Training

The next two weeks were spent at Sebastian's house, training, strategizing, and working hard. In the morning they rose at sunrise and engaged in grueling weapons training under Vladimir's supervision. They were heavy and exhaustive, but no one complained. They knew what they could lose if they didn't do it.

A little before noon they would stop and turn to the books, where they diligently searched for more guidance and signs to help them through the night of the eclipse. The work was even more tiring than the training because there was no apparent progress. Everything they studied they already knew or didn't need. They became nervous about their lack of progress because they realized that no matter how physically fit they were, their lack of information made them vulnerable.