Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: Journeyer's Junction

With the dune lizards reaching a higher speed of running for their travels, the group made it to the final point before Areno, with Kyra and Amane slowly coming up behind them, the Journeyer’s Junction. Much like the Caravan Crossroad, the Junction was set up with stalls and pop up shelters. They weren’t as numerous as the first one they came to, but still had some offerings for people to pick through.

At this stop the people who were visiting were the monks of Quadrant One, the Illumination Sect. They were easily told apart by their gold pants and white robes. They traveled through here quite frequently in times of need, and lately, every day was a time of need. They made temporary homes in the Journeyer's Junction, and rotated members every couple of weeks. The monks also sought out people who could use light based energies, or people looking to quiet the sounds of their mind, and the depths of their souls. Power is gained from taming your inner turmoil and becoming more than you are.

As they arrived on lizards, one of the monks stopped them at the front entrance.

“You!” The monk points at Kitanni.

“Me?” Kitanni replies in confusion.

“Yes. You have the gift of light inside you.” The monk shouts towards her.

“I can use it...yes…” She replies still lost in her confusion. “What is going on, uh, Sir Monk?”

“Monk Chand, the light on the moon.” He bows to her. “I can see the light within you, but I can see you don’t know how to use it fully yet. We look for people like you so we can help you learn your abilities.”

“That’s interesting. I thought we were in trouble.” Teo adds.

“You.” He points to Teo and moves his hand around for a moment. “You have knowledge of light and holy..but it's not yours, it’s nature, and it's magic. Are you a sorcerer?”

“Shaman. I have knowledge of the elements and spirits, but I harness what exists using spells to capture the elements.” Teo goes on to explain his powers to the monk. He didn’t want to bring up his heritage of his mother being a sorceress in this world at the current time.

“I understand.” Monk Chand replies to him. “Very interesting nonetheless.” He bows to honor his ability.

Amane and Kyra were lagging behind the others a little bit in the rain, but that was their choice. When they arrived Amane pulled the reins back on the lizard a bit away from the entrance. He wanted to know what was going on before they arrived.

“Can you hear them?” He asks quietly.

“Enough.” Kyra responds. “He’s calling out their powers.”

“Think I need a sword?” He adds.

“No, I don't think so. He’s being pretty cordial. He's also a monk.” Kyra pauses,”Were you going to swing your sword at a monk?”

“At this point it really depended on if you could hear them or not.” Amane replies with a laugh. “He’s just pointing at everyone to me and I have to stay on guard. I'm a fugitive after all.”

“That didn’t answer my question.” Kyra states.

“Yes. Yes I was.” Amane replies. “But now we know his intentions so I don’t need the weapon.”

“So level headed.” Kyra says teasing him about it. “Let’s catch up.”

“If he points his finger at me, I might break it.” Amane chuckles lightly.

“You will not.” She responds back in a serious tone, with a small laugh.

Amane and Kyra finish their ride, and catch up with the rest of the group. The rain is still coming down as they stand out in the weather. The group gets off the lizards, and looks around from the entrance.

“Sir, you can’t have that weapon in here.” Monk Chand states at Amane.

“Sorry, I forgot it was on my hip.” He replies as he takes off and puts it in his bag.

“Is that from the Snake Clan?” The monk asks.

“Yeah from Naraj Orm.” Amane slips it into his bag fully.

“I see. He must trust you a lot then.” He takes a breath,”Please come with me.”

Amane put his hand on his head and sighed. ‘What did I do this time?”

“What did you do, Amane?” Toshiro asks.

“I don’t have any idea." He replies.

Monk Chand smiles as he waves them towards him,”You’re all welcome. No one did anything wrong. We have a message about you.”

“From who?” Kyra questions.

“Naraj Orm.” Monk Chand happily replies. “We coordinate with Wayfarer’s Oasis. Please follow me to our small temple.”

“Alright.” Amane shrugs as he follows Monk Chand.

“You’re too trusting Amane.” Toshiro states.

