Chapter 29

  Agility and Dexterity

  To the left was a smooth wall of grey stone, patterned with old murals in faded white paint. Rope ladders led from the top of the cliff down to the jutting stone platform. To the right another stone wall loomed. It’s natural surface was unmarred by decorative art or objects. Down below, a small creek wound along at the base of the canyon. Michael noticed a few people sitting down there, fishing. As the two walls of the canyon wound ahead, the creek was covered by fog, hiding whether the bottom was present, or much deeper.

  Each side of the long winding canyon had several platforms of stone jutting out of them. Most were the same size as the one Michael and the others stood on, big enough for twelve people to loiter in comfort. Some seemed to be a suspicious grade smaller. Michael took a deep breath and felt the heat of the suns on his back.

  “Okay.” Aeroth said, “The Trial of Agility. Everyone is watching, don’t make too big a fool of yourselves.” Aeroth glanced up at the onlookers at the top of the canyon. Among them were Odai, Nayo, and at least three of the village elders. Jess was there too, as well as about half a dozen of the guards.

  “Hardly everyone.” Wolf said. “I don’t see Yan.”

  “She is busy training.” Aeroth said.

  “You guys better not have her held hostage.” Wolf said. “I may not know her that well, but she’s a friend damnit!”

  “Relax, Wolf.” Sebastian said, patting the fiery Phanokai on the shoulder, “Now is hardly the time to be taking a stand.”

  “Just focus on the Trial.” Hyato said. He remained as collected as ever, showing no emotion.

  “Right.” Aeroth said. “Anyways, let me explain the rules.” He turned to face the canyon ahead. “The Trial is simple. Reach the end of the canyon, touch the peach tree at the end. You must do so before the light leaves the canyon. It is summer, but in the canyon the mountain peaks tend to cast long shadows. You will only have a couple hours to accomplish this task.” Aeroth jumped the ten foot gap to the next platform. “Only one of you needs to succeed for you all to pass. Begin now.”

  Hyato was the first to react, rushing forth and crossing the first gap with a simple jump. Many of the platforms of the canyon were around the same distance as these first two, but ahead they became farther and farther apart. Sebastian, Michael, and Wolf all jumped to the next platform and started running to jump to the next.

  After clearing the first few platforms, Sebastian groaned, “I don’t know if I can keep this up.”

  “We’ve only just started.” Michael said. “You can do this.”

  “You don’t have to push yourself.” Hyato said. “I will complete this challenge myself if I have to.” He jumped to the next platform.

  “Oh no you don’t!” Wolf said, running and jumping after him.

  Michael paused with Sebastian as he caught his breath. He looked around, and noticed that they had already gone around the bend of the canyon. In the distance, Michael could see the peach tree that was the objective. “Hey, the end is right over there.”

  Sebastian looked, then followed the path of the platforms. “It is... but it will take a long time to reach it. Look. We are at about the midway point in height, but if you follow the path, you will go low to cross, then climb the platforms on that side in order to cross again, and then go all the way around that wide open area.” He pointed out the path he saw, which wound about across the walls in a meandering way. The path even went around a huge craterous opening of the canyon.

  “Yeah, that will take forever. And we’ll run out of stamina fast.” Michael said.

  “It should be called the Trial of Endurance instead.” Sebastian said.

  “Yeah... instead it’s called the Trial of Agility.” Michael looked around. Across the canyon, a fifty gap to the other wall, there was another stone platform jutting out of the wall. If he followed the normal path, he wouldn’t be there for a little while. Hyato and Wolf were hopping down the path, but it would be at least a quarter of an hour before they got there.

  “Well, we should continue.” Sebastian said, standing. “We don’t want to get left behind.”

  “No, I think you are right.” Michael said. “This is a Trial of Agility. We can’t take the short path.”

  Sebastian saw Michael looking at the other canyon wall. “That’s too far to jump, Michael, even with those techs.”

  Michael crouched down a bit. “Yeah, with just those techs it's too far. But I think...”

  “What are you doing!?”

