[Day 2 Training]
I woke the next morning to once again be by the side of Lynsithea and Sasha, both way too eager for something. My second training session, this one with Parveen. I still had no idea what I was expecting, but by their looks, it was going to be an intense session.
As soon as we hopped onto Glacielle, I inhaled the deepest breath, attempting to mentally ready myself for whatever would happen next. Barely passing Sasha's ice-cold trials-what would I have now if not even less predictable?
"You ready for this?" Lynsithea asked, her voice tinged with just a shade of excitement, as she readjusted her seat on Glacielle.
"Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be," I said with a firm voice, even though inside, I was a little edgy.
Glacielle launched off, and we took to the air, heading south. The landscape below us changed; then, all of a sudden, I noticed something coming ahead of us, an enormous sandstorm that churned with turbulence on the horizon.
I'm getting nervous.
"Uh. guys?" I said, staring up at the storm. "Please tell me we're not flying through that."
Lynsithea and Sasha exchanged a look, both grinning as if they'd been told an inside joke. "Yeah!" Lynsithea said brightening. "We fly right through it!"
"Oh, of course we would," I muttered, my stomach beginning to rise with my anxiety. The concept of winging it into the heart of this giant sandstorm didn't exactly shout 'safety' to me.
"Don't worry Zane" Sasha said with a wider smile. Glacielle knows what she's doing. This is nothing, compared to what awaits on the other side."
I threw her a sideways look. "That does not make me feel better."
Lynsithea laughed while Glacielle began to pick up speed as her wings cut through the air with elegance. "You'll be fine. Just hold on tight, and don't think about it too much."
The wind velocity rose, with grey clouds deepening in hue as we drew near the storm. Sand whipped violently in every direction, but Sasha and Lynsithea didn't so much as bat an eyelid. In truth, the two of them appeared. exhilarated.
I, however, clung tightly to Glacielle's scales, preparing myself for the tumult that was soon to arise. "You two better not be planning any surprises."
Lynsithea turned to me then, her eyes aglow with excitement. "No surprises, Zane. Just. trust Glacielle."
And then, before I could utter a word of protest, Glacielle let out another mighty roar and slammed her speed up a notch, launching us straight into the heart of the sandstorm.
We emerged out of the wild swirl that constituted the sandstorm, and I blinked against the sudden brightness as my eyes slowly got adjusted to the extremes of the storm's darkness outside versus the clear, sunny sky. The view in front of me was little short of breathtaking.
The sandstorm was gone, leaving an expanse of deserts with undulating golden dunes that seemed to roll on and on as far as my eyes could reach. In the distance, under a rigorous sun, I saw a shining city whose buildings glinted as if they were made of polished gold. The city in the desert seemed to rise from the sands as an oasis of light and grandeur.
Lynsithea lent forward as her voice poured with pride and excitement. "Welcome to Solaria, the land of the golden sun."
I stood before Solaria in utter awe. This was not a city at all but some architect's dream of tall spiring spires and soaring domes built of some brilliant material that reflected the sun's rays into a maddening display of colors. The structures were done up with intricate patterns and designs, like those of the old civilizations, but with a certain modern elegance. The streets below were filled with markets and hues of color against the desolate, monochromatic desert.
I turned to look back at Sasha, now back in her normal form, fully comfortable in the heat in a light, airy robe that reflected the temperature and atmosphere of the desert. She took this as part of her element, it seemed, whereas I certainly did not feel that way.
Being hit with sweltering heat, I couldn't help but comment, "It's so hot here! That no doubt explains why nobody said a word. Now I'm used to cold, thanks to you guys."
Sasha seemed quite amused at my reaction and chuckled, "Solaria has its own challenges. Sometimes the heat could be just as punishing as the cold, but in different ways. That is partly what training is all about."
I could feel the sweat just starting to build up on my brow, the heat making my jacket feel like an extra layer of burden. "I guess this is what they mean by 'embracing the environment.'"
Lynsithea grinned. "Exactly. Each place does have its own set of trials. And Solaria for its intense heat and training challenges, you're in for quite an experience."
Glacielle landed smoothly, circling down toward the city. As we drew closer, I could see how alive it was: in the markets, people were selling all manner of exotic goods, their stalls a riot of colour and scents. Chattering and the periodic cry of a merchant calling his wares filled the air.
