Cursed By Fate

chapter 28

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Chapter 28

The training grounds were alive with the sounds of clashing swords and the shouts of guards honing their skills. Aria and Ryker arrived just as a group of royal guards finished a sparring session, the atmosphere thick with the scent of sweat and determination.

“Today, we’re going to work on agility and precision,” Ryker announced, drawing the attention of the other trainees. “Aria, I expect you to show them what you’ve got.”

Aria nodded, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She had trained hard, and today was her chance to prove herself. “Let’s do this,” she replied, her voice steady.

Ryker led her to a series of training dummies lined up in a row. “We’ll start with footwork. The better your footwork, the more agile you’ll be in combat. Keep your eyes sharp and don’t get distracted.”

As she moved through the drills, Aria focused on her form, her body flowing through each maneuver. She felt Ryker’s gaze on her, assessing her every move, and it pushed her to do better.

“Good,” he said, a hint of approval in his voice as she finished a particularly difficult combination. “But you can do better. You have to be faster, more precise.”

Aria huffed, determination fueling her efforts. “I can handle it,” she shot back, channeling her frustration into her training. She was determined to prove to Ryker that she was more than just a shadow.

With each strike, she could feel the intensity of their earlier conversation lingering in her mind. What did he really mean when he suggested she could be more? Was there a part of him that saw her as an equal? The thought pushed her to work harder.

“Focus, Little Shadow!” Ryker called, his voice breaking through her thoughts. She gritted her teeth, pushing the distractions aside.

As they moved through the training exercises, Aria found herself increasingly aware of Ryker’s presence beside her. His movements were fluid and effortless, showcasing his skill as a fighter. She admired his strength and confidence, but it only fueled her determination to keep up.

After a grueling hour of training, Ryker finally called for a break. “Let’s hydrate before we continue. You’re doing well, Aria. You’ve come a long way.”

“Thanks,” she replied, a smile breaking through her fatigue. “I’m just trying to keep up with you.”

“Keeping up? I’d say you’re starting to outshine some of the guards,” he said, his tone teasing yet genuine. “Just remember, you’re still my ‘Little Shadow.’ I expect you to watch my back.”

“Always,” she affirmed, taking a swig from her water flask. “But I’ll be more than just your shadow. I want to be your strength.”

Ryker’s expression turned serious for a moment. “Good. Strength is what you’ll need. You never know when you’ll face a true threat. We need to be ready.”

Just as Aria was about to respond, a commotion caught her attention. A group of guards was gathered around a large training dummy, laughing and taunting each other.

“What’s going on?” Ryker asked, raising an eyebrow.

One of the guards stepped forward, grinning. “We were just discussing who can take down the fiercest opponent in the arena. Some say it’s Prince Ryker, while others think you, Aria, are the new rising star.”

Aria felt a flutter of pride at the mention of her name. “Rising star? That sounds promising,” she said, feeling buoyed by the compliment.

Ryker smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. “Let’s settle this. Aria, how about you challenge me? Show everyone what you’ve got.”