“Clearly, you’re here and all you want to do is challenge me or kill me to take me home.” Amane replies quickly, with a hint of sarcasm.

“I’m interested.” Kitanni added.

“Let’s just go.” Toshiro replies.

“Seems like in a battle of wits, Toshiro can’t beat Amane either.” Teo laughs under his breath. “Let’s follow our new monk friend and see what’s going on.”

Amane leads the way behind Monk Chand as they travel through town. Being unarmed, the two swordsmen: Amane and Toshiro, already felt uneasy. Luckily for most of the group, they knew how to harness other abilities as a weapon of defense. Amane with fire, Toshiro with ice, Kyra with plants, and Teo with elemental spells from his home world. The only one of them at a disadvantage was Kitanni, since she didn’t know how to channel her own powers without the daggers in her hand, or another medium. They had her covered, just in case, as she was their healer and priority to keep the team in top shape in the long run, or at least as long as she traveled with them.

With his hands behind his head, Amane walked to random tents, just checking everything out and keeping ahead of the group. He wanted to check the town out, even in the rain. He sniffed the air, smelling something sweet and wondered where it was coming from. He breathed in deep and exhaled with a smile on his face. Amane turned around to see the group,”Do you guys smell that?”

“Did you step in something?” Toshiro asks.

“If I did, it smells delicious.” Amane replies.

“I smell it too. Smells like some kind of sweet pastry.” Kyra explains. “I kind of want to try it.”

“Me too!” Amane agrees. “After our meeting or whatever this is, let’s go find it.”

“It’s next to our temple.” Monk Chand adds to their conversation. “So you won’t have to go far.”

“That’s great news.” Amane replies excitedly.

“It’s either food or fighting with him.” Kyra states with a smile.

“That’s how we were raised: eat well, train well, and make sure you rest adequately.” Toshiro adds.

“You still stick to that regiment too.” Kitanni retorted.

“Habits.” Amane replies.

Teo didn’t have much to say about this conversation as he was taking in the views for himself, and looking for stalls he’d like to visit before they left. At this rate they were going to be arriving in the storm anyway, so he might as well look around. Areno wasn’t going anywhere.

They had finally arrived at the small temple that was made of sand bricks, from the local sandstone. The light color of the material compliments their use of light based skills. The building was small and sturdy, but large enough to house the entire group, and the monks inside; that was about it.

“You, with the gray eyes. You must be Amane.” A monk inside pointed at him.

“How’d you know?” Amane replies sarcastically.

“This letter.” The monk laughs.

“How did a letter get here before us?” Amane asks with a slightly confused annoyance tone.

“Carrier lizard. Those things can really move when they’re not carrying people or bags.” He replied.

Amane shrugs it off,”Makes sense to me.”

Kitanni snickers to herself,”You’re easily won over and impressed.”

“Kind of.” Amane jokes. “The letter did get here before us.”

“Ahem.” The monk interrupts. “ Did you want to know what’s in the letter?” He asks.

“Of course, sorry. We kind of do that frequently.” Amane replies. “Go ahead.”

Amane and the group sit down on the floor. Amane, Toshiro, and Kitanni, all kneel down and sit on their feet, which was how they were taught in Quadrant Three. Kyra sits down with her feet going out but her knees bent, as royalty of Quadrant Two. Teo sits with his legs crossed over each other folded inward, as he was taught in Drazteca.

The monk begins reading the letter aloud to them. “The letter says: To the monks of the Illumination Sect in Journeyer’s Junction: A group of people traveling together will be arriving shortly. One named Amane will have a chain sickle from me, Naraj Orm. Please give them a little introduction into spiritual harnessing. I believe this will help them in the long run. Request your favor when you are ready, and thanks. Tell them Tani says hello and be careful.”

“So we’re here for training.” Toshiro states.

“I know I could use some, Toshi.” Kitanni added, looking down at the floor.

“No reason to be down about it, young lady.” The monk replies. “You’re still learning. You’re young. You have potential to be a great healer.”

