The Betrayal

After weeks of relentless training, January passed in the blink of an eye. The days blended together, leaving me wondering where the time had gone. Just a week ago, I had been lying in bed with Flora, basking in her warmth. Now, it was the end of the month, and I felt as if I was running on borrowed time. Time didn't just pass; it fled, slipping through my fingers no matter how tightly I tried to grasp it.

Snow blanketed the fields, transforming the world into a pristine, untouched landscape. The air was crisp, carrying the faintest bite of winter's chill. I let myself stand outside, my breath visible in the icy air, watching the frost-laden trees sway gently in the breeze. There was a stillness to the snow that I loved, as if it had the power to quiet even the chaos that constantly raged within me.

Flora was outside, rolling in the snow like a child, her laughter carrying through the frozen air. She was making snow angels, her black hair stark against the white, her energy so contagious that even Atlas, reluctant as ever, had been pulled into her antics. Watching him half-heartedly fling snowballs at her was a sight I never thought I'd see. He moved stiffly, his face locked in a look of exaggerated suffering as Flora launched snowball after snowball with the kind of speed only, she could muster.

Inside, I sat at the table, nursing my breakfast and a warm drink, savoring the quiet moment before stepping into the cold. Sundays had always been my day to slow down, to reflect, but today my thoughts wandered to General Park.

I hadn't heard from her in weeks. She had been unresponsive to my calls, and her silence gnawed at me. It wasn't like her to go dark for this long. Though I had helped the humans with their zombie problem—out of necessity more than obligation—I felt no allegiance to them. Still, Park's absence felt... wrong.

The zombies were growing stronger, that much was clear. Their orbs contained more power than before, though it still wasn't enough to match what I needed to challenge Kai. He was fueling them, constantly pushing them to evolve, yet he never seemed to dirty his hands directly. The few times I'd seen him, he moved like a phantom—a grim reaper observing his work from afar, untouchable and utterly terrifying.

Finishing my meal, I headed outside in nothing more than a T-shirt and shorts. The cold was refreshing, invigorating even. Flora and Atlas were locked in an absurd snowball war, the ground around them littered with evidence of their relentless attacks. Snow flew through the air in rapid bursts, each throw a blur of motion. Despite his protests, Atlas was holding his own, dodging her snowballs with surprising agility.

I couldn't help but smile at the scene. Flora, for all her strength and skill, still had a playful, childish side that surfaced when she felt safe. She moved with a mix of grace and unrestrained joy, her laughter ringing out like a melody.

The moment she noticed me, her face lit up with that familiar excitement that always made my heart skip. She abandoned her snowball arsenal and sprinted toward me, throwing herself into my arms. Her lips met mine in a kiss that was both sweet and searing, her energy radiating warmth that rivaled the sun.

But Flora was nothing if not mischievous. Just as I leaned in to deepen the kiss, she shifted her weight and flipped me effortlessly, slamming me into the snow with a playful suplex.

The cold hit me like a shockwave, the snow burying my face as I groaned in mock despair. The icy chill seeped into my skin, making me wish I'd turned my vulnerability off before stepping outside.

"Flora..." I mumbled, my voice muffled by the snow.

She knelt beside me, giggling uncontrollably as she helped me to my feet. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, but before I could retaliate, a hundred snowballs slammed into me in rapid succession. Atlas had joined the fray, his aim impeccable as he targeted me relentlessly.

I turned my vulnerability off, and the snowballs bounced harmlessly off my body. Crossing my arms, I glared at Flora with mock indignation. "This is how you treat me on a Sunday?"

Her grin widened. "You love it."

And she was right.

Another hour passed like this—snowball fights, laughter, and the kind of joy that felt rare in these times. It was moments like these that reminded me why I fought so hard, why I pushed myself to my limits. For Flora. For us. For the world I wanted to rebuild.

Also, I saw an opportunity for revenge on Atlas. After picking myself up, I slipped behind the snow wall Flora had carefully crafted as our defense line. It was the perfect shield. I crouched low, scooping up snow at an incredible pace, and began forming snowballs. My strength and speed were the same, but everything else—my powers, my halos—was deliberately turned off. This was going to be a fair fight, at least in terms of ability.

The first snowball sailed through the air and hit Atlas square in the chest. I smirked triumphantly as he staggered slightly in shock, and Flora immediately seized the opportunity. "Charge!" she shouted, her energy infectious.

