When Hikari woke up, he was standing on still water, the night sky above him and no land in sight. He looks around him and recognizes where he is as he slowly whispers "The Infinite Azure." As he said this, Arcadia poped up behind him saying, "I thought I told you to call me Arcadia." Hikari jumps a little, surprised by how close Arcadia is behind him. Arcadia smiles a little and falls backward onto a crystal throne that materializes out of thin air. "So you need strength to beat that girl Agnimitra, right?" Hikari is surprised Arcadia knows about what happened and the surprise on his face says it. Arcadia clarifies by saying, "We are bonded together, Hikari. I can see and hear everything you do. However, I can't intrude on your thoughts in the outside world, so those are safe." Hikari nods his head and stands there in awkward silence. Hikari speaks up and says, "Well how do you plan on giving me this strength?" to which Arcadia responds with an eye roll. "Hikari, I can't give you power, I can multiply it but only as a boost. What I can do is help you achieve the strength you need. Hikari smirks a little and says, "So good old-fashioned training it is, huh?" A determined grin spreads across Arcadia's face as she stands back up. "Good old fashioned training is and always will be the way." Arcadia walks up to Hikari and says to him, "I'm gonna do a little sparring with you so be prepared to fight.". Arcadia stands as her throne vanishes with the Infinite Azure and an unknown shield in hand. Hikari readies his own weapon and takes a stance, ready for whatever Arcadia may throw at him. In the blink of an eye, Arcadia rushes forward aiming for his neck. If it weren't for Hikari's quick thinking, he would've lost his head. Hikari barely blocks the onslaught of attacks that Arcadia throws at him. Even if Hikari could react to Arcadia's attacks, any opening is blocked by the shield in hand. They were in two different leagues and that was clear. Hikari jumps back after barely dodging a slash at his chest and tries to collect his breath. Arcadia twirls the blade in her hand and stares Hikari down. Hikari says, "This seems more like a deathmatch than sparing, Arcadia." Hikari gasps loudly as he speaks. He bends over trying to catch his breath. He takes his eyes off of Arcadia and that was his first mistake. Almost as if she was sliding on the ground she appears right in front of Hikari rising under him and gut-checking him with her shield. Bloodshot out of Hikari's mouth and onto the water, dissolving into the bottomless water below. Hikari holds his stomach in pain as he stumbles back, the air has thoroughly been knocked from his lungs as blood drips from his lips. He falls to his knees and finally realizes that it wasn't that she knocked the wind from his chest, the force from her punch crushed his lungs. Hikari couldn't breathe. Hikari's vision starts to go blurry with red tints when he feels warmth spread throughout his body. His eye's of the Sun were activating. Within seconds, Hikari is back on his feet. This time he leaving no part of his body unguarded. He wouldn't let down his guard again. Arcadia says, "Good Hikari! Never leave yourself open an attack. Even when sparing with an ally. However, we won't be having any of that Eye of the Sun in our sparring here." With a flick of her hand, Hikari's powers shut down. Hikari's body suddenly got heavy and his sword felt impossible to hold. His body was at its limit. "You're starting to rely on your eyes Hikari. Such power can be addicting, but in the end it will only hold you back." says Arcadia. Hikari's breaths are shallow and he can't get back on his feet. All he can do is watch as Arcadia slowly walks towards him. Every one of her steps echoed in the vast void around them. When Arcadia finally reaches Hikari she smiles and her weapons disappear. "Don't worry, this time your mistake will only cost you your life." Arcadia flicks her index and middle finger upward and multiple crystal spires penetrate his body. Blood gushes from his body. He looks in horror at Arcadia as she falls back on her throne again, a sweet and innocent smile adorning her face. Hikari gags on blood as he tries to beg for his life but Arcadia dismisses him by saying, "It seems this is the limit of our time today. See you tonight Hikari.". Hikari practically jumps up from his pillow, gasping for air and feeling at his chest. After feeling his chest for a solid minute in disbelief he looks at the Infinite Azure only to see it glowing a beautiful sky-blue light. Hikari looks out his window to see a beautiful sunrise, it's golden light poured through the window and bathed his face in its glorious beauty. The soft rays of light fill Hikari with energy to tackle the day and whatever it may hold. Hikari got up out of the bed and noticed his shirt had a hole in the center of his chest and a huge red bruise to go with it. Hikari lets out a breath of relief as he pulls his hair back. Hikari takes off his shirt and throws it into the trash bin in the corner. Hikari looks on his desk, seeing a pair of fresh clothing folded neatly waiting for him. Hikari changes his undergarments and puts on his pants, but before he can