“You think so?” She replied, with a soft smile on her face.

“We can see the light within you. You just need to harness it for yourself. That could take months of practice though, but if you are interested: the Illumination Sect would be willing to teach, and house you in our monastery.” Monk Chand replied to her.

“That’s something I would need to think about, but I appreciate your offer.” Kitanni replies.

“I, personally, think it’s a great idea.” Amane adds. “You’ve got a gift, and this group of monks can help you get to your full potential.” He smiles at her,”Great opportunity to learn.”

“Are you just trying to get rid of her Amane?” Toshiro asks with a stern look on his face, as if he was upset by the response.

“Why would I get rid of her?” Amane shakes his head at him, then smirks. “She’s already more useful than you. Why’d we need ANOTHER samurai?”

“Go ahead and keep pushing, Amane. I’ll fight you right here.” Toshiro retorts.

“Haven’t I beaten you enough recently?” Amane replies. “Toshiro, I’m messing with you. You’re the one who’s supposed to keep his cool, and you’re more hot headed than I am...and I’m a PYROMANCER!”

“Yeah, whatever. I’ll beat you right now.” Toshiro says smugly.

“Interesting turn of events. We could use this to our advantage.” Monk Chand interrupts. “Would you like to do our demonstration? Could be a chance to work out those frustrations.”

Amane laughs at the request before answering,”If you want me to demonstrate, or help, I will.”

“Or help?” Monk Chand questions.

“I’m already trained in spirit control.” Amane pushes himself off the floor, and stands on his feet. He quickly puts his hands together palm to palm, to focus his spirit energy. The spirit energy comes to life around him, blowing the wind around them, as his eyes gain a sheen of silver, and his aura sparks silver and green. He drops his stance and puts his arms down. The group sat behind him, with the wind blowing them back, until he broke his stance. There was enough shock in the room to go around: from the monks to his friends.

“Where did you learn that?” Monk Chand asks, surprised.

“My father taught me in our training. You could say it's a specialty of ours.” Amane explains.

“Ah.” Monk Chand replies quickly, figuring out what clan he belonged to. “I’ve met your clan before ...but you’re more advanced than most of them, if not all of them. I wonder why Master Orm didn't tell us that.”

“To keep you safe from the high possibility we’re being watched. I introduced myself as an adventurer with my friends.” Amane responds to him. For him, it was all about not using his family name out here. He didn’t want to leave a trail, even though the biggest threat to his safety was right next to him.

Toshiro speaks up after Amane, ”Everyone in this group knows who he is. Kitanni and I are from the same area. Kyra saw some of the war, and Teo was informed.”

“I see.” Monk Chand replies. “I’ll keep it secret for our protection, and yours.”

“I would appreciate that.” Amane replies. The last thing they needed was anyone else coming after him. His entire clan was after him; he had been thinking about that too, and possibly removing the general from his seat of power.

“Anyway.” Kyra interrupted. “What did you want to teach us?”

“Oh, right. Spirit control is helpful for a number of reasons: the main one for your group of adventurers is strengthening your body as well as your mind.” The second monk responds.

“You mean like meditation?” Kyra asks.

“It works in conjunction with that, and requires meditation to stay in form in the beginning.” Monk Chand replies. “Eventually you’ll be able to do it while running around like this one. “ He motions to Amane.

Amane chuckles to himself,”Blame my father. He gave me this armor.” Amane moves his gi over. “I have to stay at my peak.”

Monk Chand shakes his head,”That explains everything.”

“He cheats.” Toshiro retorts.

“Sure do.” Amane jokes.

Teo speaks up, after everything is said and done between them all. “I have some knowledge of it but a little practice won’t kill us. We should get started since we’ll have to travel in the rain anyway.”

“Pair off.” Monk Chand states. “Amane, you’re with me.”

“Of course, Monk Chand.” Amane replies, bowing to him.

“Wonder why he’s with the monk?” Toshiro asks.

