Chapter 28

  Blood, Sweat, and Tears

  Wind was ever present in the valley of the Aeronemar village. The rustling of leaves from peach trees and indigo cherry blossoms created a soft melody. The harmony of bamboo clanking together as it swayed about joined that tune, accompanied by the rhythm of wind chimes and waterfalls. The music of the valley told two stories, a tale of relaxation and tranquility; and the warning that those dwelling in the village were as silent as the grave.

  The absence of the sound of its inhabitants was the first reminder that Ninja lived here. Such a warning was chilling to an enemy, but comfort for guests.

  Tranquil as the valley was, there was no telling if you were being observed.

  Michael hopped to the tallest jumping stone, landing without trouble. “This is too easy.” He said, looking to the farthest stone at the other end. A bit too far still, but he needed to do something to intensify the training.

  “Train multiple things at once.” Hyato said. “Then you’ll be pushing yourself.” He leapt across a platform, skipping over one to increase his distance.

  “But what else do I train?” Michael asked, hopping a small gap to a lower platform.

  “You have been working on many things.” Hyato said. “Sebastian showed you Elemancy, I showed you sword Techniques, Wolf showed you that skill this morning right? And you have your own techniques to work on, Light Form, and Dark Blade.” Hyato did a quick jump to a higher platform. “Pick any of those.”

  Michael rubbed his chin, imitating Sebastian. “Hmm.” He said. “Okay, I’ll just train all of them.”

  “What?!” Hyato stumbled , then did a flip to catch himself from falling. He landed at the lowest platform.

  “Yeah.” Michael took a stance. “I’ll really mix it up.” He went over what all he had learned. Flash Blade could be used to cross gaps, could Michael control the distance more? Elemartialism used martial actions to create bursts of elements. He might be able to add wind to his jump that way. Light Form made him glow, but also made him lighter, in terms of weight. “Yeah!” Michael said again.

  With a running start, Michael did a jump. He tried to incorporate everything he was thinking about. He felt lighter, and burst forward on a wave of wind over to the next platform. And past it. And past the rope fence. “Yeeaaa-ooooh nooo!” Michael cried as he launched himself from the jumping stone over into a wooden wall in another training sector.

  A loud thunk rang out as Michael crumpled into the wall, then fell to the ground. Hyato came running, dropping to one knee next to Michael. “Michael! Are you okay?” He asked, frenzied panic in his voice.

  Michael coughed and sputtered, “I’m fine.” As he dragged himself off the ground. “That didn’t go as planned.” Hyato helped Michael to his feet. “Well, time to keep going.”

  “Are you sure?” Hyato said, “Maybe you should take a break?”

  “Nah, I can do this.” Michael returned to the jumping stones, and hopped up onto them. “This time, for sure.” Michael focused, and tried again.

  “So, any chance you can teach some of your Ninja skills to us?” The door was closed in Wolf’s face before he finished the request. “Alright then.” Wolf nodded to himself and went to the next house. He rapped on the bamboo door with his knuckles. “Hello?”

  The door opened a crack, a matronly woman gave him a stern gaze. “What do you want, outsider?”

  “Uh, Hi. I’m Wolf. We were told that we need to undergo the Trials to become honorary members of the village.” He said.

  “Get to the point.” The woman said. She had a sour look on her face.

  “Sorry.” Wolf said, “I wanted to know if you or someone could teach us some Ninja skills?”

  The woman rolled her eyes and started to shut the door. Wolf stopped it, “Wait, please. No one will even tell me why.”

  “You’re outsiders.” The woman said.

  “That can’t be all there is to it, I mean, you guys must trade with the outside, right?” Wolf said. “You have materials and things you can't get in the mountains.” He was still holding the door open. The woman using both arms could not budge Wolf’s hand.

  “We do trade, but we send people out, traders don’t come here.” The woman said. “And we’re not Ninjas! Get your terms right!” She pried Wolf’s fingers off the door and got it shut.

  Wolf sucked on his sore finger to dampen the pain, “But that Odai guy even said Ninja.” He said to himself, walking away from the house.

  “Hey there, Wolf.” Sebastian came strolling down the road. “No luck?”

