'' The session is pretty much done, Hieki is coming back now. ''
Hakai announced to both Seiya and Sakura, giving them time to return to the front of the black haired male to greet their teacher once he had come. Hieki turned the corner from around the building to see that the two were not worse for wear and it left a smile on his face.
'' Very good very good. Let us proceed with some studies to help polish you up on the other field of strength that you two wield. ''
The Elder cut loose the ropes that held the rocks upon the student's bodies since they had finished the first proper exercise so that they can begin the next set of studies.
He led the two as well as Hakai who chose to tag along, to the inside of Hieki's home where they'd get some insight on his character. Various books were placed on shelves and letters that he had not addressed.
'' Come take a seat, I must begin a lecture to help you further understand your powers. ''
The male pulled out a book from the shelf that contained information pertaining to youkai and flipped through pages as he prepared to read from it.
'' Humans wield Spirit Arts which are the abilities we produce using our spirit energy to channel outward but Youkai wield Fear. It is the key term that refers to the relationship between Youkai and Humans but also how Youkai generate and amplify their abilities and is used as the term to refer to their ability. You have an Ice Fear Seiya and as for Sakura, I'm pretty certain you wield a Nature Fear. ''
The male mentioned since he got to see Sakura manifest that power when she first met him before going to go get Seiya. He continued his lecture as the two of them continued listening.
'' Fear has three different aspects. The first is attributed to the earth, the second to the underworld and the last is theorized to be of the moon. The aspects depend on the person's genetic nature and youkai are influenced, strengthened by the bond depending on their connection to the source body. It is pretty much confirmed that the southern faction are attributed to the underworld and I believe Sakura has a strong tie to earth and not simply because of her nature fear but because she was predominantly in control for the fight we had yesterday and she seemed the most in fit shape earlier. ''
Hieki's words came off as praise to Sakura. On the other end of the spectrum, it had almost also sounded like Seiya was being ridiculed, he was confused about his own self. What about him? He didn't have any evidence to understand his own nature and he completely glossed over the previous lessons he had back at the Palace so he couldn't reference that information.
'' Those with close ties to their aspects wield certain attributes that aren't otherwise commonplace. Those with high attributes to earth can commune with the land and hear the whispers etched into the earth itself. As for the other two attributes, I don't have enough information regarding that but if it is the case for one then I'm certain it is the same for the other two. ''
Hieki was preparing to wrap up the lecture but Seiya was curious about how he knew there was a moon aspect but not have any other information regarding it.
'' Wait, how is there a Moon aspect? Are there people out there attributed to the Moon? ''
Seiya had to find out whether or not this was nonsense or if there was truth to this and what Hieki said next had only confused Seiya further.
'' It is recorded in various texts that there were people who somehow left this world but not for the afterlife. It is assumed they found a home on the moon and that a woman named Kaguya who lived in these lands for a time had descended from there and inevitably had to return home. That woman left for the Moon by ascending Mount Fuji but what happened after that... well I'm not sure. ''
Seiya wasn't sure what any of that meant but he was curious why it happened so close to the Palace and if there was a connection. His mind tried to connect dots but he knew anything he tried to put together would only seem like a leap in logic so he'd let the thought go.
'' Any other questions? I have more lectures for you but I'll spread them out across the coming days. ''
The two were instructed to now get up as Hieki had finished speaking for the time being as he allowed them to go and perform independent training with Hakai as their instructor. Seiya, in his curiosity had decided to ask Hakai about his own power as he was getting up since he needed to get his own mind off the confusing mess from earlier.
'' What power do you have Hakai? ''
The white haired inugami asked which made Hieki and Hakai stop in place. Hieki was busy placing away books so his pause was noticed but Hakai had replied after taking a pause to consider mentioning it.
'' I have a Darkness Fear. I am a Youkai too but just like the two of you, I've forcibly hid my true features. ''
Hakai responded to the male and hoped that was the end of it but once more Sakura had gotten in the way. She was just as curious if not more than Seiya and asked him a question that triggered something within him.
'' What kinda youkai are you? ''
Hakai's silence following Sakura's question was but an ominous pause that reminded him of a past he didn't want to recall. He gave her an answer but it was not one that was satisfactory.
'' I'd rather not say, I've chosen to discard that part of myself. ''
The black haired male left Hieki's chambers after speaking, leaving an awkward air until Hieki broke the silence.
'' Don't worry about him, he is a kind person underneath that exterior. ''
The elder's comment had been quickly sidelined by one of the other practitioners of Hieki's school running into the room with a paper in hand.
'' Master! The yearly tournament is about to begin! ''
Hieki had spent the following few minutes explaining the tournament to Seiya and Sakura, asking if they wished to join despite it being 7 days away and immediately received their answers.
After a day filled with sparring with other trainers and some light hand-to-hand combat to help expand their knowledge on the intricacies of battle, it was time to rest once more.
Seiya had gone to bed first and Sakura followed suit but she heard a voice speaking to her in her dream.
The pink haired girl heard a voice in her dream, in her dreamscape she was in a never-ending forest but the murmuring voice called her from afar.
She couldn't help but follow the voice as it spoke.
'' You can't let him join the tournament. ''
The voice became clearer as the exit out of the forest revealed to her a female that looked like her who was knelt over with a person's body in her hand standing before the tournament grounds.
Once Sakura got closer, the details became more clear of who was within Sakura's arms.
The body in her hands was Seiya.