“Because he knows what he's doing already.” Kitanni replied.

Kyra sighed, hearing the conversation, and left it alone. She didn’t know why it had to always be a competition for Toshiro. Was he just that headstrong about being better than Amane, or just felt like he should be superior since he thought he had the moral high ground? All she knew was that it was getting old, and it seemed like Kitanni was thinking the same thing with her response. “Hey, Teo. You want to pair up with me?” Kyra says with a smile.

“Sure thing.” Teo replies.

“Guess that leaves the lovebirds together.” Amane retorts.

“Laugh it up.” Toshiro replies.

Kitanni shook her head,”Focus Toshi. Do you want to get better at this or not? I’m sure Amane would teach me if I asked.”

“You’re welcome to ask him.” Toshiro replied in a huff. “I’m sorry, Kit.” He took a deep breath, and refocused himself. Things were just getting under his skin for some reason at this point. Could it have been all the traveling, or maybe the rain?

She placed her hand on his face,”We’re okay, Toshi. Just calm back down and we can start training together again.” She smiled at him.

Monk Chand directed Amane towards the back door, where outside, there was a small courtyard. Leading the way, the rest of the group followed behind him with Monk Chand, bringing up the back to keep everyone together. The rain was still coming down, but they were under a covered porch, for the moment.

“If you’re concerned with water on your clothes, take them off and change. We have a few coverings for everyone.” Monk Chand announces to them.

Amane quickly takes off his gi and tosses it to the side then takes the chest of his armor off and marches into the rain, with the top half of his training unitard showing. The water running down his hair and face as he stands there looking up.

“That was easy.” Monk Chand states.

“Does he just strip for fun now?” Toshiro asks.

“Does seem that way.” Teo replies.

“I don’t mind it.” Kyra adds, while staring at his body.

Kitanni looks over at Kyra seeing the blush on her face. “Truthfully, neither do I. He’s fit and muscular.”

“He sure is…” Kyra sighs, as she watches him longingly.

Kitanni laughs, and removes her top shirt, revealing her dark blue fitted one. She then joins Amane out in the rain.

“Here we go again.” Toshiro states as he too throws his jacket to the ground, and stands in a white tank top, joining beside Kitanni.

“Why not.” Teo shrugs with a smile. He tosses his vest to the ground and is now standing in a low rise shirt with a lower collar revealing the tops of his pecs, and the lower portion of his abs. His Drazteca heritage is visible in marks on his skin.

Kyra was too busy staring at Amane to notice everyone had gone up there, until Monk Chand tapped on her shoulder. “What!? I wasn’t staring.” She blurts out startled. The rest of the group turns around, to see what the commotion was. “What are you looking at?” She jokes.

She quickly removes her top jacket, and tosses it onto Amane’s gi and armor. Her light green long sleeve shirt is visible now, as she pushes the sleeves up so it's shorter. Her body’s form is more visible as the tight under shirt shapes her chest. Amane sees her walking towards them, and is checking her out as she approaches him with a smirk. His face turns red, as her smirk confirms to him that she knew he was looking at her. “Enjoying the view?” Kyra asks him.

“Always, when you’re in it.” Amane replies, unfazed by what he just said.

Kyra blushes, and pushes him forward towards Monk Chand. “Partner up, samurai.” She laughs.

“Of course.” Amane replies.

Monk Chand steps out in his full monk gear unfazed by the water and the wind. This was normal for him and his sect. They didn’t fear getting their possessions or clothing wet, but he understood that they didn’t have extra with them currently, and needed to keep something dry.

“You guys are an absolute riot.” Monk Chand states smiling at them. “Let’s begin. Amane take the stance you showed me earlier.”

Amane stood by Monk Chand, and corrected his posture. Now standing up straight, he places his palms together.

“Focus stance.” Monk Chand relays to them. “This stance is for channeling your energies more easily. Amane, show them your energy.”

“Yes, sir.” Amane says in response to the request. He closes his eyes and focuses his energy. His aura rises from his feet, coating his body in a silver and green sheen.

