Training

Chapter 9 – Training

He gave a short nod. “Close enough.”

Something in his tone made her pause. “You’ve been here before,” she said.

His eyes darkened, but he didn’t answer. “Sleep, Aria.”

He turned and left before she could ask more.

Alone, Aria sat on the edge of the cot, staring at the faint glow of the crystal. Her mind replayed everything, the way Mirelle’s eyes had lingered on her, the whispers that followed her arrival, the tension in Kael’s jaw.

She lay back slowly, her hand brushing the Rune on her back. It pulsed faintly, answering her touch.

She drifted into sleep.

—

Aria woke to darkness.

The light from the crystal had dimmed, pulsing irregularly. The air was cool and still, scented with damp stone and pine. For a moment, she didn’t know where she was, until she saw Kael sitting with his back to the wall, sharpening his dagger in smooth, steady strokes.

“Good morning,” she croaked, her voice still raspy from yesterday.

Kael looked her way and nodded. “Morning. Here, eat something first; you’ll need your energy today.”

He handed her a small piece of bread. It was coarse but warm. She ate slowly, still half-dazed from sleep, while Kael worked in silence. Outside, faint chirps could be heard coming in through the entrance. It should have been peaceful, but there was a tension under the quiet that made her chest tighten.

When she finished, Kael rose, sliding the dagger back into its sheath, and motioned for her to follow. “Come on. Training starts now.”

Aria blinked. “Now? I just woke up.”

He smirked faintly. “Danger doesn’t wait for breakfast.”

Taking a deep breath, Aria followed him out of the room. 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.”

They reached the clearing, where Penelope stood with arms crossed, her green eyes locked on them. A few other women were already gathered there, stretching and warming up.

“Good morning!” Kael called out. “These are Stella, Anna, and Gina. They'll be training with you.”

Aria glanced at them, as they turned to face her. Gina, raised an eyebrow. “So, this is the newbie,” she remarked.

Aria swallowed, trying to stand a little straighter. “Yeah, I’m Aria.”

Stella smiled, bright and disarming. “Don't worry, you’ll do fine. First day’s always the worst.”

“Second isn’t much better,” Gina muttered.

Kael stepped forward, taking charge. “You all know why we’re here. She’s marked. She needs control.”

Penelope’s eyes flicked over Aria’s, then to Kael. “Then, let’s see if she's up for it.”

Kael ignored the bite in her tone, turning to give a quick reassuring nod to Aria, “Just ignore her. Focus on what you need to do.”

He tapped his chest. “Start by activating your Rune. Connect with it through your body, not your mind. Got it?”

Anna nodded softly. “It’s not as intimidating as it looks. Just give it a try.”

Aria nodded hesitantly and closed her eyes. The Rune on her back tingled, faint warmth spreading down her spine and arms. She focused on it, on that strange, thrumming energy.

“Good,” Kael said quietly. “Now try pushing that energy outwards. Slowly.”

Concentrating hard, a small flicker of silver light danced between her fingers. She gasped, while the others observed in silence. The glow vanished, then returned in a small, uncertain spark.

“Not bad,” Gina said flatly, though her eyes showed approval.

Penelope tilted her head. “Barely a spark. She’ll burn out before she learns to aim it.”

Aria’s stomach twisted, but Kael’s voice came steady behind her. “Ignore her. Try again.”

She breathed deeply, letting the warmth rise again. This time it spread more evenly, flowing through her hands until the silver light pulsed, steady and alive.

“Better,” Kael said. “Now hold it.”

Her arms trembled, but she kept her focus. The energy hummed between her palms, alive but contained.

When she finally let go, the glow fading into the light. Her chest heaved, sweat dampening her temples, but she was happy.

“I did it,” she whispered.

Stella clapped once. “Told you, you’d be fine.”

“See?” Kael said at the same time, 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, though?” Aria asked, her voice shaky. “Couldn’t we practice something like, breath control first?”

Kael shook his head. “Control comes from practicing under pressure. You’ll get used to it.”

Penelope sighed. “Fine isn’t good enough. If the scouts find you, you’ll need precision, not sparks.”

Aria gulped. “I know. It’s just... I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Kael shot Penelope a look. “That’s enough.”

But Penelope’s gaze stayed fixed on Aria. “You’ll have to learn fast. The Alpha King’s scouts won’t show mercy if they find Moon-Blessed blood.”

Aria’s breath caught. “Scouts?”

Stella chimed in. “Don't worry. We’ll help you.”

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.”

The women circled closer, each showing her a different stance, a way to ground her power. Anna guided her gently, helping her breathe through the pressure. Stella made her laugh once or twice, easing the fear from her shoulders.

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.

“Don’t force the Rune,” Anna said softly. “It’s not a weapon, it’s part of you.”

“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. Don't let it control you, rather think about controlling it.”