First Steps

The next day, before the sun even rose over Kryphos, Theos was already awake, full of excitement. He went to the meeting point and found Kael waiting for him.
— So you actually came? — Kael said.
— I told you I would. So, shall we start? — Theos replied, brimming with energy.
— I see you’re excited, but let’s see how long that lasts. To begin, you’ll run thirty laps around the village. This will be the starting point; every time you pass me, it counts as one.
— Thir... thirty laps?! — Theos said, incredulous.
— Don’t complain. You’re lucky this village is small. Later I’ll increase the number. Oh, and before I forget: you’ll run barefoot and without rest. This isn’t about speed; it’s to put that scrawny body of yours in shape. Now go.
Without further arguing, Theos started running. The uneven ground made him trip several times, and his weak body protested at every step. Sweat dripped down, his lungs burned, but he didn’t stop. Every time he thought of giving up, he remembered Sophia and Icarus. I made a promise. I will keep it.
When he finally returned, he collapsed to his knees before Kael, gasping as if he were about to faint.
Kael just stared at him.
— I see you’re still alive. Now, let’s strengthen that stick body of yours. You’ll start with one hundred push-ups. Then you’ll carry that stone from one end to the other, use it as weight for squats, and finally lift it over your head. And you’ll repeat all this every day until I see that your body is no longer a stick.
While Kael spoke, Theos lay on the ground, still panting, barely listening.
It’s true… this guy really is going to kill me. Sophia, Icarus… forgive me. I won’t be able to keep our promise, because by then I’ll already be dead, Theos thought in agony.
— Hey, are you listening? — Kael barked. — I said no resting. Get up, weakling.
The training continued mercilessly: push-ups in the sand, squats, lifting logs, until Theos’s arms barely responded. He fell to the ground, exhausted, but Kael only said:
— An enemy won’t wait for you to rest on the battlefield. Get up!
And so it went until the end of the day. Theos lay stretched out on the ground, gasping; his arms and legs numb, completely worn out.
— That’s enough for today. Tomorrow, you’ll repeat everything you did until your body gets used to it. Then we’ll raise the level. Don’t forget: tomorrow, at the same time, not a second later. If you’re not here, I’ll leave. — Kael said with authority.
— Y… yes… sir… — Theos replied, breathless, dragging himself away.
Kael sighed, sat down, and watched the sunset. He thought to himself: this might be worth it.