[Third person's pov]
The atmosphere thickens considering that Dieter got them into trouble again, granted that he just got out of prison on that same day, Dieter rather looks perturbed while his guardian Finnigan pace around the room rubbing his pinion against his beak. "Dieter, what came to your mind and decided to keep that creature?" Finnigan chided, he could not just remain calm at this level, as he proceeds to pace around, again.
"Excuse me, sir, the name's Lewis," Lewis claimed, with his hand raised.
Finnigan inhaled sharply, "Okay then, Lewis."
Dieter's thought of a way to tell Finnigan what exactly happened, that would stand logical. "He leaped into me, I-I think he needed my help, and so I hid him under my cloak, " Dieter implied, finally lifting off the heaviness on his shoulders, but the thought of troubling Finnigan several times still bothered Dieter.
Finnigan sighed in defeat. "Okay, that resolved then, what are we gonna do with Lewis?" Jylrus butted in looking a Dieter and Lewis poking with each other.
-
The birds began chirping as the sun brightens the terrains, wind whistles through the blankets of leaves, creating a faint sound of crustiness, and the scent of fresh field.
"Rise and Shine cripple!" Jylrus clapped, arising Dieter from his deep slumber, the young hunter groan as his trainer demands.
"Hey, go easy on him, and no name-calling!" The Guardian instructed from afar, cooking breakfast for all.
"I don't even get paid!" Jylrus grumbled, kicking off the pebble.
"I heard that!" The critter added. Jylrus sighed and proceeded to awaken the newbie, who's still laying on his hammock, unruffled.
Jylrus proceeds to jab Dieter awake as the youngster keeps whining in his sleep. While the mentor's infuriating emotion increases, but still managed to keep his composure.
"Dieter, if you wish to learn, you're likely to obey my orders." With that rigidity, Dieter hasty sat up from his sleeping position, rubbing the sleep on his eyes, gazing at his mentor who's arms crossed over his chest. (Meanie)
"I'm up!" Dieter blurted. "Look, I got used to waking up a little late than this." Dieter reasoned, earning a—no-no-finger from his mentor.
"You're as hard-headed the first time I met you, young man." Jylrus clicked his tongue in disappointment.
"We just met yesterday, " Dieter reminds him.
"Whatever kid, just wash your face and meet me at the front yard," Jylrus added, waving off Dieter, as he takes off.
Subsequently, waiting for his trainee, "That kid's going to be a pain in the ass." he hissed, picking up a pebble to entertain himself, abruptly the pebble shot high up the tree—Jylrus gulped. "Ah! Why does that keep happening?" Jylrus grumbled?
Soon after Dieter came, "Finally! It felt like a decade waiting for a stagnant kid like yourself." The man jokes.
"Ha-Ha very amusing." The kid responds with sarcasm, Jylrus motioning Dieter to come closer. Dieter shook his head briskly, afraid of what might Jylrus do to him, perhaps a head-butt or a smack on his head? That's the least Dieter want.
"Chicken," The mentor snorted leaping from his place.
Jylrus clapped. "Okay! The first day is now Dieter, put your game face!" Dieter hasty run to where Jylrus points, "Okay, here's the plan—"
"Plan?" Dieter hesitated.
"Yes, and don't interrupt me, kiddo. So, for the first week; we'll have to build your upper and lower body—so you'll get a good gripping to any weapon you'll wield and have your footing firm and stable." Jylrus demonstrate as if he's lifting weights.
"Um, Jyl? When will I be wielding real weapons?" The sparkle in Dieter's eyes seemed to confused Jylrus.
"Wait, wait—what? Wielding weapons? Right away? Look, kid—you are not wielding any weapons with that petit body of yours. You need an upgrade!" Jylrus lean out, raising both hands splayed like imagining a rainbow over the horizon.
"Well, that's lame," Dieter said.
"Say no more! An upgrade shall do it, kid!" Jylrus asserted while Dieter sat on the log dejected.
Jylrus exclaimed, motivating Dieter, telling the kid must not show weakness when it comes to combat.
"Alright, let's begin shall we?"
After several attempts, Dieter could not stand from tiredness. He sure has no muscles to even do push-ups, the rest progressed as Dieter got used to the pain.
