Shrouded Hearts

Chapter 25

Leo's voice rang out, clear and authoritative, as he corrected a fae's stance. "No, you need to keep your feet shoulder-width apart. It gives you a better balance."

A young fae, his hands twitching with anxiety, adjusted his position. Leo stepped closer, placing a firm hand on the fae's shoulder. "Like this," he said, demonstrating the proper stance. The fae nodded, eyes wide with concentration.

Aria couldn't help but smile at the sight. Leo, usually so brash and sarcastic, had a softer side that emerged when he was teaching. She watched as he moved among the fae, offering encouragement and guidance. Despite his rough exterior, he was a natural leader, and the fae seemed to respond well to him.

One of the other soldiers, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, was showing a group of fae how to parry and counterattack. His movements were fluid and precise, and the fae watched him with awe. He repeated the motion slowly, allowing them to follow along.

Leo glanced over at Aria and caught her watching. A smirk played on his lips, and he called out, "Enjoying the show, Aria?"

She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Just making sure you don't break them, Leo."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "They're tougher than they look. Besides, I'm a great teacher." He turned back to the fae, clapping his hands. "Alright, let's see you try it again."

As the fae resumed their practice, Aria's attention was drawn to a young fae girl struggling with a heavy sword. She frowned, her shoulders drooping with frustration. Aria moved towards her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, it's okay," Aria said softly. "It takes time. You're doing great."

The girl looked up, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I just can't get it right. The sword is too heavy."

Aria smiled reassuringly. "You'll get there. It's all about finding your balance. Here, let me show you." She guided the girl's hands, helping her adjust her grip. "See? It's all about control."

The girl nodded, her expression determined. "Thank you."

Leo watched the interaction from a distance, his expression softening. He turned back to the group he was training. "Alright, let's take a break. You're all doing well, but remember, it's not just about strength. It's about technique and staying calm under pressure."

The fae nodded, grateful for the respite. They moved to the sidelines, where water and fruit had been laid out. Leo walked over to Aria, wiping sweat from his brow.

"You're pretty good at this, you know," he said, nodding towards the girl Aria had helped.

Aria shrugged, a modest smile on her lips. "Just trying to do my part."

Leo's smirk returned. "Well, it's appreciated. They look up to you, you know. We all do."

Aria's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away, embarrassed. "Thanks, Leo."

He nudged her playfully. "Alright, don't go getting all mushy on me now. We've got a lot more work to do."

"When will you continue my training?" Aria inquired, grateful to have Leo speaking to her once more. It had taken a whole week for him to get over his sulking and start directly communicating with her again, instead of relying on Seraphina to relay messages. "No weapons this time, just you and me. Meet me in five." Leo's nod was curt, but Aria could sense the underlying tension between them.

Despite being a natural with weapons, Aria couldn't shake the feeling that her hands always failed her in crucial moments. They seemed to have a mind of their own, betraying her when she needed them most. She took a deep breath, determined not to let it happen again during their upcoming training session.