“ Lady Raven… I I’m reporting that t-there has been an incident during Jaxon’s training session with Lord L-Lugh. He r-requested that you watch the l-logs my lady, and requests your assistance with Sir J-Jaxon.”

Barely contained whimpering crackles in on the various sound runes I have embedded in my lab. Weaving the controls to lower the volume, her reaction leaves me with wishing she had a stronger stomach for these things.

“Okay, Tarain I will see that I do. Go rest, you're barely holding yourself together. Don’t hold this against Jaxon, not everyone can awaken cleanly.”

“My lady…”

“Yes Tarain, I was watching the training, so I know what happened. Please go rest now, I’ll have Semele prepare a room for Jaxon to recover in.

“Yes, my lady.”

“Thank you Tarain… and once again it’s not Jaxon’s fault. I need you to watch over him, this isn’t just an order as your master, but a request from me as your friend.”

“... O-Okay.”, The small voice drops off as the connection is canceled. I pray that she can get past this, I need her now more than ever.

Moving back to the monitor in front of me, my elated grin returns.

“Ahh, look at how he moves YEEEE! SO COOL!”

“The way he combines those tentacles to block Uncle Lugh’s aura blade FUUUUULL POWER SMAAAAAASH!”

Takakaka~.

Takakaka~.

I can’t help but skitter around on my branches, pretending to be my spirited ward, sparing with Uncle Lugh. I even make my own little, branched mace to swing around, the rush of battle filling me! Just the pace of the fight, Jaxon’s erratic, but captivating display of his awakening drowning my thoughts. A sweet fragrance filling the air stops me mid-swing, looking up blooming flowers fill my vision one petal landing on my nose.

“Noooo, not again!”

Head spinning in shame I rescind my branches. I can’t believe I let my shard do that embarrassing stuff! Don't get caught up like a battle junky. You're not a noobie fresh to the Colosseum, bad Raven, bad.

Deep breaths, deep breaths, no one can see you here. Several minutes rowling around in embarrassment later, I still can’t stop myself from being impressed with Jaxon. He took a hit from what about amounts to a grade C warrior and still kept struggling on before he even awakened. Seeing him strain to get up after being knocked into the barrier was heartwarming, I didn't think he would try to keep going after that. I was already satisfied that he could block Uncle Lugh’s first hit, but then bam! He awakened at the brink! Just like a movie.

My little Jaxon has so much fortitude to keep fighting, blood loss and broken bones be damned! If His body really resists conventional damage, aura, and magic to boot I can’t wait to get him into the lab for real testing. Emperor above, That energy too! The closest thing I can think of would be death energy, but that doesn’t quite fit. I want to, no, need to study him so bad now. Wake up soon Jaxon! The last thought trails off ominously like I'm forgetting something.

"Hmm what was it again..."

Oh shit… Jaxon is still down in the courtyard with Uncle Lugh! How long have I left them down there waiting!? Okay, no more time to daydream, Raven, you need to call Semele and send a few guards to escort them back up to recovery.

Deep breaths Raven time to switch over now, Mistress Mode go!

Branch reaching out I dial up Seleme on the calling formation.

“Hello Semele, I need you to set up a room in recovery wing C, just the basics please.”

“Of course, my lady. Will you need anything else?” The smooth and sultry tone of Semele, my faun maid answers my call, prompt and professional as always.

“No Semele that will be all.”, I click off the rune and configure it to the standing guard detail.

“I need a few guards to escort Sir Lugh and my ward to recovery wing C. They are in training courtyard nine, on floor B80.”

Good all taken care of, I'm really the best! Now I just need to get myself dressed to go see Uncle Lugh, but first...

Looking back over I feel the draw of the monitor luring me in.

It wouldn’t hurt to review the footage a bit more.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approaching the door with Gaz in toe as my escort I arrive at the room where Uncle Lugh and a still unconscious Jaxon wait for me.

“Gaz, watch the door please.”

“...”

My silent guardian gives me a nod in return. I've heard him speak before I’m sure of it, I just can’t remember when it last was.

Hesitating briefly I force my hand to knock on the door before heading in.

“Greetings Princess” The warm greeting lightens my heart before I even step through the door.

“ Uncle Lugh, I told you not to call me that, even if we’re alone. I’m almost 400 years old. I’m not a little kid anymore.

Ignoring my grouchy disposition Uncle Lugh moves in to give me a big hug. Mumbling small protests I return it letting his calming presence wash over me.

“You've found yourself quite the handful with the boy,” he says, pointing back at Jaxon.

