“Now?!”
Ven asks in panic.
“Yes, now,” Enishi replies as he walks out of Ven’s room. “I’ll be waiting for you outside.”
Ven sucks his teeth. He changes into the clothes that were left in the drawer and reluctantly walks outside.
Waiting for him are Enishi, Kia, and Nyx.
Nyx has a huge smile on his face and that smile immediately worries Ven.
“Ready, kid?” Nyx asks. His grin widens. “Your first lesson is with me.”
“Oh no,” Ven groans.
Enishi and Kia chuckle.
Ven points at Nyx. “You?! Why you?! He turns toward Enishi and Kia. "What are you two going to be doing?”
He tries not to show it, but deep down... He is utterly terrified. He still hasn't forgotten what Nyx did to him and to Ven, Nyx is still the guy who had fun trying to kill him.
“I’m going to sleep,” Kia replies while yawning and stretching. She looks at Nyx. “Wake me up if and when the kid is ready for me.” She waves goodbye and heads back toward the sleeping quarters.
Ven then turns his attention toward Enishi. “Enishi?” He gives him a pleading look.
“I have some things to take care of,” Enishi says.
He pats Nyx on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’re in good hands. We’ll be in touch.”
With that, Enishi turns and walks into the forest.
Nyx watches him disappear among the trees before slowly turning toward Ven.
A smile spreads across his face.
A sinister smile.
Several hours later...
“RUN! FASTER!” Nyx’s voice echoes through the forest.
“I’M DYING!” Ven screams back.
Nyx floats above him, yelling like a drill instructor while Ven runs below.
“You are out of shape! I have to fix that! FASTER!”
Ven has been running for over two hours. For thos etwo hours, Nyx has done nothing but yell at him like a drill sergeant.
No breaks.
No water.
Just running.
“My grandma has more endurance than you!” Nyx shouts. “And she’s dead!”
“I can’t go on anymore!” Ven pants. “I need... water.”Ven stops running. His legs give out, and he tumbles to the ground. He gasps for air, wiping sweat from his forehead. He looks up to see Nyx floating above him with his usual blank expression. He slowly lowers himself to the ground and crosses his arms.
He looks like a disappointed parent.
“You need what?”
“Wa... water.” Ven begs.
Nyx looks at him. “Well, you have been running for quite some time, so I suppose you would be thirsty.”
Ven nods.
Nyx kneels down and points ahead. “There is a natural spring over there.”
Ven immediately sits up. “How far?”
Nyx smiles. “Two miles.”
Ven falls backward. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Nope.”
Nyx stands and floats into the air. “I’ll see you there....Hopefully.” With that, he flies away.
Ven groans. “This guy is insane...”
One hour later...
Nyx sits at the edge of the spring, patiently waiting for Ven.
I wonder if he died.
Nyx thinks to himself.
Suddenly...
Rustle.
Rustle.
Nyx turns toward the sound. To his surprise, Ven emerges from a nearby bush.
Alive.
Barely.
He looks as if he has been through a war and back. Dirt and sweat cover his face. His eyes are sunken, and his cheeks are flushed from exhaustion. He crawls toward the refreshing spring at an agonizingly slow pace.
I'm so close...
Just a little further...
Ven imagines himself completely submerged in the cold water.
He reaches the edge of the spring.
Almost there.
But before Ven can even reach the water, his body gives out. His legs buckle beneath him, and he collapses onto the ground.
“Wa... water... please.” He begs.
Nyx sighs in response. With a casual wave of his hand, a gust of wind lifts Ven off the ground and carries him straight toward the spring. A moment later, he drops into the water.
SPLASH!
“Was that necessary?!” Ven shouts, coughing as he wipes the water from his face.
“You looked overheated,” Nyx replies with a shrug. “I figured you needed to cool down.”
Ven climbs out of the spring, dripping wet, and marches toward Nyx. “What is your problem with me?”
Nyx remains silent but Ven steps closer.
“You have been nothing but an asshole since we met!” He points at him. “What’s your deal?”
Nyx simply stares at him, arms folded, his expression completely unfazed. Ven growls under his breath, then he grabs Nyx by the collar. “And you do that!” He gives him a slight shake, glaring at him. “You give me that stupid look! Do you not understand me?!”
Nyx says nothing.
“Is there anything going on in that big head of yours?!”
Nyx smirks. “That’s it!”
Ven raises his fist.
But before he can land a punch... His body suddenly lifts into the air.
“Put me down!” Ven struggles as he hangs upside down.
Nyx shakes his head. “You have such a temper.” He extends his right arm, palm facing upward. “If you leave that unchecked, it will get you into a lot of trouble.” Ven continues struggling. “Before you attempt to put your hands on someone, I suggest learning how to fight first.” Nyx tilts his head, examining him. “Besides, we both know that if you and I fought, I would destroy you.” He smiles. “Easily.”
“Put me down!”
“You got into my face and tried to hit me." Nyx shrugs. “Why are you surprised by my reaction?” Nyx scoffs. “This is self-defense.”
“Put me down!” Ven repeats.
“Okay.” Nyx lowers his hand and Ven drops, landing on the ground with a hard thud, his arms and legs sprawled out.