The kid did his best, beads of sweat start to form on his temple, his freckles stand out from the scorching sun.
-
"I'm so tired, my body feels like noodles," Dieter said between breaths, both his palm on either of his knees.
"You did good kid. Do that for a week then we'll enhance your speed and stamina next week." The mentor asserted. "Oh! The third week will be practicing your motions—make you move like the wind." Jylrus look by far out of breath after explaining and executing a spaghetti move, Dieter can only look away.
"Okay—so when am I going to wield my first weapon?" Dieter asserted.
"Not today, kid." The mentor shook his head dismayed.
-
The first week has passed and Dieter is getting ready to make his first lap.
"Hey, kid! Do another lap, You run like an old man!" Jylrus broadcasts to an unknown audience followed by a hideous laugh.
"Right! Look who's talking!" Dieter called out, while Dieter is not looking, behind him is Jylrus ready to tackle the kid. Jylrus headlock Dieter, who's struggling to get out of Jylrus grasp.
"Let's start training, let's work on your speed and stamina, you run like you're afraid of getting dirt on your expensive shoes." Jylrus shoves Dieter mocking the kid. "Now, now, run 3 laps, start from that tree over there." His mentor points at the tree far left near Finnigan's crops. "Go on, start running, and correct your posture!" The mentor instructed.
Dieter skips his way to the tree Jylrus pointed to and do some warm-ups before running. "I certainly don't run like an old man or whatever he said about expensive shoes!" Dieter complained. "I can only agree that my speed is not guaranteed to save my life from running away from a sequoia-quake." Dieter agreed to himself as he started to pace on his place and—DASH.
Running off—Dieter's mind clutter, reminiscent of his boring childhood trash his senses, images flash like flipbooks. Unaware—Dieter plunged into a tree, making him fall to his butt. "Ouch!" He touches both his forehead and his tail bone that began to sore. "Why on Sequoiadendron is a tree over here!?" Dieter exclaimed he splayed his arms flopping on the dirt, only to realize the rest of the trees were feet away from him. "How did you get here?" Dieter said.
"Hey, kid, I see you have found a comfy rest while I was not looking," Jylrus said his hands on his hips—scary, it sounded more like a warning. Dieter flinches at his mentor's remarks.
"It's the tree's fault!" Dieter pointed at the rather—evil tree
"Quit laying on your butt like it's some kind of siesta, go on, keep moving," Jylrus instructed as Dieter proceeded to take a full lap across the field.
"It's tiring!" Dieter shouted, his stride got shorter and sluggish. "Ha! Ha!" Said Dieter between breaths. Dieter looks ahead to see Lewis sitting under the tree, just where his head meets the hard, rough trunk, his head still brimming with pain. "Lewis! Is it three laps already?" Dieter then tosses himself next to the critter's face first.
"Yep, three laps it is!" Exclaimed the critter. Dieter groaned, too tired to even lift his head and rejoice. "That's gonna bruise, for sure," Lewis said. Dieter moaned in response.
"I bet, you'll get the hang of it for a couple of days, you'll do great Dieter." Lewis encourages Dieter. "Oh, look Jylrus is on his way." Dieter then sat up from his uncomfortable position as Jylrus arrives, dead leaves and dirt stick on Dieter's face and hair.
"Jeez, look at you, how are you doing after running 3 laps, you look like you've been chased by a wild creature, here drink some," Jylrus said, handling the boy some water. Dieter took big gulps from the bottle. "Dang—you're sure tired and thirsty!" Jylrus taunts. "Rest for today, tomorrow we do the same thing." Dieter nods in response. "Don't worry, six more days and we'll begin moving like the wind, it's a lot calmer and relaxing, trust me." Jylrus pats the boy in the back as the mentor took off.
"Better days will come." Lewis smiled at Dieter.
On the fourth day, Jylrus and Dieter climb up the mountain peak, where Dieter takes 4 laps, climbing up and down the mountain., from its peak to its floor. It took a couple more weeks for Dieter to get used to the thickness of the mountain air, but Dieter still struggled on a few workouts.
