The first rays of dawn broke through the thick canopy, casting long shadows across the hidden camp. Clay's body ached from the restless night he had spent turning over the events of the past few days. The jungle's sounds were muted in the quiet of the early morning, and the camp felt still, like a momentary pause before the storm.
Rian and Nash were already awake, sharpening their blades and preparing for whatever the day would bring. Selene and Kael were standing by the fire, speaking in hushed tones. The time for hesitation was over; Clay could feel it in the air.
"Rise and shine," Rian called over to him, his voice laced with a mixture of sarcasm and determination.
Clay rolled out of bed, his mind still heavy with the weight of what lay ahead. He was about to enter training, but what exactly did that mean? Could it really help him against someone like Alaric? Or would he just be another pawn in someone else's game?
He rubbed his eyes and stood up, ready to face whatever came next.
Kael looked up as he approached, his eyes unreadable. "You've had enough time to rest. It's time to work."
Without waiting for a response, Kael nodded toward Selene, who stepped forward, her eyes calculating as she assessed each of them. "We'll start with the basics. If you want to survive what's coming, you need to be stronger. Physically and mentally. The jungle is nothing compared to the battles you'll face when you confront Alaric's forces."
Selene turned to Clay first. "You, especially. You're not just a fighter—you're a tool, a weapon that can be used. And right now, you're still far from your true potential."
Clay stiffened at her words, but there was an undeniable truth in them. He had powers he barely understood, let alone controlled. If he was going to survive this world, he had to master them.
"Follow me," Selene ordered, striding toward an open space within the camp.
They followed her to a clearing where several training dummies were set up. Each was designed to simulate different types of enemies they might encounter. Some had blades, others had armor, and one even had shifting sections meant to simulate wild beasts.
"I'll start by assessing your physical capabilities," Selene said, looking at each of them in turn. "Clay, you're first."
Before he could protest, she pushed him forward, and the other two watched in silence, waiting for the trial to begin.
Clay felt the weight of their stares. He wasn't sure what Selene had in mind, but the last thing he wanted was to embarrass himself. He stood tall and squared his shoulders, taking a steadying breath.
"Let's see what you're made of," Selene said, snapping her fingers.
In an instant, a large training dummy, shaped like a hulking humanoid beast, swung toward Clay with incredible speed, a wooden sword raised high.
Clay instinctively stepped back, avoiding the strike, but he wasn't fast enough. The sword's wooden edge clipped his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through his arm.
"That's weak," Selene remarked coldly, crossing her arms. "You can't afford to be reactive. You need to be proactive. Control the flow, control the fight."
Clay gritted his teeth and stood his ground, feeling the sting of his pride more than the pain in his shoulder. He couldn't let himself be outpaced. He had to do more.
As the dummy lunged again, this time with a thrust aimed for his chest, Clay reacted without thinking. He dodged low, his body moving almost on instinct. As he came up, he grabbed the dummy's wooden arm, using his weight and momentum to twist it, throwing it off balance.
The dummy stumbled back, and in the moment it was off-kilter, Clay landed a solid punch to its core. The impact made the dummy jerk back, then collapse to the ground in a heap.
Selene's eyes narrowed. "Not bad," she said, her voice less harsh than before. "You're quick, and you've got instinct. But instinct isn't enough. You need control."
She gestured for the next challenge. A new dummy, this one resembling a smaller, faster opponent, moved toward Clay. It was faster than the previous one, dodging his attempts to strike, dancing around him with swift movements. It was a test of his adaptability.
Clay focused, trying to slow down his breathing. Control. The word echoed in his mind as he faced the agile dummy. This time, he didn't react—he waited.
The dummy rushed him, but just before it could strike, Clay shifted his weight, moving his body in a fluid motion that mirrored the dummy's attack. He used its own momentum against it, catching the dummy by the leg and throwing it to the ground.
Selene nodded, a slight glimmer of approval in her eyes. "Better. You're starting to get it. But you're still too tense. Relax. Let your body move with the flow of the fight. Don't force it."
Clay wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded. The lesson was starting to sink in. Every action he took had consequences; every movement was an opportunity to either control or lose control.
Rian and Nash were next, both engaging in their own physical challenges. Rian's style was more aggressive, taking down dummies with swift and calculated strikes, while Nash preferred to keep his distance, using precision and timing to disable the training targets.
After several hours, Selene finally called them to a stop. "You've all done well, but this is just the beginning. Physical strength is only part of the equation. Tomorrow, we begin mental training. Alaric's greatest weapon isn't his magic—it's his ability to control the minds of those around him."
Kael, who had been watching silently from the edge of the clearing, spoke up. "Selene's right. You've been tested physically. Now we'll see if you can handle the true challenge. Alaric won't just try to kill you—he'll try to control you. And if you're not strong enough here"—he tapped his temple—"you'll fall. Trust me, I've seen it happen before."
The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The real fight was coming, and Clay was starting to realize that it wouldn't just be about his strength or skills—it would be about his mind.