“Good," Larok said. He wasn't even winded. Never was. "You're all improving. Garcia, your footwork is solid now. Liam, those twin blades are finally working together. Blaze, nice job not telegraphing that last strike."He looked at Miko. "And you. You're starting to fight like someone who knows what they're doing.""High praise," Miko said dryly."From me? Yes." Larok grinned. "Water break. Then we work on something new."They gathered around the well in the courtyard. Drinking. Cooling down. The morning sun was warm but not hot. Perfect weather for torture, as Blaze liked to say."What's the new thing?" Akiya asked. Her voice was almost normal now. The throat damage had healed."You'll see." Larok disappeared into one of the buildings. Came back carrying a wooden box. Set it down and opened it.Inside were stones. Smooth. Black. They seemed to drink the light."What are those?" Garcia asked."Abyssal fragments. Small pieces of corruption given physical form." Larok picked one up. "Ha

Day twenty-eight.Larok woke them earlier than usual. Still dark outside. No stars visible."Final test today," he announced. "Pass, and we descend tomorrow. Fail, and we train another week."Nobody wanted another week.They gathered in the training grounds. Cold. Tired. But ready."Here's how this works," Larok said. "You fight me. All of you. Together. No holding back. Use everything I've taught you. Magic, weapons, tactics. Everything.""Just fight you?" Liam asked. "That's the test?""That's the test. You land three solid hits on me, you pass. Simple." Larok rolled his shoulders. "But I'm not holding back either. So don't expect easy."He took his stance. Axe-hammer in hand. Lightning already crackling around him."Begin."They moved as one.Three weeks of training together showed. Garcia called the strategy. Miko and Liam flanked left and right. Blaze straight down the middle. Akiya from behind. Anna stayed back, ready to heal.Larok met them head-on.His axe-hammer swept in a wi