~ Lucian’s POV

The guards lined up again, eyes flicking nervously between each other. They were exhausted, but they knew that stopping wasn’t an option when I was in this state. My fists ached, my chest heaved, but none of it mattered. I needed to drive out the frustration, the gnawing feeling of failure that was eating at me.

“Move!” I snapped at one of the younger guards who was too slow. He scrambled into position, fear plain on his face. I barely registered it, the red haze of anger clouding my vision as I launched into another round. My strikes were relentless, every punch and kick landing with a...