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A new path

The room was bathed in a soft, golden hue as Bane succumbed to the weariness that had settled over him. He had taken a short nap, yet it had been enough to rejuvenate his body and mind. As he stirred awake, his surroundings gradually came into focus, and he rose from the bed with a sense of purpose.

As he stared at his surroundings, his situation felt like a dream woven from the threads of his imagination, a reality he had never dared to envision.

The passage of time had been marked by the gentle shift of the sun's rays, and Bane's thoughts turned toward the upcoming event. Arya's invitation to witness the soldiers' training had stirred a mix of anticipation and curiosity within him. With a determined exhale, he went to the door, his footsteps quiet against the plush carpeting.

Just as Bane reached for the doorknob, the door swung open, revealing Arya's vibrant presence. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and energy, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Ready for a glimpse of action?" Arya asked, her voice carrying a note of eagerness.

Bane returned her smile, a sense of fellowship settling over him. "Absolutely."

With a nod, Arya gestured for him to follow. As they walked through the mansion's hallways, Bane couldn't help but be captivated by the elegance of his surroundings. The polished marble floors seemed to gleam underfoot, and the intricate tapestries that adorned the walls told stories of a rich history.

Yet, amidst the grandeur of the architecture, Bane's gaze was continually drawn to Arya. Her vibrant presence, her lively conversations—it was as if she could light up even the most opulent of spaces. There was an authenticity to her that he found both refreshing and compelling.

As they reached their destination, Bane's attention was pulled away from his thoughts and toward the scene before him. The training yard sprawled out like a canvas of disciplined motion. Soldiers clad in various forms of armor moved in precise formations, their weapons glinting in the sunlight.

Bane's gaze widened as he took in the sight—the coordination, the skill, the sheer intensity of the training. It was a display of discipline and strength, a testament to these soldiers' dedication to honing their skills.

Arya's voice broke through his reverie, drawing his attention back to her as she approached a figure at the edge of the training yard. Bane followed her, his curiosity piqued, and as he drew nearer, he realized that the figure was a woman—an imposing one at that.

"Arya!" the woman greeted, her voice carrying an air of authority and familiarity. Her gaze then shifted toward Bane, and her expression softened. "And who is this?"

Arya beamed, gesturing to Bane. "This is Bane. He's our guest and was brave enough to help me when I encountered a bit of trouble."

Bane extended a respectful bow, his gaze meeting the woman's with a mixture of respect and interest. "A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

The woman's gaze held an assessing quality as if she were gauging Bane's character with a single look. "I'm Lady Frier, the one responsible for training all these scrawny sacks of meat."

"It's an honor," Bane replied, his words sincere.

Lady Frier's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're welcome to observe our training session today. Feel free to choose a sparring partner if you have some energy to let loose."

As Bane's attention shifted back to the training yard, he couldn't help but admire the seamless synchronization of the soldiers' movements. The clang of weapons, the precision of their strikes—it was a dance of discipline and skill that left him both awed and inspired.

The training yard buzzed with an air of anticipation, as the soldiers and observers gathered to witness a clash of skills and their most recently scouted dominion seeker. Bane's gaze was drawn to the center of the arena, where a young man stood with an air of confidence that spoke of his experience. Beside him, a massive creature loomed—a beast with scales that glistened like polished stone, its form resembling that of a giant lizard, yet its rugged appearance hinted at a certain elemental might.

Opposite them stood a swordsman, his face etched with lines of experience and steady resolve. The mid-40s swordsman exuded an aura of discipline, his stance poised and ready as he wielded his blade with practiced ease. Bane watched as the tamer exchanged a nod with his formidable companion, their connection palpable even from a distance.

The clash began with a sudden burst of motion. The tamer's hand shot forward, his fingers curling as if in command. The rock-scaled lizard responded, its massive form hurtling forward with surprising agility. The ground trembled beneath its weight, its stone-like hide reflecting the sunlight in dazzling patterns.

The swordsman met the charge with a fluid motion, his blade singing through the air as it sliced toward the approaching creature. The clash of metal against scale sent sparks flying, a testament to the swordsman's strength and precision. With a calculated step, he maneuvered around the lizard's lunge, his blade striking with surgical precision.

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The tamer's response was swift and calculated. He leaped back, his fingers weaving intricate gestures as he channeled his dominion power. The earth itself seemed to respond, a wave of stone surging toward the swordsman. The terrain shifted and rose, creating an impromptu barrier that the swordsman deftly parried with a series of strikes.

The swordsman's mastery over his weapon was evident in every movement. His blade danced through the air, meeting the onslaught of rock and scale with a grace that belied the danger of the situation. Bane could see the strain on the tamer's face as he maintained his connection with the beast, his focus unwavering even as he sought to exploit any opening.

But the swordsman's experience was a formidable adversary. He darted forward, his blade a blur as he closed the distance between them. His strikes were precise and calculated, each swing aimed at a vulnerable point. The tamer's rock-scaled companion retaliated, snapping at the swordsman with powerful jaws lined with razor-sharp edges.