“Stop and hold.” Monk Chand instructs. Amane opens his eyes, and now shows his spiritual energy coursing through him.“Notice how he has an aura around his body. You can also see it in his eyes. He’s in a receptive, and open state. He’s receiving energy into his body that is usable. Doing so, he can increase his resistance to the elements and physical forces. He can increase his physical impact, and he could even channel it into something else. I assume you can do that already.” Monk Chand asks him.

“I’ve been doing that for years now.” Amane replies. “It also increases my speed, which is how I’m as fast as our resident archer.”

“Very true, but that takes experience to get good at.” Monk Chand adds. “I want you all to practice this stance and hold your posture. Focus on something calming and try to feel your own energy.”

“What do you want me to do, Master Chand?” Amane asks, confused.

“The same. There is something inside of you that you haven’t reached into yet, but I don’t think it’ll be pulled out here after just one session. You’ll need to do this on your travels.” Monk Chand steps back into the covered area.

“Something I haven’t reached yet?” Amane says to himself. He wasn’t going to complain about this situation, but he wondered what he meant. Did he mean other than the fire, darkness, and spirit energy he had already? Not that he knew how to harness his darkness at all.

Kyra, Teo, Toshiro, and Kitanni stood in the same posture, facing their partners. Teo already had a slight glow of red and yellow circulating around him. As a shaman, he was attuned with spirits and his energy to a higher degree, but not like Amane’s ability to do the same. Kyra’s hair was fluttering in her face, as her bangs bounced from the energy circulating upward. The vines on her arms glow green as they course with energy.

“You’re getting it! Come on, you can do it!” Teo says, cheering her on.

Sweat rolls down her face, and is washed away by the rain. Her focus hadn’t been put to the test since her Uncle Aylan was training her. She breathed in deeply and exhaled, refocusing her mind as the rain washed body. The vines markings crept up her arms and legs slightly, as her aura formed around her in a brilliant forest green.

“You did it. You really did it.” Teo said excitedly. “Most impressive.”

“Thank….” She grunted. “You.”

Teo laughed for a moment,”Stop clenching your jaw. Remove your tongue from the roof of your mouth. Release the tension on your neck.”

Kyra followed his brief suggestions and felt better, especially after she shook her shoulders a little. “Maybe I was holding my arms too high up.”

“Should be around your diaphragm area.” Monk Chand adds from the covered porch.

“That would have been helpful earlier.” Kyra jokes, as she loses her focus on the posture she was in and her aura flickers in and out.

“Refocus, Kyra.” Teo says, holding his aura in a fluid state, as he talks.

“I’m trying. This is new to me.” Kyra explains.

“Let’s ask our expert.” Teo suggests. “Master Chand, do you have any methods someone can use to help with this?”

“Everyone is different from what I’ve experienced. Needs to be something you can relate with and resonate with.” Monk Chand explains.

Amane heard the predicament going on, and was thinking of a way to help Kyra with it.  The first thought he had in his mind dealt with her home, but that’d probably only help her grow plants. What was the one thing she was most like, that she could relate to? Amane’s head shot up from his thinking position and he had an idea. “Kyra, I’ve got an idea.” Amane shouts over the rain that was pouring down even harder.

“What is it?” She asks.

“Your deepest request was being free to travel to see things.” Amane explains quickly.

Kyra was confused by what he meant by that. “Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“Imagine you’re an arrow being pulled back and released to freedom. Seeing your surroundings as you escape captive hands. The spiritual energy within you is your bow, launching you to freedom to see the world.” Amane continued his explanation.

“My calm place..is archery.” She says quietly, as she was surprised by how much Amane knew about her already.

“That makes sense. My calming spot was the Cave of Awakening surrounded by imagery of Quetzalcoatl. I see that place every time I meditate.” Teo agrees with Amane’s idea.

Kyra imagines herself being set free: using her own spiritual energy to launch her out of the forest, out of the Royal Family's grasp, and out of her father’s reach. Her green energy flared up around her before settling down, as the vines on her arms grew closer to her shoulders.

