The sound of heavy boots hitting the floor echoed sharply across the training hall, followed by the sharp crack of a wooden training staff striking flesh.
My flesh.
I staggered back, barely managing to block another incoming strike with the wooden staff they'd given me. My arms burned from the constant defensive motions, and sweat poured down my face as my trainer, a towering, battle-hardened Enforcer, Marshal Decker, advanced with relentless precision. a
"You call that a block?!" he barked, his voice like gravel on steel. "Again! "
I barely dodged another swing, the sting of impact still fresh on my forearm. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, but I gritted my teeth and held my stance.
Meanwhile...
Across the hall, sitting comfortably at a steel table under the soft glow of a wall-mounted tactical screen, Xier calmly nibbled on a chocolate croissant. A delicate porcelain cup of steaming coffee rested beside her, its rich aroma drifting lazily in the air.
She elegantly crossed her legs, completely unbothered by my ongoing struggle. Her gaze lazily scanned an open data tablet, scrolling through what looked like detailed surveillance reports and combat logs.
Occasionally, she would glance up just in time to see me nearly get floored by another vicious strike. Her lips quirked slightly, the barest hint of amusement playing in her expression.
I caught her smirking and felt a wave of betrayal.
"Enjoying yourself?" I managed to gasp between labored breaths.
She gave me an innocent shrug, lifting her cup with exquisite grace. "You're doing great," she called sweetly, her voice syrupy with mock encouragement.
WHAM!
Marshal Decker's staff slammed against my shin, sending me stumbling back. He shook his head, disapproving.
"Focus!" he barked. "Your stance is garbage! Center of gravity-lower! Stop standing like you're waiting in line for coffee!"
I groaned but obeyed, shifting into a lower defensive stance. Every muscle protested, but I knew arguing would only make things worse.
Decker lunged again, faster this time. I barely managed to deflect the strike, though my knuckles throbbed from the impact.
"Better," he grunted. "But barely. You've got the stamina of a desk clerk and the reflexes of a drunk cat."
I bit back a sarcastic retort, knowing it wouldn't help.
From her seat, Xier took another delicate bite of her croissant, eyes gleaming with amused interest.
"Don't forget to breathe, she called out cheerfully. "You look like you're dying."
I gasped out, panting, "I am dying."
She chuckled softly, setting her coffee cup down with a soft clink. "You'll survive. They're going easy on you. "
Going easy?!
Before I could even process that outrage, Decker charged again, driving me into another brutal exchange. My arms screamed in protest, but I fought back harder this time, managing to hold my ground.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Xier smile faintly, as if she were... proud.
"Again!" Decker roared, forcing me to focus as another strike whistled toward my ribs.
---
I hit the ground hard, the impact jarring my already battered body. Every inch of me ached, muscles trembling from the brutal nonstop training that had stretched far past what I thought was possible. My hands felt raw from gripping the training staff, and my knees throbbed from repeatedly hitting the unforgiving floor.
"Get up."
Marshal Decker's voice boomed across the hall, sharp and commanding. His unrelenting gaze bore down on me like a stormfront, daring me to quit.
I tried - I really did. But my body simply... wouldn't move.
My breath came in ragged gasps, lungs burning from exertion. Sweat soaked through my clothes, and for a brief moment, the edges of my vision darkened, threatening to pull me under.
From her spot near the training room entrance, Xier' s expression shifted from amusement to concern. She'd been watching the entire session, her previously lighthearted demeanor now replaced by tense focus.
With smooth grace, she rose from her seat and strode toward me, her heeled boots clicking softly against the polished floor.
Marshal Decker stepped back but didn't leave, watching us both carefully.
I barely registered her presence until she knelt beside me, her familiar warm scent cutting through the haze of exhaustion. Her cool fingers brushed lightly against my sweaty forehead, drawing me back to awareness.
"Kevin...?" Her voice was soft, but beneath it lay an edge of something raw and urgent.
I managed a weak smile, though even that felt like too much effort. " ... Did I... pass...?"
Her lips quirked faintly, though there was no real amusement behind it this time.
"Idiot..." she murmured.
Then, without warning, her expression hardened into something resolute, pained, and... desperate.
---
"Stay still," she commanded, her voice sharpening into an unyielding edge.
Before I could ask what she meant, she pressed her hand over her sternum, right above her heart. A faint crimson glow pulsed under her skin, illuminating the delicate web of veins beneath her pale flesh. Her breathing hitched, and for the first time...
I saw her falter.
Her face twisted into a mask of searing pain as she dug her fingertips into her chest, right where the faint red light shimmered brightest.
"Xier...?!" I tried to move toward her, but my arms refused to respond.
With a sudden, sharp cry, she wrenched something dark and glistening from her chest a single droplet of blood, thick and luminous, pulsing like liquid fire.
The moment it left her body, she gasped, her entire frame trembling violently from the effort. For a moment, she doubled over, clutching her chest as if she could physically push back the agonizing emptiness left behind.
Her breaths came in shaky, shallow gasps, and her fingers trembled as she clenched the glowing droplet tightly in her fist.
I could only stare, helpless, as she fought to steady herself - fierce and determined, despite the obvious pain wracking her entire being.
---
I could barely lift my head as Xier knelt beside me, still clutching the pulsing droplet of crimson fire in her trembling hand. Her face was pale, twisted in raw pain, sweat beading on her forehead as she fought to steady her breath.
"Stay still," she whispered, her voice strained but firm. "This... will only take a moment."
I tried to speak, but my throat felt parched, and my chest ached with every ragged breath. I could barely focus on anything beyond the throbbing exhaustion in my limbs, but the burning intensity of that glowing droplet held my gaze like a living flame.
Her free hand gently cradled my face, her fingers cool against my fevered skin. Her eyes softened for a heartbeat, reflecting worry and something deeper, something achingly tender.
Then, before I could ask what she was doing, her fingertips traced a line across my forehead, cool and precise, as if drawing an invisible mark.
A sudden sting pierced my skin - sharp but fleeting, like being nicked by the edge of a blade.
---
"Xier...?" I rasped, trying to push myself up, but her hand firmly pressed me down, her strength unyielding despite her earlier pain.
"Trust me, " she whispered, her breath shaking as she raised the crimson droplet. It seemed almost alive, its inner glow pulsing faintly with each passing second.
I saw her hesitate - just for an instant. Her expression flickered with conflict, a battle between duty and affection, before she hardened her resolve.
With silent precision, she lowered the droplet toward my freshly marked forehead.
The moment it touched, I felt a searing heat explode through my skull, burning like molten fire pouring through my veins. My entire body arched, helpless against the blinding surge of energy.
I gasped sharply, unable to suppress a cry of shock, feeling as though lightning had torn through my very soul.
My pulse thundered, pounding in my ears as heat and cold surged through me in a violent maelstrom. My limbs seized, caught in the grip of unrelenting power, burning and freezing simultaneously.
Then... as suddenly as it began... it stopped.
The blazing pain faded into warm embers, leaving behind a strange, comforting heat that settled deep in my chest, alive but... different.
I could breathe again.
"It's done, " Xier whispered, her voice hoarse with exhaustion. Her fingers lingered gently on my face for a moment longer before she slumped forward, her strength draining entirely.
"Xier...?" I struggled to sit up, heart pounding, still feeling the lingering fire coursing through my blood.
She gave me a weak smile, her eyes half-lidded, weary but relieved.
"You'll... be stronger now," she murmured, her voice barely audible.