  “No one will give me the time of day.” Wolf said. “And the last lady even said they aren’t called Ninjas. What are they even supposed to be called?”

  “Apparently, they are called Kairaetsu.” Sebastian said, “And Ninja is a term that was given to them by enemies.”

  “Oh. That’s why they don’t like it.” Wolf said.

  “But, everyone can admit it is easier to say and to write than Kairaetsu.” Sebastian said. “What will you do now?”

  “There are a bunch more houses. Maybe someone will give me the time of day.” Wolf said.

  As the Phanokai Champion headed towards the next house Sebastian chuckled, “Good luck with that.” Sebastian continued to stroll down the road.

  The main road of the village was paved with wood and stone, but there were many side paths through the grass, created from use over time. Sebastian picked a path that seemed well traveled and ventured along it. The path wound through some of those wide branched pine trees, and along a tall bamboo fence around someone’s yard.

  Sebastian followed the path to a grove nestled against a cliff, hidden by bamboo and rocks, an open area out of sight. There were five kids here, teenagers just a few years younger than Yan and Michael by the looks of it. They all wore the gi’s that the guards and other Ninja were wearing.

  The teens were passing a leather ball to each other, kicking and striking with their knees to avoid touching it with any other body part. Whenever the ball was passed, one of the kids would hit it three or more times before passing it again, juggling it. Sebastian strode near without speaking up, and a Feral girl who had just received the ball juggled it and passed it to Sebastian.

  “Woah.” Sebastian said, aiming to hit the ball with a kick but missing. “Welp, I missed. Does that mean I sit this round out?”

  “Oh!” The girl said, “Sorry, I didn’t realize.” All the teens were looking at Sebastian with alarm, and looked wary.

  Sebastian raised his arms to his sides, “It’s I who should apologize, for intruding.”

  “Hey, you’re one of the outsiders, right?” A teen boy said, from the looks of it he was mostly Feral.

  “Yep. In fact I am. And you five seem to be in training, am I right? Or perhaps, taking a break from training?” Sebastian said.

  One of the girls blushed, and the three guys averted their eyes. The last girl, a Valon who had been quiet, did not falter. “Eh, we did training this morning.” She said.

  “Would any of that training happen to be for the Trial of Agility?” Sebastian asked.

  “We don’t do training specific to the Trials.” The girl said. “We do general training across all of the important skills to be ready for anything.”

  “That’s very impressive.” Sebastian said. “Are any of you confident enough to show me a bit? Perhaps a movement technique for jumping or something useful for the Trial? We have been charged to complete these Trials, you see, in order to be able to leave the village.”

  “Really?” A half Valon/Feral boy said. “That’s bogus. They shouldn’t keep you prisoner.” Sebastian smiled to himself, he had wondered if the younger generation would feel that way.

  “We’re just in training...” The Feral girl said, “We don’t know enough to teach.”

  Sebastian picked up the ball and tossed it back, “That’s a shame. Thanks anyways. Don’t take too long of a break now.” Sebastian turned to leave.

  “Hold on!” The Valon girl said. “I think my Sister would agree to teach you.”

  Sebastian smiled, “That would be wonderful! Can I repay you somehow?”

  “Don’t worry about it.” She said, “My Sister’s house is up on the cliffside,” she told Sebastian where to go and who to ask for.

  After listening to the instructions Sebastian nodded, “And she will agree to teach me, even if I am an outsider?”

  “I think so.” The girl said. “Just tell her I sent you.”

  “Then you have my thanks.” Sebastian said.

  He turned again to leave, this time with a new goal in mind. “Oh yeah, umm...” The girl said, “Don’t... tell her about this place?”

  Sebastian looked back at the teens and nodded. “I will keep it to myself.” He said. They seemed pleased, and Sebastian made his way from their hidden grotto.

  The cliffside buildings were a bit of a hike from the center of town. It only took Sebastian a minute of looking to see the road he was told to take. A road that wound up and around a field of vegetables. Sebastian smiled at those he passed on the road, giving right of way to a group of villagers heading to the fields. After helping an elderly man carry his basket up a few stairs, Sebastian arrived at the building he was told about.

