Riven's heart raced as he and Maurs approached the cliffside training ground. The cold air bit at his skin, sharpening his senses. The steep path they followed led through rugged terrain with mountains towering on either side, forming a natural barrier around the secluded training area. Ahead, a wide, flattened ledge waited, overlooking the dense forest below.
Maurs stopped, giving Riven a silent nod to signal that this was the place. Without a word, Riven braced himself, already familiar with the unspoken language of their training. This was no warm-up. It was about pushing the boundaries of his abilities, testing the limits of how long he could hold his levitation and maneuver in the air without collapsing.
"Take your position," Maurs instructed.
Riven steadied his breathing, taking in the feel of the rocky ground beneath his feet. He could feel the remnants of soreness from yesterday's training still etched in his muscles, a dull ache that he had come to welcome as proof of progress. Closing his eyes briefly, he focused, grounding himself before activating his levitation.
With a subtle surge of willpower, he felt the familiar tingling rise from within, like an awakening energy coursing through his veins. He rose a few inches off the ground, hovering with ease—a skill that had taken countless hours to master. Yet today was about pushing beyond comfort. Today was about endurance.
"Now, without touching the ground, follow the perimeter of this ledge," Maurs commanded, his gaze fixed on Riven, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
Riven didn't respond verbally; he was too focused. With careful concentration, he leaned forward slightly, moving himself forward while still hovering. The sensation was strange, like walking on air, but he adjusted his balance, stabilizing himself as he began gliding along the edge. The wind pulled at him, challenging his control, and the drop beside him was daunting, but he maintained his focus.
Minutes passed, his muscles beginning to strain. Every movement required precision—too much force, and he'd shoot forward; too little, and he risked dropping down to the ground. By the time he had completed the first lap around the ledge, a thin layer of sweat covered his forehead. But he pressed on, pushing through the burn, knowing Maurs expected nothing less.
"Faster now," Maurs said, his voice firm, yet unhurried.
Riven adjusted his pace, quickening his movements as he circled the ledge again. His breaths became labored, each inhale and exhale measured to conserve energy. He could feel the subtle tremors in his legs and core, the toll of maintaining control over the magic running through him. Still, he pressed on, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
After the fourth lap, his vision blurred briefly, and the edge of the cliff seemed to sway, testing his resolve. Just as he felt his concentration slipping, Maurs' voice cut through the haze.
"Enough," he said, and with a firm tone, added, "ground yourself."
Riven let out a shuddering breath as he lowered himself to the rocky surface, knees slightly bent as he landed. The exhaustion hit him immediately, the ache in his muscles intensifying now that he was no longer holding himself aloft. He clenched his fists, steeling himself against the urge to slump forward.
"Your control has improved," Maurs observed, stepping closer, his gaze evaluating. "But control alone will not be enough. Your endurance must match your skill. Your body is a vessel; it must withstand the demands of your power."
Riven nodded, though his breaths still came heavy. He knew what Maurs meant. This wasn't about short bursts of magic. It was about lasting strength, the ability to sustain his powers even in the heat of battle, when every second counted.
Maurs gave him a moment to catch his breath before speaking again. "Now, we'll move to something more complex. I want you to attempt levitation while simultaneously moving an object—something heavier than before."
Riven's gaze shifted to a nearby boulder. He had managed to move small stones in the air while levitating, but this would be on an entirely different scale. He hesitated, feeling the weight of the challenge settle over him.
Maurs noticed his hesitation and added, "Focus on merging the actions. Don't think of them as separate. Your energy is one flow; direct it where it needs to go."
Taking a steadying breath, Riven closed his eyes briefly, grounding himself in the center of his own strength. When he opened them, he focused on the boulder, letting his mind wrap around its shape, its weight, visualizing it lifting into the air.
He activated his levitation again, feeling his body lift from the ground as he willed his power toward the boulder. At first, nothing happened. The strain of splitting his focus pulled at him, like trying to stretch one arm in two directions. His brow furrowed, sweat beading at his temple as he concentrated harder.
Gradually, he felt the boulder shift, a faint tremor passing through it. Encouraged, he intensified his focus, urging the stone upward. It lifted an inch, then two, hovering unsteadily. Riven gritted his teeth, feeling the combined weight of himself and the stone taxing his abilities. His muscles trembled, his head pounding as he struggled to maintain control.
