CHAPTER 5

Chapter 5

I stared at Tauru after his greetings. Even the boys gazed at me because Tauru didn’t even greet them. What does he mean by his words? Ble draco kyria?

“You’re quite a fancy and brave lady, aren’t you? It feels like just yesterday I was staring at your blue shining eyes and now, you’re already a full grownup.” My eyes widened.

“That must be… a long time ago. But I believe we’ve met a few times before during some parties, Tauru.” He smiled.

“Of course. However, this is the first time that we’re able to meet again, with only a meter far from each other.”  I just smiled at him, unable to think of what I should respond to. Good thing Havoc is here.

“Tauru, we’d like to be straight to business.”

Tauru laughed and snapped his fingers. “I almost forgot, anyway, follow me.”

I couldn't take my gaze away from him when he finally turned his back. His back is covered in bruises, deep, short, long, and varied marks. He must have gotten them from a fight.

He started walking, and we followed him to the right-hand door. A lighter-colored room came in front of our eyes. I'm astounded at how each weapon is grouped.

“Are you the one who made every weapon inside here?” I asked. I can’t help myself and walk towards the section of daggers hanged and organized according to size. They are all dashing.

“Some of them, yes. But to be fairly honest, those magnificent weapons out there are gifts from different royal kings and queens as a price for defeating creatures that are trying to harm the magical world.” He exhaled as he stared out the window, yet that release of breath revealed more than what it appears to be. His eyes were filled with contentment and a twinge of sorrow. I'm not sure how such things can exist at the same time, but her heart has been scarred by things he never imagined would pain him.

“This is the first time you’ve let us in here. This errand must be so important.” Tristan said while looking intently at the bow that he’s holding.

“A crucial one indeed.” He lifted up a large rectangular chest and placed it in front of us. The three of us were shocked to see what’s inside. There are swords, daggers, and a bow and arrows. I turned my gaze to Tauru who’s smiling widely.

“Tauru, man are these ours?!” Havoc exclaimed with a face of triumph.

Tauru’s face twitched. “Look at this man, not even a single respect for elders.”

“Oh, come on! Loosen up. Thank you for these, damn! Look at these shining diamonds.” He said, holding already the red shining sword. Its hilt is amazingly designed with black and red color and just above it is the red fire diamond placed in the middle. The blade looks very sharp.

I stood there watching Tristan choose the bow and arrows. I'm confident he'll pick it up since, after all, he's a marksman. The bow is really appealing; in fact, attractive is an understatement because it is beyond exquisite. It is made out of green elements and has a green diamond in the center. The string looks fantastic.

Tristan placed an arrow and pointed it outside the window. I watched as he releases the arrow and hit the tree two kilometers away from here. He is undeniably great at what he’s doing.

“Aren’t you going to try yours? The sword and dagger are both yours from now on, Aparryll.” I stared at the chest. “All these weapons you have right now have the blessing from different fairies, gods, and goddesses. Those are made by fine iron, gold, diamonds, and parts of mythical creatures that I hunted myself.”

I'm not sure if I should feel proud initially or admire the sword he stated is mine from now on. I reached for the blade and was immediately struck by its overpowering force; it seemed to have a soul and is coursing through my body, connecting with my own heart. My hands and eyes began to light unconsciously as I stared. Blue flames erupted from within me and enveloped the sword. My body began to feel lighter, I blinked, and something appeared in front of me when I opened my eyes.

She's making a grab for me. She has unusual eyes, which led me to believe she was not human. “Run, Avy. Run, Avy. Run!” She continued to yell from a greater distance. I couldn't make out what more she was saying. And I know I need to flee, but I'm not sure who or what I should flee from.

I gasped as I returned to my senses. The three men stared at me. Tristan and Havoc showed worry and curiosity while Tauru is smirking.

“I knew it.”

­~*~

The words that Tauru uttered have stayed with me to this day. One thing is certain: he is aware of something about me that I should be aware of. He seems to know me better than I know myself. How could everything around me be full of magic and secrecy when I am still too far away from the truth and facts that I believe I am entitled to know?

“You really shouldn’t bother about it too much.” She placed her elbows on the railings and gazed at the full moon. She is the second eldest in the Ahvaz family, therefore it is not surprising that she can read my actions and thoughts. Irina is always thinking about other people, and I wonder whether she ever thinks about herself.

“Let me ask you a question.” That caught her attention. She shifted her body and faced me. “Will you be mad at me if I keep a secret on you?” Her brows furrowed.

“Why would you keep a secret from me?”

