Kian had collapsed face-first into the grass, completely spent from his relentless training. Chandler had lifted him like he weighed nothing, tossing him over his shoulder with a grunt. "Damn kid pushes himself until he breaks," he muttered, shaking his head.
Nia hurried to follow, worry etched into her features. "Is… is he going to be okay?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Chandler glanced back at her. "He'll be fine. Probably sore as hell, but fine." His gaze softened just a touch. "The boy's stronger than he knows."
They brought him inside, laying him down in his room. Nia hovered by the door, hands clasped nervously. She watched his chest rise and fall steadily, relief flooding her veins. But there was something else too. A flicker of envy. He was growing stronger so much stronger and she was still behind.
That night, she couldn't sleep. Her thoughts churned with frustration and determination. Images of Kian standing tall against the odds, facing danger head-on, played in her mind like an unrelenting dream. She wanted to stand beside him, not behind him.
The first rays of dawn spilled through her window when she finally got up, slipping into her training clothes and heading outside. The air was cool and crisp, biting at her cheeks as she stepped onto the training grounds where Chandler was already waiting. He stood with his hands behind his back, expression stern. "Couldn't sleep?"
Nia shook her head. "I need to get stronger. I want… I want you to train me. Really train me."
He regarded her quietly, his eyes narrowing. "You're not asking for a light session, are you?"
"No," she replied firmly, fists clenched at her sides. "I want to be strong enough to protect him. I don't want to just watch anymore."
Chandler's silence stretched for a moment, his gaze piercing. Finally, he gave a small nod. "Then I won't hold back. Starting today, you'll know what it means to train under me."
Nia straightened her back, eyes fierce. "I'm ready."
He raised an eyebrow. "We'll see."
With a flick of his wrist, a dozen jagged stones lifted off the ground, hanging in the air like they were suspended on invisible strings. "Your telekinesis is sloppy. You've been handling it like it's a fragile thing. But if you want to stand with Kian, you have to wield it like a weapon."
Nia took a deep breath, extending her hands. The stones wobbled for a moment, then stilled, her control tightening around them. Chandler grunted in approval. "Better. But not good enough. Push it. Stretch your limits, or you'll never close the gap."
Gritting her teeth, she forced more energy through her veins, her hands trembling slightly as the stones rose higher, spinning faster. Sweat beaded along her forehead, but she didn't stop. She wouldn't stop.
Chandler crossed his arms, watching her struggle. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of pride in his eyes. "If you want to catch up to that boy," he said slowly, "you're going to have to break before you grow."
Nia's eyes flashed with determination. "Then break me."