He gave a final nod. "Back to it."


    I turned to Torglel, rolling my shoulders to loosen the stiffness from sitting too long. "You ready to spar?"


    Torglel cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp and eager, his grin stretching wide beneath his braided beard. "You bet. Let''s show ''em what a real sparring match looks like." He gripped his hammer tight, its onyx head glinting in the afternoon sun, practically bouncing on his toes for me to get moving. The moment I drew my swords—Celerius and Mors vibrated in my grip, one a low hum, the other a crackling buzz.—he charged, boots pounding the dirt like a war drum.


    I ran to meet him, the thrill of the fight igniting my blood.


    He swung hard, the hammer cutting a brutal arc through the air, a low whoosh trailing it. I ducked, dropping to my knees and sliding under the blow, grit scraping my shins. Momentum carried me forward; I popped back up, spinning fast with both blades slashing wide arcs—black and white steel flashing like twin crescent moons. Torglel leapt back, nimble despite his bulk, avoiding the worst of the strikes, though I swear I saw a singed hair or two drift from his beard.


    Then he swung again, this time with intent. The hammer swept in a wide arc, and a wave of fire roared toward me—crimson and gold, heat warping the air. I crossed my swords into an X, lightning crackling along the edges, sharp and electric. The two forces collided midair—flame met thunder in a deafening blast, sparks and embers exploding outward, shaking the clearing. The ground trembled underfoot, and the scent of ozone and charred earth filled my lungs.


    Before the smoke cleared, I was already moving, boots digging into the dirt.


    Lightning surged through me, a jolt that set my nerves alight. The air popped and hissed as I boosted my speed, closing the gap in a blink—faster than I''d ever moved before training pushed me this far. Torglel''s eyes widened, but he reacted quick. He dropped his hammer with a thud and thrust his hands out. Flames swirled around him, thick and molten, like liquid metal poured from a crucible. A sphere of fire erupted in an instant, wrapping him in a blazing forge—a barrier of heat and light radiating like an open furnace, the grass at its edge curling black.


    I swung both blades at the barrier, steel biting into the inferno. Sparks flew, showering the ground, but the flames held—my swords scraped off harmlessly, heat licking at my knuckles. I cursed under my breath, the sting of it sharp, then darted back a few paces, boots skidding.


    And charged in again.


    This time, I leapt, spinning midair with both swords outstretched in front of me like a drill. The heat seared my skin as I tore through the fiery forge, flames parting around me with a roar. My armor smoked, the leather creaking under the strain, but I broke through—landing in a crouch as Torglel dropped the shield and sidestepped, letting my momentum hurl me face-first into the dirt.


    I hit hard, tasting soil, but sprang up without pause, hurling a rapid barrage of lightning strikes his way. Each bolt cracked through the air—jagged streaks of white-blue energy sizzling as they closed in.


    Torglel leapt skyward, wings of fire exploding from his back—brilliant and fierce, coiling like molten steel hammered fresh from an anvil. He climbed higher, the flames wrapping his body tighter, reshaping him.


    Then, with a roar that shook the trees, he transformed—his entire form consumed by the fires of his forge, emerging as a massive phoenix, feathers of flame trailing embers.


    Forged anew, he dove straight at me, a blazing comet in full flight.


    "Oh, come the fu—"


    I didn''t finish. That was the first and last time he''d pull that move on me—I''d make damn sure of it.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The phoenix slammed into me, the impact like the sun crashing from the sky. Heat and force swallowed me whole—an explosion lighting up the forest, shaking the ground, sending a shockwave that bent saplings and scattered leaves. The blast echoed in my skull, a ringing that drowned out everything else.


    When the dust settled, we were both flat on our backs, smoke rising from the scorched earth around us. My chest heaved, every muscle screaming, but the silence held for a moment—just the crackle of dying embers and our ragged breaths.


    Then we both burst out laughing, the sound raw and unguarded.


    "Did you really have to use your trump card?" I asked, grinning through the ache in my ribs, the taste of ash still on my tongue.


    Torglel snorted, rolled onto his side. And gave me a look. "You''d have done the same, ya sneaky bastard."


    I shook my head, still smiling. "If I didn''t know you, I''d think you were trying to kill me."


    "I know you''re harder to kill than that, brother," Torglel shot back, his laughter booming louder, echoing off the trees.


