Morning came quietly to Dhulmir Forest.
Mist drifted between the ancient trees, turning the forest into a sea of pale shadows. Somewhere in the distance, a monster roared, followed by the startled cries of birds fleeing through the canopy.
In the middle of a small clearing, Razan stood with his wooden sword in hand.
His breathing was heavy.
Sweat covered his face, and several fresh bruises darkened his arms and ribs.
Across from him stood Zailthar.
As always, the Black Dragon Tyrant looked completely untouched.
For weeks, Razan had endured this.
Every morning began with training.
Running through the forest.
Climbing cliffs.
Carrying heavy stones.
Fighting monsters.
Then came the sword training.
And finally—
Zailthar.
Razan had lost count of how many times he had been knocked into the dirt.
At first, he couldn't even see Zailthar move.
Then he learned to recognize his movements.
Later, he learned to anticipate them.
And eventually, after countless failures, Razan had managed to dodge some of Zailthar's attacks.
Once—
He had even landed a strike.
It had been nothing more than a light tap against Zailthar's shoulder.
But to Razan, it had felt like a victory.
Zailthar hadn't praised him.
He had simply said:
"Again."
Razan had hated that word.
But he had also learned to respect it.
Because every time Zailthar said it, Razan became a little better.
This morning, however, something felt different.
Zailthar lowered his wooden sword.
"Enough."
Razan immediately stopped.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Am I finally getting a break?"
"No."
Razan's face fell.
Zailthar turned toward the forest.
"Your combat training has reached the point where beating you senseless every day is no longer useful."
Razan blinked.
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"
"No."
"Right."
Zailthar began walking.
Razan quickly followed.
"Then where are we going?"
"Deeper."
Razan's expression became serious.
"Into Dhulmir?"
"We are already in Dhulmir."
"Deeper into Dhulmir?"
"Yes."
Razan hesitated.
The deeper regions of the forest were places even experienced hunters avoided.
"What are we doing there?"
Zailthar looked over his shoulder.
"You've learned how to fight."
Razan waited.
"Now you will learn how to survive."
Razan frowned.
"Isn't that what we've been doing for weeks?"
"No."
Zailthar's golden eyes narrowed.
"Until now, you have been surviving because I was nearby."
He stopped.
Razan almost walked into him.
Zailthar pointed toward the forest ahead.
"That changes today."
Razan stared into the darkness between the trees.
A cold breeze passed through the branches.
For the first time, he understood.
Zailthar wasn't taking him deeper into the forest to train him.
He was taking him somewhere where Zailthar might not save him.
Razan tightened his grip around his sword.
"How long?"
Zailthar continued walking.
"Until you return."
"Return from where?"
Zailthar's voice came from the darkness ahead.
"That is what you are going to find out."