With the weapons Eldrek had prepared for each of us, we felt much better prepared for what lay ahead. The group noticed a significant change when carrying the new enchanted weapons and items. While we waited for a while, enjoying a quick snack, Vaelor approached us. It seemed he had finished his meeting with the members of his community.

"Good day," he greeted us with a cordial, though tired, look. "We’ve decided that my community will move to distant lands that might be suitable for survival. This place is no longer safe."

Eldrek nodded, supporting the decision. "It’s the wisest choice," he replied. "It’s what’s best for your people." Then, without wasting time, he added, "And you? Have you decided if you’ll continue with us on our mission?"

Vaelor sighed, but his face filled with resolve. "Yes," he said, "My commitment to join you still stands, and now more than ever, I believe it’s necessary to end them once and for all. We can’t keep living under the constant threat of being wiped out at any moment."

I felt an immediate sense of relief upon hearing this. I knew we weren’t the only ones; everyone in the group shared the same sentiment. Vaelor and his riders’ support would be invaluable in what lay ahead.

But he continued, more serious. "First, I must make sure my community settles in the new place. After that, I’ll join you with my warriors."

"I understand," Eldrek replied.

Eldrek continued talking with Vaelor, arranging details about where they would meet once settled. Meanwhile, we began preparing our things.

We knew the journey to the dark being’s lands wouldn’t be quick. We’d have to make stops at various points along the way, and we still needed to organize a proper strategy for our attack.

I looked at my companions, each occupied with their own thoughts while they made their preparations. We were better equipped, and with Vaelor’s support, I felt our odds had improved. But there was still much to plan, and the enemy was probably watching us along the way.

We were ready to set off. Vaelor and his people were prepared as well. After a brief farewell at the top of the hill, we descended together to the place where the cart awaited us. Once we were settled and moving slowly, Lyris suddenly stopped Zhavros, who was at the front, guiding the salamanders.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, noticing the look of hesitation on her face.

Lyris was silent for a moment, as if thinking about how to express what was on her mind. Finally, she spoke.

"While we were preparing to leave, something kept bothering me."

"Come on, spit it out, Vaelor's already on his little dragon," Zhavros replied in his usual tone, urging Lyris to continue.

Lyris took a deep breath before speaking again. "I think we shouldn’t leave just yet. Among us, only Vaelor and Darius have had the chance to use their magical weapons in combat. They’re already familiar with them. But the rest of us… we’re not there yet."

Eldrek frowned, looking at her with interest. "What are you suggesting, Lyris?"

Lyris cleared her throat. "I propose we stay here for a day or two to train and familiarize ourselves with the weapons."

Suddenly, Nymira burst out enthusiastically. "Yes! I support Lyris’s idea!"

Zhavros turned to us with that peculiar smile he wore whenever something amused him. "Are you suggesting we duel each other, girl?"

Lyris hesitated. "Uh, well... I meant more like training..."

Before she could finish, Zhavros interrupted with a booming voice. "Group! Lyris has had a wonderful idea, and I fully support it! What do the rest of you think?"

"YES!" Nymira shouted again, almost jumping with excitement.

I, still a bit unsure, nodded. "I agree as well."

Aelira, who had been silent until now, spoke calmly. "This could benefit us. Besides, we could use the time to practice more suitable formations. During Grimmor's attack, we were scattered and disorganized."

Zhavros chuckled, turning to Aelira with a mocking look. "Excellent observation, princess, yet another reason to stay."

Aelira glared at him, clearly irritated. "Why do you keep calling me that when I’m not?"

Eldrek, who had been observing the discussion, sighed deeply before stepping in. "It seems appropriate… but I’m not too thrilled about the idea of you dueling each other." He then fixed his gaze on Zhavros. "I’m not sure you’d be able to restrain yourselves."

Noticing Eldrek’s look, Zhavros burst out laughing. "How do you expect us to prepare properly if we don’t take this even somewhat seriously?" he replied sarcastically.

I leaned over to Lyris and whispered in her ear. "I think I changed my mind. I don’t want to stay."

Lyris glanced at me and, with a mischievous smile, said, "Don’t be a coward, old man."

Eldrek finally relented.

"Alright. Zhavros, since you can fly, catch up with Vaelor and inform him of our decision. Tell him the plans to meet at the agreed place and time remain unchanged."

