The next several minutes blurred into a haze. It was just me, my sister, and Mara. They were talking about something but I couldn't understand any of their words.
Minutes passed as I lay there, but I never lost consciousness. Eventually, everything began to clear. The nosebleed stopped on its own, and everything seemed fine. Well, as fine as it could be.
My body was covered in bruises and everything ached, but I could move, and I could breathe. I staggered to my feet and rubbed my face. ‘So tired… If I fall asleep here though, I'll get sick for sure. If no one has helped me by now, that means I'm probably on my own.’
The dull chatter between Mara and Lu stopped completely still.
“So, you can stand again.”
I didn't even bother responding. Mara was the last person I wanted to see, much less talk to.
dragging my feet back to my sword, I picked it up, putting it back in its sheath, and staring at it. ‘This was the first time I've ever held a real sword…’ Regardless of what all happened, and how it ended, it still felt special. It was like turning 16 and having no one show up to the party. A celebration that only you got to experience.
It felt even heavier than it did while I was fighting. The adrenaline had worn off, and the pain only became more apparent.
“Sis?”
I looked up to see Lu standing right in front of me, She looked like she was about to cry. I lifted my least bloody hand and set it on top of her head. “I'm fine.”
‘Maybe I'm more like my sister than I thought.’
It was funny, the same thing happened in my past life, only I was in Lu’s position. I was helpless to do anything but watch. My sister ended up just as rough as I was. The only difference was that Suzuki won that fight.
I let out a sigh. ‘Guess I still have some work to do…’ I turned to Mara and handed her my sword. ‘I haven't taken a beating like this in a while.’
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My weak hands gently let the blade go and dropped it into her hands as she stayed frozen. Staring blankly. “Mara… I'm done now…” For a moment, I thought I even saw a tear forming in her eye, but I didn't bother looking back, and I didn't dare look at her eyes.
Even if there was a tear it was probably just from me punching her in the nose. Well, that's what I wanted to think anyway.
All the good memories I had made during my time off filled my mind as I turned and started walking away. The rain only fell heavier, not easing up at all.
Neither of them called out to me or said a word. ‘I guess it really is over.’
That being said, only that phase of training had ended. The day was still far from over, despite the clouds overhead blocking all light from the sun.
The routine I followed changed a lot, but certain things were always the same. For instance, after Mara, I would train with Airsidh. That was why I didn't need anyone to tell me where to go next.
I could feel my whole body getting chilled from the rain and wind, but I ignored it, marching to the range.
The first thing I did after arriving was light the braziers. ‘I guess he isn't here yet.’ I was alone. A part of me felt relieved, I didn't have to face anyone. On the other hand, there was nothing to keep me busy. It was just me and my thoughts, and in moments like that it was hard not to fall apart.
I walked over to the braziers in the far corner facing the door and huddled myself up next to it. I could hear the fire cracking the wood as the gentle heat filled the air around me. softly warming my bruised skin and drying the rainwater.
No matter how endlessly my thoughts ran wild, I didn't shed a single tear. I was afraid the moment I was alone I would break down in tears, but instead I felt nothing.
I gently stoked the flames before curling up again. ‘If I think about the past I'll drown… Better to focus on the future.’
I never truly fell asleep, but I wouldn't say I was really awake either. I don't know how long I spent like that before Airsidh came into the room.
He let out a long sigh. “It's a good day I think. We're getting some good rain for the fields, my fingers aren’t stiff since it's a bit warmer today, and I'm feeling especially strong. Even breakfast tasted better than usual. What do you think?”
His voice, the lifeless and emotionless voice that I was so used to, had completely vanished. I didn't even recognize the person in front of me. He was smiling. His carefree attitude seemed the same, but it was like something had filled him with life.
I stared at him in silence. It was a strange thought, the reality that some people were having a good day, but not even that was enough to make me cry. ‘I wonder if I'm all out of tears…’
He walked closer and squatted down next to me, taking a long look at me. “Right… well… Maybe it's not so good after all…”
I chuckled. “Oh no, don't let me ruin it for you.”
He grimaced, patting my head as he stood up. “Honestly I hate it when it rains… And I have a headache.”
‘Why'd you say it was a good day then?’
“It's your fault you know.”
“You're saying I gave you a headache?” ‘But, this is the first time I even saw you today…’
“No, the rain.”
“What…”
He took a deep breath, offering me a hand to help me stand up. He had never done that before, so I hesitated to take it, still confused by his sudden change in personality.
He gestured to his hand with a nod, and I took it.
“They say that when someone's tears don't fall, the angels cry for them.”