Shadows Embrace

-Chapter 2-

Four Years Later

"Hey Shadow, what's up?" Rivers asked as he slapped a hand on my back. I swatted his arm away. "Don't touch me, asshole." He laughed, the sound echoing in the bustling training center. "You know you love me," he whispered in my ear, his teasing grin infectious. I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling as I hung my bag on my designated hook. "Jerk," I shot back, giving him a playful jab to the stomach.

"Okay, guys, no need to be all gross in front of me," Novalee groaned as she sauntered in from the training room, her expression one of mock disgust. I chuckled and moved toward her, bumping her shoulder with mine. "Jealous you're not part of the fun?" She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please. I'd rather spar with a shadow beast than listen to you two flirt."

Rivers feigned offense. "Flirting? Us? Never!" I shook my head, trying to suppress my laughter. After four years of rigorous training, we had developed a bond that felt almost familial. Each of us carried our own burdens, yet here, we were able to just relax, train, and be ourselves.

As we settled into the training room, I glanced around at our makeshift family. The familiar scent of sweat and polished wood greeted me, the space filled with mats, dummies, and an arsenal of weapons lining the walls. It was more than just a training facility; it was a sanctuary, a place where we could push our limits and prepare for the uncertain future that awaited us. Cheesy, I know, but true.

"Alright, team," Difa Slade's voice boomed, commanding attention as he stepped to the front. His presence was as imposing as ever, a testament to the years of rigorous training we had endured under his watchful eye. "Today, we're working on agility and reflexes. You'll be sparring in pairs. I want to see quick decision-making and adaptability." Excitement surged through me. Sparring was where I truly thrived. I had spent countless hours honing my skills, transforming from the unsure girl who had first walked through these doors into a confident fighter.

"Rivers, you're with Novalee," Slade continued, scanning the room with his piercing gaze. "Liara, you'll go against me." A ripple of surprise coursed through the group. I met Rivers' gaze; his eyes widened in a mix of admiration and concern. "Good luck," he mouthed, and I felt a rush of determination.

We walked onto the mat, Novalee and Rivers went off to our right and started immediately. At first, I could hear small fits of giggles, but eventually they locked-in and I could hear grunts instead.

"Ready, Liara?" Slade's voice broke through my thoughts, and I squared my shoulders, adopting a fighting stance. "Always," I replied, my heart racing with anticipation. As Slade lunged forward, I barely managed to sidestep his attack, feeling the rush of air as he swept past. My instincts kicked in as I countered, launching a kick toward his side. He blocked it effortlessly, his movements fluid and controlled.

We danced around each other, both anticipating the other's strikes. I ducked and weaved, adrenaline fueling my every move. Sparring with Slade was a challenge, but it also felt like a rite of passage. Each time I faced him, I learned more about myself and my capabilities.

"You're improving," he said, blocking another strike and countering with a swift jab to my shoulder. I winced but quickly regained my footing, using the momentum to spin and land a solid kick against his thigh. "Thanks," I gasped, breathless yet exhilarated. "You, too." His eyebrows quirked at my passive-insult, and I tried not to laugh.

We continued our spar, the energy in the room palpable. I felt the adrenaline coursing through me, my body moving instinctively. Slade was relentless, pushing me to my limits as I aimed to match his intensity. "Remember, Liara, always look for an opening," he advised, his voice steady. "Don't worry; I am nicknamed Shadow for a reason," I retorted, launching a series of quick punches aimed at his midsection.

He blocked each one, but I didn't hesitate. I flowed into a sequence of moves; driven by the countless hours of training we had endured together. Suddenly, Slade feinted to the left, catching me off guard. Before I could react, he seized my wrist, pulling me close. "Close, but not quite," he mumbled, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

Our chests heaved together. His translucent hand clasped with my solid one. The closeness made me shudder. It was frowned upon to have an intimate relationship with your trainer, but he was only one year older than me. "I'll get it next time," I promised, my voice shaky and I took a deep breath before stepping away.

"Next time may come sooner than you think," he replied, releasing my hand. We resumed our spar, trying to ignore the burst of strange feelings that fluttered in my stomach. I could feel Rivers and Novalee's eyes on me, their presence invigorating. It was almost as if they could read my mind, and I could feel my cheeks heat under their questioning gazes.

The session wrapped up, and as we returned to our gear, I couldn't shake the feelings from the spar. I glanced at my friends, their faces alive with excitement. "That was amazing, Li!" Rivers exclaimed; his enthusiasm infectious. "You held your own against Slade. I think he might have actually been impressed!" I giggled nervously, "Yeah, yeah." I mumbled. "What was that?" Novalee asked as she stared me down.

"I said 'only because I wasn't as much of a rookie as I was four years ago," I replied, trying to downplay my strange behavior. But the look on my face betrayed me. "Next time, I want to see you go all out," Novalee added, her eyes sparkling with challenge. "You've got the skills. Don't hold back."

"Yeah, I'll try to remember that," I said, my voice laced with mock seriousness. "But don't blame me when I knock you both out next time." The laughter that followed was a balm for the intensity of our training. I could feel my body and mind relax and the intrusive thoughts melted away. We moved into the break room and started to pack out stuff up.

As I settled onto a bench and retied my sneakers, the reality of our lives settled back in. We weren't just training to become better fighters; we were preparing for something bigger. Our roles in the Shadow Kingdom were about to shift. "Are you ready for tonight?" Novalee asked, her expression turning serious. "Yeah, the mission?" I nodded, feeling the weight of it all.

"Are you really?" Rivers leaned forward; concern etched on his face. "We've been through a lot, but this one... it's different." I took a deep breath, recalling the countless hours we'd spent preparing. "We've trained for this. We're ready." But this mission was different. The Shadow Whisperers are getting stronger, they're finding new ways of survival. Their tie with the shadow realm gives them help mere mortals couldn't imagine.

"Just don't underestimate the Whisperers," Rivers warned. "They're not just our enemies; they're survivors, just like us."

"I know," I replied, my voice steady. "But we've come too far to back down now." The rest of the day passed in a blur of preparation, our usual banter replaced with focused discussions about tactics and strategy. We gathered gear, weapons, and the resolve to face whatever awaited us in the shadows. As nighttime neared, making the already black sky even darker, the air became thick with tension, the anticipation almost palpable.

"Tonight, we step into the unknown," Slade said, his voice steady as he addressed us. "Remember everything you've learned. Stay sharp and trust each other." We nodded, the gravity of his words settling in. I glanced at Rivers and Novalee, their expressions a mixture of determination and anxiety. We had come so far together; I couldn't let fear dictate our actions now.

"Let's do this," I said, my voice firm, drawing on the strength we had built over the years.

As we stepped out into the night, the shadows stretched before us, dark and daunting. The suburbs loomed ahead, its darkened alleys and hidden corners shrouded in mystery. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenge that lay ahead. This was our moment, and I was determined to make it count. "Let's move," Slade commanded, leading us forward into the depths of the night. As we walked, the shadows closed in around us. Well, here we go.