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ㄒ尺卂丨几丨几Ꮆ

The moment he stepped past the tree line, he heard it.

The distinct swoosh of a blade cutting through air.

His brows furrowed. What the—?

He moved silently, pushing through the foliage until he reached a small clearing—and what he saw stopped him in his tracks.

Thalia.

She stood in the center of the clearing, feet planted, muscles coiled, her body moving with purpose as she swung a short sword through the air. Her stance was solid, her movements precise, and the glint of steel in her hands told him everything he needed to know.

She had been practicing.

A lot.

And worse? She was using weapons from the armory.

Gally crossed his arms, leaning against a nearby tree. “Should I be impressed or concerned?”

Thalia froze, her grip on the sword tightening as she whipped around to face him.

Her face was flushed, a thin sheen of sweat clinging to her skin. But she didn’t look embarrassed. If anything—she looked annoyed that he had found her.

“Shuck,” she muttered. “Can’t you ever mind your own business?”

Gally smirked, pushing off the tree and stepping forward. “Not when you’re out here stealing weapons.”

Thalia rolled her eyes, flipping the sword in her hand. “I borrowed them.”

“That’s not how Frypan would see it,” Gally pointed out.

“Good thing Frypan isn’t out here then,” she shot back.

Gally chuckled. “Alright, fine. I’ll bite.” He gestured to the sword. “Why?”

Thalia shrugged, avoiding his gaze for the first time. “Because I need to be able to fight.”

There was something serious in her voice. Something deeper than just stubbornness.

Gally studied her for a moment before stepping closer, eyeing her grip. “You’re holding it wrong.”

Thalia frowned. “No, I’m not.”

Gally grabbed her wrist, adjusting her grip. “Yeah, you are. You’ll get yourself killed swinging it like that.”

Thalia jerked her arm away, eyes narrowing. “I know what I’m doing.”

Gally smirked. “Do you?”

She glared. “Want me to prove it?”

Gally tilted his head, stepping back and crossing his arms. “Alright, Princess. Show me what you got.”

Thalia huffed but didn’t hesitate.

She moved into a low stance, gripping the sword firmly before launching into a series of quick, precise slashes. Her movements were fluid, her control impressive—but Gally could see the flaws.

She was fast.

She was determined.

But she was still raw.

When she finished, she turned to him, chest rising and falling from the exertion. “Well?”

Gally shrugged. “Not bad.”

Thalia scowled. “Not bad?”

He smirked. “Yeah. For a beginner.”

Thalia let out an irritated groan, throwing her arms in the air. “You are so—”

Gally grabbed the other training sword, twirling it between his fingers. “Alright, if you’re so good, let’s test that.”

Thalia raised a brow. “You want to spar?”

Gally’s smirk never wavered. “Unless you’re scared.”

Thalia scoffed, stepping toward him. “Oh, you are so going to regret that.”

Gally grinned.

“Good.”

---

Clash & Fire

The first strike came fast.

Thalia lunged, swinging low, but Gally sidestepped easily, blocking her with effortless precision.

She didn’t stop.

She spun, slashing toward his ribs, but he parried with a flick of his wrist, forcing her to stumble back slightly.

“Too predictable,” he muttered.

Thalia gritted her teeth, adjusting her stance before going in again—faster, sharper.

Their blades clashed, the impact ringing through the trees as they circled each other, neither willing to back down.

Thalia was good.

But Gally?

Gally was better.

Every time she came close, he countered effortlessly, reading her movements before she even made them.

After a few more rounds, he suddenly sidestepped her next swing, catching her wrist mid-motion and twisting her sword right out of her grip.

Before she could react, he spun her around, pressing the flat of his blade lightly against her throat.

She froze, breath hitching.

The forest fell silent.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Gally, still holding her arm, leaned down slightly, his voice low, teasing—but edged with something else.

“Dead.”

Thalia’s chest rose and fell, but she didn’t look away. Didn’t flinch.

Instead, she smirked. “Only because I let you.”

Gally chuckled, releasing her and stepping back. “Sure, Princess.”

Thalia huffed, bending down to retrieve her sword. She was annoyed, but not angry.

She had expected to win.

Now she just wanted to learn.

Gally watched her, tilting his head. “You’re not bad. But you need training.”

Thalia looked up, raising a brow. “You offering?”

Gally hesitated for half a second before shrugging. “Guess I could teach you a thing or two.”

Thalia grinned. “Deal.”

And just like that, their mornings in the woods became a secret routine.

Because if she wanted to survive, she needed to be strong.

And if Gally wanted to keep her alive, he needed to make sure she was ready.

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