The open yard was deceptively large; sectioned off so one had to walk through the donkey pasture to get to where Jacques was watching over Toulou and Pepin as they charged their magic. Adrian, Zuri, and Emelri watched from behind the wooden fence where the donkeys roamed freely. Surrounding the entire backyard was a tall brick wall.
“Good,” Jacques commended, standing over them as they sat on a bench with their heads bowed. They each grasped an energy crystal within interlaced fingers. Eyes open, glowing, and pupilless, Pepin and Toulou were surrounded by a humming, green glow.
“Pep,” Jacques crouched in front of the young boy, “you’re not drawing out enough as you could. You’re being too timid. Let the crystal work for you. Feel the magic drawing out of it and entering your core.”
Pepin furrowed his eyebrows, his chest heaving as the glow around him brightened.
“That’s it.” He patted his shoulder then stood. “You’re both naturals. You can stop now.”
Emelri felt as the magic faded from both. It was like a distant humming had been silenced. The siblings opened their eyes, looking up at their teacher.
“How do you two feel?”
Toulou stood, examining one of their hands. A small flicker of green crossed their eyes for a second. “I can feel it moving through me. I’ve never felt so much before.” They looked pleased, something like exhilaration on their face.
“What about you, Pep?”
The boy put both hands over his heart and took a deep breath, closing his eyes. When he opened them again, he gave Jacques an enthusiastic nod.
He grinned. “Told you the energy crystals are great.”
“Can we keep them?” Pepin asked.
“Sure can!” Zuri called from the fence. “I have plenty.”
“I thought you were going to that power plant or whatever,” Toulou said, twisting their own emerald crystal between copper-colored fingers.
“Oh, I am. I keep running out during my projects, but I’m happy to give you these.”
“Thanks, Zuri,” Toulou said with a nod, and Pepin flashed the inventor a wide grin as well.
Returning the gesture, the inventor leaned towards Adrian, whispering in a tone that Emelri could still hear. “Such cute kids. They’re all adorable in their own way.”
Adrian nodded. “I agree.”
“Will Jacques really not agree to take them in?”
His expression fell. “I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like it.”
They sighed. “Stubborn bastard.”
“What is your usual weapon of choice, Toulou?” Jacques asked after sneezing twice, unaware of Zuri and his partner’s conversation.
“Knives, swords, spears... anything really.” They glanced down at the two swords strapped to either side of Jacques’s hips. “I’ve always wanted to use dual blades.”
“That can be arranged.”
“Aveline taught you combat?” Adrian cut in, projecting from across the yard.
Toulou looked over at him. “That’s right. She didn’t want us relying on our magic, so she taught us some things. Pep is good at throwing knives by the way, he’s just too much of a baby to do it in time of need or ever, really.”
“That’s not true!” the youngest protested.
“Is so.” They turned back to him, folding their arms and fixing him with a surly look. “When’s the last time you’ve even practiced?”
Grimacing, Pepin quickly drew two concealed daggers with the added flare of giving them a quick spin between his palms, glaring at Toulou challengingly.
Everyone blinked in surprise at this small boy, except Toulou who just exhaled quickly. “Yeah, okay. We’ll see about that.”
He stuck his tongue out.
“Okay, focus you two,” Jacques warned. “I need you both calm with that much magic running through you. I’ll work with you one at a time. Toulou, let’s start with you since you have so much bluster.” It wasn’t a compliment. Jacques drew a sword from his hip and tossed it at the older teen who caught it easily by the handle. “I want you to channel your magic through it and hit the target.”
They followed the outstretched finger with their eyes, spotting the homemade test dummy that stood a generous distance away and nodded in understanding.
“Feel it grow in your center,” he continued, “then channel it.”
“May I use both blades?”
“By all means.” Jacques handed them the other sword this time instead of tossing it.
Now wielding both weapons, Toulou faced the dummy and exhaled.
There was a pause, then a burst of crackling energy spread from their chest and outward, pulsating like a heartbeat. The hairs on the backs of Emelri’s arms stood on end even from where she stood.
They bolted into motion, swinging the blades in a series of attacks, each swipe resulting in a flashy explosion of light and crackles that were all directed at the already demolished test dummy. After several minutes of a display of tremendous power, the green light faded from their eyes and they crumpled, crouching down and panting.
“Holy shit,” Zuri whispered, biting at their fingernails. “That is one scary user.”
“I know, right?” Emelri said, never taking her eyes off them. “Shouldn’t we be concerned about strangers noticing their magic?”
“Not to worry,” Adrian assured. “Jacques created a barrier around the house beforehand that works as essentially an invisibility forcefield and a sound barrier.”
“Oh wow, really? He can do that? That’s amazing.”
The blond gazed over at his partner. “Yeah. He is.”
“How are you doing?” Jacques asked, approaching a depleted Toulou.
They were still bent over, gasping for air. “Fuck, that’s exhausting, even with all that power.”
He patted them on the back. “You’re not used to using that amount. It’s going to take a toll on your body. You just need to do it more and you’ll get used to it.”
