Training
> ”If both disciplines can conjure weapons and armors, then what’s the difference?” -Frein Nivan, The Visitor
Lunch was a feast. Frein ordered half a roasted chicken drowned in gravy while sitting on top of a plate of mashed potato and a side of salad. Xiv got himself a slab of smoked barbecue pork belly and even more salad. With the enormous portions, combined with fruit infused non-alcoholic spirits, it became a no-brainer for the two to share their meals.
Though they were eager to chat and discuss theories about their common hypothesis; the similarities between Meiyal Arts and Armaments, Katherine’s message told them to hurry up.
Frein went to shower after the meal. By the sound of the water echoing from beside his cubicle, Xiv probably had the same idea.
“Why train?” the Vyndivalian asked. His voice was somber, delivering the implications he would dare not say out loud.
“Why train if I’m going to die anyway?” Frein completed the question. “Well, to be honest, at first I didn’t know why. All I knew was I should. But now, I think I have an inkling for my purpose.”
He decided to leave out the possible path of overcoming that inevitability. It was better to keep it to just himself, Elizzel, and Katherine, and only divulge to people who would know about the path to godhood or to those who could see Destiny.
The water on the other side stopped pouring. “And what’s that?”
Frein didn’t bother closing his shower while he lathered himself with liquid soap that was provided conveniently inside the cubicle. It, including this talk with his newfound brother, reminded him so vividly of his days at the gym. He wasn’t really talkative back then.
“It’s just a hunch,” he premised, “but I think me and my predecessors have something to do with fixing either the Divine Severing or the Nightmare Lands. See, we only existed after that cataclysmic event. But the former is my wild guess, while the latter is backed by a bunch of clues I’ve gathered so far.”
“That would be nice.” Xiv said. “I care not for the gods, but if you can get rid of the Nightmare, I’m sure you’ll be revered throughout history. I guess that’s a good enough reason.”
“Just a tiny bit, yeah,” Frein commented, pouring as much dry humor as he could.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, Brother.” Xiv’s voice echoed with renewed enthusiasm now that he had a better understanding. “If you pull this off, I’ll name my first son after you and my first daughter after Katherine.”
“You’re already thinking about getting married?” Frein teased. “You sure do plan ahead. You’re not even done with your first date!”
“It’s just hypothetical.”
“Who talks about kids in the shower?” Katherine’s voice echoed from outside the showers followed by the sound of an opening door. “Which cubicle are you in, Frein? I need to make sure I don’t steal Xiv’s virgin display before Frill feasts her eyes all over him.”
“Over here,” Frein replied, pushing his door to peek out his head.
It was only Katherine, gathering his clothes and washing it inside her Imbelia. Apparently, while the Art could instantly remove dirt and grime, it needed some time to replace the smell with something more fragrant. Xiv’s clothes were already swirling inside another already existing instance of the Art.
“Where’re the others?”
“I finished my lunch first. The two are having dessert somewhere. Should be here anytime now, though.”
“Who barges in the men’s shower room!” Xiv exclaimed from his cubicle.
Frein and Katherine laughed.
“I remember those days,” she reminisced, looking at him while he rinsed away the soap. Frein didn’t care one bit. “You were so pure back then.”
“And you were so shy,” he retaliated. “Care to join me?”
“Are you two serious right now?” Xiv called out again.
“We had a jacuzzi,” Katherine said to Frein.
“Really? Why was I not invited?”
“We can ask for our own tonight.” She shrugged while opening her Spatiera. She pulled some spare clothes to replace the dirty ones. “I better go, Mr. Innocent over there’s going to have a panic attack.”
“I am not! But please go.”
“Wait for me. I’ll go with you,” Frein said as he wiped himself off. Katherine watched him silently as he slipped on a new pair of underwear and baggy shorts. Not really his style but he couldn’t complain. “Thanks. And try not to get overboard with Xiv. Apparently, we’re brothers now as per their customs in Vyndival.”
The Lady of the Void shrugged playfully. “Fine. I left you some spare clothes, Xiv. Just let me know if they don’t fit.”
“Thank you…” Xiv said awkwardly.
