The sun had barely risen when Eryndra called the group to the clearing, her piercing green eyes glinting with determination. The elf warrior stood with an air of authority, her dark purple hair shimmering as the morning light played upon it.
"This morning," she began, "you'll learn to move like the wind—to step beyond the horizon before the enemy even sees you coming."
Kai straightened, his dragon heir mark pulsing faintly. "What do you mean?"
"It's called flash step," Eryndra explained, a faint smirk on her lips. "A technique that allows you to cover short distances in the blink of an eye. It requires balance, precision, and control over your energy. Fail, and you'll find yourself either flat on your face or drained of your strength."
The group exchanged glances, a mix of intrigue and apprehension on their faces. Lyria, ever the bold one, crossed her arms. "Sounds easy enough. Where do we start?"
Eryndra's smirk widened. "By realizing it's anything but easy."
She demonstrated, vanishing in a blur of motion and reappearing atop a boulder several meters away. Her movements were so fluid that the air itself seemed undisturbed.
Kai's jaw tightened. If this is what lies ahead, we'll need it to survive.
---
The Struggle Begins
The training started with the basics. Eryndra explained that flash step required channeling energy into one's legs, focusing it to propel the body forward with explosive speed while maintaining control.
"Feel the energy," she instructed. "Direct it, but don't force it. If you try to overpower the technique, you'll lose control. Trust the flow."
Kai was the first to try. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the energy coursing through him. He felt it gather, crackling like lightning beneath his skin. With a sharp inhale, he pushed off—only to stumble forward, landing awkwardly in the dirt.
Lyria burst into laughter. "Graceful as ever, Kai."
Kai shot her a glare, brushing off the dirt. "Let's see you do better."
Lyria stepped up, determination blazing in her eyes. She gathered her energy, her body tense with anticipation. When she moved, she managed a brief blur of motion—but her momentum carried her into a nearby tree with a resounding thud.
The group erupted into laughter, even Eryndra cracking a smile. "Balance, Lyria. It's not about speed alone."
---
Lessons in Failure
As the morning wore on, each of them faced their own struggles. Ryn's precision allowed him to move in short bursts, but his hesitation caused him to misstep. Aelira managed to flash step once but collapsed from exhaustion, her control over her energy insufficient.
"Why is this so hard?" Kaelith grumbled, wiping sweat from her brow. "It's just moving fast!"
"It's more than that," Eryndra said, her tone firm. "Flash step isn't just about speed. It's about clarity. You need to see your destination clearly in your mind and trust that your body will follow. If your thoughts are clouded, your steps will falter."
Her words struck a chord with Ryn, who frowned deeply. His trial had taught him the importance of letting go of doubt, but putting that lesson into practice was proving harder than he'd expected.
---
A Breakthrough
By midday, frustration was thick in the air. The group sat in the shade, catching their breath. Eryndra approached Kai, her expression softening slightly.
"You're overthinking it," she said. "You're trying to control every aspect of the movement, but flash step requires trust. Trust in yourself, in your instincts."
Kai met her gaze, surprised by the gentleness in her tone. "How do you trust something you can't fully control?"
She smiled faintly, sitting beside him. "You don't control it—you guide it. Let the energy flow naturally, and your body will follow. Trust me, Kai. You have what it takes."
Her words lingered in his mind as they resumed training. This time, when Kai gathered his energy, he didn't try to force it. He closed his eyes, visualizing his destination—the boulder where Eryndra had stood earlier.
With a deep breath, he moved.
The world blurred for a heartbeat, and when it cleared, he was standing on the boulder.
The group stared in stunned silence before Lyria broke into a grin. "Show-off."
---
Strength in training
Kai's success ignited a spark of determination in the others. One by one, they began to improve. Lyria mastered the technique by channeling her fiery energy into controlled bursts. Ryn, after letting go of his hesitation, moved with the precision of an arrow in flight.
Even Kaelith, who had grumbled the loudest, managed to flash step with surprising grace, much to her own astonishment.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the group stood together, sweat-soaked but triumphant.
Eryndra nodded in approval. "You've made progress, but don't get cocky. Flash step is a tool, not a crutch. Use it wisely."
Kai met her gaze, gratitude flickering in his eyes. "Thank you, Eryndra. For everything."
A faint blush crept across her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "Don't thank me yet. The real challenge is ahead."
As the group settled in for the night, the bond between them felt stronger than ever. The trials had tested their strength, but this training had tested their unity.
Kai sat by the fire, the dragon heir mark on his hand glowing faintly. He glanced at Eryndra, who was sharpening her blade nearby, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
Whatever lies ahead, we'll face it together.