Well hello.( ͡ ° ͜ ʖ ͡ ° )

You didn't expect a new chapter so soon did you? Well I didn't expect all those reviews! I'm grateful that you guys are enjoying it. So thank you all again!

Back at the cave, Ashimar finished sharpening his daggers, his mind wandered as he worked, trying to piece together a plan that would get them out of the Ancient Grove safely. The situation was precarious, not only because of the dangers that lurked in the forest but also because of the volatile princess with him. Flare wasn't exactly the most cooperative of companions and that could be even more troublesome later on. He had already explained the general situation to Elara earlier summarising how they had all ended up in this cursed place.

He glanced up at the cave entrance. "They've been gone a while." he muttered to himself furrowing his brows slightly.

Lyra had assured him she was more than capable with her ice powers. He noticed Elara nearby, holding her small familiar Frost, in her arms, watching the forest with a mixture of worry and hope.

Just as his concern started to deepen, he caught movement in the distance. Both Flare and Lyra emerged from the treeline, walking back toward the cave. Elara let out a small sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as she saw her sister safe.

Ashimar, on the other hand, stood up and approached the pair. "So, what the hell's going on?" he asked Flare and Lyra. His focus landed on Flare first. "Took you hours to blow your steam off?"

Flare immediately bristled stiffening defensively. "Not that it's any of your concern." she shot back, narrowing her eyes at him. "I'm more than capable of handling myself."

Before the argument could escalate, Lyra stepped in. "She asked me for advice." Lyra explained, surprising Ashimar enough to cut off his next retort.

"Advice?" Ashimar echoed raising an eyebrow. His eyes flicked to Flare, who remained quiet, though her irritation was still palpable. 'Her? Asking for advice?' That was something he hadn't expected.

Lyra nodded, looking between the two of them. "She's been having trouble managing her magic reserves. I showed her a few tricks, ways to use magic more efficiently without wasting so much power."

Ashimar leaned back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. "The Magic Hero's learning a few things, huh?" he said, a hint of amusement in his voice, though it was more directed at Flare's obvious frustration. "Guess you don't always have to blast everything with fire, after all."

Flare glared at him, her pride clearly stung. "I don't need your commentary, thief." she spat, but there was a faint flicker of something, that seemed acknowledgment. She wouldn't say it aloud, but she needed to conserve her strength.

Ashimar couldn't help but smirk as he watched Flare's barely concealed frustration. Seeing the usually proud and imperious Magic Hero like this was far too entertaining for him to resist. His amusement flickered in his eyes as he turned to Lyra, leaning against the cave wall.

"So…" he began, noticing Flare's expression. "What kind of advice did you give her? Something tells me she's not too keen on sharing the details herself." He shot a glance at Flare, who crossed her arms and looked away, clearly refusing to engage.

Sensing the playful tension, Lyra offered a small smile. "Oh, just a few pointers on how to better control her magic. It's all about balance and precision, not just raw power."

Ashimar snickered lightly, shifting his eyes back to Flare, who remained silent but visibly bristling under the weight of their conversation. "That right?" he asked. "Must've been a real humbling experience for her."

Flare shot him another fiery look, her pride clearly wounded even more. "Don't you have anything better to do thief, than mock someone who's trying to improve?" Her voice was laced with venom, but the underlying embarrassment was unmistakable.

"Actually..." Ashimar trailed off with a knowing look. "After all these days of trekking through this hellish grove, I could use a bit of entertainment. And seeing you like this? It's priceless."

Lyra stifled a laugh, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. Flare was far less amused. Her fingers twitched as if she were debating whether or not to grab her staff and hurl a fireball at him, but with her magic still drained, she settled for a cold glare.

"If you're so desperate for entertainment." Flare began with a dangerous tone. "I could find a more productive way for you to burn off that energy."

Ashimar raised an eyebrow with a small smirk on his lips. "Is that a threat or an offer?" He was clearly enjoying getting under her skin.

Flare's cheeks flushed at Ashimar's comment, more from embarrassment than anything else. She hated how easily he could provoke her. "Watch it, thief. I might be weakened now, but I'm still more than capable of putting you in your place."

"Ah, don't be like that. I'm sure you're more than capable, Your Highness." he scoffed with a small smirk, emphasizing the title in a way that made Flare's eyes narrow.

"I could still wipe that smirk off your face, weakened or not." she shot back, though there was a flicker of hesitation in her tone. Ashimar huffed, leaning back with an exaggerated sigh.

