Daisy's too young to die

"Is there a training area in this domain?" I asked.

"Yes, my lord. There is a large courtyard where you and Daisy can practice." Hephaestia gestured towards a set of double doors at the far end of the room. "The doors lead to the courtyard. It has plenty of space for sparring, and the stone walls provide a safe perimeter for training exercises."

I nodded, pleased with the arrangement. "Excellent. Daisy, let's head out there and continue your training."

Daisy looked up at me, her eyes wide with apprehension but also a glimmer of determination. She gripped the dagger tightly in her hands as she followed me towards the doors, her footsteps light but purposeful. As we reached the designated space, I turned to face her, my eyes appraising her form. The courtyard was a vast expanse of well-maintained grass, surrounded by high stone walls. In the center stood a large, futuristic-looking console with multiple buttons and a holographic display. The air was crisp and cool, and I could smell the distinct aroma of earth and metal.

"This is our training area," I explained to Daisy. I walked over to the console and activated it. A holographic display materialized, showing various creatures from simple orcs to more complex monsters. I instructed it to only let one type of monster into the arena. The weakest, most unthreatening thing in I'd seen. "We'll start with something basic, like a common goblin."

I saw Daisy shudder at the mention of goblins, no doubt remembering her time as an orc ****. She gripped the dagger tightly, her knuckles white. "I...I don't know if I can do this," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

"You can, Daisy," I reassured her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I know it's frightening, but you're stronger than you think. This dagger is just a tool - the real power comes from within you." I pointed to the holographic display. "See how I've set it to only let in the weakest creatures? I won't let you face anything too dangerous, not until you're ready."

I saw Daisy take a deep breath, steeling herself. She nodded, her grip on the dagger loosening slightly as she found her center. "Alright. I'll try," she said, her voice still shaky but more resolved. I smiled encouragingly at her, then turned to the console and activated the training program.

Almost immediately, a ravaged castle was generated with broken walls, arches, toppled pillars, and multiple changes in elevation.

Daisy didn't get to admire the scene for too long, as a small, misshapen figure materialized in the center of the courtyard. It was indeed a goblin. The goblin stood about 4 feet tall, its skin a sickly greenish-gray. It had a snout full of sharp teeth and beady red eyes that gleamed with malice. The creature wore tattered rags that barely covered its emaciated frame. In its gnarled hands, it clutched a crude wooden club, its weapon of choice.

The goblin let out a high-pitched cackle as it spotted Daisy, baring its fangs in a vicious grin. It began to lumber towards her, its movements jerky and uneven, no doubt a product of the holographic display's limitations.

I moved to the side, observing Daisy closely. "Remember what I taught you. All you need to do is attempt to defeat these creatures, and I will determine where to begin your training from there." I nodded at Daisy, my eyes fixed on the approaching goblin. She stood her ground, the dagger clutched tightly in her hands and held close to her chest as she faced the creature. The goblin let out another raspy cackle, its red eyes glinting with malice as it drew closer. It raised its crude wooden club, preparing to strike.

I watched intently, ready to intervene if needed. "Daisy, wait for the right moment. Let the goblin come to you - don't go rushing in." My voice was calm and measured, intended to keep her focused and composed.

The goblin was now only a few feet away, its gnarled fingers tightening around the club.

A total of eight goblins generated around the shivering girl. I saw the fear in her eyes as she saw the goblins surrounding her, but she didn't back down. The goblins formed a loose circle around her, their beady eyes fixed on her, their misshapen bodies blocking her view of anything but them. Their snarls and guttural sounds filled the air, and I could smell their putrid breath from where I stood. "Daisy, I want you to try and take out the one directly in front of you first. Don't worry about the others for now," I instructed, my voice steady and reassuring. I remained ready to intervene if needed, but I also wanted to see what she could do on her own. Daisy swallowed hard, her grip on the dagger tightening as she faced the goblin directly in front of her. The creature's eyes narrowed as it let out a raspy hiss, its club raised and ready to strike.

She waited until the goblin lunged forward, then quickly sidestepped to the left, avoiding the clumsy swing of the club. As the goblin stumbled past her, off-balance, Daisy seized her chance. She spun around and lunged forward, aiming the dagger at the creature's back.