We moved in perfect sync, Flora and I unloading a relentless barrage of snowballs. My throwing speed increased exponentially with each shot, and Flora's natural athleticism shone as she darted and hurled snowballs with pinpoint accuracy. Atlas, meanwhile, was growing visibly frustrated.

"Let's destroy him!" Flora declared, her enthusiasm only growing with each hit she landed. The snowy battlefield seemed to glow with her sheer radiance, her beauty amplified by her carefree laughter and determination.

Atlas's patience wore thin, and his expression darkened. "Alright, no more games!" he growled, touching the ground with his hand.

I tensed. I knew that stance all too well. The air around us changed instantly, the playful energy replaced by a tension that felt almost suffocating. Flora and I ducked behind our snow wall, peering over the edge as Atlas summoned green, grotesque figures from the snow. They were clones of himself, but their twisted, tortured appearances made them look like something pulled from the depths of nightmares.

The atmosphere grew deadly serious. The rule was simple: don't get hit.

The snow crunched loudly under the clones' feet as they advanced. My heart pounded as I counted them—dozens, maybe more. I waited, holding my breath, my snowball arsenal ready. Timing was everything.

When the clones came within range, I let loose, unleashing a torrent of snowballs with terrifying precision. One by one, the clones fell, disintegrating into harmless puffs of snow. I grinned, my heart racing as I reveled in the small victory. "Got you!" I shouted with a maniacal laugh, only to be abruptly silenced by a snowball hitting me square in the face.

Atlas stood grinning smugly, his arm still outstretched from the throw. He laughed so hard I thought he might collapse into the snow. My pride stung more than my face.

"Alright, that's it," I muttered, narrowing my eyes.

Flora, meanwhile, was surrounded by twenty clones, and she looked back at me with a flicker of worry. I couldn't fight for her, but that didn't mean I couldn't help.

"Flora," I called out, "I'm going to teach you how to make clones of your own!"

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she nodded. Flora was a quick learner, and with her innate ability to mimic and refine my techniques, it didn't take long for her to create her first clone.

"Now more," I encouraged.

She gritted her teeth, channeling the energy from her halo, and soon a small army of Flora clones stood ready. She didn't hesitate, commanding them into battle with a fierce determination that left me in awe.

I leaped up onto a tree branch, watching from above as Flora's clones clashed with Atlas's creations. The snowy battlefield erupted into chaos, and I found myself momentarily playing the role of cheerleader.

In the midst of it all, my phone rang.

I sighed and answered, "What now?" My voice sounded more annoyed than I intended.

The voice on the other end was frantic. "Noah... General Park has gone rogue. She's destroying everything—killing everyone. We need your help."

I closed my eyes, my annoyance flaring. "Of course," I muttered under my breath. "Fine. But let me make one thing clear: this is the last time I'm helping you humans." I hung up without waiting for a response.

When Flora finally defeated Atlas's clones, I pulled her aside to explain the situation.

"Park's gone rogue," I said simply.

"I'll come with you," she offered without hesitation.

"No," I replied firmly. "This won't take long. I'll handle it, and then we can come back and finish playing."

She crossed her arms, her expression shifting to a mix of defiance and concern. "You'd better be back in thirty minutes, tops," she said in her mock-childish voice.

I kissed her deeply—a French kiss that left us both breathless—before heading toward the human world.

When I arrived at the Zombane base, I didn't find General Park. Instead, I found Kai.

He was perched casually on the back of a man who was bound and gagged, his eyes red from tears as he struggled weakly beneath Kai's weight.

Kai turned to me, his smile as sharp and sinister as ever. "So, how have you been?" he asked, his voice dripping with false pleasantries.

I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as rage coursed through me. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to attack him, to end this torment once and for all. But I held back—for now.

"What do you want?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

Kai's grin widened, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, I'm just here to have a little chat. Let's catch up, shall we?"

"Oh, don't be so hostile. I'm not here to fight," Kai said, his smile never faltering, though his tone shifted to one of mock seriousness. "But I am here to tell you something important."

"Get on with it," I said, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.

