Infinity – Chapter: Beneath the Blades and Blossoms
Day One of Secret Training – Summit Garden
Morning light poured through the ancient trees like golden ribbons. Anay arrived early, only to find Kael already stretching in the courtyard, a lazy grin on his face.
> Kael (smirking): "You're early. Good. Means you won't die today."
> Anay (raising an eyebrow): "That's reassuring."
> Kael: "You'll learn to appreciate honesty."
Just as they began warm-ups, Liora stepped into the sunlight, her silver hair braided back tightly, her uniform clean and precise. Her aura, however, held sharp edges—like quiet snow hiding a sword beneath.
> Liora: "Kael, don't push him too hard. If he breaks, I'm not healing him."
> Kael (grinning): "But if he survives, he'll thank me."
Anay laughed nervously.
> Anay: "Am I allowed to cry?"
> Liora (deadpan): "Only if you bleed first."
And so began the first day—a flurry of evasive drills, elemental resistance tests, spiritual grounding, and blade dancing exercises Kael called "death twirls."
By midday, Anay was gasping on the floor, his entire body trembling.
> Kael (tossing a water bottle): "Not bad. You didn't throw up."
> Anay (panting): "I did. Twice. Behind the tree."
Liora crouched beside him, offering a spirit patch and a soft smile.
> Liora: "Everyone throws up on Day One. I did. Kael screamed."
> Kael (defensive): "It was poison oak! I thought I was dying!"
They all burst out laughing.
Something shifted between them. It wasn't just instructor and student anymore.
It was team. It was the start of trust.
---
Day Two – The Lake of Stillness
They took him to the inner sanctum of the Summit: a crystalline lake that glowed with spirit light.
> Kael: "This is where you'll learn to meditate under elemental pressure. You won't be attacked physically. But your spirit might fracture."
> Liora: "Focus on your core.
As Anay knelt by the water and slipped into trance, he felt echoes of voices — monsters, doubt, past pain.
But then, he heard a new voice. Clear. Strong. Familiar.
> Kael's voice (within the haze): "You're more than what you show. Own it."
He gritted his teeth and pushed forward.
When he emerged, three hours later, trembling and soaked, Kael was waiting with a cloak. Liora silently handed him a warm drink.
> Kael (softly): "You made it."
> Liora (smiling): "Most don't."
> Anay: "I wanted to prove I deserve this."
Kael placed a hand on his shoulder.
> Kael: "You already do."
---
Day Three – Campfire and Scars
That night, they stayed at the Summit to prepare for the final day.
As the stars came out, Kael poked at the fire with a stick.
> Kael: "You know… I had a friend once. Like you. Raw power, but full of doubt. He didn't make it."
> Anay (quietly): "I'm sorry."
Kael nodded, then gave him a crooked smile.
> Kael: "That's why I'll make sure you do."
Across the fire, Liora leaned her head back, watching the stars.
> Liora: "My parents… they were both Guardians. Died during the Second Rift War. I've never trusted anyone since."
She looked at Anay, eyes softening.
> Liora: "But you're changing that."
Anay felt something tighten in his chest.
> Anay: "You two… you feel like family."
Kael looked up, caught off guard for a second. Then he grinned.
> Kael: "Took you long enough to say it."
---
Day Four – The Oath of Three
Their final training day ended in silence, as Kael and Liora stood across from Anay.
> Kael: "You're ready."
> Liora: "And we trust you."
They each cut a finger and touched the summit stone—pressing their blood onto its surface.
> Kael: "From today on… we stand with you."
> Liora: "In the dark, in the light, in the war ahead."
Anay stepped forward and did the same.
> Anay: "And I'll never let either of you fall."
A gentle breeze stirred the blossoms.
Three hands on stone. Three spirits bound not by duty—but by something deeper.
Family, born not of blood—but of battle.