Then, with a sudden burst of exertion, the boulder lifted higher, matching his own height in the air. For a brief moment, he felt a surge of victory, the thrill of success flooding through him.
But the strain was too much. His concentration wavered, and in an instant, both he and the boulder dropped to the ground, landing with a rough jolt. Riven staggered, barely catching himself as he stumbled forward.
Maurs stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "You did well," he said, though his tone was measured. "But remember, strength without consistency is as brittle as glass."
Riven nodded, frustration gnawing at him. He wanted to master this—needed to, if he ever hoped to survive in a world that seemed increasingly bent on breaking him.
"Again," Maurs instructed, his voice unyielding.
The day wore on, each attempt testing Riven's endurance, pushing him to his limits and beyond. He lifted the boulder repeatedly, sometimes succeeding, often failing, but each time pushing himself harder. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the mountains, marking the passage of time.
As the afternoon waned, Maurs finally signaled for him to stop. Riven collapsed to his knees, chest heaving, every muscle in his body screaming in protest.
Maurs looked down at him, his expression softened—just slightly. "Today, you've taken a step forward. Small, but significant. Remember this feeling—the strain, the exhaustion. It's part of the path you've chosen."
Riven met his gaze, a spark of determination lighting within him. He understood now. This was only the beginning. The path before him would be brutal, demanding everything he had and more.
But he would endure it. He would master this power, for himself and for the memory of those he'd lost.
Without another word, Maurs turned and began walking back toward the cave, leaving Riven to gather himself. Slowly, Riven rose to his feet, his body aching, but his resolve unshaken.
He would face whatever came next, no matter the cost.
The skies had grown darker as Maurs and Riven practiced on the rugged mountain ledge outside their newly carved cave, the storm clouds swirling ominously above. Thunder rumbled in the distance, rolling across the peaks like the growl of some monstrous beast, echoing through the mountains around them. Riven kept his focus steady, hovering inches off the ground with controlled breaths as Maurs looked on, a gleam of approval in his eyes.
Just then, a deafening roar split the air, reverberating across the entire mountain range. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and Riven's concentration faltered as he dropped from his levitated stance. He staggered, catching himself, and looked at Maurs, wide-eyed.
"What was that?" Riven whispered, though his voice barely carried over the howling wind.
Maurs's gaze was already fixed on the roiling clouds above. His eyes, usually calm and calculating, flashed with a strange intensity, a rare hint of urgency. Riven followed his gaze, squinting through the storm-darkened sky, and his breath caught as a massive, looming silhouette appeared amid the swirling clouds.
From the dark abyss of the storm, a colossal dragon emerged. Its scales were the color of molten silver, reflecting the occasional crack of lightning with a blinding flash. Its eyes, like burning embers, locked onto Riven and Maurs, narrowing as if sizing up its prey. The dragon opened its maw, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, each one glinting menacingly in the storm's dim light.
"Stay calm," Maurs said, his voice unwavering but intense, "but be ready."
Riven's pulse raced as he looked at the beast towering above them, its wings spreading to cast a shadow over the entire mountainside. The dragon let out another earth-shaking roar, the force of which sent loose stones tumbling down the cliffside. It hovered for a moment, beating its wings to maintain its massive frame in the air, then lunged forward with terrifying speed, its jaws wide open and aimed straight at them.
Maurs acted first, grabbing Riven by the arm and pulling him back just as the dragon's claws slashed through the air, narrowly missing them. Riven stumbled but quickly regained his footing, heart pounding as he tried to make sense of the chaotic scene unfolding before him. The dragon circled around, its massive form blotting out the sky, before diving again with relentless precision.
"Keep moving!" Maurs shouted as he pushed Riven aside. "We can't fight it directly—not yet."
Riven rolled to his feet, adrenaline flooding his veins. He watched Maurs, who remained calm but vigilant, studying the dragon's every move. Riven knew he wasn't ready to take on something of this magnitude, yet the thought of running, of leaving Maurs to face this beast alone, didn't sit well with him.
The dragon's fiery gaze locked onto Riven once more, as if sensing his hesitation. It charged, exhaling a torrent of flames that scorched the ground where Riven had been standing moments before. Riven leapt to the side, feeling the intense heat as the fire blazed inches from his skin.
"Focus, Riven!" Maurs commanded. "Remember what you've learned."
