The morning sun had barely crested the skyline when Sabrina and Luna returned to the council’s designated training grounds. The courtyard was empty, save for a few sentries who hardly paid attention. It was here that the sisters would begin their first rigorous exercises designed to test not only their powers but their ability to intimidate and manipulate the younger heroes in future missions.

  Denis watched from the shadows, hidden but attentive. He had tracked them for hours, noting each movement, each subtle flicker of shadow or manipulation of her surroundings. Sabrina leapt across the walls with a precision that reminded him of a predator, while Luna’s shadow snaked across the ground, occasionally detaching and reacting to objects as if it had a mind of its own.

  “Careful,” Denis muttered under his breath, a mix of pride and concern filling his chest. They’re strong… perhaps too strong, but I’ll let them go a bit further. They need to learn, but not lose themselves entirely.

  Sabrina noticed a slight movement from above—a shadow cast differently than usual. She glanced up, catching a fleeting glimpse of Denis. For a moment, panic fluttered across her features, but she quickly masked it with a smirk.

  “Luna,” she whispered, “we have company. Just play along. Let’s see how he reacts.”

  Luna’s shadow twisted protectively around them, shielding their movements and giving Denis only hints of their powers. It was enough for him to confirm that they were indeed wielding their abilities, but still, he could not determine if they leaned fully toward villainy or heroism.

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  The council’s instructions had been clear: the girls were to train ruthlessly, to appear fearsome, to intimidate those who might challenge them. Yet, Denis’s presence introduced an unseen variable. They had to balance deception, skill, and performance.

  Hours passed. The girls moved through coordinated drills, perfecting their timing, learning to anticipate each other’s moves, and refining the subtle ways their powers could work together.

  “You’re improving,” Zed’s voice rang out unexpectedly, cutting through the air like a blade. His appearance seemed sudden, yet the girls barely flinched. To all outward appearances, he was calm, composed—but his presence carried the weight of authority.

  “I see the growth in both of you,” Zed continued, his gaze sharp and appraising. “But there is still room. Your movements are promising, but fear must live in the eyes of those you oppose. Precision is not enough; intimidation is necessary. Understood?”

  Sabrina and Luna both nodded, hearts pounding. “Understood, sir,” they replied in unison.

  Denis exhaled quietly, observing their reactions. They had listened, they had adapted—but he remained cautious. The council sees them, but they don’t see the full truth. And Denis will watch, always.

  As the sun dipped lower, the sisters concluded their session, sweat glistening and shadows lingering around them. Denis emerged slightly from his hiding place, enough to be noticed but still distant.

  “Not bad,” he said quietly, his tone carrying both approval and warning. “You’ve improved… but remember, the world isn’t watching you perform tricks. It’s watching for what you really are.”

  Sabrina and Luna glanced at each other briefly, then back toward him, masks of confidence firmly in place. “We’ll keep that in mind,” Sabrina said, her voice steady.

  Denis nodded, retreating into the shadows. His suspicions had deepened, but his proof remained partial. For now, he would watch, guide, and wait. The real test—the kind that could reveal the true path of his daughters—was still to come.