Rae van Daleon – The Roots of the Storm

by Lea von Löwenstein

Chapter 14: Unseen Challenges

The chamber was quiet, but the tension in the air lingered like the echoes of the patrol’s footsteps in their minds. Rae sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor, her eyes scanning the room as her team recovered from their first real test. Tyren leaned against the wall, absently fiddling with his cogitator, while Marcus stretched his broad shoulders, his face calm but alert. Celestine paced the room in measured steps, her movements sharp and deliberate, while Soren sat on the edge of his bed, his head lowered but his hands steady.

“We did well,” Rae began, her voice calm but firm. “But don’t mistake this for perfection. Tonight, we were lucky. Next time, luck won’t save us.”

Celestine stopped pacing and turned toward Rae. “We need to refine our timing,” she said. “That last crossing could’ve gone wrong if Soren had slipped any further.”

Soren’s cheeks flushed, and he looked up at her. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ll do better next time.”

“You’re improving,” Marcus said, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “But improvement isn’t enough. We need precision. Every step, every breath—controlled.”

Tyren smirked, his fingers still tapping on his device. “And maybe we can avoid crawling around like vermin next time if I can get us more intel on patrol routes. Give me a day or two, and I’ll have something.”

“Noted,” Rae said, rising to her feet. She paced to the center of the room, her gaze steady. “But this isn’t just about stealth. It’s about discipline. If we want to survive in the depths, we can’t afford mistakes—not even small ones.”

The Next Morning: A Harsh Reminder

The morning came too quickly, the relentless toll of the Scola’s bell pulling them from their beds. Rae’s body ached from the previous night’s effort, but she pushed it aside as she led the group to breakfast. The mess hall was as chaotic as ever, the clatter of trays and low murmurs filling the air.

The group sat together at their usual table, their movements slower than usual. Alric, who had taken to joining them for breakfast when he could, raised an eyebrow at their subdued demeanor. “Rough night?”

“You could say that,” Tyren muttered, stabbing at his gray porridge with his spoon.

Rae ignored the comment, her focus on Soren, who sat quietly, his gaze fixed on his tray. “Soren,” she said, her tone softer than usual. “You did well last night. But you need to trust yourself more.”

Soren looked up, his eyes meeting hers. “I’m trying,” he said quietly. “But it’s hard to believe I won’t just mess everything up.”

“You won’t,” Rae replied firmly. “And even if you do, that’s what we’re here for—to catch you. But you have to give us something to work with. Confidence, Soren. Start there.”

Alric leaned back in his seat, his trademark grin creeping onto his face. “Rae, you could inspire a rock to get up and march.”

Celestine rolled her eyes. “Focus, Alric.”

“I am focused,” he replied, raising his spoon in mock seriousness. “Focused on not choking on this delightful breakfast.”

Even Marcus allowed a faint smile at that, and for a brief moment, the tension eased.

The Day’s Training: Lessons in Balance

The day’s training brought the group back to their structured routines. The first session was a physical trial, focusing on balance and agility. The instructors had set up a grueling course: narrow beams, swinging obstacles, and slippery platforms designed to test even the most coordinated novices.

“Balance isn’t just physical,” Instructor Parval barked as the novices lined up. “It’s mental. Lose your focus, and you’ll fall—not just here, but in battle. Remember that.”

Rae was the first to step onto the course. The beam wobbled slightly beneath her feet, but she adjusted quickly, her movements deliberate and smooth. Her focus was absolute, her breathing steady as she navigated the obstacles. Behind her, the others watched closely, taking mental notes.

Celestine followed, her precision evident in every step. Marcus moved slower, his larger frame making the narrow beams more challenging, but his determination was unshakable. Tyren stumbled once but recovered quickly, his muttered curses drawing a rare smirk from Celestine. Soren brought up the rear, his movements hesitant but improving with each step.

As the group completed the course, Instructor Parval nodded slightly. “Better. But not enough. You’ll do it again tomorrow—faster.”

The Afternoon: A Glimpse of Rivalry

The second half of the day brought a more strategic challenge: a simulated skirmish between teams. Rae’s group was pitted against a team led by Varren, the arrogant older novice who had made no secret of his disdain for Rae and her companions.

The scenario was simple: capture a flag placed in the center of a maze-like training ground. The first team to retrieve it and return to their base would win.

“We need to play smart,” Rae said as they huddled in their starting area. “Tyren, monitor their movements. Celestine, you’re on offense with me. Marcus, hold the line at our base. Soren, you’ll support Marcus and fill any gaps.”

The simulation began, and the tension was immediate. Varren’s team was aggressive, their movements coordinated but reckless. Rae and Celestine used the maze’s tight corners to their advantage, moving like shadows through the twisting paths. Tyren’s observations gave them critical intel, allowing them to outmaneuver Varren’s heavy hitters.

But the victory was hard-fought. Celestine was forced into a one-on-one skirmish with one of Varren’s teammates, while Rae slipped past another to grab the flag. As they raced back to their base, Varren himself intercepted them.

“Impressive,” he said, blocking their path. “But not good enough.”

Rae didn’t waste time on words. With a swift feint, she distracted him long enough for Celestine to land a precise strike, knocking him off balance. They returned to their base just as the simulation ended.

The Evening: Reflection and Resolve

Back in their chamber, the group debriefed. “That was too close,” Marcus said, his voice steady but serious. “We can’t rely on luck.”

