Chapter 4:Destination Terraverde Training Grounds

[Earlier in the Training Hall]

The Training hall of the Nova Clan was a grand structure, its polished marble floors reflecting the flickering glow of lanterns hanging from the arched ceiling. Along the walls weapons and some artifacts hung as silent witnesses to the Nova Clan's legacy of warriors.

In the center stood a line of Battle maids of the clans ,protectors,trainers and caregivers of the young Generation of the Clan awaiting orders. Earlier Vince passed a message to the Head Butler Demetrius that states *the 10th son of the Patriarch needs to be prepared for the Ritual of Valor that will be taking place in 2years*

"Today the Patriarch has sent a message saying his 10th son Ashura needs to be prepared for the Ritual of Valor..." says Demetrius to the Battle maids. Whispers are heard from everywhere in the hall. "...isn't Young master Ashura the weakest and most talentless child of Nova...who wants to train that..." Demetrius glares at the Battle maids and silence is attained "I wasn't done speaking... as I was about to say one of the three thousand of you will be training him..." Whispers echo again "...hope I'm not that unlucky person..."

Demetrius rises his cane 5cm of the ground and pushes it down on the marble floor at high speed.The impact creates a wave of energy on a 360° range and silences everything. "I wasn't done speaking...as I was saying one of you will train him and that person is Valerie Jin Silver." Everyone in the hall looks at Valerie as she steps forward out of the line.

Valerie, the no.1 Battle maid of the Nova Clan, clad in sleek black combat dress reinforced with subtle steel plating."You expect me to train...that?" Her voice cold,cutting through the silence like a blade. Valerie whose head was facing down slowly lifting her head and looks at Demetrius.Silver eyes glimmered with a mixture of disapproval and determination.

"He is the Patriarch son." Replied Demetrius unyielding as the cold stone beneath their feet. "And he will face the Ritual of Valor in 2years time wether he is ready or not. That is our TRADITION!"

"With all due respect, Sir Demetrius, Lord Ashura is unprepared.Even with the two years, his chances of survival are (Demetrius snaps his fingers)..." interrupted by the snap Valerie stops speaking.

"You misunderstood,"says Demetrius. "This is not a request, you will train him and he will survive. Failure is not an option."

Valerie clenched her jaw but bowed her head "Understood Sir "

Demetrius without another word, the echos of his shoes fading into the distance. When the heavy doors of the hall shut behind him, Valerie heads out to Ashura's room.

[Nebula link]

"*It feels like I'm falling ,but also flying I'm feeling dizzy(starts to gag)*"

Valerie looks at Ashura to notice he can't handle the pressure of the link and rolls her eyes. Valerie uses sign language to trying communication with him ,tell him to not swallow the Cosmic dust and he must keep his body straight. Ashura sees the signs and understands but mistakenly swallows the dust and starts choking. "*Damn this bastard can't he understand what I just said*" says Valerie in her mind.

Valerie grabs Ashura's hand and isolates him with her Aura still they reach the end.

(This happened 5minutes after they entered)

They reach the end and arrive at their destination, the scene opens with an aerial shot of a vast, mist-covered valley. Towering cliffs surround a massive, ancient stone structure the Terraverde Training Grounds. Ancient symbols are written into the stone walls, and a waterfall flowing down into a tranquil pool at its base. The sun is just beginning to rise, casting a golden light over the scene. The sound of distant birds chirping and the rush of the waterfall fills the air.

"*Is this really the Terreverde Training Grounds? The place where strong were made?*"Ashura says in his head then signs it to Valerie.

Valerie(nodding, with a hint of pride)

"Yes. Few are ever granted permission to train here. Only the most dedicated reach this point. But remember, Ashura, this place will only test your resolve, not your skills alone."

(Her voice carries the weight of years of experience.)

The camera pans down as they enter the heart of the training grounds. Ancient stone steps lead up to a massive temple-like structure. The air grows heavier with each step, the ground beneath them firm yet strangely… alive with energy. Ashura takes a deep breath, preparing for the most intense training of his life.

