The crucible

Kael woke before dawn, his body aching from the previous day's fight. The rough bedding in his cell offered little comfort, and the cold stone walls seemed to sap the warmth from his bones. He forced himself to stand, knowing the Blink Mage would arrive soon to drag him into another day of torment.

The cell door creaked open, and she appeared, her presence as imposing as ever. Without a word, she motioned for him to follow. Kael obeyed, his mind focused on the day's challenges. He knew better than to hope for any respite.

They walked through the labyrinthine corridors of the council's stronghold until they reached a different training area. This one was smaller but no less intimidating. The walls were lined with weapons of all kinds, and in the center stood a series of metal rings suspended from the ceiling, each one varying in size and height.

The Blink Mage turned to Kael, her eyes cold and assessing. "Today, we focus on your agility and weapon skills. Choose a weapon."

Kael scanned the array of weapons, his eyes settling on a pair of daggers. They felt balanced and familiar in his hands.

The Blink Mage nodded approvingly.

"You will navigate the rings while fending off attacks. If you fall, you start over. If you fail to defend yourself, you start over. Begin."

Kael stepped into the first ring, the metal cold against his skin. He started to move through the course, his muscles straining as he pulled himself up and swung from ring to ring.

Suddenly, a series of projectiles shot towards him from hidden mechanisms in

the walls.

He twisted his body, using the daggers to deflect the attacks. The metal clanged as he parried, his heart racing with the effort. He reached the next ring, only to be met with another volley of projectiles. Kael gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain and exhaustion.

The Blink Mage watched from the sidelines, her expression unreadable.

She occasionally sent bursts of energy towards him, testing his reflexes and forcing him to adapt on the fly. Kael stumbled once, nearly losing his grip, but he managed to recover and continue.

Hours passed in a blur of motion and exertion. Kael lost track of time, his world narrowing to the immediate task of survival. His hands were blistered and bleeding, his muscles screamed for relief, but he pressed on. There was no room for weakness here.

"Enough," the Blink Mage finally called, her voice cutting through the haze of pain and fatigue. "Rest for a moment.

Then we continue."

Kael dropped to the ground, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his eyes flicking towards the Blink Mage. She offered no praise, no acknowledgment of his effort, just a cold command to prepare for the next trial.

"Now," she said, her voice as sharp as the daggers in his hands, "we test your endurance in combat."

She motioned, and two guards stepped forward, dragging a prisoner into the arena. The man looked terrified, his eyes wide with fear. Kael's heart sank as he realized what was about to happen.

"You will fight him," the Blink Mage said, her tone devoid of any emotion. "No magic. Only your physical strength and weapon skills. Begin."

The prisoner was thrown to the ground, and Kael stepped forward, daggers at the ready. The man scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around for an escape. There was none.

Kael advanced, trying to keep his movements calm and deliberate. The prisoner lunged at him with a makeshift club, and Kael deflected the blow with ease. He countered with a swift strike, cutting a shallow gash across the man's

arm.

The prisoner cried out in pain but continued to fight, driven by desperation. Kael parried another wild swing, his mind focused on ending the fight quickly and mercifully. He hated the cruelty of it, but he knew there was no other way.

A quick series of strikes disarmed the prisoner, and Kael moved in for the final blow. The man fell to his knees, blood dripping from his wounds. Kael hesitated, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what he had to do.

"Finish it," the Blink Mage ordered, her voice brooking no disobedience.

Kael took a deep breath, steeling himself. With a swift motion, he ended the man's suffering. The body crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Kael stood over it, his hands trembling, but he quickly composed himself.

"Again," the Blink Mage said, and another prisoner was brought in.

The process repeated, a relentless cycle of combat and death. Each opponent was different, each fight a new test of Kael's abilities. The Blink Mage watched with a critical eye, occasionally offering harsh critiques or forcing Kael to start over if she deemed his performance inadequate.

By the end of the day, Kael was exhausted, his body covered in bruises and cuts. He had lost count of how many opponents he had faced, each one a reminder of the harsh reality he now lived in. The Blink Mage finally called a halt, and the guards dragged the last body away.

"You are improving," she said, her tone almost approving. "But you have a long way to go. Tomorrow, we will push you even further."

Kael nodded, too tired to respond. He followed the guards back to his cell, his mind numb with fatigue. As he lay down on the cold stone floor, he tried to block out the memories of the day's events.

There was no time for reflection, no room for weakness. He had to survive.