Slash! Slash! Slash! The same sound had been floating around for 6 hours. Just how many of these minions were there?! Kenji ran, lunging into the air and using his sword to cut off the legs of a monkey-like minion and then take out its eyes. The creature screeched out in pain before disappearing into dust as they all did after dying.

The third sector was two sectors away from the living area. If they lost this sector, they could expect the minions to get into the main city within the next week or two. They hadn't received news of any change or incoming reinforcements. To be quite clear they hadn't heard of Palat ever since he locked himself in the Ruler's Palace in the Administrative district. The people had to start coming to leave at army bases as their homes had been destroyed.

Kenji landed on his feet and then stood up straight. Dusting off his clothes. The blue blood had stained his outfit already and part of it was dried to his skin. He pinched his lips together before sighing harshly. The next wave of monsters was already here. He could tell by the rumbling of the ground and the jumping of the small rocks around him.

He took a step back, readying himself before lunging at them. His back muscles ached and the toothy grin he once wore had long faded. A knot formed in his chest but he controlled his breathing. His legs weren't as balanced as when he started. His vision was getting hazy, the longer he stayed here. He had to get out. Sooner rather than later.

"General!", A scream broke through briefly before a sharp tentacle plunged through his stomach.

***

Location: Amaya's soul,

"How are you adjusting to the new breathing style?", Rafka inquired peering down at the woman from his cloud.

It had been 52 days in her soul according to her usual time. She hadn't slept, eaten, or gone for a stroll. Nothing! She was just breathing. The breathing itself made her stomach twist into knots and clench her teeth at first. It was less painful than being launched backwards by Rafka. Flying backwards brought back memories that she didn't want to remember. It made her furrow her eyebrows and wince just thinking about it. But now it was normal to her, even as she did the uncomfortable poses assigned by Rafka, it was like a pain relief of some sort.

"I'm OK with it. It feels natural", Amaya responded plainly.

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She felt like she had eye bags. Her eyes felt heavy, but the rest of her body was functioning on its own. She wasn't even thinking about her breathing but the pain of it made her know she was still keeping to the rhythm. When Rafka said he had changed the time of this place, her soul, a part of her didn't believe it. But now, her aching muscles were enough proof for her.

"You may rest", Rafka said with a crisp nod.

"Thank you", Amaya replied lying flat on the ground.

"I trust you are slowly getting accustomed to this breathing technique. The situation in Misma is a bit more dire than I anticipated. We may have to bump up your training", Rafka proposed.

Amaya's eyes widened and her mouth hung open. She could feel a sarcastic laugh emerging from her throat. She hoped it was a sick joke he was playing.

"Sorry?" She asked in disbelief.

There was no way that this lion wanted her to cope with the rise in intensity. She struggled enough to adjust her breathing pattern and now this?

"I thought you said you had factored in all that I needed into this year?"

"I had but I recently learned that Misma is doing worse than usual during the central convergence. You... will have to pull in a lot more to survive when you get there..." Rafka sympathised.

"This is...", Amaya hesitated, unsure of the words to use.

"I apologise. we have to integrate combat into your training very early on. I'll break the next 52 days into two parts, you'll practice breathing for the first half and then we begin combat in the second", Rafka reasoned.

Amaya rubbed her temples. She gave a small nod and stared blankly at the lion. At least they could begin combat. She was already tired of sitting around. She felt weak. She was weak!

"So how exactly are we going to work on combat? I obviously can't fight you yet and we're the only living beings here!", Amaya stated looking around the room.

"That is not a problem, it can simply be resolved", Rafka beamed.

"Arduo!", Rafka yelled into space.

Amaya looked around once more. It was still just them. There was no other person here. "I don't think it worked', Amaya comments.

A minion appeared, bounded by fire. The spider's body and tentacles were exactly like the one that destroyed Earth a day ago. Its gaze was plain and emotionless but it didn't stop looking at her, not for a moment. It was drooling and its fangs opened and closed matching its breathing. It didn't look scared in the slightest. It was thinking solely on its belly.

Rafka gagged as he looked at the creature and then turned to Amaya. "I took it from Misma, come to think of it it's a good way for you to get accustomed to the enemies there", Rafka crossed his paws.

Amaya could feel her breath hitch and her nostrils were already flaring. Her teeth were bared at the monster. The minion cocked its head at her and chuckled. It didn't take her seriously.

"Control your breathing Amaya, even in danger. I believe you know what happens if you don't", Amaya hesitated at Rafka's words. She let out a deep sigh.

"Look at it and return the pose I gave you. You will destroy it soon enough. Do not rush", Rafka warned.