The next day, Calen began Kael's training with simple exercises designed to help him connect to the dragon's ancient power inside him. The sun hung low in the sky, casting an amber hue over the land, as Kael worked relentlessly, his brow dripping with sweat. He stood with arms outstretched, focusing every ounce of his being on controlling the fiery energy that surged within him. But the more he tried, the wilder it felt, like a beast clawing to break free. His breaths were sharp, shallow, and frustration clawed at his chest as the power churned, always just out of his control.
"This isn't working!" Kael muttered, the words laced with frustration. The raw energy inside him felt like it was on the verge of consuming him. Calen's voice rang out, calm yet firm from behind him. "You're pushing too hard. Relax. Let it flow with you, not against you."
Kael clenched his jaw, but before he could respond, a piercing scream cut through the air. His head snapped up, his heart skipping a beat. A woman was running toward them, her long silver hair trailing behind her like a comet's tail, but it wasn't her beauty that caught his attention—it was the monstrous elephant charging after her, its massive feet thundering against the ground. Kael froze for a second, stunned by the sheer size of the beast. "What in the name of the gods?" he gasped. His mind raced, but his body was locked in place, unable to tear his gaze away from the woman, who was running with desperation, yet with a grace that seemed almost unreal.
"Kael! Move!" Erya's sharp voice broke through the fog in his mind. He snapped to attention, his legs finally moving as the ground rumbled beneath the elephant's thunderous approach. The woman was getting closer, the beast almost upon them. Her face was pale with fear, eyes wide as she glanced over her shoulder.
"Help! Please, help me!" she screamed, her voice thick with panic.
Kael's feet felt like lead. He stood motionless, transfixed by her—by the urgency in her eyes, the power of her presence. It wasn't just the danger. It was her. Erya yanked at his arm, pulling him into motion just as the elephant's mighty form bore down on them.
"Calen!" Erya shouted, drawing her sword and stepping forward. Without hesitation, Calen raised his hands. "Hati, stop!" His voice cut through the air like a command from the gods, but there was no fear in his tone—only pure authority. The massive elephant halted mid-charge, its body quivering under some unseen restraint. It turned its massive head toward Calen, staring at him as if waiting for the next order.
The woman collapsed to her knees just a few feet away, gasping for breath. Kael rushed forward, his heart racing not from the near-death experience, but from the woman's presence. She was breathtaking—wild, untamed, yet with an undeniable strength in her eyes. "Are you… are you alright?" Kael asked, his voice cracking slightly.
The woman's chest rose and fell quickly as she took in deep, ragged breaths. Her eyes, a piercing blue, met his with both gratitude and exhaustion. "I... I didn't think I'd make it," she said, her voice trembling but strong. Kael couldn't tear his gaze away from her. There was something about her, something magnetic, and for a moment, everything else—the elephant, the danger—faded into the background.
Erya raised an eyebrow, noticing Kael's fixated stare. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, but she remained silent.
"I'm Erya," she said, her tone more brusque than usual. "This is Kael. What happened? Why was that beast chasing you?"
The woman stood shakily, brushing dirt off her clothes, and Kael noticed her legs were unsteady, but there was a determination in her stance. "I'm Mimi," she said, her voice soft but steady. "And... I've been running from that thing for hours. It's a long story."
"Are you alright?" Kael asked again, his words tumbling out before he could stop them. He hadn't meant to sound so concerned, but he couldn't shake the worry in his chest. She glanced at him, her lips curling into a playful smile that sent a jolt through him. "I'm fine now, thanks to you," she replied. Her gaze shifted between him and Erya, then back to Kael. "But honestly, I think I owe you both more than a thank you. That elephant doesn't stop for anything."
Kael's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly cleared his throat. "Glad we could help," he said, his voice more strained than he intended. His eyes lingered on her, but he quickly snapped out of his trance.
Erya, noticing the awkward tension, cleared her throat. "We should keep moving. There's no time to waste."
Mimi nodded, her face serious now. "I agree. I've been tracking something dangerous. If you're headed in the same direction, maybe we can help each other out."
Kael blinked, surprised by her sudden shift in tone. "You're tracking something dangerous?" he asked, his mind racing to catch up. Mimi's smile deepened, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Oh, you have no idea," she replied, her voice full of mystery. "But trust me, you'll be glad to have me along. I know these lands better than anyone."
Kael's pulse quickened, and before he realized it, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Well, it looks like you're stuck with us now," he said, though he couldn't help but feel an unexpected excitement at the thought of having Mimi with them.
Erya shot him a knowing look but didn't comment, instead turning to lead the way. "Let's go. The road ahead won't get any easier."
Kael nodded, his eyes still on Mimi as they began walking. The journey had just taken a turn he hadn't expected, but with her joining them, it felt like everything had become more unpredictable—and far more exciting.