“It wasn’t luck,” Rae said. “It was preparation. But we still have work to do.”

Celestine nodded. “Varren’s not going to take this lightly. He’ll come after us again.”

“Let him,” Rae replied. “We’ll be ready.”

As the group settled for the night, Rae’s thoughts turned to the deeper challenges ahead. The secrets of the Scola were still shrouded in darkness, but tonight had proven one thing: her team was growing stronger. And soon, they would be ready to face whatever waited in the shadows.

Shadows and Progress

The chamber grew quieter as the evening stretched on. Each of Rae’s companions reflected on the day in their own way. Tyren fiddled with his cogitator, muttering about finding more efficient ways to analyze enemy movement. Marcus leaned against the wall, his eyes closed, though Rae knew he wasn’t resting—his mind was always calculating, always steady. Celestine polished her boots with a mechanical precision, while Soren practiced balancing on the edge of his bed, his determination visible despite the fatigue in his posture.

Rae observed them all, her gaze lingering on each member of her team. They had grown stronger, sharper, more disciplined. But she knew their challenges were only beginning.

The First Steps to Mastery

“Let’s go over what went wrong today,” Rae said, breaking the silence. She moved to the center of the room, commanding their attention with her calm authority. “It’s not enough to win. We need to understand why we won and what could’ve gone wrong.”

Tyren groaned, but the hint of a grin played at his lips. “More lectures?”

“Call it what you want,” Rae replied, unfazed. “But if we don’t learn, we won’t survive.”

She turned to Celestine. “You were precise, but you hesitated when you had the chance to disable their leader. Why?”

Celestine frowned, her hands stilling. “I thought it was better to wait. I didn’t want to risk losing our position.”

“Understandable,” Rae said, nodding. “But sometimes, hesitation can cost more than action. Next time, trust your instincts.”

Celestine gave a sharp nod, her eyes thoughtful. Rae then looked at Tyren. “Your intel was invaluable, but you were too focused on the data. You almost missed their secondary flank.”

Tyren scratched the back of his head, sheepish. “Yeah, I got caught up in trying to predict their moves. I’ll work on it.”

“Soren,” Rae said, turning to him. His posture straightened, though his eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness. “You improved. But you’re still holding back. You need to commit fully to your role. No half-measures.”

Soren nodded quickly, determination flickering in his gaze. “I’ll do better.”

“And Marcus,” Rae continued. “You held the base perfectly, but you need to communicate more. We rely on you for stability. Let us know what you see.”

Marcus opened one eye and gave a small grunt of acknowledgment. “Understood.”

Rae took a step back, her voice softer now. “We’re learning. But this isn’t just about skill. It’s about trust. Each of us has to know that the others will do their part. Without that, we’re just a group of individuals. With it, we’re unstoppable.”

A Surprise Challenge

Before the group could fully relax, there was a sudden knock at their chamber door. The sound was sharp and unexpected, sending a ripple of tension through them. Rae signaled for silence, her hand instinctively moving toward the small blade she kept hidden in her boot.

The knock came again, followed by a voice—low and familiar. “Open up. I need to talk.”

It was Alric.

Rae exchanged a glance with Marcus, who moved to the door and opened it just enough to let Alric slip inside. He was out of breath, his usual easygoing demeanor replaced by urgency.

“What’s wrong?” Rae asked, her tone wary.

“You’ve made an impression,” Alric said, leaning against the wall as he caught his breath. “Varren’s not happy about losing today. He’s been asking questions—about you, your team, and what you’re up to.”

Rae’s jaw tightened. “Let him ask.”

“It’s not just him,” Alric continued. “There’s talk among the older novices. They’re watching you now. If you keep this up, it won’t just be Varren coming after you.”

Celestine crossed her arms, her expression cold. “Let them come. We’re ready.”

“No,” Rae said, her voice firm. “We’re not ready for that kind of attention. Not yet.”

Alric raised an eyebrow. “Then what’s your plan?”

Rae’s mind raced. They needed to stay ahead of Varren, to prepare for whatever retaliation might come, but without drawing even more suspicion. After a moment, she met Alric’s gaze. “We’ll lay low—for now. Let them think we’re just another group of novices.”

“And when they come for us?” Marcus asked.

Rae’s eyes hardened. “Then we show them why we’re not to be underestimated.”

A New Resolve

After Alric left, the group sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the warning settling over them. Rae finally broke the quiet, her voice steady. “This changes nothing. We stick to the plan—training, preparation, and precision. If Varren or anyone else comes for us, we’ll handle it. Together.”

Tyren smirked, his confidence returning. “I guess I’ll keep an eye on the older novices’ data too. Can’t hurt to know more.”

Celestine nodded. “And I’ll make sure we’re sharper than ever. If they think they can outmaneuver us, they’re wrong.”

Marcus cracked his knuckles. “If they want a fight, they’ll regret it.”

Rae looked at Soren, who hesitated before speaking. “I’ll do my part. Whatever it takes.”

A faint smile crossed Rae’s lips. “Good. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we push harder.”

As the group settled in for the night, Rae stared at the ceiling, her mind spinning with possibilities. Varren’s anger was a reminder of the dangers ahead, but it also fueled her determination. They were stronger than they had been yesterday, and tomorrow, they would be even stronger.

The shadows of the Scola were closing in, but Rae knew one thing for certain: her team was ready to face them.