Val stood at the edge of a sprawling meadow, the morning sun casting golden rays over the dew-kissed grass. Beside him, Deli adjusted his gauntlets, stretching his arms as if preparing for a marathon. Their beasts, Blaze and Peak, stood at attention, ready to train. Today wasn't just another sparring session; it was the beginning of their preparation for the journey to Elderglen.
"We've got to be stronger," Val said, his voice firm. "The Guildmaster's quests aren't for rookies, and we're not walking in unprepared."
Deli nodded, his expression just as serious. "Agreed. Our beasts are powerful, but teamwork is what'll give us the edge. Let's train together."
The Plan for Training
Before starting, Val laid out a plan. Training wasn't just about raw strength—it was about strategy, endurance, and synchronization. They decided to focus on three key areas:
Beast Combat Skills: Improving Blaze and Peak's offensive and defensive abilities .Support Coordination: Deli would sharpen his healing and buffing techniques, while Val worked on positioning and control. Synergy Moves: Combining their beasts' abilities to unleash devastating combo attacks.
"First up," Val began, "is beast combat. Let's push their limits."
Blaze and Peak's Training
Blaze roared, eager to begin, while Peak let out a chilling cry, frost forming at its claws. Val pointed to a line of boulders in the distance.
"Blaze, start with Fire Blast! Destroy those targets!"
Blaze inhaled deeply before releasing a searing burst of flame. The boulders exploded into shards, heat waves rippling through the air. Not to be outdone, Deli stepped forward.
"Peak, show them Ice Bleed! Target precision is key."
Peak's claws shimmered with frost as it slashed the air, sending razor-sharp ice shards flying toward a second line of boulders. Each shard struck its mark, freezing the boulders solid before they shattered into glittering ice dust.
Val gave an approving nod. "Not bad. But let's up the challenge."
He raised his hand, summoning Blaze to the air. "Time to practice dodging and aerial combat! Deli, send Peak after Blaze. Let's see how well they handle each other."
Blaze launched into the sky, wings beating fiercely, while Peak followed, gliding on icy drafts it conjured beneath its wings. Blaze shot down fireballs, which Peak evaded with impressive agility, countering with bursts of frost that Blaze had to dodge mid-flight. The two beasts danced in the air, their elemental attacks illuminating the field.
"Keep it up, Blaze!" Val shouted. "Stay unpredictable!"
Peak growled, spinning mid-air and firing an icy beam that narrowly missed Blaze. Deli smirked. "Looks like they're both learning fast."
Strengthening the Trainers
While their beasts battled, Val and Deli didn't stand idle. They set up a training dummy in the middle of the meadow, each taking turns practicing combat techniques.
Val focused on agility and precision, striking the dummy with rapid combinations of punches and kicks. "The stronger I am, the better I can keep enemies off Blaze when we're in battle."
Deli worked on his staff techniques, twirling the weapon with finesse. "As a healer, I've got to be versatile—support in one moment, defend in the next."
To test themselves, they sparred against each other. Val lunged forward with a feint, aiming for Deli's left side. Deli sidestepped smoothly, countering with a sweep of his staff. The sparring session grew intense, both pushing each other to their limits.
"You're getting faster," Val said, grinning as he blocked an overhead swing.
Deli laughed. "And you're hitting harder. I'll be sore tomorrow."
Synergy Moves: The Lightning Burst
After an hour of combat drills, they regrouped with their beasts. It was time to practice synergy. Val explained the goal: to combine Blaze's fire abilities with Peak's ice to create a more versatile attack.
"Last time, we got lucky with Lightning Blast," Val said. "This time, let's make it consistent."
Deli nodded. "We'll have to time it perfectly. Blaze starts with Fire Beam while Peak counters with Frost Nova. The collision of heat and cold should trigger the reaction."
Blaze and Peak lined up, their energies crackling in anticipation. Val raised his hand. "Blaze, Fire Beam! Peak, prepare Frost Nova! Three… two… one—go!"
Blaze unleashed a concentrated beam of fire, and Peak released an icy shockwave. The two attacks collided mid-air, creating a blinding flash of light. A bolt of electricity arced from the collision, striking a target dummy with a deafening crack. The dummy disintegrated.
"It worked!" Deli cheered, pumping his fist.
The system chimed in Val's mind.
Description: A powerful combined attack that deals massive damage and paralyzes enemies temporarily.
Val grinned. "This is exactly what we need for tougher battles."
A Surprise Encounter
As the group rested, a rustling sound came from the forest. Both trainers stood on alert, and their beasts bristled, ready to fight. A figure emerged from the shadows—a massive boar-like creature, its tusks glowing faintly with an eerie green light. The system identified it.
Val cracked his knuckles. "Perfect timing. Let's see how our training pays off."
"Peak, you're up!" Deli called. "Start with Ice Bleed! Slow it down!"
Peak roared, its claws glowing as it swiped the air, sending frost toward the Tusker. The beast roared in frustration as its movements slowed under the icy effect.
"Blaze, hit it with Fire Strike! Go for the legs!" Val shouted.
Blaze charged forward, its claws ignited, and struck the Tusker's legs, knocking it off balance. The boar retaliated with a powerful headbutt, sending Blaze sprawling backward.
"Stay focused, Blaze!" Val urged.
Deli stepped in. "Peak, now's your chance. Use Frost Cage!"
Peak summoned an icy prison around the Tusker, locking it in place. Val seized the opportunity. "Blaze, finish it with Lightning Burst! Peak, assist!"
The two beasts combined their attacks once more, the lightning energy coursing through the Tusker and ending the battle. It fell with a heavy thud, and the system chimed again.
Deli wiped his brow. "We're making progress. But we'll need more than this if we're going to take on the Guildmaster's challenges."
Wrapping Up the Day
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the meadow glowed with hues of orange and pink. Val and Deli sat on a fallen log, their beasts resting nearby. The day's training had pushed them all to their limits, but it had also brought them closer as a team.
"Today was a good start," Val said, looking at Blaze, who was curled up like a fiery cat. "We've still got a lot to learn, but I'm confident we'll get there."
Deli nodded, a smile on his face. "With teamwork like this, we'll be unstoppable. Let's keep training until we're ready for whatever Elderglen throws at us."
As night fell, the two friends set up camp, their beasts standing guard. The road ahead would be long and dangerous, but for the first time, they felt prepared for what lay ahead.