    We helped each other up, still chuckling like a pair of fools, hands clasped tight as we hauled ourselves from the dirt. My legs wobbled, but the rush kept me steady.


    "Are you two out of your minds?" Alythiel''s voice cut through the clearing like a whip as she stormed over, silver hair glinting in the fading light. "What if that move had killed him?"


    "Alythiel, it''s fine," I said, brushing ash off my shoulder, the grit rough under my fingers. "Torglel and I have built up immunities to each other''s magic. We''ve been hit by it so many times, it barely registers anymore."


    She stared at us, disbelief etched across her face, her moonstone eyes wide. "I know we can build resistance, but immunities? That''s... that''s insane."


    "Torglel and Solari are experts at defying logic and throwing reason out the window," Laboritus called from the sidelines, his deep voice dry as he leaned against a tree, bow slung over his shoulder. "Trust me. You get used to it."I don''t think she ever did—not really.


    Alythiel just stood there, speechless, her mouth half-open. Then she crossed her arms, fixing me with a stare that could''ve pierced armor. "I''m not sure if that makes me feel better... or worse."


    Torglel glanced at Laboritus, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Ready to learn how to take down Solari?" he asked, shooting me a wink that promised trouble.


    I shook my head and chuckled. Laboritus couldn''t have a better teacher for that. Torglel and I knew each other''s fighting styles as naturally as breathing—every feint, every swing, every trick mapped out over years of bruises and banter.


    Before I could say anything, Alythiel reached out and grabbed my arm, her grip firm but warm. "I need more ingredients for my potion-making," she said, flashing a sweet smile that softened the worry in her eyes. "Want to accompany me?"


    "Of course," I replied, rolling my shoulders again. "I could use a break from training."


    We walked together through the city streets, the clamor of the market rising around us—vendors haggling, forges clanging in the distance, the air thick with smoke and spice. After a moment of quiet, her footsteps soft beside mine, she spoke.


    "Why do you act with such reckless abandon when we train?" Her tone wasn''t accusing—just curious, threaded with a worry she couldn''t hide.


    "It''s the best way to get stronger," I answered simply, my voice steady despite the ache still lingering in my bones.


    She frowned, her eyes searching mine, piercing deeper than I liked. "I''m worried you''re pushing yourself too hard. I don''t want anything to happen to you."


    "That''s why I train," I said, meeting her gaze. "So I''m strong enough to survive this... strong enough to take down Zolphan."


    She studied me for a long moment, then asked softly, "So you intend to stop him? Why? Is it revenge... or to be a hero?"


    "Neither," I said, shaking my head, the words heavy on my tongue. "No one else even knows Drydalis exists. If Zolphan goes unchecked, who knows what he''ll do. I''m not trying to be a hero. I just... someone has to stop him. It''s the right thing to do."


    She fell quiet, her hand lingering on my arm before squeezing my shoulder gently. "Just remember, you have help. You don''t have to do this alone. Don''t let it consume you."


    I gave her a weak smile, forcing it to reach my eyes. "I''d rather die than be consumed."


    I wanted her to believe I was fine—needed her to. But as the words left my mouth, I wasn''t sure if I believed them either. Was I saying it for her sake... or mine?


    We finished gathering her ingredients—herbs with sharp, earthy scents, vials of shimmering liquid—and made our way back to the training field. Torglel and Laboritus were there, locked in a light sparring match. Torglel''s hammer swung in lazy arcs, his laughter ringing out as he tossed advice—"Keep your feet wider, ya lanky twig!"—while Laboritus adjusted his stance, his bow traded for a staff, his movements precise despite Torglel''s teasing.


    When they saw us approaching, they broke apart, dusting off their hands as they came to meet us.


    "Solari, you sly bugger," Torglel said with a wide grin, clapping me on the back hard enough to jostle me. "Slipping away with a lady like that."


    "She wanted me to accompany her, that''s all," I replied, waving him off with a smirk.


    "Uh huh," he said, still grinning slyly, his eyes glinting with something I didn''t catch. "Whatever you say."


    We all shared a laugh, the sound rolling through the clearing, warm and unguarded. In that moment, we felt closer—and stronger—than ever. The air between us crackled with it, a bond forged in fire and steel and stubborn will.