Before Flare could snap another retort, Lyra finally broke the tension. "Alright alright. Let's not forget why we're all here." She gave a playful smirk. "Ashimar, give her a break. She's had a rough day."

Ashimar rolled his eyes but backed off, crossing his arms as he leaned against the cave wall. "Fine, fine. But I still say it's good to see the princess knocked down a peg."

"But he's right about one thing." Lyra pointed out, addressing Flare. "You've got to learn how to handle yourself. Otherwise, you'll end up as vulnerable as you were earlier."

Flare grimaced at the reminder, stinging her pride once more. "I'm aware of that." she muttered, crossing her arms under her chest. "That's why I agreed to listen to your… advice."

Lyra simply nodded. "Right. So, like I was saying earlier…"

Earlier in the forest…

Flare had followed Lyra reluctantly, still unsure if she should be trusting a demi-human. Every instinct in her told her to be wary, especially after everything she'd been taught growing up in the Jioral Kingdom. But she knew that if she wanted to survive, she couldn't afford to be prideful. Not when her magic was so drained.

They stopped in a clearing where Lyra had motioned for Flare to sit down. "I know you're not used to taking advice from anyone, especially not someone like me." Lyra said without judgment. "But I can show you something that might help."

Flare had crossed her arms, scepticism plain on her face. "And why should I trust you?"

Lyra didn't flinch, instead raised a finger. "Because whether you like it or not, we're all stuck here together. And because you're smart enough to know that you need to conserve your magic if you want to make it out of this alive."

Flare couldn't argue with that, so after a moment's hesitation, she gave a short nod. "Fine. Show me."

Lyra extended her hands and began to explain. "I specialize in ice magic. And while elemental magic has its limits sometimes it's not just about sheer power, but about how you shape it."

Flare glanced at her. "Shape it?" she asked.

Lyra nodded patiently as she started to explain. "Yes. It's like this magic, especially elemental magic, is more than just raw power. It's about control, precision. You can take the same amount of energy and form it into something more efficient if you focus. Let me show you."

Lyra stood in front of Flare and raised her hand, and a shimmer of ice-blue light gathered in her palm, slowly condensing into a delicate, sharp-edged shard of ice.

"See this?" Lyra began to cast. "This is Ice Molding. I concentrate my magic into a specific form by focusing on its shape and purpose. It's not about just releasing a burst of energy, it's about channelling that energy into something useful. Ice can be molded, shaped into something delicate or deadly. It's not just about the raw element, but how you control it, not just letting it explode."

Flare's eyes narrowed as she studied the ice in Lyra's hand. "I've heard of this, but…" She hesitated, her pride getting in the way for a brief moment. "Why would I need to use such a… limited form?"

"Because…" Lyra continued her explanation. "Sometimes it's not about the biggest spell or the most forceful attack. Magic Power is a resource and if you burn through it too quickly, you'll find yourself drained in one way or another. Like you are now."

Flare bit the inside of her cheek at Lyra's words. As much as she hated to admit it, the demi-human was right. Her magic reserves were already low from the Chimera's venom and she couldn't afford to waste what little strength she had left.

Lyra shaped the ice further, creating a small detailed sculpture; a wolf, perfectly rendered in shimmering ice. "Magic can be molded into different shapes, forms or even objects. This way, you conserve your strength, but still maintain control over your power."

"I see…" Flare's eyes flicked between the forms Lyra had created, a hint of surprise breaking through her usual guarded expression. "I've never thought of it that way."

Lyra nodded, sensing that Flare was beginning to understand. "Think of it as sculpting. You don't need to break the stone to make a statue; you carve it. The same goes for magic. With less energy, you can create something powerful, without draining yourself completely."

"I don't like it." Flare muttered reluctantly. "…but I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

Lyra gave her an encouraging nod. "It's just a matter of time. You'll get there. Trust me."

Back in the present…

Ashimar leaned back, clearly entertained by the story so far. "So… how did Flare fare with all this magic control business? Was she any good or did she set something on fire?"

Flare shot him a withering glare. "I didn't burn anything down, if that's what you're asking."

Lyra shook her head and added. "She actually did well. It's not easy to learn a new method of control when you've been using raw power for so long, I suppose that's partially due to her talent with magic. Sure she did nearly get assaulted by some giant bug before that, but she still managed."

Flare shot a sharp frown at her, obviously displeased by the remark.

"Well nothing new at this point." Ashimar looked genuinely surprised, glancing between the two of them. "Huh, maybe there's hope for her after all." he remarked. "Who would've thought?"