  The Flutter Jump wasn’t fast enough, but it was a jump. Flash Blade could not reach that far, but its speed couldn’t be argued. Petal Spin offered great control. Michael adjusted his stance, widening it to prepare for a draw, but did not prepare his sword. He could feel the flow of energy in his legs shifting, the anticipation of his move traveled up through the ground and into his feet. He saw the move.

  Michael’s feet vanished as he prepared his move, then he launched himself from the platform with a burst of energy. Sebastian watched in horror as Michael threw himself off the canyon, then in bewilderment as Michael seemed to fly straight ahead. Michael landed on the other platform, tucking into a roll and landing on his back. “Techmotion...” Sebastian said to himself. “I see.”

  It took a moment for Michael to calm down. His arms were shaking and his legs wobbled. He knew he could make the jump, but picturing it was different from propelling through the air, nothing but fog and uncertainty below. Michael managed to steady himself and get to his feet. He hopped to the next platform, and felt as if it was laughably close.

  A few platforms later Michael spotted another chance to shorten the journey. The platform was at least fifty, maybe sixty feet away. It was also about twenty feet higher than this one, but it was close to the end too. With a little prep, the empty eyed warrior gazed with determination.

  This time Michael took a running start, building as much speed as possible, and leapt. He flitted forth through the air at the near instant speed of Flash Blade. He propelled forth with the jumping force of Flutter Jump, and soared up at an angle with the precise control of Petal Spin. He used none of the techniques, instead using parts of each to manipulate his body. A few seconds of exhilarating soaring led to Michael landing on the next platform.

  Having succeeded twice, Michael’s adrenaline filled his spirits. He leapt from platform to platform using the cobbled together tech parts, and before he knew it reached the Peach Tree. Michael went over to it and tapped it, then sat leaning against it.

  “Just under an hour.” A voice said from nearby. “Impressive. You have the third best time on record.” Michael looked over to see Odai vanish from sight. Michael looked around the canyon and saw Hyato and Wolf waving at him with both arms in the distance, then rope ladders were thrown down to their platforms from the spectators above.

  After a moment Michael looked around the grassy outcrop. There was a path leading up and out of the canyon. Michael grabbed a plump peach from the tree, and left the canyon altogether. The Trial of Agility, passed.

  Hyato shook his head and patted Michael on the back . “Great job.” Michael chuckled and took another bite out of the peach. He had just arrived at the house they were staying in, it wasn’t even noon.

  Sebastian, Wolf, and Hyato were already there when Michael arrived. There was no ceremony or anything for clearing the Trial, but Michael felt the peach was a good enough reward.

  “How did you move like that?” Wolf asked. “You looked like you were flying. Kicked our asses, anyways.”

  “Yeah, that was way further than when you launched into the wall yesterday.” Hyato said.

  “I combined the speed of Flash Blade with Flutter Jump’s jump, and used the control from Petal Spin to aim.” Michael said. “Once I figured it out, it wasn’t hard.”

  Wolf and Hyato looked at Michael in open mouthed shock. “What?” Wolf said. “You can’t just... change techs.”

  “What do you mean?” Michael asked.

  “Techs are encoded into your body through training.” Hyato said. “The energy activates them, but you aren’t moving your body when you use them. The impulse of memorized training makes you move.”

  “Right, what he said.” Wolf said. “Don’t you feel that loss of control when you use a Technique?”

  “Not really.” Michael said, chewing the last of the peach and setting aside the core. He stood up and brandished his sword. “I feel in total control.” Michael used Force Sword, sending out a wave of damaging energy. “I feel like I did that. I could have stopped.”

  “You could have stopped?!” Wolf said.

  “Is that even possible?” Hyato wondered.

  “What do you think, Sebastian?” Wolf said. “You know things.”

  Sebastian chuckled. “You wouldn’t let me get a word in. Yes, as you can clearly see, it is possible. What Michael is doing that you two cannot is a skill called Techmotion.”

  “Techmotion?” Hyato and Wolf said at the same time.

  “So what, like moving while using a Tech?” Wolf asked.

