It’s been about two years and Endrian has finally achieved his initial goals, well for the most part. He hasn’t seen a lick of paper, parchment, or pretty much anything written on, but other than that he’s doing good. He is now fully mobile and has been working on some basic coordination exercises and some body strengthening. Doing daily Tai Chi has become a routine and is great for balance, coordination, and body control. There was also some exercises that he recalled from his time in the military for helping tone his body. Which, based on the limited knowledge that he has gathered about this new world, is going to be very important. He has also gained a decent understanding of the local language at least the verbal portion. A lot of his diction and vocabulary were picked up by listening to his mothers while he played with his sisters. The fact that he had multiple mothers and all of his siblings were girls was quite the shock to the system for him. There are a lot of women in his family and, if his village is anything to go by, the ratio of men to women appears to be very skewed. Take for example his house, there are a grand total of two males here, Endrian and his father. On the other side of the equation there are nine women in the house 4 mothers and 5 daughters. The thought that ran through Endrian’s mind when he figured out that piece of knowledge was ‘I’m not sure if I should be excited or terrified.’

Today as Endrian woke up, the sky was just starting to change colors. He stretched and went to do his morning ablutions. Though these are now much different than what he was used to in his old life.

‘Ah what I would give for running water or water element control.’ Endrian thought with his daily complaint. ‘You know, scratch that, I would give my weight in gold for freaking toilet paper. I’ll never forget the scolding I got from mother when I tossed the moss like thing that I wiped my but with into the toilet. You’d have thought I threw gold in there.’ With a sigh and a shake of his head he completed his routine. At least they had soap so he could wash his hands somewhat properly. But don’t even get him started on the smell. It was like a sewer pipe exploded in the house and then tossed a dead skunk on top. Though he felt that the way they got rid of the crap was rather amazing. He got to see that once when he came into the public bathroom that everyone uses, kind of like a living room except everyone drops trou to do their business, and his dad was there. The smell was particularly ripe, like chemical warfare ripe, when Davian finished up he decided to show Endrian how they got rid of everything. Davian raised his hand and the earth moved literally plowing the shit into the ground. He had to admit that the ease of cleanup, the eco-friendliness and the overall cool factor, at least from his point of view, was pretty nice. Who needs sewers when you can just think about it and auto fertilize the ground.

After finishing up he came back and washed his hand and face thoroughly with the homemade soap. Then after changing into some clothes that were similar to shorts and a sleeveless shirt he walked into the courtyard at the center of the house and started his Tai Chi exercise. Focusing on his breathing as he moved through the different forms. Within moments of starting his biological mother, Allyce, came into the courtyard with a pair of swords. Whereupon she started practicing her own forms. After Endrian was about halfway through his routine he heard someone say “I swear he is the strangest child I have ever seen. Most of the young ones just run around and play all day; and then there is Endrian. Who even taught him that little dance he’s doing.”

This was the voice of one of his other mothers. She was referred to as the head mother, also known as Vanya. She was apparently the oldest of the group of women that were living here. She had short cropped sky blue hair and eyes to match it. She was taller than Endrian’s mom by a head of height. She also probably had a good 20-30 kilos on his mom in weight. Vanya was actually more typical of the women of this world at least as far as Endrian had found. Taller, stronger and in general more bulky than their male counterparts. This wound up with his mom being viewed as unattractive by most. Though by his previous life’s ascetics she was a ten out of ten. With her striking features, her graceful and lithe body, her excellent complexion, she reminded Endrian of Jessica Hamby.

In response to Vanya’s question yet another voice sounded out from one of the doorways “He apparently made it up on his own.” This was Shyael the third mother. She had longer hair just down to her shoulders that was pink in color. It was pulled back into a single braid that looked very celtic or reminiscent of vikings. Her forest green eyes had a very piercing look to them. She stood slightly taller than Vanya but did not have the bulk to her. “I personally think it is very pretty. I bet if all boys could dance like that they would have great prospects and the girls would be just lining up to be with them.”

Hearing this Endrian’s mother said “He’s not even two yet and you two are already trying to line up suitors for him. At least let him be a child before you sell him off to another family or clan.”

“Well what else can we do with him other than pawn him off. No one has challenged us for the past few years, so we don’t really need another male to protect our domestic interests. Also it’s not like we can afford to send him to a school like Davian went to and get a good education so he can help support the family.” Vanya replied. “Though I will give you the fact that he appears to be quite advanced for his age, it is still too early to assume that he will be as good as his father.”