Swallowing, they stood up a bit unsteadily. “Noted.”
“It was still impressive. Most wouldn’t be able to do that on the first go, and I don’t think I need to mention your combat skills. I’m sure you already know they’re exceptional.”
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They searched his face, a softness there. “Uh, thanks.” They handed him back the dual blades.
Sheathing them both, Jacques turned to the younger sibling. “Pep, you’re up.” He motioned him over and the boy stepped forward unsurely. “I heard you have some combat experience?”
He nodded.
“Show me what you can do then.”
Taking the knives out again, this time more timidly, he faced his own test dummy.
“You got this, Pep!” Emelri cheered, watching her friend in earnest.
Green eyes flicked over at her and the two made eye contact for a moment. He flashed a small smile, then turned back to his inanimate opponent, a newfound confidence visibly taking hold.
He threw the knives in one quick motion, retrieving more from his pockets in a barrage of quick attacks that were accompanied by focused bolts of energy. Each throw hit its mark dead in the center of the dummy’s heart, exploding with magic. His abilities were not as big or flashy as Toulou’s, but the piercing sounds that accompanied each attack sent shivers up Emelri’s spine. She stared at this side of Pepin she’d been previously unaware of.
When he’d finished, Jacques chuckled. “Where the hell did all that focus and accuracy come from?”
Pepin’s chest heaved as he stole another glance Emelri’s way, as if to check if she was still looking, then he beamed at the short man.
“I told you,” Toulou said from their spot nearby. “He never uses it in the real world.”
“Because I don’t need to,” Pepin spat, turning on them. “Unlike you, I don’t like hurting people.”
“Pfft! I’ve saved your ass so many times. Don’t even start.”
He screwed up his face into a pout.
They walked up to him, reaching out and ruffling Pepin’s hair which only seemed to enrage the boy further. “Just admit you can’t show mercy if you want to survive.”
Jacques interjected, “Well, you’re both right. You need to know when to spare a life and when to take one. You can’t lean all the way on either side, or you’ll set yourself up for failure.”
“Who taught you what you know?” Pepin asked, his temper cooling off.
Jacques’s face screwed up like he’d smelt something sour. “My absolute shit of a father.”
He blinked rapidly.
“You were taught really well,” Toulou said. “He couldn’t have been that bad.”
Jacques frowned, one hand going to his hip. “You think so? After he’d make me practice my magic and sword fighting every day to the breaking point, he’d find some excuse for why I hadn’t met his expectations and beat the living hell out of me. That was years he did that.”
The siblings fell silent, and that’s when Adrian appeared by his partner’s side. “Um, why don’t we take a break,” he said gently, resting a hand on his back.
Jacques made eye contact. “No, I need them to practice their technique and teach them more control first, so I don’t release them into the wild causing mayhem.”
“Oh, that’d be great, Jacques,” Toulou said. “We’re both more than ready for your next lesson.”
“Well, alright,” Adrian said unsurely, taking his hand back.
Jacques kept his eyes on his partner. “I appreciate the gesture,” Emelri barely heard him say.
Adrian hovered for a moment before pressing a kiss to his cheek, whispering, “‘Course,” before returning to the fence.
“Alright, you two,” Jacques said loudly after clearing his throat. “I’m going to have you do a team exercise.” The siblings groaned. “To gain better control, I’m going to have you create a mass of energy together. This will teach you how to use your magic outside yourself and properly channel it between two people. Are you both charged enough?”
They nodded.
Emelri tore her eyes away from them when Adrian nudged her arm.
“What about you? Do you have any combat experience?”
She considered him. “Only a little. My mother didn’t want me fighting, so I’m self-taught. It’s sad really. I’ve mostly relied on only my invisibility to escape tight situations.” Her hand subconsciously went to the shell pendant around her neck.
“How about some lessons then?”
Her jaw dropped. “Huh? You want to teach me?”
“Sure. Those two get to learn something new, why not you?”
“You really mean it?” He nodded, and her face broke into a big smile. “Okay! I’m in!”
“Why don’t you pick a weapon from the shed?”
“A weapon?” Her eyes sparkled. “My very own?”
He laughed. “That’s right. Come along.” Opening the gate for her to cross to the other side, he led the way.
Zuri hopped the fence. “I wanna see what you pick out, Alchemist girl.”
“Okay!” She waited until the inventor caught up with them so she could walk between Zuri and Adrian. “This is so exciting!”
In the background, Toulou and Pepin were forming a massive ball of green magic together, determination and the need to outdo each other clear on their faces.
Adrian lifted the latch on the door of a massive green shed, ushering them both in. Emelri stepped in first, gazing with large eyes at the dozens of different weapons all hung up on the walls. There were swords, knives, bows, axes, maces, and many other fighting companions that caught her eye.
“I personally prefer a one-handed broadsword,” Adrian said, tracing a finger over a few handles of a collection of blades.
