by Blake Vanier
“I’ve already put him to work.”
“I can see that, but I was considering using him to motivate Natina during her training.”
Saraf walks over to Nero. He lifts Nero’s arm. “He's a bit skinny. I'm not sure how much motivation he'd provide.”
Nero pulls away, glaring at Saraf.
“True. But just having another person doing some of the exercises might help encourage her,” Grebson says. “She’ll have someone to relate to and work with.”
“Hmm, I just had a thought.” Saraf scratches his chin. “It’s a bit out there… but even though Nero’s particularly skinny, and his mouth isn’t connected to his not-so-feeble brain, Natina and he might be able to relate. Then we could push her harder.”
The tattoos on Grebson’s arms ripple over his flexing muscles. “That’s a good thought, Saraf.”
Saraf smiles. “The old man’s still got it.”
“You agree?” Grebson asks.
Saraf nods. “Might as well. I'll just have to check with Sosimo.”
“He’s with Sosimo?”
“He and a few other rascals, as I hear.”
“Children? Is he getting better?”
“Why don’t you call him and find out?”
Grebson holds up his hand and walks out.
Saraf waves Grebson off. “Thanks, Grebson. You have a good day, too,” he says melodramatically. Saraf turns to Nero, thumping him on the back. “Well, I sure hope she doesn't hurt you.”
“I can take it. She’s just a girl.”
Saraf smiles. “That’s exactly the kind of thinking that’ll get you hurt.”
*****
The drone of the Aether generating bike hums in the background.
“Is this all I'm going to do?” Nero asks as he pedals.
“Have you seen the size of your legs?” Saraf asks. “They’re toothpicks! This’ll do you some good.” He turns to Natina. A device with a lepisent rests on a table, pointing at Natina. Saraf puts his finger on the button. “Alright, Natina. Are you ready to start your Odo training? We’ll pick up where we left off with Odosa.”
Natina nods. She’s holding a light brown piece of polished wood in front of her. “I'm ready.”
Saraf taps the device. A small fireball shoots out of it. Natina whips up her styk to block it, creating a puff of smoke that curls away from a scorch mark midway up the styk.
Saraf frowns. “Come on, Natina. Focus.”
Natina tightens her grip on the styk, scowling at the lepisent fixture.
“Relax. It won’t work if you’re tense,” Saraf says.
Another fireball shoots at her. Again, there is a puff of smoke.
Natina looks from the scorch mark to Saraf. “What’s wrong? I did this yesterday!” She quickly glances at Nero, avoiding his eyes.
“It’ll take time,” Saraf says. “Everyone has to work on it. You’re making good progress. Now, try again.”
This time, the fireball winks out of existence as soon as it touches the styk. Natina pumps her arm in the air and Saraf smiles.
I can do that! “Could I try?”
“Odosa is a Borukin skill,” Saraf says. “To absorb Aether into a styk is not something everyone can do.”
“I think I can do it.”
“I’m sure, and you’ll think that right up until a fireball takes your face off. Then what am I supposed to tell Sosimo?” He turns back to Natina. “Again.”
No one ever believes me! Nero looks down at the handlebars and tries to push his frustration into the pedals.
Little fireballs shoot from the device, faster and faster. Natina absorbs most of them, but a few explode in smoke. Saraf continues to release fireballs at her until sweat covers her forehead. When he finally stops, Natina smiles.
Saraf nods at Grebson, sitting to the side. “You were right.”
“Right about what?” Natina frowns.
Saraf waves his hand. “Never mind. We’re here to train, not chitchat. As you know, blocking Aether attacks relies on absorbing energy. The blocker must become one with her styk. If you don’t block correctly, damage will be done to the styk. If you block too much, it’ll fill up and explode. There are several techniques you can use to avoid overload. We will start with the easiest, called Odomi. It’s simply Aether deflection, and it’s a great skill to use when you have no other choice. It’s actually a bit easier when your styk has Aether in it. The only problem is that unless you’re deflecting it at an enemy, you waste the Aether.
