Chapter Five

“Is there a problem here?”

The voice was sharp—like steel slicing through the thick fog in my mind. I blinked, vision clearing just enough to see her.

She stepped into the dim hallway light, clad in dark training leathers, sleeves rolled up like she didn’t have time for nonsense. She wasn’t tall, but the confidence she carried made her seem like a giant. Short, messy hair framed a face that said, ‘Try me.’

The warriors stiffened.

“We were just—” the sneering one started.

“Leaving,” she snapped, not giving him the chance to finish.

And just like that, they scattered like roaches when the light flicks on.

She turned to me, her sharp glare softening slightly. “You, okay?” she asked while helping me stand.

I nodded, though my heart was still sprinting like it owed someone money.

She tilted her head, studying me. “You must be Elara. I’m Astrid.”

Nyx’s voice in my head was smug. “I like her. Keep her.”

Astrid glanced at my trembling hands and rolled her eyes, “don’t let idiots like that get to you. They talk big because they’re small inside.”

I swallowed, unsure how to respond.

Then she did something unexpected—she smirked. “You’ve got Luna written all over you, you just don’t see it yet. But you will.”

Nyx whispered, “Okay, I officially love her.”

Astrid crossed her arms, leaning casually against the wall like we weren’t standing in the middle of my personal nightmare. “Tell you what, come find me tomorrow. I’ll teach you how to shut them up without saying a word.”

And for the first time in a long time, I felt something flicker inside me.

Not fear, not sadness but something else.

Power.

***

I stormed into the kitchen with Astrid, my heart still racing from the encounter. Mira was humming softly, stirring something that smelled like heaven. The moment she saw my face, her smile dropped like a stone.

“What happened?” she asked, wiping her hands on her apron as she rushed over.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My chest felt tight again, like the hallway was still pressing down on me.

Astrid beat me to it. “Some overgrown puppies thought they were funny. Tried to mess with her but don’t worry, I handled it.”

Mira’s eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. “Handled it?” She glanced at me, scanning for any signs of injury. “Did they touch you?”

I shook my head quickly.

Astrid leaned against the counter; arms crossed. “Didn’t even get the chance. I made sure of that.”

Mira muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like a curse. Then she took a deep breath, grabbed my hand, and gently pulled me to the table. “Sit. You need food.”

She dished out a plate of steaming jollof rice, grilled chicken glistening on the side, with crispy fried plantains that smelled like pure comfort. She even added a little spicy pepper sauce on the side.

Astrid slid into the chair next to me like she owned the place, grabbing a fork. “Don’t mind if I do,” she said, already digging in.

Mira shot her a glare. “Didn’t realize I opened a restaurant.”

Astrid grinned; mouth full. “Five stars. Great service.”

Nyx snorted in my head, “Okay, I officially like her. She’s chaotic. Feels right.”

Mira turned back to me, her expression softening. “You, okay?”

I nodded, picking at my food. The warmth helped. It grounded me.

Astrid wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “She’s stronger than she thinks. Just needs to tap into it.” She shot me a look. “Which is why she’s training with me tomorrow.”

Mira’s eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and worry. “Good! Great! Best decision Luna, but you’ll need proper clothes for that.” She disappeared into a small room and came back with a bundle of neatly folded fabric—faded but sturdy training clothes.

“These were mine,” she said, handing them to me like they were sacred. “Wore them when I thought I could take on the world but then I ended up in the kitchen,” she joked. “Now it’s your turn.”

I held them close, feeling something tighten in my chest—but in a good way this time.

***

The next morning, Mira was at it again, fussing over me like she was sending me off to war. “Stand tall. Shoulders back. And if anyone tries to mess with you, aim for the knees. They never see it coming.”

Nyx whispered, “Or aim higher. Make it count.”

She helped me dress, tying my hair back in a tight braid.

“Remember, use their size against them,” she said, adjusting the sleeves. “And if that fails, aim for the shins. No one likes getting kicked in the shins.”

Nyx snorted, “Solid advice.”

Mira cupped my face, her warm hands grounding me.

“You’ve got this, Elara. Show them who you are.”

I nodded, stepped out, scared and nervous, but I was ready to take on this challenge.

