The training begins
Chapter 8:
Aria stirred awake to the gentle light of dawn streaming into the cave. Rubbing her eyes, she glanced around and spotted Kael already up, crouching by the fire and sharpening his dagger with careful precision, even in the low light.
“Good morning,” Aria croaked, her voice still raspy from yesterday.
Kael looked her way and nodded. “Morning. Eat something first; you’ll need your energy today.”
She took the piece of bread he offered, chewing it slowly while Kael ate quietly. Outside, the forest was coming to life. Birds were chirping softly, but to Aria, it felt oddly out of place. The usual quiet of the woods felt heavier than she anticipated.
Once they finished, Kael stood up and motioned for her to follow. “Time to get started. Your training won’t wait.”
Taking a deep breath, Aria followed him out of the cave. The sun was higher, casting a weak glow through the tall trees. A chilly breeze brushed against her skin, but she brushed it off; her nerves were too distracting.
“Where are we headed?” she asked.
Kael pointed straight ahead. “To the clearing. You’ll need some space for this. Just watch your footing.”
The clearing opened up, quiet and serene. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating a soft carpet of fallen foliage. A few other women were already there, stretching and warming up.
“Good morning!” Kael called out. “These are the Moon-Blessed. They’ll be training with you.”
Aria glanced at them, and Penelope, Gina, Stella, and Anna turned to face her. Penelope raised an eyebrow. “So, this is the newbie,” she remarked.
Aria swallowed hard. “Yeah, I’m Aria.”
Stella grinned. “Don’t worry! You’ll get the hang of it. We were all in your shoes once.”
Anna nodded softly. “It’s not as intimidating as it looks. Just give it a try.”
Penelope crossed her arms. “Let’s see if you’re up for it.”
Feeling a wave of nerves wash over her, Aria received a quick reassuring nod from Kael. “Just ignore her. Focus on what you need to do.”
He stepped back, raising his hands. “Start by activating your Rune. Connect with it through your body, not your mind. Got it?”
Aria nodded, even though she felt uncertain about what he meant. She positioned her hands in front of her and shut her eyes. The Rune on her back tingled, and warmth spread down her arms.
“Great,” Kael said. “Now try pushing that energy outwards slowly. Take control.”
Concentrating hard, she managed to produce a flicker of silver light at her fingertips, dancing like a tiny flame. She nearly gasped as the others observed in silence.
“Not bad,” Gina remarked, her tone flat. “But it could be stronger.”
“Don’t mind them,” Kael said. “Just keep your focus. You’re not them; you’re you.”
Taking a deep breath, Aria gave it another shot. This time, the silver light formed a small arc in the air before fading away. Her heart raced, she had done it!
“See?” Kael said with a hint of a smile. “You’ve got potential. But this is just the start.”
“Do we really have to kick things off with fire?” Aria asked, her voice shaky. “Couldn’t we practice control first?”
Kael shook his head. “Control comes from practicing under pressure. You’ll get used to it.”
The women gathered around her, with Penelope stepping in closer. “If you want to make it out there, you need to learn quickly. The Alpha King’s scouts are already hunting for you, and they won’t give you a moment’s doubt.”
Aria gulped. “I know. It’s just... I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Stella chimed in. “We’ll help you. Don’t let her intimidate you. She’s just... straightforward.”
Anna smiled warmly. “We’ll start with the fundamentals. Moonfire is energy; think of it like breathing in and out, feeling it in your body.”
Gina nodded. “But be careful; if you’re not precise, it can backfire on you.”
Aria glanced at Kael. “Am I ready for this?”
“You’ll never feel completely ready,” Kael replied. “That’s why you train. But you can do it.”
They eased into the exercises, starting with focusing the energy in their hands and then sending out small pulses. Aria found it challenging at first; the light either flared too brightly or faded way too fast. But Kael stayed close, guiding her hands, adjusting her stance.
