The cave was dimly lit, the remnants of a small fire crackling softly, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Ashura lay curled up on a makeshift bed of furs, his breathing slow and peaceful. Valerie stood at the entrance, leaning against the rough stone, her sharp eyes fixed on the sleeping boy.
She allowed him a few more moments of rest before stepping closer, nudging him gently with her foot.
"Wake up, sleepyhead," Valerie said, her voice firm but not unkind. "Time to get up."
Ashura stirred, squinting up at her with half-lidded eyes. "Five more minutes..." he mumbled, rolling over.
Valerie smirked and crossed her arms. "If you want to stay weak, sure. But I thought you wanted to become stronger."
At that, Ashura shot upright, eyes wide and suddenly alert. "I-I'm up! I'm up!"
"Good," she said, satisfied. "Today's the day you learn why we're here."
Ashura wiped the sleep from his eyes, curiosity piqued. "Why are we here, Miss Valerie?"
Valerie moved to sit across from him, her gaze serious. "We're here to train for the Ritual of Valor. It's happening in two years, and if you're not prepared, you'll be torn apart."
Ashura's brow furrowed. "What's the Ritual of Valor?"
She took a deep breath, her gaze drifting to the cave's entrance, where sunlight filtered through. "The Ritual of Valor is a sacred tradition of Clan Nova. Every generation, the strongest members undergo the ritual to prove their worth and solidify their place among the Nova warriors. It's not just a test of strength but of spirit and willpower. Failing means more than just defeat it means disgrace. Only those who survive and triumph earn the right to lead and protect the clan."
Ashura swallowed, the weight of her words settling in. "So... if I don't do it, I'll be a disgrace?"
Valerie's eyes softened just a bit. "It's not just about pride. It's about proving that you have the will to fight for those who can't. The Ritual shapes leaders, guardians those who can endure any hardship."
He clenched his small fists. "Then I'll do it. I'll prove I'm strong enough!"
Valerie allowed herself a faint smile. "That's the spirit. But talking about it won't make it happen. We start with the basics."
The forest clearing near the cave became their training ground. Valerie had stripped down to a simple shirt and pants, leaving her maid outfit behind for practicality. Ashura mirrored her movements as she demonstrated basic stances how to ground his feet, balance his weight, and remain poised for movement.
"First lesson: Never lose your footing. If you're off-balance, you're dead," Valerie said, pushing his shoulder lightly. Ashura stumbled, but she caught him before he fell. "See? Weak foundation."
She corrected his stance and repeated the motion until it became instinctive. They moved on to simple strikes punches and kicks. Valerie showed him how to put weight behind his blows, teaching him to strike with purpose rather than just flail.
By the end of the first day, Ashura's body ached, but he didn't complain. He wiped sweat from his forehead and gave Valerie a determined look.
The second day was all about movement and agility. "Your body is small and quick. Use that to your advantage," Valerie instructed, darting around him effortlessly. "Don't try to meet power with power dodge, redirect, and strike when your opponent overcommits."
Ashura practiced ducking and weaving between hanging ropes Valerie had tied to the trees, each with a weighted stone at the end. They swung erratically, and any hit meant starting over.
He got hit more than he'd like to admit, but each time he steadied his breathing and tried again. By dusk, he could move through the maze without a single hit. Valerie gave a slight nod of approval, though she said nothing.
The third day focused on precision and strategy. Valerie placed a line of leaves on a fallen log. "Aim for these without disturbing the others," she ordered, handing Ashura a small stone.
He hesitated, then threw it, only to knock three leaves off at once. Valerie sighed, retrieving the stone and demonstrating. Her throw knocked a single leaf into the air without moving the others.
"Control. Power without precision is wasted effort," she explained.
They repeated the exercise until his throws became cleaner, more precise. Valerie watched him with a critical eye, but there was a hint of approval in her gaze.
By the fourth day, Valerie decided it was time. She sat cross-legged on a flat rock, motioning for Ashura to do the same. "Now that your body has tasted effort, it's time for your spirit to do the same. Today, I'll teach you the basics of the Cosmic Force."
Ashura's eyes lit up. "Cosmic Force? Is that how you beat those giant bears?"
"Yes," she replied. "Cosmic Force is the essence that flows through everything. It's drawn from your willpower, your connection to the world, and your spirit. There are many ways to use it, but for now, we focus on feeling it."
She held out her hand, and a soft, silvery glow enveloped her palm. "This is my Cosmic Aura. Yours will feel different, but the principle is the same. Close your eyes and focus inward."
Ashura mimicked her posture, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to feel... something. Anything. Minutes passed, and his small brow creased with frustration.
Valerie placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't force it. Breathe. Feel the world around you the wind, the ground under your feet. Let your spirit expand."
He took a deep breath, calming his mind. Slowly, a faint warmth blossomed in his chest. Curious, he focused on it, and suddenly his hand tingled. Opening his eyes, he saw a faint, wispy glow barely visible, but there.
He grinned. "I did it!"
Valerie gave a rare, approving nod. "Good. That's just the start. In time, you'll learn to channel it into your movements, your strikes, and even your senses. The more you practice, the stronger your connection becomes."
To demonstrate, she flicked her wrist, and a shimmering blade of energy cut through a nearby boulder, slicing it cleanly in half. "That's what real mastery looks like. You have a long way to go, but if you keep pushing yourself, you'll get there."
Ashura's gaze was filled with awe and determination.
"I'll become even stronger than that. I promise!"
Valerie couldn't help but smile, a hint of pride glimmering in her eyes. "Then let's get to work."
To be Continued.