Issac resumed his training the very next day. Erianna seemed more alert and attentive. She gave him more guidance and tips on how to improve his skills. The following day, everyone was ready for the journey. His training regimen became a group activity. They would all rise early, have a hearty breakfast, and exercise together. It was fun and lively, if he ignored the fact that they could all die soon. There was one person missing from the usual scene, though: The Watcher.
Azora had told him that he was summoned back to face his punishment. He didn't know what that entailed, but he didn't feel sorry for him. They had watched him leave in the main hall of the church. He slammed his walking stick into the ground, creating red glowing cracks that spread around him. He vanished in a flash, just like when he had brought them here. He felt a sense of relief as he watched him go. Even though he had helped Issac, he didn't trust him at all.
They were on the edge of the woods outside the church, finishing up their warm-up stretches. Erianna pulled him aside to talk to him. They walked along the side of the church until they reached a beautiful garden. He was amazed by the variety and colors of the flowers that filled the air with their fragrance. They strolled through the garden until Erianna stopped in front of one of the flower beds and crouched down.
She pointed at a beautiful purple flower and asked him, "Do you know what these are?"
He leaned closer to examine the flower. "I'm afraid I don't. I'm not very knowledgeable about flowers. To be honest, I can hardly tell them apart."
She smiled and said, "This is a Michaelmas Daisy. It's autumn now, so they are in full bloom."
He nodded and said, "They are very pretty. I never noticed this place before. I guess I was too busy with other things. This is a nice place to relax and forget about everything."
She yawned and said, "Actually, these flowers bloom in response to the shorter days, just like mums."
He looked at her curiously and said, "You seem to know a lot about them."
She nodded and said, "My mom used to sell flowers. She had a small shop. She would teach me all kinds of things about them. I would usually fall asleep while she talked, but some of it stayed with me. Anyway, I feel a connection with this flower." She spoke softly, but he could hear her clearly.
He tilted his head and asked, "How so?"
She sighed and said, "Like I said, the days are getting shorter. Not just because of the season, but my days, your days. Maybe the days of the world or even the universe."
He blinked and said, "Wow, that escalated quickly."
She shrugged and said, "Doesn't it feel like that, though, with everything that's happening? It makes me want to take a nap." She closed her eyes halfway.
He nodded and said, "Yeah, I get it, but I don't think it's worth wasting time worrying about how this will end. We just have to take one step at a time. I mean, we are guardians now, whether we like it or not. We chose to do this, so let's see it through."
She smiled and said, "I like your way of thinking. Overthinking things just makes me tired anyway." She got up from her crouching position.
He teased her and asked, "Is there anything that doesn't make you tired?"
She tapped her chin and thought for a moment. "Sleeping."
There was a long pause while they stared at each other then, she laughed and he saw a spark in her eyes that he had never seen before. She looked fully awake and alert. "Listen, Issac, the real reason I wanted to talk to you was to apologize. I didn't realize how dangerous the area we were in was. I shouldn't have sent you out alone. To make up for it, I will pay full attention to your training. We only have a few days left before we depart, and I don't know when we will have another chance to rest like this. So I decided it's now or never. I'm going to teach you the secrets behind my father's fighting style and how to use it."
They strolled around the garden for a while before they left. He was curious about what Erianna was going to teach him. From her words, he understood that her father was a martial artist of some kind. He wondered how he had trained this sleepy girl. It must have been a challenging task.
"So how exactly do you fight? I didn't see much during our battle. You just kicked me a few times and it was over." he asked.
"The style I use involves the legs and the knees. My father said that using your hands to fight is too inefficient. They can break too easily, and it's not elegant. With your legs, though, you have longer reach and stronger bones." Erianna slapped her thighs with both hands.
"Is that why you kept your hands behind your back while fighting? What if you have to block? It seems flawed." He questioned her, and she looked annoyed.
"Try to hit me." She said.
"Uh, okay." He turned his body towards her and prepared to deliver a blow with his fist.
