Mar’s Initiation

In a shadowed section of the Hive City's labyrinthine alleys, Mar waited for Soleli's arrival. The streets were deserted at this early hour, their twisted paths looming around her like silent sentries. Despite the stillness, a persistent tension hummed through her veins. The very air seemed to carry a warning, an unspoken challenge she would have to face head-on.

When Soleli finally emerged from the shadows, his steps were calm and deliberate. He appraised her with a piercing gaze, a faint hint of amusement glinting in his eyes. "Well," he began smoothly, crossing his arms, "you likely don't have the talent for a Magus path, but that doesn't mean you don't have options."

She straightened under his scrutiny, and he continued, "There are paths here that might suit you. Would you consider becoming a fighter, reconnaissance specialist, assassin… or perhaps you're suited for a more supportive role?"

Mar took a moment, considering each option. Her eyes were sharp, calculating. "Is it possible to take on more than one path?" she asked finally, her voice steady and resolute.

Soleli raised a brow, chuckling. "Bold. Not impossible, but stressful. You'll need relentless dedication."

She gave him a single nod, her expression unwavering. "I'll take on the paths of assassination and reconnaissance."

He stared at her for a long moment, as though weighing her words. "Assassination and reconnaissance…." he repeated, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "All right, let's see if you've got what it takes. First, though, we'll test your martial arts. Show me what you know. Come at me."

Soleli took a poised, alert stance, a silent signal for her to begin. Mar took a deep breath, steadying herself. She thought back to the countless hours she'd spent training with Lucien, refining her movements and discipline. Now it was time to put all that training to the test.

She darted forward, her form light and precise, leading with a sharp kick toward his torso. Soleli deflected it easily, lifting his foot to absorb the blow, his expression still unreadable. Undeterred, she spun and delivered a quick, angled kick aimed at his shoulder, only for him to catch her foot mid-motion. Without hesitation, she rotated mid-air, swinging her other leg around in an attempt to strike his side, but he caught her again, his grip solid as iron.

She hung there for a moment, suspended between his grasp. Then, with a surge of momentum, she let her weight drop, releasing herself from his hold, and twisted gracefully to land in a crouch. Soleli's eyes narrowed as she shifted back into position, and for the first time, she detected a glimmer of approval in his gaze.

Taking a quick breath, Mar launched forward again, feigning a punch aimed at his chest before pivoting her arm to deliver an elbow strike toward his head. He dodged at the last second, his reflexes razor-sharp. She followed up with a jab to his side, only to feel the solid resistance of his block.

Realizing she needed to go all in, Mar unleashed a swift barrage of strikes — punches, kicks, elbows, and sweeps in quick succession, each one fluidly transitioning to the next. But Soleli parried them all with practiced ease, his movements precise, unyielding. Just when she thought she might find an opening, he counterattacked with blinding speed, his arm catching her shoulder and flipping her to the ground in one smooth motion.

She hit the ground hard, gasping for breath. But she didn't give herself the luxury of rest. Mar tried to rise, but his hand was already on her shoulder, pinning her in place. She looked up to see him smirking, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"Not bad at all," Soleli said, releasing her with a nod of approval. "You've got a natural knack for fighting. I'm impressed."

Still catching her breath, Mar managed a small smile. "Thank you," she said, her voice hoarse but steady. She brushed the dust from her clothes and stood tall, her resolve only strengthened by the spar.

Soleli walked over to a nearby crate and lifted its lid, revealing an array of weapons. He gestured for her to come closer, his voice calm but authoritative. "Since you'll be training as both an assassin and a reconnaissance specialist, you'll need a weapon that suits both styles. Choose wisely."

Mar's gaze swept over the assortment of weapons inside the crate. There were daggers, long knives, and short swords, each gleaming faintly under the dim light. Her fingers hesitated over a few of the blades before finally settling on a pair of single-edged short swords. She lifted them carefully, testing their weight and balance in her hands. They felt right — light enough for swift, precise strikes, but sturdy enough to handle close combat.

Soleli watched her with a raised brow. "Two short swords, huh? An unusual choice for an assassin, but effective if you can wield them properly." He gave a thoughtful nod, his expression contemplative. "All right. We'll start your training in sword combat, as well as the art of moving unseen."

She met his gaze, her expression determined. "I'm ready," she said simply.

Soleli gestured for her to follow, leading her deeper into the Hive's twisting passages. They moved through narrow, winding corridors, eventually reaching a secluded training area where the dim light barely touched. It was an ideal setting for what was to come.

"First lesson," he began, his tone serious, "an assassin's greatest strength lies in silence and shadow. You need to master the art of invisibility — not just physically, but mentally. To be unseen, you must first become unnoticeable."

Mar nodded, listening intently as Soleli demonstrated a series of fluid, silent movements, gliding across the floor without so much as a whisper of sound. He seemed to merge with the shadows, his form blending seamlessly into the dark. She watched, entranced by the skill and grace in his every step.

"Now, you try," he said, motioning her forward.

She steadied her breath, adjusting her stance as she tried to emulate his movements. At first, her steps were clumsy, her footfalls too heavy, disrupting the silence. Soleli watched with a critical eye, occasionally offering quiet corrections. Slowly, she began to find her rhythm, each step becoming lighter, her movements more fluid.

"Better," Soleli murmured after a while. "But you need to stop thinking so much. Trust your instincts, let them guide you."

She took his advice to heart, allowing herself to sink into the motions, feeling the subtle rhythm of her body as it moved through the shadows. Gradually, she felt herself melding with the darkness, her presence fading, her senses sharpening.

They practiced for hours, moving from stealth drills to basic combat exercises with her chosen weapons. Soleli was relentless, pushing her past her limits, demanding nothing less than perfection. He corrected her stance, her grip, her form — until every motion became an extension of her will, precise and deadly.

By the time he finally called a halt, Mar was drenched in sweat, her muscles aching, but there was a fierce satisfaction in her heart. She had made progress, even if it was only a small step. Soleli studied her with a faint smile, clearly pleased.

"You've done well today," he said, his tone unusually soft. "You're stronger than I anticipated. With more training, you'll become a formidable force."

Mar's chest swelled with pride, but she kept her expression neutral. She merely nodded, accepting his words as encouragement to keep pushing herself harder.

Soleli gestured toward the exit. "That's enough for today. Get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow's training."

She turned to leave, but just as she reached the doorway, he called after her. "And remember, Mar," he said, his voice low and solemn, "strength alone won't see you through. An assassin must rely on their mind, not just their blade. Keep that in mind."

She glanced back, meeting his intense gaze. "I will," she replied, her voice steady.

As she made her way back through the labyrinthine streets of the Hive City, Mar's thoughts drifted back to Lucien and the paths they had chosen. They each had their own battles to face, but she felt more certain than ever that they were headed in the right direction. The trials would be harsh, the nights lonely, and the dangers relentless. But with every step she took, her resolve grew stronger.

She would become a shadow in the darkness, unseen, unnoticed, and deadly. And she was damned determined to put a blade at Luciens enemies