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It was exhilarating, offering promises of a love so profound it could transcend time and space.
Yet, it was also terrifying.
Were we truly ready for such a connection?
Were our souls prepared to intertwine so deeply?
Ashale’s hand reached out, fingertips brushing against my cheek.
The touch was soft yet filled with intent. “Whatever this is, Nova,” he murmured, “we’ll face it together.”
The raw sincerity in his voice brought tears to my eyes.
With a shaky breath, I leaned into his touch, seeking solace in our shared connection.
For now, that was enough.
Whatever the future held, we would face it, side by side, with the spirit animals as our guides.
* * *
The humid air in the fighting pits was thick with anticipation.
The heat seemed to press down from all sides, making the air shimmer with waves of energy.
The stink lingered in the atmosphere, a constant reminder of the violence that was a regular occurrence in this place.
From the overlooking balcony, my heart raced as I watched Ashale prepare for his match.
The sun’s glow reflecting off his blue skin made him look ethereal, while the muscles rippling beneath spoke of a raw power that was undeniable.
He looked confident, his posture relaxed, but there was a fire in his eyes, a hunger to prove himself.
A hush settled over the crowd as his first opponent stepped into the pit.
His name was Tarsin, and he was a formidable beast with strange ridges across his skin as if he were wearing a natural suit of armor.
Their eyes met, and there was a brief moment of hesitation.
A murmur of surprise spread among the onlookers.
It was evident Tarsin did not want to fight Ashale, and he held his sword above his head and placed it on the ground at Ashale’s feet.
Ashale nodded his head and Tarsin was allowed to leave the pit unharmed.
I just stared, transfixed and totally confused. “What just happened?”
“Tarsin is Ashale’s student,” Faela said. “He doesn’t want to face off against his mentor, so Ashale granted him permission to bow out.”
A few more of Ashale’s students faced the same dilemma and chose to step back rather than spar with their beloved instructor.
While many in the audience perceived this as a sign of weakness or cowardice, I saw it as a testament to the bond Ashale had forged with his students.
But the relief was short-lived.
The subsequent opponents, not bound by the student-teacher relationship, showed no such reservations.
The clang of metal against metal, grunts of effort, and occasional roars of pain filled the air.