As we landed in a field outside of town, I took a deep breath, getting used to the heat. But even as I was uncomfortable, a part of me was genuinely thrilled about what was to come. If Sasha's training had been anything to go by, Parveen's was bound to push me even further.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked, looking around. "Where do we meet Parveen?"
Sasha gave a sideward glance at me, smiling wryly. "We will go into the city, then, and find him. But also steel yourself. The ways of Solaria are different in training, and the way Parveen works will challenge you in ways you have not been challenged thus far."
With that, we took off toward the teeming center of Solaria, prepared for whatever lay in store.
Finally, we came upon Parveen's castle, great walls of sandstone that appeared to rise high above the golden sands. It was an imposing structure with intricate carvings and banners that fluttered in the desert breeze. The whole structure looked ancient yet powerful, a real fortress within the heart of Solaria.
As we approached the great entrance, one guard shifted to bar our path. He was clad in light armor, streamlined and of gleaming finish, glinting with highlights under the sun. His helmet had a futuristic design to it; its visor reflected shades of gold from the desert. His look screamed cool, just one of those guys you don't want to tangle with.
"What's your purpose here?" he asked, calm but firm, his eyes scanning the three of us. I could tell he took his job seriously.
Lynsithea stepped up with her usual grace and confidence. "We seek Parveen," she said.
The guard lowered his eyebrows slightly, wanting more than that. "And what business have you with Lord Parveen?"
Before I could utter a word, Sasha came forward with an arrogant smirk on her face and crossed her arms. "Training, " was all she said, the tone full of playful defiance, as if to dare him further.
He raised a suspicious eyebrow and gave us a once-over, lingering slightly on me as if sizing up whether I could handle what I was about to face. After a moment, he nodded and stepped aside. "Very well. Lord Parveen is expecting you. Follow me."
We followed the guard through the gates and into the courtyard of Parveen's castle. Inside, the air was considerably cooler, and I felt some of the weight of the heat lift from my shoulders. But I couldn't shake off a growing feeling of anticipation. Whatever Parveen had in store for me, I knew this was going to be no ordinary training session.
As we ventured deeper into the castle, I caught both Lynsithea and Sasha looking completely at ease but enjoying the prospect to come. Me on the other hand, could only speculate what kind of training would further come, especially after seeing the imposing grandeur this place was.
We finally entered the chamber, and right away, I was struck by the shear opulence of the room. The gold accents danced upon the walls, while the floors shone with polished marble, designed to make us feel as though we had stepped into a vault of treasure.
The large window in the middle opened onto a breathtaking view of great deserts, where the sun beat brightly o-n dunes, filling them to an endless field of golden waves.
Standing there, looking out over his domain, was Parveen. He turned as we entered, a broad smile spreading across his face. He did not in the least resemble someone who was in charge of such a formidable place. In his loose-fitting tunic and pants, relaxed right down to his casual posture, contrasted with the magnitude surrounding him. His hair was tousled, and he had such a laid-back aspect about himself as if nothing could ever faze him.
"Zane! It's about time you made it here," Parveen said to me, walking up towards me.
I'd barely gotten the word out when Lynsithea and Sasha strode up to him, both grinning from ear to ear.
"Parveen!" they chorused, and then both of them did some kind of fist bump with him, like greeting an old buddy. I was still standing there, feeling a little bemused. Really, I just hadn't expected Parveen, the lord of this golden fortress, to be quite so, relaxed.
Parveen picked up on my hesitation and broke into chuckles. "You don't need to stand on ceremony with me, Zane. We're all here with the purpose of pushing limits, not being formal. Loosen up."
Then, he leaned forward and asked, "So how was Sasha's training?"
I scratched the back of my head, trying to find the words. "Well… it was intense. Cold, challenging, and I thought I was going to freeze solid a couple of times. But… I learned a lot."
His eyes gleamed with overt delight at my response. "That's the spirit!" he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Sasha's training isn't a joke, but you handled it well. You're going to love what I have in store for you."
I didn't know whether to be thrilled or apprehensive. Parveen grinned infectiously, but judging by the serious kind of training Sasha had put me through, I could only imagine what he had in store. "I've got a feeling your training is going to be… different?" I asked, half-jokingly.
"Different?" Parveen snickered. "Oh, it's more than different. It is going to be unforgettable." He stepped back and nodded toward the desert outside of the window.
