Early the following morning, Kael awoke to the song of birds and the low murmur of conversation. The sanctuary was alive with activity as members of the Crimson Guard prepared for their daily routines. He met Aria in the dining hall, where they shared a simple but hearty breakfast.
"Today, your training begins," Aria said, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Master Elion has prepared a series of trials to help you harness the power of the amulet."
Kael nodded and swallowed a mouthful of bread. "I'm ready."
They came into a large courtyard where Master Elion was waiting for them. The walls were lined with training dummies, weapon racks, and many sorts of obstacles designed to test agility and strength.
"Kael, your training will consist of three parts," Elion explained. "First, you must learn the control over the energy from the amulet. Then you'll train in combat techniques. And for the last part, you'll be sent to pass through several trials that will test your skills."
A surge of determination overwhelmed Kael. "I'm ready to begin."
Elion smiled. "Good. Let us start with something simple. Focus on the amulet, and then try to will some of its energy down into your hands."
Kael closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He felt the warmth of the amulet against his chest, its energy throbbing in time with his heartbeat. Slowly, he extended his hands, willing the energy to flow through him.
Nothing at all happened at first, but the more he focused his mind, the more he began to feel a tingling in his fingers. With every moment, the glow from his hands only got stronger, before finally turning a faint shade of blue.
"Excellent," Elion said, his voice filled with approval. "Now, try directing that energy at one of the training dummies."
Kael's eyes flashed open and connected with a close-by dummy. He whipped his energy out of his hands, and a bolt of blue light shot out and struck the dummy with a crash to the ground.
"Good job," Aria said, clapping her hands together. "You're a natural."
Kael couldn't help himself; he smiled. The power of the amulet was crazy. And he was barely scratching the surface of its potential.
He spent hours learning how to channel the energy of the amulet into attacks, hitting his mark with both precision and power. Aria and Elion were available to provide constructive advice and encouragement toward the correcting or perfecting of his technique.
Kael was tired but elated by midday. His progress was great, and with each success, so was his confidence.
"Now, it's time for the next phase of your training," Elion said, leading Kael to a sparring ring. "You'll engage with one of our guards in combat. This will test whether you're able to use the power of the amulet in a real fight."
Kael's heart was racing. He went through the gate into the arena to face one of the more mature guards, Lira. She was tall and muscular, had a strict expression on her face, and a gleam in her eye.
"Ready?" she asked, drawing her sword.
Kael nodded and summoned again the energy of the amulet. "Ready."
The battle was launched in a blur of activity. Lira struck fast and sure, so Kael was forced to defend himself. He parried her blows with his own sword drawn to the amulet for added strength and speed.
Lira was adept at fighting; it showed in the graceful fluidity of her years of training. Her grace was fluid, her attacks calculated. Kael was on the defensive, barely deflecting her blows. Steel rung hard against steel in echoes that reverberated through the courtyard as the battle heightened.
Kael's breathing came in sharp, short gasps as he watched Lira. He could feel the power of the amulet within him, heightened senses washing over him. Each sound, every movement was sharper, more vivid in his mind. He saw the slight shift in Lira's stance, the tightening of her grip on her sword, and instinctively knew she was about to strike.
He dodged a little to the side in time, avoiding a heavy slash. The force of the blow cracked the ground beside him, and Kael found out just how strong his adversary was. He couldn't afford to underestimate her.
Gathering his resolve, Kael counterattacked. He channeled power from the amulet into his blade and struck toward Lira's shoulder. She parried the strike easily, but Kael pressed the advantage. A flurry of attacks followed in quick succession, each striking her defenses solidly, one after another, driving her back a step at a time.
Lira's eyes flashed with approval as she deflected his strikes. "Good! Use the amulet's power, but don't rely on it alone. Focus, Kael!"
Her words goaded him, and Kael dug deep, drawing more energy from the amulet. Faster and more precise, his movements flowed until he felt the flow of power within himself like a flood of raw energy. But he kept in control, channeling it into strikes.
For a moment, it seemed like Kael was on top. He was forcing Lira back; his blows came hard and fast. Then, just when he thought he had her held in a corner, she dodged one of his wild swings and struck out with her sword, catching him off his guard.
The blow landed in Kael's side, and the force sent him stumbling back. Pain seared through his ribs, but he just gritted his teeth and braced himself. He couldn't afford to lose focus now.
"Keep going, Kael!" Aria called from the sidelines, her voice encouraging. "You're doing great!"
Kael nodded, clenching his hand on his sword. He took a deep breath and quieted the race of his heart. He had to think, to consider strategy. Lira was too accomplished to be defeated merely by force. He must outmaneuver her.
He feinted to the left and then quickly shifted right, catching Lira off balance. With a wide swing, he hit at her exposed side with his sword. But Lira recovered fast enough to block his attack and counter with a quick kick to the midsection.
The impact winded Kael, and he stumbled back, gasping for breath. He could feel the energy of the amulet failing, his own reserves depleted. But he just couldn't give up. Not now.
Kael channeled his last forces into a final blow. He did so with a mighty roar, his sword shining light blue in its intensity, right as he lunged forward. Lira's eyes went wide with surprise as she watched him instantly close their distance.
But just as Kael was about to strike, Lira sidestepped his attack and struck out with the flat of her blade, catching him on the back. He stumbled forward, his momentum carrying him to the ground. Kael hit the ground hard, the air knocked out of him.
There was a moment of silence. Kael lay on the ground, gasping, his body aching from the exertion. Lira stood over him, her sword pointed at his chest. But there was a smile on her face, and a glint of respect in her eyes.
"Well fought, Kael," she said, offering a hand to help him to his feet. "You have potential. But remember, the amulet's power is not limitless. You must learn to use it well."
Kael took her hand and stood, his legs trembling from exhaustion. He surveyed the courtyard, where members of the Crimson Guard now watched, their faces a mix of admiration and approval.
"You did well, Kael," Elion said, stepping forward. "Your training's far from over, but you've made a great start. The amulet chose you for a reason, and with time and effort, you'll master its power."
Kael nodded, feeling a sense of pride wash over him. He knew that he still had a long way to go, but this was merely the beginning. While the trials of the amulet tested his will, they revealed a path to follow.
Having surveyed the members of the Crimson Guard, he felt that his work now had a renewed sense of purpose. He no longer felt like a thief but a guardian against dangers for Aeloria's future. With the Crimson Guard at his side, he knew now he could face whatever lay ahead.