"Very well," he said, cracking his neck with a casualness that made my blood boil. He extended his arm, his scythe gleaming ominously in the faint light, and continued, "Noah, I've been patient. Painfully patient. Watching you grow stronger, molding you into the perfect opponent." His smile hardened, becoming almost predatory. "Because you see, my satisfaction will only be complete when I kill you at your absolute peak. When you're at your strongest, that's when the real fun begins. So, its time, Noah. I'm officially challenging you to a death battle."

He paused, his voice dropping into something darker, heavier. "Exactly a fortnight from now. Be prepared. And if you're not," he chuckled coldly, "you know what that means... about our deal. You remember, don't you?"

"I remember." My voice was steady, but anger simmered beneath it. "I accept. And trust me," I added, my Crimson Halo flaring as my aura surged outward, making the earth tremble beneath us, "you won't even get near Flora."

Kai tilted his head, amused, his eyes glinting with a maddening sense of control. "Quite the powerhouse you're becoming, my little vampire." He giggled, the sound chilling and grating, before vanishing into the air as if he'd never been there.

The eerie silence that followed only fueled my rage. My mind raced with memories of Kai's endless manipulations. The way he had twisted my life, controlling every facet of it as if I were a mere pawn in his game. He had made me believe that humans had killed my mother. Well, they had—but under his control.

Flora's parents? Both dead because of him. He had manipulated Mr. August like a marionette and corrupted Mrs. August's already fragile nature. I hated him for what he'd done to Flora—how she'd lived with that cursed purple skin for years before I was finally able to help her. I hated him for the nightmares he planted in my mind, for the times I'd fought and lost, trapped in what felt like an endless, humiliating loop.

Our last battle had ended in his favor, as it always seemed to. But then, he made me a deal. A deal I hated to accept, yet one that gave me time—time to grow stronger, to strategize, to give it everything I had.

Kai had vanished, but his presence lingered like a shadow. I shook my head, focusing on the human at my feet. He was trembling, his eyes wide with terror.

"You're free," I said, slicing the bonds that had pinned him down. He collapsed to the ground, muttering thanks through tears.

As he tried to gather himself, I asked, "Where's Park?"

Before he could answer, my neck tingled—a sensation I had learned never to ignore. I reacted instinctively, grabbing the human and leaping out of the way as a knife sliced through the air where we had been standing. It embedded itself into the ground with a sharp, metallic thud.

The knife had been thrown with incredible speed, a precision I knew only Flora, Atlas, or Kai could achieve. But it wasn't them. My eyes scanned the horizon, and there she was.

General Park.

She stood with an unnatural stillness, her eyes blank and her expression devoid of humanity. She didn't speak, didn't move—just stared. Her aura reeked of corruption, a shadow of Kai's unmistakable influence.

I placed the human inside a protective barrier—one even Park wouldn't be able to crack. He was sobbing now, clutching at his knees, whispering for his mother.

I turned my attention back to Park, offering a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Well, General, it's been a while. How've you been?"

She didn't answer. Instead, with a wave of her hand, she conjured a set of knives, each gleaming dangerously. She didn't throw them immediately; she just held them, as if weighing her options.

The air grew dense. Every instinct I had screamed at me to stay on high alert. Park was a brilliant strategist, and under Kai's influence, her skill and cunning would only be amplified.

"So, we're doing this?" I asked, still keeping the smile on my face as I subtly adjusted my stance.

No response.

The knives in her hands began to multiply, the edges shimmering with an otherworldly glow. Her movements were calculated, each one deliberate, as if she were studying me, predicting my every reaction.

I had no intention of underestimating her. If there was one thing I'd learned, it was that even the smallest misstep could be fatal.

"Well then," I muttered to myself, bracing for what was to come.

The battlefield was set. The once-loyal General Park had become an enemy, and I would have to find a way to stop her without destroying her completely. Flora's voice echoed in my mind, grounding me. No matter what, you protect them. Even if they don't deserve it.

With a deep breath, I steadied my resolve. "Let's dance."

As I prepared to speak again, a guttural roar echoed through the trees. The sound was unmistakable—zombies, and they were closing in fast. My eyes darted to Park. She hadn't moved an inch since summoning her knives, so how had she managed this? She must have planned it beforehand, orchestrating a distraction to divide my attention.