"You see that? That out there is where you will find your real limits. My training is all about endurance, strategy, and siphoning the power of the desert. And trust me, Zane, for this one, you will have to dig deep."
I swung back to face the endless expanse of desert, the sight of which was already making me perspire. Though I didn't know what to expect, the years of Sasha's training had brought me up in facing everything.
"Don't worry," Parveen said with a smirk, "you'll have fun. Well, sort of." He winked at me, and I felt dread along with excitement. This was going to be one wild ride.
Parveen nodded and turned, gesturing for me to follow.
"Come, Zane," he said in a soft, yet commanding voice. I turned back toward Lynsithea and Sasha, who were both still standing by the golden windows, completely at ease.
"We'll stay here," Lynsithea said with a soft smile. She sipped something cool from a glass. "This is where we'll watch your training.
Sasha leaned against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest with a smirk. "Don't you worry, we'll take care of you. Make sure you don't embarrass yourself." She winked at me, really getting far too much enjoyment out of the fact that I had absolutely no idea what was coming next.
I chuckled nervously, wiping a bead of sweat from my brow. "Great. No pressure."
Turning back to Parveen, I followed him through the chamber's open archways. The farther we walked, the hotter the desert heat became, the golden walls giving way to natural stone as we went further into the fortress. The air was dry and hot, as if it were inside a furnace, but Parveen did not seem to be affected by it at all.
Then with a wave of his hand, doors into the next room slid open onto a gigantic arena outside the castle walls, drenched in fierce desert sunlight.
"Your trial starts now," he said, his voice unyielding. "The desert will be your teacher. It is merciless, yet providing wisdom to whomever listens. So let us see if you can survive its lessons."
With that, he stepped aside, allowing me to drink in the vast, sun-scorched landscape ahead of me. I took one deep breath to steel myself against what would happen next. This was but the start.
Just as I was about to step onto the burning sand, Parveen stayed me with his hand. "One more thing, Zane," he said, and immediately his voice went into that jolting challenge.
"You are to walk this trial barefooted. Shoes would be of no use to you here. You have to feel the desert."
I hesitated a moment, staring down at the burning sand, knowing already how fierce the heat was through my boots. But it was now or never. I didn't say anything; I just dropped down and started unlacing my shoes, tugging them off and hurling them aside. The moment my skin came into contact with the air, I could sense how hot it was off the ground.
I took a deep breath and stepped onto the sand. The first thing that hit me was the searing, blistering heat that shot up from the soles of my feet and coursed throughout my body. The sand was almost unbearable, boiling beneath my feet. I gritted my teeth, trying to steady myself as I took another step, but it felt as if I were walking on molten metal.
I could hear Parveen's voice, tranquil but firm, behind me, saying, "The desert is testing you, Zane. It will break you if you fight it. Instead, learn to move with it."
And the sun beat down relentlessly, too, as if a furnace had been placed on my head. My skin seemed to burn just from the air itself, and every breath I took felt like inhaling hot smoke. I wiped the sweat from my brow, my vision already blurring from the heat's intensity.
And how could Parveen stand it or anyone else for that matter-how people survived in these conditions?
I turned back to Lynsithea and Sasha. They stared at me from beneath the shade of the castle, their faces unreadable in the shade. Sasha nodded in a slight, Continue-sort of fashion. Lynsithea's eyes were serene, as though she knew I could survive this.
With one step and then another, I felt the situation only getting worse. The sand was just unbearable to walk on, and my body felt like it was shutting down because of the heat. My legs were shaking, and a voice in my head told me to stop, to run back into the shade and cool down.
But I kept walking.
I pushed myself onward, every step onto the burning sand another wash of pain up through my feet, and I couldn't help myself. My head was locked on the must-go forward despite the burning heat and my growing exhaustion, and then I felt it, low and steady, a vibration in the sand beneath me.
For a heartbeat, I mistook it for my body's shuddering from the heat, but it wasn't. Something was coming.
I looked up, squinting through the shimmering waves of heat rising from the desert, and saw it-far in the distance-a plume of smoke or dust, growing larger and larger with every second. It wasn't just the wind. Something was moving, and it was headed right for me.
