Chapter 50 Avalanche
[Nyx]
Today's training gear had become like a second skin. Pulling it on, tying my shoes, fixing my hair.
Heading downstairs, Ariel had already prepared breakfast—a spread far more elaborate than usual.
"Miss, you've been training intensely these past few days," she said, setting down a plate of scrambled eggs and grilled salmon. "Your body needs proper fuel. I've added extra protein and carbohydrates."
"Thank you, Ariel." I managed to eat half before checking my watch. "I need to go."
"Take some fruit with you," she insisted, handing me a container of cut melon and berries.
Lysander was already waiting in his Range Rover outside, engine running. I climbed into the passenger seat, still chewing the last bite of toast.
"Punctual," he noted with approval.
As we pulled out of the driveway, my phone buzzed. A message from Mia.
Morning schedule reminder: 9 AM board meeting - Q4 financial review. 3 PM supplier meeting - Riverside Pharmaceuticals contract renewal. Mr. Chen specifically requested your attendance. All materials uploaded to your tablet. Car will be ready at headquarters by 8:30 AM.
I typed back a quick confirmation, then glanced at Lysander. "Drop me at Eclipse headquarters after training?"
"Of course." His hand briefly touched mine on the gear shift. "Business never stops, does it?"
"Not when you're trying to prove you're worthy of running it."
Arriving at the training grounds, most warriors were already there.
Lysander began leading warm-ups. I followed the team through stretches, feeling my muscles more flexible than yesterday.
"Today we continue the fifteen-kilometer run," Lysander announced. "Keep pace steady. Everyone maintain formation."
"Yes, Captain."
The morning run began.
The early air was especially crisp, breathing caused slight lung pain, but I quickly adapted.
This time felt different from yesterday.
Yesterday, I'd pushed myself to the absolute limit to stay beside Lysander for those final seven kilometers, crossing the line just one step behind him. Today? My body felt lighter, stronger, more responsive from the very start.
Five kilometers passed effortlessly. At eight kilometers, I wasn't even winded—not like yesterday when I'd already been working hard to maintain the pace.
At ten kilometers, where yesterday I'd been fighting to stay beside him, today I felt incredible. Not just keeping up—actually strong, with energy to spare.
We're even better than yesterday, Sylva said, excitement humming through her. Much better.
I picked up speed.
Passed one warrior. Then another. Seth's surprised expression barely registered as I left him in my wake.
At twelve kilometers, I caught up with Lysander at the front of the pack. Yesterday at this point, I'd been gritting my teeth, pushing through pain to match his stride. Today, I was here earlier, feeling better, ready for more.
He glanced sideways, eyebrows raising in surprise. "Feeling competitive today?"
A grin spread across my face. "Just getting warmed up."
Yesterday, staying beside him had taken everything I had. Today, when I pushed harder, my body actually responded.
Thirteen kilometers. I pulled ahead by half a stride.
I'm ahead of him, I thought, excitement surging through me.
Lysander accelerated to match me—but I didn't fall back. Yesterday's final kilometers had been a desperate struggle to stay close. Today, I accelerated again.
Fourteen kilometers. I was still ahead.
This was new. Yesterday had ended with me one step behind despite my best efforts. Today, I was leading.
We can actually win, Sylva urged. We can beat him!
Fourteen and a half kilometers. The finish line visible ahead.
My lungs were burning now, legs trembling, but I remembered yesterday's photo finish where he'd edged me out by that single step—
Not today.
I gave everything I had left—
Fifteen kilometers.
I crossed first.
Just barely—maybe two strides ahead—but first.
I stumbled to a stop, hands on my knees, gasping but grinning. "I won!"
Lysander crossed right after, his face breaking into a wide smile. "You did. You actually beat me."
"I beat you!" I straightened up, unable to contain my excitement. The difference between yesterday's near-miss and today's actual victory felt huge. "Yesterday I was one step behind and today I'm two steps ahead!"
He laughed, tossing me a water bottle. "That's real progress. From matching my pace to beating it in one day."
Symone jogged up, eyes wide. "Holy shit, did you just—"
"I beat the Captain!" I couldn't stop smiling. "Yesterday I thought keeping up with him was amazing, but today I actually won!"
"Okay, you're officially insane," Symone said, but she was grinning too. "In a good way."
The other warriors started arriving, several shooting me surprised looks. Yesterday, finishing just one step behind the Captain had earned nods of respect. Today, actually beating him? That was something else entirely.
Lysander's hand briefly touched my shoulder, amber eyes warm with pride. "Told you you'd keep improving. Now let's see if you have energy left for strength training."
"Bring it on," I said, still riding the high.
The rest of training passed in a blur of pull-ups and push-ups. My body was tired but in the best way—muscles working, responding, getting stronger with each rep.
During pull-ups, when my arms started shaking at thirty-five, Lysander's quiet "Five more, you've got this" was all I needed to push through to forty.
During push-ups, I felt real power in my arms and core—not struggling, but controlled strength building with each descent and rise. This was what I'd been missing. This feeling of capability, of knowing my body could do what I asked of it.
By the time we finished, I was exhausted but exhilarated, every muscle pleasantly sore.
We started the cool-down jog—easy pace, just three kilometers to bring heart rates down gradually.
I was running beside Symone, still feeling good despite the fatigue, when Seth suddenly stopped ahead of us, raising his hand to signal a halt.
All warriors instantly became alert, instinctively entering defensive stances.
My victory high evaporated instantly. This kind of sudden stop usually meant—
Lysander moved forward quickly. "What happened?"
Seth pointed to his waist communicator. "Captain, emergency communication."
Lysander immediately retrieved his communicator, pressing receive. The surroundings were so quiet you could hear the urgent voice crackling through the device.
"Gamma Captain Crowley, emergency report."
It was the command center duty officer. Voice clearly tense.
My heart sank. Emergency. Those words were never good news.
"Major avalanche in Shadowcrest territory border mountains. Time approximately one hour ago, 7:15 AM. According to preliminary intelligence, avalanche buried the gathering area where outdoor social activities were taking place."
The words hit me like ice water.
Gathering.
Shadowcrest.
Lilith.
My sister had gone there two days ago for a winter sports event.
The world seemed to tilt.