At this point Endrian had moved over to his mother and asked “What’s this school?” While he had a decent grasp of the language and had an idea based on the context it was used he wanted to verify.

“It a place where people go to learn things about the world, about themselves, and where they can gain skills for fighting and much more. It’s also a good place to find your future family. However, it is far from here in the city of Ampleforth.” she replied.

Endrian grew quiet as he processed this new information. His mind wandering through different possibilities. Books to be read, and learning reading and writing would be a huge help for him to get his bearings on this world. Not to mention figuring out where these powers, that his mothers, father and even some of his older sisters have, come from. It would definitely be nice knowing more about this world, so far all he’s gotten is that he’s in the middle of a big ass forest with ridiculous monsters in it, women apparently are the dominant sex, the sky is more purple than his old world and the storms here are no joke. Not to mention fighting techniques and information about the wildlife are sorely lacking right now. As Sun Tzu said “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.” As he arrived at this point he asked “What would I need to do to go to school, and can I learn to fight like you, mom?”

His mom froze for a second before starting her response, but was cut off by the guffawing laughter from the other two women. “He want’s to fight like a woman?!” Vanya asked with incredulity filling her voice. At the same time laughing like she had heard the most hilarious joke ever. It was so loud the rest of the family came out to see what was going on. As they got up to speed most of them had the same reaction as Vanya.

Just as things were about to get out of hand Davian showed up. He walked up behind Endrian’s mother gently putting his hands on her arms and whispering in her ear. The dark and vicious look in her eye faded out even though most still hadn’t noticed Davian showing up. He then turned to look at Endrian and said “If you want to fight like your mother you can. You are my son and you can do anything you want, but it would make me very happy if you chose to fight more like me.”

Endrian watched the byplay between mother and father and while he didn’t know what his dad said to his mom he could tell that it was some words of comfort or support. This gave Endrian a warm feeling of gratitude that welled up from his heart. He smiled and responded “Can I learn both?”

Davian’s eyes widened in shock briefly and then he let out a deep and hearty laugh. “If that’s what you wish then so be it. But, not yet you have yet to develop enough physically to start this type of training. It would only be harmful for you. Let’s wait until you are 7 years old before moving on to this type of training.”

“That answers half my question, so what do I need to do to go to school?” Endrian asked.

Allyce saw the confusion in her husband’s eyes and quickly and quietly gave a recounting of what happened and why what question was brought up. Once he understood Davian said “This will also have to wait until you are 7 years old at the earliest.”

This isn’t the first or even the second time he’s been told that he will have to wait until he is 7 to get more information. He had asked his mom about elemental control and body strengthening but she had told him that he had to wait until he was 7 years old that time as well. There must be something special about turning 7 on this world that makes everything okay. Endrian had asked a few times why he had to wait so long, but every time he was blown off or given some made up response. Unfortunately that was the downside of being a child again everyone looks at you like you can’t understand anything.

‘I remember that famous quote that youth is wasted on the young. Well it looks like it doesn’t make a difference whether your young or not if you are given no chance to accomplish the things because everyone is keeping secrets ‘for your own good’ then youth is just wasted.’ Endrian thought this in his head with some frustration.

After the commotion died down Endrian’s mom kept an eye on him. Watching his movements and planning in her head how she would train him with swords. She would have to test his dynamic vision and reflexes. As she watched him she kept making notes of things to test and to help him with.

Over the course of the next few years not much changed for Endrian. He gained a few chores like cleaning his room, changing the water out in his wash bucket daily. Which he did three or four times per day. His family viewed hims as something of a clean freak. Though if they understood germs and microorganisms they too would be doing the same thing. He had also started adding to his workout routine. Working on front flips, back flips, aerials, handstands, and more.

As the years progressed so did his body. At the age of 5 Endrian had asked his father to help him with a project that he had. He needed someone that could work with the earth element with some proficiency so that he could build a new obstacle course. Rather it was a layout for a parkour course so that he could start working endurance while he had some down time. When he had shown his dad the drawings in the dirt of half stairs and walls as well as pipe fencing and uneven bars and more he was asked what he needed all of this for.

“If I’m going to be a fighter as great as mom and dad I need to start young and this will help me.” Endrian responded to his father’s question. Nothing like a little flattery to help grease the wheels so to speak. After the round of flattery Davian decided to humor him and spent a day helping him build his new obstacle course. Some of the mothers and sisters were not happy with the changes, at least initially. However, after watching Endrian run the course a few times and seeing the level of control required to successfully navigate the course they realized how this could equate to times when they are in the jungle foraging for food or supplies. After a few runs and some modifications they quickly became fans. With the modifications that Vanya made with her earth element control it would allow older and younger people to run the course.