Sleeping with a peaceful expression on the bed, I almost can’t believe he was rampaging a few hours ago. I see that the fabric slimes that make up his shirt and robe have already recovered too. I need to remember to order more styles of the amazing little creatures later.

“Did you think I would choose my ward carelessly? I knew he had potential from the moment I heard the reports.”

“No, no dear I didn’t doubt you. You’ve always had your mother’s sense for these kinds of things.”

Tears at the corners of my eyes, I can't stop from hurting when I hear her mentioned.

Lugh notices the teary eyes and curses himself, giving me another hug, I don’t bother to fight back. “Princess I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have, but you remind me so much of her when she was younger. I see all of the best parts of her in you.”

I just nod quietly, listening to his voice. We stay like that for a minute or two. Patting my back he lets go and takes a seat, I do the same just happy that Uncle Lugh is still here for me after all this time.

“We have other things to discuss. About the boy, what do you think of his awakening?”

“I can only shake my head. “I don’t know, I sent some people to collect the rib samples back at the courtyard. That might give me some idea, but whatever energy his soul is naturally attuned to seems to be unique to him alone. It doesn’t give off any signature that I can detect. Did you catch anything while you tested him?”

“No… I could see it moving my aura out of the way and eating it, but I couldn't sense whatever he uses. It’s plain to see when out in the open but could be deadly if he becomes good at stealth.”

“Whoa, back up a minute Uncle Lugh. Did you say he ate your aura?”

“Yeah, only in very small amounts but the boy definitely absorbed it somehow.”

Hold yourself together Raven, don’t scream that would be so unladylike. Natural resistances and he can absorb aura on top of that. What else are you hiding Jaxon, you little box of delectable surprises?

“Ahem…”

Looking up, I feel Uncle Lugh judging me his expression unsure before he settles on a smile that catches me off guard.

“I can tell your excited about the boy dear, you don’t need to hide it from me. You know, I can hear your heart racing the more you learn about the boy.”

Hiding my face in my sleeves I look away as Uncle Lugh let’s out a hearty laugh.

“Don’t be ashamed, I have a little interest in the boy too. In fact, I plan on accepting him as a formal disciple.”

Head shooting up, I try to figure out if Uncle is playing a prank on me. “Really Uncle, are you serious!? You haven’t taken a formal disciple since Big Sis Scáthach, and that was over 300 years ago."

“Oh so you don’t count as one of my disciples then,” he accuses sarcastically.

“That isn’t what I mean Uncle, you've always been there for me, but you could have taken on someone else officially at any time why now?”

Shrugging he replies, “There isn’t any big reason behind it. The boy shows enough potential, you've shown a liking to him, and you've already formed your first soul shard. I’ll always be here for you dear, but it’s the truth that you aren’t a fledgling anymore. I find myself bored recently and the boy shows enough promise. I accepted to train the boy as both your Guardian and the captain of your guard, so I might as well make it official.”

I nod my head, his explanation makes sense, but despite his words, how he looks at Jaxon during all of it makes it clear he’s as excited as me, if not more. Uncle Lugh is almost as bad at hiding his emotions as I am.

“Either way, I’ll stay with the boy until he wakes up, to help him through the rest of his awakening. As for you It's getting late, and your Uncle would appreciate it if you get some rest before sunrise, ”

I respond with the most epic eye roll I can muster.

“I know Uncle, I know. Shouldn't you be on watch though, everything aside you're still the Captain of my guard.” I tease him back.

“ I’m always on watch, and my squads can handle the floor duty. Honestly, I doubt it makes much difference I wouldn't even sense anything wrong before that old buzzard Thoth does anyway. This place is his pride and joy after all.” He says with a soft chuckle.

“True Uncle, Lord Thoth is paranoid enough, it wouldn’t surprise me if he never sleeps.” laughing with my uncle.

“Before you go can your Uncle ask a favor of his favorite little princess?”

“You know that you always can Uncle” I pout.

“If you can I want you to put in an order for some Fae-steel blades. I’ll cover the cost don’t worry.”

“Uncle why would you need Fae-steel?” I ask puzzled.

Uncle Lugh shakes his head, “I don’t need it dear, but the boy could use a few. I can’t have him ripping out his own ribs every time he needs to stab something can I.”

The realization has me smacking my head, of course for it's for Jackson.

“Of course Uncle, I’ll find the very best,” I assure him before exiting the room, Gaz on my heels. I’ll make sure Jackson gets his blades... and maybe watch a few more replays for good measure before I head to sleep.