The ride back to the Pierce Estate was awkward, to say the least. Asher and Nikola sat on opposite seats and they didn't bother to speak, much less look at each other. Pithos was comfortably laying on Asher's lap while the young boy caressed his black fur in a rhythmic manner. The warm and inviting atmosphere the pair of mother and son had once had before this trip was discarded as if it had never been there in the first place. In its place was an awkward, cold, and suffocating atmosphere that even made the coachman tense up.
Archer, who was previously supposed to stay behind and serve his lord since his job of observing Asher was over, had gone back to the Pierce Estate with the family to facilitate the exchange of information regarding the Rising Faeries. In other words, he was the middleman.
Nikola has gotten off of the carriage as soon as they had arrived at the estate. She didn't even allow the coachman to open the door and help her down. The small action that Nikola had done to escape Asher didn't escape his eyes. In fact, he just smiled while clenching his hands into fists.
"Thank you," Asher nodded to the coachman and walked inside the place that was his home.
In all honesty, this place didn't feel like home for him anymore. Not after having experienced abandonment from both parents. But the Asher that had lived for 26 years knew; he knew that Nikola hadn't actually abandoned him like his father. She was going through a tough time right now after learning that not only had her son died by killing himself, but his body was also possessed before both souls were unified as one. Still, despite knowing this he couldn't help but feel disappointed, discouraged, and, in a way, abandoned.
Asher dismissed Archer as he had much to think about. Also, a nice, long rest wouldn't be so bad... Sighing, Asher put Pithos on the ground before sitting on the bed. "I never, and I mean never, want to go through that again."
Pithos jumped onto Asher's lap and placed his two front paws on the young one's chest. "Don't worry so much, little human. You have me." The black cat smiled, showing off his sharp fangs.
"You also have ice brat. He might be an icy and cold bastard, but he cares about you."
Asher doubted the Pithos' words. He could clearly remember the day he had almost been impaled with a golden sword. His brother saved him and brought him to another place to talk. After Asher had mentioned how he wanted to learn how to use magic, Kio froze before promising to teach him and coldly telling him to not speak to him for the time of being. Asher was still unsure of whether he said something wrong or if he did something to offend his older brother.
There was one thing that did come to mind, though. Because of his small magical core, Asher didn't want to pursue the path of a mage. His body was also not made to become a swordsman, so he had quickly given up on that idea as well. However, once he found his passion for art, Asher knew that he wanted to become a person powerful enough to protect his family without needing to be physically strong. The Asher back then had excitedly told his idea to Kio. At first, Kio was very supportive and was even silently rooting for him by buying high-quality art supplies, but his dreams were later suppressed by Alejandro. There was a probability that Kio had felt reminiscent or something similar during that time, which prompted him to ask for some space.
"Don't look at me like that," Pithos said while swatting Asher's cheek with his soft, mushy paws. "Kio was looking for you before we went to meet Zacharia. Your father stopped him before he had the chance to reach you, though."
Pithos leaped down and trotted towards the door. "You should go see him. The poor boy has been suffering quite a lot. Having his father pack his schedule to such an extent. It's abuse, I tell you! Having to work so hard!"
Asher couldn't help but give deep thought to Pithos' words. Suffering? Asher had assumed that Kio hasn't been given the amount of love and attention a young teenager his age needed to grow up, but to say that he is suffering? Was Kio going through so much more than what he had previously anticipated?
He stood up, a small flame of courage lighting up within him. Asher's eyes, which changed depending on the lighting, was a deep navy blue. His eyes were the same color as the dress Nikola had worn today.
Asher walked through countless hallways and staircases. At first, he was calmly walking towards his destination before picking up the pace because of his impatience. Finally, Asher had begun to run carelessly, sometimes tripping over and bumping into a few servants. Eventually, Asher reached the garden where he and Pithos had played hide-and-seek before.
"I don't really know how to normally reach the training ground, so I'll just take a short cut!"
