As the tension in the room subsided, Rayl turned to Zeyd, his expression calm but resolute. "You should rest," he said, his voice steady but kind. "Your room is still ready for you."
Zeyd hesitated, glancing briefly at Saars and Rhaes before nodding. "Thanks, Rayl. I'll manage," he said quietly, his usual energy dulled by fatigue.
Rayl watched as Zeyd walked toward the basement stairs, his steps slow and deliberate. Once he disappeared from sight, Rayl turned back to the others. "Now, let's get to work," he said, his tone sharpening. "Saars, Rhaes, outside. It's time to start."
The three of them stepped out into the clearing behind the shop. The air was cool and crisp, the sky a deep indigo as twilight settled over the forest. The ground was soft beneath their feet, the open space surrounded by tall, whispering trees.
Rhaes walked to the center of the clearing, his posture straight and imposing as he turned to face Saars. "We're starting with the basics," he announced, his voice firm. "Movements, stances, nothing fancy. If you can't get this right, there's no point in moving forward."
Saars swallowed hard, already feeling the pressure mount. She nodded, her hands clenching nervously at her sides.
Rhaes demonstrated a defensive stance with practiced ease, his movements fluid and controlled. "Feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent slightly, arms up. This is your foundation. Without a solid stance, you'll be knocked over in seconds." He glanced at Saars expectantly. "Your turn."
Saars mimicked his stance, but her movements were stiff, her feet too close together and her balance uneven.
"No," Rhaes said sharply, stepping toward her. He reached out and adjusted her posture, his hands firm but precise. "Straighten your back. Loosen your shoulders. Bend your knees more."
Saars tried to follow his instructions, but the position felt awkward and unnatural.
"Is this seriously the best you can do?" Rhaes snapped, stepping back with a frown.
Saars flushed, frustration bubbling up. "I'm trying!" she shot back.
"Try harder," he retorted.
Rayl cleared his throat, his presence a quiet but steadying force. "She's doing her best, Rhaes. Give her a moment."
Rhaes ignored him, turning back to Saars. "Next move. Watch carefully."
He shifted into a forward strike, his fists moving with precision as he demonstrated a sharp jab followed by a defensive block. The motion was swift, his movements controlled like a predator in action. "This is about timing and fluidity. Strike, then protect yourself. Now you."
Saars nodded, attempting to mimic the movement. Her jab was hesitant, and when she tried the block, her arm flailed awkwardly.
"Stop, stop," Rhaes barked, rubbing his forehead as if he were trying to push down his mounting frustration. "You're too slow. Again."
Saars bit her lip and tried again, her movements slightly smoother this time, but still far from what Rhaes had shown.
"Do you even know what 'try harder' means?" Rhaes snapped. "This isn't a game, Saars. One misstep and you're dead. Dead. Do you understand that?"
Her shoulders tensed, tears stinging at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, determined not to let him see her break.
"Enough with the yelling," Rayl interjected, stepping forward with a tone that brooked no argument. "She's learning. You need to teach her, not tear her down."
Rhaes shot him a glare but stepped back, muttering something under his breath.
Rayl turned to Saars with a more encouraging expression. "Let's try something else," he said. "Footwork is just as important as punches. If you can't stay balanced, you'll never stand your ground."
He demonstrated a sidestep, smoothly shifting his weight from one foot to the other, his movements precise but fluid. "This helps you evade attacks and reposition yourself. Watch me again, then give it a shot."
Saars nodded, watching intently before attempting the movement herself. She stumbled at first, her footing awkward, but Rayl stepped in to correct her with patience.
"Better," Rayl said after her third try. "Keep practicing, and it'll feel natural soon enough."
Rhaes, leaning against a nearby tree, scoffed. "Great. We'll just wait until 'soon enough' to get anything done."
Rayl turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. "Rhaes, take a break."
Rhaes pushed off the tree, his gaze sharp and challenging. "She doesn't have time for breaks. Neither do we."
"And you shouting at her isn't going to make her improve faster," Rayl countered, his voice calm but firm. "You're not the only one with a stake in this, Rhaes. Step back."
Rhaes glared at him for a long moment before letting out an irritated huff. Without another word, he turned and strode away toward the treeline.
Saars watched him go, her chest tight with a mixture of anger and guilt. She hated how much his words stung, but deep down, she couldn't deny that some part of her agreed with him.
"Don't let him get to you," Rayl said, drawing her attention back. His tone softened, his usual composed demeanor taking on a gentler edge. "Rhaes... he's not easy to deal with, but there's a reason for it."
Saars frowned, brushing dirt from her hands. "What reason?"
Rayl hesitated for a moment before speaking. "His sister, Dreim, is dying. She's losing her magic, just like Zeyd. He's desperate to save her, and that desperation makes him... difficult."
Saars' breath caught, the weight of Rayl's words hitting her hard. "I didn't know."
"No one talks about it much," Rayl said, glancing in the direction Rhaes had gone. "But it's there, driving everything he does. He doesn't hate you, Saars. He just doesn't know how to channel his frustration."
Saars nodded slowly, her earlier anger fading into a mix of empathy and determination. "I'll do better," she said quietly. "I have to."
Rayl offered her a small, reassuring smile. "That's all anyone can ask. Now, ready to keep going?"
She nodded, straightening her stance. "Yeah. Let's do this."
Rayl stepped back, motioning for her to follow his lead as they continued the training. Though her muscles ached and her movements were far from perfect, Saars pushed herself harder, determined to prove both Rhaes and herself wrong.
And from a distance, Rhaes watched, his expression unreadable as he leaned against a tree. Whatever frustrations he had, they didn't hide the faint glimmer of something deeper—a hope he barely dared to acknowledge.
YOU ARE READING
The Heir of the Lost Wings
FantasySaars always believed she was an ordinary girl, juggling university life and quiet evenings with her loving adoptive parents. But when she saves a mysterious girl in the woods, her life is thrown into chaos. Saars discovers that she is not only a f...