-
"Alright!!!" Jylrus clapped, startling Dieter awake. "Come kid, have some breakfast then we'll train, clear your thoughts, right?" Dieter sats up as he stretches and head to the table, Finnigan serves Dieter his favorite, Ghost Ciro's scampered egg with the leaf of Marinus on top.
"Thanks, Fin," Dieter calls out. Lewis then lepas beside Dieter with a plate in hand."You requested the same stuff too!" Dieter and Lewis high-five.
As soon Dieter finishes his breakfast, takes off to the location Jylrus said he is meeting Dieter.
"Good, gracious!" Jylrus gestures to Dieter to stand in front. "Have you cleared your head? You need to be relaxed physically and emotionally." Jylrus requested. Dieter nods, taking a deep breath in and then out, but that didn't clear his mind. Jylrus has to watch Dieter in distress. Jylrus then teaches Dieter how to completely ease and clear his mind, without random thoughts cluttering his peace.
After a few tries, Dieter finally cleared did mind, his mind clutters every moment but still manages to clear it out. "Good. Let's start then."
"This move is called—rising and sinking, you do this 3 times, do you know our ancestors call this as moving mediation?" Jylrus said as he executed movements that focus more on the breathing, you breathe in as you rise together with your arms and then breathe out as you sink. Jylrus legs were shoulder apart, Dieter followed, unable to keep up.
"Like this?" Unsure of his composure, Jylrus snorted at Dieter's uncomfortable position.
"Gee, you're bad at this." Jylrus motioned as he corrected Dieter's posture. "Next is Asking our ancestors for forgiveness." Dieter bites the side of his cheek wondering where Jylrus got the names, also doubting if he starts laughing it would start a democracy.
Jylrus executed it expanding his arms as he stretching to reach for the sky as he breathes in, then joining both palms as if 'asking for forgiveness' thingy, then dropping both hands as he exhales. This one Dieter followed through quite easily. The next has weirder names like; Serving the tea, in which the movement comes from the body, the arms go along with the ride, Jylrus inhales as his arms deflect and he exhales as his arms push an invisible drawer. Next was even weirder Kafièr spreads its wings, he executes it like he's flying, he extends both arms to the air inhaled then, he flocks his arms like he's flying then exhales as he pushes to the sides. The rest were about a golden Ghost Ciro, which is weird cause it does not exist, does it? The withdraw and push is Dieter's favorite, it's the one he enjoyed the most, Jylrus performed it with relaxation. They continued until noon.
After the mediation, Dieter feels renewed. He rolls his shoulders, it cracks together with his neck.
"I feel new!" Dieter beamed.
"I know, me too! I haven't done it in years!" Both Dieter and Jylrus sat on the cliff, enjoying the sunset.
-
Three weeks passed, Dieter improved and gained weight and even biceps to show off Lewis from time to time.
"Okay, the first thing you need to know is how to manipulate your stone, it's the basic, even a toddler can do it." Jylrus started as he watches the kid do his trickery, 'he looks fatuous' Jylrus seats on the dirt, silently judging the kid.
After a couple of efforts, Dieter back down. "Oh, come on kid, all you need to do is to understand what the stone is putting on you." The man encourages Dieter, "You told me before you got your çelare stone you can effortlessly wield your abilities. How come, when you found your stone, you suddenly don't know how to wield it?" The man questioned, the kid sighs;
Dieter's expression saddened, glances towards his tutor, "Even the tree thinks we red dendroçelares are dangerous, ain't that unfair?" Dieter smiled dejectedly. Jylrus sighed upon hearing those words.
"Kid, the çelare stone is simply a vessel, I'm sure someday you'll be able to control it with or without others belief." Jylrus's promising advice has given Dieter hope that someday he will give rise to equivalency and serenity. "Presently, since you have not mastered the basic, let's practice your motions, "
"I'll start, then you follow, this will take weeks or so, to master, better pay attention." Said the mentor, performing the first steps, Dieter followed, Jylrus couldn't contain his smile as he graciously watches the lad execute the movements.
Dieter repeatedly rehearses his attacks.
Jylrus smiled endlessly as he watches his student play his part, soon after Finnigan called them for breakfast.
Later that afternoon, while Dieter was showing Lewis his art masterpiece, it's sort of a doodle of his parents and him together, the picture wasn't clear, he drew it like thew Finnigan has described them, Black hair for his father, and red for his mother, and him in the middle.
