I choose you, Jinx!

It had been two months since we vanquished the First Emperor, yet the taste of victory felt distant, overshadowed by the looming trials we still faced.

I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling the warmth of the river's mist on my face, a contrast to the oppressive heat that permeated from the river itself. Meditating by the water's edge, I sought to master the Water Flow Sword Style, to harness the fluid motions of the river for the impending battles ahead. Before I drifted too deep into focus, I caught a glimpse of Dehya as she practiced her agility a few yards away. My heart swelled. We were more than comrades now; we were entwined—two souls stitched together by fate.

"Zain," a melodic voice broke into my reverie. June approached, the robes of her mage attire swaying gracefully as she walked. Her presence was both comforting and eerily reminiscent of someone I once lost, a specter of the past that hung over my heart.

I nodded, motioning for her to sit across from me on the stones. Once settled, she looked at me with earnestness in her striking eyes, an intensity that mirrored my own concerns about the challenges that lay ahead.

"There's something I need to tell you," she began, her voice heavy with significance. "When I was unconscious—after the battle—I heard a voice. A female voice."

I leaned in, intrigued and slightly apprehensive. The heat of Hell felt muted, almost distant as I focused entirely on her words.

"She spoke of your destiny," June continued, her hands tightly clasped together. "She said you are meant to be protected. To have someone by your side, fighting against the evils that threaten all the realms. She warned me that only together can we overcome the darkness."

A shiver coursed through me, resonating with the unseen edges of my mysterious past. The weight of her revelation hung in the air, heavy with its implications. "And you? What does that mean for you?"

Her gaze faltered for a moment, revealing vulnerability. "I used to be an angel saint, married to the Sword God. But I can't recall anything of my past—those memories elude me. I hope, as we journey together, that they may return. That I can reclaim who I was."

I absorbed her words, feeling a deep-rooted connection. "We'll find a way," I promised, a resolute swell of courage rising from within. "I vow to help you recover what was lost. You're not alone—not now, not ever."

Just then, a low growl echoed from deep within the cave. Orion, my black and gold spirit cat, appeared, his eyes gleaming with an unfinished prophecy of his own. "It seems the air is shifting," he said, morphing effortlessly from feline to a sparkling golden earring that hung from my ear.

Instinctively, I cast a glance toward the tumultuous flames flickering beyond the mouth of the cave, our fellow allies sharpening their skills: Gimola and Gimli with their Kukuri blades, Viscoff swinging his massive axe, and Ben aiming effortlessly with his red bow. The air crackled with power; the atmosphere vibrated with readiness.

With June's words echoing in my mind, I turned back to her, a resolve glimmering in my eyes. And if Hell tested us, we would rise like flames from ash, stronger and unyielding, side by side, as allies and more.

——

The sky was an empty abyss of black, the fire nearby was illuminating my eyes. I stood in front of my companions, feeling the weight of responsibility in the air. "Alright everyone, we're going to start hunting beasts for training. Solo training has done us great so far," I began, scanning the faces of my friends, the excitement Radiating.

"Viscoff brought up needing to hone our skills against real opponents," I continued, setting the stage for the challenges that lay ahead. "We will be traveling in a pack of three and a pack of four. The teams will be Viscoff, the twins, and Ben. The other will be Dehya, June, and I."

Viscoff, with his perpetually roguish grin, couldn't resist. "Ah I see how it is, the young man can't go without his personal time with Dehya?"

"Hey now, you're just being a hater. Atleast I'm getting personal time!" I sent a wink at Viscoff, cutting off his jibe, laughter rippling through the group like a friendly tide. "Do you need some cuddles Viscoff?," I added with a blown kiss, the banter lifting our spirits even higher. The joking and playfulness we had brought us all so much closer.

With the laughter subsiding, I turned serious again. "Orion will be traveling with Viscoff's team for the time being. He'll be able to teleport to me and send me messages telepathically. It's the most sound plan in case of an emergency."

I gauged the wicked glint in my companions' eyes and felt a swell of pride. "We've all made incredible progress, so I don't believe anything will happen to us. We're ready for this. It's time to test ourselves against the beasts of the wild."

*please tell me I didn't curse us!*

Viscoff spoke up next, excitement buzzed in his voice. "Alright, grab your supplies and pack wisely. We're taking tents and will be gone for three months."

A wave of excitement swept through the group, and I could feel it in my bones. Lately, we had trained harder than we ever had, evolving into formidable warriors. I caught Dehya and June exchanging knowing smiles and felt a rush of camaraderie. If we had to fight Leviathan again, we could beat him with ease. Crazy because 3 months ago, we all were on the brink of death fighting him.

"Remember, we're heading out tomorrow morning," I called out after a moment of reflection, wanting to ground everyone in reality again. "So let's head in and prepare."

Suddenly, the twins exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with mischief. "Just think about it, three months of living with Ben and Viscoff's cooking," one of them said, mock despair painted on their features. "We're going to suffer!"

"That's right," the other chimed in, shaking their head with exaggerated despair. "You, my friend, are lucky to have the two girls that can cook on your team!"

I raised an eyebrow, shooting them a sly grin. "Out of luck? You're just jealous! You know June's and Dehya's cooking will be so good that you'll both beg me to trade places."

The laughter echoed around us again, weaving a thread of bonds that held us together like the strongest of spells. As we turned to head into the cave to prepare, the sense of unity and purpose enveloped us. It was more than a training expedition; it was a journey into the unknown, a test of our skills, and an adventure that awaited our courage.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, as laughter and teasing lingered in the air, I knew we were ready. Ready to face whatever beastly trials awaited us in the wild.

*please please please tell me I didn't curse us! Why did I even say something like that?!*