Reverence (A gothic Romantasy)

Chapter fourteen

Josie and Corbyn sat in their critical thinking class, the professor droning on about the importance of strategy in both battle and life. The classroom was filled with the soft rustling of pages and the scratching of pens as students took notes, but Josie's mind had begun to drift. Her thoughts wandered back to the key, or rather, the lack of it. The absence of the key to the chest they had discovered in the ruins gnawed at her, a constant, irritating distraction that she couldn't shake.
Just as she was sinking deeper into her musings, Corbyn leaned over and whispered, "So, what are you wearing to the ball?" The question jolted Josie back to the present. She had almost forgotten about the annual ball, a grand event where all the academies came together to celebrate the end of spring. The ball was in two weeks, and Josie realized with a start that she didn't even have a dress yet. "I don't know, I might not even go," Josie replied with a shrug. "Dancing isn't really my forté."
Corbyn's mouth fell open, and she responded quietly, "Dancing is everyone's forté, you have to come, Josie." Her tone was encouraging, almost pleading. Josie gave her a small smile. "I'll think about it."

Corbyn slid a glance over to the professor to ensure he wasn't looking their way. Satisfied, she leaned in closer with a mischievous grin. "Creed will be there."
Josie felt her cheeks flush slightly and quickly knocked Corbyn's arm. "So? I don't care for him, Corbyn. He trains me. And that's all. He's obnoxious, rude, he has a god complex, and he is a brute." Josie's voice was sharp as she turned her attention back to her notes.
Corbyn raised her brows and smiled knowingly before holding her hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, I believe you," she said, her tone light and teasing.
Josie tried to refocus on the lecture, but Corbyn's words had stirred something within her. She couldn't help but think of Creed and the way he pushed her, challenged her, and sometimes even protected her. Despite her protests, she knew there was a complexity to their relationship that went beyond mere training. The professor continued to talk about the intricacies of strategic thinking, but Josie's thoughts were now a whirlwind of the key, the ball, and Creed. She scribbled a few notes absentmindedly, but her mind kept circling back to the same topics.
She wondered if she should indeed attend the ball. It might be a good distraction from the frustrations she was feeling about the chest and its secrets. And if Creed was there, well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to see him in a different setting, away from the rigorous training regimen.

As the class continued, Josie made a silent promise to herself. She would find a dress and attend the ball. She would let herself enjoy the evening, even if it was just for a few hours. She deserved that much, after all the stress and challenges she had faced.
The professor wrapped up the lecture, and the students began to gather their things. She turned to Corbyn with a genuine smile. "Alright, I'll go to the ball." Corbyn's face lit up with excitement. "Great! We'll have so much fun. And who knows, maybe you'll even enjoy dancing."
Josie laughed softly. "Maybe. But no promises." As they left the classroom together, Josie felt a lightness in her step. The worries about the key and the chest would still be there, but for now, she allowed herself to look forward to the ball, to a night of joy and possibly new discoveries.

Josie met Creed for combat training on the Kraven training grounds just after dusk. The evening air was warm and comfortable, a perfect setting for their session. Dressed in shorts and a tight-fitting, long-sleeved tunic, with her dark hair braided neatly, she felt ready to tackle whatever challenges Creed had in store. Creed, towering over her with his broad frame, stood still as he beckoned her closer.
"I want to be rougher with you," Creed said, his voice firm and unwavering. Josie couldn't help but notice how the setting sun shone through his sandy hair, casting a golden halo around him and sharpening his already striking features. She looked up at him, slightly taken aback by his words. "What?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Without another word, Creed pulled off his shirt, revealing his tanned and muscular torso. Josie had to will herself not to let her eyes linger. "You are strongest when you are pushed into a corner," he explained. "You fight well when it's out of emotion, but you need to learn how to channel it." As he walked closer, he suddenly shoved her, causing her to stumble. "So," he drawled out, "let's get you mad."

Josie furrowed her brows, a mix of confusion and amusement on her face. She laughed nervously, "Creed, stop. This is ridiculous." But Creed wasn't listening. He shoved her again, harder this time, and she stumbled to the ground.
Creed's face remained serious, his eyes focused intently on her. "Get up," he commanded. Josie's face flushed with anger, but she bit her tongue, clenching her jaw as she pulled herself up from the ground. Just as she was almost standing, Creed shoved her again, sending her crashing back to the floor. "Get up," he repeated, his voice stern. This time, Josie's expression hardened. Anger boiled within her, but she still didn't lash out. She rose again, her muscles tense and ready. Creed's relentless pushing was beginning to take its toll, but she refused to give in to her frustration.
Creed shoved her once more, and she hit the ground again. The fall stung, but it also ignited a fire within her. As she got up this time, her eyes locked onto Creed's with a fierce determination. She could feel her emotions bubbling to the surface, and she knew this was exactly what Creed wanted. She had to learn to harness this fire, to let it fuel her strength and not control her actions.

Josie stalked towards Creed with ire in her eyes, her body radiating tension and determination. "That's it, just like that," Creed encouraged, a small smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. He took up his fighting stance, one she knew all too well from their countless training sessions. His posture was solid and confident, ready to counter any move she made. Without hesitation, Josie made the first move, striking for Creed's left shoulder. Her fist connected solidly, and she followed up with a swift swing toward the side of his face. Creed, ever the adept fighter, grabbed her arm mid-strike and used her momentum against her, pushing her while simultaneously sliding his leg out to trip her. Josie hit the ground. Again. "Get up," Creed commanded, his voice devoid of sympathy. Josie flung herself to her feet, a fierce determination burning in her eyes. She lunged at Creed, her movements fueled by raw emotion. She jumped at him, unleashing a rapid series of punches aimed at his head, followed by powerful kicks to his legs and abdomen. Creed stumbled backward under the relentless assault, but quickly regained his composure, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her to the ground with a brutal efficiency. He held her there, his hand firm around her throat, their breaths mingling in the close proximity. Creed's eyes flicked to her lips before meeting her gaze. "Better. But I'm stronger than you," he said in a raspy voice, panting slightly from the exertion. His statement was meant to provoke, to challenge her to dig deeper.

Fueled by anger and determination, Josie roared and pushed Creed off of her with all her might. As she did, she began to glow, a bright, white light emanating from her hands, her power surging to the surface. Both of them scrambled to their feet, their breaths heavy and ragged. Josie's heart pounded in her chest, and her blood rushed with the thrill of the fight. She smirked, "Guess I'll have to play dirty then." Creed's eyes narrowed, but a hint of amusement danced in their depths. "Even the odds and what not," he said, his tone a mixture of challenge and approval. He adjusted his stance, preparing for whatever she had in store.
Josie's hands crackled with energy, the light intensifying as she focused on channeling her power. She moved with renewed vigor, her strikes now infused with the glowing energy that radiated from her palms. Creed met her attacks head-on, their combat now a dazzling display of skill and power. Each clash of their fists and feet echoed through the training grounds, a testament to their relentless drive and fierce spirits.
For Josie, this was more than just training—it was a battle to prove her strength, to herself and to Creed. And as they fought, she realized that channeling her emotions into her combat could be her greatest weapon. She wouldn't let Creed's strength intimidate her. She would rise to the challenge and become stronger with each battle, no matter how rough the training became.