Two years had passed. Hunnt had grown into a lean, powerful 8-year-old, his body honed by relentless training. His fists were precise weapons, each punch weighted and controlled. Beside him, Pyro, now muscular and agile for a Felyne, moved with natural grace, wielding his wooden Sword and Shield as if born to it.
Every morning, the village awoke to the synchronized rhythm of feet pounding the dirt, claws digging into the earth, and the satisfying thwack of wooden weapons slicing through the air.
Hunnt surveyed Pyro during one drill.
"Good, Pyro! Keep your guard high, step with the thrust, and pivot with your back paw when you block!" he called.
Nyaah… got it! Pyro's movements were sharp and fluid. He parried imaginary strikes, spun, and lunged forward, every action precise.
"Not bad," Hunnt chuckled, running up beside him. "Let's make it interesting. Mini-mission time."
Pyro tilted his head, ears twitching. Mini-mission? Nyaah… what's that?
"Okay, Pyro, imagine a pack of monsters is charging from the east. You need to run, block, and strike while keeping control. Go!" Hunnt shouted.
Pyro crouched low, claws digging into the dirt. He sprinted in controlled bursts, dodging invisible foes, striking with his Sword and Shield, pivoting around obstacles Hunnt had set up. Every movement was smooth, balanced, and increasingly confident.
"Whoa!" Hunnt laughed. "You're getting better at this than I expected. Faster reactions, cleaner strikes. Excellent!"
Pyro puffed his chest out slightly, tail twitching proudly. I can do this… I'm getting stronger… nyaah!
Hunnt wiped sweat from his brow. "Alright, now let's try Suro again. You've got the basics, but let's push speed and precision."
He demonstrated first: ten stomps, then a blur across the clearing. Pyro crouched, muscles coiling like springs, and launched. His four legs carried him forward effortlessly, claws gripping the ground for balance. Each stride became smoother, sharper, faster.
"Perfect! Control, Pyro! That's how you keep your footing even at top speed!" Hunnt cheered.
Pyro leapt, landed, spun, and struck—then froze mid-step and glanced at Hunnt with an expression that was almost playful. Hey… maybe I can challenge him? Nyaah!
Hunnt noticed the glance and grinned. "Want to race me, huh? Okay, but don't cry when I win!"
Pyro's tail lashed excitedly. You're on, nyaah!
They dashed side by side, Pyro using his Sword and Shield in a mock combat rhythm while sprinting, Hunnt using his fists and perfecting each Suro stride. Dust rose from the clearing, the two figures blurring with speed and determination.
By the time they stopped, both were panting but exhilarated. Pyro flicked his ears, golden eyes sparkling. That was… fun… and challenging… nyaah!
Hunnt laughed, bending over slightly, hands on knees. "You're catching up to me fast. Keep this up, and soon we'll be unstoppable—together."
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Hunnt stretched his arms, gazing at the clearing scattered with wooden weapons and training markers. Pyro's ready… I can feel it. But… I want more. I want to craft something of my own next… a weapon that's mine.
His thoughts drifted to the future—the gauntlet… I'll need to learn blacksmithing to make it properly. Maybe when I'm ten… I'll ask Grandpa if I can start learning at the smithy. Then… nothing will stop us.
Pyro twitched his ears, sensing the determination in Hunnt's mind, and purred softly, tail curling. I'll be ready, nyaah. Whatever comes… I'll keep up.
Together, they sat in silence, the bond of years of training and shared determination wrapping around them like the fading sunlight. Their foundation was solid—but the future… the real journey… was just beginning.