“In order to deflect, you need to focus on keeping the Aether and your styk from merging.” Saraf points to a target drawn in chalk on the wall. “Try to aim there.”
Ooh. Could I deflect attacks back at the Entity? Maybe if I don’t try to hit the Aether the broomstick won’t explode?
Saraf sends out a fireball and Natina blocks it. “Focus, Natina, keep the energy between your styk and the fireball separate. It’s a matter of stopping the Aether.” This time, the fireball hits her styk and wavers for an instant before shattering in a shower of sparks. “Good, that’s better.”
She soon is deflecting the fireballs in every direction except the target area. A ring of smoke rises from another scorch mark on the wall, right over Saraf’s head.
Saraf straightens. “Okay, seriously. Aim for the target.”
Natina continues. The walls are soon covered by marks.
Saraf looks around, shaking his head. “You did well, but I’m more impressed with the mess you’ve made. We’ll definitely have to work on aim.”
“Maybe if you’d show me how, I’d do better,” Natina says, taunting. “Can you even do it anymore?”
Saraf raises an eyebrow. He looks at Grebson, who shrugs. “Alright, fine,” Saraf says. “I’ll show you after you and Nero are done sparring.”
Natina jumps up. “Great!”
Nero slows his pedaling. “We’re going to spar?”
Saraf beckons Grebson over. “Will you charge the Aether container for the demonstration while I train the little ones?”
Grebson nods and relieves Nero. After adjusting the seat height, he flips it up to a higher gear and the hum that filled the room before turns into a loud drone.
“You two are going to do something, Nero,” Saraf says over the noise. “I hope it’s going to be something we can call sparring, but that depends on how quickly you catch on.”
Saraf takes half an hour to go over general grappling moves with Nero while Grebson oversees Natina’s styk sequences.
“Oh, boy. We’re going to have to practice this on our lunch breaks, Nero. You need some work… but the show must go on.” Saraf leads Nero over to Natina. “Alright, Nero. I want you to try to take the styk from Natina.” Saraf eyes Natina. “Just don't hit him with it. This is a grappling exercise.”
“Uh… How am I supposed to do that?” Nero asks.
“Just go after it.” Saraf pushes him forward, but Nero resists. “Try something we just practiced.”
Natina waves the styk in front of him. “Are you scared because I'm a girl?”
“A giant girl,” Nero says under his breath.
“What did you say?” Natina takes a step forward.
“Nothing.” Nero squeaks just before he lunges for the styk.
There is a blur of movement and the wind leaves Nero’s lungs.
Natina looks down with a smirk. “Did I hurt you?”
Saraf pulls Nero up. “I’m glad Natina is showing a bit of fierceness, but jeez Nero. Did you pay attention to anything I just went over?”
Nero fails several more attempts, the last of which leaves him on the ground once more, struggling to catch his breath.
“Okay, I think we should call that enough before we break Nero. We’ll have to come up with a way to even it out.” Saraf turns to Grebson. “How's the charging of the Aether container?”
“It's good enough for the demonstration. Nero, take over for me.” Grebson hops off the bike and goes to the fireball generator.
Saraf picks out a short styk. He holds it lightly in one hand, readying himself. “Just one right now, Grebson.”
Grebson turns up the knob on the device. The air around the fireball generator crackles with energy. A large, fast-moving fireball shoots out. In a flash, Saraf flicks his wrist and deflects it directly into the center of the target. “See? Piece of pie.”
Natina claps her hands. “That was great. Do more!”
“Alright, Grebson, shoot a couple at me.”
“Are you sure you don’t want your normal styk, old man?” Grebson asks.
“Who are you calling old?”
“Suit yourself.” Grebson leans over to Nero. “Just keep on pedaling, boy,” he whispers out of the corner of his mouth.
Saraf easily deflects the first fireball at the target. Before it lands, another one is blazing toward his chest. He flicks his wrist and again deflects the fireball perfectly. Grebson shoots fireballs at him as fast as he can. Saraf dodges and ducks around some while sending the rest at the target. He even deflects some in mid-spin, behind his back. Eventually the lepisent Grebson is using backfires and sputters.
