The morning light struggled to pierce the dense canopy of the Tigerwood Forest, casting long and flickering shadows across the wooden floor of his room.
Kale Ardentis sat at his stone table, his light green hair falling over his shoulders as he reviewed the previous day's combat data. Beside him, Neo remained coiled in a tight ball, his matte black scales absorbing the dim glow of the specialised lamps.
The Nemesis Hydra was still recovering from the ego-bruising defeat in the trenches, but the steady beat of his four hearts indicated he was ready for more.
Kale stood up and adjusted his white coat, checking the edge of his mana-enhanced daggers before signalling the beast. It was time to return to the lower trenches for the second phase of their terrestrial training.
The journey toward the southern sector was faster this time, as Kale moved with a fluid and predatory grace that reflected his evolution into a Hexarion Human.
