Axel woke up the next morning feeling both excited and anxious. Today was the day their intensive training began, and though the thrill of growing stronger motivated him, the pressure of knowing what lay ahead kept him grounded.
The training ground was bustling with activity as Axel approached. Xavier stood at the front, his usual mask and calm demeanor making him as imposing as ever. Kyro was off to the side, speaking quietly with some of the Creeper's Soul recruits. The morning air was crisp, and the energy of the others radiated across the space.
"Alright, listen up," Xavier called out, drawing everyone's attention. "Today, we're pushing past your limits. Code Zyro is unpredictable, and we need to be prepared for anything. That means each of you is going to face a variety of challenges—some physical, some mental. This isn't just about your Mantra skills, but how you adapt in the heat of battle."
Xavier gestured to Kyro, who stepped forward with a calm but intense expression.
"As of today," Kyro said, "we'll be splitting the training between Creeper's Soul and Swords of Symphony. We'll work together to maximize your individual strengths, and there'll be a lot of cross-training. You'll be learning from both me and Xavier."
Axel's heart raced as he realized just how serious things were getting. Training under both Kyro and Xavier meant double the pressure—and double the opportunity for growth.
"First up," Xavier continued, "we're working on control. Jonathan, Caspian, you two are with Kyro for now. Axel, Asaya, you're with me."
Axel exchanged a glance with Asaya, who gave him a small nod of encouragement. Together, they followed Xavier to a section of the training field lined with various obstacles—ranging from floating platforms to shifting walls.
"We're focusing on adaptability," Xavier explained, "which means mastering your powers in unexpected environments. Axel, you've got gravity manipulation, and that's going to be key here. Asaya, you'll be dealing with both offensive and defensive situations at random. The goal is to think quickly and use your powers without hesitation."
Axel looked up at the floating platforms that hovered unevenly across the field. His task seemed simple enough: navigate through them while using his gravity manipulation to counter the shifts in weight and balance. But as he stepped forward, he quickly realized it wasn't going to be easy.
The platforms moved unpredictably, some dropping lower while others shot upwards. Axel focused, trying to feel the pull of gravity and adjust his movements accordingly. He stumbled on the first few platforms, nearly slipping off one entirely before catching himself.
"You're hesitating," Xavier called out from the side. "You can't second-guess yourself, Axel. Trust your instincts and your control over gravity. If you think too much, you'll lose your rhythm."
Axel gritted his teeth and nodded. He centered himself, feeling the mantra inside him flow. The next time a platform dropped, he let gravity guide him, pulling him towards it with ease. Slowly but surely, he began to move more fluidly, using gravity to his advantage as he navigated the course.
Meanwhile, Asaya was practicing countering a series of projectiles that flew at him from various angles. His movements were swift and precise, his katana flashing through the air as he deflected each attack. Even when the projectiles changed direction or speed, Asaya remained calm, his focus unwavering.
After what felt like hours, Axel finally reached the end of the platform course, sweat dripping down his face but a grin of satisfaction tugging at his lips.
"Better," Xavier said, nodding approvingly. "You're starting to get the hang of it. But remember, in a real battle, there's no time to reset. Keep that focus sharp."
Axel wiped the sweat from his brow, catching his breath. "I will. I'll keep working on it."
As they finished their first round of training, they regrouped with the others. Jonathan was pulling a new card from his deck, his expression unreadable as he revealed his latest ability: temporary invisibility. He laughed as he disappeared from view, only to reappear a few moments later, startling Caspian with a playful jab.
"You never know what you'll get," Jonathan said, grinning. "But that's what makes it fun."
Caspian chuckled, shaking his head as he adjusted his gloves. "Let's just hope you get something useful next time we're in a real fight."
The camaraderie between them helped ease the intensity of the training, but Axel couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. As they continued their drills, his mind wandered back to the skull-masked man and Code Zyro's growing influence.
Later that afternoon, as they sat for a brief break, Axel found himself deep in thought. Asaya sat down beside him, stretching his arms with a quiet sigh.
"You seem preoccupied," Asaya noted, watching Axel closely.
Axel hesitated before speaking. "It's just...I can't stop thinking about Code Zyro. About how strong they are and how unprepared I felt during that fight. That skull-masked guy...he barely even broke a sweat, and we were struggling."
Asaya nodded, his expression contemplative. "Code Zyro is dangerous, no doubt about that. But that's why we're training. So next time, we won't be caught off guard."
"I know," Axel said quietly. "I just don't want to let anyone down."
"You won't," Asaya said firmly. "You've already come so far. Trust in your growth, and we'll all have each other's backs. That's what being part of a squad is about."
Axel looked over at his teammates, who were chatting and laughing as they rehydrated. There was a sense of unity among them, a bond that had been forged through their missions and shared struggles. Asaya was right—whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
"Thanks, Asaya," Axel said, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "I'll keep pushing forward."
As the break ended, Xavier and Kyro called them back to the field for the next phase of their training. Axel stood up, his mind clear and focused. He was ready to face whatever came next, not just for himself, but for his team and the people they had sworn to protect.
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