"It is a grave offense against Malek to keep the belongings of a dead loved one. They belong in the beyond with the god of death and the departed. In the absence of a proper temple, any fire will do. He who does not burn for Malek will be burned by Malek."
—Major Rorilee's Guide to Appeasing the Gods, Second Edition
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The following weeks of intensive training on the Gauntlet proved significantly better for me. With each successive run, I could feel my legs growing stronger and more powerful, capable of propelling me higher and farther with every leap and bound.
Poor Violet, however, struggled mightily. No matter how diligently she attacked the course, her relatively slight frame and slender limbs seemed to betray her when confronted with the most demanding obstacles requiring explosive bursts of strength.
I shook my head sadly as I witnessed her failed attempts, knowing in my heart that I should offer to train her and help her develop the skill and muscle she desperately lacked. Yet, for some baffling reason, I hadn't broached the subject. Perhaps some of me feared she would reject the offer out of pride or embarrassment.
My contemplation was interrupted as I launched myself over the final towering barricade, tucking into a tight barrel roll to absorb the impact as I slammed onto the rain-soaked summit. My bare shoulders and knees skidded harshly against the damp earth, scraping away layers of skin, but otherwise, I emerged unscathed.
As I rose gingerly, fresh rivulets of blood mingling with the persistent drizzle, I caught Xaden's assessing gaze from nearby. His emerald eyes shone with evident respect for the sheer power and grit I had exhibited. Even Dain, the hardened squad leader known for his unshakable strictness, afforded me the faintest nods - his silent acknowledgment that my performance had been more than satisfactory.
It was then that the realization struck me. Supposeppose I hadn't taken Violet under my wing and imparted the lessons I'd so painfully learned in mastering this Gau. In that case,tlet. In that case, she may never have progressed far enough to survive the even deadlier challenges that still loomed ahead. Protectiveness swelled in my chest as I resolved to approach her after our next water break. Her struggles would become my struggles. I would ensure she surmounted this obstacle, even if I had to carry her weight alongside my own.
Soon enough, I found the opportune moment to approach Violet. As she so often did, she was speaking animatedly with Rhiannon and Sawyer, seeking their counsel and camaraderie. Steeling my resolve, I walked over to them.
"Violet, can I talk to you?" I asked. She nodded and bid farewell to our friends before following me off to the side, away from the bustle of the training grounds during our water break.
"Vi, I want to help train you," I stated plainly once we were out of earshot. "Rhiannon tries to help, but she can't properly train you to master obstacles like this Gauntlet."
