Good! Very good! Again now, harder.

Kadyrelite took a breath to toss her sweat slicked hair back from her eyes and grinned tightly. Strytha had insisted that she be powered up for this illicit gym run and so far she had to admit that she was enjoying it.

The gym owner, on the other hand… Well. It was his own damn fault for popping out at her from the back offices when he wasn’t even supposed to be there. She spared the faintly moaning form a glance before approaching the punching bags again. She knew that her blows in general had a bit more kick when she was powered up. But even she had begun to notice that now they were starting to land with precision. And the tiny crack in the pleather of the bag was testimony to her growing skill.

Really, it was an exhilarating feeling.

Enough woolgathering, child. Pay attention now, or Strytha will sting you.

Grimacing, Kadyrelite took a deep breath and resumed the exercises that the youma had set out. So many punches followed by so many kicks. Over and over in varying orders, at varying heights. Clearly the youma wanted her to become stronger physically and wanted to make sure that she worked all her muscles. Jaw jutting out with determination, Kadyrelite finally finished the required sets and slumped a bit, resting her hands against her knees and panting.

Almost casually, she strolled over to the collapsed gym owner and rested her palm against his forehead, draining a little more energy from him. She felt the youma’s warm approval for her foresight and flushed slightly with pleasure. Strytha was an unpleasant little beast and one she’d rather not have had forced onto her. But she couldn’t deny that the youma was an exceptional trainer. After a moment’s rest, Kadyrelite seized the water bottle she’d brought with her and drank sparingly from it. Without needing prompting, she headed for the weights. This too was part of her training. She could already manage one hundred pounds compared to when she’d first broken into this place. Settling herself on the bench, she began to lift the weighted barbells carefully. Even as her muscles strained, she couldn’t’ help but smile. It hurt now, and holy balls would she be sore later, but it was worth it. She was slowly, but surely becoming a proper soldier of the Dark Kingdom.

You have done good work, little one. Strytha can feel pride in your accomplishments thus far.

The spoken praise was enough to bring tears to the lieutenant’s eyes. Monster though it was, Strytha was proud of her. Her teacher, her punishment, it was slowly becoming something of a friend.

Finishing her set, Kadyrelite stretched out carefully to keep the muscles from stiffening up. Lime green eyes fell on the unconscious gym owner once more and without prompting, she smiled and stood up. Stalked over to the man and stood there looking down at him, her thoughts closed off to the youma. With a booted toe, she gently nudged him, rolling him onto his back. Then, before the youma could ask what she was doing, she knelt and plunged her hand into the man’s chest, felt her fingers wrap around his starseed. Swallowing hard, she closed her eyes and ripped the starseed out before standing and slowly uncurling her fingers from their prize. She’d never done such a thing before and it was almost shocking to realize how simple it was.

Tucking the starseed into a hidden pocket, she gave it a gentle pat, murmuring, “A gift for the General.”

The burst of gleeful pride from Strytha was enough to warm her through completely as she made sure to wipe traces of herself from the gym’s surveillance system and equipment before sneaking out the back door to go home.