Chapter 18 Training with Sis

- Two years ago -

Eliana packs a bag of clothes and flings it over her shoulder.

"Where are you going?" Her mother Nadia looks at her packing food into a fridge.

"Well. I thought it'd be a good idea to learn some basics from Denali's sister, you know I don't really wanna be seen as a woman who needs a mans help all the time, plus I wanna see the look in his face when he sees how I can handle myself."

Nadia smiles and nods kissing her head. "Be safe."

"I will mama". She smiles and leaves her home heading towards the military base which now looks more like a small city. Small stores and houses surrounding. The hospital to the back with Gianna waiting outside. Nora walks out handing her and bottle of medicine, as she notices Eliana and smiles waving her to come closer.

"You must be the girlfriend everyone is telling me about. I am Nora".

Eliana smiles at her, "Eliana".

Tatiana walks over with Tia. "Oh Eliana nice to see you here what's up? Did Denali do something?"

She chuckles shaking her head "Like I'd let him do anything. Plus once you get to know him, he's a really softy."

"Oh I know" she laughs.

Tia hands her a drawing.

"Oooh what's this?" She bends down taking the drawing of her and Denali holding hands. "Awwww it's beautiful" she smiles. "Thank you Tia"

"You're welcome" she smiles a bit.

"I actually came here for some uh.. training.

She stands up looking at Tatiana.

Tatiana nods. "Tired of having the guy do all the work huh?. We'll put you through the same training Denali went through. We'll have you ready in no time." She pats her shoulder. "Go find uncle Damien sweetie" she bends down to Tia. "He should be home, tell him I'm helping Eliana".

Tia nods hugging her and running off.

"She's so adorable." Eliana smiles.

"Hey, I know you and Denali are gonna have beautiful little ones I won't be able to stay away" she giggles.

"Oh, him and I aren't-"

Tia stops her and laughs. "Oh girl hush I can see it already. I know you and him have something going on even if no one has made any moves. Trust me, I've know him long enough to see how he feels about you. He's just never let out those feelings before because of his past. You're his first love interest. You're special, and he knows it. When will he actually do something? I don't know. He's a smart boy though. For you? Just keep doing what you're doing and show him what you're made of. After learning a few things and how to protect yourself and him if need be? Oh he'll love you even more. Guys like that trust me" she chuckles. "For now, you can sleep in his old room and whenever you're ready, come to me."

"I'm ready whenever". Eliana nods.

Tatiana smirks and nods. "Eager girl. Let's get moving then."

- Training Zone -

"So what will we do?" Eliana looks over at Tatiana.

"We'll be increasing your stamina, your speed, your endurance and reaction time. With that. My dear friends Liam and Sylvi here will help with that."

Liam walks over petting a piglet. "Pleased to meet you young lady" he holds his hand out.

"Likewise" she shakes his hand.

Sylvi, walks out of a house smiling. "Oooh another one. Will she be better than the others?"

"Will you pass the boy?" She looks at Eliana.

"Denali? I don't think I could surpass him with his skills."

"Oh psssh, he's not all that great" Sylvi giggles going through a gate.

"Wh- where is she going?"

"Oh hush, just focus, and breathe."

Liam pushes her through the gate into a pen before backing out and closing the gate.

Eliana looks back at Tatiana who gives her a thumbs up.

"Don't forget to focus!" She yells.

Sylvi let's out a pig who rushes towards Eliana.

She moves out of the way quickly as another is let out rushing towards her. Soon a bunch of other pigs are let out towards her, causing her to dodge and move around quickly without thinking.

"Are you sure he went through this?!" She trips as a pig gets closer to her. She rolls out of the way and pushes herself up without thinking. "Woah!"

"There ya go!" Tatiana laughs

Eliana's heart starts pumping, her adrenaline running on high.

She gets up quickly rolling over a pig and catching herself.

"They're speeding up!"

"Yeah we know! Keep going you got this!"

Eliana breathes in, her footwork becoming a smooth but still sloppy form.

Soon a whistle is blown as all the pigs stop and return to their pens.

Eliana pants falling to the ground. "Goodness…"

Tatiana smiles and leans over the gate. "How was that?"

Eliana shakes her head while panting. "What else ya got?" She gulps.

Tatiana laughs patting her back. "Take a break sister. Come let's go eat. Later tonight I'll give you one more test then tomorrow you rest. Next day is a full day of training."

Eliana nods.

Liam and Sylvi walk to her.

"You did good girl." Liam pats her shoulder.

"Not even the boy jumped over Joona like that, ya got skill. Ya did fall though… but that's ok! Come by anytime ya wanna train again, we'll be here." Sylvi smiles.

Eliana leans up and nods at them taking a few deep breaths. "I appreciate it".

Tatiana pats her back. "C'mon let's go eat. Sylvi you can come with us."

Sylvi tilts her head. "Really?

Tatiana laughs and nods. "Girl come. She won't be gone long Liam."

"Don't hurt my sis, she's fragile"

Sylvi pouts looking back at him.

"What you know you are."

"You hush your mouth." She frowns.

Liam chuckles. "Have fun!"

The three girls walks off towards a nearby diner.

"So how are you doing Tatiana?"

"Eh, I'm alive aren't I?" She chuckles. "Taking care of the little one and dealing with day to day training with new comers and going on small supply missions. We run into a few rogue Akai members but not many. This place is pretty closed down compared to how it was years ago with Denali here. There are more kids besides Tia. This place wasn't that safe before. Now I'm glad it is, I don't want her to be scared."

"Especially at this young". Eliana looks around.

"The little one is adorable. It'd be a shame to see such innocence disappear." Sylvi says as a bitterly lands on her shoulder.

"They just love you don't they?" Eliana smiles.

Sylvi looks over confused. "Hmm?"

"The animals and nature."

"Oh… yeah. Some people don't understand. They're a lot like us. They just want to live. They may do things differently but we all have a purpose. I grew up with those pigs. There are many who think they're dirty and all that other stuff but, they're beautiful animals who have feelings just like us."

Eliana smiles a bit.

"They were pretty scary in the pen".

"My brother and I trained them. We take care of them everyday. To them chasing us around is fun. Sometimes we go in there with them and let them chase us, we roll around with them you know, just get on their level and bond with them. Once that happens they're extremely friendly and cuddly."

Eliana giggles and nods. I'll try it out when we get back.

Sylvi nods happily. "Great!"

The three get food from the diner enjoying themselves, having a conversation on the next training day and what will be done.

"Ok so, we'll also increase your strength and reflexes. Will they be like his? No. Will they be close? Yes. Those pigs sure did help a lot though but the next test will be even more challenging. Will we say what it is? No."

"Does it involve more animals?"

Sylvi looks away while sipping her coffee.

Eliana sighs. "Birds?"

"Heyyyy how'd you know?"

"Birds are super fast, especially the ones I'll be sending after you."

"Oy…." Eliana lays her head down.

Tatiana chuckles. "You came here wanting training, this is it. Trust me you'll be happy, and so will he. Big sis has got ya." She smiles."