บท 15: Origin

The days blurred together in a haze of sweat and aching muscles. Arin found herself falling into a routine, her body adapting to the rigorous training regimen that Kern had designed. Each morning, she woke before dawn, her muscles sore but stronger than the day before.

Approaching the clearing, Arin noticed Kai and Lena already there, stretching and preparing for the day ahead. Kai grinned at her, his dark hair tousled from sleep. "Ready for another day of torture?" he asked, his tone light despite the grueling day that awaited them.

Lena, her long hair braided down her back, rolled her eyes at Kai's quip. "It's not torture, it's training," she corrected, though the slight quirk of her lips betrayed her amusement.

They moved to a section of the clearing where large logs and boulders had been arranged in neat rows. Arin approached one of the logs, wrapping her arms around its rough, bark-covered surface. It was nearly as thick as her torso, and she could feel the weight of it pressing against her chest.

Taking a deep breath, Arin tightened her grip and began to lift. For a moment, it seemed the log wouldn't budge, its weight firmly rooted to the ground. Then, slowly, the log began to rise. Arin's muscles screamed in protest, her arms shaking with the effort, but she didn't stop. She focused on her breathing, on the steady in and out of air from her lungs, and used that rhythm to fuel her movement.

Higher and higher she lifted the log, feeling every fiber of her being straining against its weight. She could feel the heat of the sun on her back, the sweat trickling down her brow, but she pushed those sensations aside. Her world narrowed to the log, to the burning in her muscles, to the sheer force of will that kept her arms moving.

The log reached its apex, held high above her head.

With a final, guttural cry, Arin let the log drop back to the ground. It landed with a heavy thud, sending a shock wave through the earth that she could feel in the soles of her feet. For a moment, she simply stood there, her chest heaving, her arms hanging limply at her sides. The rush of blood in her ears was so loud that she almost didn't hear Kern's barked order for the next lift.

With a groan of effort, Arin forced herself to move to the next log. Her muscles protested every step, screaming for rest, for relief, but she pushed through the pain.

Again and again, she lifted the heavy objects, each repetition harder than the last. The logs seemed to grow in size and weight with each passing minute, until Arin was convinced that Kern must be secretly replacing them with larger ones when she wasn't looking. Her hands, once soft and uncalloused, began to blister and tear, the rough bark biting into her skin with every lift. She could feel the trembling in her arms growing more pronounced, the muscles quivering like leaves in a breeze.

Despite the exhaustion, Arin found herself settling into a rhythm. Lift, hold, drop. Breathe. Repeat. It became a mantra, a meditation of sorts, a way to focus her mind and block out the screaming of her muscles.

Beside her, Kai and Lena labored, their faces etched with the same determination that Arin felt coursing through her veins. They worked in silence, the only sounds the grunts of effort and the thud of logs hitting the ground.

The days turned into weeks, the routine becoming both familiar and increasingly challenging. Kern seemed to have an endless supply of new exercises and drills, each designed to push the trainees further than before. The physical demands were grueling, but they found themselves better equipped to handle the strain, thanks to a significant change in their diet.

Arin savored the taste of the tender aura beast meat, her body craving the nourishment it provided. The tribe had made the decision to allocate more meat to the potential Aura Warriors, recognizing the importance of nurturing their strength. The juicy, flavorful chunks melted in her mouth, a stark contrast to the meager portions of dried, tough meat she had grown accustomed to in the orphan shelter.

The more Aura Warriors we can awaken, the stronger and safer the entire tribe will be, she mused, chewing thoughtfully. Her eyes scanned the group of trainees, noting the changes in their physiques. Muscles that had once been barely visible now stood out in sharp relief, a testament to their hard work and improved nutrition.

The change was particularly noticeable for the orphans who had never before experienced such abundance. Their bodies, once lean from years of barely scraping by, began to fill out with solid muscle. Arin couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction she noticed the changes in her own physique, her limbs becoming more defined and her movements more precise.

She flexed her arm experimentally, marveling at the way her bicep bulged.

However, one thing that hadn't changed was the constant harassment from Dray. With his broad shoulders and well-fed frame, he towered over the orphans, a constant reminder of the privilege that came with his father's status. While Arin and her friends had struggled with constant hunger, Dray had never known such discomfort, his meals always plentiful and his portions generous.

Arin felt the burning desire to fight back, to show Dray that she wasn't as weak as he thought. But she was painfully aware of the reality of their situation. Dray's physical strength far outmatches my own, she acknowledged, her jaw clenching. Any attempt at direct confrontation would only end in injury.

One day, Arin was struggling to pull herself up to the next branch, her arms burning with the effort, when Dray's mocking voice called out from below. "Getting tired already, outsider? Maybe tree-climbing isn't your thing."

Arin gritted her teeth. "Don't you have anything better to do, Dray?"

"Better than watching you flail around up there? Nah, this is prime entertainment." Dray's smirk was audible in his voice.

But Dray wasn't finished. "You know, you're not even from this tribe. Just showed up out of nowhere one day. So what's your deal? You some kind of lost forest spirit or something?"

Arin felt a flicker of irritation at Dray's words, but she quickly suppressed it. Instead, she took a deep breath and continued climbing, her movements deliberate and precise.

The higher she climbed, the more distant Dray's taunts became, until they were swallowed up by the rustling of leaves and the calls of forest creatures. Arin pushed herself to the limit, her muscles screaming in protest she ascended to heights she had never before attempted.