“It’s a yes or no question, Irina.”

“No.” My forehead wrinkled. No? Why? “To respond, I believe I have no right to be angry with you. It is not my responsibility to intervene in your life, nor is it your responsibility to always share your life and opinions with me. I am just here to understand and guide you anytime you need an older sister to lean on, but I believe you are mature enough to handle your own difficulties."

"...Avy, keeping a secret is not the same as lying. If preserving something inside your heart and thoughts brings you comfort, then don't worry about anything else.”

I was locked there, unable to speak. Her words are extremely profound. She's extremely mature for her age, even though she's only twenty-six. I wonder whether I'll be as mature as she when I reach that age. Irina drew her wand from her hands and spun it into a blanket. She grinned as she put it on me.

“As you can see, Avy. I won't claim there are two types of people in the universe since there will be different types of people even if you travel from the human world to the magical realm. But do you know what's more crucial? It is that you know yourself better than anyone else.”

Know me? I don’t even know who my parents are.

“Irina?” We turned our heads to see Lily at the door with sleepy eyes. “I can’t sleep. Please tell me a bedtime story.” Irina and I both smiled.

“Sure, Lily.” Irina tapped my back and gave me a forehead kiss. I guess it really helps that she has healing power. Even her words are comforting.

I watched as she headed towards Lily, and then they both vanished from my view. I looked out the window at the crescent moon once more. I'm not sure why, but glancing at the moon also offers me comfort. I recall Master Hatsuke using the moon to represent people's many emotions.

There are times when the moon shines but is obscured by clouds, much as someone is deserving but is surrounded by negative thoughts, obscuring his beauty.

There's the crescent moon, which only shows a small portion of the moon. If a person's entire talent and capability are not yet displayed, does her value decrease? No.

Finally, there’s the full moon where someone will be able to shine brightly with no hindrance, no negativity, no worries, just pure happiness, and contentment. It may not be permanent but…

“Nothing is permanent, my beloved, Avy. Just like the moon, you have to undergo the different phases of life to understand more your capabilities and open up yourself.”

You’re right, Master Hatsuke. All of you are right. Now I understand it more.

I don't have to rush things; I'll gradually learn the truth about myself. I'll learn to know myself, and as promised, I'll shine brightly and be remembered as one of the best mages in the magical world.

I will make all of you proud of me.

The next few days became so hectic. My training with Aunt Louisa continued and it seems like she’s getting more strict every passing day.

“Focus, Avy! You are not a simple mage anymore. You will be a student of Trevioux. You didn’t even hit the bullseye! Is that how Master Hatsuke taught you?” I closed my eyes intently, although I am getting pissed, I have to control my emotions.

I don’t even know if Aunt Louisa is testing my ability, my patience, or my emotions. Maybe she’s testing all those three.

I took a solid stance and clutched the handle of my dagger. I blinked as I felt sweat drip from my brow to the top of my eye. We've been training for how many hours now, and I'm exhausted. My heart is pounding so loudly that I can hear it. I want to beg for a break, but she just says the same thing she always says.

“Will you be able to request a break if you get into a fight? No? No way, Avy. You must fight, and you must never give up. What if you're the only one who can win and save your people?”

“Aunt Louisa, I will be studying there, I am not going into a lot of fights.” I reasoned out.

“You’re wrong, Avy. The moment you were born in this world was also the moment that war decided to travel with you. Your journey itself is a battle you are fighting. Now, do as I say and hit every target.”

She stated those sentences as if the targets were simple to catch. The issue is that the target is moving. I'm in the middle, and the targets are floating and moving in random directions. My objective is to hit every target because every miss requires me to squat for a minute or so.

I took a deep breath and braced myself for the following blow. I exhaled as I let go of the knife in my palm, focusing my attention on the specific target I was examining. I was certain it would hit the target! But it didn't work. That's when I recognized what was going on.

Aunt Louisa manipulated the wind, which is why, despite my near-perfect shots, the dagger soon changes course and hits outside the bullseye or, worse, outside the target. Auntie, now I know what I'm going to do.

I began to warm up my body and transmit energy from my hand toward the dagger. I made certain that my dagger's direction would not alter with the wind. I let go of the dagger and smacked the bullseye. I happily grinned at the lady standing a few meters away.

"It took you far too long to grasp what I was up to. Do you know what the lesson for today is? Focus on what you should do to hit the target rather than just on the target itself. Even if the target is there in front of you, you cannot always hit the opponent merely by thinking you can. You must identify its weaknesses and determine which powers to employ; you must not battle hard, but rather smartly."