Chapter 21: The Training Begins

The abandoned gymnasium creaked with age, its wooden floorboards scuffed from decades of battles fought and victories claimed. Dust swirled in the air as Eren and his ragtag team assembled, each person sizing up their new allies. The group was diverse in both abilities and temperament, but they shared one unifying purpose: to stand against Darius.

Kaelena paced at the center of the room, her voice sharp and commanding. "Darius and his group fight like a well-oiled machine. If we want to stand a chance, we need to do the same. No lone wolves, no improvising—we operate as a unit. Got it?"

A few grumbled agreements came from the group, though Cyrus's skeptical expression spoke volumes. Eren shot him a warning look, silently urging cooperation.

Kaelena clapped her hands, breaking the tension. "All right, let's see what we're working with. Pair up for a quick sparring session. I want to assess your strengths and weaknesses."

Eren found himself facing Kain, the towering powerhouse who had been Darius's former enforcer. The man's sheer size was intimidating, but Eren wasn't about to back down.

"Don't hold back," Kain rumbled, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Eren launched a fireball, aiming low to keep Kain off balance. Kain dodged with surprising agility for someone his size, closing the distance between them in seconds. He swung a massive fist, and Eren barely managed to duck under it, the rush of air from the blow ruffling his hair.

"Not bad," Kain said, his tone almost teasing. "But you'll need more than that to take me down."

Eren grit his teeth, pushing harder. Flames erupted around him as he conjured a barrier of fire, forcing Kain to step back. The heat made the air shimmer, and for a brief moment, Eren felt a flicker of pride.

"Better," Kain admitted. "But can you keep it up?"

Before Eren could respond, Kaelena's voice rang out. "Enough! This is an assessment, not a grudge match. Switch partners!"

Eren exchanged a glance with Kain, who gave him a respectful nod before moving on.

Hours passed as Kaelena ran them through various exercises. Elara's barrier magic was as impressive as advertised, but her hesitance to act offensively made her a weak link in battle scenarios. Mira's strategic mind proved invaluable, quickly identifying gaps in their formations and suggesting improvements. Cyrus's speed was unmatched, though his overconfidence often left him vulnerable.

By the end of the session, the group was drenched in sweat, their bodies aching from exertion. Kaelena, however, showed no signs of letting up.

"We're not done yet," she announced, her tone brooking no argument. "Darius isn't going to wait for us to be ready. If we want to win, we have to push past our limits."

Eren glanced at the others, noting the mix of exhaustion and determination on their faces. Despite the grueling pace, no one seemed ready to quit.

"Let's keep going," he said, stepping forward. "We're in this together, and we're not stopping now."

Kaelena nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit. Take five minutes to recover, then we'll run team drills."

The team drills were the most challenging part of the night. Kaelena paired them off, forcing them to rely on one another's strengths to succeed. Eren worked alongside Elara, whose barriers provided much-needed cover as he practiced precision strikes with his fire magic.

"Focus on timing," Kaelena barked as they struggled to synchronize their attacks. "Eren, your flames are too slow. Elara, your barriers are strong, but you're holding them too long. Adjust!"

Eren clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He hated feeling inadequate, but he knew Kaelena was right. Taking a deep breath, he recalibrated, focusing on the rhythm of their movements.

"Ready?" he asked Elara.

She nodded, her expression determined.

This time, their coordination was seamless. Elara's barrier dropped just as Eren unleashed a wave of fire, catching their imaginary opponent off guard. Kaelena's approving nod was the only reward they needed.

By the time they finished, the moon was high in the sky, its silver light streaming through the cracked windows of the gymnasium. The group sat in a loose circle, too tired to speak but too energized to leave.

Kaelena broke the silence. "We've got a long way to go, but tonight was a good start. We're stronger together, and if we keep pushing, we'll be ready for whatever Darius throws at us."

Eren looked around the circle, taking in the weary but determined faces of his teammates. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of hope. They weren't just a collection of individuals anymore—they were a team.

As they began to disperse, Eren caught Kaelena's arm. "Thanks for pushing us," he said quietly. "I know it's not easy, but we need this."

She gave him a small smile. "We all need this, Eren. Darius won't stop until he has everything. It's up to us to make sure he doesn't succeed."

Eren nodded, the weight of the Shard in his pocket serving as a constant reminder of the stakes. Their fight was far from over, but for the first time, he felt like they had a chance.