Try to Train Sovana with the Amber Group, Bunita Tries to Pull Sovana to Adopt
Sovana sighed as she stood before the training hall of the Amber Group, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. The massive emblem of the organization, a golden flame encircled by an intricate swirl, glowed softly above the entrance. She had been here before—too many times to count. Each session was a battle, not just with the rigorous training but with herself.
“You need this,” Bunita said, her voice steady yet urgent. She stood beside Sovana, her dark eyes filled with quiet determination. “Again and again, we’ve tried, and every time, you resist. But this time, I need you to truly commit.”
Sovana turned her gaze toward Bunita, irritation flashing in her expression. “Why does it matter so much to you? I told you—this isn’t for me.”
Bunita shook her head. “You don’t know that. You never give it a real chance. The Amber Group is offering you something that most people would kill for—guidance, power, and a place where you can belong.”
Sovana exhaled sharply. She had heard all of this before, yet something about the way Bunita spoke today felt different. There was an edge of desperation, as though Bunita needed Sovana to succeed just as much as Sovana needed to walk away.
“You think I’m cut out for this? That I’ll just wake up one day and suddenly fit in?” Sovana scoffed.
“You don’t have to fit in. You just have to try.”
The training hall doors opened with a deep, resounding creak. Inside, the faint glow of torches illuminated the towering walls lined with weapons, scrolls, and maps of distant lands. Several trainees were already inside, practicing various combat forms, spellcasting, and strategy drills. The scent of old parchment and the faint crackle of energy filled the air.
Bunita took a step forward and gestured for Sovana to follow. “Let’s go.”
Reluctantly, Sovana stepped inside. The moment she did, the weight of the past attempts crashed down on her. Every previous failure echoed in her mind—moments when she had faltered, when she had run, when she had refused to trust in herself.
“One more time,” Bunita said, sensing Sovana’s hesitation. “Again and again, until you stop running.”
A tall instructor with piercing eyes and a commanding presence approached them. “Sovana,” he greeted, his tone unreadable. “I see you’ve returned. Shall we begin?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
The next hour was brutal. Training with the Amber Group was never easy, but Sovana pushed herself in ways she hadn’t before. She followed each command with precision, listened to every instruction, and forced herself to keep going despite the ache in her limbs. Bunita watched from the sidelines, her expression a mix of pride and apprehension.
After the final drill, Sovana collapsed onto the training mat, breathless and exhausted. The instructor nodded in approval. “You’re improving. Keep this up, and you might just prove yourself.”
Sovana let out a tired laugh. “Or maybe I’ll just prove I can survive this madness.”
Bunita approached, kneeling beside her. “That’s the first step.”
Sovana looked at her, then at the training hall filled with warriors and scholars who had all once been unsure, just like her. Maybe this wasn’t just about training. Maybe it was about choosing to stay and fight for something—again and again—until she could no longer doubt herself.
She took a deep breath. “Fine. I’ll come back tomorrow.”
Bunita grinned. “That’s all I wanted to hear.”
And for the first time, Sovana didn’t feel like running.