Her eyes shifted then, from their natural blue to a deep, glowing purple. A sinister aura, violet and thick, began to swirl around her body like a living shroud. It was beautiful in its way but deeply unsettling, a majestic façade hiding something rotten. Her gaze locked onto mine, her pupils boring into me as if she could reach into my soul. She was trying to instill fear—a futile attempt.

The zombies tore through the underbrush, rushing at me in a frenzied wave. Their grotesque forms were tougher than before, their skin hardened, their movements unnervingly quick. But none of it mattered. I dove into the horde with an almost feral glee, tearing through them like paper. My hands crushed skulls, my legs shattered rib cages, and blood sprayed in thick arcs around me. I ripped hearts from chests and smashed heads like melons, all while keeping one eye on Park.

She hadn't moved. She stood like a statue, unbothered by the chaos. I couldn't let my guard down, but the zombies demanded my attention. As the last of the horde fell, my focus momentarily shifted away from her—and that's when she vanished.

Activating my Crimson Halo, I scanned for her presence. Even if she turned invisible, she couldn't hide from me. Yet she wasn't invisible; she was simply gone.

I obliterated the final zombie, absorbing its orb, and that's when I heard it—a bullet, cutting through the air at impossible speeds. I barely managed to dodge. More bullets followed, a relentless storm of precision attacks. Dodging each one, I located her position and muttered with a twisted grin, "Found you."

I lunged, but she disappeared again. My Halo's senses detected the truth—she wasn't just moving; she was slipping into another dimension linked to this one.

"Clever," I whispered, forcing my way into her dimension. The air changed, thick and oppressive. Park stood before me, still as ever, her expression a mask of indifference.

"You can't run from me, General," I said, smirking. "I thought we had a good relationship."

Without waiting for a reply, I lunged forward and snapped her neck. The sickening crack echoed in the air. "Well, that sucked," I muttered, disappointed by the lack of resistance. "I thought you'd put up more of a fight."

As I turned to leave, I heard the faint whistle of another bullet. This time, I caught it mid-air, stopping it mere inches from my face. Park stood once more, her body intact. My lips curled into a wicked smile.

"Well, well, well. The puppet wakes."

I launched myself at her again, delivering a vicious kick to her stomach, followed by a Brazilian kick to her jaw that sent her hurtling into the air. As she fell, I intercepted with a spinning 540-degree roundhouse, shattering bone with the impact. Her body crumpled to the ground, but as I turned away, her laughter filled the air.

She rose, her smile maddening, and I felt a surge of fury. I lunged again, snapping her neck over and over, yet she kept standing. No matter what I did, she wouldn't stay down.

Her body began to swell with an unnatural energy, glowing from within. She was overflowing with Kai's power, on the brink of combustion. I couldn't help but laugh.

"You're nothing but a ticking time bomb," I sneered, my smile turning demonic. Raising my hand, I unleashed my power directly into her.

She laughed mockingly. "Are you an idiot? You're only making me stronger!"

But she didn't understand. Her expression shifted as her body began to decay from the inside. Her smile faltered, replaced by fear.

"What's happening?" she stammered, her voice trembling. "Stop this... it's too much!"

Her legs buckled, and she fell to her knees, reaching out weakly toward me.

"Why did you join him?" I demanded, my power still flowing into her.

Tears streamed down her face. "He promised me power! He said he'd give me the entire solar system if I defeated you and unleashed the zombies on America!"

"Power," I said, shaking my head. "Understandable, I suppose. But why did you bring Flora into this? You said she was going to die. That was a mistake."

Her sobbing intensified. "He made me say it! Please, I beg you—give me another chance!"

I smirked, leaning closer. "Do I look like someone who gives second chances?"

Her body glowed brighter, cracks spreading across her skin as ash flaked away into the air. She screamed as her form disintegrated, her essence spilling out in blinding streams of light.

With one final wail, Park was gone, wiped from existence. The glowing remnants of her power lingered in the air, and I extended my hand, drawing them into myself.

The surge of energy was overwhelming. My veins bulged, my muscles strained, and my vision blurred as the raw power coursed through me. The dimension around me buckled, folding in on itself. The ground beneath my feet seemed to vanish, leaving me suspended in the collapsing void.

I emerged into the human world, the dimension sealed behind me, the power locked away for when I needed it most. Kai's presence lingered nearby, a taunting reminder that he was always watching. I smiled, sending him an unspoken message: I'm ready.