  Sebastian knocked on the door, then waited. He continued to wait for a few minutes, then knocked again. “What do you want?” Sebastian flinched and took a step back away from the voice. On the porch to his right, a woman lounged in a swinging chair. He did not see her arrive.

  “Oh, pardon me.” Sebastian said, adjusting to give a small bow, “I am Sebastian. I was sent here by your sister...”

  “I know who sent you.” The woman said. She wore the same gi as the other Ninja, but had bandages on her arms and legs like the guards outside the village. “What do you want?”

  “I seek someone to help my companions and myself in training for the Trial of Agility. I seek to learn the movement techniques of the Aeronemar Clan.”

  “Why not just get Yan to do it?” The woman said, “She’s part of your group now, isn’t she?” Her voice sounded annoyed, but a touch curious.

  “Chief Odai summoned Yan for some undisclosed training, and her sister told us that Yan and her siblings are forbidden from teaching us techniques.” Sebastian explained.

  “Wonder what that’s all about.” The woman said. She stood up. “Well, Odai knows what he is doing, I guess. I just wonder what those old Elders are gonna say.” Sebastian rubbed his chin. This was the first he had heard of Elders.

  “I suppose I can show you and your friends some things.” The woman said. “You said your name is Sebastian, right? I’m Jess.” She said with a serious look on her face.

  “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss Jess.” Sebastian said, giving her a winning smile.

  “Let’s head over now.” Jess said, “Best to start early with training, don’t you think?”

  Wolf walked away from the last house on the street, grumbling under his breath. How was he supposed to get along with the village if no one would give him the time of day? He scowled as he started to walk along a wooden fence encircling an overgrown grassy field.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  As he rounded the corner to the next road a sharp pain stung at his side, and Wolf clutched the wound under his clothes. It stung more than before, and wasn’t healing that well. Guess he needed to clean it and rest some more. So much for training. Wolf looked at the buildings on the road, wondering if he should just head back for now.

  One of the houses was built in a different style, a very recognizable style found all over Sera. A healing house, a place where medical supplies could be bought or medical attention given. Indispensable for an adventurer. Wolf walked up the deck and knocked at the door.

  A woman with gray hair that seemed middle aged, probably only eighty, opened the door. “Oh, hello outsider fellow.” She said with a cheery smile. “How can I help you?”

  Wolf was taken aback by her cheer for a second, then smiled. “Oh, hello. Do you have any healing salves for sale? I have a couple wounds that haven’t been healing right.”

  The woman looked Wolf over and stepped aside, “Why don’t you come in, young man, let’s get you looked at.”

  “Oh, no, I just wanted-” Wolf started to protest.

  “Nonsense.” The woman said. “Hop to it, come inside.” Wolf blinked and then entered the shop.

  The place was more rustic than the places he was used to dealing with. The walls and floors were made of bamboo paneling, kept quite clean. One wall was covered in numerous plants and fungi on organized shelves, ingredients for making ointments. Wolf didn’t recognize any of them as he was led past the main room to a room with a clean white padded table. “Hop on and show me those wounds.” The healer said, “I’ll have you treated in no time.”

  Wolf removed his shirt, revealing a muscular chest with old scars and fresh wounds under bandages. He also bared his legs where a few out wounds were before sitting on the table. “You are being much nicer than everyone else today.” Wolf commented.

  “Oh don’t worry about the others dear.” The woman said, bringing over a bowl of water and cloth. “They all listen to those codgers that pass for Elders too much. I’ve been saying for years that this village needs to open its gates to adventurers.”

  The woman peeled away Wolf’s bandages, and he winced from the pain. She began cleaning them, which felt both painful and relieving. Wolf gripped the table with his hands and held still. “You must have an incredible pain tolerance.” The healer said as she was working. “These wounds should have knocked you to bedrest.”

  “Really?” Wolf said. “Well, there wasn’t time for that.”

  “You adventurous folk.” The healer said, tutting and shaking her head. “Always putting yourself in too much danger. You are more likely to die of stress, rather than Zori, you know. Take the time to rest.”

  “I... I’ll keep that in mind.” Wolf said. He remained as still as he could as the woman treated his wounds. She kept the conversation going, but as she began to apply some kind of pale green salve Wolf began to feel numb.

