Two days later Achelois and Phoenix were sitting by the side of a small moonlit lake, Phoenix was using her guns to shoot small bolts of energy at targets that were flying around in complicated patterns, seemingly made of the crystal-clear lake water, while Achelois was lecturing her about the different kinds of energy and their uses, sometimes throwing in a quiz question about the topic or about energy channelling. They were in a garden with silvery-blue cherry blossoms and hyacinths around them in full bloom. Achelois put a hand on Phoenix’ shoulder and interrupted her lecture moments before a golden beam of light shattered the night sky for a moment, leaving a tall muscular man dressed in a black trench coat with a simple golden pattern on it and golden hair with a golden sword strapped to his back in its wake.
“How many times have I told you not to intrude on my sanctuary, brother?”
“So that’s the girl, eh? Nice of you to have her waiting in your personal realm, sis. Well, come along then.”
He reached out to grab her arm only to be interrupted by an uppercut from Achelois that sent him stumbling back rubbing his chin.
“What was that for!?”
“You didn’t read anything I sent you, did you, airhead! Hah… Phoenix, this is my brother Neto, the golden sword, known for being an absolute genius when it comes to swordsmanship and strategies and otherwise acting like a complete and utter moron. Neto, this is Phoenix Equilibrium, daughter of Balance and MY disciple!”
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
“H-hi.”
“You don’t need to pretend, sis. Azathoth already told me that they’re just some more powerful deathkin.”
“Then it would seem I need to teach Azathoth what I do with liars, again. And have you been training him like you should have been?”
“Eep! I was supposed to be training him?”
“*sigh*, yes, you should have. You can tell him to look forward to when I come visiting him for the tournament with Phoenix. Now come, we’re wasting time.”
She hit him again before walking into the lake with Phoenix both of them vanishing as the water reached their calves, while Neto followed, looking sorry for himself. As they reappeared in one of the hallways in Achelois’ house, seemingly walking straight through that rippled at their passing they quickly walked out back into the courtyard.
“And what was that for?”
“Not acknowledging Phoenix when she greeted you, airhead.”
“She said som-”
“Argentum, Ilmarinen, Neto is here!”
They walked out onto the field just as Argentum decapitated one of the training dummies.
“*sigh*When is the idiot leaving? Argentum, you used to much power, again…”
“As soon as Argentum is ready.”
“Sis, you bag is on the couch, I grabbed you five spare sets of clothes, including socks and there’s a spare pair of combat boots in there as well… Y-you need anything else?”
“No…”
“W-well, I guess this is goodbye…”
“So… shall we get going? Or are we going to do this sappy stuff all day!?”
“No, we’re going, goodbye sis!”
The moment Argentum finished speaking Neto grabbed her shoulder and Argentum winked at Phoenix, just before they vanished in a flash of light, leaving the other three behind while a single tear rolled down Phoenix’ face.
“I-I don’t like him.”
“Neither do I girl, neither do I.”