TRAINING

The darkness enveloped Irynefer like a comforting blanket, endless and thick, with no hint of the dawn she once knew. This was her reality now, a place where the light never touched, and the familiar warmth of a rising sun was just a distant memory.

Irynefer sat up in the bed, Vex beside her, his eyes glowing softly in the darkness. The room was cast in a dim, bluish hue, emanating from a single candle that burned with an ethereal flame on her bedside table.

"What time is it?" she asked Vex, though she already knew the answer.

"Time... not same... here," Vex replied. "Always night... always dark..."

Irynefer sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. The concept of time felt slippery in this place. Back when she was human, she had relied on the rising and setting of the sun, and the ticking of the clock. Here, in this world of unending night, everything seemed to blur together. Days and hours felt indistinguishable, except for the hourglass now sitting on her table. Judging by the sand that had accumulated during her sleep, it wasn't much, indicating that it was somewhere around midnight.

"Userkaf said he would return," she said, looking towards the heavy wooden door that separated her room from the rest of the castle. "He promised he'd help me understand... all this." 

"Userkaf... come... soon," Vex assured her, blinking his four eyes in what she had come to recognize as a comforting manner. "He... sees... you."

Irynefer nodded. She knew that Userkaf was watching, always keeping a silent vigil over her. His presence was a constant, even if she could not see him. There was a part of her that found comfort in that, a sense of safety in knowing she was under his protection. But another part, the part that had fought to survive in the cruel human world, bristled at the thought of being watched, of being controlled.

She pushed the thoughts aside and stood up, her bare feet touching the cold stone floor. A shiver ran up her spine, and she wrapped her arms around herself. "I need to get out of this room," she muttered. "I need to see more of this place."

Vex shifted beside her, his small form slinking across the floor like a shadow. "Castle... big... many rooms... many things... dangerous... safe..." he whispered.

"Which is it, Vex?" she asked, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Dangerous or safe?"

"Both," Vex replied simply, his eyes blinking with a mischievous gleam.

Irynefer couldn't help but chuckle. Vex had a way of making the ominous seem almost humorous. She walked towards the door and hesitated, her hand hovering over the cold iron handle. Part of her wanted to remain in the relative safety of her room, to avoid the unknowns that lay beyond. But another part of her—the part that had survived against all odds—craved answers. She needed to know what this world was, what it meant for her, and how she could wield whatever power was awakening within her.

"Let's go, Vex," she said, her voice filled with more confidence than she felt. "I want to see more."

Vex nodded and his small form glided silently to her side. He nudged the door with his head, and it creaked open, revealing a long, dimly lit corridor. 

She stepped out, her feet moving soundlessly on the stone floor.

Vex trailed beside her.

The corridor stretched ahead, its walls lined with ornate sconces with flickering blue flames. Paintings of ancient figures adorned the walls, their eyes seeming to follow her every movement.

They wandered through winding corridors and towering archways, each new turn revealing another part of the castle's labyrinthine interior. 

"Do you know this place, Vex?" she asked, her voice echoing softly.

"Know... some... not all," Vex replied. "Castle... old... secrets... hidden... things not meant... to be found."

Irynefer nodded, understanding that there were things in this world beyond her current comprehension. She needed to find Userkaf, to understand the nature of this place, of her existence here. The corridors eventually led her to a large, heavy door, different from the others. 

She reached out, her fingers brushing against the cool wood. The door creaked open slowly, revealing a vast bedroom chamber beyond. And there, standing amidst the room, was Userkaf. 

"Irynefer, I see you've begun to explore."

"I'm sorry for barging in, I didn't know this was your room" she apologized meekly.

"Everything's okay. Why did you come looking for me? It's not time for training yet." he mused.

She nodded, taking a hesitant step forward. "I want to understand, why I'm suddenly having nightmares. You told me the memory will fade with time."

 "Your nightmares are the echoes of your past, trying to anchor you to a world you no longer belong to. "Knowledge is power, Irynefer. The more you learn, the stronger you will become. You must master the darkness within you, just as you must master the darkness around you. Only then can you begin to shape your destiny."

She nodded in understanding.

"Alright, your training starts now" With a snap of his fingers, the chamber warped and suddenly they were in the training room.

Userkaf watched her intently, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "The second thing you must learn, Irynefer, is control," he said, his voice steady and calm. "Control over your emotions. Without control, you are a danger to yourself and others."

Irynefer nodded, trying to push aside the unease she felt. The nightmares had left her mind shaken and cluttered with memories of pain and fear. The echoes of her past clung to her, refusing to let go, and now, standing in this cold, silent chamber, those memories seemed to creep back to the forefront of her mind.

