The events from yesterday haunted him as he opened his eyes. He had made up his mind last night: he needed to train. This journey could be deadly, and he couldn't afford to be weak. But who would teach him how to fight? He was living with four powerful people, but none of them seemed willing or able to help him.
He had asked Azora, but she said that most of her ability came from the fact she was an oracle. He had asked Matthaus, but he was busy repairing his armor. He also didn't seem too keen on the prospect of taking on a student. Vice gave him a few words about how his magic was not to be taught outside of his family. He felt a pang of disappointment. Learning spells would have improved his battle prowess fairly quickly.
He stood in front of a large wooden door. Behind it was his last chance, Erriana. If she refused him, he had no idea when he would find a suitable mentor. He sighed and knocked on the door. After waiting a few seconds with no answer, he placed his ear on the door. He couldn't hear any movement on the other side. He pounded on the door. Nothing. He started using both of his fists as he barraged the door consistently.
Fine, if you won't answer, I'll just break down the door, he thought. He was getting desperate. He placed enough distance between himself and the door, and started running towards it. The hallway was wide enough to get a running start. He placed his shoulder forward to slam it into the door. The door opened.
Issac tried to stop his charge, but it was no use. He waved his arms frantically while running straight into Erriana, who was rubbing her eyes, trying to wipe off the feeling of tiredness.
He screamed in his head as he saw her duck. Erianna bent herself forward and rammed her head into his stomach hard. Issac took a direct hit and limply fell forward. Before he could recover, she reeled back up and flung him into the air. He flipped over and crashed on his back.
Erianna turned and bent over to get a look at who her attacker was.
"Good morning, Issac," she said groggily.
He looked at her from the floor, trying to sound calm. "It's afternoon."
"Oh." She yawned loudly, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Was that an attempt at revenge?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, that's how we greet people where we're from," he lied.
He got up slowly and stared at her. She looked so delicate and innocent, but she was one of the most dangerous people he had ever met.
"I'm sorry, I thought you were going for a surprise attack first thing in the morning," she said, as she crawled back onto the bed.
"It's afternoon," he repeated, snapping at her.
"Oh." She waved her hand dismissively, showing that she didn't care.
She was quiet for a few moments, then she asked, "Well, what do you want?"
He swallowed hard and said, "Erriana," He paused, then whispered, "Please teach me how to fight. I don't want to be a burden to anyone. With my current strength, I'm the one who needs protection. I want to be stronger. So please teach me." He begged, looking at her with pleading eyes.
She looked at him strangely. She placed her hand on her chin, and looked up as if deep in thought. She got up and walked slowly out into the hallway. When she reached the other side of the door, she turned to face him once more.
"You coming?" she asked.
"Does that mean you'll teach me?" he asked for confirmation.
She nodded. He felt like a great weight had been lifted off his chest, as he walked out to join her in the hall. Just like that, he had found a teacher.
"Also, just call me Eri. That's what my friends call me," she said, as they made their way through the church. Her eyes looking towards the floor.
He let out a laugh. This dangerous existence before him actually had a cute side to her. Her face turned to a frown as she heard his laughter.
"Okay, Eri," he said as he looked at her.
Her face went back to normal and she looked at him and nodded.
They walked side by side towards the exit/entrance of the cathedral. He felt a shiver run down his spine. He turned around quickly and froze. The man in gray, the man from the forest, The Watcher. He was only a few paces behind them, following them closely. He stopped, his empty eye sockets met his eyes and his head felt a splitting pain. Eri noticed as well.
"Who is he?" he asked her in a low voice. Rubbing his head as he walked.
She shook her head. "I don't know either. I had never even heard of an oracle before he brought me here," she murmured, and yawned once more. "Let's go." She pulled his arm and they started moving again. The watcher followed, but they didn't pay any attention to him.
He made a mental note to ask Azora about him. His existence was a mystery to him, and the strangest thing was he got a familiar feeling from him.
He opened the doors and walked outside. Eri followed, her eyes almost squinting shut from the sunlight. Lastly The Watcher emerged and the doors closed.
"Alright, start running," Eri said as she laid down on the grass.
"What?" he looked at her, no response. "Umm, Eri, I thought you were going to teach me how to fight."
"I can't, your body is too useless."
"My body!?" His voice squeaked.
Eri yawned once more. "You need to build up your strength. Slow and steady wins the race as they say," she said as her eyes closed. "Except...no...don't run slow...run fast as you can....go." She waved him on lazily with her arm.
He was shocked, so shocked he even looked over at The Watcher for confirmation on what he just heard. The disappointment showed on his face. He turned away from the now sleeping Erriana.
This was his teacher? He snorted and started running.