The next morning dawned with a quiet calm, the forest wrapped in thin mist that curled low along the roots of the towering trees. Sunlight cut through the canopy in fractured beams, painting the training ground in ribbons of gold and shadow. Dew clung stubbornly to blades of grass, soaking boots and paws alike as Hunnt, Corwin, and Pyro waited in the clearing.
Hunnt twirled an arrow idly between his fingers, his bow resting casually across his knees, a playful glint in his eyes. Pyro perched on a fallen log, tail swishing rhythmically, eager to see what the day would bring. Corwin stood in his usual quiet composure, hammer resting across his broad shoulders, his stance solid as the earth beneath them.
Elara approached slowly, stretching her sore arms and shoulders with deliberate care. Her face betrayed the fatigue from yesterday's drills, but there was also a quiet resolve in her gaze. "Everything hurts…" she muttered under her breath, voice tight with lingering embarrassment from yesterday's teasing.
[But I can't complain. I need this training. I can't freeze like that again.]
Corwin nodded when she arrived, his sharp eyes noting the stiffness in her movements. "Good. Pain means your body is adjusting. You pushed through the first wall. Now we build on it." His tone was steady, commanding, but not unkind.
Hunnt leaned lazily against a tree, smirking. "Time for the real fun, princess. Yesterday was just the warm-up."
Elara frowned at the nickname, cheeks heating faintly. "Stop calling me that…"
Hunnt ignored her grumble and stretched, eyes gleaming. [She's determined. If she can keep up with Corwin, she'll grow faster than even she realizes.]
"Not yet," Corwin interrupted, his voice calm but carrying weight. "No bow work today. First we improve your foundation further—stamina, speed, strength. Without those, your shots will fail."
Elara straightened her back and nodded firmly. "I understand." [If this is what it takes… I'll do it. Even if my arms fall off.]
Corwin led her to the edge of the clearing where the earth was level. "Sprints. Twenty meters, back and forth. Ten repetitions. Focus on your breathing and recovery. Every step matters."
Her eyes widened. "T-Ten?" [Ten sprints after yesterday's laps and push-ups? He's insane…]
"No complaints," Corwin said, tone leaving no room for argument. "A hunter's legs are their lifeline. Run or die—that's the truth."
Elara bit her lip, bent her knees, and crouched low. Her heart was already racing. [Don't freeze. Just move.]
"Begin."
She shot forward. Feet pounded the earth, dew spraying with each step. By the second sprint, her lungs burned. By the fifth, her thighs screamed. Her braid stuck to the back of her damp neck, her breaths sharp and ragged.
"Higher knees," Corwin barked. "Drive through your hips!"
Elara gritted her teeth, adjusting her stride. [Focus. Push. Keep moving.]
Hunnt leaned back against the tree, smirking. "She's faster than I expected."
Pyro's ears twitched with mischief. "Nyaah, but look at her face! She's about to fall over!"
Elara's cheeks flamed. "I-I'm fine!" she snapped breathlessly, though her voice cracked. [Ignore them. Just finish this.]
By the ninth sprint, her body screamed at her to stop. Her legs felt like lead, her chest heavy as stone. [I… I can't…]
Corwin's calm voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "One more. Don't think about the pain. Think about the finish."
Hunnt cupped his hands and called out, "Come on, princess, don't let your knight down!"
Elara's cheeks burned crimson, but something inside her flared—frustration, embarrassment, determination all colliding. [I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me quit.]
With a final burst, she sprinted down the line and collapsed to her knees, gasping for air, sweat pouring down her face. "I… did it."
Corwin handed her a waterskin. "You didn't quit. That's the first step."
Elara drank greedily, water spilling down her chin, before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "I'll… keep going. I won't fall behind." [I'll prove myself.]
Hunnt clapped slowly. "Not bad. At this rate, maybe Corwin will start carrying your quiver too."
"Hunnt!" Elara protested, cheeks burning.
"Nyahaha!" Pyro doubled over laughing. "Knight and princess—perfect pair!"
Corwin scowled. "Silence, both of you." His ears, however, betrayed a faint pink hue.
Hunnt smirked but said nothing more.
"Next drill," Corwin continued. "Push-ups. Twenty-five. Proper form. No collapsing."
Elara groaned, lowering herself into position. Her arms trembled immediately, but she forced herself down and up, again and again. [One… two… three… don't stop.] By fifteen her arms burned, by twenty her elbows wobbled, but she clenched her teeth. [Don't quit now.]
At twenty-five she collapsed flat, sweat dripping from her nose, but a proud grin tugged at her lips. "Done…"
Corwin nodded approvingly. "Form stayed solid. Good work."
Hunnt tilted his head. "Careful, Corwin, she might get stronger than you one day."
Pyro flicked his tail. "Nyaah, I'd pay to see that!"
Elara huffed, cheeks flushed but smiling faintly. [I'll get there. One step at a time.]
Corwin pointed toward the obstacle course Hunnt had set up—a line of rocks and logs. "Kami-e drills. Evasion. Let your body move before your eyes can track. Anticipate. Flow."
Her heart pounded nervously. [Evasion… instinct… trust my body.]
She darted into the course. Corwin swung lightly with his hammer to simulate attacks; Hunnt threw sticks past her path. Pyro leapt suddenly from the side to swipe with his sword.
At first she stumbled, ducking too late, rolling awkwardly. But gradually, her movements smoothed. She bent, twisted, and rolled with increasing fluidity, her instincts sharpening with each repetition.
Sweat plastered her hair to her face, but her eyes gleamed. [I… I'm moving. I can actually feel it. My body's responding.]
Hunnt clapped slowly. "Not bad at all. That's instinct, control, and body working together."
Corwin gave her a rare small smile. "Good. You're ready for bow integration tomorrow."
Elara's chest swelled with pride. She stood, wiping sweat from her brow, her smile small but real. [I'm stronger. I'll never freeze again.]
Hunnt stretched, bow slung across his back. "Looks like Ravenshire has another hunter in the making."
Pyro purred. "Nyaah, the princess is growing sharp claws."
Elara blushed furiously. "I told you, stop calling me that!" But she couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips.
The sun climbed higher, burning away the mist, as the four of them stood in the clearing, breathless but united. The rhythm of training—endurance, strength, instinct—echoed like a heartbeat. Step by step, sweat by sweat, they were forging something new.
[This is just the beginning… but I will be ready. I'll stand with them as an equal.]
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✨ Hi amazing readers! ✨
I'm beyond excited to share not just one, but two epic stories with you!
📖 Final Fantasy: The Unwritten
Step into the vast multiverse of Final Fantasy—where heroes, destinies, and untold adventures intertwine in ways you've never seen before.
⚔️ Renegade: Arsenal of War
Follow the journey of a relentless tech soldier who forges groundbreaking weapons to end the war once and for all.
Your support means the world to me—every read, comment, and share helps bring these stories to life. 🌌🔥 Together, let's explore the unwritten and fight through the arsenal of war!
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