CHAPTER 10~ The Breaking Point
968 Words
Ayla woke up earlier than usual that morning.
The air in her small cabin felt colder than normal, or maybe it was just her thoughts refusing to settle. Sleep had been shallow—full of shadows she couldn’t fully remember, but didn’t need to.
She already knew what they meant.
Fire. Blood. Silver eyes.
Kael.
She exhaled sharply and sat up.
No more thinking.
Not yet.
By the time she reached the clearing, Luca was already there.
As always.
“You’re late,” he said lightly.
“I’m not.”
He gave her a look.
Ayla ignored it and picked up her training staff from the ground.
They began immediately.
Wood clashed against wood.
Step. Block. Strike. Repeat.
At first, it was routine.
Controlled.
Familiar.
For the first time in a while, Ayla felt almost steady.
Until Kyla arrived.
She didn’t announce herself.
She never did.
One moment, she wasn’t there.
The next, she was standing at the edge of the clearing, arms folded, watching.
Luca noticed first and slowed slightly.
Ayla noticed second—and didn’t stop.
Kyla’s gaze moved between them.
“You’re still training her like that?” Kyla said.
Luca sighed softly.
“Kyla—”
“No,” she interrupted. “I’m curious.”
Ayla lowered her staff slightly but didn’t relax.
Kyla stepped forward.
“You’re improving,” she said to Ayla.
Not praise.
Observation.
Ayla didn’t respond.
Kyla tilted her head slightly.
“But not fast enough.”
Ayla’s grip tightened.
Luca shifted slightly.
“Kyla, that’s enough.”
But she ignored him.
“You still hesitate,” Kyla continued. “Still think before you move. In a real fight, that hesitation kills you.”
Ayla’s jaw tightened.
“I’m not here for your approval.”
“I know,” Kyla replied calmly. “But you’re here for survival, aren’t you?”
Silence.
That landed too close.
Kyla stepped closer.
“Or are you just here because Luca gave you somewhere soft to fall?”
Ayla’s eyes darkened instantly.
“I don’t need anyone to fall.”
Kyla gave a small, cold smile.
“Then prove it.”
Something in Ayla snapped slightly at that.
Luca stepped forward immediately.
“That’s enough.”
But Kyla didn’t even look at him.
Her attention stayed on Ayla.
“You keep standing behind him,” Kyla said. “Training with him. Eating here. Living here. But tell me—when Shadow Fang comes for you, will he stand in front of you then too?”
Ayla’s breath hitched slightly.
Kyla continued.
“Or will you realize you were just something he felt sorry for?”
That was the moment everything shifted.
The clearing went silent.
Even Luca froze.
Ayla’s fingers tightened around her staff so hard it trembled.
“You don’t know anything about him,” she said lowly.
Kyla raised an eyebrow.
“I know enough.”
Ayla stepped forward.
“One more word,” she warned.
Kyla didn’t move.
Didn’t flinch.
“Or what?”
That was it.
The final spark.
Ayla moved.
Fast.
No warning.
No hesitation.
Her staff swung toward Kyla with full force.
Kyla barely blocked in time, sliding back a step.
The impact echoed sharply through the clearing.
Luca’s voice cut through instantly.
“Ayla—stop!”
But she didn’t.
Again.
Stronger.
Anger replaced everything now.
Grief.
Fear.
Memory.
Kyla blocked each strike, but her expression shifted slightly now—not surprised.
Interested.
“You finally moved without thinking,” Kyla said during the exchange.
Ayla didn’t answer.
She attacked again.
Harder.
Faster.
The clearing filled with the sound of wood crashing, feet shifting, breath tightening.
Villagers nearby began to gather at a distance.
Kyla blocked another strike, then countered—forcing Ayla back.
But Ayla didn’t stop.
She came again immediately.
“You think I’m weak?” Ayla snapped.
Kyla deflected another blow.
“I think you’re angry,” she said calmly.
Ayla lunged.
“I am not—”
Kyla stepped in and blocked her mid-strike.
“Then use it properly,” Kyla said sharply.
That froze Ayla for half a second.
A mistake.
Kyla used it instantly, pushing her back hard.
Ayla stumbled—but caught herself.
Her chest rose and fell quickly now.
Silence hit between them for a moment.
Then Kyla lowered her weapon slightly.
“That’s enough,” she said again.
But Ayla wasn’t listening anymore.
Something inside her had already cracked open.
“You don’t get to talk about him,” Ayla said suddenly.
Kyla tilted her head.
“About who?”
Ayla’s grip tightened.
“Luca.”
A pause.
Even Luca went still.
Kyla studied her carefully.
“And that’s what this is about?”
Ayla’s voice shook slightly now—not fear.
Fury.
“You think I’m here because I have nowhere else to go,” she said. “You think I’m weak. You think I need him.”
Kyla didn’t respond.
That silence was answer enough.
Ayla stepped forward again.
“This ends now.”
And before anyone could stop her—
She attacked again.
This time, not controlled.
Not trained.
Just raw emotion.
Then she realised she has injured Kyla, Lucas had to stop her this time before she strikes again.
"Ayla stop already this isn't you" Lucas said angrily but softly
Ayla dropped her staff and left.
"This is all your fault" Lucas said coldly "I don't know how you manage to know about Ayla's past but keep your mouth shut and stay away from her, I won't warn you again". He left walked away swiftly. Kyla screamed in anger then left
The clearing erupted into motion again.
But this time, it wasn’t training anymore.
It was something far more dangerous.
Something personal.
And Luca realized too late—
Ayla was no longer holding back.
- Writer