Zhavros made an exaggerated bow, dripping with sarcasm. "At your command, captain."

Nymira, always curious, looked at Eldrek with wide eyes. "I didn’t know you were a captain!"

Eldrek merely shook his head and sighed as Zhavros took off, quickly disappearing into the sky.

Once Zhavros returned, he took the reins and guided the salamanders back to the hill. He was at the front with a confident attitude, but I couldn’t help but think he had something else in mind. I sighed, feeling that Zhavros would probably want to take it out on some of us during this “training.”

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When we reached the top of the hill, there was no time to waste. Zhavros was the first to speak, stretching theatrically as if about to start a grand feat.

"Well, well, who feels up to facing me?" he said, challenging and confident.

I looked around and had to admit to myself that I was nowhere near ready to face him. Before Nymira could say anything (I saw her eyes light up and she looked ready to accept the challenge), Aelira stepped forward.

"I’ll be your sparring partner," she said calmly and firmly.

Nymira, looking doubtful, asked in an almost childish tone, "Why won’t you let me practice?"

Zhavros, who until then had been stretching with his back to us, turned to look at her. His expression changed, clearly surprised that Aelira had volunteered to face him. Watching him, I had the impression that of all those present, he believed Aelira was the only one who could truly stand up to him.

Nymira, ever enthusiastic, began to cheer for her teacher, shouting words of encouragement. "Go on, Master! I almost feel sorry for Zhavros having to face you."

Zhavros looked at her with a slightly nervous smile. Without replying, I noticed something odd about his demeanor. Was he actually nervous? I wondered, though it didn’t seem entirely so.

Eldrek stepped forward, taking on a serious stance.

"Remember, this isn’t a game," he said in a warning tone, looking directly at Zhavros. "If you’re going to do this, do it to learn and improve. Not to feed your egos."

Zhavros let out a small laugh and raised his hands in a gesture of peace. "Relax, my little friend. We know what’s at stake."

Then he turned to Aelira, his usual smile returning. "Ready, princess?" he asked, with that mocking tone he could never seem to shake.

Aelira nodded with a slight smile, saying nothing. She appeared calm, as if nothing could rattle her.

Lyris, who was beside me, leaned slightly and murmured, "I didn’t expect to see those two face off in a more serious way... this will be exciting," she admitted, with a sparkle in her eyes that showed her enthusiasm.

"You’re just like Nymira right now," I replied, nodding toward where Nymira was watching her teacher with shining eyes full of admiration. She could barely contain her excitement. Although I have to admit, I was also excited to see this showdown.

The space around us was perfect for training. After Grimmor’s attack, the area had been cleared, with no obstacles or remnants that could cause issues. At least, in that sense, we’d be safe.

Zhavros and Aelira positioned themselves face to face, both with serene and focused expressions. The air around them felt charged with anticipation. I could sense the power flowing through their bodies, and it was clear they could feel it too.

Zhavros was the first to move. With a slight motion of his hand, the shadows around him began to twist and rise, forming small dark waves on the ground. I knew he was preparing something, but it wasn’t clear what.

Aelira watched him calmly, her expression unwavering.

"Here I come," said Zhavros with a smile, and before Aelira could respond, he vanished into the shadows.

Zhavros was using his ability to hide within the shadows. I’d seen him do it before, but this time something was different. The items Eldrek had forged were clearly amplifying his abilities. The shadows seemed denser, faster, almost as if they were responding to Zhavros’s will instantly.

Aelira closed her eyes for a second, her body beginning to emit a soft glow. When she opened them, a barrier of light materialized around her.

The Shield of Light shone brightly, protecting her as she scanned her surroundings with her senses. She knew Zhavros could attack from any angle, but she was ready.

Suddenly, Zhavros appeared behind her, launching a shadowy spear at her shield. The impact was strong, but the shield held. However, Zhavros’s smile didn’t waver; the shadows around his body began to multiply, creating several illusions of himself, all moving in opposite directions.

"His control over those shadows is amazing!" Lyris murmured beside me, clearly impressed. "They could confuse anyone..."

Aelira kept her composure, her eyes fixed on the shadows swirling around her. With a simple gesture, she released a burst of divine light, dispelling some of the illusions Zhavros had conjured. However, he remained hidden, his figure cloaked in shadows that seemed to move with a life of their own.

