The sun hung low over Elderwood, its golden rays filtering through the canopy and casting long shadows on the training ground. Three years of relentless training had transformed Kael into a warrior unrecognizable from the man who had stumbled into the forest. His frame was lean and powerful, his movements precise and measured. His eyes, once filled with confusion and doubt, now burned with determination and focus.

Thalorn stood across from him, the elf’s piercing gaze fixed on Kael as he tapped his staff lightly against the ground. Around them, the air seemed to shimmer, the subtle hum of the forest heightened by the intensity of their sparring sessions.

“Again,” Thalorn commanded, his tone even.

Kael nodded, gripping his sword tightly. With a surge of energy, he lunged forward, his blade glowing faintly with a golden light. Thalorn moved with the fluidity of water, sidestepping the strike and countering with a sweep of his staff.

Kael parried the blow, the force reverberating up his arm. He twisted his body, spinning into a low sweep aimed at Thalorn’s legs. The elf leaped gracefully, his movements almost effortless.

“Your strikes are improving,” Thalorn said, his voice calm even as he launched a barrage of swift strikes with his staff. “But you still hesitate. Confidence, Kael. Trust in your instincts.”

Kael gritted his teeth, blocking the strikes with a shield of golden energy that flickered into existence around his arm. “I’m working on it!”

Thalorn raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Work faster.”

The elf’s staff glowed with a vibrant green light as he swung it in a wide arc. A shockwave of energy erupted from the strike, sending Kael stumbling backward. Kael slammed his sword into the ground to steady himself, the blade absorbing the energy of the blast and redirecting it in a focused beam toward Thalorn.

Thalorn raised a hand, and a barrier of shimmering vines erupted from the earth, absorbing the beam before dissipating. “Clever,” he said. “But predictable.”

Kael growled in frustration, his grip tightening on his sword. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, centering himself. When he opened them, a golden aura flared to life around him, the air crackling with raw energy.

Thalorn’s expression shifted, a flicker of approval in his gaze. “That’s it. Now show me what you’ve learned.”

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Kael vanished from sight, reappearing behind Thalorn with a burst of speed. His blade descended in a blazing arc, but Thalorn turned just in time, his staff intercepting the strike. The clash of their weapons sent sparks flying, the force of the collision shaking the ground.

“Temporal Rift!” Kael shouted, his sword glowing brighter as time around them seemed to slow.

Thalorn’s movements became sluggish, his reactions a fraction of their usual speed. Kael took advantage, launching a flurry of strikes that forced Thalorn on the defensive. Each swing of Kael’s blade left trails of golden light, the sheer intensity of his attacks pushing Thalorn back.

The elf’s eyes narrowed, his staff pulsing with energy. “Entwined Rebirth.”

The ground beneath Kael erupted in a tangle of glowing vines, their movements unnaturally fast as they wrapped around him, holding him in place. The golden aura around Kael flared, burning the vines away, but the brief delay gave Thalorn the opening he needed.

With a swift motion, Thalorn closed the distance between them, his staff glowing with emerald light. He struck Kael’s blade, disarming him with a powerful twist, and followed through with a strike to Kael’s chest that sent him sprawling.

Kael hit the ground hard, gasping for breath as he stared up at the canopy above. His sword lay a few feet away, its golden glow dimming.

Thalorn approached, offering a hand to help Kael to his feet. “You’re improving,” he said. “But you still rely too heavily on brute force. Strategy, Kael. Strength without strategy is like a blade without an edge.”

Kael groaned, taking Thalorn’s hand and pulling himself up. “I thought I had you with that Temporal Rift.”

“You almost did,” Thalorn admitted. “But ‘almost’ isn’t good enough in a real battle. Against enemies like the one who hunts you, hesitation and missteps will cost you everything.”

Kael picked up his sword, inspecting its edge. “Then I’ll train harder. Push myself further.”

Thalorn smiled faintly. “That’s the spirit. Take a moment to rest, and we’ll continue.”

As Kael sat on a nearby rock, catching his breath, Aelira approached from the edge of the training ground. She carried a small satchel, her bow slung over her shoulder.

“You’re still getting knocked around, I see,” she teased, handing Kael a waterskin.

Kael smirked, taking a long drink. “I’m getting better. Slowly but surely.”

Aelira leaned against a tree, watching him with a thoughtful expression. “You’ve come a long way, Kael. Three years ago, you didn’t even know how to hold a sword properly. Now you’re sparring with one of the greatest warriors in Elderwood.”

“Doesn’t feel like enough,” Kael muttered, his gaze distant. “Not when I know what’s out there. What’s waiting.”

Aelira placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm. “You’ll be ready. We all will. You’re not alone in this fight.”

Kael looked up at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Thanks, Aelira.”

In the distance, the trees seemed to shift, their movements almost imperceptible. The forest watched, its presence a constant reminder of the challenges still ahead. Kael tightened his grip on his sword, his resolve unwavering.

He would be ready. No matter what it took.