“Amazing, truly, amazing.” Monk Chand states as he watches three of them gain growing control over their powers.

Toshiro was growing frustrated, trying to figure out why he wasn’t getting it while they were. His pride was hurt as he was struggling with this ability. While they may not be able to use it to the extent Amane does, this path was a welcome addition to their training...if only Toshiro could grasp it.

Kitanni was covered in sweat as her hands were glowing, but the rest of her body wasn’t. She wasn’t sure why she wasn’t able to move past this point, unless it just meant her aura was in her hands. She was a destined healer so maybe it focused her powers there. “I think we should ask Amane for help, Toshi.” Kitanni stated.

“I can do it without help.” Toshiro argued. “You can ask though.”

“Fine, I will for us both.” Kitanni replied. “Amane, can you help us?”

“Sure. What do you need?” Amane asks.

“What do you think my spot would be?” She said as she confused herself.

“I'll be honest with you Kitanni. I don't know much about your history.” He paused and took a breath. “But your happy place is right next to you. Wherever he is, you’re happy to be with him. Focus on your feelings for Toshiro.”

Kitanni blushed deeply, realizing he was right about what he said. Her safe place was and had always been, Toshiro. No matter where she was, when she saw him, she wanted to be with him. She had hidden a deep crush on him from a young age, and was happy with whatever time they shared. He was the light inside her. The light of her life. As she focused on that feeling, her bright rose gold aura formed from her hands and across her body, as her hair bounced like Kyra’s was doing. A blinding aura fit for a healer.

“Yes!” Kitanni shouted. “I did it. Look Toshi, I did it!” She said excitedly.

“That's a great thing, Kit!” Toshiro shouted as he was happy for her, but frustrated for himself.

“Master Chand.” Amane states.

“Yes?” He replies.

“Can I borrow Toshiro for a moment? I think he needs a brief moment one on one.” Amane explains.

“That’s fine.” Monk Chand agreed with him and clapped. “Come now, Teo, Kyra, and Kitanni. Let’s go inside for this great, hot drink made of chocolate.”

“Thank you Master Chand.” Amane replies. “Oh wait. Do you have wooden weapons?”

“On the side over there in the chest.” Monk Chand adds.

“Thank you.” Amane breaks his stance to bow to him.

“Good luck.” Kitanni says as she walks by Amane. “We’ll take the clothes inside.”

“Thanks to both of those.” Amane states.

“Enjoy your training one on one.” Kyra adds as she goes inside.

“Need help?” Teo asks.

“No this needs to be private, but I appreciate the concern.” Amane replies.

“See you in a bit.” Teo says, going inside behind Kyra.

Amane walks over to the chest and sees the stack of wooden swords as well as some other weapons. He pulls two out and tosses one to Toshiro who catches it in his left hand, but is still highly confused. They both wait until Kitanni goes in with their clothing; all except for Amane’s armor, which was too heavy for her to lift due to it needing spiritual power. They watched her go inside and shut the door behind them.

“Okay, what’s the issue?” Amane asks bluntly.

“What do you mean?” Toshiro says questioningly.

“You have a block on your energy. Between your pride, ego, and frustration for not getting it. Where is your happy place?” Amane asks, trying to pry the information from him.

“You’re one to talk about ego over there demonstrating.” Toshiro stated as he was trying to make a case.

“I was asked to. I didn’t want to seem like I was showing off. Do you want me to show off?” Amane asks without hesitation.

“Go ahead and show off. Let’s see what the great Amane can do.” Toshiro says sarcastically and rudely.

“If that’s what you want.” He grasps the wooden sword in his hand and hands it to Toshiro. “Hold that.”

Toshiro took the wooden sword from him. “I’m waiting.”

