The Gravehounds circled them, their glowing red eyes tracking every movement. The air felt thick with tension as Kaelen gripped his wooden sword, his knuckles white from the pressure. Loren stood beside him, his posture firm but relaxed, his sword ready.
Elara had positioned them at the edge of the arena, where the dense trees of the academy's outskirts met the open training grounds. The Gravehounds were not just wild beasts; they were manifestations of magic—fierce, agile, and unpredictable. Their dark fur rippled in the wind, and the low growls that rumbled from their throats sent chills down Kaelen's spine.
"You've trained for this," Elara's voice cut through the tension. "Don't let fear control you. Trust your instincts, and remember what you've learned."
Kaelen nodded, though his heart raced. This wasn't just about training anymore. This was a test, a real battle. One that could end in injury—or worse—if they weren't careful.
The first Gravehound lunged toward them with frightening speed. It moved like a shadow, too fast for Kaelen to track with his eyes. Loren reacted first, stepping forward and slashing his sword through the air with a precise, swift strike. The blade met the Gravehound's side, but it barely slowed the creature down. The wolf-like beast growled, its eyes narrowing as it twisted around Loren, swiping at him with its claws.
"Watch out!" Kaelen shouted, rushing forward. He swung his sword, aiming for the Gravehound's back. The creature, however, was too fast—it leaped out of the way with a ferocity that caught Kaelen off guard. His blade struck nothing but air.
Loren dodged another attack and barely managed to block a second strike. His face was a mix of concentration and annoyance. "These things are faster than I thought. Stay close and keep moving!"
Kaelen's pulse quickened, and he forced himself to focus. The Gravehounds weren't just attacking randomly—they were testing their reactions, looking for weaknesses. He had to stay sharp.
The second Gravehound lunged at him this time, its jaws snapping shut with a bone-chilling clack. Kaelen swung his sword again, this time with more purpose. His blade connected with the beast's shoulder, and the creature howled in pain. But it didn't stop—it lunged again, its glowing red eyes filled with anger.
Loren was right beside him, taking advantage of the opening Kaelen had created. He delivered a swift blow to the Gravehound's side, sending it tumbling backward, but only for a moment. The creature snarled, quickly recovering.
"You're too slow!" Loren shouted, his voice urgent. "You have to hit harder, faster, or we're both done for!"
Kaelen clenched his teeth. He didn't need to be told twice. He had to do better—he had to push himself beyond his limits. Elara's words echoed in his mind: Don't fear the strike. Trust your instincts.
The third Gravehound charged toward them, its jaws snapping violently. Kaelen's sword swung through the air with more confidence this time. He didn't just rely on his stance—he used his entire body, his legs shifting with the movement, his arms following through with the strike.
This time, the Gravehound didn't dodge. The wooden blade slammed into its ribs with a resounding crack. The creature yelped in pain but didn't falter. However, it was enough to throw it off balance, giving Kaelen the opportunity to swing again.
Loren seized the moment, rushing in with a precise strike to the Gravehound's neck. The beast staggered, its growls turning into gurgling yelps as it crumpled to the ground. Loren grinned as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "About time you started hitting something."
Kaelen exhaled, his heart still pounding in his chest. "Don't get cocky. We're not done yet."
The last Gravehound circled them, its eyes flashing with a terrifying hunger. It seemed to be waiting for an opening, a mistake. Its low growls filled the air, and the ground beneath Kaelen's feet seemed to tremble with every step the creature took.
"Stay focused," Loren warned, stepping to the side. "It's going to attack all at once."
Kaelen tightened his grip on his sword. His legs felt like they might give out, but he held his ground. The Gravehound lunged—faster than anything he had encountered yet.
In that instant, Kaelen's body acted without hesitation. He ducked under the creature's snapping jaws, narrowly avoiding its deadly bite. He twisted his body and struck with all his remaining strength, his wooden sword aiming for the Gravehound's side.
The blade connected with a sickening thud, and the creature let out a howl of pain. But it didn't stop—it kept coming. Loren moved in beside him, launching a quick strike to the creature's hind legs. The Gravehound yelped, staggering as it collapsed to the ground.
Kaelen took the opportunity to land a final, powerful blow to the creature's chest. The Gravehound let out a final growl before it went still, its body falling limp to the ground.
The arena fell silent for a moment. Kaelen stood, panting heavily, his sword hanging loosely at his side. His arms ached, his breath ragged. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving him with a hollow exhaustion that sank deep into his bones.
Loren was still standing, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. He wiped a bit of blood from his face and gave Kaelen a nod. "Not bad. We make a good team after all."
Kaelen managed a weary smile. "Guess I'm not so bad after all."
Elara stepped forward, her arms crossed as she observed their efforts. "Well done. You survived. But survival isn't enough. The next time you face enemies like these, you need to think faster and act as one. Work together more efficiently."
Kaelen nodded, feeling the weight of her words. This battle had been a test—not just of their skills, but of their ability to cooperate under pressure. They hadn't been perfect, but they had made it through.
"Tomorrow," Elara continued, "you'll face more advanced challenges. Be prepared. This was only the beginning."
As the last of the Gravehounds' bodies faded away, Kaelen turned to Loren, his expression serious. "Next time, we'll do better."
Loren's smirk widened into a full grin. "You bet we will. But you better keep up, Kaelen. I don't plan on letting you slack off."
Kaelen couldn't help but laugh. Despite everything, despite the danger and the uncertainty, for the first time, he felt like he was on the right path.