MTLNOVEL Chapter 6: Sparring
The air inside the makeshift shelter was heavy, a stillness broken only by the faint crackling of the fire. Sleep came in restless waves, fragmented by the echoes of Aurora's words and the weight of everything that had happened since I first stepped into Purgatorio.
The darkness pressed down on me, bringing vivid dreams—or perhaps memories. Images flashed through my mind: a towering skeletal figure with hollow eyes, a burning village, and a voice whispering, "You were chosen."
I woke with a start, my body drenched in sweat. The fire had dwindled to embers, casting faint shadows on the walls. Aurora sat by the door, her silhouette framed by the dim glow of the outside world. She didn't turn, but her voice carried across the room.
"Nightmares?" she asked, her tone neutral.
I sat up, running a hand through my hair. "Something like that."
Aurora finally looked over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "You'll get used to it. This place has a way of digging into your mind, dredging up things you'd rather forget."
"Is that what happened to you?" I asked, before I could stop myself.
For a moment, her icy blue eyes softened, but the vulnerability was fleeting. She turned away. "Everyone here has their demons, Kuro. You'll meet yours soon enough."
Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I pushed it aside, forcing myself to my feet. "You said we'd train today. What's the plan?"
Aurora smirked, standing and grabbing her cloak. "You're eager. That's good. But eager doesn't mean ready. Follow me."
We left the shelter and ventured deeper into the desolate terrain of Purgatorio. The landscape was as unforgiving as ever—jagged rocks, shifting sands, and an oppressive red sky that seemed to pulse with life.
After what felt like hours, Aurora stopped abruptly. "This is far enough," she said, scanning the area.
"Far enough for what?" I asked, glancing around.
"To see if you can survive without me," she said simply, stepping back.
Before I could process her words, the ground beneath me rumbled. A fissure split open, and from its depths emerged three hulking figures—demonic creatures with twisted horns, glowing red eyes, and claws that looked like they could tear through steel.
"Meet your sparring partners," Aurora said, leaning casually against a nearby rock. "Good luck."
Panic surged through me as the first creature lunged. Its claws swiped toward me, forcing me to dive to the side. I barely avoided its strike, but the movement left me off balance. The second creature seized the opportunity, charging at me with terrifying speed.
My instincts screamed at me to run, but Aurora's words from yesterday echoed in my mind: No hesitation. No fear.
I steadied myself, gripping the hilt of The Eminence—the blade I'd received during my first trial. The moment I drew it, the air around me shifted, charged with an unfamiliar energy.
The first demon lunged again, its claws aiming for my chest. This time, I didn't dodge. I stepped into its attack, swinging my blade in a precise arc. The sword connected with its arm, severing it in a single, clean strike.
The creature roared in pain, its crimson blood sizzling as it hit the ground. The other two hesitated, their glowing eyes narrowing as they reassessed me.
"You're learning," Aurora called out, her voice laced with approval. "But don't get cocky. They're not done yet."
As if on cue, the injured demon's severed arm began to regenerate, the muscles and sinew knitting together at an unnatural speed.
"Of course," I muttered under my breath.
The creatures advanced again, this time working in unison. One came at me head-on while the other flanked me from the side. Their movements were coordinated, almost too intelligent for mindless beasts.
I focused, letting the power of The Eminence flow through me. The blade seemed to respond, its surface glowing faintly with a dark purple hue. I raised it just in time to block the frontal attack, the force of the impact vibrating through my arms.
The second demon leapt toward me, its claws aimed for my back. Without thinking, I twisted, channeling energy into my free hand. A surge of power erupted from my palm, slamming into the creature and sending it sprawling.
Aurora raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Soul control," she muttered to herself. "He's picking it up faster than I thought."
The battle raged on, each exchange pushing me closer to my limits. My body ached, my breaths came in ragged gasps, but I refused to give up.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I stood over the remains of the creatures. Their bodies dissolved into black mist, leaving behind only the faint hum of residual energy.
Aurora approached, her expression uncharacteristically serious. "You did well," she said. "But don't let this victory fool you. These were low-level demons. The ones in the Underworld will make these look like harmless pets."
I nodded, too exhausted to respond.
As we made our way back to the shelter, Aurora spoke again, her tone softer. "You're stronger than I expected, Kuro. But strength alone won't be enough. You'll need to rely on more than just your blade if you want to survive what's coming."
"What's coming?" I asked, glancing at her.
She didn't answer immediately, her gaze distant. "You'll see soon enough," she said quietly.
Her cryptic words left me uneasy, but I knew better than to press her. For now, I'd take whatever rest I could get—because in Purgatorio, peace was always fleeting.