Frein reached out a hand to catch a shirt that his girlfriend casually threw his way. He slipped it on and followed her outside, struggling just a bit with one of the arms. It was a snug fit, not too shabby, not too fancy. As casual as it could get on a sunny cruise amongst the clouds.
He closed the door only to find two other women staring at him from afar.
“We…brought some fruit shakes. Mango shakes,” Kristel said, almost shouting as she turned slightly away. She extended a cup towards him. Just the distance itself was enough to make the gesture awkward. “People usually dress up before they leave the showers.”
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“Thanks,” he said, trying not to make the situation more complicated. He approached them while Katherine stuck out her tongue as a way to cutely apologize. “I didn’t know you’d be around so soon.”
The shake was a fantastic blend of creamy milk, shaved ice, and the chunks and juices of sweet, delectable mangoes. It tasted like ice cream.
“Where’s Xiv?” Frill asked while she handed Katherine’s cup. She was also facing away, stealing glances while she blushed.
“Finishing up. Not sure if he’ll join us. Probably just observe. I thought we had a change of plans?” he asked Katherine.
“We’ll multitask. All we need to do is choose some clothes for Frill anyway. How hard could it be?”
“I see.” Frein handed his cup to his side, knowing that Elizzel would appear there just in time to take it from him.
“About Xiv, if you guys trust him enough, I don’t mind revealing my existence to him,” Elizzel said before she took a sip. The joy on her face as she savored the flavors was enough to get everyone’s attention. “What? If he’ll be joining us regularly, it’ll be a pain to keep the secret.”
“Sorry,” Kristel said, “I completely forgot to get you one.”
“I don’t actually have to eat,” the faunel said. “I need meiyal for sustenance, but I do enjoy the flavors.”
“It’s fine, she can have it,” Frein said to the Princess. “So what about Xiv?”
All heads turned to Katherine.
“He’s truly sincere. Not just to Frill, but to his agenda as well. He really wants to help us. Besides, if he can hide anything from my Heart’s Will, then we’re probably in more trouble anyway.”
“How does one resist Heart’s Will?” Frein asked.
“Meiyal,” Elizzel replied before anyone else could say anything. As though the word explained it all. She was too busy enjoying the shake to be bothered to explain. So Frein tugged at the Tether and got the gist of it.
“Well, he can’t use much of that, that’s for sure.” When the two girls turned to question him, Frein added, “He’s not used to the core yet. Can barely maintain his Armor for a few minutes.”
“Then I have no complaints or reservations,” Kristel concluded after some consideration. “He’s obviously gone through a lot just to earn our trust. I say he deserves the chance.” She turned to Frill for her opinion.
She shook her head. “I’m just here to follow you around and keep you safe, Kristel.”
“Let’s cut that out, Frill. As far as hierarchy is concerned, you’re equal to a Monarch’s adviser. We’re not in Minaveil anymore.”
Frein caught the implication. “Care to explain?”
“In official capacity, the Veli family is sworn not just as the protectors, but also as the hands of the Monarch,” Kristel explained. “Frill, Lor, and Liona spent their youth in preparation for my eventual ascension to the crown. Well, Lor was supposed to be at my Father’s side, but the plans changed when I was born. And we also have that issue with the competition right now.”
“So the maid and butler were just disguises?”
“It’s not exactly a well guarded secret, but it’s not something that’s known out in the open either. Publicly, the Veli are the premiere servants of the High Palace, so the disguise came naturally when I arrived on Minaveil.”
“Why all the secrecy, though?”
At that, Kristel shrugged. Katherine was busy talking and enjoying the fruit shake with Elizzel to join the conversation. And Frill didn’t know either.
“Something with our long lost history, I presume,” the Aria said. “In any case, if you really want my opinion on Xiv. It’s pretty obvious that I’m willing to trust him.”
“Then we’re all in agreement,” Frein said, turning finally to Elizzel.
At the same time, Xiv emerged from the shower room. He was fortunately fully clothed, dressed in Frein’s old clothes. Only a simple, black shirt and a pair of white shorts, but they were a good fit to him regardless. He walked up to them with a smile while clutching his own clothes with one hand.
