The first light of dawn spilled into the barracks of Arvendale, its golden rays chasing away the lingering shadows of the night. Adrian sat on the edge of his cot, his head bowed, and his hands gripping the hilt of his sword resting between his knees. The events at the Eralith Ruins played in his mind like a haunting melody—Dravokh's smirk, the overwhelming aura that made him feel like an insect before a storm, and the crushing sense of inadequacy as every attack he launched seemed meaningless.
He tightened his grip on the sword. "How am I supposed to protect anyone if I can't even protect myself?"
A gentle knock at the door startled him from his thoughts. Before he could answer, the door creaked open, and Mohan stepped inside, his tall frame filling the doorway. His calm presence felt like an anchor in the turbulent sea of Adrian's thoughts.
"Adrian," Mohan said, his voice low but steady, "you've been up all night, haven't you?"
Adrian sighed and looked away. "I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. I saw Dravokh."
Mohan stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. "And?"
"And I saw myself failing," Adrian admitted, his voice trembling. "I couldn't even scratch him, Mohan. I tried everything, and it wasn't enough. If you and the others hadn't been there—"
"Stop right there," Mohan interrupted, his tone sharp but not unkind. He crossed the room and sat down on the cot across from Adrian, his gauntleted hands resting on his knees. "You're measuring yourself against a demon lord, Adrian. One of the Lower Seven. Do you even understand what that means?"
Adrian shook his head. "I only know that he was stronger than me. And that I couldn't do anything about it."
Mohan leaned forward, his expression softening. "Listen, Adrian. You're not weak. If you were, you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't have survived Eralith. Strength isn't just about how hard you can hit or how many enemies you can kill. It's about resilience. You stood your ground against a force that most people would have run from. That matters."
"But it wasn't enough," Adrian muttered, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "How can I protect anyone if I can't even—"
"—if you can't even beat Dravokh?" Mohan finished for him. He smiled faintly. "You think I've never felt the same? I've faced enemies that made me feel powerless. I've lost battles. But do you know what I learned?"
Adrian looked up, his gaze searching. "What?"
"That defeat isn't failure," Mohan said, his voice firm. "Defeat is just a lesson. It shows you where you're lacking and where you need to grow. And as long as you're alive, you have the chance to learn, to train, and to become stronger."
Adrian sat quietly, absorbing Mohan's words. Slowly, the weight in his chest began to shift—not vanishing entirely, but transforming. The despair that had clung to him since Eralith began to burn away, replaced by a flicker of determination.
"You're right," Adrian said finally, his voice steadier. "Dravokh might've been out of my league, but I'm not done. I'll keep training. I'll get stronger."
Mohan smiled, a rare warmth in his expression. "That's the Adrian I know. But remember, strength doesn't come overnight. It takes time and effort. Don't rush it."
Adrian nodded, rising to his feet with renewed energy. "Then I'll start now. I can't afford to waste any time."
Mohan clapped him on the shoulder. "Good. Just don't forget to rest once in a while. You'll need it."
Adrian arrived at the training grounds as the sun began its slow ascent into the sky. The area was quiet, with only a few soldiers practicing in the distance. Grabbing a training sword, Adrian moved to a secluded corner and began his drills.
Every swing of his blade was deliberate, his movements precise but forceful. He repeated the motions tirelessly, his muscles burning with effort. Sweat dripped down his face, but he pressed on, determined to hone his skills.
"Again," he muttered to himself, resetting his stance. Each strike was sharper than the last, his focus unwavering.
In his mind, he replayed the fight with Dravokh. The demon's oppressive power, the futility of his attacks, the overwhelming sense of helplessness—it all drove him to push harder.
"You won't win next time," Adrian said through gritted teeth, delivering a powerful strike that sent the training dummy splintering to the ground.
As the morning wore on, more soldiers arrived at the training grounds. Among them was Kael, the team's archer. He spotted Adrian immediately, noting the intensity in his friend's movements. Grabbing his bow, Kael approached, his steps light.
"You're going to wear yourself out if you keep going like that," Kael said, leaning casually against a post.
Adrian paused, lowering his sword. "I have to keep pushing. I can't afford to take it easy."
Kael raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing but not unkind. "And what good will you be to the team if you collapse from exhaustion? Training's important, but so is knowing your limits."
Adrian sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I just… I can't let what happened at Eralith happen again. I need to be stronger."
Kael's expression softened. "And you will be. But it's not going to happen all at once. Give yourself time, Adrian. Even the best warriors didn't get there overnight."
Later in the day, the rest of the team gathered at the training grounds. Lucas practiced his dual-blade techniques nearby, his movements fluid and precise. Kiera tended to a small patch of herbs, her connection to nature allowing her to sense the health of the land even in the midst of training. Seraphina stood by Adrian, her healing magic shimmering faintly as she prepared for another round of sparring.
"You've been at it all day," Seraphina said, her tone gentle but concerned. "You need to take a break, Adrian. Overworking yourself won't help."
Adrian shook his head. "I'll rest when I've earned it."
Lucas walked over, spinning his blades effortlessly. "He's stubborn, I'll give him that. But Seraphina's right. You're no good to us if you burn yourself out."
Adrian sighed, glancing at his teammates. Their concern was genuine, and it warmed him in a way he hadn't expected. "I just don't want to let any of you down. Not again."
Kiera looked up from her herbs, her voice calm but resolute. "You haven't let us down, Adrian. We're still here, aren't we? We're a team. We carry each other, no matter what."
The words settled over Adrian like a balm, easing the tension in his chest. "Thanks, all of you. I'll keep that in mind."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the training grounds in a warm golden glow, Adrian finally set down his sword. His body ached, but his spirit felt lighter than it had in days.
He looked at his teammates, their camaraderie a source of strength he hadn't fully appreciated before. Together, they had faced impossible odds and survived. And together, they would continue to fight, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Adrian clenched his fists, his resolve burning brighter than ever. "Dravokh might've won the first round, but this isn't over. I'll grow stronger. For myself, for my team, and for everyone who's counting on us."
The fight was far from over, but Adrian was ready. His journey had only just begun.