Saraf looks at him, breathing deeply. “Did you forget how to count?”
“You expect me to pass up an opportunity to try to get even for all of the stuff you put my brother and I through?” Grebson asks, smirking.
“How’d that work out for you?”
“Well, you’re pretty fast for an old man.”
“That I am!” Saraf turns to Natina. She is beaming. “How was that?”
Grebson glances at Nero, who is still pedaling. He adjusts the knobs on the lepisent fixture and shoots a much smaller fireball, scorching Saraf’s pants.
“That was low, Grebson,” Saraf says, looking at his burnt pants. “These were my favorite.”
“A wise man once told me to never let my guard down.”
“I can’t imagine you keeping any wise men for company, you baboon.”
“You’re probably right,” Grebson says. “I’d like to talk to you upstairs before we leave, if you’re done with lessons for the day.”
Saraf puts the styk back. “Very well, let’s get it over with. Please clean up before you leave, Natina.” Saraf and Grebson walk upstairs.
Natina grabs a rag, fills a bucket with water, and begins to scrub a blackened section of wall.
Nero walks over with another rag. “Would you like help?”
“Even after I kicked your butt?”
Nero shrugs.
“Sure, then. Thanks.” She throws the single braid of her hair over her shoulder.
Nero starts to scrub. “It seems like everyone here has long hair and tattoos. Why’s that?”
“It’s a tradition. The tattoos represent Borukin accomplishments and their status. Family crests are on our backs, accomplishments go on the chest and stomach, military rank goes on the arms, Corusmin achievements go on our faces. Only the King is allowed to tattoo his scalp.”
“And the long hair?”
“The length of your hair shows how long you have been out of service. Only warriors that are in service shave their heads.”
“Even the girls shave their heads?” Nero asks, mouth open.
“The women in the military do. Why wouldn’t they?”
“I’ve never seen a woman with a shaved head.”
“Well then maybe you should open your eyes. I’ll do it one day. It is a great honor.”
“What does Corusmin mean?” Nero asks.
“A Corusmin award goes to a person that has made it to the monolith of a Corusnigma. Do you know what those are?”
“Really strong areas of a particular Aether cast?”
Natina nods. “Yeah, basically. At the center of each one is a monolith. Getting there is very dangerous. Only very skilled Borukins attempt it, which makes it one of our greatest achievements.”
“What do they look like?”
“I’ve never seen one in real life, but I’ve seen pictures. They’re all different, depending on their cast of Aether. The Nesiv Corusnigma has giant rocks floating in the air. It’s really cool looking. To get to the monolith you have to go over bridges that span the rocks and traverse areas where the gravity is random and unstable.”
“That sounds pretty awesome. I’d like to see that someday.”
“Yeah, me too.” They work in silence for a few moments. “So, what were you doing in the park when Grebson and I found you?”
Should I tell her? After a moment of scrubbing, he speaks. “I was playing with this entity thing I found in the park.”
“An entity? In the park?”
“Yeah. It’s violet and red and yellow, and it shoots electricity at me. We kind of have a little sparring challenge. It’s really fun.”
There is a moment of silence until Natina laughs. “An entity! Ha! You almost got me, Nero. Come on, be serious. Were you playing with fireworks? You really should be careful with that stuff.”
Her disbelief punches him in the gut. “I know…” She doesn’t believe me, either… Nero turns back to scrubbing in silence on a dark burn mark. “Aren't you a princess?” he asks when it finally disappears.
“Yeah.” Natina avoids eye contact, focusing intently on a small scorch mark.
“Shouldn't you have servants to clean up for you?”
“What's that supposed to mean? Am I not allowed to work like a normal person?”
“No, I didn’t mean that. I just figured servants would clean up after you. Since you’re a princess.”
Natina lets out a puff of air, relaxing her shoulders. “There usually are, but for Saraf to train me, he demanded I take responsibility for my own actions and clean up after myself. Usually Saraf and Grebson help and it’s fun. It makes me feel like I belong, instead of being detached from everyone. That's the lame thing about being a princess. Everyone is afraid to talk to me.”