Pithos stayed behind and watched as his little human make his way through the bushes before completely disappearing in the shrubbery. Just a few seconds later, Asher reached the tall wall that he had fallen down from before. Many of the knights had yet to see him. However, a knight with honey-brown hair and golden eyes made his way towards the wall with a mischievous smile.
"Young Master Asher, is it safe for you to be up there? What if you fall like last time?"
"Ah, Pinpin! Can you help me get down?"
Asher smiled sheepishly as Pinpin laughed while nodding and extending his arms outwards.
"Jump from there when I tell you and I'll catch ya, okay?"
"One, two, jump!"
Asher jumped and free fell into Pinpin's waiting arms. "Are you here to see Young Master Kio?"
The young boy nodded as he removed the dirt that had found its way to his clothes. "Of course I am. Is it true that he has been working non-stop?"
Pinpin nodded as he began to walk. He looked towards the other side of the training grounds to find Kio sparing with a knight. Despite being on the opposite sides of the training grounds, Pinpin and Asher could still see the visibly tired Kio.
Kio had been secretly researching how he could use his magic and sword in a harmonious manner. He wanted to find the perfect balance between his magic and his sword. By doing so, he could learn how to effectively use his magic and sword without losing too much energy in battle. And after Asher had asked him to teach him magic, Kio began to work even harder to be able to give his younger brother the best teachings possible. What he didn't know was that his father was secretly observing him when he went out to practice and test out a few of his theories.
While it had only been a few days since Kio received his new schedule, there was no doubting the fact that he was being worked to the bone. Most of his time was spent sparring against a veteran knight. While this would end up benefiting Kio in terms of experience, he no longer had any time to practice and touch up his skills. Kio was the type of person to prepare himself beforehand, so this type of training wasn't allowing him to fully portray his abilities. He also believed that reading up on the sword and magical abilities was another good way of training and gaining knowledge. Unfortunately for him, his father was a firm believer in practical experience.
Fighting against the seasoned knight proved to be very difficult. At first, Kio only fought using the method his father had taught him since he was young. However, he was quick to notice that, against this experienced knight, he could only fight as himself by using his own abilities. He then began to use the skills he had learned and created for himself and gained the upper hand in the sparring matches. This caused Alejandro to be even rougher with him by commanding the now intrigued knight to go even harder against Kio. Kio couldn't even lift his sword up or use his magical prowess properly. He was quickly beaten down and then used as a punching bag. They barely gave any breaks, they never gave any pointers, and they never tried to fit the training at a level that Kio could work hard to surpass. It was all impossibly hard for a teenager with no experience whatsoever to overcome.
Asher frowned seeing the countless cuts and bruises on his brother's body. Kio lifted his sword while conjuring ice walls that served to protect him against the other's attack. However, seeing as Kio had barely any energy left within him, the ice wall easily broke and fell with a simple swipe of the knight's sword. Stray icicles pierced themselves into Kio's skin before slowly melting away, only leaving behind a small trail of blood.
"That's enough for now. Take a small rest and come back after ten minutes," the knight leisurely said while taking a white piece of cloth and wiping the blood away from his sword. Kio nodded and walked away for a few steps before collapsing on the ground, his body flushed red.
"Kio!"
Asher rushed to his brother's side, leaving a shocked and worried Pinpin behind. Asher cursed as he placed his hand on his older brother's forehead, feeling his temperature. His temperature is way too hot.
Calling Pinpin over, Asher ordered the knight to take Kio off of the training grounds and place him under a tree. Kio had been suffering from a fever because of overexertion while training under the hot and blazing sun. It was a mystery how he could continue sparring until the very last minute.
"Asher? You're here?"
Said Kio while being carried away by Pinpin. He was placed under the nearest tree where Pinpin then proceeded to shout out that he needed water and a few clean towels.
Not long after, a large bowl of water was placed beside Kio alongside the only clean towel the knights had managed to find. It was no joke when people said that the brotherhood found in the knights knew no bounds. They had worriedly rushed all over the place to find the few things Kio desperately needed.
