Auro's hand moved before he could think about it, blocking a slash from his right.
He moved his sword upward and knocked Sunny to the ground.
A: That's enough for today
S: What? Why?
Auro looked down, but there was nothing there. Sunny was still in front of him.
Auro smiled and sighed with satisfaction.
A: I apologise.
With that, Auro vanished and knocked out Sunny now for real.
A: You grasped her dance? That is incredible.
A: Man I should have tought you my move first, damn it all.
A: Well, I will be the one who will teach you my style next.
Aulin shot an arrow in front of Auro's feet and said slowly.
Au: You think I would let you?
A: Of course not, but he will have to decide. I didn't think he would even grasp one, it is over here. Points to Sunny's head.
In that little brain of his, how much he can grasp. What makes you think he could only understand one or 2?
Au: What makes you think I will let you be the second?
A: At the end of the day, it will be him deciding who he wants to be taught by. But being honest you were just teaching him how to hold your damn bow just like the rest of you. Only holding your weapons. I have to admit that Thene taught him way more than I did, but at least I taught him not just how to use a sword but to use it as well.
He was holding his sword and looked at the rest of his companions.
S: When did he?
Thene she was leaning against a tree behind Sunny, smiling to herself and slowly walked towards him. He could not hear anything until she was petting his hair again.
Th: And what makes you think I will let you teach him anything but my art?
Luno was the only one calm among them and walked toward them. I will not teach him, and I don't think Rena can teach him either. Alia would have to teach him first, still me and Rena are counter to what you are teaching, and so it would only hinder his growth.
Cea: true. I, for example, can only teach him the basics mainly because most he was taught already was about attack, and I am focused purely on defence. It would not be of use to him that much, so I will stay off of it as well.
Lu: Sunny, if you want to learn about how our abilities work, sure, go for it. Oh, and no, you wouldn't be able to heal anyone or anything unless you have the innate ability for it. Which you don't.
S: How did you?
Lu: How did I know what you were about to say? Well, I am an Oracle after all.
S: But you can see. What if there were a blind oracle?
Lu: Blind oracle? Well, Sunny, listen closely, this is very important. For oracles, the less they see, the stronger they are, so if you ever, which is mostly never, you find a blind oracle, trust me that they know 10 times more than you think they do.
As to how to spot a healer, well, their emotions are pretty much non-existent. And when it comes to affection, they are dunce as a rock.
Re: what?
S: What?
LU: Forget I said anything. How are you not a healer kid?
S: I am 16.
Lu: 16?! and you are this sh…. caugh. Nevermind.
Ellera looked at him coldly.
Ell: Were you gonna say something about his height, Luno?
Lu: I wouldn't dare, Ell.
Ell: I thought so, cause if you would, I would recommend you sleeping with one eye open or maybe both.
Luno backed up a little clearly scared of her.
Eu: If Thene is teaching you her style, my style would be pretty useless since I was trying to learn from her myself.
Luno regained his composure and asked Alia.
Lu: Alia, what will you teach him?
AL: something simple yet very useful for his growth. How to absorb essence from the world.
Everyone looked at her.
Al: What, you didn't know you could do that?
Everyone: Of course not.
Al: Fine, then I will teach all of you. I can't promise it will work, tho. The younger your body is, the better.
S: Wow.
AL: Good reaction.
And thus his training continued. Despite others fearing that he would not understand the essence of their art, they were taken aback by how abnormal his mind was. He was consuming their art as if it were easy. Of course, it wasn't easy, it was just that his understanding of battle arts was great.
One Night, as 8 of them were sitting by the fire.
A: he is truly something else.
Ell: Yes, I am happy, tho. At least my memory will live on.
Au: Still, I don't think I have ever seen Thene so… happy. Auro, I am glad you brought him here.
A: Yeah, well. No need to thank me. He wanted to join us for some reason. Hating gods and all that. You think Thene will…
A sombre mood enveloped them when he trailed off.
Lu: What she does is her own decision, and how he will react to it is also his decision.
A: Right. Still, his mastery of her dance is progressing with incredible speed. He might even be the youngest master of her dance at some point.
Auro and the rest smiled and looked up at the stars.
A: We don't have much time.
Lu: 1 day.
A: What? I thought we had more time.
Al: We did. After all, almost 10 years have passed.
A: Your spell to repeat one day is truly terrifying.
Al: That's why we didn't age for Sunny, it probably felt like a couple of months, maybe. He was here longer than he thought. That's also why he seems to progress so quickly. He spent years with us, yet it wasn't even a year for him.
Au: Does Thene know?
Al: Of course, she does me, Luno and Thene knew from day one.
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Sunny and Thene were dancing. It looked like a dance from their own perspective, but from others' point of view, it looked empty. As if there was nothing there at all. Clear from anything and everything.
Sunny felt happy. His smile brought Thene happiness, but also unbearable sadness.
As they moved, Sunny's hand stopped in front of Thene's neck.
S: What is the matter?
Sunny looked at her and saw a tear running down her skin.
Thene hugged him, startling Sunny for a moment, but then asked while returning the hug.
S: What is it?
Th: I know you hate gods, but what if I told you I was one of them?
S: So what.
Th: So what?
S: Be a human, god, whatever you became, my family, why would I hate you? Tho I don't know why you would say that.
Thene smiled and kissed his forehead.
Th: I know I am not your mother, but I liked that feeling. Could you call me that? At least once.
S: Why? Why does it feel like you are saying goodbye to me?
Auro and the rest stepped into the clearing.
A: That's because it is.
S: I-I am strong, I won't hold you back.
A: That's something I can't allow. No matter how much you plead. I am sorry, Sunny. We are running out of time.
Sunny wanted to say something to convince them, but was still in the embrace with Thene. Auro put his hand on his right shoulder, and Aulin on his left shoulder. Ell touched his back, and Alia touched his head. The rest surrounded them.
S: I don't want to leave you guys.
Ell: I wish it were so simple, Sunny.
Alia released her spell, and as everything was about to disappear.
Sunny looked at Thene and said.
S: Mom, I don't want to lose you again.
With that word, shattered.
The last thing Sunny heard before darkness consumed him was a mix of voices.
Everyone: don't hate us too much.
Spell: Wake up, Sunless your.....