Chapter 146 The Grove – Training with Purpose
The sun barely pierced through the dense canopy of The Grove as Pyris Obsidian awoke, the faint beams casting golden rays on the dew-covered ground.
Before Alexa drifted to her sleep, Pyris had gone to the grove to train himself alone.
Last night's training had left him invigorated but his mind was still on Alexa's recent manifestation of power. Her dreams, unsettling as they were, had felt like a warning of something much darker coming their way.
He knew he had to be prepared, not only for himself but for everyone in his circle.
Rising from his makeshift bedding, Pyris stretched, feeling the lingering power in his body, both his dragon bloodlines surging beneath his skin. Every day was another opportunity to sharpen his skills, to grow stronger, not just for the inevitable battles but for the responsibility he bore as an Obsidian.
Yet he knew his existence went far beyond just being an Obsidian, it went far because he was an Obsidian, the name that will be on the lips of Immortals and gods alike very soon like back then.
He held his breathe in anticipation.
Just as he finished his stretches, a familiar figure approached.
Selene Serenova, dressed in her combat gear, looked as sharp and composed as ever, if anyone understood his life here in the Grove now was Serene, it was right to say he took knew her life here in tge Grove than anyone else, the two had become inseparable parterns in their life here in the Grove.
Her violet eyes met his with a knowing look, but no words were needed. The two of them had been training together in The Grove for days, honing their abilities in preparation for whatever came next.
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There was a mutual respect between them, even though they came from different worlds.
"Ready?" she asked, breaking the silence as she drew her twin magical blades.
Pyris nodded, adjusting his gear. "Let's hunt." A grin played on their lips, they both understood they were becoming battle maniacs slowly as their time in the Grove increased.
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The dense underbrush of The Grove had become a second home for them.
The wild, untamed magic in this place attracted powerful beasts, creatures whose very essence tested the limits of Pyris and Selene's abilities. It was the perfect place for training, pushing them both to their limits.
Normal awakeneds of their age would have second thoughts about visiting this place just for merely training if not forced of feeling obliged but these two were different.
They moved swiftly through the trees, their senses heightened, alert for any signs of danger. It wasn't long before they encountered their first opponent—a massive Direwolf, its fur matted with dark energy, eyes glowing with malice. Pyris didn't hesitate, his hand snapping up as shadows twisted around the wolf's legs, binding it in place.
On times like these Pyris wouldn't careless about the ranks as he had honed his skills to nearly perfection, he could determine the rank with just the aura the beasts exuded.
Selene too was no different.
Quick as ever, lunged forward, her blades glowing with her signature energy as she struck the beast down with a single, precise blow.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
As the Direwolf collapsed into the ground, Selene wiped the sweat from her brow. "You're distracted."
Pyris looked at her, narrowing his eyes. "I'm not distracted."
She smirked, sheathing her blades. "Your magic was slower today. You don't have to tell me what's going on, but I can tell something's on your mind."
Pyris remained silent for a moment, contemplating her words.
It was true—Alexa's awakening, her visions, and the looming threats they faced were weighing heavily on him. But this wasn't the time to discuss those matters. Not with Selene.
Their relationship, while respectful, was built on shared goals and ambitions. He didn't need to burden her with personal and family matters.
Instead, he offered a small smile. "We've got more beasts to hunt."
Selene seemed to understand, giving him a curt nod. "Alright then. Let's keep moving." She respected his boundaries but deep down she hoped to not just be his training partner but someone she could confide in.
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The two of them pressed deeper into The Grove, encountering a myriad of beasts and creatures, each one testing their coordination and skills.
As they fought, Pyris couldn't help but feel the growing synergy between them. Selene was sharp, calculated, and precise—traits that mirrored his own. She was someone he respected, not only for her power but for her understanding of the complexities of the world they inhabited, the world they shared as heirs of powerful families.
Luckily for her, she wasn't holding the mantles of her family like he was, what he didn't know, Serene admired him for that.
Despite his pressing responsibilities, he didn't waver in his pursuit for power. A lazy awakeneds in Pyris' position might choose to stay in their comforty relying on beast cores and other resources to advance their rank.
But Pyris was different.
Hours passed, and by the time the sun began to set, the two of them found themselves at a small clearing. They set up camp, preparing to rest before nightfall.
As Pyris sat near the fire, he couldn't help but think about the future—Alexa's powers, the Legacies, and the growing influence of Obsidian Tech.
The future was uncertain, but he had to ensure he was ready for whatever came next.
Selene broke the silence as she sat across from him. "I've heard about some of Obsidian Tech's upcoming projects. Word is that several powerful families are taking an interest, including mine."
Pyris raised an eyebrow, knowing this was coming. "You always have an ear to the ground, don't you?" He smiled at her relentless pursuit to make him less tense.
She smirked, poking at the fire with a stick. "I wouldn't be a Serenova if I didn't."
He gave her a nod but didn't pursue the topic further. This was training, after all, and Pyris didn't want to mix business with it.
But it didn't escape him that the Serenova family—and many others—were watching the moves his family made. The tech projects they were working on had far-reaching implications, and the involvement of powerful organizations only made it more apparent that Obsidian Tech's influence was growing.
As they finished their meal and the fire began to die down, Selene spoke again, her voice softer this time. "We're both chasing something, aren't we?"
Pyris looked at her, his expression unreadable. "And what do you think that is?"
She chuckled, leaning back against a nearby tree. "Power. Influence. Control. It doesn't matter what form it takes—we both know that's what drives us."
Pyris said nothing, but deep down, he knew she was right. They were both forces in their own right, pushing against the boundaries of what they could achieve. Whether their paths would continue to align or diverge was yet to be seen.
But for now, they had one goal: get stronger, face what's coming, and be prepared for the future. But Pyris' pursuit for power and ways were abit different from Serene's but he knew at one point they will align.
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After the intense training session at the Grove with Selene, Pyris headed back to the heart of the city where Obsidian Tech's main headquarters was located. His body was still buzzing with energy from the battles against the beasts, and his thoughts kept drifting to the manifestation of Alexa's powers.
Something about it had shifted his perspective on the upcoming challenges.
With the emergence of Alexa's Divinity Element and the implications it carried, Pyris realized that things were moving faster than anticipated.
Upon arriving at the office, Pyris was greeted by the sleek, modern aesthetic of the Obsidian Tech building—a towering structure of glass and metal that represented the vast influence his family held over the empire.
The air inside was crisp, and a sense of controlled efficiency seemed to linger in every corner.