Nyx huffs. A gust of wind surrounds Ven and lifts him upright. “Are you done?”
Ven looks away to avoid eye contact and then nods.
“Listen, kid,” Nyx walks closer. “Today is only our first day, and you are already a pain in my ass.” Ven looks at him. “I have only been around you for a few hours, and you have done nothing but complain.” Nyx crosses his arms. “And I am sick of it.” He sighs. “I have NEVER had to deal with someone this whiny and spoiled in my life.”
“If I’m such a burden, then why doesn’t Enishi or Kia train me?” Ven rolls his eyes.
Nyx laughs. “Oh, they will.” He points toward the Tower. “You just have to get through conditioning with me first.” Nyx grins. “Trust me. You’ll want to be in shape before you spend time with them.”
Ven groans. “Why, God? Why?”
Nyx raises an eyebrow. “Which God are you whining to?”
“Shut up!”
Nyx chuckles. “Listen.” Nyx steps closer.
Ven doesn’t notice it until now...
Nyx is huge.
He is well-built and towers over him. Attempting to punch him probably wasn't his smartest decision.
“I’m not being mean to you because I have an issue with you.” Nyx’s expression becomes serious. “What I’m trying to do is prepare you.” He pauses. “I don’t think you understand what is coming.”
Ven looks down. “You have no idea what you are truly capable of.” Nyx points toward Ven’s chest. “And you are the only chance we have at surviving what’s coming.” Ven looks at him. “I have to train you.” His voice softens. “I have to mold you into a warrior. Kia and Enishi will do the same.” Nyx looks away. “It won’t be easy.” He looks back at Ven. “But it is what it is.” He taps Ven’s chest. “Your power has been dormant for years.”
A pause.
“We have to bring it out. Slowly. But you need to be strong enough to handle it.” Nyx lowers his hand. “So yes. If I have to push you, I will. Do you understand?”
Ven sighs. Then nods. “I’m sorry.”
Nyx smiles slightly. “I get it, kid.” He looks away. “Everything that has happened to you...It has happened to me.” He shrugs. “Well, not being teleported to another world.” Ven almost smiles. “But I’ve lost people.” Nyx’s expression becomes softer. “I’ve seen things,” He looks at Ven. "My heart aches for you.”
Ven looks into Nyx’s eyes and for the first time... He sees the sadness behind them.
“We all have our own pain,” Nyx looks toward the Tower. “But you are our only chance at finding peace,” He looks back at Ven. “And I won’t allow you to waste that.” He points at him. “Your whining and childish behavior ends now. Do you understand?”
Ven nods. “I understand.” He bows. “I’m sorry for my behavior.”
Nyx smiles. “That’s more like it.” He stretches. “Now that we understand each other, here is what happens next.” Nyx begins counting on his fingers. “We run every day to build endurance. Lift rocks and boulders to build strength. Climb trees. Chase animals. And whatever else I can think of.”
Ven stares at him. “When you can run without collapsing, you will begin training with Kia.”
“Kia?” Ven raises an eyebrow. “She’s going to teach me? A woman?”
Nyx’s face immediately changes.
“That WOMAN is the best hand-to-hand fighter I know.” He points toward the Tower. “Probably the most dangerous out of the three of us.”
Ven’s eyes widen. “But she seems so nice.”
“She is.” Nyx nods. “But do not underestimate her.” He lowers his voice. “Do not make her angry.”
Ven tilts his head. “Why?”
Nyx shudders. “It’s always the quiet and friendly ones that have the deepest wells of rage,” He looks serious. “She’s terrifying when she’s mad.”
“Have you ever made her mad?”
Nyx immediately shakes his head. “No.” Then he pauses. “Well... I tease her....But I know when to stop.”
Nyx places a hand over his chest. “I value my life.” He then places his hand over his lower region. “And my balls.”
Ven laughs. “What about Enishi?”
Nyx grins. “Ask him what happened at Lake Nyr.”
Ven smirks.
“Drink some water,” Nyx stands. “We’ll finish early today.” He starts walking. “We’ll pick this up tomorrow.”
Ven and Nyx rest at the spring before returning to the Tower. On the way back, Ven asks Nyx about his past. Nyx tells him that he was born in the Air Kingdom of Nymbus and is a member of the House of Wind. He explains that he was brought to the Tower of the Republic when he was five years old by an unknown person. He remembers nothing before then. Not his parents. Not his homeland. Nothing.
The Kingdom of Air is located high within the mountains of Hewa. Very little is known about the kingdom because its people are rarely seen. The mountains are so high that only Wind Madokais can safely reach them. Anyone wishing to enter must be escorted by a Wind Madokai. Outsiders are forbidden from entering the mountains. Those who enter without permission face execution.
The kingdom is also the birthplace of Oracles and other creatures, such as the Drakken, a winged beast, and the Oya, spirits of the wind.
Ven asks Nyx if he would ever return home.
Nyx does not answer.
When they return to the Tower, Ven takes a bath, climbs into bed, and falls asleep.
That night...
He dreams of his mother.
Art by: Krysten Diedrick
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