Chapter 20: Limits Will Be Broken
The wind moved softly across the empty ground.
But the calm didn't last.
"Again," Arjun said.
Meera exhaled tiredly.
Her body was already exhausted.
They had been training for hours.
And it showed.
Her breathing was heavy.
Her hands slightly shaking.
"…How many times do I have to do this?" she asked weakly.
Arjun didn't respond immediately.
"Until you don't lose control," he said calmly.
Meera sighed.
"Then I'll be here forever…"
Arjun's expression didn't change.
"Then we train forever."
Meera stared at him.
"…You're serious."
"Completely."
A small pause.
Then—
Meera nodded.
"…Fine."
She closed her eyes again.
This time—
Faster.
She focused.
The energy inside her responded quickly.
Stronger than before.
But also… calmer.
"I feel it again," she said.
"Good," Arjun replied.
"Now hold it."
Meera concentrated.
The energy began to gather around her hands.
A faint glow appeared.
Not wild.
Controlled.
"I'm doing it…"
Her voice filled with slight excitement.
"Don't get distracted," Arjun warned.
"Stay focused."
Meera nodded slightly.
Holding it steady.
Seconds passed.
Then more.
For the first time—
Nothing went wrong.
The energy stayed stable.
"…I did it," she whispered.
Arjun watched carefully.
"…Not yet."
Before she could react—
He moved.
Fast.
Attacking her suddenly.
Meera's eyes snapped open.
"WHAT?!"
She barely reacted in time.
Raising her hand instinctively.
The energy flared.
Blocking the attack.
BOOM!
The impact pushed her back.
But she didn't lose control.
Not this time.
She slid across the ground—
But stayed standing.
Her breathing heavy again.
"…You could've warned me!" she shouted.
Arjun lowered his hand.
"In a real fight…"
"No one warns you."
Meera clenched her fists.
"…Again."
Arjun attacked once more.
Faster.
Stronger.
Meera reacted.
Blocking.
Dodging.
Holding her energy together.
Step by step—
She improved.
Her movements sharper.
Her control stronger.
But still—
Not perfect.
A sudden surge slipped through.
Her balance broke for a second.
Arjun stopped immediately.
"Focus," he said firmly.
Meera steadied herself.
"I'm trying…"
Her voice strained.
"It's not enough to try," Arjun said.
"You have to master it."
Meera took a deep breath.
Her eyes filled with determination again.
"…Then I will."
She stepped forward.
This time—
She attacked first.
Fast.
Unexpected.
Arjun blocked—
But barely.
A small shock passed through his expression.
"…Good," he murmured.
Meera didn't stop.
She attacked again.
And again.
Each move better than the last.
Her energy—
Still dangerous.
But no longer completely out of control.
The ground cracked under their movements.
The air shifted with every impact.
Training had turned into something more.
A real fight.
But this time—
She wasn't losing.
Minutes passed.
Then—
Arjun suddenly stopped.
"Enough."
Meera froze.
Panting heavily.
"…Why?"
Arjun looked at her.
"Because you're improving."
Meera blinked.
"…That's it?"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"…I thought you'd say I'm still terrible."
Arjun looked away slightly.
"You are."
Meera's smile disappeared instantly.
"…Hey!"
Arjun turned back.
"But…"
"…you're not weak anymore."
Silence.
Meera froze slightly.
Those words—
They meant something.
Something real.
"…Thank you," she said softly.
Arjun didn't reply.
But he didn't deny it either.
Far in the distance—
The shadows watched.
Silent.
Waiting.
"…She's getting stronger," a voice whispered.
"Yes," the figure replied calmly.
Its glowing eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Which means…"
A faint smile formed again.
"It's almost time.''