"But…" Lyra continued, her tone turning more serious. "You'll need practice, and you have to get into the right mindset. You mentioned to me earlier that you've used a similar technique before."

Flare blinked, thinking back and then muttered. "While stabbing that Death Hound before... ugh, eating part of it." Her face twisted in discomfort at the memory, and then her eyes narrowed, shooting a venomous glare at Ashimar. "Which, by the way, was your fault. You nearly left me starving!"

Ashimar raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the cave wall with an infuriating smirk. "Oh yeah, I remember." he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Can't say I planned on you going full beast mode though."

"You left me no choice!" Flare protested.

"Well, I didn't expect the Princess of the Jioral Kingdom would resort to eating a chunk of a monster's flesh to survive. You were a bit sloppy though. Guess you needed the energy." His casual, nonchalant tone did nothing to ease Flare's irritation.

Flare's jaw tightened, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You..." But before she could fire back, Ashimar continued.

"But you don't just need to work on your magic, Princess." Ashimar pointed out. "Your physical strength leaves a lot to be desired too."

That stung, and Flare's pride flared up again. "Excuse me?" she snapped. "I think I've handled myself just fine…!"

Ashimar cut her off with a lazy wave of his hand. "Yeah, handled yourself real well with the bandits. Almost got killed, déjà-vu." He pointed out. "Face it princess, you're no fighter."

"What did you say?!" Flare seethed, her face flushing in anger. "I am a Magic Hero. I don't need to be lectured by a thief!"

Ashimar rolled his eyes, accustomed by now to her outbursts. "And that's what I was talking about the other day…" he shot back, repeating himself again. "The whole 'heroes relying on their powers' thing. Hell, some of you think all you need to do is get laid to 'power up' and you're good to go. No need to actually train or push yourselves. You're no different."

Flare narrowed her eyes at him. "I… I don't need to rely on brute strength like some common mercenary. I have other skills."

Ashimar looked at her dryly. "Yeah, clearly. That's why you had to set a forest on fire to avoid getting skewered. Good job on that by the way, real subtle."

Flare's fists clenched. "That wasn't my fault! I had no choice! Those bandits ambushed us and I…"

"Exactly." Ashimar cut her off sharply. "You didn't have the physical skill to deal with them directly, so you panicked. You threw your magic around recklessly, burnt yourself out and almost got everyone killed. And that's because, despite your fancy title and all that power, you're no fighter. You're not used to getting your hands dirty, are you?"

Flare hitched her breath as she tried to cut him off, but Ashimar continued.

"Look I get it, you're used to being the most powerful person in the room, but out here? I told you many times that's not gonna cut it. And until you get your magic back to full strength, you might want to start thinking about how to fight with more than just fancy spells."

Flare opened her mouth to argue, but stopped. As much as she hated to admit it, Ashimar had a point again. The fight with the bandits had been a disaster and if it hadn't been for her magic, she might not have made it out alive.

Lyra, who had been watching the exchange quietly, finally chimed in. "He's right, you know? I can teach you more about my magic, but survival means more than just magic. You'll need to balance both."

Flare took a deep breath, her voice strained as she reluctantly muttered. "Fine…" She addressed Ashimar reluctantly. "You think you're such an expert? Maybe you can… help… teach me."

Ashimar's tone didn't falter, he was clearly pleased by her reluctant admission. "Oh, I could help. Teach you a thing or two about fighting properly. But I'm warning you, I don't go easy on anyone."

Flare shot him a dangerous look. "I don't need you to go easy on me."

Ashimar dismissed it with a shrug. "Glad to hear it, Princess. Don't worry, I'm sure we'll figure it out before you set this part of the forest on fire."

Flare shot him a look that could burn a hole through stone. "One more word, thief, and I'll make sure you're the next one burning."

"Well looks like they're on the same page for once, huh?" Lyra chuckled, looking at her sister. "...somewhat."

Elsewhere...

The snow-capped mountains rose high above them as Keyaru and Kreha entered the bustling streets of Lanarrita. The town itself had an old charm, with its wooden houses and stone pathways, almost like a peaceful village. It could almost be mistaken for a peaceful, alpine retreat. Almost.

Kreha's gaze swept across the streets, her keen blue eyes taking in the contrast between the charming architecture and the darker undertones of the city. A man stumbled past them, reeking of alcohol, while a pair of shadowy figures exchanged furtive glances in a nearby alley.

