Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Shattering Expectations
The early morning light filtered through the wide windows of the training room, casting long shadows across the marbled floors. Etienne stood in the center, quietly stretching, his muscles taut but ready. He had barely slept, not because of exhaustion, but because of the restless energy that now coursed through his veins. His breakthrough yesterday had stirred something within him—a power he hadn't fully tapped into.
Lucien entered the room, punctual as ever. His icy demeanor was unchanged, but there was a shift in the air. Etienne could feel it. Lucien had seen what he was capable of, but it was as if the maestro was waiting for Etienne to slip, to prove that his breakthrough was nothing more than a momentary flare.
They both knew that today would be different. Etienne was about to show Lucien that yesterday wasn't a fluke—it was just the beginning.
Lucien gave a curt nod. "We'll continue where we left off. No distractions, no mistakes," he said sharply, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Today, we'll see if you can maintain that... energy."
Etienne didn't respond. He didn't need to. His focus was razor-sharp. The music began, and once again, he launched into the routine. His body moved with precision, each movement sharp and controlled, but beneath it was that same fire—the raw power that had taken him by surprise yesterday. This time, though, he didn't just unleash it. He wielded it like a weapon.
His jumps were higher, his turns faster, and his body moved with a fluidity that felt almost otherworldly. But more than that, he was in complete control. Every movement, every breath, was deliberate, purposeful. He wasn't just following the routine—he was owning it, reshaping it in ways Lucien hadn't taught him.
Lucien stood by, his eyes widening ever so slightly with each leap, each extension. His hands clenched behind his back, his normally impassive face betraying the smallest flicker of disbelief. He hadn't expected this. Etienne wasn't just meeting his expectations—he was obliterating them.
As Etienne hit the final sequence of the routine, a series of intricate movements that required both speed and grace, he pushed himself even harder. His muscles screamed in protest, but he ignored them, driving his body to the brink. When he landed the final move, he did so with a perfection that even he hadn't anticipated.
The music stopped. The room was silent, except for the sound of Etienne's labored breathing. He stood still, sweat dripping down his face, but his eyes were locked on Lucien's.
Lucien didn't speak at first. He simply stared, his lips pressed into a thin line, his posture rigid. He was usually quick to critique, always pointing out the smallest imperfections. But today, there were no words. He was stunned.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lucien stepped forward. His face was unreadable, but Etienne could sense the storm of emotions swirling beneath the surface—surprise, frustration, maybe even a hint of pride.
"That... was unexpected," Lucien said, his voice low and measured. "You've surpassed yourself."
Etienne remained silent, his gaze unwavering. He wasn't looking for approval, but there was a satisfaction in knowing that he had shaken Lucien to his core.
Lucien began to pace, his movements sharp and controlled, as if trying to regain his composure. "You've reached a level I didn't think you'd achieve this quickly," he continued, his tone tight. "But don't let this go to your head. You're still not ready."
Etienne's jaw tightened. "I am ready," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I'm ready for Varna, and I'm ready to prove it."
Lucien stopped pacing, turning to face him with an intensity that made the air feel heavy. "Varna isn't just about technical perfection, Etienne," he said, his voice clipped. "It's about endurance, resilience. The pressure there will be unlike anything you've experienced. One slip, and everything you've worked for—everything I've worked for—will be gone."
Etienne took a step forward, his eyes blazing. "I won't slip."
Lucien stared at him for a long moment, his sharp gaze probing for any sign of weakness. But Etienne stood his ground, his resolve unshakable.
Without another word, Lucien crossed to the stereo and played the music again. "One more time," he ordered, his voice laced with tension. "Let's see if you can do it again."
Etienne didn't hesitate. As the music filled the room, he launched into the routine once more. But this time, he pushed himself even harder. His movements were faster, more precise, and yet there was a fluidity, a freedom, that hadn't been there before. His body moved like a force of nature, as if every restriction had fallen away.
As he danced, he saw the flicker of shock in Lucien's eyes grow with every step. The old Etienne would have crumbled under this pressure, would have let doubt creep in. But not now. Not after everything.
He finished the routine, his body still, his breathing heavy. The silence that followed was thicker this time, more charged. Lucien stared at him, his expression unreadable, but the disbelief was evident.
"I don't know how you've done it," Lucien finally said, his voice quieter now, almost resigned. "But this... this is beyond what I've prepared you for."
Etienne's chest tightened, but this time, it wasn't from exhaustion. It was from something deeper—an understanding that he had finally stepped into his own. For years, Lucien had been shaping him, molding him into the dancer he wanted Etienne to be. But now, Etienne had surpassed those expectations, broken free from the mold.
"I told you," Etienne said quietly, his voice steady. "I'm ready."
Lucien didn't argue. He couldn't. For the first time in their relationship, Lucien was the one left speechless, his ironclad control shaken by the force of what Etienne had become.
Finally, Lucien nodded, a silent acknowledgment of what he had just witnessed. "Then we'll see how far this can take you," he said, his voice low, almost reluctant. "Varna is just the beginning."
Etienne stood tall, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that Lucien was right—Varna was just the beginning. But for the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid. He wasn't dancing for Lucien anymore. He was dancing for himself.
And now, the world was about to see just what Etienne D'Arcy could do.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone