LINEAGE

Chapter 6

Elianna ran at a steady pace, trying to keep herself from getting too tired. She focused on her breathing, using what her father called combat breathing to keep her breathing rate low during high-physical-stress encounters. The grassy area at the garrison was flat, making running much easier and putting less strain on her adolescent body.

Elianna pushed her hair out of her sweaty face as she neared the headquarters building. She knew she was coming to the end and needed to stay focused. She didn't know how much time had passed since she started, but she hoped she was right on track to meet her goal. Running along the side of the headquarters building, she noticed she was nearing the front and decided to put all her energy into this last stretch.

Elianna sprinted, moving as fast as her little legs would allow, and turned the corner. Her eyes fell on her father, who was casually standing outside the building. Instead of the usual formal attire he usually wore at the garrison, he was currently adorned in the combat uniform, which he wore while he trained his daughter.

Lucian's brows furrowed as he stared at the pocket watch in his hand. He looked up at the sound of running, seeing his daughter running toward him. His lips curved slightly in a proud smirk before he turned to face her fully as she approached and he looked back at the pocket watch.

Elianna was so close now, and her breathing rate increased as she pushed her body harder. She closed in on her father and immediately slowed down after she ran past him. She came to a stop and whirled around to face her father, breathing hard.

"Did I," Elianna gulped hard, trying to regain her breath. "Did I make it?"

Lucian chuckled as he stored his pocket watch in his spatial ring. He turned to face Elianna, giving her a proud smile, "Not only did you make it, but you ran that in ten minutes."

Elianne beamed, smiling wide, "I was thirty seconds faster this time?"

Lucian nodded, "You were. Nice job, munchkin."

Elianna let out a victory yell, throwing her arms into the air before she let herself fall back onto the grassy floor. She heard her father laugh a little as she lay there, trying to regain her breath, as she stared at the beautiful clear blue sky.

"Laying down while training?"

Elianna looked toward the voice and smiled wide, seeing Hector walking down the front steps of the headquarters building. He was dressed in formal military attire and held a stack of papers in his hand.

Elianna quickly sat up, looking at Hector with excitement, "Uncle Hector, guess what?!"

Hector chuckled, "What is it, little one?"

"I beat my run time! I completed the run in ten minutes!"

Hector's brows raised with genuine surprise, and they looked at Lucian, "Did she run the full mile?"

Lucian nodded proudly, "She did indeed."

Hector looked back at Elianna with a smirk, "Not bad. Not bad at all. Especially for a seven-year-old."

Lucian crossed his arms, smiling at his daughter, "She's been training hard these past two years."

Elianna held her chin high, "Yes, I have."

Lucian and Hector laughed lightheartedly before Lucian looked at Hector curiously. "Where are you off to?"

Hector raised the papers he was holding, "I'm going to the third battalion. Today, they're conducting an inspection of their troops and assembly area. I thought I'd go over and join them."

Lucian nodded, "Gotcha. Let me know how it goes and what corrections need to be made."

"Will do," Hector said. He looked at Elianna again and smiled. "Good work, little Elle." He approached her and gave her a high five. "Keep it up."