put on his shirt, Tiki bursts into his room shouting, "Rise and shine Hikari!" startling the boy. Both the two young warriors just look at each other. Hikari looks at her face, and Tiki stares at his chest as her face gets redder and redder. She stammers over her words as she tries to say, "I should've knocked, my bad." while closing the door. Hikari laughs a little to himself as he finishes getting dressed, Hikari had been getting dressed in front of girls all his life, so Tikis' nervousness was amusing to him. Hikari, now fully dressed, opens the door and steps out of the room. Tiki fake coughs loudly and awkwardly before saying, "Seeing as you challenged Agnimitra to a fight Ryke has created a schedule for you to follow. You will be waking up every morning at dawn. You will eat breakfast for thirty minutes, do physical training and combat training for four hours, have a thirty-minute lunch break with me, and do magic and mana manipulation training for the rest of the day until ten o'clock." Hikari inhales deeply before breathing out, mentally preparing himself for the coming week. "I got this. I'm Hikari, son of Alduin. I can handle a few weeks of back-breaking, self-destructive hard work." Hikari says to himself and Tiki, but mostly to himself. Tiki being an optimist says, "Hey, it isn't all bad, Hikari. I'm going be training with you so I can get stronger too. We're gonna be suffering together." with a bright smile Hikari's ever seen. "I guess so. Either way, I'm not going to be backing down from this challenge. Agnimitra did something unforgivable, and I will make her pay dearly for it." Hikari clenches his hands into a fist as he says this, determination lit ablaze in his eyes. He thinks to himself, "Between Arcadia training me in my sleep and Ryke putting me through hell when I'm awake, I might just gain the power I need." after finishing his thought, he makes his way to the mess hall to eat breakfast. Hikari's training had just begun.
Elena walks through the palace halls quickly. She had just been summoned to the throne room, and it was best to not make the king wait. She knocks on the throne room doors and is swiftly invited indoors by the king. Elena speed walks up to the throne, takes a knee, and bows her head. "Do you know why I've summoned you so early here today, Elena?" the king asks. His face and voice are stone-cold, the warmth that was expressed when meeting Hikari is nowhere to be found in his eyes. Elena replies saying, "No milord, why have you summoned me?".
"That boy has a very ancient and potent weapon attached to his hip as we speak. A relic of a forgotten age that does not belong to him. However, that weapon does belong to my royal line." the king stated candidly. Elena raises her head, looking confused. She asks, "Do you wish for me to retrieve the weapon. Hikari would be more than willing to hand it over if you wish." but the king shakes his head. "He couldn't give up that weapon even if he wanted to. The blade has bound itself to him, nothing but death can separate them. Even then, they would never truly be separated." The king looks at Elena and smiles a wicked grin. Elena's heart sinks into her gut as she realizes what she must do. Reaching out for some sliver of hope, she pleads with the king saying, "You would have me kill Hikari? Please think of another way. He is like family to me. While I never spent too much time with him, his mother and I are childhood friends. He's like a nephew to me." The king silences her with a glare. The king coldly states, "If it were any other artifact, I would not have him assassinated but the blade he holds is far too valuable, even if he is a hero. He must, no, he WILL die by the end of this week, or you will lose your job, family, and life." With Elena in a cold sweat, he dismisses her from the throne room with tears in her eyes. The king sits back on his throne and closes his eyes. When he opens them again he sees his daughter entering the room, stomping toward him in a way that makes her look equal parts cute and intimidating. "Father what did you say to Elena to make her cry, she never cries!" the king is taken aback by her harsh tone and is ready to spit fire at her for her tone but chooses not to. He calms himself and says, "She received some very upsetting news, something even your ears are not allowed to hear." The fifteen-year-old princess starts to relax a little but you can still see a little bit of defiance in her eyes. "Fine father, I'll leave it at that for now." She turns to leave the room when she stops. She turns to her father and asks him, "Do you remember what today is, father?" Before the king can answer her, she says, "Today is the day you promised to spend time with me since you've been so busy recently. You won't forget, will you?" she asks as her left eye starts to glow an icy blue color. The king quietly but nervously says, "Of course, I remember Kari, I wouldn't miss it for the world sweetheart." and just like that, Kari was happy and left the room with much pep in her step, her raven black curls bouncing with each step. When Kari had finally left the room, the king looked down at his hand and noticed the frost that covered his fingers.