I took a step back, instinct screaming at me to run, but as soon as I did, my feet began to sink into the scalding sand. Every time I tried to lift them, the sand somehow sucked me further down, as if it was alive and urging me deeper. Panic started to rise in my chest as the cloud of smoke moved closer. Whatever was inside, I couldn't make out, but for sure, it was fast, too fast.
I forced my body to move, trying to pick up speed, but the faster I tried to run, the more the sand betrayed me, sucking at my legs with every step.
Each time my foot touched the ground, it sank deeper into blistering heat and felt as if it was running through quicksand. My breathing turned ragged, the air burning my lungs with each shallow gasp.
Behind me, the rumbling grew louder, the vibrations more intense. I didn't dare to look back again, was able to feel it-a creature or maybe more-closing in on me, kicking up sand and dust in their wake.
"Come on, come on!" I muttered to myself, tugging my legs free from the sand at every painful step, but no good. I was hardly advancing now; every movement and step was slower than the previous one.
I could hear it now-something like a roar, mixed with the sound of winds of sandstorm, howling through the desert, right behind my back.
Then, suddenly, the ground erupted next to me as a huge shadow fell across me. I instantly launched myself sideways and barely dodged the strike as this grotesque beast shot out of the sand. The air puckered from the force of its passage, and suddenly, I realized that was the only reason I had time to feel it coming. Thanks to Sasha's training, because it was the puff of air in front of it that signaled its on rush.
I hit the sand hard, rolling to my feet as I tried to catch my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. My eyes went wide as I finally got a good look at the creature-a gigantic, blood-red centipede, its body covered in armored segments, each the size of a boulder.
Hundreds of legs clacked against the sand, and enormous pincers snapped in the air, their edges sharp enough to crush bone.
The centipede let out a deafening screech; its mandibles were dripping with venom as it thrashed its head toward me.
I scrambled backward, knowing full well I couldn't outrun it-especially with my feet sinking into the sand with every step. My mind was racing, but I could still feel the more-subtle shifts in the air around me-pressure, movement. I had to rely on that now. I had to stay calm, just like Sasha had taught me.
It reared back-its body coiled snake-like-and I could tell, before it even happened, what its next strike would be, a sudden tug in the atmosphere, a shift. I knew it was going to lunge at me.
I sprang aside as the centipede's enormous body burst into the sand beside me, whirring up a small cloud of dust and debris. The reverberation hummed through my bones, but I didn't pause. I couldn't afford to.
"That thing's fast!" I huffed under my breath, droplets of sweat oozing down my face due to both the heat and adrenaline racing in my veins.
I saw Lynsithea and Sasha standing way off, watching from behind the shade of the castle. Sasha was smirking, and Lynsithea looked concerned but poised. I knew they were testing me, letting me handle this on my own.
It screeched again, this time flailing its head in my direction. I felt the air pull again, and I ducked just in time to avoid another strike. But I couldn't keep on dodging-my only hope was to think of something, and to think of it fast.
I clutched my lance tightly and began concentrating on the centipede's motions, the proper moment to strike back.
I slowly regulated my breathing and set my gaze upon the erratic dance the centipede was performing. A voice, that of Parveen's, cut through the stillness of the desert.
"You have a choice to make, Zane," he said calmly from a distance, his arms crossed as if the mayhem happening before me did not faze him one bit. "You can either kill it. or tame it."
I threw a quick glance at him, my mind racing between dodging the attacks of the centipede. "Tame it? Are you out of your mind?"
Parveen nodded, cool and calm. "The giant red centipede is a creature of the desert-highly aggressive but incredibly powerful. If you kill it, the experience in combat will teach you how to overcome powerful enemies. But if you can tame it, you'll have an ally no common warrior can match."
He paused, eyes keenly observing the centipede's movements. "Taming it requires understanding its patterns and breaking through its rage. If you succeed, you will be proving to yourself that you can handle the most untamable forces of nature-and yourself."
I dodged another strike, the tail barely not hitting me, its pincers venomous. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?" I shouted as sweat poured down my brow from both the hot friction of the sun and the intensity of the fight.
Parveen smiled wryly. "Listen to the desert, Zane. Like you've learned to feel the air with Sasha's training, the desert has its own rhythm. The centipede is part of it. Tap into that, and you'll know how to tame it-or defeat it."
