip of my nose.