Step. Heel. Strike. Block. Step. Heel. Strike. Bloc-

“Rayshin! Rayshin! Come inside the food is ready!”

...Okay let’s see how was it again? First is the faint sidestep. Then pivot on my left heel. Then a strike to the h-

“Hey! Are you listening to me?”

“Alright, alright I heard you the first time! Give me a minute to clean up and I’ll be right up.”

Putting the practice wooden sword away and making sure that it was neatly stacked with the others, I grabbed a nearby broomstick and began sweeping the broken splinters from my training session. Looking at my battered foe, I made a mental note to replace the training dummy later with a new one after lunch. I couldn’t wait to practice that move again. In theory it would help to take care of multiple opponents instead of just one. Perhaps I needed to meditate a little more before committing to the practical exercises for it to bear fruit.

Whistling as I worked, I wiped away the sheen of stale sweats that formed across my eyebrows and neck with a wet towel. A gentle breeze carried the scents of earthly lilacs and lavender blossoms trickled across the air. Taking in a deep breath I continued to whistle and stare at the curious green little birds perched atop the tree branches, hopping around and chirping as part of their cute mating dances. It was a lot more blissful here, far away from the glaring desert sands and suffocating atmosphere of the imperial capital. Where every minute of everyday I didn’t have to put on a mask of indifference to those around me. Where I could just be a nobody working toward his own wishes and dreams. Glancing back to make sure that everything was tidied up, I ran up the long rocky steps leading to the outer courtyard.

Smelling the thick aroma of food, my stomach growled and mouth watering in anticipation for a hearty feast. Putting a hand on my stomach and massaging it gently, I regretted skipping breakfast this morning and losing track of time. Following my nose and the vivid sounds of laughter I sprinted around the garden and arrived at the dining hall, careful to straighten out my-

Oh no. I totally forgot to put on a shirt again. Groaning in displeasure, I turned around in slow and tiny steps before a familiar voice called out from inside,“Boy just get your butt over here so we can start eating! I can’t wait any longer.”

Skipping across the room and making my way forward, I stopped and clasped my hand in a forty five degree bow in front of a figure sitting at the middle of the table.

“Disciple welcomes back Master from his long journey! I hope everything went well. Forgive me for not arriving to greet you sooner. ‘Somebody’ here didn’t tell me that you are already back.”

“Hmph! You were too engrossed in your training to listen to what I have to say earlier.” Sticking out her tongue, my martial sister scrunched up her nose as she set up the silverwares on the table, all the while lecturing nonstop, “...and you didn’t even bother to put on a shirt before coming here. At least you remembered to wash your hands and feet this time around otherwise I would’ve made you eat your meals outside. What am I to do with him Master when we have guests visiting?”

“Ah Rayshin my child it’s good to finally be back. Come come come enough with the bickerings you two and let us begin because I am starving! Oh by the way I brought back a treat for everyone today but only after we finish with the main dishes first alright?”

“Yes Master!” We both answered at the same time while smiling. Everytime Master came back there was always one thing that he would bring back without fail.

Taking a seat, I filled our cups with fresh milk before cracking open the wine barrel for Master. How could the adults like this stuff? The smell was already this strong let alone trying to drink it down by itself. I wonder if it was really good for the soul like Master always said?

“Hahaha don’t make that face Rayshin my boy. One day you’ll learn you love it just as I do. It is a fine companion during times of sorrow and heartbreak when you have no one to talk to.”

“Master! Please be more responsible you are talking to minors here. The last thing I need is for him to take after your bad habits.”

“Ahhhh mercy sweet girl, mercy. You are becoming too strict for this old man. I can’t wait for you to chase after your own path one day and leave me be so I don’t have to listen to your complaints all day.”

“Don’t even joke about that Master, you’re not getting rid of me that easily and besides, no one would say that you are as old as you think.”

Smiling at the playful banters, I made sure to put a big piece of meat in my sister’s bowl before grabbing a large serving of fruits and vegetables for Master. A powerful warrior and mage of considerable skill, Master could be given the title of strongest in the empire if he so desired but instead chose to live a secluded life. Far away from the lands of his birth to avoid conflicts and bloodsheds. A handsome middle-aged man with golden-brown hair and muscular physique, his goofy smiles and light-hearted demeanors a complete contrast when it came time for training or fighting. A silent reaper of death and destruction, I hoped to one day earn the honor of learning Master’s past upbringings but great people had secrets that they wished to bury away and I was none the wiser.

