Focus, Derek. Ignore everything.
I stood still and upright, my feet shoulder-width apart. My left hand kept a relaxed grip on my silver bow's handle. I retrieved an arrow from the quiver slung across my bare back.
Drown everything out. All that matters now is that you hit the target.
Beads of sweat were trickling down my temples. I'd been at this all night. I started with boxing before moving on to sword practice, then firearms practice, and eventually every other training the
Crimson Fortress' grounds had to offer until I reached the archery range.
From the corner of my eye, I could make out the thick walls of the Crimson Fortress towering at least a hundred feet above me. They surrounded the island, protecting us from everyone who sought to invade us throughout the past centuries. The mere thought of the towering fortress and all its fortifications threatened to bring back a slew of dark memories that I'd long wanted to forget.
I cleared my throat and refocused.