  “This... it’s working rather well.” Wolf said.

  “You need to rest.” The healer said. “Can you make it back to your lodgings?”

  Wolf blinked and realized all his wounds had already had something applied, and she put new bandages on. “When did you...” He trailed off.

  “It’s been an hour, dearie.” The healer said. “Come now, stand up.”

  Wolf shook his head to clear it and rose to his feet. He looked around and seemed fine, so headed for the door.

  “Well, that’s no good.” The healer said, and Wolf blinked. The world had shifted... no, he had fallen to the ground. Wolf tried to stand up again, but found the simple action impossible. Then he was rolled onto his back and lifted.

  “Well you can rest in our side room for a little while. I’ll have my grandson run over to your friends and explain everything.” The healer said. Wolf nodded, and closed his eyes.

  After forty six jumps that combined a myriad of ideas, Michael managed to wrestle some control over the action. To a point. He had avoided any further collisions, but Hyato still seemed to be on edge every time Michael focused the energy in his legs.

  To relax from all the jumping training, Michael decided to switch to some punching. He broke one of the training dummies, so moved on to punching a boulder with tight ropes around it. “You feeling alright?” Hyato asked.

  “Yeah!” Michael said, punching the rock. He used a thin layer of energy to avoid hurting his hand. “I felt I was focusing on my legs too much, so I wanted to switch it up.”

  “Oh.” Hyato said, “Okay then. I’ll leave you to it.” He returned to the jumping stones after a minute of watching Michael punch the boulder. The white haired warrior continued to hit the striking stone at full force until his arms were sore.

  “Doing punches Michael?” Sebastian asked as he arrived. “How will that help your jumping then?”

  Michael turned to Sebastian, “Just taking a break. Oh!” A newcomer was with Sebastian, a woman with blonde hair styled back, wearing the same uniform as the guards. “A guard?”

  “Not a guard.” She said, “The bandages signify rank amongst our warriors. I am Jess.”

  “I asked her to help us with training.” Sebastian said.

  “That’s great!” Michael said, walking over and offering his hand. Jess accepted the greeting, they clasped each other’s right shoulders for a moment.

  “I am told you are to undertake the Trial of Agility. For that, I recommend two movement techniques.” Jess said. “Flutter Jump, and Petal Spin.”

  Hyato and Michael both watched with eager intent to learn, so Jess continued. “The Flutter Jump is a technique to propel yourself. It lets you jump very fast as far as you normally would, you just need to aim your body to use it.” She demonstrated the technique, tapping her feet a few times in the blink of an eye and launching up into the air over ten feet. After landing, she showed it again, aiming herself like she was sprinting. This time she soared over the ground at that same great speed.

  “Oh, I see.” Michael said. “It’s not as fast as Flash Blade, but has directional control.”

  Sebastian chuckled, “True, but Flash Blade cannot be used just for movement, you know. It is an attack tech, while this is a move tech.” Michael blinked at this, frowning.

  “Let me teach you the steps for this one.” Jess said, recapturing the attention. “Oh, wasn’t there a fourth one of you?” She said, looking at Sebastian.

  “Oh right.” Hyato said. “A kid came by and told me that Wolf is being treated at a healer hut.”

  “So that’s where he is.” Michael said.

  “I can show him the steps myself later, if you need to head back Jess.” Sebastian said.

  “Very well.” Jess said. She taught the party the steps they needed to practice and how to get a feel for the tech. Michael thought the practice reps were something like dancing, and smiled as he began to practice.

  “Before we get too far, let me show you Petal Spin.” Jess said. “It is a technique that allows you to redirect your body in midair with a spin. You can use it to change directions, land on tricky ledges, or turn to aim at a different foe.” She performed a normal jump, then used energy to activate the technique. She spun her body in a swift controlled arc, spinning to where she wanted to aim and stopping the spin. She performed the jump a few times, showing how to use it to reach a ledge she would have come shy of if not for the technique. “And last of all,” Jess said, “It pairs well with Flutter Jump.” She used Flutter Jump to launch herself a great distance, soaring off to the right of one of the jumping stones. Before she sailed past, she did that quick spin, letting off a dark blue glow of energy, and redirected herself to reach the platform she almost missed.