Vanya and the other mothers quickly surpassed Endrian’s level and speed when running the course. As Endrian and his mothers started to test themselves against this course they were able to get a new found respect for this crazy son of theirs. This would quickly turned into a family game/competition where the older girls would start to challenge their little brother through the course. Initially they were very confident thinking that he was just a boy and couldn’t possibly be better than them. Especially after they watch their mothers run through the course. Endrian’s eldest sister Elva was the first to challenge him.

“Endrian, this doesn’t look that hard. I bet I could beat you even if I gave you a head start.” Elva said.

Endrian looked over at the 10 year old girl. Sizing her up, she had blonde hair and blue eyes. Honestly she looked like a kid version of Elsa from Disney’s movie Frozen. She even had ice control. He usually wasn’t one for competitions especially with siblings but when he looked at his mothers he felt that this might be a worthwhile lesson for her and his other siblings. Not to mention the fact that if he wanted to “fight like a woman” he would have to show his capabilities.

“No head start is needed I prefer fair fights, but what do you want to bet?” Endrian asked Elva innocently.

“I don’t know.” she responded.

Endrian thought for a second and said “How about this. If I win you will make me or help make me another set of clothes for my workouts. I can offer to make you a set as well but as I’m not old enough yet so you would have to wait since they won’t let me do that so I will offer a favor that you can ask of me.”

“Deal, I’ll take the favor.” Elva quickly responded.

As they lined up at the start Endrian glanced at their mothers and saw a knowing gleam in their eyes. Vanya stepped forward and glanced at her daughter and then me, then said “Ready……. GO!!”

Endrian and Elva both took off as fast as they could but Elva’s larger body and longer stride allowed her to take the early lead. As she quickly out paced Endrian she glanced back with a supercilious smile just before arriving at the first obstacle, the pipe bars. Sliding over the top of the pipe bars and then reversing direction and going through the pipe bars then moving onto the wall climb which are two walls that are about a meter apart from each other and 3 meters high. After climbing to the top of the walls a short run on a path that leads to a barrier that 4 meters off the ground and across a 2 meter gap there is another barrier at 2 meters in height. Then a run across a flat with a few table like structures to a wall that has some divots and protrusions on it. Next to this wall is a pole that has 5 ropes and a bell attached to it at the top.

Elva vaults over the top of the pipe bars, comes to a stop turns and jumps through them again. Then takes off running towards the wall climb. By the time Endrian gets to the pipe bars she is already halfway to the wall climb location. Endrian vaults over the top of the pipe bars and grabs it with one hand and in one continuous motion slides back through never touching the ground. With a well timed tap from his other hand to the middle bar he does a three quarter back flip and takes off for the wall climb.as he enters the wall climb location Elva is about three quarters of the way up the wall. Endrian never slows down and angles towards the wall taking a couple of steps on one side and then pushing off and landing on the other wall. Taking a few more steps and repeating as he scales it higher and higher. As his momentum diminishes he pushes off hard one last time and stretches out his small body grabbing the lip of the top of the wall. Elva is just reaching toward her first hand hold after spider climbing up the walls from the narrowest point.

Endrian pulls himself over the top and takes off again just as Elva makes it up to the top as well. Running a short distance towards the next obstacle the 4 meter barrier which is only a meter tall after climbing up the walls earlier. As they sprint Elva starts to catch up again. However, that is only short lived. As she approaches the first barrier she slows down so she can handle getting from this side to the other over a 2 meter wide gap and 4 meter drop from her location. Endrian on the other hand literally dives over the barrier to plant a handstand on the 2 meter wall and then with a twist flips and twists his body to hit the ground feet first and go into a roll. At the same time Endrian dove over the wall a collective gasp could be heard from everyone watching. He somewhat leisurely finished off the rest of the course with Elva still working on crossing the split height barrier. In his mind singing Let it Go and making a mental note to try and teach her that song. If for no other reason than to just because it reminded him of his old world. Elva finally finished up the course about a minute after Endrian. As she rang the bell to signify her completion her mom walked over and said in a calm voice “Let this be a lesson Elva. Be it wild animal, male, or female, anyone can beat you if you underestimate them or overestimate yourself.”