  “No, or maybe yes from your description. It’s about controlling the flow of a technique, changing them. Control.” Sebastian explained, “Like you said, you train to learn Techs, and energy activates your body to utilize them. Like the spells in Modern Magic. But to make a Modern Magic spell requires a great deal of knowledge and study, then effort to create. Afterwards, you have to ‘read’ the original or a copy of it. Techniques, on the other hand, have been developed by numerous people for centuries, or even millenia.”

  “But you can’t change spells on the fly, right?” Wolf said.

  “Only a Sorcerer can.” Sebastian said. Wolf and Hyato frowned. “And they are not well loved. Nor can their Sorcery be taught. Techmotion is to Techniques, what Sorcery is to Spellcasting. However Techmotion can be taught, it can be learned.”

  “No one taught me.” Michael said.

  “Anything that can be taught can be learned naturally. You developed Techmotion naturally, and are already rather good at it. I expect you could do many things with this new skill of yours. You should try manipulating your Techniques as a way of training.” Sebastian suggested.

  “You should try changing Flash Blade.” Hyato said.

  Wolf chuckled, “I should teach you a tech so you can manipulate it.” He said.

  Michael chuckled as well, “Maybe. Although, I have an idea.” He walked over to the training dummy area and frowned in concentration. He went over his memories, the memory of his most used Technique, his signature attack. Dark Blade.

  Michael thrust the tip of his sword into the ground, and remembered the feeling of Dark Blade. He didn’t use it, but he pictured using it. Energy coursing along the ground like cracks, then exploding force knocking targets airborne. It was really useful. He’d even used it to emit force from that lifted chunk of ground to slam it into someone.

  When the black crystal sword was drawn from the ground, it did not appear dirty. He looked it over, then focused ahead. Then, Michael thrust the sword forth. He reeled his arm back, and thrust again. His sword cut through the air.

  “What are you doing?” Hyato asked, standing back behind the rope fence.

  “I’m trying to... puncture the air.” Michael said.

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  “What?” Hyato said, “That doesn’t make sense.”

  With a deep breath, Michael felt the air ahead of him. He imagined it to be solid, like the earth below. As solid as stone, metal even. Michael thrust his sword, cracking into the air before him. It looked like an invisible wall had been cracked by the tip, and Michael heard three distincts gasps from behind him. Lines of energy spread out before him, and then force exploded in all directions!

  Michael tumbled back over the rope and rolled along the ground, landing face down. “Owww.” He complained, twitching his arm. Hyato rushed to his side.

  “What was that?” Wolf said, looking amused as Michael pushed himself up.

  “Guess nothing ever goes right on the first try.” Michael said, laughing and scratching the back of his head.

  “Was today not the first time you mixed Flash Blade and the other techniques, during the Trial?” Sebastian asked.

  “I was training that Flash Blade jump a bunch yesterday too, before Jess came by and taught us those other techs.” Michael explained.

  “And your training paid off well.” The guys all turned to see Nayo standing on the porch, garbed in a casual robe and holding her paper fan. “Hello boys.”

  Michael stood up and everyone walked over to Nayo, “Hey Nayo.” Michael said. “What brings you by?”

  “I’ve come to congratulate you on your success in the Trial of Agility. The next Trial can begin as soon as tomorrow, the Trial of Dexterity.” Nayo said.

  “Agility and Dexterity.” Sebastian said, “Sensing a theme here.”

  Nayo gave a polite giggle, “Indeed. You will be able to begin the Trial as early as tomorrow. Make sure to train your reflexes, boys.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be able to beat whatever the Trial has in store for us.” Wolf proclaimed. He stuck his chest out with a wide grin, standing arms akimbo.

  “Looking forward to it.” Nayo said. “I’ve brought lunch. Eat up, and train hard.” She said, then vanished before their eyes.

  Sebastian shook his head, “I must learn how they do that.”

  “Whatever, let’s eat!” Wolf said, striding into the dining area.

  Training continued for the party throughout the day. They didn’t know what to expect, so they worked on moving and dodging the swinging logs. Hyato was the most focused on the training. Whenever he got to training hard, he became silent and unresponsive, doing the training over and over with rigid breaks.

