The Training Begins

The first lesson wasn't what I expected.

When Kol told me to get up and prepare for training, I thought he'd hand me a real weapon, or maybe teach me a few fancy moves. What he actually did, however, was far worse.

"Grab that," Kol said, pointing to a large boulder in the corner of the clearing.

I looked at it. It was enormous, the size of a small boulder, and I wasn't sure how I could even move it. "What... do you want me to do with this?"

Kol raised an eyebrow. "You're going to carry it."

My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "What?!"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to the edge of the clearing and pulled out a long, worn rope. With precise movements, he tied the rope around the stone and then tossed it toward me.

I caught it with difficulty, the stone heavier than I had imagined, but I still somehow managed to hold onto it.

"Now," Kol said, his voice calm, "drag it to the other side of the clearing."

I blinked. "Are you serious?"

Kol nodded. "You'll find that you'll need strength, stamina, and determination in battle. Carrying that rock is the least of what you'll have to endure."

I couldn't believe it. There was no way I could move that rock at least, not without collapsing. But as I looked at Kol, his gaze unwavering, I realized there was no room for doubt.

I gritted my teeth, adjusting my grip. The boulder felt like it was pushing me down into the dirt, the weight nearly unbearable. My body screamed in protest as I took my first step. My legs wobbled, my back burned. Each movement felt like an eternity.

The first few steps were agonizing. My muscles quivered, sweat dripped down my face, and I could barely breathe, but I refused to stop.

I can't stop.

Minutes passed, and every inch felt like miles. I glanced up, only to see the clearing still stretched far before me. The boulder scraped the ground, pulling at my arms, tearing at my skin.

"You're too slow," Kol's voice cut through my pain. "Pick it up. You won't survive if you move like this."

I shot him a look of pure frustration, but I didn't let go. One foot in front of the other. One step, then another.

It felt like hours before I finally reached the other side of the clearing. When I let the stone fall to the ground with a loud thud, my legs buckled beneath me, and I collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air.

Kol walked over, inspecting the rock as if nothing had happened. "You did it. Barely. But that's a start."

I could barely hold myself upright, but somehow, I found the strength to sit up. "Why are you making me do this?"

He looked down at me, his eyes steady. "This is the foundation. A Demon Hunter doesn't just fight with their sword. They fight with their body, their mind, and their will. If you can't carry that rock, you won't last long against a demon."

The weight of his words sunk in. He was right no matter how strong my swordsmanship might become, if I didn't have the physical strength to back it up, I'd be no better than the helpless child I had been when the demon attacked my family.

Kol walked away, pulling out a set of wooden practice swords. "Get up. You're not done yet."

I struggled to my feet, my arms trembling from the strain. But I gripped the sword he handed me without hesitation. I wasn't going to stop. Not now. Not when everything I cared about had been ripped away by demons.

"Form a stance," Kol ordered.

I obeyed, assuming the basic fighting stance he had shown me earlier. It felt awkward, like I was holding the sword for the first time all over again.

"Your stance is weak," Kol muttered, watching me closely. "You're holding it like it's a toy, not a weapon. If you're not ready to kill, you'll be killed."

I tightened my grip, pushing my body into the stance.

"That's better. Now attack me."

I blinked, completely taken off guard. "What?"

Kol raised an eyebrow. "You can't think like you're training for some tournament. You're fighting for your life. Attack me. With everything you have."

I hesitated for only a moment. He was older, stronger, more experienced, but I wasn't here to make excuses. My family had been killed by demons. The least I could do was try.

I lunged at him, sword raised high, aiming for his midsection.

Kol didn't move, didn't even blink. As my blade came within a hair's breadth of him, he twisted to the side, dodging the strike and bringing his own sword down to block mine in a flash.

I was thrown off-balance as the force of his sword knocked mine sideways. Before I could react, he knocked the wooden blade out of my hands with a swift swipe.

I stumbled back, breathing heavily, but determined to keep going.

"Pathetic." Kol's voice was cold. "You still haven't learned. A Demon Hunter doesn't hesitate. You should've followed through, even if it meant your own life. That's the difference between winning and dying."

I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling in my chest. But Kol was right. I had hesitated. I had held back. The demon that killed my family hadn't held back, and I had to remember that.

"No more hesitation. Attack me again."

This time, I didn't think. I just moved.

I swung wildly, relentlessly, not caring if my form was perfect. Kol dodged and blocked, but each time, I tried again, pushing myself harder.

It felt like hours before Kol finally allowed me to stop, sweat pouring down my face and exhaustion seeping into my bones.

He tossed me a rag to wipe my face. "You're learning. But it's not enough."

My arms were heavy, my body screaming for rest, but I refused to show weakness. "I'll do whatever it takes," I said, my voice hoarse but determined.

Kol nodded slowly. "Good. But remember, training never ends. You'll push yourself past your limits, and then you'll push further. That's the only way to kill demons."

The sun was beginning to set as Kol turned away, heading toward the campfire. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we begin again."

I didn't argue. I collapsed beside the fire, staring into the flames. My body hurt, but I couldn't afford to stop. Not until I was strong enough.

Not until I killed every last demon.