I found Astrid at the training grounds, her arms crossed, leaning against a wooden post like she’d been waiting for me her whole life.

The training ground is an open-air combat arena, surrounded by towering stone walls that bear scars of trainings over the years. The distant clinks of swords and grunts from sparring wolves filled the air.

Nyx hummed in my head, “Look at her—confidence wrapped in leather. Take notes.”

Astrid spotted me and grinned, pushing off the post. "Good." She tossed me a wooden training dagger, starting with a warrior's energy. I fumbled but caught it. Barely.

"First rule," she said, circling me like a hawk, "it’s not about being the strongest. It’s about being the smartest. Quick, sharp, unpredictable."

Nyx snorted, “Sounds like me.”

Astrid showed me the basics—how to grip the dagger, where to plant my feet, how to dodge. Simple movements. Easy enough until it wasn’t.

“Now, defend,” she said, her grin turning wicked. She lunged.

Instinct kicked in—I raised the dagger, deflecting the strike. The force jolted through my arms, but I didn’t drop it. Again. And again. Astrid didn’t go easy, and I didn’t expect her to. Sweat dripped down my back, muscles burning.

Other warriors stopped to look at me.

"What does she think she's doing?"

"Let's watch, she won't last for 30 minutes.

Hearing them made me unsure of myself. What was I even doing here? And in just that brief moment of distraction, her blade nicked my arm. Just a scratch.

But the moment the blood surfaced, bright red against my pale skin, everything stopped.

The world tilted. The sounds of the training ground faded.

Blurry flashes of screams that were definitely more than just mine, the sharp metallic scent of blood splattered everywhere, and harsh voices, distant and threatening. Then nothing, just complete, deafening silence.

Nyx’s voice broke through the haze, sharp and desperate. “Elara. Breathe. You’re here. You’re okay. Breathe.”

I couldn’t move. My knees buckled.

Strong hands caught me before I hit the ground. Not Astrid’s.

Kieran.

I didn’t even realize he was there until his scent hit me—pine and something darker. His grip was steady, not gentle, but grounding. His eyes, usually cold and distant, held something else now. Something sharp. Worry?

Astrid knelt beside us. “It’s okay, Elara. Just a scratch. You’re safe.”

Nyx whispered softly, “You’re safe. You’re not there anymore.”

I blinked, the fog lifting just enough to breathe again.

“Get Mira,” he ordered someone without looking away from me. His thumb grazed my wrist like he was checking my pulse, but it felt like more than that.

Nyx was screaming in my head, “Don’t pass out. Not in front of him. You’ll never recover from the embarrassment.”

Mira came rushing in like a tornado, worry etched into every line of her face. She knelt beside me, brushing sweaty strands from my forehead.

“End the training,” Kieran said, his voice like a slammed door.

But I wasn’t done. I couldn't end it like this.

"Told you she wouldn't last long," one scoffed and they all started laughing.

"Elara please don't give up." Nyx pleaded.

I shoved myself up, wobbling like a newborn deer but standing anyway. Mira tried to hold me back, but I shook my head fiercely. My throat burned with words I couldn’t say, but my eyes did the screaming. I had to fight; I can't be weak like this forever.

Kieran’s hands lingered a second longer before he let go, standing like nothing happened.

Astrid gave me this half-proud, half-are-you-sure-you’re-not-crazy look but nodded. We sparred again. And again. My arms ached, my legs felt like jelly, but I didn’t stop. I couldn't stop. Not until the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the training grounds.

Kieran watched the whole time. Pretending not to. But I felt his gaze, like it had weight. Like it was peeling me apart layer by layer.

Then I fell.

Finally, he stepped forward, his shadow swallowing the space between us.

“That’s enough,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s her first day.”

Astrid helped me up, brushing dirt from my knees. “You did good,” she said quietly. “Better than you think.”

I gave her a small nod, trying to hold her gaze to say ‘thank you’, but before I could do anything, the world spun.

My knees buckled, and this time, there was no catching myself, I was falling again, only this time, I didn't feel the ground.

I felt him.

Strong arms catching me again.

“Elara!”

Kieran’s voice, soft and laced with worry.

The last thing I saw was Kieran's face, his eyes wide, and an unfamiliar emotion.

Panic.

Then everything went blank.