The dagger pierced the goblin's flesh, eliciting a shrill scream of pain and rage. She slashed wildly, the dagger cutting through the air with a whistling sound. Two of the goblins were cut - one across the chest, the other across the arm - their blood spattering onto the stones. Their pained screams echoed through the courtyard as they stumbled backward, clutching their wounds.

I watched as one goblin managed to trip Daisy up, sending her sprawling onto the stone courtyard, her dagger clattering out of reach. The goblins, emboldened by their advantage, lunged forward with their clubs raised. I stepped forward, intending to intervene, but paused. This was part of her training, after all.

"Daisy, get back on your feet!" I called out, my voice commanding. "Use your surroundings!"

She scrambled to her knees, desperation in her eyes as she looked around for her lost dagger. The goblins let out guttural laughs, clearly relishing their advantage.

The goblins dogpiled onto Daisy, screeching, she tried and successfully managed to pull three off of her and kill two more of them.

Daisy rolled to the side, trying to escape the goblins' ****, but they were too quick. Their clubs rained down on her, and she cried out in pain as she was pummeled. I could see her struggling, trying to find an opening to fight back, but she was pinned down, overwhelmed by the goblins' numbers and strength.

I looked down to where Daisy had been pinned by the goblins and saw the dagger. I bent down and picked it up, wondering what Daisy would do now.

My answer came when Daisy screamed and started running, the three remaining goblins chasing her without remorse.

Is this how the drill sergeant feels when rookies first join the marine corps? I watched as Daisy sprinted across the courtyard, the goblins hot on her heels. Her lungs heaved as she desperately tried to outrun them, her feet pounding against the stone floor. The goblins, driven by their bloodlust, were closing in fast. I could see the terror in her eyes as she looked back over her shoulder, her face contorted in panic. Her foot caught on a loose stone, causing her to stumble and fall face-first onto the ground. The goblins reached her, their crude clubs raised for the killing blow.

I looked down at the dagger in my hand, considering my options. I knew this was all part of her training, but I also didn't want to see her seriously hurt. I sighed, knowing I needed to intervene. These were just holographic creatures, but the fear and pain in Daisy's screams were very real. I strode over to the console and pressed a button, deactivating the goblins. They flickered and disappeared, leaving behind only the broken castle and the scattered debris of their previous existence. Daisy was curled up on the arena's dirty floor, shivering and trying her hardest not to meet my gaze.

I kneeled down beside Daisy, handing her the dagger back. She took it with trembling hands, her eyes downcast.

"Daisy..." I said.

Daisy didn't respond, I could see tears coming down Daisy's cheeks.

"I-I couldn't get all of them. I'm sorry. I-I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

I sighed.

I raised my hand and upon seeing this action, Daisy gasped and buried her face in her knees.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." she cried

I gently placed my hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Daisy, look at me." She slowly raised her head,"I'm not here to hurt you, Daisy. But the path forward isn't painless. Understand this, overcoming pain is part of becoming stronger. I am here to help you, remember that. You did well, considering it was your first time facing something like this, little bunny. It's natural to be overwhelmed at first. But we need to work on your strategy. Charging into a fight without a plan is a good way to get yourself killed. That's enough for today, Daisy. " I offered her a hand up. She took it gratefully, wincing as she rose to her feet. Her chest heaved with exertion, her face flushed with exertion and adrenalin.

Daisy blinked the tears out of her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, her words shaky. "I just... I panicked. They reminded me of..." She trailed off, her voice catching as she looked away, unable to meet my gaze. I could see the haunted look in her eyes, the memories of her past torment bubbling to the surface. The orcs had done terrible things to her during her time as a ****.

I put a hand on her shoulder, speaking firmly. "You don't need to apologize, but you do need to learn to control that fear. What triggered that panic attack for you?"

Daisy's lower lip trembled as she met my gaze. "They looked like the orcs that took me. The ones that..." She couldn't finish the sentence, her words cracking with emotion. "I just saw their faces, heard their voices, and everything else faded away."

I pulled her into a gentle embrace, letting her sob against my chest. "It's okay, Daisy."