  Michael broke off to do some training on his own, messing around with techniques in different ways. He worked on his jump that he used to complete the Trial earlier, as well as the Flash Blade. He tried modifying Dark Blade a few more times, with disastrous results, but always got back to his feet. At the insistence of Sebastian, Michael focused on general dodging and reflex training.

  The wizened Evari tactician also trained. Sebastian did reflex training by jumping off the stone platforms and attempting to Petal Spin back onto them. He fell to his feet on the ground many times, but also managed to pull off the maneuver a few times. He explained to Michael that his training was last moment reflex training, which Michael found intriguing.

  Wolf trained with the logs for a little while, then began to soak his shirt in blood. He bid the others farewell for the day, and left for the Healer’s hut. Sebastian suggested that he go and get Jess for guidance, but Michael and Hyato told him not to.

  Before they knew it, night had fallen, and everyone went inside to get some dinner. Michael didn’t feel sore or tired, but the others were complaining about such things. Today they were left alone to eat dinner by themselves, and the others went to sleep.

  Michael stood on the porch, watching the cloudy night sky. The light of the moons was not present tonight, but there were many lanterns in the village, and one such green paper lantern hung from the awning nearby. Michael waited, and hoped.

  “Up late again?” Yan asked as she arrived.

  The grin on Michael’s face betrayed his thoughts, “Yes. How are you, Yan?”

  “Ehh, I’m tired. I’ve been training all day, barely any time to eat either.”

  “Are you hungry?” Michael asked.

  “No, the training comes with a diet plan.” Yan said, stepping onto the porch. “How about a couple games of Command before I head back?”

  “You have to head back again.” Michael noted as he followed her to the game board.

  “Yes. But I feel we can get a couple matches in. Maybe you’ll even remember the rules.” Yan sat down and got out the board pieces.

  “Maybe I’ll win.” Michael said, taking his seat across from her.

  Yan giggled, “Perhaps. If you’re lucky.” She set up the board, “So, how did today go?”

  “You haven’t heard?” Michael asked.

  “They keep me in the dark in that training.” Yan said. “Besides, this way you can tell me.” Yan gave Michael an expectant look, and he realized he was first to move in the board game.

  After making a first move that made Yan smirk, Michael spoke, “We did the Trial of Agility today. Jumping from platform to platform in that canyon.”

  “How did you do?” Yan asked as she moved her game piece.

  “Well, after heading in a little ways Sebastian noticed that the path to the Peach Tree was too long and meandering to make it in the time limit.” Michael said.

  “Good eye. What did you do after that?”

  “Well, there was a platform closer than some of the others that would save me a bunch of time. So I jumped to it.”

  “Well, yeah, that’s the whole point.” Yan said.

  “Well, this one was about fifty feet away.” Michael said, “So the others weren't able to follow me.” Michael made a move on the board, and Yan faltered.

  “That’s a big jump Michael. Why did you risk something like that?” Yan said, frowning.

  “Well, I practiced all day yesterday learning a few techs for jumping.” Michael explained. He waited for Yan to make a move, then moved one of the game pieces and captured one of hers.

  “Still, it seems awfully risky.” Yan said, capturing Michael’s piece and leaving him wondering if the maneuver was his idea or hers.

  “Well, I combined the jumping techniques actually.” Michael said, Yan shot him a quizzical look, “Sebastian told me it's something called Techmotion, the ability to manipulate Techniques on the fly.”

  “That seems really... useful.” Yan said. “Can you teach me?”

  “Sure! As soon as I figure out how.” Michael said.

  “So you made the big jump. What next?” Yan asked.

  “Well, I continued along and then made another big jump, even further. After that I felt great, so I kept going until I reached the end. I tagged the Peach Tree. Your Father said I had the third best time on record.” Michael said.

  “Wow, I’m really impressed.” Yan said. “Way to go.” Her smile made Michael feel warm inside.

  “It felt pretty great.” Michael admitted. “Afterwards, I took one of the peaches and left the canyon. It was really tasty.”

  Yan stopped in the middle of a move and looked up at Michael, eyes widening. “You... took one of the peaches?”

  Michael froze, and his eyes darted around, “Y-yeah...”

