—Alright, Rui. This will hurt a bit, so try to resist, okay?— Ana said as she approached Rodrigo with her sword in her left hand.
—OK, Ana— Rodrigo responded.
The young man thought Ana looked too cute and innocent to be considered a serious threat. However, as he was still thinking that, he saw his right arm disappear again, just like Tania had done when he first met her.
Ana was behind him, her sword unsheathed. She had made a clean cut, and Rodrigo hadn't even had time to defend himself. Pain and fear returned to the confused boy, who believed he had lost his arm forever and feared he would die.
But he remained conscious, and the blood emanating from his wound began to form strands, like a spiderweb, connecting back to his severed arm. And as several drops of blood merged, his arm returned and reattached itself to his body, healing the wound completely, leaving only a few bloodstains on his clothes as evidence of the cut.
—This is divine blood, Rui. It's called 'ichor'— Ana mentioned as she turned around and transformed her sword back into dark feathers, making it disappear completely.
—But how did my arm come back as if nothing happened?— Rodrigo asked, feeling a slight dizziness and placing his hand on his face.
—The bodies of the gods don't function the same way as humans— Ana commented as she approached Rodrigo.
—We, as long as we have a reserve of ichor in our veins, can heal our wounds, even if we're decapitated or torn into hundreds of pieces. However, any wound or blow, depending on its intensity, will deplete part of your ichor. When your reserves are very low, your wounds will stop healing, and you'll lose consciousness. If you're mortally wounded without ichor, you will die— she explained.
Ana then placed a finger on Rodrigo's forehead and tapped him. Although it seemed like an insignificant blow, Rodrigo was sent flying several feet, demolishing a wall of the cavern in the process.
—And it's a good thing I'm the brute— Tania said playfully.
Rodrigo felt his consciousness fading; he felt no energy in any part of his body. His arms and legs didn't respond.
—I'm going to die— he thought.
Quickly, Ana positioned herself next to him with a container that resembled a small golden tube. —Quick, drink this— she said as she emptied part of its contents into her injured disciple's mouth.
As if by magic, Rodrigo felt the energy returning to his body. The pain had completely disappeared, and his vision returned to normal.
—This is ambrosia— Ana said as she helped Rodrigo to stand up.
—When your ichor is in danger, ambrosia will replenish it instantly. If you don't have access to ambrosia, you'll have to wait for your body to naturally replenish ichor, but it can take several days, and if your wounds don't heal during that time, they will never heal. For example, if you lose an eye and don't have enough ichor for an extended period, you'll lose that eye forever— she explained.
Rodrigo stood up, still amazed by what had just happened.
—So, does this mean that a blow from your finger was enough to deplete my ichor?— he asked.
—Rui, you've never trained or learned to increase your ichor,—Ana said, smiling and placing her hand on his shoulder.
—Don't feel bad about it—
—As you train more and more, your ichor reserve will increase— the goddess said as she turned around and stood in front of Rodrigo once again.
—Well, now I want you to hit me with all your strength— Ana said as she raised her arms.
—I won't try to defend myself— she continued.
—Impossible, I can't hit girls— Rodrigo said in a tone that tried to sound chivalrous. He then heard Tania burst into laughter.
—This girl almost killed you with just one finger, and you think she's defenseless?— Tania said, amused, as she sat and watched the training.
—You're very sweet, Rui, but you can't cling to human customs. That attitude in the world of gods will lead you to death— Ana mentioned while keeping her arms raised.
—Goddesses are not like human women. A goddess of war could easily massacre hundreds of Igigi and Malakim in a matter of seconds—
—What would you do if a goddess came here and attacked you? Would you let yourself be killed just like that?— Tania asked, intrigued.
—Yes, I wouldn't attack her, I would only defend myself— Rodrigo replied, placing his fist on his chest and continuing with a tone he thought sounded heroic.
—You see? It's a lost cause— Tania said, wearing a bored expression as she rested her head on her left hand.
—No matter if you're an angel, goddess, or human. I could never raise my fist against a face as angelic as yours. A woman should not be touched, not even the tip of her hair— Rodrigo continued with a speech that seemed to be already memorized.
—Pathetic, don't you think, Ana?— Tania said, still looking bored.
But Ana blushed and had her mouth slightly open.
—That... was very sweet, Rui— she said.
—By Elyon, that's pathetic, Ana! It's the sappiest and most stereotypical thing I've ever heard. You're not a teenager anymore, you know?— Tania replied, shouting.
Rodrigo also blushed and tried to avert his gaze from Ana.
—Well, well— Ana responded, still blushing. —If you can't do it, I won't stand in your way—
—Grandma, come spar with me then— Ana said, turning to look at Tania.
—Grandma?— Tania replied, intrigued.
—Well, if I'm a teenager, then you're a decrepit old woman who needs a cane to walk— the dark-haired goddess responded with a mocking expression.
—Oh, really? Now you'll see what this old woman can do, brat— Tania said as she stood up.