Userkaf gestured to a stone bench along the wall. "Sit," he instructed.

Irynefer obeyed, settling herself on the bench. Vex, who had been lurking in the shadows, slinked over to her side and curled up at her feet. 

Userkaf remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back. "Close your eyes," he commanded. "Focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply, and exhale slowly. Clear your mind of everything but the sound of your breath."

Irynefer closed her eyes, trying to follow his instructions. She inhaled deeply, feeling the cool air fill her lungs, and then exhaled slowly. But as she tried to focus, images from her past began to flash before her eyes. The dim, dirty rooms of the club where she had been forced to work. The cruel laughter of the men who had tormented her. The pain, the hunger, and the fear all seemed to swirl around her, clouding her thoughts and making it difficult to focus.

"You're letting the past control you," Userkaf's voice cut through the turmoil. "The past is a part of you, but it does not have to dominate your present. Breathe in strength, breathe out weakness."

Irynefer tried to push the images away, to clear her mind as Userkaf had instructed. She visualized each breath as a wave washing away the remnants of her past traumas. Despite her efforts, the memories still lingered, sharp and painful.

Userkaf's gaze softened, and he stepped closer. "It's not easy to silence the ghosts of the past," he said gently. "But this is where you start. Acknowledge them, but do not let them control you."

"I'm trying, but it's hard. The memories are so vivid, so real."

"That is why control is crucial," Userkaf replied.

Her breath hitched, and she opened her eyes. "I can't," she whispered, shaking her head. "I can't stop thinking about... everything. "How? How do I forget what they did to me?"

"You do not forget," Userkaf replied. "You face it. You accept it. And then, you use it. Your pain, your fear, your anger—they can be your greatest strengths if you learn to harness them.

Irynefer closed her eyes once more, forcing herself to concentrate on the rhythm of her breathing. The images came again, but this time she tried to face them, to acknowledge them without being consumed by them.

She saw herself as a child, dirty and frightened, hiding in the shadows. She saw the cruel faces of the men who had hurt her, their hands reaching out and their voices filled with malice. But instead of shrinking away, she pictured herself standing tall and defiant, her eyes filled with fire.

"I am not afraid," she whispered to herself. "Not anymore."

The words felt strange on her lips, but as she repeated them, a sense of strength began to grow within her. Her breathing became steadier, her mind a little clearer. The images still lingered, but their hold over her was weakening.

Userkaf watched her silently, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Good," he said softly. "Now, open your eyes."

 "What's next?" she asked, her voice more confident than before.

Userkaf nodded approvingly. "We continue. Your training will be both physical and mental. You must learn to fight, to defend yourself, and to channel the power that lies within you. And you must learn to control your thoughts, to guard your mind against those who would seek to manipulate it."

He stepped back, his posture straightening. "Stand up, Irynefer."

She rose to her feet. Vex remained by her side, his four eyes gleaming with silent encouragement.

Userkaf raised his hand, and the air around them seemed to shimmer. Suddenly, a figure appeared—a shadowy form that looked like a man but was featureless, its outline was blurred and indistinct.

"This is a shade," Userkaf explained. "An opponent for you to practice with. It will not harm you, but it will react to your movements. Think of it as a reflection of your strength and skill." 

The shade moved toward her. Irynefer's heart pounded in her chest, but she squared her shoulders, curling her hands into fists. She had fought before, but those fights had been born out of desperation and a need to survive.

She struck out at the shade but her movements were clumsy and uncoordinated. The shade dodged easily, its form flowing like water. Irynefer gritted her teeth, frustration flaring up inside her.

She tried again and again until her punches were faster and more precise. The shade evaded her attacks, but this time, she was closer to landing a blow.

"Good," Userkaf called out. "Feel the energy inside you. Let it guide your movements. Don't think, just act."

Irynefer closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. She could feel it—a faint, pulsing energy within her, like a coiled spring waiting to be released. She focused on that sensation, letting it flow through her.

She struck at the shade. The shade parried her attacks, but she could sense its hesitation, its uncertainty. She pushed harder, her body moving in sync with the energy coursing through her. Her fist connected with the shade's chest, and it staggered back, its form rippling.

"Excellent, Irynefer. You are learning to harness your power. Continue like this, and you will be ready to face the true challenges that lie ahead."

Irynefer stepped back, breathing heavily, her eyes locked on the shade. She could feel the power inside her. It was exhilarating, intoxicating, but also terrifying.

As the shade dissolved back into the shadows, she looked at Userkaf. "I'm ready," she said, determination burning in her eyes. "Teach me everything."