"Hiro, you ready for this?" Kyren's voice held an undertone of excitement as he spoke, he adjusted his left hand grip on the smooth hilt of his wooden sword, the familiar weight of it feeling just left in his hand.

"I feel like I'm used to holding this." Kyren looking at the wooden sword.

Hiro's eyes sparkled with the same anticipation.

He nodded, a confident smile playing on his lips as he held his own wooden sword by his 2 hands. "You bet I am. Let's see if you're also a good warrior."

With that, the duel began.

Their movements were a captivating dance, a graceful display of technique, and the deep camaraderie that bound them, they traded strikes, parries, and counters.

Feinting to the left, Kyren watched Hiro's reaction with precision. Hiro, mirrored his movements flawlessly, anticipating Kyren's every step.

"So Kyren you are a left handed." Hiro noticed Kyren holding his sword with his left hand.

"I don't know, I just started to hold it like this, maybe I'm a leftie in my past." Kyren dodging Hiro's attack.

Their swords clashed repeatedly, the dull thud resonating through the air each time their wooden weapons met, the two friends exchanged a flurry of blows, each strike calculated and precise, the adrenaline coursed through their veins, the thrill of the challenge electrifying their senses, they knew that the outcome of this duel didn't truly matter; what mattered was the shared joy of the battle, the opportunity to push each other's limits, and the unspoken trust that bound them.

After a couple of minutes of intense combat, they paused for a while, their chests rising and catching their breath, The sun's warm rays filtered through the surrounding trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground beneath them.

"Is that what you got Hiro?" Kyren teased Hiro even he's also running out of stamina.

"HAHA, look at you Kyren you are breathing so heavy." Hiro replied.

After their breaths returned to a steady rhythm, they exchanged a nod and without a word, decided to continue their friendly duel, fueled by their shared excitement and the deep understanding of the dreams they want to achieve that had brought them to this point, they resumed their intricate dance of blades, fully immersed in the thrill of the challenge.

They could feel the adrenaline coursing through their veins once again, the sound of their laughter blending seamlessly with the rhythmic sounds of their duel, Hiro's stamina was nothing short of remarkable, and he managed to catch Kyren off guard with a swift maneuver that earned him a point.

"Not bad" Kyren conceded, grinning at his friend's success.

Hiro chuckled in response, while still catching his breath "You're good too, Kyren, maybe you are really a warrior in your past."

As the duel went on, their strikes became more strategic, they aimed for openings, feinted to throw the other off balance, and executed parries that showcased their growing admiration and adaptability to each style.

Time seemed to blur as they lost themselves in the rhythm of the duel, completely absorbed in the artistry of their combat, the moon hung high above them, a silent witness to their spirited contest. Their breaths were heavy, their bodies fatigued, but their spirits remained undeterred.

As the friendly sword battle reached its final point, Kyren's mind was fully immersed in the excitement of the duel, savoring every moment of this cherished.

However, in the midst of their playful exchanges, a sudden glimpse of his recurring nightmare flashed before his eyes, in that fleeting moment, he saw the haunting silhouette of a girl, just as he had seen in his dreams. The chilling vision sent a shiver down his spine, and momentarily, he got distracted from the duel, Unaware of Kyren's momentary lapse in focus, Hiro continued to swing his wooden sword with enthusiasm, in the heat of the battle, an accidental misjudgment caused him to strike Kyren on the head.

The impact wasn't severe, as the practice swords were not meant to cause injury, but it was enough to startle Kyren and bring him back to the present.

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"I'm sorry, Kyren," Hiro said with genuine concern, immediately lowering his sword. "I didn't mean to hit you like that. Are you okay?"

Kyren reassured Hiro with a smile, though still a bit dazed from the combination of the nightmare glimpse and the accidental strike. "It's alright, Hiro."

Kyren started scratching his head to ease a bit of pain. "Just caught me off guard, that's all. I'm fine, don't worry."

...

..

.

They moved aside and sat down near the campfire they had used earlier, Kyren took deep breaths, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare's effect on him.

"I know somethings wrong Kyren." Hiro said.

Kyren hesitated for a moment, but then he decided to confide. "It was just a glimpse of a nightmare I've been having lately. I saw that girl again. It's nothing, really. Just a bit unsettling."

Hiro listened attentively; his concern evident in his eyes. "I'm here for you, Kyren. If you ever want to talk about it."

