Chapter 10:Hayeon

"Run" Shavon yelled. I coughed feeling the burning ache in my lungs. I ran faster through the snow my boots getting caught with each step. The top of the mountain peering up at me made me question myself. Could I really do this? "Are you going to look at it all day? Let's go" Shavon boomed. His words echoed reaching to the bottom.

I rubbed my hands together and stared up the cliff. For two weeks I ran on a schedule. I woke up at five am and learned math, history, and other languages. I ate a light detailed breakfast at eight and trained using different weapons for an hour. Learn psychological tactics and spared with others. By two o'clock I worked with Shavon.

He made me run five miles in the snow and climb this mountain. Every day I failed to reach the top. But today I vowed I would make it. Don't get me wrong I made progress but once I would get stuck. I would have to go back down.

Until I reached the top. Shavon wouldn't let me see Revien. I made it five inches farther than my last attempt. My body felt numb as I grabbed for the next pillar. My hand slipped and I caught myself. My feet flailed in the air and I gasped. "Don't look down" I repeated.

I took a deep breath clenching my jaw. I settled my feet against to pillars. The wind smacked against my body. I wouldn't fail again. I looked up ahead grabbing another pillar. Continuing up the mountain I huffed. I pulled myself up throwing myself onto the ledge.

I bit my lip proudly. I stood up looking at Shavon. "I did it" I croaked. Shavon nodded "Next test". He turned around walking back inside. "I can see Revien" I whispered. I ran inside feeling the warm air flush around me.

I shivered, jaw clenched as a maid handed me a blanket.

I had twenty minutes tops for lunch. I rushed to the training room as some of the men greeted me. "Skylar" I called out. Skylar was one of the guys I spared with. He was twenty years old. He first came here when he was sixteen. He was nice to me like many of the people here.

"Have you seen Azail?" I asked. Skylar grinned "Not since earlier. But I think he's in his room". 

"Thx," I said quickly rushing off to his room. I rushed down the hall saying hello to everyone who called my name. Looking at my watch it showed I had ten minutes left. Shavon was precise about time.

I stopped patting down my close at Revien's door. I hoped I didn't look crazy. I knocked waiting patiently. The door opened "I asked not to be disturbed" Revien growled. I frowned at the anger in his voice. His eyes locked on my eye. "Hayeon" he stuttered. "I thought Shavon said you couldn't see me" he gritted. I smiled "I passed his first test" I chirped rocking on my heels.

"Really," Revien said pushing his hands into his pocket. I looked at my watch biting my lip. "I just wanted to let you know. I can come see you now. Shavon told me I couldn't until I passed his first test. Just wanted to let you know". I moved away "See ya" I yelled. I ran to the training room I used every day.

I closed the door surprised to see Michkal Ra's Gual. "Hayeon" he greeted. I came closer looking between him and Shavon. "Every trainee goes through the same thing" Shavon explained. Mikhail stood in front of Shavon who looked away. "You completed your first test almost in record time. It usually takes three weeks" Mikail Al Gual said with a smile.

"So now you're here to give me the next test" I stated. "Smart girl" he answered. "We need to make sure you're strong. Now you've trained with grown men and women. Learned to use your brain and tools. Now I want to see what you've truly learned". I turned around watching as he took off his robe.

My eyes widened understanding what was about to happen. I look to Shavon who nudge his head towards the wall of weapons. I cautiously walked to the weapons corner slowly looking over each one. Sparring against people who were physically stronger than me was easy. I learned that being smaller helped me in most cases.

Tools that made me move faster would help me. Watching the others taught me how to win against them but I knew nothing of how Mikial fought. He stood beside me grabbing twin swords. "Just know I won't take it easy on you because you are a child" he uttered. I clenched my jaw turning towards him. I grabbed a sword glaring up.

"I didn't think you were". He grinned moving towards the matt. I did the same leaving room in between us. "Go ahead little one". I frowned at the term getting in a defensive stance. Mikhail Ra Gual smiled darkly swinging his swords.

"Defensive" he mocked. He whipped his swords "I love the offensive. Let's begin"!