  “And... you ate it...” Yan said, a hushed whisper. “Oh Michael...”

  “What?” Michael’s heart started to race.

  “Oh Michael... Do you know what that means?” Yan’s expression was one of pain, and worry as she looked at Michael with those brilliant emerald eyes.

  “What?! What does it mean?” Michael asked, his right hand twitching. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, and his heart sounded like a hammering drum in his ears.

  “It means...” Yan said, lowering her gaze. She was silent for a moment as Michael looked on in fear. Yan looked up at Michael with a sharp motion of her head, “That you’re lucky. They’re really good peaches, and they are only ripe a few weeks a year.”

  Michael’s shoulders slumped and he stared open-mouthed. “What?”

  “Yeah. Good for you. I’ve gotten to try them a couple of times myself, but they’re a delicacy.” Yan finished her move on the board, leaving Michael stunned. Yan placed the captured piece off to the side with the others and looked at Michael with an innocent look on her face.

  With a sigh, Michael moved his next piece, then laughed. Yan laughed with him, for several seconds even. Michael smiled, “Well played.”

  “Thank you.” Yan said, and continued the game. “So, next up is the Trial of Dexterity. You feel prepared?”

  “Well, I’m not really sure. I don’t know what the trial entails. We spent the day doing reflex training, so maybe we’ll be ready.” Michael said.

  “You can tell me how it goes tomorrow night.” Yan said, “Sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect.” Michael said. He focused on the game. Yan wasn’t allowed to talk about her training, so Michael explained the Techmotion experiments he did as they spent the rest of the hour playing Command.

  It was a windy day in the Aeronemar valley, and the summer sunlight warmed the cool mountain air. Blue flower petals danced around the area, drifting along the wind and around the party. Michael and the others followed Aeroth deeper into the copse of blue leafy trees.

  “What kind of trees are these?” Michael asked.

  “Some kind of fancy tree my Great Grandfather imported from another continent.” Aeroth said. “I think they are rather regal, myself.”

  “The indigo leaves and sapphire petals mesh well with the greens and grays of the valley.” Sebastian said.

  “Agreed.” Hyato said.

  “They’re okay, I guess.” Wolf said, leaning his head back against his raised arms.

  “I’m sure you will all be sick of the color blue by the end of this.” Aeroth said, “We’ve arrived.” Aeroth stepped into a circular courtyard of light tan flagstones. Each stone was placed apart from one another, allowing grass to grow between them and make the courtyard a pattern of green grass and tan stones. Michael noticed a distinct lack of the blue petals in the courtyard, despite how windy it was.

  As the party stepped into the courtyard they noticed that there were people sitting amongst the trees all around. The onlookers were not hiding, but did not advertise their presence either. Odai was not visible amongst them.

  “Welcome.” Aeroth said, spreading his arms. He still carried an unenthused attitude. “To the Trial of Dexterity. As will all the trials, the goal is simple. Whether you can achieve it, is not.” Aeroth lifted a fist, then opened it. A single blue petal fell from his hand and floated along the breeze. “You may only take this trial one at a time. The goal is to catch the petals that are released into the courtyard before they reach the ground. You must catch every petal.”

  “Oh...” Wolf said, the smile on his face fading.

  “I’ll go first.” Sebastian said, stepping forward.

  “Why you, Sebastian?” Hyato asked.

  Sebastian smiled, “Well, I am not as fast or as accurate as any of you. Watch my attempt and make a plan.” He said. “Besides, I don’t want my poor attempt to be last.”

  “The rest of you must step outside of the courtyard.” Aeroth said, striding towards the trees. Michael and the others followed, leaving the pink shirted tactician to undergo the Trial first.

  After doing some warmup stretches, Sebastian nodded to the stoic Ninja overseeing the Trial. “I’m ready, Aeroth.” He said.

  “Then you may begin.” Aeroth said. A flurry kicked up from the nearby trees, knocking loose and scattering dozens of petals into the air over the courtyard. The site of the Trial was small enough to move from one end of the other in only a few lunges. Sebastian started to dash around, scooping petals into his hands.

