Lemir stares outside the kitchen window, as visions of past horrors race through his mind, thinking of the dangers that lie ahead. A warm hand suddenly appears on his grizzled shoulder as Valier joins him. They both stare outside the window, Valier hoping to find what he is searching for out there. "When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?" Valier asked, scared to know the answer.

Lemir sighs heavily, barely gripping his cup. "Years. Flashes of that day still linger every time I close my eyes. Knowing I must return to that horrible place doesn't make it easier. Why did Jasmin have to go alone?"

"Would you have gone with her if she asked?"

Lemir stands there knowing the answer, but it didn't change how he felt.

"We have to be strong. If we go in there with any doubt, it might cost us all our lives."

Hiro laid in bed, overhearing their conversation, now more awake than he's ever been. He turns sideways to face the window, unable to stop the shaking. Hoping every time he woke up, he was back home and away from this crazy world.

Valier and Lemir's conversation continues to go through the walls, scaring everyone that hears it.

"We all lose people we love, but us living in terror will not bring them back." Valier grips the necklace she wore. A necklace that glows even in the darkest of places. "It's odd every time I feel uncertain and scared, I hold on to this and suddenly it all goes away."

"I'm not surprised. It is your mother's soul within it."

"Yeah, she split it into three. Each one made for her three children." Valier gazes upon the necklace with such fondness and sorrow as she wipes the tears that flow down her face.

"Come on, finish that tea and try to get some sleep." Valier said as she walked to her room, still wiping her tears. Lemir chugs down his hot tea and returns to his room, attempting to get some much-needed rest. The moment the door closes, a head pops up in front of Hiro's window. Kalindil quickly sent a spell to cover his mouth before Hiro could scream.

"What are you all still doing in bed? I told you at sunrise."

"I never agreed to this. I'm staying in bed and switching beds with Ito." Hiro said as he turned to face the other side.

"Well, those who want to train meet me in the same place. The ladies are already out there."

Ito is already up and ready to go, as he checks the mirror one last time. Ito turns around and sees Kenji finally awake, giving him a huge smile.

"I can't believe this. I'm about to train with Kalindil." Ito said, as he followed up his sentence with something that could only be described as a high-pitched shriek.

"Maybe all that playing in the backyard will be of some use." Kenji said to Ito as they walked towards the bedroom door.

"You think so? It'll be nothing compared to your sword skills though. You have to teach me sometime."

Kenji laughs and puts his arm around Ito. "We have nothing but time."

Kenji and Ito finally make it outside to join the others. Everyone, not sure what to expect, but decided to at least stretch to avoid getting a cramp. Kalindil walks towards them while pulling out a danish from his pocket, spilling sugar on his shirt with each bite he takes.

"Okay, everyone, we only have a short amount of time, and if I don't see a massive amount of improvement, none of you are coming. As much as I want reinforcements, I don't want you to die when you're not ready. First, we are going to train in hand-to-hand combat and weaponry. Who would like to volunteer?" Ito and Kenji raise their hands, but Kalindil chooses Ito because of Kenji's still injured shoulder. Ito joins Kalindil in front, ready to learn.

"Okay, attack." Kalindil stands in front of Ito with his hands behind his back. Ito loads his right hand and swings his arm, aiming at Kalindil's head. Kalindil pivots to his side, bending down and flipping Ito over his back. Everyone winces as they witness Ito slamming against the ground. "Who here thinks they could do better?" Kalindil looks at each of them as they all stare at Ito and then turns in every other direction except Kalindil's.

Kalindil takes out his wand from his pocket and whips it around. The wand glows red as he created five sparring partners, appearing before all of them. "We are going to start with the basics. Before we move on, you will throw a thousand punches with each hand at these shadows. Kenji, you throw two thousand with your good arm. Concentrate on your accuracy. Aim for the target and slowly, you'll become faster and faster."

Mei and Sungwoo step forward first and soon, everyone else. Kalindil watches and helps fine-tune their movements. After the two-thousandth punch, they move on to kicks. Soon everyone fell to exhaustion, except Mei. Seeking to finish her two thousand kicks, she became unaware of how much time had passed. They overheard Lemir and Valier calling everyone for dinner, but before Kalindil orders them to stop, he notices a subtle yellow light emitting from Mei.

The light disappears as she makes her way to the others. The first step they all took towards the house, they all fell, knees wobbling as they made their way to the cottage. They all kept their composure, struggling to not to fall face first in the beef stew while sitting at the table. Finishing their food as quickly as they got them, they thank Valier and Lemir for the food and walk as fast as their legs could take them to their room, falling asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillow.

As they closed their eyes, they felt like they were immediately woken up by Kalindil. The sun was now behind his head. How is it sunrise already? I just closed my eyes. Kenji thought. Barely able to sit up without feeling an overwhelming amount of pain. I feel so weak. I hope it's only from the training.

Kenji walks outside, realizing everyone felt the same way. Ito, having no shame, decides to lie in the fetal position, curling up and rocking back and forth.

"Hey c'mon we have to train."

"I know. This is what I've been dreaming of for so long, but my body is telling me otherwise."

"Listen, I have only one good shoulder. If I'm doing it, so are you. Now come on, get up." Kenji extends his good arm toward Ito, while Ito grabs his arm and gets back to his feet. "Yeah, you're right."

"I know all of you are in severe pain, but unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of a day off. So today, we are going to pick up the pace." The same five shadows appear again, but they all go into a fighting position as they approach them. "As you might have noticed, they will fight back today."

Everyone steps back, barely having the energy to throw a punch, let alone defend themselves. Not waiting for them to start, the shadows rush forward, taking the initiative.

Ito steps away from his partner, noticing everyone doing the same thing. Kenji blocks the first strike, but not the second or third. He finds it almost impossible to defend himself against the shadow, especially with only one good shoulder.

Sungwoo and Ito both land a punch, but the shadows rapidly recover, swinging and landing five attacks, sending them to the ground. Chung falls as the figure kicks her ribs, wincing in pain from the harsh impact. As she glances up, she notices the figure winding up his arm and clenching his fist. The shadow, aiming for a knockout blow to her head. Mei looks over and dives in front of Chung, trying to protect her from the figure.

BAM!

Mei opens her eyes and notices all the shadows are gone. Everyone runs to her in astonishment.

"Mei, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen." Chung said as she shook Mei in excitement. As Mei attempts to grab Chung's shoulders to calm her down, she notices a bright yellow glow around her hands. Mei stares at her hands in shock, waving it around as the energy surrounds her. Kalindil walks over like a proud father. "Wow! Yellow already?"

"Yeah! It is just like the show. How did you become so strong? Ito asked, his eyes filled with excitement.

"I don't know, it just kind of happened." Mei stares at her hand as the glow slowly fades, feeling the energy leave her.