The base of the Eclipse Guards stood deep within a mountain south of the capital, a perfect stronghold surrounded by even taller peaks that pierced the sky. For anyone who wasn't part of the guards, reaching it was impossible; the mountain touched the clouds, unyielding and inaccessible.
Alric lay on the ground in the training courtyard, gasping, his eyes fixed on the clouds that seemed almost within reach. The cold air at this altitude burned his lungs. The courtyard was carved into the side of the mountain, as if the rock itself had opened to make room for this inhospitable space where sweat and effort were the only constants.
"Get up, Your Highness. We're not done with training yet," Selene's voice, cold and sharp like steel, reached him from above, relentless.
"I-it's… enough, don't you think?" Alric responded between breaths, barely able to hold the weight of his own body. He had been under Selene's ruthless regime for an entire month—no rest, no reprieve. From sunrise to sunset, she had him in constant motion, only stopping to eat and study the empire's history, as if she were forging a warrior from the flames of exhaustion.
"No, it's not enough." Selene looked at him with eyes that allowed no excuses, then turned to Delilah, who watched from a bench, carefree, biting into a piece of bread. "Tell His Highness he still has a long way to go. He needs much more training."
Delilah raised an eyebrow as she continued enjoying her meal, her tone dripping with mockery. "Yes, Your Highness, you need to train more… to become a strong and worthy prince, Your Exalted Highness Alric," she said with a smile that made it clear how much she enjoyed seeing him suffer.
"Really? Are you going to talk with your mouth full?" Alric growled, using his sword for support as he got to his feet. He looked at Delilah, who was still working on her third portion. "And what are you doing, eating so much? It's your third plate."
Delilah, without losing her smile, shrugged. "What can I say? Selene's cooking is too good to pass up."
Alric opened his mouth to retort, but Selene didn't give him time. In a movement so swift it seemed impossible, she turned into a shadow, gliding like a whisper until she materialized in front of him at the last second. Alric barely had time to lift his sword and block the attack. The clash of metal echoed in the air, his arms vibrating with the force of the impact. Selene didn't let up, pushing with surprising strength for her figure, forcing him back toward the edge of the cliff.
"Selene… that's enough," Alric growled, gritting his teeth as he struggled to stand firm, his feet teetering dangerously close to the abyss.
But Selene didn't respond. Her gaze was merciless, and her blows continued to rain down with precision and determination. Every time Alric tried to regain his balance, she pushed him back a little more. Desperation started to grow in his chest.
Then, in a flash of clarity, Alric saw his opportunity. He let Selene push him, releasing the tension in his arms at just the right moment, and before she could react, he grabbed her wrist with all his strength. In one movement, he flung himself toward the void, dragging her with him.
The air whipped past their faces as they fell together. Selene tried to pull free, but Alric held on. His heart pounded in his chest, but there was no fear in his eyes. He knew Selene would act before they hit the bottom. And she did.
At the last second, Selene turned into a shadow, slipping free from Alric's grip with the same ease a predator shakes off its prey. As she vanished into the darkness, Alric plunged his sword into the rock, stopping his fall with a grunt of effort. The force of the pull shook his entire body, but he held on, panting.
"Do you think that was smart?" Selene's voice came from somewhere above him, cold and mocking.
"I saw you coming!" Alric shouted, still hanging from the mountainside. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his arms trembled from the effort.
Selene appeared at the top of the ledge, looking down at him with a smirk as she crossed her arms. "If you saw me coming, why are you hanging off a rock like a trapped mouse?"
With a grunt, Alric heaved himself up, his sword scraping as it pulled free from the stone. When he reached the edge, Selene was already standing, waiting with her arms crossed and a smile brimming with superiority. He slowly rose to his feet, keeping his eyes on her, trying to regain his composure.
"You must be loving this," Alric muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"A little," Selene admitted, a playful glint in her eyes. "But we're not done yet, Your Highness. Let's go again."
Before Alric could respond, Selene disappeared, wrapping herself in a swirl of shadow. Alric barely had time to react before he felt the cold edge of Selene's blade graze his side. In one quick motion, he deflected the strike, twisting his body to avoid the blade, but Selene had already vanished again.
"You should learn to stay on your feet longer, Prince," her voice echoed, almost like a whisper in the wind.
"I'm gonna—!" Alric began to retort, but he couldn't finish. Selene materialized right in front of him, slashing at his chest. Alric barely managed to lift his sword and block the blow, feeling the impact reverberate through his arms.
Selene's attacks were relentless, her movements precise and calculated. Alric, on the other hand, was at the edge of his endurance. Every breath burned in his lungs, and every muscle in his body screamed for rest. But he couldn't afford to give up.
"Are you going to give up now?" Selene taunted, pushing him harder, forcing him to retreat toward the edge of the courtyard.
"No!" Alric let out a cry of effort, planting his feet and using the last of his energy to push her back. Selene slid to the side, dodging the blow and leaving him exposed.
"You're too confident," she said, launching another strike. This time, Alric had no choice but to take the hit on his shoulder, Selene's blade cutting through his clothing with a sharp sting.
"Ugh, damn it..." Alric stumbled, gritting his teeth as he tried to ignore the pain.
"Still alive?" Delilah's voice interrupted the fight. From her seat on the bench, she chewed on a piece of meat, watching the scene with indifference. "I thought you'd be on the ground, drooling by now."
Selene paused her attack, turning toward Delilah. "He's doing better than yesterday, that's something, don't you think?"
Alric, panting, used that brief distraction to straighten up, though his left arm felt numb. "Better than yesterday? I can barely move…"
"If you can't go on, maybe you should beg for mercy," Delilah said with a malicious grin.
"Mercy!" Alric spat the word, throwing a defiant glance at Selene. "I won't give up."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Selene attacked again, faster this time, forcing him to react on instinct. Alric lifted his sword and blocked, but he wasn't fast enough. The next blow knocked him to the ground, his back slamming against the hard stone.
Alric's vision blurred for a moment. The sound of his breathing was all he could hear. He still felt the sword in his hand, but he couldn't move. Selene approached, and for a moment, the prince thought it was over.
"That's enough," she said, leaning over him. "You can't do more today."
"I'm making it…" Alric whispered, though he didn't believe his own words. He tried to get up again, but his whole body protested.
Selene watched him in silence for a few seconds. Then, with a sigh, she extended her hand. "You'll do better tomorrow."
Alric stared at her for a moment, hesitating, but finally, he took her hand and pulled himself to his feet with effort. Selene helped him steady himself, and once he was sure he could stand, she stepped back, giving him space.
Delilah, having finished her meal, got up and walked over. "Not bad, considering a month ago you could barely lift a sword."
Alric glared at her, narrowing his eyes. "Thanks, I guess."
Selene let out a small laugh. "That's enough for today. Rest. But tomorrow, Your Highness, it's going to be harder."
"Harder? Are you insane?" Alric raised an eyebrow, disbelief in his voice.
Selene smiled broadly but didn't answer. She simply turned and walked toward the barracks entrance, disappearing into the shadows once again.
Delilah lingered, watching Alric. "If you keep this up, you might survive Selene's next attack. Maybe."
Alric let out a long, heavy sigh. "Any advice?"
"Yes," she said, patting him on the back. "Don't die."
Alric stared at her without amusement as she laughed softly and walked away. He, on the other hand, collapsed onto one of the benches, letting his sword fall to the ground.
"At least... she didn't kill me today."