Learn To Rest

Lucian hit the ground for the sixth time that morning.

His arms were bruised, his legs ached, and his body screamed for him to stay down.

But he didn't.

He gritted his teeth, forcing himself back up on shaking legs. His breath was ragged, his muscles on fire, but he refused to fall again.

Garran stood across from him, twirling his sword with obnoxious ease. "I'll give you this much—you're stubborn."

Lucian wiped sweat from his face. "You sound disappointed."

"I'd be impressed if you actually landed a hit," Garran said. He lifted his sword lazily. "Come on. Again."

Lucian lunged forward. This time, he didn't attack head-on.

He feinted left, then twisted his blade to the right—aiming for Garran's ribs.

CLANG.

Garran parried with a flick of his wrist, then drove his elbow into Lucian's stomach.

Lucian choked, staggering back. Before he could recover, Garran kicked his legs out from under him.

The impact knocked the air from his lungs.

Lucian gasped, gripping the dirt beneath him. Pain shot through his body, but he refused to stay down.

He struggled back to his feet, swaying.

Garran watched him, expression unreadable. "You're shaking."

"I'm—fine," Lucian panted.

"You're exhausted."

Lucian gripped his sword tighter. "I said I'm fine."

Garran sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You don't get it, do you?"

Lucian frowned. "Get what?"

Garran's blade swung in an instant—

Lucian flinched, raising his sword too late. The force of the impact sent him stumbling backward.

Garran didn't let up. He stepped forward, pressing the attack.

Lucian barely blocked the first strike. He dodged the second. The third carved through his defenses completely.

The flat of Garran's blade slammed against his ribs, sending him crashing into the dirt again.

"Are you done?" Garran asked.

Lucian clenched his jaw, his vision swimming. His body screamed at him to stop. But deep in his chest, something burned.

He couldn't afford to stop.

Not yet.

Lucian forced himself back up.

Garran's smirk disappeared. His eyes hardened. "No. Stay down."

Lucian's breath was heavy, but he lifted his sword again.

Garran sighed. "Fine. You want to know why you keep losing?"

Lucian didn't answer. He was too focused on staying upright.

"You think training means pushing yourself until you drop." Garran gestured to him. "Look at you. You're half-dead, and you still think moving forward is strength."

Lucian exhaled sharply. "Isn't it?"

Garran stepped forward, pressing the tip of his sword against Lucian's. "No. Strength is knowing when to stop."

Lucian hesitated. "That's—"

"Real battles don't let you collapse and try again." Garran's voice was firm, unrelenting. "If you fight like this against someone who actually wants to kill you, you'll die. Simple as that."

Lucian swallowed hard.

He hated how much sense it made.

Garran sheathed his sword. "You're done for today."

Lucian opened his mouth to argue—

His knees buckled.

Garran caught him before he hit the ground.

Lucian barely registered being hauled to his feet, half-dragged toward their camp. He wanted to protest, but his vision was going dark.

The last thing he heard was Garran's voice, low and distant.

"Rest while you can, kid. Tomorrow won't be any easier."