Amane takes a deep breath and steps further away from Toshiro about to where he was originally when demonstrating. He puts his palms together, and focuses his energy. His aura of silver and green flares up overhead, swirling around his body, crafting an orb of rotating power around him that flared aura off the top as it spun. The force of the aura created wind that was pushing Toshiro back, making him brace himself so he didn’t move. The energy kept him clear of the rain. Amane’s fire blazed over it, and his darkness swirled around the bottom as black particles. A small pressure forced down upon Toshiro and the nearest people. Amane opened his eyes and they were in constant flux of changing colors: between gray, red, black and red, rose gold, white, and icy blue. His energies mixed around until he separated his hands. Exhaling Amane’s aura disappeared entirely. Several beads of sweat ran down his face as he raised his hand.

Toshiro was taken back by all that he saw...he had several colors of energy flowing within him, and yet Toshiro couldn’t get his own just to show up. Sweat poured down his face, even in the rain. He was shocked at the amount of power Amane wasn’t using and how outclassed he was in comparison, at the current time. He needed to get stronger, and he needed to set aside his pride. He tossed the wooden sword back to Amane who caught it in his hand as he was waiting for it.

“Are you ready to listen?” Amane asks.

“Yeah.” Toshiro said humbly as he had been knocked down a few pegs. He needed to lose his arrogance to progress his skills, and he was seeing it first hand now. If Amane wanted to be serious...he wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Question Spar.” Amane states.

“Alright.” Toshiro agrees, holding the wooden sword in his hands.

“I won’t go as easy as last time. I need information.” Amane adds.

“Come at me, Amane.” Toshiro counters.

Amane grips his wooden sword in his hands and holds it in front of him. Toshiro matched his stance and watched. Amane struck downward as Toshiro blocked. He came left and Toshiro blocked. He nodded as he swung again from the right and as he swung the wooden blade disappeared from view. Toshiro put his sword in front of him trying to protect himself. Amane went at the side still just on the left, as he scored a hit. “What’s your happiest moment in recent times?” Amane asks.

Toshiro paused, thinking about it for a moment. “I’m not sure. I guess when Kitanni came over to check on me.”

“That seems inaccurate based on your response.” Amane states.

They retake their stance and Toshiro starts up the attack. He swings his sword from left to right aiming for fake decapitation. Amane ducks the attack, and stabs with his blade scoring another hit on Toshiro.

“Again. When were you most happy?” Amane asks the same question in a different phrasing.

He replies reluctantly,“The waterfall at the camp during the war.” Toshiro sighs and looks to the side.

“So your happiest time was spending time training together after our powers awakened.” Amane shook his head. “Why are you trying so hard to forget?”

“One question at a time.” Toshiro states coldly.

“Of course.” Amane replies then takes his stance again, as Toshiro tries to get a cheap shot. Amane blocks the attack and knocks the wooden sword from his hand then taps on his chest.“Same question.” He states.

“If I forget, I won’t have to be hurt anymore from how things turned out!” Toshiro shouts at him. “This entire situation has been terrible on me. My father is dead because I was training to stop you. I was broken when we saw all those guys around you dead and how you were acting. How am I supposed to feel about the past, damn it?! How am I supposed to feel about my best friend killing people when it looks like you just murdered them?” Toshiro replies loudly with his voice cracking as he talks.

“You make the best of the situation. Those times in our past, when we were together, don’t have to be tainted. They’re in the past, and we can’t change them. You can reminisce about them whenever you want, like I do. Your happy place is fighting and training with me. While you may hate it right now, if you get over that block, you will grow stronger.” Amane states, avoiding the rest because there was nothing else he could say about it; he had said enough over the time since it happened. “Focus stance.” Amane commanded.

Toshiro placed his palms together with his mind more open than before. “What now?”

“Think about those memories. Think about us fighting back to back like your drawing. Focus on us being here, together, even in this situation.” Amane explains.

Toshiro took the stance more seriously now as he remembered the training in the waterfall: when they were both meditating. The cave training, when Amane was showing him what he had learned from his own father. The drawing of them together, fighting back to back. As he thought about it all, his aura began showing up. It was an icy blue, creating a clear coat that looked like frost around him.

