The Vessel's Awakening: Seven Bound By Fate.

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ead, every muscle protesting against the endless hours of training. I could barely remember when I had last rested-everything had blurred t

nt the last several days learning to fight, to dodge, to use my body as a weapon. And yet, with

e rang out, cutting t

eat, the handle damp beneath my fingers. I had thrown this dagger at least a hundred times, and each time it mi

uiet intensity that made me feel as though I were under a magnifying glass. I took a deep breath, trying to steady

motions," Sable said,

, my voice shaky,

oser, and I felt the air around me grow heavy with her presence. "Before

by her words. "What

hing out beyond the ruins. The trees were thick and wild, the ground uneven,

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e

rustling of leaves, the chirp of birds, the scurrying of creatures in the underbrush. I had never really paid a

say a word, just led me deeper into the trees until the remnants of the ruins wer

d. "You will survive here, wit

n deepening. "What do

e leather pouch at her side and pulling out

ome foreign object. It felt heavy in my palm, and I realiz

do with this?" I asked,

p. "You'll find something to eat. An

ation swirling inside me. "You can't

o tricks, no tools but your own hands and wits. You'll need to learn to rely on

his was insane. "But I

said, turning her back to me

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t Lesson

felt like a cruel reminder of how ill-prepared I was for this. The forest felt like a labyrinth, each step I took leading me fur

rt. But I knew Sable wasn't going to hold my hand through

. But as I moved further into the woods, I realized something: I wasn't just walking. I was listening. My senses were on high alert, the sounds of the fore

rbrush. A movement caught my eye-a small rabbit darting between

the rabbit. I crept closer, one slow step after another, trying to stay as silent as possible. The knife felt he

t dashed away, disappearing into the dense forest. I

or strength-it was about waiting for the right moment. I had to stop reacting impulsively and start anticipating. The power of con

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ealiz

I had been tracking animals, finding their trails, but they always seemed to elude me at the la

gripping the knife for so long, and my legs ached from running, climbing, and crawling through t

all deer, grazing quietly near a stream. It was oblivious

sh move. I crouched low and waited, watching the deer, feeling the air shift as

, I

d too quickly, but this time, I was prepared. I used the environment around me to my advantage, letti

t, the adrenaline pumping through me.

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ter L

didn't offer any praise, didn't acknowledge the deer I had dragged behind me. Instead,

n't just let me rest. But I held it in, swallowing

Barely. But the real ch