This Life is Mine

25

TWs: More training, detailed(?) panic attack/phantom pain. Stay safe :)

"How was- that?" Clay panted as he met up with Tord at the end of the course.

"Better." Tord nodded, marking his time down.

"Better...? That's it?" Clay frowned.

"It's better than the average, Clay. Besides, I doubt we'll be doing much jumping around." Tord smiled reassuringly, "Come on, let's take a break."

Clay huffed. Day three of training, and he wasn't feeling up to the task as he had a few days ago. Without Kim training by his side, Clay deemed himself inadequate. He sensed he was disappointing Tord regarding training, discussing the plan, and how they'll end Doomsday.

"Let's stop by the Rundthus and see how the others are doing," Tord spoke, taking a left. Clay merely nodded, following after him. The Rundthus was a training arena, except underground; it was as big as a baseball field but smaller than the base of an average industrial building. It took Tord a year to dig it out properly using all his tools and equipment. Contrary to its name, the room wasn't round but square, "They should be done by-"

Tord was cut off by the ground lightly shaking, the lights above flickering just a bit.

"Now," The leader finished, frowning as he nearly ripped the door off its hinges as he entered the Rundthus. A half-transformed Pau stood in the middle, staring at the pile of toppled-over boxes with a few limbs sticking out. He took a small gasp of air as he patted down the rising fur on his forearms.

"Uh-" He glanced at Tord in the entrance, reaching up to his head, "I may have gone overboard."

Tord was shoved out of the way as Matt pushed into the room, "I sensed a disturbance; where's-? Tom!" The ginger vanished before popping up next to the boxes, "Are you okay!?"

Tom gave a thumbs-up, groaning as he pushed a box off him, "Never better."

"Keep your eyes closed! I need to get your visor." Matt sat him upright on the floor, ensuring he stayed there as he went to get his futuristic glasses.

Tord looked at Pau, raising an eyebrow. The older shrugged, "What? He provoked me."

"In what way?"

The ruffled brunette hesitated, "...He insulted my outfit."

Clay laughed behind them as the leader's eyes twitched. There were a few beats of silence as they heard Matt continue to talk to Tom.

Tord sharply inhaled, "How about a break? How does that sound?"

"I just baked cookies!" Matt spoke up as he smiled.

"I want white macadamia nut!" Clay shouted, pumping the air as he was halfway out the door, "The last one there has to do extra training tomorrow!"

Tord quirked an eyebrow at the statement as he turned to the others but was met with them leaving in a hurry. He huffed, following them out.

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His bones ached. His mind was restless. He could barely comprehend the ticking of his digital clock as the hour changed.

4 AM. What a good time to be alone with his thoughts.

He could feel a stinging sensation throughout one portion of his body, tiny needles stabbing into him multiple times over and over again. He didn't want to deal with this now. He couldn't.