“Rayshin your senior martial sister told me that you are having some difficulties with your training. Even though I’m not a swordsman in a long time, perhaps my experiences can be of assistance to you,” burping loudly while gulping down his bowl of wine, Master placed a large boiled egg on my plate.

“I-I-I wanted to figure things out on my own before coming to you but it seems like ‘somebody’ here didn’t want me to succeed,” glaring over the table, I made sure to scrunch up my nose and mimic my sister’s angry face.

“I have half a mind to beat you to a pulp right now. Two months of listening constantly to your grumblings and mood swings is driving me into insanity. Just man up and ask Master for help for all our sakes.”

“Now now Rayshin you should listen to your sister. A man must know his limits and rely on others in times of need. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help once in a while, prideful and talented as you are. Be sure to keep this in mind as you advance through life. I’m sure one day you’ll surpass me in the ways of the blade and have stubborn students of your own. My own Master and I had the same conversation when I was your age and I did not believe her when she told me the same thing but alas, here we are hahaha!”

“You put too much faith in me Master, I only wish to carry on your teachings and make you proud.” Knowing that a touchy subject was brought up when it came to Grand-Master, I quickly asked about the news of the outside world. I wonder how everyone was faring back at home. It had been quite a while since I had left that life behind and embarked on my martial trainings. May Isha continue to watch over them and their loved ones.

“...and then I threw that scoundrel out so far it took him a week to drift back to shore ahahaha! Serves him right for mistaking me sleeping with his wife even though I only...Oh that’s right my girl, did you succeed in replicating the seals that I taught you?”

“Yes Master. I was successful a day after you left and have been integrating miniscule upgrades to the enchantment as a whole. I hope to show you the results later today.” Beaming with pride, my martial sister had no problems flaunting her genius wavings around when it came to her assigned tasks. How frustrating to never see her struggle in anything. The world really was unfair.

Saddened by the realization, I shoved four whole boiled eggs in my mouth before gulping down the glass of milk to help with the chewing process. With tears in my eyes after struggling to swallow the mouthful contents, I glanced over to see my sister’s disapproving look. No doubt adding table manners to her long list of Rayshin’s sermon.

“Wow you must really be hungry my boy. Anyways how are our guests doing? Sorry for the additional chores around the place my girl, I hope they are not giving you two any problems?”

“No Master they are a weird bunch who kept mostly to themselves. I sense a strange aura coming from their place of residence but someone powerful is nullifying my probings.”

“Oh dear me please be more courteous to our guests my sweet child. They are probably not used to the green atmosphere around here being stuck working underground for so long. Give them a bit of time and I’m sure you all will get along splendidly.”

“ Master I agree with sister, my warrior senses are telling me to stay far away from them as possible. Just who-”

“Alright that’s it you two! It’s been only a few days and your attitudes are already like this. We will have dinner with everyone tonight and I will see you two on your best behaviors understood?”

“Yes leave it to me Master!” My sister answered in a panic. The silly girl was never someone who could take well to Master’s scoldings.

Following suit, I clasped my hands and nodded in acknowledgement. They are Master’s guests after all and should be treated with respect. As Master’s disciples who were they to doubt?

“I think it’s time to move on to our favorite dessert now that the main course are out of the way...Behold a YELLOW melon fruit, nectar of the gods the rarest of them all muahahahaha!”

...

“EEEEEEEEEK!” Shrieking in delight, my sister abandoned all table etiquettes and launched herself across the table, cradling the oversized fruit and began cooing to it like a mama bird grooming her newborn chicks. With a hand covering my mouth, I realized it wasn’t my dear sister that was screaming but instead it had been me. After convincing my sister to let go and slicing the seedless melon open into three halves with his finger, Master handed me a tantalizing slice. Holding it up with trembling hands, I cried a silent prayer once again to the almighty Isha before biting deep into the juicy tropical fruit. Master was right, this was truly the nectar of the gods.

Pure bliss.