The morning mist clung to the forest like a veil, shrouding the towering trees in a ghostly haze. Kael rolled his shoulders, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from the relentless training. Yesterday's battles had drained him, but there was no time for respite. Their journey to the Sacred Realm Heart continued, and with each step, the weight of the unknown pressed upon them.
Lyris, as relentless as ever, saw no reason to let travel time go to waste.
"On your feet," she ordered as soon as they broke camp. "Your form was sloppy yesterday. We fix that today."
Kael let out a weary sigh, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Beside him, Mareth stretched lazily, his sword resting across his lap.
"I don't envy you, mate," Mareth said with a grin. "I'd rather face a pack of bandits than another one of her lessons."
Lyris shot him a look. "That can be arranged."
Mareth coughed and took a step back. "Right, I'll just… get ready for training too."
Kael smirked at his friend's reaction before turning his attention back to Lyris. He drew his sword, facing her once again. They sparred in the crisp morning air, the sound of clashing steel echoing through the woods. Lyris moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and punishing. Kael barely kept up, his muscles burning with every deflected blow.
Mareth joined in after a while, his own sword clashing against Lyris's with more confidence. Unlike Kael, Mareth relied on swift movements and unpredictable swings, forcing Lyris to shift her defense.
"You rely too much on feints," Lyris remarked as she effortlessly blocked another of Mareth's attacks. "It won't work on experienced opponents."
"Maybe not," Mareth grinned, twisting his blade in an attempt to disarm her, "but it keeps things interesting!"
Lyris sidestepped, countering with a strike that sent Mareth stumbling back. "Interesting won't keep you alive."
Kael exhaled sharply, gripping his sword tighter. The difference between them and Lyris was becoming more apparent by the day.
After an hour of relentless training, Lyris finally relented. "Enough for now. You're both improving, but you still have a long way to go."
With their training done, they resumed their journey through the thick forest. As they traveled, the tension from training faded, replaced by the usual banter.
"So, what do you think the Sacred Realm Heart actually looks like?" Mareth mused aloud, resting his sword on his shoulder. "A massive jewel? A floating crystal? Or—hear me out—a golden apple of divine power?"
Lia rolled her eyes. "It's an ancient artifact, not a snack that gives a trail."
"You say that, but wouldn't it be wild if we got there and it turned out to be something we could eat?" Mareth smirked. "Ultimate power… in the form of a fruit."
Kael shook his head. "If that's the case, I hope it tastes good."
Their banter was cut short when Lyris suddenly stopped, raising a hand.
"Something's ahead," she said, eyes narrowing.
Kael and Mareth immediately drew their swords, their senses sharpening. From the dense undergrowth, a deep growl echoed. Then, emerging from the shadows, a massive Rank 2, Tier I Beast stepped into view.
The creature was a towering reptilian beast, its dark green scales glinting in the filtered sunlight. Jagged spikes ran down its spine, and its golden eyes locked onto them with predatory hunger.
"That's… not small," Mareth muttered, tightening his grip on his sword.
"Stay back," Lyris ordered, but Kael and Mareth had already stepped forward, determination burning in their eyes.
"We can handle this," Kael said.
Lyris raised an eyebrow but said nothing, stepping aside. "Go ahead, then."
The beast roared and charged.
Kael reacted first, swinging his sword in a downward arc, aiming for the creature's leg. The blade struck true but barely pierced its thick hide. The beast snarled and lashed out with its tail. Kael barely managed to jump back, avoiding the full force of the blow.
Mareth took the opportunity to strike from the side, his sword flashing as he aimed for the beast's flank. His attack landed, drawing a shallow gash, but it wasn't enough to slow the creature down.
The beast turned with frightening speed, its claws swiping at Mareth. He raised his sword just in time, blocking the strike, but the sheer power behind it sent him skidding backward.
"This thing hits like a damn boulder!" Mareth grunted.
Kael grit his teeth, adjusting his stance. "We need to find a weak spot!"
They moved in tandem, their swords striking at different angles, trying to find an opening. But the beast was relentless, its massive frame deceptively agile. It batted their attacks aside, forcing them onto the defensive.
Then, in a blur of motion, the beast lunged at Kael. He barely raised his sword in time, but the impact sent him crashing into a tree. Pain flared in his ribs as he gasped for breath.
"Kael!" Lia shouted, concern in her voice.
Mareth stepped in, sword raised high as he aimed for the beast's exposed throat. But before his strike could land, the creature twisted, its claws raking across his shoulder. He staggered, blood staining his sleeve.
Lyris sighed.
Then she moved.
In an instant, she was upon the beast. Her sword flashed once—twice—each strike perfectly placed. The first severed the tendons in its leg, sending it collapsing to the ground. The second pierced through its throat with lethal precision.
The beast barely had time to let out a gurgled snarl before it fell, lifeless.
Silence followed.
Kael, still struggling to catch his breath, stared in disbelief. Mareth wiped the blood from his arm, his expression unreadable.
Lyris turned to them, arms crossed. "That's the gap between us."
Kael clenched his fists. He had known she was stronger, but seeing it so plainly, so effortlessly, made it undeniable.
Mareth let out a shaky chuckle. "Okay, so… lesson learned. We're still not ready for the big leagues."
Kael barely heard him.
He was still weak.
And if he wanted to survive what lay ahead, that had to change.