Zhavros grinned confidently and sent a wave of shadows, this time with greater intensity. The shadows lunged at Aelira with an extraordinary ferocity, as if each dark fragment twisted with a fierce desire to reach her. "You can’t rely on light alone, princess," his voice rumbled from the darkness. "Shadows are unpredictable and far more vicious."

Aelira gave a slight smile. "You’re right, Zhavros. But light has its own tricks."

With a flash, she spread her celestial wings, flooding the battlefield with a blinding brightness. The light surrounded her figure, and with agile movements, she rose slightly, dodging the shadows that lunged at her. Each twist and beat of her wings kept her out of the shadows’ reach, moving with precision and grace.

Eldrek had provided her with the perfect tool; the mana she channeled resonated in her wings, which shone with a strength never seen before.

Zhavros took a step back, his confident expression fading momentarily. But he quickly regained his stance, and without missing a beat, raised both hands, channeling more shadows around him. The battle became a whirlwind of attacks; Aelira sent flashes of light that forced Zhavros to shield himself, while he retaliated with waves of shadows that twisted like blades in her direction.

"Those wings… they’re magnificent!" Nymira exclaimed from the sidelines, fascinated. "My master is the best… Zhavros doesn’t stand a chance!"

Finally serious, Zhavros began fighting with relentless intensity. The shadows formed traps around her, attempting to corner Aelira, but she, with precise elegance, evaded each one, her movements calculated and swift, always keeping her light shield up. The exchange of attacks was an impressive spectacle; Aelira launched light projectiles that pushed Zhavros back, while he countered with shadowy whips that twisted in the air, trying to ensnare her.

From the ground, Lyris whispered excitedly to me, "This is incredible… either one could land the decisive blow."

Nymira, a bit farther away, kept cheering for Aelira. "Go, Master! Show him what you’re made of!"

The confrontation reached its climax when Zhavros, with a shout, summoned one last and powerful wave of shadows that emerged from the ground just beneath Aelira, wrapping around her like dark tentacles. The shadows immobilized her, twisting around her arms and legs, holding her tightly as if trying to suffocate her light.

Zhavros laughed confidently, seeing her trapped. "Got you right where I wanted you, princess!" Without hesitation, he lunged at her, preparing a direct strike while the shadows tightened their grip.

However, Aelira was undeterred. With a glint in her eyes, she concentrated her mana and unleashed an expansive explosion of Divine Light that tore the shadows apart instantly. The force of the light destabilized Zhavros, forcing him to stagger back, barely able to keep his balance.

Before he could recover, Aelira charged at him, closing the gap with astounding speed. In a fluid movement, she channeled her divine magic into a direct attack at his face.

Zhavros barely had time to react; the flash of light grazed his cheek, leaving a deep cut that immediately began to bleed. For a moment, they both stood still, breathing heavily, the battlefield enveloped in a tense silence.

Aelira descended slowly, her wings still glowing, while Zhavros, with a tired smile and a hint of defiance in his eyes, looked at her. "I’ll admit, princess… that was impressive." Although exhausted, his tone still carried a hint of mockery.

Aelira returned his smile calmly. "You didn’t do too badly yourself." Her words, though simple, reflected a mutual respect.

Eldrek, who had been watching the intense battle, stepped forward. "That’s enough for now," he said firmly. "You’ve both shown your strength. Remember, this is training to improve, not to outdo each other."

Zhavros made an exaggerated bow. "Of course, of course, my little friend." Then, with his classic smile, he added, "It would’ve been a shame to humiliate her in front of everyone."

Before he could fully laugh, Aelira, in a tone I never expected to hear from her, replied with sarcasm, "Looks like you’re a bit shaken, Zhavros… are you sure you’re alright?"

Aelira, sarcastic? I could hardly believe what I’d just heard. It wasn’t like her at all. Zhavros, visibly surprised, frowned for a second before replying, trying to recover his composure.

"Of course not!" he replied with a defiant smile. "This… this was just a warm-up."

I watched the two of them, still a bit stunned by the display. It had been an impressive show of skills, and more than ever, it was clear that we were all improving.

Eldrek was right. The weapons he had forged for us had truly changed the way we channeled our mana. It was a clear sign that we were growing stronger.

I think we’ll be alright.