“But it’s pretty cool that you have a body guard. Grebson looks like he could really kick some butt. He’s the biggest Borukin I’ve ever seen.”
“It’s cool if you like having no privacy and always asking permission to do things. It makes it hard to have friends… But Grebson is my favorite of all my bodyguards so far. He’s not as scared of my father as the others, so he lets me have some fun once in a while.”
“What did he do to get all his tattoos?” Nero asks.
“He won’t talk about it, but a lot of people respect him. He was a great competitor in the Games and he completed three Corusnigmas. He probably would have gotten four if he tried. There’s not a Borukin alive with four Corusmin achievements.”
“Why didn’t he?”
“He was going to the Nesive Corusnigma, but a really bad Havityn hit Kiats. It killed his whole family. Only his brother survived. He hasn’t competed since and he gave up going for achievements. My dad says he became a hunter for the crown. He was the one that ended the Murderess. Do you know who that is?”
“Korbin has an action figure called the spider murderess. Is that the same?”
“Oh, yeah. There’s only one like her.”
“I didn’t think she was real.”
“She used to be the most feared woman on the planet. She’d leave tokens for her victims. If you ever got one, your days were coming to an end, no matter what you did.”
“Scary.”
“Yeah.” They work for a few minutes in silence. “Are you excited for the Games? They’re less than a month away and there are going to be three planets in Axiom on the last day so it could be extra exciting! Are you going to watch? What’s your favorite event?”
“Uh…”
“My favorite is the Trial of Odosa. It’s on the last day. My brother, Kamin, is competing this year. He might even give Overseer Carason a run for her money, but I don’t think he really has a chance. She’s in charge of all the schools in Kiats. She’s also my idol. No one can match her. I hope one day I can be that good. Then I could compete in the Games and my dad would be proud of me.”
Dad… Nero works another scorch mark. Must be nice to have parents.
After another half hour of cleaning and sparse conversation, they finish and Natina and Grebson leave.
In the afternoon Saraf closes his shop and Sosimo appears, dragging behind him a large container on wheels.
Nero greets him at the door. “What’s that for?”
“It’s a large Aether container. It’s tradition to make an Artifact from your own blood and sweat, so I’ve been charging this thing for the last couple of weeks.” Sosimo pats the container. “Unfortunately, this beast is heavy. It’s the only way to easily store Aether for a long period of time.” Sosimo reaches into his backpack. “This is the essence I'm going to use.” He pulls out a cylindrical container with small silver windows, handing it to Nero. There is a gentle white glow coming from inside.
“This is just like the containers we found back home!”
Sosimo nods. “I'm not surprised. It's a pretty common design. The metal keeps the essence from escaping, and the windows allow you to see if there’s anything inside. Give us a hand with the doors while Saraf and I lug this elephant downstairs.”
In the workshop, Saraf opens the door of a sizable metal container that sits a meter off the ground. In the middle of the container, there is a sphere that stands on a metal rod like a lollipop. Protruding from the side of the container is a small plank. It reaches to within five centimeters of the sphere. A coil of wire lies at the bottom.
“Sosimo, may I see your net and vessel?” Saraf asks.
Sosimo opens a small box on the cart and hands Saraf a crystal rod with inlaid red wood. He then takes out a metal webbing of the same shape with a fixture as its base, and places it next to the case.
Saraf inspects the rod. “Not bad. It looks like it’s going to be a pulse lepisent, though I would’ve concentrated the wood more toward the end. This is redwood?”
“It is.”
“Interesting. Not my favorite, but this is your artifact.” Saraf sets the rod down and picks up the metal webbing. He pushes down a little clip, and the webbing detaches from the fixture. The webbing separates into two pieces, that he then closes around the rod. “See this, Nero?” He holds up the crystal rod. “This is the vessel we’ll turn into an artifact. The metal mesh around it is the net.” He points to the fixture. “This is the base. Got it?”