17 Training

"Versailles will be in charge of training the fledglings for this generation's Battle of Wars. With her years of experience and skills, she is more than qualified to lead the pack as the leader of this decade's battles. I hope that all the serpentines will support my decision." Queen Nakee addressed the group of elder serpentines as she decisively announced.

Versailles' sudden reappearance did not only motivate the Snake clan but also lifted the gloom and burden that had weighed her heart for the past 18 years.

If she did not make proper use of the gift Lord Tarke and their ancestors had sent her way then she would not be qualified to lead the clan.

Thinking up to here, she looked over at the flame girl standing calmly amidst the heated gazes of the curious serpentines, who were more than interested in getting close to the recently found best friend of their queen.

Seeing her calm disposition and composed attitude fueled her confidence that was utterly crushed before the girl's return.

"We have no problem with serpentine Versailles training the new batch of participants."

"We support you, Snake Queen."

"We are fine with Versailles taking the reign this decade."

As the serpentines raised their voices in agreement and support of the Snake Queen's selection, the cave vibrated with their enthusiastic cheers.

'We have a chance now. With Versailles' participation in the Battle of Wars now, we would not fall prey to the other clans.'

The thought ran through the Snake Queen's mind, as she silently observed the excited crowd.

***

Versailles led a swarm of fledgling snakes into cracks of streaming lavas to train their endurance and perseverance in unbearable temperatures. The unskilled snakes rolled and tumbled on the rocks and walls as they attempted to avoid the flowing lavas.

Some scales started falling off as they shriveled and wrinkled under the blazing heat. While others attempted to escape out of the cracks to the more comfortable temperature outside.

Versailles swept her huge snake tail, blocking the escaping snakes' paths as she righted the tumbling ones and stared hard at the pathetic swarm.

"Well, you fledglings can forget about taking part in the Battle of Might. Because with these paltry abilities of yours, you would be dead before you could even enter the battle arena." Versailles disapprovingly said.

The little snakes hissed angrily, their snake eyes blazing with defiance as they glared at Versailles. Determined to show their might, they tucked their triangular heads into their bellies, coiled their limbless body around themselves, and rolled through the hot rocks in continuous spins until entering the depths of the cracks where the temperature was even higher.

On entering the even hotter region, more hisses and snarls sounded out, this time filled with pain and disbelief. They heard the Battle of Wars went on for a long period of time, with each battle taking place on different terrains and territories of the Nar realm, lasting up to 15-20 days.

Just a brief moment in the environment here had them hissing in pain, how would they be able to endure such harsh conditions for 15 days?

The little fledglings dejectedly lowered their heads one after the other, losing all their earlier confidence in the face of the brutal reality of their situation.

They felt since the serpentines before their generation could join the Battle of Might and come out victorious, they could produce the same results as well, ignorant of the depth of difficulty involved in achieving such feat.

Now the fact that they could not even endure the heat in the cracks of the ground made them aware of the difference in ability.

"You fledglings do not have to feel so dejected. Our snake clan are naturally cold-blooded creatures and wet and cold environments are the type of places we settle. However, the Nar realm is the exact opposite of our nature, hot. If it was not because of the blessings of Lord Tarke, our clan would long have gone extinct in such a harsh environment." Versailles consoled the deflated fledglings in a soft tone.

"Moreover, the Nar realm is a savage land where only the strongest reign supreme. To ensure and secure the safety of the clan and its descendants, your predecessors had no choice but to grit their teeth and endure the unimaginable pain inflicted upon their bodies from the scalding flames and burning rocks.

It was not only their ability that successfully got them through the battles, it was also their immeasurable love and feelings for the clan and descendants. They did it to safeguard you and your future.

And you will do it to safeguard the next generation of the snake clan and their future." Versailles looked deeply at each fledgling as she imported to them the teachings she received from her master during her training days.

As they listened to her words, the snakes' spirits lifted with resolve. Although the heat made them feel very uncomfortable, they were willing to endure and persevere for the sake of the next generation.

Versailles was relieved to see the passion in her eyes. At times, what kept one going was not power or ability but belief and faith. Belief that their efforts were not in vain, and faith that however much they put in will be how long the clan will stand strong.

Concentrated as she was on guiding the fledglings through the flaming cracks and giving them pointers on how to keep the heat out, Versailles failed to detect the presence of the two vampire groups spread out encircling them.

The two groups consisted of five men each, with Luke leading both as the leader.

"Alright, this should be enough for today. We will resume tomorrow from where we left of. However, I want all of you to live in warm environments for the duration of the training to help adjust your bodies to the high temperature.

This will also make it a lot easier for you to endure the arena heat." Versailles advised them as she led them out of the flame cracks, intending on returning back to the Floating Flames Island.

As the swarm flowed out behind her, a shadow suddenly leaped in front of them, blocking their way.

The moment the shadow moved into the dull red light of the Nar realm sky, Versailles froze.

This time she was certain it was not a trick of the light, because this time, the man was standing right in front of her. His midnight hair faintly gleamed as his sky blue cold eyes swept on the fledglings behind her before settling on her.

It was the man from her first life. The one that extended a hand to her when she fell into the trap. It made sense now. He was a vampire, a creature of darkness that fed on blood to remain alive.

No wonder he was not worried that she would attach herself to him for helping her.

With this realization came the reality of her situation. She was no longer an ordinary human either. Free, unrestrained, and alone.

Versailles looked around her, taking in the encirclement and the man leading the ambush.

No, now she was no longer an ordinary human.

She was a serpentine of the snake clan and a training master of the snake clan's fledgling snakes.

The safety of every serpentine fledgling with her was her responsibility.

Her mind cleared, her heart relaxed, and her emotions calmed. She knew what she had to do and she was going to do it without hesitation.

In this realm, there was no such thing as friendship or gratitude, only survival mattered.

The debt from the past life is a debt to be paid, but the payment will not be the lives of the fledglings.

"Step back." Versailles calmly ordered the nervous serpents behind her.

Without hesitation, she straightened to her full serpentine height, breathed in deeply, opened her mouth, and spewed out a sea of raging flames, scorching everything and everyone standing in her path.