The morning sun was barely peeking over the jagged cliffs when Zane stumbled out of the Nexus Alpha, the Cipher Core strapped securely to his side. He yawned and rubbed his eyes, glaring at Kade, who was already waiting by the hovercraft with an infuriatingly cheerful grin.
"You look alive," Kade said. "Barely, but I'll take it."
"Do you people ever sleep?" Zane muttered, climbing into the hovercraft and slumping into a corner.
Kade tapped the side of the vehicle as he climbed in after him. "Not when there's work to be done, kid. And today, we're working on speed."
Zane groaned. "Great. More ways to humiliate myself."
"Don't worry," Kade said, patting him on the shoulder. "Rhea's not coming. This one's all me."
"Somehow, that doesn't make me feel better."
Kade laughed as the hovercraft lifted off, leaving the Nexus Alpha behind.
The training site was like something out of a postcard. A wide river cut through a lush valley, its waters glistening under the sunlight. In the distance, a massive waterfall roared as it tumbled over a jagged cliff, sending mist into the air. The sound was deafening, drowning out even the faint hum of the hovercraft as it landed on a rocky shore.
"This is… a lot," Zane said, stepping out and staring at the scene. "How am I supposed to focus with that thing screaming in my ears?"
"That's the point," Kade said, grabbing a small bag of gear from the craft. "Distractions are everywhere, Zane. The noise, the chaos, the sheer insanity of a fight, it all gets in your head. If you can't learn to shut it out, you'll never find your intent. And without intent, you're slower than Gorex after a heavy meal."
Zane frowned. "You're really leaning into the pep talks, huh?"
"Call it tough love," Kade said, flashing a grin. "Now, let's get started."
Kade led Zane to a flat expanse of rock near the riverbank. The sound of the waterfall was louder here, a constant roar that made it hard to think, let alone concentrate. Kade dropped the bag onto the ground and pulled out a set of small, circular drones. They hovered to life with a soft hum, circling Zane like curious insects.
"These are speed trainers," Kade explained, tossing one into the air. "They're going to fire harmless, but annoying, pulses at you. Your job is to deflect them using the Cipher Core. And you'll need to do it fast."
"Harmless and annoying," Zane repeated, staring at the drones. "Great. My two favorite things."
Kade smirked, stepping back. "Think fast."
Before Zane could respond, the first drone fired a bright pulse of energy straight at him. He barely had time to raise the Core, and the pulse struck his shoulder with a jolt that made him yelp.
"Harmless?" Zane shouted, glaring at Kade.
"Harmless-ish," Kade said, stifling a laugh. "Now stop whining and focus."
The drones fired again, this time in rapid succession. Zane deflected one pulse, missed the second, and stumbled as the third hit his side. The roar of the waterfall wasn't helping. Every time he tried to concentrate, the sound seemed to grow louder, pounding in his ears like a relentless drumbeat.
"Focus, Zane!" Kade called. "The Core isn't just about power—it's about precision. You need to anticipate, not react."
"I'm trying!" Zane shouted back, deflecting another pulse but nearly losing his balance in the process. "This noise is insane!"
"Exactly," Kade said, stepping closer. "You think the Echo's going to fight you in complete silence? Distractions are part of the game. The roar of the waterfall? That's nothing compared to the chaos you'll face in the Shatterdome—or anywhere else."
Zane gritted his teeth, raising the Core as another volley of pulses came his way. He managed to block two, but the third clipped his arm, leaving a faint sting. His frustration boiled over, and he slammed the Core onto the ground.
"This isn't working!" he yelled. "I can't focus with that thing blaring in the background!"
Kade crouched down, picking up the Core and handing it back to him. His usual grin was gone, replaced by a rare moment of seriousness. "Then stop listening to it."
Zane frowned. "What?"
Kade stood, motioning to the waterfall. "The noise is in your head, Zane. You're giving it power. You're letting it drown out everything else. But here's the thing—it's just noise. It doesn't matter. The Core doesn't care about the waterfall, the drones, or anything else. It cares about you. So stop listening to the noise, and start listening to yourself."
Zane stared at him, the words sinking in. "Easier said than done."
"Of course it is," Kade said, grinning again. "But that's why we're here. Now, try again."
Zane stepped back onto the rock, the Cipher Core warming in his hands. The drones circled him again, their hum barely audible over the roar of the waterfall. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. The sound was still there, loud and overwhelming, but he tried to push it aside.
"Focus," he muttered to himself. "It's just noise."
The first pulse came, and Zane deflected it with a quick motion. The second followed, and he blocked that too. The third came faster, but this time he anticipated it, raising the Core just in time to send the pulse spiraling harmlessly into the air.
"Better," Kade called. "Now keep going."
The pulses came faster, the drones moving in unpredictable patterns. Zane's movements were clumsy at first, but with each volley, he found a rhythm. The Core responded more smoothly, its glow brighter and steadier. The waterfall's roar faded into the background, no longer a barrier but a distant hum.
By the time the sun began to set, Zane was drenched in sweat but grinning despite himself. The drones fired one last volley, and he deflected every pulse with a speed and precision that felt almost natural.
"Not bad," Kade said, clapping as the drones powered down. "Still slow, but not embarrassingly slow."
"Thanks," Zane said, panting as he stepped off the rock. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"Take it however you want," Kade said, tossing him a bottle of water. "You earned it."
Rhea arrived as they packed up, her sharp eyes scanning the scene. "How'd he do?"
Kade grinned. "Better than I expected. Still has a long way to go, but he's getting there."
Rhea nodded, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Good. He'll need every bit of speed he can muster for what's coming next."
"What's next?" Zane asked, his curiosity outweighing his exhaustion.
Rhea's smirk deepened. "Rest. Because tomorrow, we're taking things up a notch."
Zane groaned, but despite the fatigue weighing him down, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. He was far from perfect, but for the first time, he felt like he was catching up. Slowly, steadily, he was finding his rhythm and his intent.