As I stepped into the heart of a bustling city, people began to gather, their faces a mixture of awe and gratitude.

"That's my hero!" a little boy shouted from the crowd, his voice cutting through the murmurs like a ray of sunlight piercing a stormy sky.

For a moment, I allowed myself to bask in their admiration, but my mind remained fixed on the battle ahead. Kai would pay for everything he'd done, and I would make sure he never rose again.

This particular group of humans, unlike many others, saw me as their savior—a godlike figure, almost akin to Jesus. Their unwavering reverence was equal parts amusing and troubling. As more people gathered around, their faces filled with hope and fear, I decided it was time to address them.

Clearing my throat, I began. "Hello, everyone. My name is Noah. I'm a vampire... and also your savior." My voice carried a mix of charisma and authority, but the maniacal smirk creeping across my lips painted a more sinister picture. "The leader of the zombies, Kai, has challenged me to a battle to the death. So, listen carefully: if you want to survive—if you want even a chance to thrive in this fragile civilization of yours—you'd best start digging. Build an underground bunker." I paused for dramatic effect, then added in a disturbing tone, "Because it's gonna be a fucking massacre."

Panic spread through the crowd like wildfire. Parents began rushing back to their homes, dragging their children along, shouting orders, and gathering supplies. A sense of urgency consumed them.

As they scattered, I delivered one final note. "Oh, and one more thing: General Park betrayed us all. She paid the price for that betrayal. She's been wiped from existence."

The weight of my words sent the crowd into overdrive. Families scrambled to construct bunkers beneath their homes, hastily packing everything they could think of—beds, jewelry, food, water, toys. Children clung to their parents, oblivious to the full gravity of what was happening, while the adults wore expressions of sheer terror.

Watching the chaos unfold, I muttered under my breath, "Fucking idiots."

I scanned the surroundings, my gaze eventually landing on a church nestled at the edge of the town. Its steeple stood tall, a stark contrast to the frantic energy enveloping the community. Curiosity piqued; I decided to take a look inside.

As I approached, my shoelace came undone. A minor inconvenience, quickly remedied with the flick of my Crimson Halo's power. Once inside, I found an old man seated alone in a pew, staring up at the crucifix. His white hair framed a serene face, and he was dressed in a simple white robe.

I approached him, my footsteps echoing softly in the quiet sanctuary. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

Without looking at me, he replied in a calm, soft tone, "Just looking at Jesus and keeping my mind empty."

"You know if you don't build a bunker, you're going to be among the hundreds of millions who'll die in a fortnight," I said, trying to rattle him with the prospect of death.

"That's fine," he said simply, still gazing at the crucifix. "I know the bunkers won't hold against your battle with Kai. It's pointless to try."

Intrigued, I pressed further. "You're a clever one, aren't you? Tell me your name."

"Tim Koplar."

"Well, Tim, why are you here praying instead of spending time with your loved ones?" I asked, my gaze following his to the crucifix.

"My family's not here anymore," he said, his voice steady. "They passed away years ago. But I'll be with them again soon—reunited with my wife and children." His tone was unwavering, devoid of grief or fear. He spoke as if death was a reunion to look forward to, not something to dread.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "You're an interesting man, Tim." Without another word, I turned and walked out of the church, leaving him to his faith.

Outside, I activated my Crimson Halo, surveying the frantic efforts of the townsfolk. Through the walls of their homes, I could see them rushing to complete their bunkers, cramming in every imaginable possession: furniture, jewelry, toys, and an abundance of food and water.

"Idiots," I muttered again, stretching my body with exaggerated ease. After a deep breath, I leapt from the human world back to Flora, landing softly near our home to avoid disturbing the animals or the forest.

Inside, Flora was cooking something, her back turned to me. I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her close, and kissed her cheek. She giggled, her laughter soft and melodic, filling the air with warmth.

"Smells amazing," I said, inhaling the aroma. "What's on the menu?"

She smiled as she stirred a pot. "Veggie soup for starters. And for the main course, I made some chicken with a mix of spices, eggs, honey, turmeric, and gluten-free pasta!"

"It smells incredible." I kissed her again, then moved to set the table with plates, napkins, and utensils.

Once everything was ready, I served the soup into two steaming bowls and brought them to the table. Flora plated the main course, and soon we were seated across from each other, enjoying the meal.

