Back in Asgard, Erik, Liam, and Mia stood in a vast training ground, the sky above a deep shade of azure, streaked with the faint glow of distant stars even in daylight.. The three of them had been training relentlessly for three days, each day pushing their limits further than the last.
On the first day, they focused on Weapon Mastery just like their Quest had tell them to do. Under the watchful eyes of seasoned warriors and Thor himself they were drilled in various combat techniques.
Erik wielded his sword and his movement growing sharper with each swing. Liam practiced with dual axes. Mia worked tirelessly with a spear for now, her strikes becoming more precise with every thrust.
Despite their efforts, their progress was slow. Their skills that had been measured against the harsh standards of Asgard, were still at the very beginning—0%. Yet, they didn't falter. No, more precisely they can't falter.
The second day brought the Endurance Trials. This was no ordinary test of stamina; it was designed to break even the strongest of warriors.
The three were subjected to grueling physical challenges. Running through treacherous terrain, lifting weights that seemed impossible to move, and enduring the scorching heat of the midday sun. Erik, Liam, and Mia pushed their bodies to the brink, sweat pouring down their faces, muscles screaming in protest.
Despite the challenges that seemed impossible for a normal human, especially teenagers like them, their endurance turned out to be much stronger than they had thought. This test wasn't designed for ordinary humans but for the warriors of Asgard, and their bodies had already begun to slightly assimilate with their Reincarnated Souls, making this drill ideal for them..
They worked together, encouraging each other to keep going even when exhaustion threatened to overtake them. Erik led with his unyielding spirit, Liam's power help them conquer the challenges easier, and Mia's quiet strength kept them grounded.
By the end of the third day they were bruised, battered, and utterly exhausted. Yet, despite the pain and the slow progress they still felt their body grew much stronger than before.
On the fourth day of their grueling training they found a moment of respite. They lay sprawled on the grass, forming a loose circle with their heads facing each other. The sky above had grown cloudy, the sun hidden behind a thick layer of gray, casting a muted light over the landscape.
They stared up at the overcast sky with eyes vacant from exhaustion as they tried to catch their breath.
"How the hell are we still alive after these past few days?" Liam was the first to speak, his voice a mix of disbelief and weariness.
"Ridiculous doesn't even begin to cover it. I swear, I've never been this close to death so many times in such a short span," Mia replied then let out a dry chuckle that lacked any real humor.
Erik with his gaze still fixed on the sky shook his head slowly. "It's like they're trying to break us before we even get a chance to prove ourselves. I don't know what's worse—the weapons training or the endurance trials."
"But, well... maybe this is what we have to do. If we don't go through this, we won't be able to get stronger," Liam said.
Erik and Mia nodded in agreement without saying anything. Only the sound of their quickened breaths could be heard.
The three of them knew that what Liam said was true. If they didn't undergo all this training that nearly brought them to the brink of death, they wouldn't be able to become as strong as the world needed them to be. And if that happened, they wouldn't be able to protect their families or each other.
That's why they didn't protest or complain much. Perhaps it was also because their Souls had already recognized their roles in this world, so they were content with it.
They all fell silent again, each lost in their thoughts. After few minutes Erik suddenly remembered something. With a grunt he propped himself up on one elbow and opened his Quest Window.
"Hey. Have any of you checked your Quest Window lately?" Erik asked.
Liam and Mia both shook their heads simultaneously
"Been too busy trying not to die," Liam muttered, rubbing his tired eyes.
"Same," Mia added. "Didn't even cross my mind."
Erik frowned as he scanned the information displayed before him. Then, his eyes widened in surprise. "Guys... You need to see this."
Intrigued and slightly apprehensive, Liam and Mia opened their own Quest Windows while lying down. For a moment there was nothing but the sound of their shallow breathing as they absorbed what they were seeing.
"Thirty-seven percent?" Mia finally blurted out, her voice incredulous. "How is that possible? We've only been at this for four days!"
"No wonder we feel like we're on the brink of collapse. We've nearly covered a lot of it already," Liam said while stared at the number, his mind struggling to process it.
Erik nodded slowly. "We've been pushing ourselves harder than we realized. I guess we were too focused to notice the progress."
The realization brought a strange mix of emotions—relief that they were making headway. They will gain enough strength to fight in no time.
The trio's moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of rushing wind and the crackle of lightning. They looked up just in time to see a figure descending from the sky.
Thor landed with a heavy thud. His cape billowed out behind him before settling around his broad shoulders. As he approached them there was an attempt at a smile on his face, but it was overshadowed by the stern expression in his eyes.
"How are you three holding up?" Thor asked with a forced smile.
Erik, Liam, and Mia exchanged brief glances before responding.
"We're fine," Erik said, though the weariness in his voice betrayed the true extent of their exhaustion
Thor's piercing gaze swept over them, taking in their worn faces and the fatigue etched into every line of their bodies. He seemed to consider his next words carefully, as if weighing whether or not to burden them further.
But Erik decided to cut to the chase.
"What's going on, Thor?" he asked, his tone laced with concern.
Thor sighed heavily. He looked away for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts, before meeting their eyes again.
"There's a problem," he finally admitted, his words settling over them like a dark cloud.
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