Jylrus knocks by the doorway, startling Dieter as he shuffles to stand up. "Hey, kiddo," Jylrus ruffles the kid's head. "I got something for you," Jylrus said. "What do you have there? Is it a present?" The boy's eyes fumed with excitement at the thought. "No, -"
"-what is it then?"
Jylrus tossed a box full of colorful chalks and crayons, Dieter's eyes shifts from Jylrus then the crayons. "Wow! This is- I love it!" Dieter exclaimed, he then glared at Jylrus, as to why his mentor has given him amazing things. He doubted arguing would dismay his mentor, who only wanted to show compassion to his student. "You know this counts as a present right?" Dieter said, Jylrus waved his hands in embarrassment.
Dieter proceeds to the treehouse, Lewis following behind, complimenting the mediums Jylrus has given to the red-eyed boy.
-
"I saw you practicing, you've gotten good with your moves, and look at this!" Jylrus grabs Dieter's arm, displaying the kid's biceps to Finnigan and Lewis. "You look dope, kid." Jylrus winks. Dieter just smiled and shrugs his mentor jokingly.
"By the way, kiddo, got something for you." Jylrus' grins, tossing Dieter a wooden staff, "Let's upgrade your training since you haven't mastered your magic yet, at least learn something to protect yourself, " the tutor lectured, Dieter stood up from his place, facing his mentor—Jylrus who's smiling wickedly at his student. "Ha! Strike first, alright? I'll teach you the basic motions later, show me how you move!" Jylrus exclaimed, encouraging Dieter to strike.
The red-eyed kid blows some heavy whacks while his mentor blocks his strikes, wind gushes as the wooden staff hits the other. "That's right, faster!" Jylrus keeps blocking the boy's blows as he wore him out. "Not bad!" Jylrus said. "Again!" It went for hours, Dieter's attempts at hitting his mentor all got dismissed by Jylrus fast defense.
"I like training a lot if it involves sticks!" Dieter said in between blows, he smiled widely, enjoying their little bonding time.
"I know!" The mentor exclaimed, amazed at his beginner. "You're better than I imagined." Jylrus praised Dieter, winking at his trainee, the kid giggled. "But you still need more training, next month we'll be learning about weapons," Jylrus said with a scraggly voice. He sat on the log, Dieter followed, he pulled something in his pocket, a cigarette, it surprised Dieter. "I didn't know, you smoke those," Dieter said, hoisting both his feet on the boulder in front of him.
"You just didn't see me do it."
"I guess," Dieter frowns. "Hey, not to meddle, but I noticed a ring on your finger, are you married?" Dieter gestures.
"Were," Jylrus brief comment, leave Dieter to avoid the conversation. "Don't worry, it's been years. But you know, it still hurts, I just can't accept she's gone." Jylrus extends his arms taking a good look at the ring.
"My parents, they're gone, when I was an infant, I don't remember their faces." Dieter's voice cracks. Jylrus could only pat the kid's shoulders.
-
Dead leaves disperse as wind gust on Finnigan's garden, the serene melody Finnigan hums as he moistens his spices, bring his plants to life, Jylrus, on the other hand, digs holes which is peculiar in Finnigan's terms. "He's doing it again, " Finnigan mumbles to himself as he shrugs off the thought. On the other side of Finnigan's pots, Dieter and Lewis chasing a blue käfier.
"I'm gonna eat it!" Lewis threatens to eat the käfier, only to tease the red-eyed kid, Dieter tries to snatch the poor creature away from Lewis' grasp.
"Don't eat him!" Dieter exclaimed struggling with every attempt.
"The käfier wants to be in my tummy!" Lewis leaps while Dieter dives at the dirt, but the kid misses, the käfier sure is a survivor.
Soon Finnigan is done with his task, with nothing in mind, he scoops out an old notepad and started scribbling his new potions.
It was a day like the others however, Finnigan is kind of blue, he halts as his mind flew to the old times, it was pretty vivid, it made his heartache a little.
"I'm sure Thaddia and Angus would be happy to see you alive and well, " Finnigan chuckles, as he gazes at the two boys stalking a käfier.