I gritted my teeth, attempting to take in everything while parrying another attack from the beast. Already, exhaustion began to creep in, but Parveen's words rung in my ears-he wasn't testing just my combat skills; he was testing my ability to adapt, to survive in this merciless world, to control instincts.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "Kill it or tame it," I muttered under my breath.
I could feel the heat of the desert, the weighty press of the sun bearing down on me. And yet amidst all of that, there was something strange-a rhythm, a pulse to the air. It reminded me of the way the cold wind had warned me during Sasha's training.
I turned my head toward the centipede and started to watch its body coil and shift in its weird, liquid way. The movements weren't entirely random. There was something of a pattern to it, a flow that reflected the tremors beneath my feet and the stirring of the sand.
I breathed out deliberately, tightening my grip on my lance a little. If I could time with that rhythm-just as I had with Sasha's attacks maybe I had a chance.
"You can do it, Zane!" Lynsithea called from a short distance, soft but full of confidence.
Sasha smirked beside her, crossing her arms. "Show us what you've got."
I focused, watching as the centipede reared back again. This time, instead of dodging, I just stood there, feeling the flow of its movements. As it lunged toward me, I sidestepped, barely avoiding its strike, and then moved in closer to it-close enough to make out the patterns in its armored body, the way its segments shifted.
I was at a crossroads: strike, kill this creature, or connect with it-to tame a rage I could feel seething beneath its surface.
The pulse of the desert was growing louder in my mind, and a choice had to be made.
I had made my decision.
The huge red centipede was at me again, its body cutting through the desert sand like a snake. I knew I couldn't outrun it-not in this heat, not with the desert pulling me down with each step. Instead, I had to outthink it, get ahead of its rage and unpredictability.
I threw myself sideways as it hit, pincers slamming into the sand where I had just been standing. My heart was racing, my mind going wild with the adrenaline shooting through my veins. If I could get onto its back, I might stand some chance of taming it. But how?
The centipede whirled around, its hundreds of legs scuttling over hot sand, and I filled my lungs with air. "Okay, Zane. Time to go all in."
I sprang, allowing its momentum to carry me onto its armored back as it lunged at me again. The centipede let out a shrill scream, the instant motion thrashing and writhing, trying to toss me clear of its back. Gritting my teeth, I held firmly onto one of its jagged segments. Its cold, armored scales were slick, but I refused to let go.
The centipede had become angry. It began to twist and turn in all directions, very wildly, in every attempt to shake me off. Then, without warning, it dove headfirst into the sand, dragging me underground with it.
I held my breath as the world around me succumbed to darkness. It was more than I could stand, this being buried alive, the weight of the sand against me from every side, threatening to squeeze what little breath remained out of my lungs. I made myself focus, though-this was part of the creature's rhythm, part of its desperate attempt to regain control.
I had to hold on. My lungs were on fire, screaming for oxygen as the centipede burst back up to the surface, dragging me into the blinding sunlight. I gasped for air as it repeated the cycle again, diving back underground, then bursting upward, each time trying to shake me loose. I could feel the creature's rage, its primal instinct to protect itself.
But I wasn't going to let go. Not now.
With every resurfacing, I readjusted my grip, trying to follow the centipede's rhythm. Its movements became desperate, erratic. Slowly, I began to sync with its flow-understand the way it moved. Its rage wasn't mindless; it was fear. And I could work with that.
"Come on." I whispered, tightening my hold as it dove again. "You're not a monster. I know you're just. scared."
The centipede burst through the surface one last time, and I could feel its pace slowing. It wasn't thrashing as wildly anymore. My heart pounding, I knew this was my moment. One hand lay on its cold scales, while the other reached out, trying to keep its frantic movements above water level.
"I'm not here to harm you," I whispered, and its body began-evened out the vibrations. "Let me help."
The centipede let out a low, rumbling hiss and with it, its huge body slowly started settling down, indeed stopping the errant burrowing activity. The desert held its breath as I just stood, frozen, waiting for it to do its thing now.
But it didn't attack. It didn't try to buck me off again. It merely lowered its body into the sand, as if in submission.
I couldn't believe it. I had done it.
I could hear Parveen's voice from a distance over the desert sand. "Remarkable. You've tamed the untamable."
I let out a shaking breath as I slid off its back and it settled into the sand. My whole body was shaking with exhaustion, but a wave of triumph swelled up inside me.
