SHADOWS OF THE PAST

Saffron walked briskly towards her house, the bustling street fading into the background as she turned a bend. To her surprise, she found herself standing on a dark and shadowy ground, where an eerie silence enveloped her. Instinctively, she summoned her spirit beast, prepared for any potential threat. As the smoke cleared, a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was a man covered in an ethereal mist, his presence emanating an aura of danger. Saffron recognized him instantly, her former lord's favored assassin. With a mixture of respect and wariness, she unsummoned her spirit beast and bowed before him.

"Saffron, you seem to be as vigilant as ever," the man spoke in a hoarse voice, his words laced with an air of begrudging acknowledgment. Saffron straightened herself, her gaze meeting his. "I must become stronger to protect my daughter," she replied with conviction, her voice steady.

The man's piercing gaze locked onto hers, and he inquired about her daughter's whereabouts. Saffron's heart skipped a beat, knowing the dangerous game she was playing. With a smooth face, she lied, stating that Lyra had left to explore the world. The man, sensing the deception, decided to let it go for now. However, he issued a warning, reminding Saffron to keep Lyra in check, lest there be dire consequences. With a retraction of his shadowy form, he vanished, leaving Saffron alone once again.

Exhausted from the encounter, Saffron let out a sigh of relief. The pressure radiating from the man had been palpable, and she knew the stakes were higher than ever. She understood that her daughter's safety depended on her ability to navigate the dangerous world they inhabited.

Meanwhile, deep within the Serenity Grove, Kael and Lyra stood at a significant turning point in their training. It had been six months since they embarked on their journey, reaching the second level of the mortal tier—the Fatebound. However, a sense of stagnation had settled upon them. They had diligently worked on building their stamina, but they yearned for more.

As they completed their usual run of 30 laps from their spot, the day still young, an air of restlessness surrounded them. Lyra, driven by her desire for growth, proposed a spar to break through the monotony. Kael hesitated, using the excuse that he didn't want to fight a girl. The taunting words from Lyra pricked his pride, causing him to reconsider. He couldn't bear being looked down upon.

Their spar commenced, with Kael reluctantly taking on the role of the aggressor. However, his lack of experience quickly became apparent. Lyra, fueled by frustration and a desire to prove herself, skillfully dodged his attacks and countered with precision. She effortlessly broke through trees, creating a clearing as Kael found himself on the receiving end of her relentless strikes.

The fight intensified, with conversations and taunts exchanged between the two. Lyra's words hit Kael's vulnerable spots, forcing him to fight back with all his might. However, his efforts proved futile as Lyra dominated the battle, leaving him battered and bruised, unable to move her from her spot. Desperation set in, and Kael found himself begging for a time-out, his spirit broken.

As the dust settled, Lyra, triumphant and full of energy, returned home with a sense of accomplishment coursing through her veins. On the other hand, Kael limped back to his house, his body aching and his bones broken. The defeat weighed heavily upon him, but a fire of determination flickered within his eyes.