"So this is Lanarrita…" Kreha murmured with disdain. "A 'free city' as they call it. It feels anything but free."

However, Keyaru seemed unfazed by the city's atmosphere. His stride was purposeful as he led her through the winding streets. "It's free in the sense that laws are more... flexible here." he said in a casual tone. "Perfect for those who want to avoid the kingdom's prying eyes."

Kreha frowned. She had heard of Lanarrita's reputation. Crime, illegal trading and most notably the slave market prospered here under the guise of freedom. It disgusted her. And yet she was here, following Keyaru on a mission she still wasn't fully comfortable with.

As they walked deeper into the city, she noticed a thief creeping up behind a poor woman, ready to snatch her bag. Kreha narrowed her eyes. She stopped in her tracks, watching as the thief's hand got closer to the woman's purse, but the woman continued haggling with a nearby vendor.

Keyaru noticed Kreha had stopped and turned to see what had caught her attention. But when he saw the thief, he merely shrugged. "It's none of our concern."

Kreha's jaw clenched. Of course he didn't care. But she did.

Without making a scene, Kreha stepped forward with a firm, quick movement. She closed the distance between her and the thief in just a few strides, her hand snapping out quickly to grab his wrist before he could steal the woman's purse.

The thief froze with shock as he turned to face her. Kreha's grip was strong, but her expression remained calm. "Put it back." she hissed quietly, but not loud enough to draw attention.

The thief glanced around nervously, seeing that no one else had noticed. He gritted his teeth, but Kreha's unwavering gaze didn't give him a choice. Muttering curses under his breath, he dropped the woman's bag and slinked away into the crowd, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.

Still unaware of what had almost happened, the woman walked off with her belongings intact. Kreha let out a quiet breath, relieved that she had managed to prevent a scene.

Keyaru watched the whole thing with a faint smirk on his face as Kreha rejoined him. "You didn't have to do that." he said in a light teasing tone. "People steal here all the time. It's just how this city works."

"Just because it's common doesn't mean it's right." Kreha replied, giving him a frown with disapproval. "A hero doesn't stand by and watch injustice." She spoke to him directly.

Keyaru raised an eyebrow, his smile never fading. "You're an idealist, Kreha. But you'll see soon enough. This world doesn't work the way you want it to." He gestured toward the street ahead. "Come on. The shop's just up ahead."

As they walked, the buildings became more rundown and the people more desperate.

"You're really going through with this." she said, more to herself than to him.

Keyaru's head nodded. "I told you before. We need all the help we can get if we're going to find Princess Flare and deal with those responsible for her disappearance. A slave... or rather, a capable ally, will be crucial."

She clenched her fists at the word "slave" resisting the urge to argue again. She had already protested back at the tavern and Keyaru had been calm, persuasive and mostly convincing. He wasn't wrong about the dangers they faced, and Kreha's promise to help him weighed heavily on her shoulders. She had vowed to repay the debt for him healing her arm.

Before long, Keyaru stopped in front of a building. A crude wooden sign swung above the door, its paint chipped and faded, marking it as one of the many slave shops in Lanarrita. Kreha felt her stomach churn as she stared at the building. It looked harmless enough on the outside, but she knew what horrors awaited inside.

Keyaru turned to her. "Shall we?"

Kreha hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to turn back, to protest, to do anything but walk into that shop. And yet she forced herself to follow him inside, her sense of duty overriding her disgust.

The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior that smelled of damp wood and misery. The shopkeeper, a greasy man with a crooked smile and narrow eyes, greeted them with a grin.

"Looking for something specific, or just browsing?" he asked.

"I'm looking for a slave." Keyaru said, his tone casual as he addressed the shopkeeper. "A demi-human in particular."

The shopkeeper's grin widened. "Ah, you're in the right place then. But I should warn you, the merchandise isn't cheap. Especially for what you're asking."

Keyaru waved off the comment. "I'm prepared for that."

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Very well. Any specific type you're after?"

"A combat slave." Keyaru replied, his voice calm and sure, as if they were discussing something as mundane as buying supplies.

Kreha stood a step behind Keyaru as she forced herself to stay quiet. This entire ordeal went against everything she stood for, but her sense of duty, her promise to Keyaru, held her back from protesting.

"Follow me." the shopkeeper said, gesturing for them to head toward a narrow set of stairs in the back corner. "We keep the stronger ones down below. More suited for battle, though some of them have… taken damage. Not all are in pristine condition, but I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for."

