The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Nereus stirred, blinking away the remnants of sleep.
Victor was already awake, standing near the window, his back to Nereus as he stared out at the city below. There was a certain tension in the way he stood, as if he was preparing for something.
Nereus knew what that something was.Today marked the beginning of his training—his initiation into Victor's world. The thought made his stomach churn with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. He had no idea what to expect, but he had made his decision.
He was ready to dive headfirst into the depths of Victor's dangerous life.Victor turned, his gaze softening as he saw Nereus awake. "Morning," he said, his voice low.Nereus stretched and sat up, offering a small smile.
"Morning. Are we... still starting today?"Victor's expression shifted slightly, a mixture of concern and resolve crossing his face.
"Yeah, we are. I've arranged for someone to help with your training. Someone I trust."
He paused, then added, "But it won't be easy, Nereus. Once you start down this path, there's no going back."
Nereus swung his legs over the edge of the bed, standing and walking toward Victor. He placed a hand on his arm, looking into his eyes.
"I know. But I've already made my choice. I want to do this, Victor."Victor studied him for a moment before nodding.
"Alright. Let's get started."The day moved quickly after that.
Victor led Nereus downstairs, where they met a man named Salvatore—a seasoned veteran of Victor's crew. With graying hair and a stoic demeanor, Salvatore radiated experience and authority. He eyed Nereus critically, as if measuring him up.
"So, you're the one Victor's been talking about," Salvatore said, his voice rough but not unkind.
"You've got a lot to learn, kid."Nereus straightened, meeting Salvatore's gaze with determination.
"I'm ready."
Salvatore gave a curt nod, motioning for Nereus to follow him outside to the training grounds behind the mansion.
The area was large and secluded, surrounded by tall walls and thick trees that shielded it from prying eyes.
Weapons lined the walls, and there were targets set up in various places, along with training dummies and obstacle courses.
"We're gonna start with the basics," Salvatore said as they approached the center of the grounds.
"Hand-to-hand combat, reading body language, and understanding how people in this world think. You'll need to learn how to defend yourself first."Nereus took a deep breath, his nerves bubbling just beneath the surface.
He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but he was determined to prove himself.For the next several hours, Salvatore put Nereus through his paces. They started with hand-to-hand combat, focusing on basic moves—how to block, how to strike, and how to use someone's momentum against them.
It was exhausting, and Nereus quickly realized just how out of his depth he was. But he pushed through, refusing to let his fatigue or frustration show.
"You're doing fine," Salvatore said gruffly after one particularly hard session.
"But remember, in this world, hesitation will get you killed. You've got to be faster, sharper."Nereus nodded, panting heavily as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"I'll get there," he said, more to himself than anyone else.By midday, Nereus's muscles ached, and his body felt like it was on fire. But he didn't stop.
The fear of failure—the fear of being a liability to Victor—kept him going. He wanted to be strong, capable, someone Victor didn't have to worry about.
Victor had been watching from the sidelines, his expression unreadable, but his presence was a comfort to Nereus. Knowing Victor believed in him was the fuel he needed to keep pushing forward.After a break for water and a quick meal, Salvatore shifted the focus of the training.
They moved on to something less physical but just as important—how to read people, how to pick up on the smallest cues that could mean the difference between trust and betrayal.
"In this world, everyone's playing a game," Salvatore said, pacing in front of Nereus as he spoke.
"People will smile at you, make you think they're on your side, but they're always looking for a way to take what you have. You need to learn how to see through that. Understand the moves they're making before they make them."
Nereus listened intently, absorbing everything Salvatore said.
This was a part of Victor's world he hadn't fully grasped yet—the manipulation, the double-crossing. It was a far cry from the straightforward life he'd known under the sea. But he was beginning to understand why Victor had always been so guarded, so careful with who he trusted.
The hours dragged on, each lesson revealing just how complex and treacherous Victor's world was. Nereus was exhausted, physically and mentally, by the time the sun began to dip below the horizon. But despite the pain and the challenge, there was a strange sense of satisfaction building within him. He was learning.
He was adapting.
As the training session came to a close, Victor approached, his expression softer than it had been earlier. He looked at Nereus with something like pride in his eyes.
"You did good today," Victor said quietly.Nereus smiled, though he was too tired to say much.
"Thanks. I just... I want to be ready."
Victor nodded, his hand coming up to gently brush a strand of hair from Nereus's forehead.
"You will be. It takes time, but you're stronger than you think."
They walked back toward the mansion together, the weight of the day's training hanging over them.
Nereus's body ached, but his heart felt lighter than it had in a long time. He had taken the first step, and it had been harder than he imagined, but he hadn't backed down.
Later that night, as they lay together in bed, Nereus felt a quiet resolve settle within him. He had stepped into Victor's world, and now there was no turning back. But for the first time, he felt like he could handle it.
Tomorrow would bring more challenges, more lessons, and more danger. But as he drifted off to sleep, Nereus knew one thing for certain.
He was ready to face it all.