73 - New Alfa, 02

THIRD PERSON POV

The shrill sound of a whistle jolted Paul awake as the sun rose on the horizon. Rising quickly, his body still sore from the previous night’s journey, he found his father waiting in the clearing behind the mansion. The fog clung to the ground and the humidity suffocated the morning atmosphere, giving the impression of being from another world.

“Let’s begin,” his father said, handing him a knife. “TODAY, you will discover the true importance of pain.”

Paul felt his father’s blade slap into his hand before he could react. His shock reflected in his arms, but he held his ground, exerting effort to fend off the attack. Each blow was stronger than the last, and he realized his father was not holding back, he wanted to hurt him.

“You think you know suffering?” His father roared, delivering a blow that almost knocked him down. “You know nothing about pain. You are weak, Paul! Your mother made you weak. She made you like this, sentimental. You think the pain of love hurts? Now