“Lower your shoulders,” he said. “Relax your knees. Do not fight the energy. Let it flow.”
Aria clenched her jaw. “This is moving way too fast. I just can’t—”
“You absolutely can,” Kael said, cutting in with confidence. “Stay focused. Don’t let fear take over. Think about controlling it.”
By mid-morning, she started feeling a bit more at ease. The pulses of light were becoming less choppy. She was able to manage the distance and how bright it was. She even formed a tiny ball of silver light hovering between her hands.
Penelope observed quietly and then said, “Not bad. But don’t get too comfy. You’ll need more than this to get by.”
“Can we take a quick break?” Aria asked, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Kael nodded. “Five minutes. Grab a snack.”
The women settled in, some stretching, others watching. Stella nudged Aria and said, “You’re doing great. Don’t stress too much about Penelope. She’s tough, but she does care.”
Anna offered her some dried fruit. “Here, eat this. You’ll need some energy.”
Aria took it gratefully, sitting on a tree root and snacking quietly. Kael stood close by, keeping an eye on the woods, his dagger in hand even while she munched away.
“Are you sure this place is safe?” she asked quietly.
Kael glanced at her. “Nothing is ever completely safe. But this spot is off the radar. They won’t find us easily. Just focus on your training. That’s your best defense.”
The rest of the morning dragged on. Aria learned to control her Moonfire in short bursts, to feel the energy around her, and even to pick up on changes in the forest. She discovered an unexpected ability, she could sense movement, almost like a heads-up before it actually happened.
“Hey! Look!” Aria exclaimed out of nowhere. “I sensed it before it moved. Something’s coming!”
Kael turned quickly, but there was nothing there. The other women raised their eyebrows, intrigued.
“Not bad,” Kael said. “You’re stronger than you think. That instinct could really help you out.”
Aria felt a mix of pride and nerves. Could she really handle this?
After lunch, Kael introduced some meditation techniques. “Sit down, close your eyes. Tune into the Rune. Feel the energy of the forest. Connect with it without forcing anything.”
At first, Aria struggled to keep her mind from wandering. Thoughts of Lucien and the Alpha King kept intruding. Penelope gave her a gentle nudge. “Just stop thinking and focus on feeling.”
Eventually, she managed to quiet her mind. The Rune pulsed softly, and she felt warmth spreading through her chest, connecting her to the trees, the ground, and even the other women.
“Nice job,” Kael said. “This is how you’ll grow stronger. It’s all about control, focus, and awareness. Trust yourself.”
As evening set in, the women tidied up and got a small campfire going. Aria felt drained but accomplished. Kael sat next to her. “You did well today. Time to rest. Tomorrow’s going to be tougher.”
“I… think I’m ready,” Aria replied, though her voice was shaky.
Kael nodded. “You’ll never truly feel ready. That’s why we train. But you’ve improved since yesterday. That’s what counts.”
The fire crackled while the women chatted quietly. Stella and Anna showed Aria some cool Moonfire moves she could use in a fight. Penelope still kept a close eye on her but nodded occasionally when she saw progress.
Kael leaned back, scanning the trees. “Stay alert. Lucien’s scouts will be out tonight. You might notice their presence.”
Aria shivered a bit. “I’ll be careful.”
“You better,” Kael warned. “Moon-Blessed are strong, but that strength won’t matter if you get caught off guard.”
Aria nodded, feeling the weight of his words. That night, as she lay on her sleeping mat, she reflected on what she’d learned. She was getting better at controlling her Moonfire, sensing danger, and figuring out how to protect herself.
She whispered to herself, “I can do this. I have to.”
Outside, the wind rustled through the trees. In the distance, she imagined Lucien’s scouts moving quietly, but fear wasn’t really creeping in, at least not yet.
She closed her eyes, feeling the Rune's pulse against her back. Tomorrow would be another day of training, and she’d get even stronger. She would survive.
She was Moon-Blessed, and this was just the beginning.