Riven steadied himself, tapping into the skills he'd been practicing. With a sharp breath, he summoned his concentration and levitated off the ground, feeling the rush of power coursing through him. Just as the dragon lunged again, he dodged mid-air, maneuvering out of its path with newfound agility.
Maurs seized the opening and raised his hand toward the cliffside, summoning a wall of earth that rose up between them and the dragon. The beast collided with it, shattering the barrier but briefly disoriented. Maurs wasted no time, gesturing to Riven.
"We need to lead it away from here. Move fast, stay close!"
They ascended higher up the mountain, navigating narrow paths and sharp drops as the dragon pursued them. Riven could hear the creature's heavy breathing, its wings beating against the air like thunder. Each glance back showed the beast gaining on them, its fury evident in every snarl and swipe.
Then, as they rounded a narrow ridge, Maurs stopped abruptly. He turned to face the dragon head-on, his expression calm but calculating.
"Riven," he said in a low, steady voice, "now is when you learn to observe. Watch closely."
Before Riven could respond, Maurs raised his arm with an almost imperceptible flick of his wrist. The surrounding rocks, boulders, and fragments of earth began to shift, rising and floating around them as if caught in a silent storm. Riven watched, mesmerized, as the stones gathered together, forming a massive barrier between them and the dragon.
The dragon reared back, uncertain, but its pride drove it forward as it lunged at the barrier. Maurs narrowed his eyes, focusing his energy, and the boulder wall split into shards that shot forward, like spears, aimed precisely at the dragon's weak spots. The dragon twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the attack, but a few shards grazed its scales, leaving thin trails of smoke as it hissed in pain.
Maurs looked over at Riven, giving him a brief, knowing nod. "Control, Riven. Power is nothing without control."
Riven took a steadying breath, watching the dragon reel back, preparing another attack. He could feel his own control growing, his energy steadying as he drew on what he'd just witnessed.
The dragon let out a furious roar and unleashed another blast of flames. But this time, Riven was ready. He rose into the air with a calm, fluid motion, avoiding the fire with precision. Maurs followed, and together they ascended higher up the mountain, the dragon hot on their trail but increasingly agitated, losing its focus.
As they reached the mountain's peak, Maurs looked down at the beast, then glanced at Riven. "Now," he said calmly, "we strike."
With a final nod of understanding, they both raised their arms, channeling their energies in unison. Maurs manipulated the rocks and earth below, creating another powerful wave, while Riven directed his focus, pulling the stones in the air toward the dragon with all the strength he could muster.
The combined force struck the dragon with relentless power. For a moment, the air filled with the sound of rocks colliding, the dragon's screeches echoing across the valley. Slowly, its form receded, tumbling down into the ravine below, disappearing into the depths with a fading roar.
As silence returned to the mountains, Riven lowered himself to the ground, breathing heavily, the weight of the encounter settling over him. He turned to Maurs, awe and relief mingling in his gaze.
"Did I…did we actually—"
Maurs gave a small, approving smile. "It was a start, Riven. Just a start."
Riven took a long, unsteady breath as he looked out over the ravine, his body tense and his mind still racing. He couldn't believe what had just happened—that they had actually driven off a dragon. He turned to Maurs, his heart pounding with questions, but Maurs simply gave him a faint nod and motioned for him to follow down a narrow, winding path that led away from the cliff edge.
As they walked, the weight of what they had accomplished settled into Riven's mind, bringing with it a surge of both exhilaration and exhaustion. But his relief was cut short when Maurs suddenly stopped and looked back at him, a serious expression on his face.
"That was only a taste of the dangers you'll face, Riven," Maurs said, his tone unwavering. "Dragons aren't the only beasts lurking in these lands. And they're not the only ones who might one day seek you out."
Riven swallowed, realizing there was more to Maurs' words than just caution. It wasn't just about the physical dangers but also something deeper—something tied to his bloodline, his very existence. Riven nodded, determined, but still cautious.
"So… what's next, then?" Riven asked, breaking the silence.
"Now," Maurs replied, "you need to sharpen your instincts and strengthen your body and mind to handle these challenges. And that begins with understanding your own limits—and breaking them."
They continued walking until they reached a small clearing that stretched out beneath the towering peaks. Maurs gestured to the area, where scattered boulders and sharp rocks jutted from the earth. "This will be our training ground for now."
Maurs wasted no time. "First, I need to see how far you can push yourself," he said. "We're going to start with a test of strength and speed—no levitation this time. I want to see what you can do on your own."