Asher dipped the towel in the water. "Open your mouth."
Kio complied, his complexion extremely pale yet flushed beet red. This made Asher frown as he fed the water to Kio through by wringing the water out of the towel and into his mouth. After repeating this motion a few times, the water from the bowl had been almost completely used up. However, without having to utter even a single word, a knight was already conjuring his water elemental prowess to conjure more water for them to use. Asher nodded in thanks, his expression serious.
"Stupid brother. What will I do if you collapse and never wake up? Stupid, stupid. Why didn't you speak up?" Asher grumbled and he wiped Kio's sweat, hoping that the water will help cool him down.
Hearing his words, Kio let out a weak chuckle. "Didn't I promise to teach you how to use magic? How could I be a good teacher if I can't show my student that nothing is impossible as long as you try hard?"
Tears welled up in Asher's eyes because of Kio's words. This stupid brother of his. Why does he have to go as far as this to prove his point? Stupid, stupid Kio. Nonetheless, Asher brightly smiled. After recently suffering from his mother's blatant hatred, he couldn't help but feel relieved. Like a breath of fresh air made its way into his lungs and calmed down his raging emotions. Or rather, Kio's ice gently surrounded itself around Asher's very being, making him feel safe and secure.
Asher didn't reply. He just kept wiping away the sweat from Kio's face, his arms, and his neck; even his chest and back. His older brother literally poured his blood, sweat, and tears into that training just to make Asher feel confident about himself. Asher wasn't one to take things like this so lightly, of course. His brother was willing to sacrifice his health to boost self-esteem. It was stupid, but it made Asher feel happy.
The damp towel was neatly folded and placed upon Kio's forehead while Asher's fingers combed through Kio's flaming red hair in an attempt to make him relax. Despite having a small ten-minute break, Kio wouldn't afford to lose his concentration. That knight, that seasoned and experienced knight was like no other. He was ruthless and cruel and reminded Kio of his father. He wasn't completely sure that the knight wouldn't mind his current situation and would end up targeting Pinpin, the knights that helped him, or even his beloved Asher. He should, as the older brother, be cautious towards any threat that directed itself towards his comrades and brother.
"Kio, rest. I'm here now. Trust your dear younger brother, okay?"
Asher smiled while gently placing his fingertips onto Kio's eyelids and gently forcing them shut. Not even a few seconds had passed when Kio's breathing began to considerably slow down, signaling that he had fallen deep into sleep
"Tsk, that stupid knight. If it wasn't for his high rank then none of us would've stood there watching," Pinpin said, his eyes burning dangerously. One hand was tightly grasping his whip's handle while the other was clenched around his other hand's wrist to control his impulses. "If only it were not General Alejandro's orders..."
His father's orders? Did he hear that correctly?
"What? Father's orders?"
Pinpin nodded and said nothing else. Because of his deep fury after seeing his comrade being beaten so ruthlessly these last couple of days, he was unable to feel how the air surrounding Asher had turned ice-cold, much worse than the aura Kio constantly let out. His navy blue eyes had lost their shine as they were covered by a thick layer of frostiness. He turned his gaze and subconsciously glared towards the man that had beaten Kio to such a state.
The knight, being a person with much experience, felt a dangerous gaze on him. He drank some water before turning around, the sight that greeted him was one that made him frown.
The young boy he had been training, General Alejandro's son, was sleeping beneath a tree. Beside him were two people, a knight he had only seen a few times who held a bit of promise and a young boy he had never seen before. However, he was quick to notice a few details.
The black hair that resembled Alejandro's and a red streak of fiery red hair that resembled Nikola's. His deep, navy blue eyes that also resembled Alejandro's. Finally, the noble yet slightly dirty clothes that the young boy was wearing. There was no doubt about it.
He smirked.
This child was Asher Pierce, the youngest son of Alejandro and Nikola. The weak child that had been discarded long ago.
"Well, this will be fun."