I had survived, and more than that, I had made a connection with something wild and dangerous. A small smile worked its way across my face as I reached out to pat the centipede's rough scales.
"Guess I chose the right one," I muttered, as the creature finally relaxed under my hand.
Just as I started catching my breath, thinking the ordeal was finally over, Parveen looked at me with a sly grin and said, "This is only the beginning, Zane."
I blinked, exhausted and confused. "What?!"
Before I could utter a word of protest, Parveen raised his hand, and from the sand emerged another giant centipede, even larger and more intimidating than any of those I had just tamed. Its body shone with thick metallic armor in the desert sun.
Parveen mounted the creature with ease and after a moment, sat with an air of confidence and command. With the centipede coiled around him, he summoned a huge weapon-a claymore. The blade was as big as I was tall, and when he unsheathed it, the sparks lighting along its edge gave it tingle to an intense, fiery heat.
He flung the burning claymore at me. I barely caught it, but the instant my hands closed over the hilt, it was like clutching a hot coal. My hands were afire, the weight of the blade dragging me down. I gritted my teeth, trying to hold it steady, but it was as if my skin was sizzling.
Parveen smiled smugly. "This is your second part of your training. You'll fight while riding the centipede. You've learned to tame it, but now you must learn to master it in combat."
I was still holding the burning claymore and stared at him. "You've got to be kidding me!"
But Parveen wasn't joking at all. One shrill whistle, and that centipede I'd finally gotten used to started moving again, squirming under me. I stumbled once, faltered a lot, and held on tight to try and balance myself upon its back.
"Keep your balance!" Parveen shouted, his voice piercing the air with an urgent command. "The desert forgives no one, not even a single moment's hesitation. If you cannot fight when riding, then you're as good as dead in only a matter of moments."
I focused on drawing long, smooth breaths and the gait of the centipede beneath me. The sand began to writhe and swirl as the creature gathered speed, its jerking gait spastic with no lot of rhythm. The ache in strained muscles was drowned out by the deluge of desert sun and burning claymore that seemed to make every individual second a torment.
Without warning, Parveen hurled himself at me; his centipede sprinting across the sand with an impossible velocity. His claymore high and against me, there was precious little time for reaction, instinctively lifting my own burning blade to block his attack.
His strike was such that I felt my arms quiver, and I almost lost my balance. But I resisted, my body swaying to the rhythm and the centipede beneath me following suit. I curled the claymore back, the high temperature of the blade making the steel difficult to wield, but I somehow focused a counterattack against Parveen.
Parveen easily deflected it, his centipede looping around me with uneasy agility. "You're too slow, Zane! Feel the rhythm of the creature below you and fight with your instincts!"
I gritted my teeth and tried to block out the pain burning in my hands and my deep exhaustion. The centipede under me twisted and turned, forcing me to take what I knew and fight as it went, trying to guess where Parveen would strike next.
Suddenly, Parveen's centipede struck out toward mine, and I felt the shift in the air right before it did. Instinctively, mine whirled my blade in a wide arc, the heat of the claymore leaving behind a trail of light in its wake. Again, our blades clashed, ringing the sound of metal across the desert.
I was starting to get the hang of it-moving with the animal, catching its rhythm. Each strike from Parveen was a test, forcing me to react quicker and to think more strategically. No longer was the centipede this wild beast that was beneath me; it was an extension of my body.
But then Parveen changed tactics. His centipede burrowed underground, into the sand. For a moment, I was scared because I did not know where he would strike from next. The ground beneath me started to churn. I tensed myself.
Then, without warning, Parveen's centipede burst from the sand behind me, and I barely had time to turn before Parveen's blade was coming down toward me. I raised my claymore-the heat of it still burning my hands-and managed to block the attack. It sent me stumbling back, but I regained my footing just in time.
Parveen grinned. "You're getting better, but this is far from over."
I did not even get a chance to respond to him. His centipede once more rounded on me, and I knew anything could happen. This training was relentless, but I knew that if I emerged from this, I would come out much tougher than ever.
It was one of the most relentless battles so far, pushing me to the edge of my being by each and every passing second. My head spun, my body screamed in pain, and yet I refused to yield. It was the second training, and I would see it to its end.
And with every exchange of blade against blade, I grew better, learning to adapt. Parveen might be testing me, but I was going to pass that test flying colors high-even if it killed me.