Don't lose your focus

Eryn and Kaelos soared through the night sky, the wind whipping Eryn's hair into a frenzy as they approached the Crystal Division. The buildings loomed before them, each one housing different flares, their crystal spires glinting like shards of glass in the moonlight. Eryn's heart twisted with a mix of emotions - anxiety, fear, and a hint of determination. He thought of Zhilakoa, and the fate that awaited her in this unforgiving system.

As they flew over the cliffs, Kaelos let out a playful roar, her wings beating in excitement. Eryn grinned, feeling a rush of adrenaline as they descended onto the training grounds. Kaelos landed with a gentle thud, and Eryn dismounted, his flight leathers creaking as he flexed his muscles.

"Time to show me what you're made of, Threnody," Kaelos thought back, her mental voice laced with sarcasm.

Eryn's hands danced across the daggers at his hips, his fingers closing around the worn hilts with a familiarity.The blades themselves were slender and curved, their edges honed to a deadly sharpness that glinted in the moonlight.

Eryn's eyes blazed with intensity as he threw the first dagger, aiming straight for the head of the target. The blade struck with a sickening crunch, the sound echoing through the training grounds like a death knell.

"Good, Threnody, good!" Kaelos barked, her mental voice like a whip. "Now, aim for the heart!"

Eryn's gaze flicked to the next target, his hand moving in a blur as he threw the second dagger. This one struck the heart of the target, the blade sinking deep into the wood with a solid thud.

Kaelos ordered, her voice rising. "Take out the knees!"

Eryn's anger simmered just below the surface as he threw two daggers simultaneously, aiming for the knees of the next target. The blades struck with a deadly precision, the sound of their impact like a snapping twig.

"More, Threnody, more!" Kaelos urged, her mental presence a fiery goad. "Let your anger fuel your throws!"

Eryn's face twisted in a snarl as he threw more daggers, each one striking its target with precision and force. His anger boiled over, the throws becoming a deadly dance of steel and wood.

"You're in the zone, Threnody," she thought back, her voice a gentle purr. "Don't lose your focus."

Eryn didn't respond, his mind consumed by the rhythm of throwing. He was lost in the moment, his thoughts focused solely on the targets, the daggers, and the thrill of the throw.

"Enough, Threnody!" Kaelos finally barked, her mental voice a commanding halt. "You've made your point!"

Eryn's chest heaved with exertion, his eyes blazing. He knew he'd let his anger get the better of him, but he couldn't help it. The throws had been a release, a way to vent the emotions simmering just below the surface.

Zhilakoa slowly opened her eyes, groggily taking in her surroundings. The warm sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted the elegant furnishings of her chambers, but her gaze was drawn to Fiona, her attendant, who stood by her bedside with a warm smile.

"Good morning, milady," Fiona said softly, helping Zhilakoa sit up and arranging the pillows behind her. "How are you feeling today?"

Zhilakoa shrugged, her face gloomy, and Fiona noticed the look of concern etched on her features. "What's wrong, milady? You seem troubled,"

Zhilakoa just shook her head, her long hair rustling against the pillow. "I'm fine, Fiona. Just need a bath," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

As Fiona helped her out of bed, Zhilakoa's mind began to drift back to the night before, to Eryn and his rejection, the memory of his withdrawal. Her shoulders dropped, and she let out a deep sigh.

Fiona noticed the change in her demeanor but said nothing, simply helping her mistress into the bathroom. The warm water of the bath enveloped Zhilakoa, and she closed her eyes, letting the tension seep out of her muscles.

Just as she was starting to relax, a knock came at the door. It was Lady Caliste's attendant, come to inform Zhilakoa that her presence was requested by Lady Caliste.

After the attendant left, Fiona helped Zhilakoa get ready, bringing a variety of elegant gowns for her to choose from.

"Can't I just wear something simple for once?" she asked Fiona, frustration etched on her face. "A pair of shorts and a shirt, maybe?"

Fiona raised an eyebrow but said nothing, quickly fetching the requested outfit.

Eryn's shadows grew longer and darker, twisting across the ground like living tendrils as his anger intensified. Kaelos's mental voice was a steady stream of warnings, a cautionary presence that Eryn ignored.

"Threnody, control your emotions!" she urged. "Your shadows are getting out of control!"

But Eryn didn't listen. His anger was a raging fire, consuming him whole. He threw more daggers, each one striking its target with deadly precision. The wooden targets shattered, splintering into a thousand pieces as Eryn's shadows seemed to devour them whole.

Kaelos's warnings grew more urgent, her mental voice a desperate cry. "Threnody, stop! You're losing yourself to your anger!"

But Eryn was beyond reason. His shadows wrapped around the targets, crushing them.

And when Eryn finally stopped, his chest heaving with exertion, his shadows slowly receded, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Kaelos's mental presence was a mix of concern and disappointment.

"Threnody, what's happening to you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're losing control, letting your anger consume you."

Eryn sunk into the ground, His breathing hard and laboured as he retrieved the last of his daggers. Kaelos's voice echoed in his mind, "Time to return to HQ, Threnody. Now."

Eryn didn't respond, the memories of Zhilakoa's hurt expression, his father and his failure to protect him continued to fuel his anger, making it difficult for him to calm down.

Kaelos hovered above him, her wings spread wide, blocking the rays of the early morning sun. "Threnody, let's go. We can't stay here any longer."

Eryn slowly began to move, his legs trembling beneath him. He knew he had pushed himself too far, he raised his mental shields to block out Kaelos.

The return flight to HQ was silent, with only Kaelos's steady mental presence accompanying him.