The break bell screams.
Students flood the corridors, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls. Athena closes her notebook with slow precision, fingers steady despite the storm in her chest. She leans toward Madeline.
"I have to go."
Madeline searches her face. "Be careful. Don't push yourself too hard."
Athena's lips curve faintly. "I won't."
She kisses Madeline's cheek—quick, soft.
"Love you."
Then she's gone.
---
GYM — MOMENTS LATER
The air inside the gym is thick with sweat and iron.
Harvey is already there, wrapping his hands, shoulders loose, expression empty of warmth. No greeting. No encouragement.
"Get changed."
Athena blinks. "I thought we'd start with poison."
Harvey doesn't look up. "Poison doesn't matter if you can't survive long enough to use it."
He tightens the tape around his knuckles.
"If your body fails, your brain follows. If you can't take pain, you die."
Athena smirks. "So you're scared I'll knock you out?"
Harvey finally looks at her—flat, unimpressed.
"You're loud. Your mother was too."
A beat.
"Change. Now."
---
Five minutes later, Athena steps onto the mat.
Harvey doesn't warn her.
His fist snaps out—fast, brutal—slamming into her ribs.
Air explodes from her lungs.
"What the—!"
Another strike. Shoulder. Thigh. Jaw.
Athena stumbles back, shock flashing across her face.
"No talking," Harvey says coldly. "Fight."
She swings wildly. He ducks, hooks her leg, and slams her into the mat so hard the floor rattles.
Pain screams through her spine.
"Get up."
Athena grits her teeth, forcing herself upright.
He hits her again.
And again.
Every movement she makes is punished. Every hesitation answered with bone-cracking precision.
"You think intelligence saves you?" Harvey snaps, landing a clean punch to her stomach.
She folds.
"You think revenge is poetic?" Another blow—her cheek splits.
Blood hits the mat.
Athena roars and lunges, rage fueling her. She lands a hit—one solid strike to his shoulder.
Harvey smiles.
Then he destroys her.
He sweeps her legs, mounts her, and rains controlled, merciless blows—never lethal, always precise.
"Count," he orders.
Athena gasps. "O—one—"
Hit.
"Two—"
Hit.
Her vision blurs.
"Louder."
"THREE!"
Thirty minutes blur into agony.
Athena collapses again and again. Each time, Harvey drags her up by the collar.
"No rest."
Her nose bleeds freely now. Her arms shake violently. Her lungs burn like fire.
Finally, she drops—and doesn't move.
The gym is silent except for her ragged breathing.
Harvey stands over her, chest rising slowly.
"…Get up."
Athena plants her palms on the mat. Her arms buckle.
She tries again.
And again.
On the fourth attempt, she stands—swaying, blood dripping from her chin.
"I'm… not done."
Something flickers in Harvey's eyes.
He throws one last punch.
Athena takes it.
Doesn't fall.
Silence stretches.
Harvey exhales. "You're stubborn."
She laughs weakly. "You're slow."
He grabs her wrist and yanks her upright.
"Despite that mouth," he says quietly, "you have bone. And fire."
He releases her.
"Most quit in ten minutes."
Athena wipes blood from her lip. "What's next?"
Harvey turns toward the shadows of the gym.
"Pain doesn't end here."
He glances back.
"Follow me."
They move deeper into the gym as dusk bleeds through the windows—trainer and disciple—leaving behind sweat, blood, and the first proof that Athena Williams will not break.
Not today.