Kyren appreciated his support and offered a small smile, moving on to change the topic. "Thanks. Anyway, I can't believe how much that duel took out of us."

Hiro chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Well Kyren this is just a beginning isn't?."

They both grabbed some snacks they had prepared earlier and took a moment to replenish their energy, the satisfying crunch of the food accompanied by the soothing crackle of the fire, as the warmth seeped into their tired bodies, they exchanged a knowing look.

...

"You know...." Hiro began with a grin. "This duel will never get old. This will remind us of how we've begun our journey."

Kyren nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips "Yeah, for sure, Hiro."

Hiro leaned back, staring up at the stars. "Yeah, and you know this is the first time I've ever been in a friendly sword duel, it's like we're speaking a language that goes beyond words. our movements, our reactions – they're all a part of this unspoken understanding."

Kyren nodded in agreement, watching the flames dance in the darkness. "It's a rare thing to find a friend who can challenge you and support you at the same time, isn't it?"

...

"You know, beyond the skills, our duels have taught me something else too," Hiro said.

Curious, Kyren turned to him. "What's that?" He grinned with warmth.

"They've shown me how crucial it is to challenge ourselves and never settle. If I hadn't crossed paths with you that day." Hiro began to look at the sky. "I would have never contemplated making this choice so soon, and this very moment would never have happened."

...

As the fire continued to burn, its warm glow creating a cozy ambiance, Hiro and Kyren talked about their aspirations, their dreams, and the journeys they wanted to embark on, It was a conversation that flowed effortlessly, fueled by the bond they shared, eventually, as the night grew deeper, they decided it was time to call it a day.

They extinguished the fire, letting the embers fade into darkness, as they retreated to their sleeping bags, Kyren couldn't help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the wooden sword duel not only strengthened their skills but also deepened the friendship between Hiro and him.

...

While the night goes deeper, Kyren once again found himself in the clutches of his recurring nightmare, the chilling landscape surrounded him, and the familiar silhouette of the girl emerged from the shadows, her malevolent aura palpable, this time, the nightmare appeared more vivid, as if his mind had merged the recent friendly battle with the haunting visions.

"What do you want?" Kyren terrified.

"My.... Sweeeee...... So..... Sweet...." the girl started to charge towards Kyren, mirroring Hiro's moves, countering his every strike with eerie precision, his heart pounded as he attempted to fight back, but his movements felt sluggish and disjointed, doubt and fear crept into his mind, clouding his focus and sapping his confidence, in the midst of the battle, he caught glimpses of Hiro, standing by his side, offering support and encouragement.

But the lines between reality and the nightmare became blurred, and he couldn't differentiate between the two, the girl taunted him, whispering doubts and insecurities into his ear.

"One day you will... he will.... soooo soon...." She hissed, feeding off his inner turmoil,

He gritted his teeth, trying to understand what she's saying while he's pushing to move on to the haunting images and regain control of his dream.

But the more he struggled, the more the nightmare seemed to tighten its grip.

And then he woke up.

...

As his eyes fluttered open, Kyren found himself back in the real world, away from the haunting realm of his nightmares, the burned smell of the campire still flowing on the air, and the comforting presence of Darius and Hiro reassured him that he was safe and sound.

"Kyren, you're awake!" Hiro exclaimed, a smile of relief spreading across his face.

Darius, the merchant, also looked over with a warm grin. "Ah, it seems our young friend has returned from his slumber. How are you feeling?"

Kyren rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the last remnants of the dream's unease.

"I'm alright. Just had another one of those nightmares, but I'm okay now." Hiro nodded sympathetically.

"Kyren, dont worry about that, I'm always here here for you and I hope I can rely on you too."

Darius chimed in "Indeed, you're both fortunate to have each other's support. Now, let me share some good news. Our contract was a success, and the job is complete."

Hiro's eyes widened with surprise. "That's great to hear! Does that mean we're getting paid?"

Darius chuckled and nodded. "Absolutely! You've both earned it. Here are the silver coins we agreed upon for the job."

He handed them a pouch filled with silver coins, the satisfying jingle of currency ringing in their ears.

Darius looked at them with a mix of pride and fondness "You've been great companions on this journey, Kyren and Hiro. Your dedication and skills have impressed me, and I have no doubt you'll go far at the Sky Academy, remember to proudly represent our town as always"

Hiro and Kyren exchanged grateful glances, appreciative of the kind words from the seasoned merchant. "For sure! Thank you, Darius."