“I can engineer you something less crude,” Zuri said, unimpressed by the weaponry. They patted the slim baton at their waist. “Just let me know if you want to work with electricity.”
Neither of their voices reached Emelri’s ears as she gazed in awe at a steel battle axe with a one-sided blade and a metal spike on the back with a large ruby embedded in the center, dividing blade from spike. It was massive, definitely taller than she was in length, but she didn’t care.
Reaching out and stroking it reverently, she looked back at them with stars in her eyes. “This. I want this.”
“A battle axe?” Zuri exclaimed, and Adrian also looked surprised.
“That’s part of Andre’s collection,” he informed her. “I think it would be too heavy for you anyway. Why don’t we start with something smaller, like one of these axes?” He grabbed a smaller and far simpler axe with no death spike on it.
Her face fell slightly. “Oh, that’s fine too, I guess.” She took the weapon from him. “You know how to use an axe?”
“I know the basics, so that’ll do for now, but if you’re really serious about this weapon choice, you can ask Andre for more detailed and advanced instruction. You could even work up to the battle axe.”
Her spirits lifted. “Oh, yes! I will work very hard for that axe!”
“It’s too bad you won’t be staying long enough for that,” Zuri said bluntly, and Adrian shot them a scolding look.
Emerli’s heart sank. “Oh. Right. Yeah.”
Until now, they’d both been acting like she and the others were staying long term. She’d almost forgotten this was not her home. For once, she had nothing to say as she stood there holding the axe dejectedly in both hands.
“Let’s get to work then,” Adrian said encouragingly, placing a hand on her shoulder and leading her out of the shed. As they passed by Zuri, Adrian gave them one last scowl.
“What?” they protested. “I’m right.”
Once outside, Emelri immediately caught sight of the enormous ball of magic between the two siblings. She blinked until Adrian was talking again, snapping her back to attention.
“Why don’t we run through the basics of how to hold your axe and some simple strikes?”
Some light came back into her face. “Okay!”
Nearly half an hour later, she was swinging the axe in a repeated motion, a bead of sweat coming down the side of her face.
“Yes, you’re starting to get it! Now, if your lack of skill and experience fails you, there are ways to outwit a stronger opponent.”
She raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“Distractions. One thing you can do is get your opponent’s attention with flashy movements, giving them the idea that your intentions lie somewhere else, when in reality you have another trick up your sleeve. This can look like a quick stab to the gut with a concealed knife or maybe even using one of their own weapons against them. Let me show you.” Adrian drew his sword. “Try that attack we’ve been working on.”
She hesitated. “Just... swing at you?”
“That’s right. Don’t worry. You won’t hurt me.” Nodding, she swung her axe forward. “Aim for my weak spots.”
She tried again, watching as he drew her attention with the weapon. He left himself open, and she went for it. Thinking she’d gotten him, she was surprised when her axe hit dirt and Adrian stood behind her with a small knife pointed at her side.
Her mouth dropped and she turned to him, eyes bulging. “Oh, wow! That’s dirty!”
He stepped back, chuckling as he sheathed both of his weapons. “You’ll find this trick very useful.”
“Teach me how to do it, please!”
He nodded.
As they worked through the move, Pepin and Toulou switched to some kind of activity where they were throwing magic at each other and catching it.
Some more time passed as the three teens worked on their craft.
“Yes, that’s right!” Adrian said as Emelri held a knife to his side. “For your first time doing this, I’m really impressed.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” She threw her fist triumphantly into the air. “Hey, Pep!” she called out.
The boy’s head snapped over to her, right before he was hit in the stomach with a blast of light. He crumpled to the ground, grunting loudly.
“Ah! Sorry, Pep!” she screamed, making to move forward but halted when he gave a thumbs up.
“I’m okay,” he wheezed.
“That was your fault, dumbass,” Toulou said, both hands on their hips.
He wrinkled his nose at his sibling, then looked over at Emelri as he got up. “What’d you need, Emi?”
“Oh, I just wanted to show you this cool move I can do with my new axe! Adrian taught me.”
“Oh?” Jacques inquired, eyes moving to his partner. “How’s that going?”
“Quite well,” Adrian said proudly, nudging her arm as he said it. “She’s picking it up quickly.”
“Ohhhh, yeah. You two better be scared,” she pointed the axe at the siblings as she spoke, “‘cause I’m gonna catch up and wield a battle axe one day. Just you wait.” Toulou’s face fell, while Pepin beamed at her. “Watch me do this, Pep!” She turned to Adrian, nodding.
The boy smiled, then glanced back at Jacques hesitantly.
“It’s about time we took a break anyway,” Jacques said reassuringly. “Let’s conclude the lesson there.”
Toulou looked disappointed. “Well, thanks for teaching us.”
He considered them, then gave the teen one last pat on the back. “Was a pleasure.”
Pepin nodded his own gratitude before facing Emelri, waiting politely for her demonstration.
After showing off her trick, Adrian and Jacques made eye contact. There was some kind of apprehension on Jacques’s end, and he glanced away in a guilty manner.