37. The Surprise. Lila pov

The dagger felt like an extension of my arm as I swung it through the air, slicing at an invisible enemy. My grip tightened, my muscles burned, but I refused to stop. I lunged forward, took a swipe, then twisted on my heel before launching the blade at a nearby tree. It struck the bark with a dull thud, vibrating as it embedded deep. My breath was heavy, my heart pounding. This was my routine now—training until my arms ached, pushing myself until exhaustion threatened to take over.

I had to get stronger. I needed to be stronger.

Not just to survive but to prove myself. To prove that I was more than just the girl who had fallen off a cliff, that I was more than just a fragile heiress who had no place in this strange world. I wanted to be someone the others could rely on. I wanted to qualify as a group leader.