Elias woke up sore, his arms heavy from the strain of channeling energy through different weapons the previous day. He had managed to stabilize his energy around both the sword and the hammer, but today was another challenge—the shield.
Selene stood by the coastline as he approached, the large round shield planted firmly in the sand. “Defense is harder than offense,” she said, watching as he picked it up. “It’s not just about maintaining energy—it’s about sustaining it over time.”
Elias adjusted the shield on his arm, feeling its weight. The moment he tried to push energy into it, he felt the difference. The sword and hammer had required directed force, but the shield needed something else—constant reinforcement.
Selene sighed. “You’re treating it like a weapon. It’s not. A shield isn’t about attack—it’s about endurance. Holding your ground.”
Elias frowned. “So how do I stabilize it?”
She gestured toward the ocean. “You already know how.”
He groaned but didn’t argue. Taking the shield with him, he stepped into the water.
The waves were relentless, crashing against him as he tried to keep his energy steady. He felt the shield’s energy shifting under the impact—just like the surfboard. If he tried to force it, it crumbled. If he let it flow, it stayed.
Slowly, he adjusted, letting his energy move with the impact instead of resisting it. The glow around the shield evened out, becoming more stable.
Selene, watching from the shore, smiled slightly.
By midday, Elias returned to the beach, dripping wet but confident. He understood now.
Selene tossed a small rock at him—fast. Instinctively, he raised the shield. His energy flickered but held.
She didn’t stop. More projectiles came—first rocks, then larger chunks of wood. Each impact tested his control, but he adapted.
Finally, she grabbed her sword and lunged.
The first strike hit hard. Elias staggered but maintained his energy, letting the force disperse rather than resisting it outright.
Selene nodded. “You’re learning.”
But just as he felt like he had it figured out, she moved faster. A feint, a strike from another angle—his shield flickered, and the next blow knocked him flat.
He groaned. “Really?” Selene smirked.
She stepped back. “Tomorrow, we spar properly.”
Elias nodded in and continued watching Selene. Her figure looked straight out of a superhero Novel. His thoughts wandered. Although it was only a couple of days but he had started to admire and respect Selene. He wondered what Selene thought about him.
“What are you looking at ?” said Selene and his chain of thoughts broke.
Elias, still flat on his back, let out a long breath. Tomorrow was going to hurt.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Elias woke up sore, his arms heavy from the strain of channeling energy through different weapons the previous day. He had managed to stabilize his energy around both the sword and the hammer, but today was another challenge—the shield.
Selene stood by the coastline as he approached, the large round shield planted firmly in the sand. “Defense is harder than offense,” she said, watching as he picked it up. “It’s not just about maintaining energy—it’s about sustaining it over time.”
Elias adjusted the shield on his arm, feeling its weight. The moment he tried to push energy into it, he felt the difference. The sword and hammer had required directed force, but the shield needed something else—constant reinforcement.
Selene sighed. “You’re treating it like a weapon. It’s not. A shield isn’t about attack—it’s about endurance. Holding your ground.”
Elias frowned. “So how do I stabilize it?”
She gestured toward the ocean. “You already know how.”
He groaned but didn’t argue. Taking the shield with him, he stepped into the water.
The waves were relentless, crashing against him as he tried to keep his energy steady. He felt the shield’s energy shifting under the impact—just like the surfboard. If he tried to force it, it crumbled. If he let it flow, it stayed.
Slowly, he adjusted, letting his energy move with the impact instead of resisting it. The glow around the shield evened out, becoming more stable.
Selene, watching from the shore, smiled slightly.
By midday, Elias returned to the beach, dripping wet but confident. He understood now.
Selene tossed a small rock at him—fast. Instinctively, he raised the shield. His energy flickered but held.
She didn’t stop. More projectiles came—first rocks, then larger chunks of wood. Each impact tested his control, but he adapted.
Finally, she grabbed her sword and lunged.
The first strike hit hard. Elias staggered but maintained his energy, letting the force disperse rather than resisting it outright.
Selene nodded. “You’re learning.”
But just as he felt like he had it figured out, she moved faster. A feint, a strike from another angle—his shield flickered, and the next blow knocked him flat.
He groaned. “Really?” Selene smirked.
She stepped back. “Tomorrow, we spar properly.”
Elias nodded in and continued watching Selene. Her figure looked straight out of a superhero Novel. His thoughts wandered. Although it was only a couple of days but he had started to admire and respect Selene. He wondered what Selene thought about him.
“What are you looking at ?” said Selene and his chain of thoughts broke.
Elias, still flat on his back, let out a long breath. “Nothing .. Lets head back and restart tomorrow” said Elias.
The next day as they both met again on the beach, she tossed him a the shield.
"Today’s focus," she said "is sustained defense."
Elias caught the sword, glancing at his shield. “And I suppose you’re just going to keep hitting me until I get it right?” Selene smiled. “You learn fast.”
She didn’t waste time. The moment he got into position, she attacked. Elias barely raised his shield in time to block the first strike. Too slow.
The impact sent a shock through his arm, making his grip unsteady. Before he could recover, she spun, landing another hit against his side.
"Focus," she said, stepping back. "Your shield isn’t just for blocking. It’s an extension of you—move with it, not against it."
Elias adjusted his stance, gritting his teeth. The shield’s weight made his arm burn, but he steadied his breathing. Let it flow.
Selene struck again. This time, he anticipated the attack, shifting his stance to absorb the impact instead of resisting. The force dispersed through him rather than knocking him off balance.
Better.
For the next hour, she continued her relentless attacks. Elias improved with each strike, learning when to hold his ground and when to redirect the force.
By midday, he was drenched in sweat but still standing. His energy flickered around the shield, more stable than before.
Selene lowered her sword. "You're finally getting it."
Elias let out a heavy breath, lowering his stance. "So… does that mean I am ready?”
Selene raised an eyebrow.
Elias barely had time to react before she lunged again.
His shield came up instinctively—this time, the energy held firm. The impact sent a shock through his body, but he absorbed it, pushing back.
Selene grinned. "Now you at least won’t die .. easily..”
Elias exhaled, his muscles shaking, but deep down—he felt it too.
