The mountains echoed with the sound of impact.
Maria hit the ground hard, dust and loose stone exploding around her as her breath rushed from her lungs. She groaned, rolling onto her side.
"Again."
Kael's voice was calm. Unyielding.
She pushed herself up, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth, silver light flickering faintly beneath her skin.
"You enjoy this a little too much," she muttered.
Kael allowed himself the faintest hint of a smile. "You're still alive. That means I'm being gentle."
She snorted and charged.
This time, she didn't hesitate. Power surged through her veins as she called to the Moon, letting its energy flow instead of forcing it.
She struck with precision, her palm slamming into Kael's chest in a burst of silver light.
The Lycan King slid back several steps, boots carving trenches into the stone.
Maria froze. "I ,did that work?"
Kael straightened slowly, eyes blazing with approval. "Yes."
A grin broke across her face before she could stop it.
But it vanished as the mountain air suddenly thickened.
"Focus," Kael said. "Power without control will destroy you."
He circled her, movements fluid and predatory. "The Ashen King feeds on emotion fear, rage, grief. He will try to break you before he ever touches you."
Maria inhaled slowly, grounding herself. "Then teach me control."
Kael stopped before her. "Close your eyes."
She did.
"Feel the Moon," he instructed quietly. "Not above you. Within you."
At first, there was only noise heartbeat, breath, memory.
Then calm.
A soft pull. A steady warmth.
Her power settled, responding not to emotion, but to intent.
Kael's voice softened. "That's it."
She opened her eyes and saw him watching her with something deeper than pride.
"You're not afraid of me," she said softly.
"Never," he replied. "You are becoming what you were meant to be."
A distant horn sounded low and ominous.
Both of them stilled.
"That's the western watch," Kael said grimly.
A scout burst into the training grounds moments later, breathless. "My King there are markings at the border. Bone sigils."
Maria's blood ran cold. "The Ashen King."
Kael turned to her, expression hard but resolute. "He's testing us."
She stepped forward, shoulders squared.
"Then let him see what I've become."
Kael placed his hand over hers, their power humming in unison. "Whatever comes next, you will not face it alone."
Above them, storm clouds gathered but the Moon still shone through.
And Maria knew.
She was no longer being shaped by destiny.
She was forging it.