The three of them descended into the underground dungeon. The air grew colder as they went deeper. As they entered the lower chamber, they were greeted with the sight of more cages, larger this time, but no less suffocating. Inside them were demi-humans of various species, all battered and bruised. Their eyes followed the trio with a mixture of fear and indifference, as if they had long since given up hope of freedom.

Keyaru stepped forward, his eyes gleaming as he activated his Jade Eye, the Eyes of Truth. His gaze swept over the slaves in the cages, analysing each one in turn. He could see their strengths and weaknesses, their mana and abilities. Yet none of them seemed to catch his interest. One after another, he dismissed them showing no sign of satisfaction.

The shopkeeper noticed his lack of enthusiasm and cleared his throat. "If you're looking for something stronger, I have a few more. But they've been… injured. Still, they might be worth a look if you're interested."

"Show me." Keyaru said.

The shopkeeper led them deeper into the dungeon, where the air became even colder, and the stench of old blood grew stronger. Kreha grimaced as they approached the final row of cages. Her eyes briefly landed on the injured demi-humans within, her heart clenching at the sight of their wounds. It took all her strength not to turn away in disgust, but she forced herself to continue.

Keyaru remained focused. His gaze flickered between the cages until it finally landed on one in particular.

Keyaru remained unfazed as his gaze flickered between the cages, scanning the various demi-humans. His eyes eventually settled on one particular figure, small and huddled in the corner of her cage. The girl had bluish hair and lupine ears, fur-covered arms and paws, she looked feral though weakened. Despite her obvious mistreatment, she radiated a quiet.

"She's not bad." Keyaru commented.

The shopkeeper gave a dismissive snort. "She can't get any stronger than this. She was supposed to be trained for combat, but when she wouldn't comply, she was… repurposed. Taken as a sex slave."

Kreha's breath caught in her throat and her hand instinctively moved toward her sword. The sheer injustice of it burning through her, but she forced herself to remain still. How could anyone sink so low?

The shopkeeper, unaware of that, continued. "The tamer judged her beyond recovery. She's been violently tempered. Poor thing barely listens to anyone now, just glares at everything that moves."

Without warning, the girl lunged forward trying to attack Keyaru. But the chains held her back, pulling her violently to the ground before she could reach him. Her snarls filled the air, rage evident in every movement.

Keyaru didn't flinch. Instead he stepped closer, his eyes locked onto her with a calculating gleam. He crouched just out of her reach, studying her like one might examine a wounded animal.

A smirk curled on his lips. "You hate them, don't you? Humans?" His voice was soft, almost coaxing, but there was a dark edge to it. "You want revenge on the ones who did this to you? The ones who made you suffer?"

The girl continued to growl as her eyes continued to blaze with hatred.

Keyaru leaned closer, dropping his voice to a whisper only she could hear. "If you come with me, I'll let you have your revenge. I'll make sure you can kill every last one of them."

The girl stilled for a moment as her snarls turned to heavy, panting breaths. Her sharp eyes narrowed, still filled with suspicion, but there was a flicker of something else there now, something he recognized immediately.

Satisfied, Keyaru got up, turning back to the shopkeeper. "I'll take her."

A couple of days later...

Ashimar stood near the entrance of the cave, his arms crossed as he watched Flare approach, her expression already showing the weariness of someone who knew she was in for something unpleasant. Lyra lingered a bit farther back, ready to step in for magical training while Elara sat quietly by the fire, keeping her distance from the group and clearly avoiding eye contact with Flare.

Ashimar sighed, but there was a faint trace of amusement in his otherwise serious expression. 'Let's see if she's actually up for this. She's got decent stamina, she's not completely fragile.' Ashimar thought, recalling her performances. "Alright, Princess." he started. "We're gonna start with something simple. Weapons and physical training. You need to stop relying on your magic all the time and actually learn how to defend yourself."

Still adjusting to the idea of needing this, Flare stood with her arms crossed. "Of course, I'm ready. I'm not some weakling." Despite her words, there was clear hesitation in her stance and Ashimar didn't miss it.

"Right…" Ashimar raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. "Let's start simple then. You're not going to be casting spells, so you'll need something else to rely on in a fight. Pick your weapon." He gestured toward a selection of knives, short swords and other basic arms he had laid out near the cave entrance.

Flare looked at the weapons, furrowing her brows in thought. Finally she picked up a short sword, gripping it a bit awkwardly. "This will do."