  “That was masterfully done!” Sebastian said.

  “Thanks. But now you all have to do it.” She hopped back down and showed them each the reps they needed to practice for Petal Spin. It took a half hour for everyone to get the practice steps right for both techniques.

  “Now you just need to train those practice steps until you can use the tech.” Jess said.

  A bell rang at the house, drawing everyone’s attention. Nayo stood on the back porch. “Before you do that, come eat.” She had the sliding door open to reveal a table loaded with food. Hyato reached the table before anyone else.

  As Michael and Sebastian went to the table, Jess arched an eyebrow. “Not allowed to help train, but bringing food?”

  Nayo gave her a smile. “Are you questioning my Father’s orders?”

  Jess shook her head, “Oh no, I would never!” She said.

  “Good. Would you like some lunch Jess?” Nayo asked.

  “Yes...” Jess said, and joined the others for lunch.

  After lunch Nayo left, and the others returned to training. Jess decided to watch over the training for a few hours, while lounging in a hammock writing in a notebook. Sebastian went about the training in a methodical manner, doing the reps and then noting down what he understood. He was not slow, but compared to the others seemed to be. Hyato practiced the reps with precision, taking each step of the practice and each spin with an absolute serious effort. Michael practiced the reps without pausing for breath. He would switch from one rep to another at a moment's notice, and kept moving while doing so, leaping from platform to platform on the jumping stones and mixing in flips and surges. Jess almost scolded him, when she realized he was the only one not sweating, despite the other two remaining in one place as they practiced.

  After a solid hour of training, Hyato had managed to perform the two techs with flawless grace. He used the Flutter Jump and Petal Spin together as well, moving around the jumping rocks almost like flying. He was only able to propel himself a few feet, but did so with alarming speed.

  Hyato moved around the training grounds, which seemed to light a fire under Michael. He watched Hyato’s movements, tracking him around the grounds. The swordsman seemed very aware of that, and began to move faster. After a few minutes of observation, Michael performed the Flutter Jump, and began jumping around the grounds as well.

  Sebastian landed next to Jess after performing a perfect Flutter Jump. “So, what do you think?” He asked.

  “You’re all amazing!” Jess said. “You didn’t even work together and you all picked up the skill already. I think I’m going to watch the Trial myself, I want to see what you guys can do.”

  Sebastian chuckled. “I can show you all kinds of things if you want.”

  Jess narrowed her eyes, “What do you mean by that?”

  With a grin and flick of his finger, Sebastian created a dancing flame of indigo and pink. “I’ve traveled all over collecting skills for a few years. I saw Dragons in Liagosio, swung vines in the forests of Roagle, traded in the Golden Markets of Ameuro, and sailed the waves of the beaches in Fisea. I always made sure to pick up a new skill wherever I went.”

  “You’ve been that far?” Jess asked, sitting up in the hammock, “You must be rich.”

  “Not really.” Sebastian said. “I’ve gotten around on slow boats or cargo airships for the most part. I’ve been all over the place, but still haven’t found what I am after.”

  “What are you after?” Jess asked.

  “I want to go to Sky Reach. The city in the sky. The place isolated itself during the Broken Times and hasn’t been heard of since.” Sebastian said, eyes twinkling as he looked at the clouds above. “It’s the only remaining place with technology from the Skye era.”

  Jess brushed hair out of her eyes, “I don’t really know what you’re on about, but you seem determined. Your eyes are lighting up.”

  With a flourish Sebastian turned back to Jess, “So, want me to show you some things?”

  “Sure.” Jess said. “But no funny business.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Sebastian said.

  The hours drifted by like leaves on the wind. Hyato collapsed from his training before night fell, and Michael relented on his efforts after dark had gripped the valley. Sebastian had spent the time demonstrating various effects to Jess and explaining them, and taught her to conjure flame with elemancy. Wolf had stumbled back to the house along with Aeroth just after night had fallen.

  Dinner was brought by Aeroth, who gathered everyone to the house with the sweet smell of fruits and the savory scent of meats. Aeroth explained that the party’s first attempt at the Trial of Agility would happen in the morning, then left. Michael and the others acknowledged him as they stuffed their faces.

