Page 83 of Daughter of the Serpent

Catching her breath she stilled, her frustration palpable.

“Get up.” He barked.

She turned over slowly, her body pulsing with the shock of her fall.

“Quickly!” He bit again.

She struggled, bracing herself from the ground.

“If this was real, you’d be dead.” His words rendered blood, clawing into her with their harsh truths. “You can’t just take a pause to recover yourself, if you do, you die.”

She ground her teeth, the anger suddenly pulsing red hot in her veins. “What do you want from me?” She snapped, sitting upright, dropping her weapon to the ground beside her. “I’m doing everything within my power!”

“Are you?” He spat, encircling her while his eyes observed her. “Is this all you’ve got, Sylvie - daughter of the light? daughter of agod?” He shook his head, kneeling down to look her in the eye. “Tell me, why are you so eager to let yourself die?”

His words hit her lungs like a blow to the ribs.

She stroked a hand down her face, the power from her limbs waning with his words.

“Something has shifted with you today.” He observed. “You’re angry…yet there is something more.”

She closed her eyes, feeling the stress, the pressure, the tears that had been building for weeks overwhelm her in one crushing wave. She had poured herself into training, blades by day, magic by night - but with each passing moment, her confidence seemed to slip further away.

She couldn’t seem to shake the chill of Tara’s words.

She was a monster.

As she retrieved her weapon, a sense of defeat washed over her.

She wasn't cut out for this.

She wasn't a warrior.

She wasn't strong.

Tara’s words had sliced through her like a knife, leaving behind a raw wound that throbbed with self - doubt. With each command that Axel barked, the realization sank deeper into her bones: she would never measure up.

Maybe it was best that she make her peace now, and accept her fate.

He reached for her hand, pulling her upward. “Come, let’s try again.”

Gritting her teeth, Sylvie tightened her grip on her blade.

"Defend yourself.” Axel ordered, his words puncturing her thoughts by his swift advance, leaving her with no choice but to ready herself for his attack. She planted her feet firmly, her muscles tensing as she intercepted his blow with her own wooden blade, the clash of their weapons reverberating through the air. With a determined grit,she held her ground, channeling every ounce of her waning strength into the defense, the strain evident in the set of her jaw and the flex of her muscles.

"Good," Axel acknowledged, his nod a silent approval as he released pressure. Her heart leaped at the glimmer of hope his praise ignited, but as she turned Axel's counterattack came swift and strong. Before she knew it he was rushing her and she was sprawled on the ground again, the cold sting of his blade pressed against her throat. This time the impact knocked the wind from her lungs, leaving her gasping for breath, her chest heaving with the force of her sudden fall. Panic surged through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest like an unwelcome guest.

His body loomed over her, pressing against her, his breath hot against her cheek in stark contrast to the chill of the blade at her throat.

“You must be ready at any moment. Do not be too quick to assume victory. ” Yet his voice seemed far away. The shock of the sudden blow had her spirling. “You should never turn your back unless you know for sure your opponent is - ”

His eyes caught the panic in hers.

"Fuck," The single word hanging heavy in the air as the realization took hold. With a quick shift of his weight, he moved off of her, a flicker of concern etched into his features. For the first time, Sylvie caught a glimpse of worry in his eyes as he reached out, offering her a supportive hand and guiding her upright with a gentle embrace.

"Breathe," he urged.

Sylvie gulped down air, her lungs burning with the effort. But without warning, tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks unchecked. The shock of the unexpected attack and the weight of pent - up emotions from days of relentless exhaustion overwhelmed her senses, cascading over her like a deluge. She had no control, no defense against the flood of tears and trembling that wrackedher.

---