The Journey Begins

The sun rose, casting soft light over the village as Aria and Tony were still training. Sweat poured down Tony's face as he staggered backward, gasping for breath.

"We've been training for six hours! Can I please just rest?" Tony begged.

Aria crossed her arms, pretending to think about it. "Fine."

Without another word, Tony collapsed face-first onto the ground, snoring instantly. Aria shook her head, a rare smile tugging at her lips. With surprising gentleness, she lifted him up and carried him back to his room. Exhausted herself, Aria passed out right there on the floor.

Morning came. Aria groggily opened her eyes — and saw Tony's face inches away from hers. She screamed and, without thinking, kicked Tony hard in the gut. He flew across the room, smashing right through the door.

"Oww! What was that for?!" Tony groaned, holding his stomach.

"Why were you in my room?!" Aria demanded.

Tony pointed to the doorway. "This is my room."

Aria blinked, looking at the destroyed door, then back at him. "Oh… uh, sorry."

Tony waved it off. "It's fine. Either way, we need to leave soon."

"Leave? Why?" Aria asked.

"We're going to find the system so we can destroy it — and save more people."

Togo's mechanical voice interrupted from Tony's wrist. "Tony, I strongly advise against bringing this girl with us."

"Why not?" Tony asked, frowning.

"She's not trustworthy. She will betray us the moment it benefits her."

"She wouldn't do that!" Tony argued.

Aria, who was pretending not to listen, smirked faintly. "Let's just go."

Tony crossed his arms. "Togo, she's coming with us, and that's final."

"Fine," Togo said flatly. "But when she stabs you in the back, just remember I warned you."

Aria ignored Togo. "So where are we headed?"

Togo projected a small hologram map from Tony's wrist. "We're going to the most dangerous place in Syis."

"Where's that?" Tony asked.

"A place called New Place," Aria said. "It's infamous."

"What's so bad about it?" Tony asked.

"It has no heroes," Togo explained. "The villains there are monsters, and the city is a goldmine for information about the system controlling this world."

"Then we have to go," Tony said. "Let's head to New Place."

Togo sighed. "It will take about a month to get there."

"A month?!" Tony groaned. "Can't you build us a car or something?"

"I could… but I won't," Togo said smugly.

Tony slumped. "Fine. Aria, how about we train along the way? We can spar while we travel."

Aria's smirk returned. **"Sounds fun. Let's see if you survive the first round."

Tony vs Aria - Sparring Match

The sun hung high as they left the village behind, walking a winding dirt path. After a few hours, Tony stopped and turned to Aria.

"Alright, Master Aria," Tony said, dragging out the word "Master" like a joke, "time for that spar you promised."

Aria cracked her knuckles. "You're going to regret asking for this."

They stepped off the path into a grassy clearing. Aria stood tall, her stance sharp and confident. Tony mimicked her stance — but his feet were too close together and his hands uneven.

"First lesson," Aria said. "Fix your stance or you'll get knocked over."

"I'm fine!" Tony protested.

Aria didn't argue — she just vanished.

Tony barely had time to register her movement before her foot swept behind his knee, sending him crashing to the ground.

"See?" Aria smirked.

Tony groaned. "Cheap shot!"

"In a real fight, there are no cheap shots."

He scrambled back up, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Alright, let's go again!"

He threw a wild punch. Aria side-stepped effortlessly, grabbed his wrist, and flipped him onto his back again.

"Too predictable," Aria said. "Your moves are written all over your body."

Tony sat up, dirt clinging to his clothes. "What am I supposed to do then?"

"Stop thinking so much," Aria said. "Flow with the fight. Don't announce your moves with your eyes and shoulders."

Tony stood, his jaw set. "One more round."

"Fine," Aria said, her grin sharp. "But I'm still not holding back."

This time, Tony didn't overthink. He stepped forward quickly, aiming a punch low instead of high. Aria sidestepped — but Tony spun with the momentum, trying to land a kick.

For a second, Aria's eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Then she caught his foot mid-kick and flipped him even harder than before. Tony hit the ground with a heavy thud, coughing.

"Better," Aria said, offering her hand. "But you still lose."

Tony took her hand, groaning as she pulled him up. "One day, I'll beat you."

Aria laughed. "If that day ever comes, I'll call you master."

They returned to the road, Tony limping slightly but smiling.

"Same time tomorrow?" Tony asked.

"Of course." Aria's grin was wicked. "But tomorrow, you'll work twice as hard."