A clash of dominion power and swordsmanship played out before Bane's eyes. The tamer's control over the earth and stone clashed with the swordsman's skill and resilience. As the fight wore on, the tamer's movements began to falter, his connection with the beast showing signs of strain. The swordsman seized the opportunity, his blade finding a gap in the lizard's defenses.

With a final, decisive strike, the swordsman's blade found its mark. The rock-scaled lizard let out a resounding roar as it crumbled into a cascade of stone fragments, its form dissipating into the wind. The tamer staggered back, his breathing heavy, his dominion power spent.

The swordsman stood victorious, his gaze steady as he regarded his fallen opponent. The tamer, though defeated, bore an expression of respect and determination. Bane could see the fire in his eyes, the unwavering spirit of one who had tasted defeat many times before, but was not deterred.

As the training yard filled with the echo of applause, Bane found himself caught between admiration for the swordsman's prowess and a newfound respect for the tamer's indomitable spirit. The clash of power had been a spectacle of skill, a reminder that the path of power was one fraught with challenges and triumphs—a path that Bane himself was now set to traverse.

The clash had come to an end, and Bane watched as the tamer bowed respectfully toward the swordsman, a gesture of gratitude for the enlightening battle they had just shared. "Thank you for the lesson," the tamer said, his voice carrying a mix of respect and admiration.

The swordsman nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "You fought well Damion. Remember, every battle you fight is an opportunity to learn and a chance to hone your skills."

With a final nod, the tamer turned and left the training yard, his posture reflective of the lessons he had gleaned from the fight.

As the tamer departed, the swordsman approached Arya and Bane, his gaze holding a glint of curiosity. "So, what did you think of that fight Arya?"

Arya, the candid one, chimed in. "It was a good match, but I couldn't help but notice that your opponent didn't fully utilize his dominion abilities. He gave you too much space to maneuver, and with the skill set he has availably, he should've capitalized on destroying any opens you had."

The swordsman's eyebrow arched a mix of surprise and intrigue in his expression. "Observant as always, Arya. You're absolutely right. Dominion battles are about seizing the initiative, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. With the ability to command over a beast, and use some of its abilities, one can really throw their opponent off when least expected."

Bane nodded in understanding, his mind still processing the nuances of the battle. "It's clear that dominion control and tactics go hand in hand. In this case, the tamer's inexperience cost him the advantage he could have had."

The swordsman's smile held a hint of approval. "You've both grasped the essence of the battle. Dominion control is a foundation, but using it effectively is an art. Learning to read your opponent, to anticipate their moves—that's what sets a skilled Dominion Seeker apart from other Dominion seekers."

The swordsman's smile held a hint of approval. "You've both grasped the essence of the battle. Dominion control is a foundation, but using it effectively is an art. Learning to read your opponent, to anticipate their moves—that's what sets a skilled Dominion Seeker apart."

Bane's gaze lingered on the aftermath of the battle, his thoughts churning with a mix of admiration and aspiration. As he observed the swordsman and Arya, a tinge of jealousy crept into his heart. He yearned for that kind of power, that ability to command dominion and face challenges head-on.

Unable to contain his curiosity and yearning any longer, Bane turned to the swordsman. "How does one become a Dominion Seeker? Is it something anyone can achieve?"

The swordsman regarded Bane with a thoughtful expression, his gaze piercing as if assessing Bane's very potential. "Being a Dominion Seeker is a combination of innate potential and opportunity. It's a bit of luck, you see. Some are born with the potential to wield this ability to connect with the primal forces of our world. Others, unfortunately, are not."

Bane's heart sank slightly at the mention of luck, but he pressed on, his determination unwavering. "And what if you're not born with that potential? What then?"

The swordsman's eyes held a glint of reassurance. "Fear not, young one. Being a Dominion seeker isn't the only path to power. Even if your luck eludes you, there are other avenues to explore. Aura, for instance—taps into the energy that flows within and around you. It requires honing your senses and understanding the ebb and flow of the world's energies."

A spark of intrigue ignited within Bane, his mind racing with possibilities. "And what about mana? Is that another path?"

The swordsman nodded. "Indeed. Mana is a wellspring of magical energy that courses through the realms. But harnessing it requires a natural affinity, a talent that not everyone possesses. Those who do, however, can achieve remarkable feats of magic."

Bane absorbed the swordsman's words, his determination growing stronger with every passing moment. The swordsman's gaze held a mix of encouragement and wisdom. "Power takes many forms, young one. Dominion, aura, mana—they are all but tools. What truly matters is the intent, the heart behind the power you wield."

Arya chimed in, her voice a reflection of her spirited nature. "And don't forget, Bane, power is only one aspect. Intelligence and experience will give you the edge over your opponents too."

A wry smile played on Bane's lips as Arya spoke, a silent acknowledgment of the irony that their paths had crossed due to her own lapse in intelligence.

Bane nodded, his heart was aflame with newfound resolve. He had witnessed the clash of dominion powers and blades. He felt the currents of power and potential- and now his heart yearned to see even more of the world's power.