  After only a moment Sebastian realized he was not going to be able to catch all of the petals the hard way. He lifted a hand towards the sky, creating a vortex of winds above him. The wind drew in petals towards his hand. Sebastian grabbed as they were sucked in, and after a few moments the trial was done. What was left of the petals had already completed their descent. Sebastian sighed and let go of the rest of the petals, letting them join the majority that had fallen to the ground.

  Sebastian joined the others outside of the courtyard. “The petals for the trial don’t flow to the wind like normal. You can’t suck them in the way I tried.” He advised. Aeroth called for the next challenger, so Wolf stepped forth.

  Wolf’s characteristic smirk had faded, traded to a serious face filled with determination. The air around his shoulders began to warp with the signature energy of the Phanokai, DE. “Bring it on!” He said.

  The Trial of Dexterity began for Wolf. The petals were released into the air again, and Wolf jumped. He rose into the air and began swatting the petals into his hands, grabbing them by the handful as he swung his arms around. He snatched the petals out of the air, before falling to the ground in a low crouch. Wolf continued to scoop up petals, gathering his hands full of them.

  Though he managed to grab all the ones near him, Wolf let many fall around the area. His hands clenched, crushing the petals he had gathered, and he left the courtyard under the stern gaze of Aeroth.

  “Do you want to go next or last?” Michael asked Hyato.

  “I shall go last.” Hyato said, “I wish to observe your attempt.” Michael nodded and stepped out into the courtyard.

  The winds shook his white hair about the place as Michael reached the center of the courtyard. “I’m ready.” He said, and watched the air. The flurry of wind kicked in again, and the petals came falling all around. Michael crossed his eyes a little, making the image of the dancing blue petals into blurs.

  Energy surrounded Michael’s legs and he began to move. He dashed from one side of the courtyard to the next, covering all of the area as he moved. As he ran, he grabbed petals out of the air, and to the onlookers he himself became a blur of motion. Michael rushed around, gathering up as many of the petals as possible.

  When Michael came to a stop he looked around. He had missed only a dozen petals. He shrugged and lifted the mass of blue above him and scattered the ones he had gathered to the wind. “I lost.” He said, returning to the sidelines.

  The brief interlude where the petals were cleared out of the courtyard lasted only a few seconds, like the other times. Hyato strode out into the courtyard and nodded to Aeroth, indicating his readiness.

  The blue petals of the Trial of Dexterity scattered to the wind once more. Hyato took in a deep breath, and stood still. With a stoic stance rivaling a Kuldo, Hyato waited. The petals danced through the air on the breeze, floating all around as they drifted towards the ground. Hyato did not move, and the petals floated about, yet they continued to dance through the air, not dipping towards the ground.

  A petal soared near Hyato’s left side, and he lifted his arm with a steady rhythm. He captured the petal between two fingers, and kept his eyes peeled. A never ending dance of flowers continued around him. Hyato had already lasted longer than any of the others, and yet had only grabbed a single petal. None had yet reached the courtyard.

  Sebastian rubbed his chin, “I see.”

  Hyato snapped his right arm upwards, and the petals move in concert around the courtyard, agitated by the motion, they began to dance faster, and dip closer to the grass. Hyato nodded, and then dropped the petal he had managed to catch. Without a word, Hyato walked out of the courtyard, and the petal dance ended, as they all came to rest on the flagstones.

  “That was... weird.” Wolf said, looking down towards Hyato.

  “You figure anything out?” Michael asked.

  “Yes.” Hyato said. “We should go train, and try again tomorrow.”

  Aeroth approached the party, “You may try again as many times as you like, you know.”

  “Tomorrow.” Hyato said. “We are best off training for now.” Aeroth grunted, though he seemed to show some approval, before returning to his mask of stoicism. He nodded and departed.

  “I’ll meet you guys back at the house, I’m going to get some more of that healing salve.” Wolf said. “I think I am almost healed.”

  “Excellent. Then let’s head back.” Sebastian said, walking back through the trees with the others. The wind continued to carry small indigo leaves and blue petals along the path as the party made their way back, ready for another day of training.