Chapter 15: The Path of the Sword

The next few days passed in a blur of sweat, pain, and relentless practice. The training hall became Elias's world, its walls echoing with the sound of his strikes as he fought against training dummies, sparred with other novices, and listened to the harsh words of his instructor, Garret. Each session was a brutal reminder that. no matter how much power he had gained in the Trial, it meant little without the skill to wield it effectively.

Garret was a seasoned fighter, his grizzled appearance a testament to years of hard-earned experience. He never sugarcoated anything, his words always sharp and to the point. "You're strong, sure. But strength alone won't win you battles, boy. You'll need technique. You'll need precision. You'll need to outthink your opponent, not just outlast them."

Elias took every word to heart, practicing his strikes and stances late into the night. The exhaustion was real, his body aching with each movement, but Elias pushed through. The fire inside him-the desire to avenge his family, to carve a place for himself in this world-was unwavering. The more he trained, the more he began to realize just how much he still had to learn.

One evening, after a particularly grueling session, Elias stood outside the hall, catching his breath. His body was sore, his arms heavy, but there was a sense of satisfaction that came from knowing he was improving.

The evening air was cooler than usual, the streets of the city now quieter as the sun dipped below the horizon. The sounds of distant chatter and the occasional shout still reached his ears, but the city felt different now-more alive in its own way. A sharp contrast to the brutality of the training hall.

He turned his thoughts back to Althea. She had kept her distance since that first meeting. Though she had spoken to him about his training, it was clear that her role wasn't to guide him directly, She was focused on her own path, a path Elias was still trying to understand. But something about her intrigued him. Her confidence, her unwavering focus on her duty-it reminded him of the clarity he sought for his own mission.

That's when he saw her again.

Althea stood by the entrance of the training hall, her silhouette framed by the fading light. She was waiting for him, as though she knew he would be out here. Elias's heart quickened, and he pushed away the lingering fatigue that threatened to cloud his thoughts.

"You're still at it?" Althea asked, her voice sharp, but not unkind. Her eyes seemed to scrutinize him, as if evaluating whether his effort matched his determination.

Elias wiped the sweat from his brow, standing a little straighter. "Yeah. Couldn't stop. There's still so much to learn."

She gave a single nod of approval. "That's good. But you've been at it all day. You're going to burn yourself out if you're not careful. There's more to this life than just fighting."

Elias's mind flashed to his family-his parents and Liora, who had been taken from him. His desire for vengeance and the need to grow stronger were all-consuming, but he knew deep down that Althea was right. There had to be

balance.

He let out a long breath. "I know. But I can't afford to waste time. Every moment counts."

Althea regarded him with a hard expression, as if weighing his words. After a long pause, she spoke. "You're not the first person I've met with a thirst for revenge. And you won't be the last. But you need to understand something. Vengeance might drive you, but it won't be what sustains you. At some point, you have to decide what you're fighting for. Otherwise, it'll consume

you."

Elias wasn't sure how to respond. He had never truly thought beyond his quest for vengeance.

But Althea's words struck a chord with him. It was true he had to find something more to hold on to. Something beyond the blood of those who had wronged him.

"Are you going to keep standing out here all night?" Althea asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Elias blinked, surprised by the shift in her tone. It was lighter now, almost teasing. "I... I guess not.

"Good. Follow me," she said, turning on her heel and beginning to walk away. "I know a place where we can grab something to eat. You'll need your strength for what's coming.

Elias fell into step behind her, the weight of her words still lingering in his mind. She wasn't wrong. He couldn't afford to let his grief consume him. He had a long road ahead of him, and there was still so much to learn.

As they walked through the streets, the city seemed more welcoming, as though the shadows of his past were slowly being pushed aside. And as they reached a small, cozy tavern, Elias couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this

was the first step in finding something more-a purpose, a reason beyond the vengeance that had driven him for so long.

Inside, the tavern was warm, with the scent of hearty food and the chatter of patrons filling the air. Althea made her way to a small table in the corner, and Elias followed her. They sat, and a waiter quickly brought over a platter of food-

roasted meats, vegetables, and bread.

Elias dug in without hesitation, his hunger only

growing after the long day of training. As he ate, Althea watched him with an unreadable expression. For the first time, Elias found himself feeling more at ease in her presence, as

if the tension that had surrounded their interactions before was finally beginning to fade.

After a while, Althea spoke again. "You know, I'm not doing this out of the kindness of my heart. I'm giving you this opportunity because I see

potential in you. But you'll have to earn my respect. It's not something I just hand out."

Elias nodded, his mouth full, but his focus entirely on her words. "I understand."

"Good" she said. "You'll need it when the real challenges start. And trust me, they will."

Elias leaned back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. 'I'm ready. Whatever comes next, I'll be ready."

Althea met his gaze, her eyes sharp and unwavering. "Then let's see if you can keep that resolve.

They fell into a comfortable silence after that,

the sound of clinking mugs and quiet conversation filling the air around them. But for Elias, it was as if the world had shrunk down to this one moment. The road ahead was still

uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel so alone.

He had a goal. And perhaps, in Althea, he had found an unlikely ally.