Two years.
Two full years had passed since Eren, Kael, Lyra, and Reina first opened their energy paths under Elder Ender's guidance.
The days had flown by in the village of Liria like falling petals, soft and gentle, yet each one leaving behind a mark of growth. With every passing sunrise, their footsteps grew heavier with discipline, their blades sharper with resolve. But alongside the relentless training, laughter echoed through the forest trails and riverbanks, building a bond that went beyond battle.
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Daily Routine and Training
Every morning, before the rooster crowed, the four children stood beneath the wide clearing behind the village—Brann's training field. Mist drifted low over the grass, and the mountain wind howled faintly.
Brann stood tall like an immovable mountain.
> "Today, we focus on mastery. Not power."
Eren moved like mist incarnate. His Mist Steps were nearly soundless, blending him into the fog. Often, even Kael lost track of him in sparring. His Flying Ice Swords hovered, shifting with each flick of his fingers. Each blade glowed faintly, like silent stars orbiting him.
Lyra had mastered her Flame Arc, a sharp crescent of fire she could swing from her sword. The edge of her strikes sang with a fiery whistle.
Reina's wind-based movements gave her an aerial advantage. Her Gale Fang let her launch wind-charged slashes that bent trees at the trunk.
Kael, raw and fierce, left scorch marks with every Thunder Slash, and his Lightning Armor shimmered like a dragon's scales. His movements became more like lightning—violent and unpredictable, but always focused.
Each afternoon, they practiced group tactics. Brann would split them into teams—Eren and Lyra vs. Kael and Reina, sometimes a free-for-all. They learned to watch each other's backs, to support with combos and feints.
> "You're not just swordsmen," Brann often reminded, "You're comrades."
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Moments of Joy
Training was hard—but laughter came in the in-between.
One summer afternoon, after sparring under the hot sun, they all dove into the village lake. Reina splashed Kael, who retaliated with a wave of water that knocked her under. Eren, not one to be pranked easily, used Mist Creation to make five clones that surrounded Kael from all sides.
Kael screamed and slipped on a wet rock, causing all of them to burst into laughter.
They shared roasted meat under the stars, played tag with children in the village, and raced across the meadows. Lyra taught Reina how to braid hair; Eren helped Arin gather herbs in the forest, often taking detours to find glowing blue flowers that only bloomed at twilight.
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Eren and Arin
Arin, now 7, often sat under their favorite tree with a book in her lap.
Eren would join her after training, lying on the grass beside her.
> "Did you read the story of the Ice Dragon, Arin?"
> "Yes! But I still think fire dragons are cooler."
> "We'll see. My soul sword might argue with you."
She giggled.
In those moments, Eren wasn't a warrior. He was just a boy. A quiet soul with a smile that only Arin could draw out so easily. She'd fix his slightly messy hair or offer a small crystal she found by the river.
Their bond had deepened. She was his anchor. The one who first spoke to him when he was lost. Now, they shared silence like it was a language of its own.
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Final Day – Eren vs. Kael
As the second winter passed and their final day of training arrived, Brann gathered them again at dawn.
> "Today, Eren and Kael will fight. A final duel to mark your progress."
Villagers lined the field. Even the chief came. Arin stood with Lyra and Reina near the edge of the trees, watching intently.
Kael stepped forward, lightning coiling around his fists.
> "We're equal now, Eren. Don't think I'll lose!"
Eren smiled faintly, calm and composed.
> "If you only aim to be my equal… you'll never surpass me."
They both drew their blades.
Fight Begins:
Kael moved first. Lightning Movement turned him into a bolt of light. He appeared behind Eren with a heavy downward slash—Thunder Fang.
Eren turned into mist, vanishing just in time.
Four Flying Ice Swords shot toward Kael. He deflected one, dodged another, but the third grazed his arm. He growled, activating Lightning Armor. Sparks flew as Eren engaged directly, slashing with Water Slashes – 1st Form.
The crowd saw a blur—Eren's strikes were rhythmic, fast, like a frozen river breaking through a dam. Slash after slash fell toward Kael, who countered with crackling parries and wild bolts of energy.
Finally, Kael unleashed a final Thunder Slash, cracking the ground.
Eren blocked with his sword, but the force pushed him back. Using Mist Steps, he vanished, reappeared behind Kael, and with a single controlled Water Strike, knocked Kael's blade from his grip.
Kael stood, panting, grinning.
> "Damn… you win."
Eren extended his hand.
> "For now."
Kael took it. They pulled each other into a short hug, laughing.
> "Next time, I'll leave you in the mist," Kael teased.
> "Try," Eren replied.
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