The first light of morning broke over the horizon, casting a pale and golden hue across the camp.
To everyone’s quiet relief, no monster had co close during the night.
For once, their rest had been undisturbed.
*flap! *flap!
The faint sound of tent flaps echoed in the calm air as Jinn and several others stepped out, just as they had promised the night before.
*fwoosh!
The cool morning breeze swept gently through the clearing, stirring dust and leaves alike.
Kain erged from his tent, his body rested and refreshed.
He rolled his shoulders and turned from side to side, stretching out his muscles eagerly.
His eyes were steady, no longer filled with the sa uncertainty from before.
Jinn stood nearby, already warming up.
He leaned forward, stretching his legs side to side, then began to bounce lightly on the balls of his feet.
His breathing was controlled, steady. He moved like soone who had done this countless tis before.
As he straightened, his eyes shifted toward the edge of the camp.
Three figures were approaching.
His gaze lingered as they neared.
Kain walked at the center, each step firm and purposeful.
His sword hung securely at his hip, and he no longer looked like soone recovering from an injury—he looked ready.
On either side of him were Era and Hector, both already alert and prepared.
Era had tied her hair back, her expression gleaming as always, while Hector’s quiet deanor was unchanged.
"Heya! Good morning, everyone!" Era called out with a wave, her steps light as she headed toward Jinn, with Kain, and Hector.
She stopped just in front of them, her eyes bright with anticipation. "So what are we training for today? Sparring?" she asked, leaning toward Jinn with an eager grin.
Jinn didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned his attention to Hector, his expression calm but focused.
"How’s the others?" he asked.
"They’re already up," Hector replied, nodding and pointing his thumb over his shoulder. "Gathered just over there, with Ophelia too."
Jinn gave a short nod. "Mhm."
Without another word, he turned and began walking, his footsteps steady.
The others followed behind, falling into place as the walked.
The early morning light filtered through the trees and branched, casting long shadows as they moved through the quiet camp.
They soon reached a wide, open area at the camp’s edge.
The ground was flat and clear—no rocks, no tents, no people in sight.
It was indeed the perfect space for training.
Jinn stopped at the center, surveying the space briefly. Then he turned to face the others.
"We’ll start with the basics," he said, his voice firm.
In one smooth motion, he unsheathed his blade.
*Shkkk!
The tal glinted faintly in the morning light.
Closing his eyes briefly, Jinn took a slow breath. He centered himself—and then focused his eidra.
A subtle hum filled the air as streams of red light began to rise from within him.
The energy wrapped tightly around his arms and legs, pulsing with heat and precision.
It climbed across his chest and down to his blade, which soon ignited with a fierce, crimson glow.
The sword now pulsed with power, its edge humming as if alive.
Without needing any further instruction, the others followed Jinn’s lead.
Hector unsheathed his sword with quiet precision.
*Shkkk!
As he focused, his eidra stirred—an bright erald glow enveloped his body, pulsing steadily with power. The energy surged through his limbs, then traveled into his blade, which now shimred with life, its surface alive with green light.
Era, on the other hand, clenched both her fists tightly.
A soft crackling sound followed as her eidra surged to life—white and nearly transparent, it sizzled around her arms like faint lightning, coiling and sparking with restrained energy.
Jinn’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched her.
She’s no beginner, he thought.
That much is very obvious.
Then his gaze shifted to Kain.
He stood firm, his amber-colored eidra pulsing gently across his form.
It glowed with a quiet warmth, wrapping around his body as he raised his sword into position.
"All right," Jinn said, tightening his grip on his blade. "Let’s spar."
"Ohh! I wanna fight you! Pick !" Era burst out, bouncing slightly in place as she pointed excitedly at Jinn.
"No," Jinn replied with a calm shake of his head. "You’ll spar with Kain. Hector, you’re with . We’ll switch partners later."
"Aww..." Era groaned, puffing her cheeks in exaggerated disappointnt.
Still, she turned to Kain and stepped toward him with a grin. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she said cheerfully, "So you’re Kain? Nice to et ya!"
"Ah... nice to et you as well," Kain replied with a small nod and a faint smile, caught a little off guard by her energy.
With pairings set, each duo stepped apart.
They spread out across the open field, creating ample space between them, far enough that their duels wouldn’t interfere with each other.
The morning air grew still as each pair readied themselves.
The sparring was about to begin.
For a brief mont, Jinn stared at Hector, his expression calm but piercing.
Hector returned the look with equal focus, the two warriors sizing each other up in complete silence.
Their hands remained steady, each gripping their sword tightly—neither shaking nor wavering.
The air between them was heavy with tension, but it wasn’t the kind born from fear.
It was the stillness before the storm, a quiet born from mutual respect and anticipation.
Jinn shifted slightly, raising his blade and resting its flat edge across his shoulder. He tapped it twice with his free hand, his gaze never leaving Hector’s.
"So," Jinn began, his voice cool and composed, "should we start light... or go all out from the beginning?"
Hector’s eyes sharpened, his reply coming without hesitation.
"We should fight at our best, from the very start. How else can we improve and breach our limits?"
As he spoke, his eidra flared.
The green light surrounding him intensified, shimring with greater force, pulsing like a second heartbeat around his fra.
Jinn smirked, his knees bending slightly as he sank into a low stance, ready to dash forward.
"You’re exactly right, Hector."
A crack echoed softly through the field as Jinn’s crimson eidra surged violently from his sword. The energy crawled up the blade like lightning cracking tal, fierce and wild. His aura thickened, wrapping around him like a storm ready to be unleashed.
"Here I co."
"Co at ," Hector replied, his voice steady, his sword now gleaming with vibrant green energy. A faint smile curled at the corner of his lips, confident and calm.
In that instant, neither of them held back.
Only movent followed.
Reviews
All reviews (0)