race

Gladious snarled, flames flaring around his fists, but I held my ground, unwavering. The room crackled with energy as our powers clashed, the heat of his flames meeting the cold fury of my storm. Azazel's gaze flicked between us, her body tense, ready to bolt at the first sign of violence.

"Do you think you can challenge me, El-Kharis?" Gladious spat, his voice a low rumble, the floor beneath us vibrating with his barely contained rage. "You dare to insult me in my own domain?"

"I don't care about your domain," I shot back, my voice cold as ice. "This realm is under my protection, and that includes my mate. Your little trysts with Azazel are of no concern to me, but if you think for one moment that I will allow her to conspire against Esteria, you are sorely mistaken."

Azazel finally found her voice, trembling with fear and fury. "El-Kharis, please, I was only—"

"Silence!" I roared, the very air in the room trembling with the force of my command. "You will stay out of Esteria's affairs, Azazel, or I will personally ensure you regret it. Your position as the Fire Lord's consort does not protect you from my wrath."

Gladious stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "You overstep your bounds, El-Kharis. You may be powerful, but you are not invincible. Leave now, before you push me too far."

I met his gaze, unflinching. "Try me," I said, my voice a deadly whisper. The storm outside raged harder, the windows rattling in their frames as lightning flashed, illuminating the dark chamber.

For a moment, it seemed like we might clash, but then, something shifted in Gladious's expression. His flames dimmed slightly, and he took a step back, breaking eye contact.

"Enough," he growled, his tone reluctant. "This isn't worth it."

Azazel's eyes widened in shock, but she said nothing, clearly taken aback by the Fire Lord's decision to back down.

"Remember my warning," I said, turning on my heel and heading for the door. "Stay out of Esteria's way, or you'll regret it."

With that, I left the chamber, my anger still simmering but contained. As I flew back to my palace, the storm gradually subsided, the dark clouds dispersing as the morning sun began to break through. By the time I landed, the sky was clear, though the tension in my chest had yet to dissipate.

Esteria point of view

As the first light of dawn broke through the heavy curtains, I stirred awake, stretching my limbs and blinking against the brightness.

After a quick wash and a simple breakfast, I felt a sense of determination settling over me. I dressed in my training attire, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Today, I would not just be a passive observer; I would actively participate in my own growth.

Stepping out of my chambers, I took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp morning air. The palace grounds were alive with the sounds of nature—birds chirping and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze. I made my way toward the training grounds, where I expected to find Lord El and the others preparing for the day.

As I approached, I could see several figures moving in the distance. When I got closer, I recognized Leon and Rowland, both engaged in their warm-up routines. They looked strong and capable, and I felt a rush of excitement at the prospect of joining them.

"Good morning, Lady Esteria," Leon greeted me, his expression friendly. "Ready for training?"

"Absolutely," I replied, my heart racing with anticipation. "What's the plan for today?"

Rowland joined in, his voice steady. "Lord El has prepared a series of challenges to build our strength. It seems we'll be starting with a race around the palace."

"A race?" I echoed, slightly surprised. "How far do we have to run?"

"Three laps around the grounds," Leon explained, motioning toward the expansive area that surrounded the palace. "It's not just about speed but also about endurance and teamwork."

My competitive spirit sparked at the idea. "I'm ready for it," I declared, standing a little taller.

"Good," Leon said with a nod. "Lord El will be overseeing us, so we need to give it our all."

As if summoned by my thoughts, Lord El appeared at the edge of the training grounds, his imposing figure radiating authority. His eyes scanned the area, landing on me and the others. He stepped forward, his presence commanding attention.

"Listen up," he began, his voice firm. "Today, we focus on building our strength. To become strong demons, we need to push our limits. That's why we're starting with a race. Three laps around the palace grounds."

I felt a thrill run through me at his words, a mixture of nerves and excitement. Lord El continued, explaining the importance of endurance in our training and how it would serve us in the future.

"You will learn to work together, to support one another," he added, his gaze sweeping over us. "And remember, strength is not just physical; it's mental. You must keep pushing forward, no matter how tired you become."

His words resonated deeply within me. I knew this was not just a test of physical ability but a lesson in resilience. I exchanged glances with Leon and Rowland, determination evident in their expressions. We were in this together.

"On your marks," Lord El called out, and we lined up at the starting point, anticipation buzzing in the air. "Get set… Go!"

With his command, we took off, the sound of our footsteps pounding against the ground filling the air. I focused on my breathing, settling into a steady rhythm as I pushed myself forward. The palace grounds stretched before us, a beautiful backdrop for this grueling challenge.

The first lap felt invigorating, the rush of adrenaline fueling my legs as I kept pace with Leon and Rowland. I could hear their breaths, could feel the collective energy of our small group as we encouraged one another. But as we neared the end of the first lap, fatigue began to creep in.

"Keep going, Esteria!" Leon shouted, glancing back at me with an encouraging grin.

I pushed through the heaviness in my limbs, reminding myself of Lord El's words. It was about more than just finishing first; it was about perseverance. As we rounded the second lap, I felt the strain in my muscles intensifying. The heat of the day bore down on us, but I refused to slow my pace.

By the time we reached the final lap, my legs felt like lead, and my breath came in ragged gasps. I could see the finish line in the distance, a beacon urging me forward. The sound of my companions' footsteps faded into a blur as I focused solely on crossing that line.

"Let's finish strong!" Rowland shouted, his voice a rallying cry that pushed me to dig deeper.

With every ounce of energy I had left, I surged forward, the finish line drawing closer. I could see Lord El watching us, his expression unreadable, but I sensed his presence urging us on. I refused to let him down.

Finally, with a burst of speed, I crossed the finish line, collapsing onto the grass as my lungs burned. Around me, Leon and Rowland joined me in our collective exhaustion, laughter mingling with heavy breathing.

"Well done, everyone," Lord El called out, his voice resonating with approval. "You've all shown great determination today. Remember, strength is built through effort and perseverance."

I looked up at him, feeling a surge of pride at having completed the challenge. "Thank you, Lord El," I managed to say between breaths.

He nodded, a flicker of a smile breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. "Now, rest and hydrate. We'll prepare for the next phase of training shortly."

As I lay on the grass, I reflected on the experience. It had been tough, but I felt a newfound sense of strength and resolve. I was determined to continue this journey, not just for myself but for my dead families and people ,i must revenge.