The morning sun filtered through the canopy, breaking into scattered beams of gold that lit the clearing in patches. The ground was still damp from last night's rain, and the scent of wet earth lingered in the air. Ravens chirped lazily in the distance, their calls echoing over the forest as if mocking the intensity of what was about to unfold.
Hunnt stretched, rolling his shoulders and clenching his fists. The gauntlets he wore gleamed faintly in the light, each movement accompanied by the soft scrape of reinforced metal. His gaze swept across the clearing, assessing not just the terrain but also his companions. Pyro balanced effortlessly on a low branch, golden eyes gleaming with energy. Corwin stood a little further back, hammer resting lightly against his broad shoulder, his breathing steady, stance already grounded. Elara adjusted the strap of her quiver, her bow clutched tightly in her hands, her face set with quiet determination.
"Alright, everyone," Hunnt called, voice steady but carrying authority. "Warm-ups first. Speed, movement, and coordination. Don't hold back, treat it like a real hunt."
Pyro leapt down immediately, tail flicking as he landed on all fours without a sound. "Nyahaha… watch this, Master!" He sprinted across the clearing in a blur, claws digging into the soil as he zigzagged through imaginary enemies. At the last moment he twisted midair, slipping past an imaginary swipe with Kami-e, then braced his small frame against a fallen log using Tekkai. His tail whipped proudly as he landed.
Hunnt smirked. "Good, Pyro. That's how you stay unpredictable. Keep your rhythm sharp."
Corwin stepped forward, slow and deliberate. He held his hammer with both hands, stance rooted like a tree trunk. His swings were heavy, each motion practiced and clean. First a simple strike, then a series of controlled arcs, finishing with a charged overhead blow that slammed into the ground with enough force to send soil scattering. He tested his movements again, refining angles, adjusting timing.
Elara watched quietly, eyes following his every swing. The weight, the balance, the patience behind every motion… it was different from her light, rapid bow shots, but no less mesmerizing. She caught herself staring before quickly looking down at her own hands.
Hunnt's voice broke the silence. "Elara. Your turn. Soru first, then Kami-e. Combine them with your bow. Positioning is your weapon."
She inhaled, nodded once, and dashed across the clearing. Her feet struck the ground hard, energy focusing in her legs before bursting outward. In the blink of an eye, she vanished, reappearing several paces away. It was still clumsy, her arms flailing slightly, but she managed to steady her bow in time to loose an arrow into one of the wooden dummies Hunnt had set up earlier.
The arrow struck, though off-center. She gritted her teeth, reset, and dashed again with Soru, this time managing to keep her balance tighter.
"Better," Hunnt called, stepping beside her to correct her stance. "Lower your shoulders, focus your center of gravity. Don't just dash — control where you end up. Think one step ahead."
"Yes," Elara said firmly, cheeks flushing at his closeness.
She rolled suddenly as if avoiding a swipe, her body bending fluidly with Kami-e. Coming up from the roll, she drew and fired again, this time the arrow hitting true at the dummy's neck joint. Her breathing quickened, but her eyes gleamed.
"Good," Hunnt nodded. "Keep it up. Positioning first, precision second."
Pyro purred loudly from the sidelines. "Nyahaha! She's getting faster, Master! Soon she'll keep up with even you, nyaah!"
Elara shot him a sharp glare, her face burning. "I'm just training!"
Pyro's whiskers twitched mischievously, but he scampered off to practice footwork drills, humming a tune.
---
They didn't have long to rest before Hunnt signaled them into the forest. "Time to put this into practice. Stay sharp."
The group moved as one, each step deliberate. Hunnt led at the front, his eyes sweeping the forest floor. Broken branches, clawed bark, faint tracks — signs of predators were scattered everywhere. Pyro darted ahead, his small body weaving through foliage, calling back warnings. "Branches low! Slippery roots, nyaah!"
The tension thickened when a violent rustle split the silence. From a thicket, a Forest Fang Lizard lunged, teeth snapping, saliva dripping from its jagged maw. Its body shimmered with damp scales, tail lashing with force.
Hunnt reacted instantly. "Positions!"
The team moved without hesitation. Corwin angled right, hammer raised high, his body coiled to break the monster's limbs. Pyro darted left, claws scratching at bark as he twisted mid-leap to draw the beast's eyes. Elara's heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself into focus, bowstring tightening as she scanned for openings.
The lizard lunged at her, jaws wide.
Soru.
Her feet pounded the soil, and in a blur, she vanished, reappearing behind a nearby tree. The predator's jaws snapped at empty air.
Kami-e.
The monster's tail whipped around, aiming for her legs. She twisted with the movement, body flowing just enough to avoid the impact. Her bow stayed steady, arrow already nocked. She loosed — the arrow pierced along the lizard's flank, earning a guttural hiss of pain.
Hunnt shouted mid-strike, fists hammering into the beast's side. "Keep moving, Elara! Don't get pinned down!"
Corwin braced with Tekkai, absorbing the force of a bite along his armored arm. He growled, then slammed his hammer down in a charged strike, shattering one of the lizard's legs with a deafening crack. The creature stumbled, staggering in pain.
Pyro twirled and darted just beneath its snapping jaws, his movements a blur of speed and instinct. "Over here, nyaah!" he called, claws scratching its scales before darting back to cover.
Elara dashed again with Soru, reappearing on higher ground. Her heart raced, adrenaline burning through her veins. "It's working… I really can fight like them!" she whispered, loosing another arrow that sank deep into the lizard's shoulder.
---
The battle ended minutes later. The lizard collapsed, its thrashing growing weaker until it stilled. The clearing smelled of churned dirt, blood, and sweat.
The group regrouped, chests heaving, muscles aching. Hunnt clapped Elara firmly on the shoulder. "Good work. Your positioning was perfect. Rokushiki is starting to shape how you think in battle, not just how you move."
Corwin gave a quiet nod of approval. "You did well. Don't force it. Keep practicing Soru and Kami-e until they feel natural. Then your arrows will flow with your movement."
Pyro somersaulted dramatically before landing next to Hunnt, tail curling high. "Nyahaha! We're all improving, Master! Nyaah!"
Elara lowered her bow, smiling despite her exhaustion. "Thank you… all of you. I'll keep practicing."
Hunnt exchanged a subtle glance with Corwin. No words were needed — both recognized that Elara was no longer just an apprentice. She was becoming a vital part of the team.
---
As the day wore on, the sun began dipping behind the trees, painting the forest floor in streaks of amber. The four of them rested on a grassy hill that overlooked the woods, catching their breath while shadows stretched long across the earth.
Hunnt clenched his fists lightly, a spark of determination in his eyes. "We've come far, but the forest won't stop testing us. Stronger monsters are out there. This is just the start."
Elara adjusted her quiver, her gaze set firmly on the treeline. "I'll be ready. I won't hesitate again."
Corwin sat quietly, cleaning his hammer, his expression calm but thoughtful. Pyro purred at Hunnt's side, tail swishing in lazy satisfaction.
The forest lay quiet, but not for long. The group had grown — in skill, in trust, in unity — and the path forward promised only more challenges. Yet none of them feared it. Together, they would face whatever the world placed in their path.
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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!
Thank you for being part of this adventure. Let's dive in! ✨
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