When she reached the top, Arin looked out over the forest, taking in the vast expanse of green that stretched out before her. The village lay in the distance, the smoke from the cooking fires drifting lazily into the sky. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to be an Aura Warrior, to have the physical might to stand toe-to-toe with the fierce aura beasts. No longer feeling weak. The thought filled her with a desperate longing

From her perch, Arin could see the faint shimmer of the village's protective barrier, a barely visible dome that kept the most dangerous creatures at bay. Beyond it, the forest grew wilder, darker, filled with beasts that could tear a person apart in seconds.

With a final deep breath, she began her descent, her movements swift and sure. When she reached the ground, she saw Kai and Lena waiting for her, their faces etched with concern. Dray was nowhere to be seen, having apparently grown bored with his taunting and moved on to torment someone else.

"You okay, Arin?" Lena asked gently. "We heard what that jerk Dray said."

Arin nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, I'm good. He's just trying to mess with me, but I'm not gonna let him get to me."

Kai grinned, clapping her on the shoulder. "That's my girl! But seriously though, Arin, Dray's not totally wrong about your arrival being kinda... weird."

Lena nodded in agreement. "It's true. I remember the day Chief Lys brought you back. The hunters had gone deeper into the Middle Layer than ever before..."

"Following a herd of Thunderhooves, right?" Kai interjected excitedly. "Man, I'd love to see those beasts up close someday!"

Lena shot him a look before continuing. "Anyway, they found you unconscious in this clearing, surrounded by strange flowers no one recognized. At first, some thought you might be a new type of aura beast, one that could look human."

Kai's eyes widened. "Oh yeah, I remember that! They kept you under constant watch for days, waiting to see if you'd turn into some monster. But nope, you were just regular old Arin."

Arin absorbed this information, murmuring, "Guess that explains the weird looks I still get sometimes."

"Hey, none of that matters now," Kai said firmly, squeezing her shoulder. "You're one of us, Arin. Anyone who says different can take it up with me."

Lena nodded emphatically. "Exactly. Your past is a mystery, but your present and future are here, with the tribe. And that's what counts."

Arin exchanged a quick glance with Kai and Lena before they hurried back to their training stations. The afternoon sun beat down mercilessly they resumed their grueling exercises.

The trainees rotated through various stations. Arin found herself paired with Lena for a grueling endurance run through the forest. Lena proved to be surprisingly swift, her transformation over the past weeks nothing short of remarkable. Her feet seemed to find the surest path through the undergrowth, her breathing steady and controlled.

"Keep up, slowpoke!" Lena called over her shoulder, grinning. "We're almost at the finish line!"

Arin pushed herself harder"Oh, it is so on! You're going down, Lena!"

During a brief water break, Arin noticed Kai struggling with a heavy lifting exercise nearby. Sweat poured down his face he attempted to move a large log. Arin approached him, offering a supportive smile.

"Need a hand there, big guy?" she asked playfully.

Kai looked up at her, panting. "Nah, I got this. Just... taking a breather."

Arin raised an eyebrow. "Try shifting your stance a bit. And remember, lift with your legs, not your back.

Kai nodded, adjusting his position. His next attempt went smoother, the log moving with less strain. His face lit up. "Hey, it worked! Thanks, Arin!"

Their moment of celebration was short-lived Kern's voice rang out once more. "Gather round, all of you!"

The trainees quickly assembled, their bodies weary from the day's exertions. Kern's piercing gaze swept over them, his expression unreadable. The air was thick with anticipation they waited for his words.

"Your training with me is now complete," Kern continued, his voice carrying across the clearing. "The time has come for you to face your greatest challenge yet – the Awakening Ritual."

A collective gasp went up from the group. They had all known this moment was coming, but hearing it announced made it suddenly, terrifyingly real.

"Tomorrow, under the light of the full moon, you will gather at the sacred moon tree," Kern explained, his voice low and solemn. "There, Shaman Elda will conduct the ritual that will determine your fates. Some of you will awaken to your aura. Others..." he paused, his expression grave, "will not."

"Rest well tonight," Kern advised. "Eat your fill and prepare your minds for what's to come. Tomorrow, your true journey begins."

Arin hung back, watching the others move away, some huddled in small groups, others lost in their own thoughts.

"So... this is really happening, huh?" Lena said softly, coming to stand beside Arin. "After tomorrow, we'll either be super-powered warriors or..."

"Super disappointed?" Arin supplied with a wry grin.

Kai threw his arms around both of their shoulders, his usual exuberance tinged with nervousness. "Come on, you two! No negative talk allowed. We're gonna ace this Awakening thing, just you wait and see!"

Lena rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress a smile. "Easy for you to say, Mr. Confidence. Some of us have actual worries, you know."

"Pfft, worries are for the weak," Kai scoffed, puffing out his chest. "And we, my friends, are anything but weak. Right, Arin?"

Arin shook her head, chuckling. "Whatever you say, Kai. But maybe we should focus on more immediate concerns. Like dinner. I'm starving!"

"Now you're speaking my language!" Kai exclaimed, his stomach growling loudly if on cue.

The three friends burst into laughter, the sound chasing away some of their nerves. Their giggles subsided, Kai's stomach let out another insistent growl, causing another round of mirth.

"Okay, okay, well, let's get you fed before you start gnawing on tree bark." Lena said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.