The soup was exceptional—a warm, comforting start. I slurped the last of it and moved on to the main dish, savoring the tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. As always, the macros were excellent: sixty grams of protein, a hundred grams of carbs, and only twenty-six grams of fat.

"So, what happened while you were there?" Flora asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

"I met Kai," I began, my tone steady. "He challenged me to a death battle in a fortnight. I think I'm finally ready."

Her eyes met mine, and she smiled softly. "If you say you're ready, then I believe you. I can sense how much stronger you've become. What else happened?"

"I fought Park. She betrayed us, so I had to wipe her from existence. I absorbed the power Kai gave her—that's how I've grown stronger."

Her expression turned somber. "I had my suspicions about her... I just didn't want to believe them. Power really is the only thing that matters in this world." Then, with a playful glint in her eye, she added, "Oh, by the way, you'll never guess what I saw while you were gone!"

Flora's mood shifted immediately after the tennis match. With her cheeks puffed out like balloons, she sat on the couch, arms crossed and sulking in a way that was both adorable and comical. I couldn't help but chuckle under my breath.

"Oh, come on, lighten up," I teased, ruffling her hair as she glared at me. Her pout deepened, and I noticed her eyes glinting with that stubborn determination she always had when she didn't get her way.

I left her there and walked to the sports closet to return the rackets. When I came back, Atlas had appeared in the living room, his face a mix of confusion and curiosity as he stared at Flora's exaggerated sulk.

"What happened here?" he asked, raising a brow and motioning toward Flora. "Why does she look like someone stole her favorite toy?"

I grinned, leaning casually against the couch. "We were playing tennis, and, well, I won. She's not exactly thrilled about it."

Atlas sighed and shook his head. "Teenagers. Always so dramatic." He turned back to Flora, his eyes narrowing slightly in mock disapproval. "And you, young lady, are a sore loser. A very sore loser."

Flora finally deflated, releasing the air from her cheeks with a dramatic huff. She glanced at Atlas, then at me, before muttering, "I'm not a sore loser... I just wasn't ready for his stupid tricks."

Atlas smirked. "Excuses, excuses." But then his tone turned serious, and the atmosphere in the room shifted. "Alright, jokes aside, we need to focus. Kai isn't someone you can afford to take lightly. Even with some of his power coursing through you, Nova, you're still far from his level. Not by a long shot."

His words settled over us like a heavy fog. Flora sat up straighter, her pout replaced by a look of concern. The lighthearted energy from earlier evaporated.

Atlas continued, his voice lower and more somber. "My memories... what I can recall of them... tell me that Kai was once the strongest being in the universe. He destroyed everything in his path without mercy, without hesitation. But something happened—something significant—and now he's not as powerful as he once was. Even so, that doesn't mean he's weak. Whatever weakened him, it wasn't enough to make him vulnerable. He's still far above you, Nova."

I clenched my jaw, biting down lightly on my thumbnail as I processed his words. Finally, I said, "If what you're saying is true, that means I might have at least a small chance. One percent, maybe. It's not much, but it's something." I forced a small smirk, though my voice softened with uncertainty. "At least."

Atlas regarded me for a moment, his piercing gaze studying me like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve. "One percent might as well be zero if you're not ready," he said bluntly. "But don't worry. I'll make sure you're in the best shape of your life. After all, you've been wearing your weighted bags this whole time, haven't you?"

I raised my arms and legs, showing him the nearly invisible weights strapped to my body. They blended seamlessly into my clothes but still carried the incredible burden of jottagrammes. "Yeah, they're still on," I said casually.

Atlas nodded in approval. "Good. Then we're on the right track."

Flora, however, looked stunned. Her mouth hung open slightly, and her eyes darted between me and Atlas. "You were wearing those... the entire time we played tennis?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

I shrugged, trying not to make a big deal of it. "Yeah. It's just part of the training."

Her astonishment quickly turned to realization. She wasn't upset—more confused, maybe even a little impressed. She knew I had been holding back, but this revelation widened the gap in strength between us even further.

Atlas clapped his hands together, snapping us out of our thoughts. "Alright, enough talking. Let's get back to work. Training time."

The air grew heavy with anticipation. Flora gave me a small smile of encouragement, and I felt the familiar fire of determination reignite in my chest.