The sun was already high when Abraão opened his eyes. It was around 7 a.m. — golden light streaming through the dormitory window, mixed with the faint glow of the moons still lingering in the sky. The room was silent, just the light snoring of other students and the wind whipping against the crystal towers.
He sat up in bed, feeling his muscles sore, but not as bad as yesterday. Level 82. Yesterday's heavy training had left his body protesting, but his mind was clear. He got up slowly, slipped on the Dojo's black tunic, and headed out. The hallway was empty, only the distant clash of swords echoing from another wing.
In the small dining hall, he grabbed a simple tray: hot herbal tea (less bitter today), fresh bread with lunar honey (sweet and sticky), and a regular apple (not lunar, for a change). He sat at an empty table near the window, gazing at the towers reflecting the rising sun. He thought about Lia — the way she'd rested her head on his shoulder yesterday, the warmth of her hand in his. And about Lio — the kid who hugged him like a brother. They're turning into family... I can't let them down.
Lia arrived around 7:30 a.m., her hair still tousled from sleep, eyes sleepy. She wore the Dojo tunic, but with a pleated skirt underneath.
"Morning… you're up early again."
Abraão slid the tray toward her. "Brought this for you. Eat up."
She sat beside him, grabbing the bread. "Thanks. I slept okay… but I dreamed about the Dojo. I'm nervous."
Abraão: "Me too. But we're in this together. We'll handle it."
Lia gave a small smile. "You always say that… and I believe you."
Liora bounced in, his silver-blue hair a total mess.
"Abraão-nii! Lia-nee! Good morning!" He threw himself into Abraão's lap, hugging tight.
Lia laughed. "Lio, do you wake up like this every day?"
Liora: "It's because I love waking up with Abraão-nii!"
Abraão ruffled his hair. "Easy there. Eat first."
They ate together: tea, bread with honey, apple. Light conversation — Lia sharing how her mom used to make similar honey, Liora talking about a dream with dancing, Abraão just listening, smiling.
Around 8:30 a.m., they headed to the basic classroom. Murata was already there, sweating coldly, sword in hand.
"Ah… good morning, students. Today we'll talk a bit about history… before training. It's… important to know the past."
Murata sat on the tatami, his voice low and trembling.
"Have you heard of Daniel Taniguchi?"
The trio shook their heads.
Murata took a deep breath. "He was… the greatest swordsman Elyria has ever seen. An exemplary human, a prodigy. He mastered the Eclipse Sword Technique — the most powerful of them all. His strikes cut through the very concept of distance, light, and existence. He defeated anyone. Colossal beasts, legendary masters, entire armies. No one could touch him."
Lia: "So he was unbeatable?"
Murata nodded slowly. "Almost. But there was one thing even he couldn't defeat: time. Old age came. His hair turned white, his hands trembled, his strength faded. He, who had never lost a battle, was losing to time."
Liora: "What did he do?"
Murata lowered his eyes. "He discovered a forbidden ritual. In exchange for the lives of everyone in his village — men, women, children, elders, his own family — he would receive Eternal Youth. Without a second thought, he accepted the deal."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Murata continued: "That night, absolute darkness swallowed the village. Screams echoed for hours. When the sun rose, no one was left alive. Only Daniel remained. But he was no longer human. He evolved into an extinct race called Anko — beings of pure lunar blood, with immense power, perfect regeneration, and eternal youth. His eyes gained a silver glow, his skin turned pale as moonlight, and his strength surpassed all limits."
Lia: "And his descendants?"
Murata: "Legend says all direct descendants carry Anko blood. They never age, never weaken with time, and have the potential to master the Eclipse Technique. But they bear a curse: those with Anko blood can never form true bonds of love without paying a terrible price."
Abraão felt a chill. "Why are you telling us this?"
Murata looked straight at him, his plain black eyes flashing for a second. "Because… some of you might carry that blood. Or something like it. The Eclipse isn't just a technique. It's a legacy. And legacies… demand a price."
The class continued with light training: reviewing movements, chatting about the Dojo.
Lia whispered to Abraão: "That story… it scared me."
Abraão squeezed her hand. "We won't let that happen to us."
Liora: "I'll protect you guys! Always!"
Around noon, lunch in the dining hall. Hot soup, fresh bread, lunar fruits. They sat together.
Lia: "I'm wiped… but I'm enjoying it."
Liora: "Me too! Abraão-nii, you're the best."
Abraão: "You guys are the good ones. Without you, I'd be training alone and going crazy."
The afternoon went on with varied training: moving defense, simple combos. The sun burning their skin, sweat dripping into their eyes.
Lia nailed a perfect combo for the first time. Abraão praised: "See? You're getting amazing."
Lia blushed. "Only because you're teaching so well."
Night fell around 6 p.m. Dinner in the dining hall: root soup, bread, fruits. They sat on the veranda, gazing at the sky.
Lia rested her head on Abraão's shoulder: "Thanks for today."
Liora fell asleep in his lap, curled up like a child.
Abraão looked up at the moons. It's getting full of important people… and I don't want to lose any of them.
His phone buzzed. Mission: "Complete one full day of classes. Post a group photo. #DojoDay"
Reward: +2 levels (84). "Basic Flow" (+5% fluidity in simple cuts).
Abraão took the photo: the three of them sweaty, arms around each other, moons glowing in the background.
He pocketed the phone. Thought: We'll stay together… no matter what.