Ashimar observed her grip and immediately shook his head. "Nope, not like that. You're holding it like it's a decoration. You're supposed to use it." He walked over, adjusting her hands on the hilt. "If you're holding it like this, anyone with half a brain will disarm you in seconds."

Flare glared at him but allowed the correction. "I know how to hold a sword." she muttered defensively.

Ashimar snorted. "Sure you do. Now swing."

Flare hesitated again before swinging the sword in a wide arc. The strike was clumsy, lacking control and precision.

Ashimar ducked under it easily, unimpressed. "Yeah okay. That was… something." he remarked with a mix of sarcasm and seriousness. "Let's try that again, but this time imagine you actually want to hit something."

Flare's eyes narrowed as she swung again, this time with a bit more force. But her stance was still off, and Ashimar stepped aside, dodging with ease. "Too wide. You're leaving yourself open."

Flare gritted her teeth. This was harder than she expected, and she hated it. She wasn't used to being the one struggling, especially not in front of Ashimar. She swung again, but her foot slipped and she stumbled forward, nearly falling over. Ashimar caught her arm before she could hit the ground.

"Not the most graceful, are we?" he commented, helping her steady herself.

Flare yanked her arm away. "Shut up." she snapped, flushing with a mix of irritation and humiliation.

Lyra, watching from a distance, chuckled softly. "I think you're getting the hang of it."

"Yeah yeah, laugh it up." Flare muttered, adjusting her grip again.

Ashimar sighed, his tone growing more serious. "Look I get it. You're used to relying on your magic and that's fine. But out here, when it's gone, you're vulnerable. That's what this is about. Not proving how strong you are, but staying alive."

Flare frowned but didn't argue.

"Let's try something else." Ashimar said, pulling out one of his daggers. He twirled it between his fingers with ease, then handed it to her. "Daggers are quick, light and easier to control. Maybe this will suit you better."

Flare took the dagger, eyeing it sceptically. "You really think this will help?"

"Try it." Ashimar said simply, stepping back and watching her closely.

He tossed a dagger towards her and Flare caught it barely. The blade wobbled in her grasp and she fumbled a bit before managing to hold it upright.

"Great start." Ashimar said dryly, crossing his arms. "You're a natural."

Flare retorted with a glare. "I didn't grow up playing with daggers and blades like some lowlife."

"No, but you grew up with tutors and all the finest education, right? You'd think holding a simple blade wouldn't be that complicated. Here, hold it like this." Ashimar stepped forward, adjusting her grip on the dagger. "Not like you're holding a teacup. You're gonna stab something with it, so act like it."

Flare bristled under his guidance, but reluctantly followed his instructions. She swung the dagger, trying to mimic the fluid movements Ashimar had demonstrated earlier.

The result was… less than impressive.

"Ugh." Flare groaned, her form awkward and stiff as she swung again. "This feels ridiculous."

Ashimar chuckled, but that was more amused than mocking this time. "Yeah well, you're gonna have to get used to it. Trust me, if you don't know how to use that thing, you're done for the next time someone attacks you. And that's if you don't stab yourself first."

Watching from the side, Lyra added in a playful tone. "At least she's putting some effort into it. That's something."

Flare cast her a pointed look, but the ice wolf demi-human only grinned back. "Keep at it, Flare. You'll get the hang of it."

Ashimar nodded, but his tone grew more serious as he adjusted Flare's stance. "Weapons are extensions of your body. You have to become comfortable with it, like it's a part of you."

Though still annoyed, Flare found herself oddly listening. She followed his guidance more closely, swinging again, but this time with a little more force and control. The blade moved through the air in a more fluid motion, though it was far from perfect.

Ashimar took a step back. "A bit better. But you're still stiff as a board. Relax. You're gonna have to be quick and adaptable with a dagger."

Flare let out a long breath, trying to loosen her stance. "How do you even fight like this all the time? It's so... crude."

Ashimar shrugged. "You get used to it. Besides, when your life's on the line, crude works." He gestured towards the edge of the clearing. "Now go again. Hit that tree over there. Don't worry about precision, just hit it."

Flare looked sceptical, but she obliged throwing the dagger at the tree. The dagger missed it completely, deflecting wildly off to the side and landing in the bushes.

Ashimar snickered, containing himself from burst out laughing. "Yeah... that's what I thought would happen."

Flare flushed with embarrassment. "This is ridiculous. I'm never going to get this."

Ashimar composed himself and walked over to the dagger, handing it back to her. "You will. Eventually. If you stop throwing it like it's going to explode in your hand."

