Realms of Destiny: Shadows of Caligo

Chaos Tightening.

Days have passed, and although Ren obeys all that Ia has asked of her, she still disapproves of how she has been detached from all she knew. However, today was the day Ren began training with Ares. She had been waiting for this, and she knew that no one would be expecting what she could bring to the table. She had been working on her footwork in private and away from view; it was something her dad always told her to be cautious of.

Just then, she got a knock on the door, and Ares entered.

"Child, it is time for us to duel."

"Very well." Ren trailed off as she stood and followed the male into the halls.

"I will begin with a few basics: how to stand, where to place your feet, and how to weald different weapons. Once we have achieved those three things, we will see what needs to work." Ares spoke clearly, putting Rens's skills at the beginner level. Ren hid a smirk and agreed with a nod.

Ren followed Ares through the majestic halls of the palace, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the marble floors. The anticipation in the air was palpable as they made their way to the training grounds. Ren's heart raced with excitement and nervousness, but she kept her expression calm and focused.

The training grounds were vast, an open space surrounded by towering columns and adorned with ancient statues of legendary warriors. The sky above was a deep blue, and the light breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens. Ares led her to the centre of the arena, where various weapons were laid out on a long table.

"We will start with the basics," Ares said, picking up a simple wooden sword and handing it to Ren. "Show me your stance."

Ren took the sword, her grip firm and confident. She positioned her feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and raised the sword before her, mimicking the stances she had seen in her father's old training manuals. Ares circled her, assessing her posture and balance.

"Not bad," he commented, adjusting her grip slightly. "But remember, balance is key. Without it, you will falter."

Ren nodded, absorbing his advice since he was a god, after all. Ares then demonstrated a series of basic moves: thrusts, parries, and blocks. Ren followed his instructions diligently, executing each move with precision. After a few rounds, Ares could see she was more adept than he initially thought.

"Impressive," he said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "But let's see how you handle a real weapon."

He handed her a gleaming silver sword, its weight balanced perfectly. Ren took a moment to adjust to the new weapon, feeling its power. Ares picked up his sword, a massive blade that seemed to shimmer with a faint glow. Ren glanced at him from the ridge of the blad. Ares smirked his weapon and then took a defensive position.

"Now, we duel," Ares declared, taking a secure stance.

Ren braced herself, her heart pounding. Ares moved first, a swift and decisive strike aimed at her side. Ren parried, the clash of metal ringing through the air. She countered with a quick thrust, which Ares easily deflected. They moved back and forth, their swords a blur of motion.

Ren's training and secret practice paid off. She was quick on her feet, her movements fluid and precise. She dodged Ares' attacks with agility, and her footwork was impeccable. She managed to land a few strikes, each time catching Ares off guard.

Ares, realising he had underestimated her, increased his pace and power. Their duel became more intense, the sound of their swords clashing echoing around them. Ren's determination fueled her, and she pushed herself to keep up with the god of war.

"You're holding back," Ares said, breathing heavily. "Show me your true strength!"

Ren's eyes then change to a glistening white, Something that catches Ares's sight. It was a sight he had never encountered in all his life as an angel. Ren felt a surge of energy, her connection to the mist and her inner power coming to the forefront. She channelled this energy into her sword, feeling it resonate with her soul. With a fierce cry, she launched a powerful attack, her movements swift and decisive.

Ares was momentarily taken aback by the force of her strike. He barely managed to block it, the impact reverberating through his arm. He smiled, genuinely impressed yet cautious of the new side he had seen from her.

"Well done, Ren," he said, lowering his sword. "You have exceeded my expectations. You possess a natural talent and strength that few can match."

With a breath and a step back, her eyes returned to an icy blue colour. Ren lowered her sword, breathing heavily but feeling a sense of pride. "Thank you, Ares," she said. "I have had training from the best I know. I guess it was preparing for this moment."

Ares nodded, his expression serious. "Your training will continue, and it will be rigorous. But I believe you have the potential to become a great warrior, one who can harness the mist and protect the realms and be the good all realms need."

Ren felt a renewed sense of purpose. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but she was ready to face it head-on. She was determined to master her abilities, to become the warrior she was destined to be, and to find a way back to her world.

Ren's encounter with Ares left her invigorated and focused. She spent her days immersed in rigorous training, honing her combat skills and mastering the abilities linked to the mysterious mist. Ares, though challenging and demanding, proved to be an insightful mentor. He pushed her to her limits, unlocking potential within her that she never knew existed.

Meanwhile, on Earth

Luke couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had changed. He kept hearing Ren's name in his mind, and his determination to find her grew stronger each day. He spent hours researching ancient texts and local legends, hoping to find a way to reach her.

One evening, as he sat in his room surrounded by books and maps, he felt a strange sensation wash over him. It was as if a part of Ren's energy was reaching out to him, a faint but unmistakable connection.

"Ren," he whispered, closing his eyes and focusing on the sensation. "I'm going to find you. I won't give up."

The connection gave him a sense of direction, and he knew that the ancient grove held the key to reaching Ren. He gathered his belongings and set out for the forest again, determined to bridge the gap between their worlds and bring Ren back.