The drills did not slow down after the patrol.
If anything, they grew harsher.
By dawn, the training yard was already crowded. Fighters were lined up before the bell rang, armor strapped on, blades in hand. No one joked. No one complained.
The pressure from the previous day hadn't faded—it had settled in.
Kael stepped into the yard with Tavian at his side. His muscles were sore, his shoulders stiff, but he moved without hesitation. Hesitation drew attention, and attention brought questions.
Master Rhen stood at the center, watching them assemble.
"Front line," Rhen ordered.
Kael moved automatically.
Tavian grimaced. "Again?"
Rhen's eyes flicked toward them. "Problem?"
"No, sir," Tavian said quickly.
Kael didn't look back.
They paired off fast.
Rhen pointed. "Kael. You."
A fighter with a scarred jaw stepped forward. Bigger than Kael. Confident. Already breathing evenly.
"Begin."
No signal. No countdown.
The man attacked immediately.
Kael raised his sword just in time. Wood slammed into wood, the impact running up his arms. The man pressed forward hard, forcing Kael back across the packed sand.
Kael shifted his footing, angled his blade, and slipped sideways. He struck low.
Blocked.
The man grinned. "Too careful."
Kael didn't answer. He ducked under the next swing and tried to sweep the leg—
Pressure slammed behind his eyes.
Not sharp. Heavy. Like something inside him tightened all at once.
Kael stumbled.
The wooden blade struck his shoulder, knocking him aside. He hit the ground hard.
"Up," Rhen said calmly.
Kael pushed himself to his feet. His vision cleared slowly. He tightened his grip and raised his sword again.
They clashed.
Faster now.
Kael forced his breathing steady, ignoring the dull ache spreading through his head. He couldn't afford another mistake.
The man swung high.
Kael stepped inside the arc and drove the pommel into the man's chest.
The air rushed out of him in a grunt. He staggered back.
Kael followed through, blade pressed to his throat.
The yard went quiet.
Rhen nodded once. "Enough."
The scarred fighter laughed under his breath. "Didn't expect that."
Kael stepped back, lowering his sword.
His hands were shaking.
He clenched them until they stopped.
Training continued without pause.
By midday, Kael sat at the well, pouring water over his face. Tavian dropped beside him with a groan.
"I swear," Tavian said, "if this keeps up, half the yard won't last a week."
"You're still talking," Kael said. "So you're fine."
"That's not how injuries work."
Kael stood. "Rhen's watching."
Tavian lowered his voice. "You felt it again, didn't you?"
Kael paused.
"I'm just tired," he said.
Tavian didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. "Lyra asked about you."
Kael frowned. "Why?"
"She worries," Tavian said. "About everyone. But especially you."
Kael said nothing and walked back to the line.
The afternoon drills were worse.
Weighted strikes. Endurance holds. Sparring on uneven ground near the cliff path. Fighters were rotated constantly, barely given time to breathe.
Kael's arms burned. His legs felt heavy.
"Don't rely on force!" Rhen snapped. "Control your movement!"
Kael adjusted, turning his opponent's momentum aside instead of meeting it head-on.
Rhen approached when the match ended.
"You hesitate," Rhen said.
Kael straightened. "I won."
"You survived," Rhen replied. "That's not the same."
Kael met his gaze. "Then tell me what I'm doing wrong."
Rhen studied him. "You're fighting like you're afraid of crossing a line."
Kael frowned. "What line?"
Rhen didn't answer. He walked away.
The sky darkened earlier than usual.
Kael climbed the stone steps leading toward the cliffs overlooking the sea. The wind was sharp here, cold against his skin.
Lyra stood near the edge, sword sheathed, eyes fixed on the water.
"You're going to fall if you stand that close," Kael said.
"I know where the edge is," Lyra replied.
Kael stopped beside her.
The waves crashed far below, louder than usual.
"The patrols doubled again," Lyra said. "They're rotating people faster."
"Because of yesterday," Kael said.
"Because of everything," she replied. "The sea. The drills. The visitors."
Kael's jaw tightened. "They were watching us."
"Yes," Lyra said. "And they didn't leave."
Kael looked back toward the island. Lights burned late into the evening. Too many.
"They're preparing us," Lyra said quietly.
"For what?" Kael asked.
Lyra didn't answer.
That night, Kael dreamed of steel.
Not blades—chains.
They wrapped around his arms and chest, tightening every time he tried to move. The harder he struggled, the heavier they became.
A voice whispered, distant but firm.
Not yet.
Kael woke up gasping.
His heart pounded. Sweat soaked his shirt.
He sat up slowly, pressing a hand to his chest until his breathing steadied.
The ache lingered.
Deep. Dull. Unanswered.
The horn sounded before dawn.
Not the alarm.
The movement call.
Kael was on his feet instantly, sword in hand.
Outside, fighters were already running toward the shoreline. Rhen stood near the front, issuing orders.
"Formation," he barked. "No reckless charges."
The sea churned violently. Dark shapes moved beneath the surface.
"They're closer than yesterday," Tavian muttered.
The monsters rose without warning.
Metal-plated bodies broke through the waves, water cascading off sharp edges. Their movements were deliberate, coordinated.
The clash was immediate.
Swords struck armored flesh. Sparks flew. One creature slammed into the defenders, sending two fighters skidding across wet stone.
Kael moved on instinct.
He dodged a sweeping claw and struck at a joint. The blade bounced.
The creature turned toward him.
Its eyes glowed faintly.
Pressure hit Kael's chest.
His vision blurred. The ache behind his eyes flared again—stronger.
"Kael!" Lyra shouted.
The creature lunged.
Kael raised his sword.
For a split second, something inside him pushed back—not power, not strength, but resistance.
The impact sent him sliding across the stone. Pain flared through his side, but he stayed conscious.
Rhen arrived in a blur of motion. His blade flashed, cutting deep. The monster collapsed.
The remaining creatures retreated quickly, sinking back into the sea.
Silence followed.
Kael knelt, gripping his sword. His whole body shook.
Rhen placed a hand on his shoulder. "You held."
Kael nodded, unable to speak.
Lyra helped him up. Her grip was tight.
"You scared me," she said.
Kael looked at the water as it calmed once more.
"So did I."
That night, the island did not rest.
Neither did Kael.
Whatever had been watching them was no longer patient.
And whatever Kael was carrying inside him had begun to respond.
Slowly.
Reluctantly.
But it was no longer silent.