He stepped behind her this time, positioning her arm. "Here, like this. You need to put your weight into it and throw with intent."

Flare followed his lead, trying again. This time the dagger hit the tree, though it barely stuck into the bark. Still it was progress.

Ashimar nodded, more serious now. "Good. That's what I'm talking about. Keep practicing and you'll be able to handle yourself without needing to burn the whole forest down."

Flare rolled her eyes but didn't argue this time, focusing on throwing the dagger again. "Fine." she muttered.

Ashimar observed Flare for a while longer, his gaze narrowing as she continued to practice with the dagger. Her throws were getting better… more accurate, but still lacking the finesse and speed required to make a real impact in a fight. He stepped in closer again, noting how stiff her movements remained.

"Alright, we've done enough with the dagger toss for now." Ashimar said, folding his arms. "Your aim could use some work. Your endurance isn't bad, you can handle yourself for a bit, but physically…" He trailed off, shaking his head with a smirk. "You're still shit."

Flare frowned, not enjoying the blunt assessment, but somewhat got used to them. "I'm aware. You don't need to remind me."

"You were still too rigid though." Ashimar pointed out. "You need to move faster like... you're dancing, not like you're bracing for a storm."

Flare deadpanned. "Dancing? Really?"

Ashimar shrugged. "It's not that different. Footwork, balance if you can't keep up, you're dead. Now, move."

To demonstrate one last time, Ashimar suddenly lunged toward her, not with full force, but enough to force her to react. Flare's eyes widened as she quickly dodged back, barely avoiding his strike.

"See? Too slow." he said, already moving again. This time he aimed for her side and she twisted awkwardly to block it with her dagger. She managed to deflect the blow, but stumbled in the process.

As Flare parried one more blow, she was panting, her muscles burning from that last effort. She wiped the sweat from her brow and glared at Ashimar. "Is this really necessary?"

Ashimar leaned against a tree, twirling one of his scimitars. "Absolutely. If you can't handle me in a fight, there's no way you're going to last. But there's room for improvement. I'm sure you remember when you hit that Death Hound about a week ago?"

Flare grimaced, the memory surfacing. She could still remember the desperate swing of her dagger, the mess of it all, and the way she'd been forced to bite into the creature afterward, something that still made her stomach turn.

"Yeah… hard to forget." she muttered.

Ashimar smirked knowingly. "Wasn't a bad hit actually, even if it was sloppy as hell. You've got the instincts; you just need to develop them. That's the difference between flailing around like an idiot and actually surviving in a fight."

Flare shot him a pointed look, half-annoyed but also begrudgingly accepting that he had a point. She knew she didn't have a choice, if she was going to make it out of the Ancient Grove, she needed to improve.

"Fine." she grumbled, picking up the dagger again. "So what now?"

Ashimar stepped back, rolling his shoulders and flexing his hands as if preparing himself. "Now we work on your speed. You're going to come at me and I'll show you what you need to improve. But don't expect me to go easy on you."

Flare's eyes narrowed at the challenge. "You better not."

Without another word, she lunged at him, trying to bring the dagger in with a quick jab. Ashimar effortlessly sidestepped, moving like a shadow as he avoided her clumsy attack. He didn't retaliate yet, just watched her closely.

"Faster." he urged firmly. "Again."

Flare growled in frustration, adjusting her stance and swinging the dagger once more, aiming for his side. Again Ashimar moved out of reach, barely needing to exert any effort.

"You're too slow. You need to anticipate my movements, not just throw yourself at me. Look for the weak points, the gaps in defence." Ashimar said, his voice calm but instructive.

Flare tried again, this time attempting to feint left before striking right. Ashimar's hand shot out, catching her wrist before the dagger could connect, twisting it just enough to disarm her without causing pain. The blade clattered to the ground.

"You're not that bad, Princess." he said, his tone slightly mocking. "But you're gonna need more than that if you want to square a few hits."

Flare yanked her wrist free scowling at him. "I'm trying!" she snapped. "You act like I've been training with daggers my whole life."

Ashimar's expression softened just slightly. "I'm not expecting you to be perfect right away. But I am expecting you to try harder. The faster you learn, the better your chances of surviving the next time something tries to rip your throat out."

He picked up the dagger and handed it back to her, his tone more serious now. "You've got to become more versatile. So let's go again. And this time focus."

Flare nodded, taking the dagger and setting her jaw with renewed determination. She adjusted her grip, trying to think more carefully about how to approach Ashimar's advice. Instead of just charging in, she waited for him to make the first move, watching his stance, trying to anticipate what he'd do next.

