More Training

Amon and Ying Yue returned to the training hall with equal parts anticipation and dread. Rurik stood at the center, arms crossed, an expectant gleam in his eyes. A large crate sat beside him, its contents concealed under a heavy tarp.

"Good," Rurik said, nodding as they approached. "You're here. Today's training will be… different."

Amon's eyebrows shot up, already suspicious. "Define 'different.' Because when you say it, it usually translates to 'painful.'"

Rurik smirked. "You're catching on." With a sharp tug, he yanked the tarp away, revealing an assortment of equipment: heavy chains, weighted vests, and bizarre weapons that looked like they belonged in a torture chamber. "We're moving past basic sparring. If you're going to survive K-204B, you'll need more than endurance and reflexes. You'll need resilience and adaptability."

Amon scowled. "Resilience and adaptability? Sounds like a glorified excuse for more torture."

"Exactly," Rurik replied, handing them each a weighted vest. "Strap these on."

Amon groaned as he fastened the vest, the oppressive weight settling like a boulder on his shoulders. "This thing feels like it's trying to crush my soul."

"It's supposed to," Rurik said, grabbing a set of chains and tossing them to the floor with a clang. "Now, for the first part of your training, you'll run ten laps around the hall. Carry these while you're at it."

Ying Yue didn't hesitate, hoisting the chains over her shoulders. Amon, however, stared at his like they were a venomous creature. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Rurik's tone left no room for argument.

Resigned, Amon grumbled as he picked up the chains and followed Ying Yue to the starting line. The moment they began, the weight of the vest and chains turned every step into a herculean effort. Sweat poured down Amon's face, his legs already protesting.

"This is ridiculous," he panted, shooting a glance at Ying Yue. "How are you not dying right now?"

Ying Yue, her breathing steady and pace controlled, glanced at him with mild amusement. "Focus on your breathing. And stop talking."

"Easy for you to say," Amon muttered, stumbling as the chains shifted. "You're probably a robot or something."

By the time they finished their laps, Amon collapsed onto the floor in a heap, gasping for air. Ying Yue, though visibly exhausted, sat beside him with surprising composure.

Rurik strolled over, his expression smug. "Not bad. You didn't die."

"Yet," Amon wheezed. "Give it time."

"Get up," Rurik commanded, ignoring his complaints. "We're just getting started."

Amon groaned but forced himself upright, his legs trembling under the weight of the vest. "I officially hate you."

"No, you don't," Rurik said with a grin. "Now, for the next exercise"

"Wait," Amon interrupted, raising a hand. "Before you kill us with whatever fresh hell you've cooked up, can we talk about the Ancient Library?"

Rurik arched an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"Dr. Kael mentioned it," Amon said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Said it's on K-204B. What's so special about it? Why do we need to go there?"

Rurik's smirk faded, his expression turning serious. "The Ancient Library isn't just a place it's a treasure trove of knowledge. The kind of knowledge that can change your life. Spell tomes, ancient techniques, secrets of the cosmos. The works. But…" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "It's only useful if you're strong enough to survive long enough to use it."

"Survive?" Ying Yue asked, her tone cautious.

"K-204B isn't exactly a vacation spot," Rurik explained. "It's a wasteland filled with ruins and creatures that make even seasoned warriors rethink their life choices. If you can navigate the dangers and reach the library, you might find secrets that could tip the balance of power in the universe."

Amon frowned. "Secrets like what?"

Rurik shrugged. "Depends on what you're looking for. Origins of mana, the truths of the cosmos, even the history of the gods and the Monarch."

Ying Yue's eyes narrowed. "Why would knowledge like that be left unguarded?"

"Oh, it's guarded," Rurik said with a chuckle. "By the planet itself. That's why I'm putting you through this hell. If you can't handle my training, you won't last five minutes on K-204B."

Later that evening, as they walked back to their quarters, the weight of the day's training clinging to them, Amon glanced at Ying Yue. "So, K-204B, huh? Sounds like the perfect honeymoon destination."

Ying Yue smirked, her tone dry. "Nothing says romance like dodging monsters and ancient death traps."

"Exactly," Amon quipped, a grin tugging at his lips. "We'll get matching survival scars. Very trendy."

Amon stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. "Push forward, huh?"

She nodded. "One step at a time."

Amon managed a small smile. "You're annoyingly wise, you know that?"

"Someone has to be," she said with a faint grin before continuing toward their quarters.

That night, as Amon lay in bed, his thoughts drifted to the Ancient Library and the challenges that awaited them. He clenched his fists, a flicker of determination igniting in his chest.

And just like that, eight months passed in a blur of grueling training and relentless effort.