Chapter 20: First Time

The atmosphere was cold and silent, the two stars above casting a faint, ethereal glow over the training ground. Hef stood nervously, his thin muscles tensed as he clutched the wooden practice sword in his hands. Alexis, a seasoned swordsman, stood opposite him, a patient expression on his face.

"Relax, Hef," Alexis said in a reassuring tone. "Let the sword flow with your movements. It's an extension of your arm."

Hef nodded, trying to steady his breathing. He had always admired Alexis's skill with the sword and felt honored to receive training from him. But he couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy, being a newbie among skilled warriors.

"Remember, it's not just about brute strength," Alexis continued, "it's about finesse, precision, and understanding your opponent's moves. Watch their every twitch, their slightest hesitation. That's where you find your opening."

Hef attempted to mimic Alexis's stance, trying to absorb his words of wisdom. But the wooden sword felt heavy and awkward in his hands.

Just then, a mischievous voice cut through the silence. "Looks like you could use some help, Hef."

Iro emerged from the shadows, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief. She was an agile and cunning fighter, her skills in animal mimicry making her an invaluable asset to the scouting party. She had an uncanny ability to understand the movements of her opponents, giving her an edge in combat.

Hef's face flushed with embarrassment, but he welcomed Iro's presence. "I wouldn't say no to some guidance, Iro. Alexis's training is challenging."

Iro grinned, her lithe form moving gracefully toward them. "You're in good hands with Alexis. But I can show you a few tricks to make things more interesting."

Alexis raised an eyebrow, amused by Iro's confident demeanor. "Oh? And what tricks might those be?"

Iro's eyes gleamed mischievously. "Well, for starters, I can teach Hef how to read an opponent's body language even before they make their move. It's all about predicting their next step."

Hef looked intrigued, eager to learn anything that would improve his skills. "Please, show me."

Iro circled around Hef, her movements fluid and cat-like. "Watch their eyes, the way they grip their weapon, the tension in their shoulders. Every fighter has tells, little giveaways that betray their intentions."

As she spoke, Iro demonstrated, mimicking an opponent's hesitant footwork and the subtle flick of their wrist before a strike. Hef's eyes widened with realization as he began to grasp the importance of Iro's insights.

"And once you've read them," Iro continued, "use that knowledge to your advantage. Disrupt their rhythm, exploit their weaknesses, and always stay one step ahead."

Alexis observed the interaction, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You've got a keen eye, Iro. Maybe you should consider taking up swordsmanship."

Iro chuckled. "Oh, I prefer my style. But teaching Hef some of my tricks won't hurt."

With Iro's guidance, Hef's confidence grew, and he started to find his rhythm in the training session.

As the night wore on, Hef, Alexis, and Iro continued their training under only one star. The cold air seemed to dissipate as their camaraderie flourished. Hef learned from both Alexis's wisdom and Iro's unconventional insights, finding a balance between strength and finesse in his swordsmanship.

With each strike and parry, a bond formed between the three warriors, each relying on the other's skills and strengths. They had become more than just fellow scouts; they were a team, united by their shared mission and the trust they had developed in each other.

Under the watchful eyes of the two stars, Hef, Alexis, and Iro honed their abilities and learned to work in harmony. In this fantasy world of Aseagnea, the quiet night witnessed the birth of a formidable trio—a union of diverse talents and unwavering determination that would make them legends in the annals of their world.

Hef chuckled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "I'll do my best, Iro, but I have a feeling keeping up with you might be quite the challenge."

Iro's mischievous grin widened. "Oh, come on! Where's the fun in not having a little challenge? It'll keep you on your toes, newbie."

Hef chuckled, his heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "I'll do my best, Iro, but I have a feeling keeping up with you might be quite the challenge."

Iro's mischievous grin widened. "Oh, come on! Where's the fun in not having a little challenge? It'll keep you on your toes, newbie."

As they approached their shared room, Hef's mind raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. He had been roommates with Alexis since he first joined the scouting party, and they had grown close over time.

Opening the door to their room, Hef was greeted by the comforting warmth of the fire crackling in the hearth. He and Alexis had adorned the walls with maps and sketches of their old kingdoms and Empires of Aseagnea, creating a sense of familiarity in this otherwise foreign land.

Alexis hung his practice sword on the wall, turning to Hef with a reassuring smile. "You did well today, Hef. Iro's guidance seems to be working wonders."

Hef blushed at the praise, his heart pounding in his chest. "Yes, she's been amazing. I'm lucky to have her as a mentor."

Alexis nodded, his eyes thoughtful. "Iro has a unique way of looking at things, and her insights will serve you well. Just don't let her playful exterior fool you; she's one of the most skilled fighters I know."

Hef nodded, already well aware of Iro's abilities. But there was something else he couldn't quite put into words—a connection with Iro that went beyond just training and combat.

"Is something on your mind, Hef?" Alexis asked, his keen eyes observing his roommate's pensive expression.

Hef hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should voice his thoughts. "It's just... I feel like there's more to Iro than meets the eye. She's so full of life and confidence, but I sense there's a part of her she keeps hidden."

Alexis nodded, his gaze distant for a moment. "You're right. Iro has faced her share of hardships, just like all of us. But she's also fiercely protective of her emotions. It takes time and trust to truly know her."

Hef sighed, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the patterns on his blanket. "I want to know her, Alexis. Not just as a fellow scout or a mentor, but as a person. There's something about her that draws me in."

Alexis placed a reassuring hand on Hef's shoulder. "Then take the time to get to know her, Hef. True connections aren't built in a day. Be patient and genuine, and I'm sure she'll open up to you."

Hef nodded, a sense of determination settling over him. "Thank you, Alexis. I appreciate your advice."

"Anytime," Alexis replied with a warm smile. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow's another day of training, and I have a feeling Iro has plenty more tricks up her sleeve."

Hef sighed, his fingers absentmindedly tracing the patterns on his blanket. "I want to know her, Alexis. Not just as a fellow scout or a mentor, but as a person. There's something about her that draws me in."

Alexis placed a reassuring hand on Hef's shoulder. "Then take the time to get to know her, Hef. True connections aren't built in a day. Be patient and genuine, and I'm sure she'll open up to you."

Hef nodded, a sense of determination settling over him. "Thank you, Alexis. I appreciate your advice."

"Anytime," Alexis replied with a warm smile. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow's another day of training, and I have a feeling Iro has plenty more tricks up her sleeve."

The night was relentless, and Alexis found himself once again entangled in the same old haunting dream. The boy crying and holding his burned mother in his arms—each time the image replayed, it felt more real, more visceral, leaving him drenched in cold sweat.

He carefully shifted in his cot, not wanting to disturb Hef's peaceful slumber. Alexis couldn't understand why the dream had intensified suddenly. It was as if the boy's pain had seeped into his consciousness, leaving him unsettled and emotionally drained

"I don't know what it means," Alexis whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the stillness of the night, "but I can't let these false imaginations get in my way of gaining my freedom."

Despite his bravado, there was a vulnerability in his words—a hint of uncertainty and fear. He desperately wanted to find the answers, to make sense of the visions that plagued him. But he also feared what those answers might reveal, what truths lay hidden beneath the surface of his dreams.

With that thought, he finally drifted off to sleep, the haunting dreams still lingering at the edges of his consciousness, but for now, he found comfort in the warmth of his friends' support. And as he slept, the no stars in the sky continued to watch over him, no faint glow a reminder that even in the darkest of nights, there will always be darker.