  Sebastian invited Jess to stay, but she declined. He bid her farewell with a bow and turned in for the night. Wolf and Hyato had already managed to secure futons in their bedrooms and fall asleep.

  A wistful expression crossed Michael’s features as he stood on the porch, looking up at the sloped tile roof of the castle at the top of the village. The moonlight shone behind it, granting a perfect silhouette of the place. Yan must be somewhere there now, enduring whatever secret training her father Odai had for her.

  “Stargazing? I didn’t realize you had that hobby.” Michael turned to the familiar voice. Yan stepped up onto the porch. Her hair had been straightened, the curls in front of her ears were gone. She was wearing a blue battle gi, that’s what Jess had called them, instead of her usual green shirt and brown pants.

  “Michael?” Yan asked. “You there?”

  “Yeah.” Michael said, blinking. “Wasn’t stargazing though, sorry.”

  Yan giggled, making Michael feel like he just used Flutter Jump. “You don’t need to apologize.” She said, walking down the porch a little ways. “I was going to come by for dinner but didn’t finish in time.”

  “Oh.” Michael said, following her. “Is the training rough?”

  “Yeah.” Yan said. “It’s a killer workout, and it eats up all my time. I only have about an hour and then I have to head back to the castle.” She stretched. The night air was cool and the breeze knocked the wind chimes around, but Michael felt like his collar was a bit hot.

  “Hey Michael.” Yan said. When he focused again she was facing him. Did she have to stand so close? “About before. About...”

  “Oh yeah...” Michael turned his head, remembering the pond, the waterfall. “Sorry about that.”

  “What?” Yan said. “I mean, no. I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”

  “Your fault?” Michael asked, bewildered. “I’m the one that fell out of the waterfall. I didn’t mean to fall on you while you were bathing.” He averted his eyes as he rubbed his head.

  “What?” Yan said, “No, not that. I don’t even care about that.”

  Michael blinked and looked back at her. “What? I thought you were mad at me.”

  “No....” Yan said, sighing, and averting her eyes. “Sorry. I did pretend to be mad about that after. I’m sorry. If I hadn’t done that, you wouldn’t have been captured by the bandits.” Yan gripped her right arm with her left. “It’s my fault.”

  “That’s... not your fault, Yan.” Michael saw a tear fall from her chin. “I promise. It wasn’t because of you.”

  “If we’d been talking that day.” Yan’s grip on her right arm tightened, “You wouldn’t have had to go through all that.”

  Michael grabbed Yan’s shoulder with one hand, and pulled her chin with one finger to face him. “It’s not your fault Yan.” Michael said. “We got tricked by the bandits, sure. But I’m okay. We all made it out okay, and we even rescued Wolf. The Bandit King won’t be hurting anyone anymore now either.”

  “You aren’t mad?” Yan asked. Her lower lip was trembling, and tears were welling up below her perfect emerald eyes. Michael felt a twinge in his stomach as he looked at her.

  “No.” Michael said, and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. “Of course not.” Yan’s body was trembling, shivering like she was freezing. Michael heard a faint sound from her, and his shirt felt a bit wet.

  After a few minutes Yan pulled away, and Michael relaxed his arms. She turned around and took a few steps. The only sound to break the night was the faint symphony of bamboo chimes carried by the wind. Michael looked at his shirt, then the ground.

  “Hey Michael.” Yan said, walking over to a small wooden table. “Do you know how to play Command?”

  “Huh?” Michael watched Yan sit down at the table. There were lines drawn on the thing making the tabletop a grid of squares.

  Yan slid open a drawer from one side and pulled out a small box, opening it to dump a bunch of tiny wooden marked statuettes out. Yan began to assemble the pieces in the squares on the table. “I’ll teach you. Come have a seat.”

  Michael walked over to sit down as Yan put the pieces of the game together, twenty one pieces on her side, and the same pieces mirrored on his. “What is this?” Michael asked.

  “A board game.” Yan said. “Here, I’ll explain. But afterwards I will need to head back to the castle, so we will only do one game.”

  “Okay.” Michael said, and listened as Yan explained the board game. He needed to hear the rules a few times before they played. The clicking sound of the wooden pieces on the table accompanied the quiet night breeze.