Katherine pulled a bag out of her Spatiera and gave it to the Vyndivalian. He intuitively knew what to do.
Did she bring the entire apartment, or what? Frein had the mind to run the question through his head before dismissing it outright. There had been no need for her to use these mundane items since they left, so he didn’t even consider that possibility until now. Of course she did.
“Hey,” Xiv said, waving a hand awkwardly at Frill. The gesture had to pass through everyone else before it got to her. Frein couldn’t suppress a smirk. Katherine joined him, and Kristel was unamused.
“Yeah…” Frill was absolutely no better.
It was a prelude to an epic disaster waiting to happen for tonight. But Frein, despite the cringe lurching from within his chest, couldn’t get enough of the situation. Heads turned to him, and he knew he had to take the initiative to stir this conversation away from the crushing silence.
The instant Xiv emerged from the shower room, Elizzel had instinctively returned to the Visitor’s Mind Palace. It wasn’t because she was shy. Rather, it was simply because of cautiousness. Frein just suddenly felt the cup of mango shake back in his hands.
He cleared his throat to direct the Vyndivalian’s attention.
“We need to introduce you to someone if we’re going to work together, Brother Xiv,” Frein said.
The Vyndivalian observed the rest and was immediately attentive.
Elizzel emerged with a more profound gravitas this time around. Joined by residues of meiyal for flare, she materialized in front of Frein, stepping delicately on the floor.
Frein followed her presentation. “This is Elizzel, Faunel of Freedom and Consequences. I’m bonded with her via Tethering, which means we are one the same. The short of it is, she is me, I am her.”
“Greetings, Xiv Arcturus. You fought well earlier.”
Xiv was immediately on one knee. “I didn’t know I was in the presence of a faunel. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“Don’t be so formal, Xiv,” Elizzel said, putting both hands on her waist and resorting back to a more casual tone. “Let’s just say, if you’re treating Frein as your brother now, it means I am your sister.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it!”
“Even with my explicit permission?” She turned to Frein. “See? This is the sort of respect my kind usually gets. Not to be toyed by you.”
“Get up, Brother,” Frein said while she responded to Elizzel’s bit by dropping a hand on her head. “You’re spoiling her too much.”
“But—”
“Just stand, Brother Xiv,” Elizzel commanded, crossing her arms. She ignored Frein’s hand completely. The Vyndivalian stood as though he was controlled by Monarch’s Law. The sight before him brought him on the verge of laughter. “Good, now you’ve ruined it.”
“If you want it to be fair,” Frein began while she ruffled Elizzel’s hair, “you can treat this as my return gesture regarding the fact that you have a Vynore Embellishment in your Armor.”
That brought all eyes to Xiv and he immediately bowed in apology, providing the reasoning behind the secrecy of his heirloom. He pulled the pendant from his neck and offered it to Frill.
“I was meant to return this after the spar.”
Frill glanced at Kristel, who merely shrugged. “You can keep it. We can’t have you completely defenseless anymore.”
“Thank you.” Xiv smiled and wore his heirloom again. “But I never thought we would have a faunel involved in all this.”
“You essentially brought me to Frein,” Elizzel said. “I originally took the form of the Jaws Lurking in the Forest that you brought to the Battle of the Vanguard.”
Words failed to escape Xiv’s lips as he fell back on both knees this time around, bowing even lower and almost pressing his forehead to the ground.
“I promise, we didn’t know, Elizzel,” he begged. “If we had known, we would not have done such terrible things to you!”
“Oh, that’s enough, Xiv,” Elizzel and Frein said at the same time, but the faunel continued. “You’re embarrassing yourself in front of Frill. And yes, I’m also rooting for you two, so go get a move on already! I already said the whole thing turned out to be in my favor.”
It took the faunel literally pulling him to his feet for Xiv to gather himself.
Frein felt a tug on the back of his shirt. He turned to see Katherine. She’d already gotten bored of the situation and was more excited for what was about to go next.
He smiled and called the faunel while he finished the rest of the mango shake.
“Time to train,” Frein began.
“Good.” Elizzel said. “I’ve been itching to integrate for a while now.”
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