Valerie pauses in front of the grand entrance, looking at Ashura with a serious expression.

Valerie (calmly)"This is where your true trial begins. But first, you must learn the meaning of patience and control. In every great battle, the most important opponent you face is yourself."

Before Ashura can respond, a loud voice cuts through the air, mocking and harsh.

Unknown Voice

(from behind them)

"Oh, how quaint! The young hopeful has arrived at the 'Sacred Grounds' to train... How amusing."

The camera shifts quickly, revealing a figure stepping out from the shadows of the trees Ryuto, a cocky, arrogant-looking teenager with a smirk plastered across his face. He leans casually against a rock, his arms folded as he observes them with disdain

"*Ashura pulls on Valerie's cloths for attention and signs, "who is that?"

Ryuto(mockingly)

"Valerie Jin Silver, the legendary master... and her pupil, the weakest son of Nova. I didn't expect this place to be so… underwhelming. You two are really going to try to train here?"

Kaito

(clenching his fists, frustration building)

"*Who is that loud mouth?! What does he want?!*"

Valerie (quiet but firm, not looking at Ryuto)

"Young masterAshura,that is the 8th son of Nova ignore...your older brother.People come here seeking validation, but only the truly dedicated can draw strength from the trials this place offers. Don't let his words cloud your focus."

Ryuto(grinning widely, stepping forward)

"Oh? And you think you can just 'focus' your way to greatness? There's no magical training ground that can make you strong, kid. It's all about talent, and I have talent—real talent."(He flexes dramatically, showing off his physique and power.)

Ryuto

(scoffing)

" I'm leagues ahead of you mute. You and your teacher are wasting your time. This place is for those who can actually handle it, not for delusional kids pretending they're destined for greatness."

(He steps closer, almost tauntingly, to Ashura.)

Valerie (in a quiet, yet imposing tone)

"Ryuto, you're free to mock and underestimate others, but know this: strength is not given by talent alone. It is shaped through perseverance, discipline, and a willingness to accept one's limitations. Trust me I'll turn this kid to a beast that will reign at the top."

"*Yeah!! Tell that nigga*" (with a smug face)says Ashura."Now step out of the way before I blow you away" says Valerie with an unyielding gaze. Ryuto moves out of the way and Valerie and Ashura walk to the forest insight. As they enter deep in the heart of the forest Ashura stops and looks at Valerie then signs "I'm I really the weakest in the Clan".Valerie nodded "Yes...but we are here to change that in this place ,now stay near that big rock(pointing at the Boulder) while I go searching for a cave. Ashura nodds and sits on top of the rock and watches Valerie disappear in the bushes.

Ashura listened as the dense forest hummed with life as towering trees swayed gently in the wind. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, illuminating patches of mossy ground and casting playful shadows that danced in time with the breeze.But Ashura's attention was drawn elsewhere. He had begun to hear voices faint whispers that seemed to echo from nowhere and everywhere all at once. They called to him in a language he did not understand, ethereal and haunting. His wide, dark eyes scanned the trees, searching for the source, but no one was there.

A chill ran down his spine, but instead of succumbing to fear, Ashura closed his eyes and crossed his legs on the rock. Drawing a deep breath, he let the forest sounds wash over him and quieted his racing thoughts. Slowly, the whispers grew louder, clearer.As he meditated, an incredible warmth bloomed in his chest. A glowing blue and white aura began to encircle his small frame, pulsating softly like a heartbeat. The air around him shimmered, tiny particles of light floating and dancing like fireflies. Intricate patterns of energy formed in the space around him, weaving themselves into beautiful, ever-shifting shapes.

Ashura's breathing steadied. The voices no longer frightened him, they now felt like a part of him, resonating deep within his soul. In that moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath, the world itself pausing to witness his awakening.When Ashura opened his eyes, they glowed faintly with a serene, otherworldly light. He was no longer the same. The boy who had sat on the rock had become something more connected to the unseen forces of the forest, aware of the infinite threads of life and spirit that wove the universe together.

