Training .2

As days turned into weeks, the four of them grew closer, guiding Aria through the intricacies of skills and combat. With their help, she finally managed to activate her first skill—only for it to freeze everything around them solid for nearly a week. The ice only began to melt when the relentless sun bore down on it. Dante was more than a little annoyed, but the others treated it like a divine blessing, reveling in the unexpected break.

After testing multiple weapons, Aria's fingers wrapped around the hilt of a katana—and something clicked. It felt natural, like an extension of herself. In that instant, she knew: this was her weapon.

"Alright, it's time for your morning run, everyone," Dante announced, sitting on the porch, listening to birds chirping in the trees.

"To hell with you!" Stiles groaned, still struggling to accept the brutal training routine.

Dante smirked. "After the run, you all get a thirty-minute lunch break." With that, he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as if already dismissing them.

The group turned just in time to see Stiles adjusting his stance, his movements suddenly sharp and precise. Then, without another word, he launched forward with such flawless form that, for a moment, he looked like a seasoned professional runner, leaving the others momentarily stunned before SteelArm took off after him to catch up.

Aria stayed behind them both and exhaled slowly, focusing on her breathing while running her miles. Over the course of a few weeks she increased her miles to fourteen a day.

After another grueling stretch of running, Aria finally slowed to a halt, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath. Beads of sweat clung to her skin, but the burn in her legs told her she was still improving. She dropped onto the grass, letting the cool earth soothe her exhaustion while she waited for Stiles and SteelArm to finish their laps.

An hour and a half later, the two came to a stop in front of the house, their heavy breaths syncing with the faint rustling of leaves in the wind. Stiles ran a hand through his damp hair, his face twisted in mild irritation. SteelArm, though equally exhausted, rolled his shoulders, already recovering from the strain.

"We're done," Stiles exhaled, glancing toward the porch. "Where's the break?"

Dante, who had been lounging on the steps with an easy grin, stood up and stretched. His relaxed demeanor made it obvious for Stiles when he looked over.

"Next step in training," Dante announced, his grin widening. "Boulder carry. Ten miles. All of you. Then you can have a break for lunch."

Aria groaned, tilting her head back toward the sky. "You've got to be joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Dante raised an eyebrow, already stepping off the porch to lead them toward the training area.

SteelArm smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Heh. Finally, something I can actually call training."

Stiles shot him a glare. "Glad one of us is excited."

Dante led them to a clearing where several massive boulders lay scattered. Each one varied in size, some barely manageable while others seemed outright impossible to move.

"Pick your boulder," Dante instructed. "No switching once you start. And if you drop it, you go back to the beginning."

Stiles cursed under his breath. Aria rubbed her temples. SteelArm? He was already lifting a rock the size of a small carriage, testing its weight with a satisfied nod.

Dante clapped his hands together. "Alright! Get moving. The faster you finish, the sooner you eat."

Aria sighed, stepping up to choose her burden for the next who knows how long. 

----

Aria scanned the scattered boulders, her eyes narrowing as she searched for the smallest one. After spotting a rock roughly the size of a large barrel, she placed her hands on it and took a deep breath.

She pulled the boulder up in a way to lift it, and nothing.

She adjusted her stance and pulled again, her arms straining as the weight barely shifted. Her fingers trembled, the rough stone slipping slightly in her grasp. Gritting her teeth, she focused, drawing upon the cold within her. A thin layer of ice spread from her fingertips, wrapping around both her hands and the boulder. The frost bonded her grip to the rock, reducing the strain of keeping hold.

With one last heave, she finally lifted it off the ground. Her arms shook, her legs wobbled, but she held firm. A shaky breath escaped her lips as she took the first step forward.

Meanwhile, Stiles eyed the fourth smallest boulder. It was nearly twice the size of Aria's, and lifting it was proving to be a nightmare. He crouched low, digging his fingers under the stone's edges, straining his back and legs with every attempt. Minutes passed, frustration creeping into his features, but he refused to be outdone.

With another attempt, he exhaled sharply and pulled. The boulder finally lifted, his muscles screaming in protest. "Finally," he muttered before he steadied himself and began his run, pacing himself carefully to avoid wasting too much energy.

SteelArm, on the other hand, grabbed a boulder that would have crushed most people under its weight and hoisted it onto his shoulder with little effort. He took off at a steady, controlled pace, his massive frame moving with practiced ease.

Aria, still adjusting to the weight, started her run at a slow pace. Every step sent a jolt of strain through her body, but the ice coating around her hands helped her maintain her grip without exerting extra energy. She focused on her breathing, determined not to fall behind.

---- 

Fifteen hours had passed.

The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving only the faint glow of moonlight and the occasional flicker of torchlight to illuminate the grueling scene. The air was thick with sweat, exhaustion, and the dull ache of muscles pushed far past their limits.

Aria and Stiles had dropped their boulders more times than they could count. Each time, they were forced to restart from the beginning, their frustration growing alongside their fatigue. Even after the two short meal breaks, their bodies screamed in protest with every step.

Aria's vision blurred as she stumbled forward, the once-refreshing cold from her ice magic now barely clinging to her hands. Her legs felt like lead, her breaths shallow and ragged. She had long since stopped keeping track of the distance—every mile blended into the next.

Stiles wasn't faring that much better. His arms felt like they were ripping apart at the seams, his legs sluggish beneath him. His pride had kept him going, but even that was starting to wither against the relentless weight of the 560lbs boulder pressing down on his frame. 

Then, it happened.

Aria took one more shaky step before her knees buckled. The boulder slipped from her grasp and crashed to the ground with a dull thud. She barely had time to register it before her body followed, collapsing onto the dirt.

Just a few minutes later, Stiles' body finally gave in. His fingers lost their grip, the boulder rolling away as he slumped forward, face-first into the ground. Neither of them moved.

SteelArm came to a slow stop, watching the two lying motionless in the dirt. He sighed, looking down at the two. "Figured that'd happen. I'm surprised either of them lasted this long"

Dante, who had been observing from a distance, walked over with his usual smug expression. He crouched next to Aria and gave her a light poke on the forehead. "No response. Same with Stiles, it appears." 

"They're out cold," Dante said, shaking his head. "Guess they learned what happens when you push past your limits for too long."

SteelArm exhaled through his nose. "So, what now?"

Dante stood up, stretching lazily. "Now? We let them sleep. Tomorrow's another day." He glanced at the boulders still resting beside them, a smirk playing at his lips.

"And I doubt they'll be looking forward to it considering I have booked us all flights."