The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting golden rays upon the dew-laden leaves. The scent of damp earth filled the air as Kael tightened his grip on his sword, determination burning in his eyes. The previous battle had exposed the stark difference in strength between him and Lyris. He couldn't let that gap remain.
Lyris stood before him, arms crossed. "Again."
Kael exhaled sharply and lunged, his blade a silver blur. Lyris deflected his strike with minimal effort, sidestepping and delivering a counter that forced him to stumble back. He barely managed to maintain his balance, adjusting his footing at the last moment.
"You're too rigid," Lyris said. "Your movements need to be fluid, adaptive."
Kael gritted his teeth and nodded, stepping forward once more. This time, he didn't just attack; he studied. He watched how Lyris moved, how she reacted, how effortlessly she danced around his strikes. Slowly, he began adjusting, refining his technique.
Mareth, watching from the side, shook his head with a smirk. "Glad it's him and not me. That looks painful."
Lia shot him a glance. "You should be training too."
Mareth stretched dramatically. "Oh, I will. After breakfast."
Kael ignored their banter, focusing solely on his movements. He was improving marginally but every inch of progress mattered. His muscles burned, sweat dripped from his brow, but he pressed on. Lyris, as relentless as ever, didn't allow a single mistake to go unpunished.
As the sun climbed higher, Kael's arms trembled with exhaustion. His strikes grew sluggish, and he knew Lyris could end the spar at any moment. But she didn't. Instead, she pushed him harder, forcing him to summon every ounce of strength he had left.
Then, without warning, she struck faster than he could react. Her blade stopped just short of his throat, the cold steel a whisper away from his skin.
"You're done," she declared, lowering her sword. "You lasted longer this time. That's something."
Kael collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily. His body ached, but he felt the difference. Small improvements, but real ones.
Mareth crouched beside him, offering a waterskin. "You know, if you train any harder, you'll turn into a monster yourself."
Kael took a long sip before responding. "That wouldn't be the worst thing."
Mareth raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, he grinned and clapped Kael on the shoulder. "At least you'll be a strong monster."
After a short break, Lyris turned to Mareth. "Your turn."
Mareth groaned. "Really? I was enjoying watching Kael suffer."
"And now it's your turn to suffer."
With a dramatic sigh, Mareth rose to his feet, drawing his sword. Unlike Kael, he fought with unpredictability, relying on feints and quick footwork. He was nimble, dodging Lyris's counters with a playful grin.
"You rely too much on tricks," Lyris said, parrying a strike and countering with a precise thrust. "Tricks won't save you against a real opponent."
"They might buy me enough time to run," Mareth quipped, ducking under her blade.
Lyris rolled her eyes. "Cowardice isn't a strategy."
"Says the person who hasn't had to run in years."
Lia sighed. "Are they even training anymore?"
Kael chuckled, shaking his head. Watching Mareth fight was always amusing. He lacked Kael's raw determination but made up for it with sheer unpredictability. Still, it was clear who held the upper hand. Within minutes, Lyris disarmed him, sending his sword flying into the dirt.
Mareth put his hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright. Lesson learned. Can we eat now?"
Lyris smirked. "Fine. But next time, take it seriously."
With their training done, the group resumed their journey, winding through the thick forest. The towering trees stretched endlessly above them, their leaves whispering in the breeze. Despite the grueling morning, spirits remained high—mostly thanks to Mareth.
"So," he mused aloud, "if we had to fight another one of those beasts, who do you think would die first?"
Lia groaned. "That's not exactly uplifting."
Mareth smirked. "I'm just saying, statistically, it's probably me or Kael."
Kael rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the confidence boost."
"Anytime, mate."
The lighthearted banter eased some of the tension hanging over them. Even Lyris allowed a faint smile, though she hid it well.
As the day stretched on, the trees began to thin, revealing a vast expanse ahead. The atmosphere around them shifted charged with an energy unlike anything they'd felt before. The air itself seemed to hum with power.
Lia took a cautious step forward. "We're close."
Kael's grip tightened on his sword. The Sacred Realm Heart was near. Whatever awaited them beyond this point, he knew one thing for certain—he had to be ready.
They pressed forward, the landscape gradually changing. The ground beneath them grew smoother, the thick forest giving way to an open glade. In the center, a faint glow pulsed, illuminating the area in a soft golden light.
"That's it," Lyris murmured. "The Sacred Realm Heart."
Kael swallowed hard. The energy emanating from it was overwhelming, ancient and powerful. He could feel it vibrating through his very bones.
Mareth exhaled. "Well… we made it."
Kael stepped forward, determination settling over him. This was it—the next step in their journey. And whatever trials awaited them, he would face them head-on.