Riven looked at him, surprised. "You mean…without any magic?"
Maurs nodded. "Precisely. Power isn't just about magic. It's about how you handle your body, how you respond to threats without relying on abilities. Remember, you can lose access to your magic in a blink. Now, let's see what you can do without it."
Riven took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. Maurs gestured to a series of boulders scattered around the clearing. "I want you to try moving them—physically, one by one. Push, lift, drag. Whatever you can manage."
Without another word, Riven approached the first boulder, its rough surface jagged and uneven. He planted his feet firmly, then strained as he tried to push it forward. His muscles ached with the effort, his grip slipping as he attempted to move the heavy stone. After several grueling moments, he managed to shift it an inch forward, then another. Finally, he paused, breathless, sweat pouring down his face.
Maurs watched him with a critical eye, but he didn't say a word. Riven gritted his teeth and continued, each push testing his limits further. When he finished with the first boulder, Maurs directed him to the next one and then another, each stone seeming heavier than the last. By the time Riven reached the final boulder, his arms and legs felt like lead, but he refused to stop.
As he completed the task, he stood panting, looking at Maurs expectantly.
"Good," Maurs said simply. "But don't think we're done. Now, we test speed."
Before Riven could catch his breath, Maurs motioned him toward a line of trees on the edge of the clearing. "See those trees? I want you to run to the farthest one and back. And don't just run. Imagine that dragon is chasing you. Run as if your life depends on it."
Riven's body protested, but he pushed himself forward, sprinting across the rocky terrain. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but he forced himself to move faster, the memory of the dragon fresh in his mind. He reached the far tree, barely pausing before he turned and raced back, his footsteps echoing in the silence.
When he reached Maurs again, he collapsed onto his knees, gasping for air. Maurs offered him a small, approving nod. "Impressive. Your endurance is better than I expected."
Riven managed a weak grin, though his body felt like it was about to give out. He pushed himself back to his feet, determined not to show weakness, despite his exhaustion.
"Tomorrow, we'll go through this again," Maurs continued, his voice calm. "And again, until you can handle these exercises with ease. It's not enough to rely on your abilities, Riven. You need to build a foundation, one that will hold up even when your powers fail."
Riven nodded, though he felt a fresh wave of exhaustion at the thought. "Understood."
As the evening settled in, Maurs motioned for him to sit by a small fire they had built near the edge of the clearing. The flames cast long shadows across the mountain as they both sat in silence, recovering from the day's events.
After a while, Maurs broke the silence, his voice softer than usual. "Riven, I chose to train you because I believe there's something unique about you. Not just because of your bloodline, but because of your will. You survived something most people wouldn't have. And that's worth more than any magic."
Riven looked down at his hands, still raw and trembling from the day's trials. He didn't fully understand what Maurs saw in him, but hearing those words gave him a strange sense of hope.
"Thank you," he murmured, not entirely sure why he felt the need to say it, but somehow it felt right.
Maurs gave a small nod, a faint smile crossing his face. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will be harder."
Riven nodded, feeling the weight of his exhaustion pressing down on him as he lay back on the cool earth. As he drifted off to sleep, the image of the dragon's fierce gaze lingered in his mind—a reminder of the journey that lay ahead, and of the strength he would need to survive it.
The dawn broke over the mountains, casting a soft, golden light across the training grounds as Riven stirred from his sleep. As he stood up and stretched, he found Maurs already waiting, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Today," Maurs began without preamble, "we move forward. But first, I want you to understand that strength alone isn't enough. You need focus, precision, and resilience. Let's begin."
The day continued in a cycle of relentless training, testing both Riven's physical and mental endurance. Hours passed, each exercise designed to push him to his breaking point, and just when he thought he couldn't go any further, Maurs would call for one more push, one more test.
By the end of the day, Riven had developed a new respect for his own limits and the strength he still had yet to achieve. But he also felt something else—a quiet, growing confidence in his abilities and a determination to prove himself worthy of the path he'd chosen.
As the sun began to set, Maurs motioned for him to sit again by the fire. Riven sat in silence, feeling the ache of his muscles but also a strange sense of satisfaction.
Maurs looked at him thoughtfully, a glint of approval in his eyes. "You've come far, Riven. But this is just the beginning."
Riven nodded, feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement for the journey ahead, knowing that whatever trials lay in wait, he would face them head-on.