Ashimar saw the shift in her approach. "Better." he said with a nod. "You're thinking now. Just remember; fast but controlled."

Flare lunged forward again, this time with a quicker, more fluid motion. Ashimar blocked her strike, but she could tell it had been more of an effort for him this time. She wasn't as far off as she thought. Ashimar narrowed his eyes, still maintaining his focus as Flare swung at him with growing confidence.

"You're getting somewhere." he said, sidestepping one of her swings and using the back of his hand to push her wrist away gently. "But we need to test something else. Let's see how you do when you've got more pressure."

Without warning, Ashimar sped up his own movements, darting forward and forcing Flare to react. She managed to parry his advance, but her form wavered under the unexpected momentum. He kept at her, more serious now, testing her reactions with precise jabs and footwork that made her scramble to keep up.

"Too slow again." he muttered, catching her off guard with a low sweep of his leg. Flare barely managed to dodge, stumbling slightly but recovering quickly enough to hold her ground. Ashimar straightened, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "Alright, enough with the games."

He stood in front of her and gestured to the dagger. "I'm gonna teach you a few proper moves now. Your swings don't completely suck, but you need technique. Focus on keeping your grip light, move with the dagger, don't force it." He demonstrated a quick manoeuvre, spinning the dagger smoothly in his hand before lunging forward, the blade stopping just inches from her side. "It's all about flow, grace and power combined. You keep fighting like a battering ram and you'll wear yourself out."

Flare watched carefully, mimicking his movements as best she could. Ashimar corrected her posture a few times, adjusting the angle of her strikes and reminding her to keep her footwork sharp.

"And one more thing." Ashimar said, stepping back and eyeing her critically. "You need to bulk up your strength, not just your speed. Your arms are weak and your grip is loose. You'll need that power to keep up in close combat."

Flare raised an eyebrow, clearly annoyed by his critique, but Ashimar wasn't done. He crossed his arms, smirking as he continued. "Oh and adapt… because let's be honest, they are definitely going to get in the way."

Flare blinked, shifting her expression from confusion to complete outrage as she realized what he was referring to. "What did you just say?!" she spat with a sharp edge.

Ashimar pointed casually toward her generous chest. "Your boobs. I mean, no offense but with how you move, they're kind of a liability. You've gotta work around them, or they'll throw you off balance. Can't have them slowing you down in a fight."

Flare's face flushed bright red, her grip tightening around the dagger. "E-Excuse me?! Y-you… How dare you!" She yelled and tried to recover, crossing her arms defensively over her chest.

Silently observing from the sidelines, Lyra almost burst out laughing as her face turned a shade of pink as she fought to contain her amusement. Even Elara, who was fondling Frost while, covered her mouth, her eyes twinkling with quiet amusement.

"Meh. I'm just pointing out the obvious." Ashimar rubbed it in.

"...You absolute filth!" Flare fumed glaring daggers at Ashimar with a deepened blush. "I swear… if you ever mention them again, I'll make sure they're the last thing you see before I bash your face in!"

Ashimar raised his hands defensively, a mocking smirk appeared on his face. "I'm just saying! Gotta think about all factors in a fight, right?"

Flare finally managed to find her voice, her hands clenched into fists as she kept glaring at Ashimar. "That is not something you need to worry about!"

Ashimar shrugged unbothered. "If you say so. But I'd rather you not trip over yourself in the middle of a fight."

"Damn... you." Flare groaned, resisting the urge to stab him right then and there. "Hmph. You're… you're insufferable, you know that?"

Ashimar's expression shifted as he chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Well, at least I'm honest." He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice for extra effect. "And really, you should thank me. No one else is gonna tell you the hard truths like this."

Recovering from her laughter, Lyra chimed in. "Oh, don't feel too bad Flare. He's not completely wrong, but honestly? It's just amusing seeing you like this."

Flare glared at her, still fuming but unable to come up with a comeback that didn't sound like more of an admission of her current weakness. Lyra's grin widened.

"Look on the bright side." Lyra added, clearly enjoying herself. "At least you're getting some solid advice. Practical and insightful."

Flare groaned rubbing her forehead. "I can't stand both of you..."

And done.

Flare training? Yes, one way or another she has to adapt to circumstances, and who better to help her out than Ashimar? I didn't expect this chapter to be longer than usual, as I originally planned to dedicate a separate character for it, but you know what? Who cares.

Hope you guys enjoyed it! Until next time!