"*Woah what was that?...That has never happened before while I was meditating.*" Ashura lays out on his back on top of the rock. "Hey there kid congratulations on your awakening not to be rude but...GET OFF MY ROCK!" says the unexpected voice.

Ashura ignores the voice and continues to lay on the rock.

The being looks at Ashura with a half smile then a shiny reflecting object stabs appears from its hand and stabs Ashura on the chest.

Ashura wake up gasping, clutching his chest and sweating.He hears his heart beat faster with residual pain and discomfort in his chest then slowly fading.Then his body and soul start separating while levitating in a fixed position and a red thread forms between his body and spirit connected to the area the object penetrated.

Ashura momentarily disoriented, struggling to distinguish if this is a dream or reality looks at his collapsed body in a horrified and confused face.

"*No no no!,what the hell just happened am I dead?*" The being steps on the rock on left foot and carefully removes Ashura's body from it then puts it on a bed of flowers .

"I told you to move from my rock(squinting his eyes)...you didn't listen so now u pay the price."

Ashura relaxes, "*What price I mean you already killed asshole*" scoffs and looks the away from the being.

The being looks at Ashura he raised his hands, the fabric of his sleeves rippling with an unseen energy. Slowly, he grasped the edges of the hood, his movements deliberate and purposeful.As the hood slipped back, strands of luminous hair caught the soft light, and his face came into view a visage of otherworldly beauty and wisdom. His eyes, glowing with an inner fire, seemed to peer directly into the soul, holding a balance of compassion and unfathomable power.

"Turn around and look at me...Ashura" says the being.Ashura turns around and looks at him but the beings body was like that of a blur radiating light.

"I am known by many names.To some, I am a guide. To others, a shadow in their dreams. But to you... I am a question yet to be answered ,call me what you will for names are but reflections and I am far more than what can be seen or spoken."

"*Woah that was cool and all but why you suddenly acting like you didn't kill me for a rock*"his eyes showing zero interest to the being

"Hehehe,you got me...but the thing is you are not dead because I didn't kill you,I just separated your body from your soul using the mirror of reflection...well atleast a piece of it(looks at Ashuras body) which is currently being absorbed by your body" He smiles.

"*Please don't smile at me it's creepy*" Ashura says straight serious expression.

"Lets make a deal Ashura...I'll return your soul back inside your body like nothing even happened"

"*Oh ok then where's the but I know there's a but so say it*"looks at the being suspiciously.

"You'll be my successor(reaches for a handshake)...come on I'm one of the best you'll ever find" he says with an ensuring smile.Ashura looks at his hand and offers a handshake.

Meanwhile Valerie pushed through the dense forest rustling against the leaves of bushes still in search of the cave. Forty minutes after separating from Ashura she pauses mid-step, ears shift toward a faint, rhythmic drip. Valerie tilts her head, listening intently as the sound bounces and resonates in the distance.

"There found it...but seems I might have to remove its residents. " she murmurs, voice low and gravelly.

Sprinting ahead, her sharp ears track the echo as it grows stronger, guiding her to a dark crevice in the rocky hillside. The draft of cool air confirms it this is no ordinary crack it's the mouth of a hidden cave.

Valerie arrives at the mouth of the cave and stands there prepared for combat. The air heavy with the scent of damp earth and the danger as Valerie. Her keen eyes pierced the darkness ahead, her ears twitching at the faint sound of movement. Twin Cresent daggers daggers rested in her hands, their sliver edges shining faintly.

"Shadowmane bears" she murmurs then her lips turn to a grin. "This better be fun"

As she stepped into the cave shadows deepened unnaturally, twisting Luke living things. A deep growl rumbled within vibrating through the rock and into Valerie's chest. Two Shadowmane bears emerged from the dark ,their hulking bodies absorbing what little light entered the cave. Their glowing amber eyes fixed on her with feral intent.

To be Continued