"Don't hold back." She placed her arms behind her back again and stood there calmly.
He threw his punch, putting his weight into it. It was a good punch, he thought. But she dodged it easily, moving her head to the side. She then swung her leg and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying back. He landed on the ground, gasping for air. He felt like he had been hit by a truck.
She looked down at him and said, "You see? You don't need your hands to fight or block. You just need your legs and your speed." She smiled smugly at him.
He said, "Your father sounds like a great martial artist."
She said, "He was a mage, actually."
He said, "But you said before that you don't use magic."
She said, "I don't use magic in the traditional way, like casting spells. I can't control the mana inside my body properly. Look." She rolled up her pant leg and showed him her leg. It was covered with intricate runic tattoos. "When I focus my mana into these, they activate and enhance the part of the body they are on. For me, though, it's very exhausting. When I activate the mana inside my body, I can't control where it goes. It just runs wild. It's enough to activate the tattoos, making my legs faster and stronger. I only use it when I absolutely need to, because it drains my energy so fast. After a few minutes, I would be useless."
She moved closer to him and started to touch his legs. He instinctively jumped back. What was she doing?
She said, looking up at him, "Still far from being ready."
He asked, feeling flustered, "Eri, could you warn me before you do something weird?"
She looked at him with a puzzled expression and they continued to walk. He asked, "So what do I need to do to be ready?"
She said, "Don't worry, I have a plan."
Erianna led Issac to the training ground, where they had a large open space to practice. She said, "The most important thing in my fighting style is speed. You need to be fast enough to dodge and strike your opponent before they can react. You also need to have stamina, so that you can keep fighting without getting tired. That's why we're going to do some exercises that will improve your speed and stamina."
She showed him some drills that involved running, jumping, dodging, and kicking. She made him do them repeatedly, increasing the intensity and difficulty each time. She also gave him some feedback and advice on how to improve his form and technique.
He followed her instructions and did his best to keep up with her. He felt his muscles burn and his lungs ache, but he didn't give up. He wanted to learn from her and become stronger. He admired her skill and determination, and he hoped to impress her.
They continued their training for the next few days, until it was time to leave for the journey. On the third day, Erianna decided to give him a special gift. She said, "Issac, I think you are ready for this." She rolled up her pant leg and showed him her runic tattoos again. She said, "These are the runes my father gave to me, and now I will give to you."
She took out a small vial and a silver needle from her bag. She said, "This is a special ink that my father made. It contains mana, and spirit essence. It's very potent and rare. This is a magic needle that can draw the runes on your skin. It will hurt a lot, but you have to endure it. It will be over soon."
Issac looked at her with surprise and fear. He said, "You're going to tattoo me? With a needle? Are you sure about this?"
She nodded and said, "Yes, I'm sure. Trust me, Issac. This will make you stronger. And I'll be here with you the whole time."
He hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded too. He said, "Okay, Erianna. I trust you. Do it."
He rolled up his pant legs and braced himself for the pain. She took his leg in her hands and started to draw the runes with the needle and ink. He felt a sharp pain as the needle pierced his skin and left behind a mark of ink.
He gritted his teeth and tried not to scream or cry out loud. He felt tears streaming down his face as the pain continued.
She looked at him with sympathy and concern. She said softly, "I'm sorry, Issac. I know it hurts a lot. But you're doing great. You're almost done."
She finished one leg and moved on to the other one. He felt another wave of pain as she repeated the process.
He clenched his fists and closed his eyes tightly. He thought of Erianna and why she was doing this for him.
She wanted him to be strong and survive.
She wanted him to be able to fight with her.
He felt a surge of gratitude and affection for her.
He endured the pain.
Issac lost track of time as the needle moved on his skin, leaving behind the runes. He felt the mana in the ink seep into his body, mingling with his own. He felt a strange sensation, as if something was changing inside him.
He heard her voice say softly, "It's done, Issac. You can open your eyes now."
He opened his eyes and saw her smiling at him gently. She said, "You did it, Issac. You're done."