“Perfect.” Amane states as he nods his head. “You got it! Now, remember that. Move forward, Toshiro, not back. “

Toshiro holds the stance, as his mind still rotates through older memories. He was wondering where they went from here? The secret was out now: Toshiro still cared about his old friend, Amane. He just needed to be sure of everything. He needed closure. Snow and ice begin forming around him as he focuses, and then finally releases it. “I need time to think about what just happened, Amane, but I thank you for your help.” Toshiro states as he bows to him.

“You’re welcome. Take all the time you need.” Amane replies.

Toshiro walks over and picks up his sword off the ground, then tosses it to Amane, who catches it in his right hand. Toshiro slinks inside with his mind racing as he puts the wooden swords back in the chest, after using a cloth inside it to dry them off. He had made a big discovery about himself, and was trying to come to grips with it. He cared a lot about what happened with Amane.

Amane sat down outside, leaning against the statue pond, further back. He felt the rain flowing down his body and was content about what happened. This felt like a real step in the direction of getting Toshiro to come to terms with things one way or another. He didn’t care how Toshiro felt about him, but he needed to choose how he generally felt about what happened. They could work on whatever it was another time. For now, Amane was happy in knowing that he had broken through Toshiro’s pride somewhat, to help him rebuild.

Inside, with his head hanging low, Toshiro's mind raced with what he and Amane discussed. The moments they were discussing, he didn’t want to talk about. He hoped that pushing them back would make him forget, so he could focus on being angry. Anger and disgust fueled what he believed to be power and justice. Was this why he was so easily upset by Amane’s joking words lately? His sense of pride in himself kept him honor bound to seeing this through to the end, no matter the outcome. He wanted to see those memories inside Amane’s mind.

Kitanni saw him coming and rushed over to him with a cup of hot chocolate. “I brought you a cup.” She says, pushing it towards him.

He grips the cup in his hand and stares into it. “Thanks..I need a little time alone. Excuse me please.” Toshiro asks meekly and quietly before he walks off to a secluded corner, and sits on a cushion.

Amane walked in after that as Kitanni was standing there. He had his armor on again and looked to Kitanni, as she stood there staring at Toshiro, who was seemingly sulking in the corner. He turned his head to see what she was looking at and nodded his head. “Just give him a bit.”

“What did you say to him to make him look so saddened?” Kitanni asked.

“You might have to ask him that, it was a little personal for him, but he might open up to you about it.” Amane continued to explain,”I told him not to let his happiest memories be tainted by one action. We can recall memories when we need them, but we can’t change them, so they won’t ever be tainted.”

“His happiest moment was you both together, wasn’t it?” Kitanni asked, now somewhat saddened herself.

Amane placed his hands behind his head, and started walking towards the rest of the group before responding to her: ”You should ask him that, but know he loves you, Kitanni.”

“Thank you, Amane.” Kitanni said somberly. “Not just for your words but for breaking his pride wall.”

“He’ll always be my best friend, and I’ll always be here for him whether he wants it or not.” Amane walks off fully and sits down beside the pot on the fire and warms up a bit; Kyra hands him a cup of hot chocolate.

While Amane, Kyra, and Teo drank their warm and delicious hot chocolate, Kitanni had positioned herself next to Toshiro even though he wasn’t talking. Her only thought was to stay beside him, so he knew that she was there for him. It didn’t matter to her that he was quiet; she was just lending moral support by being there.

Toshiro’s mind kept playing back memories he had tried to block out since that fateful day. The emotions, the memories, the happiness that he felt, just spending time with his friend: His closest friend... His best friend. Toshiro's memories he had with Amane were all happy, and one bad one. The truth needed to be found out, and they were working on uncovering it; just that it might take a while. He had to be patient, and after Amane’s conversation with him outside: patience wasn’t something he could keep a hold on.

He had set his cup down before him and put his hand on his face as he tried to come to terms with everything to a degree. The memories were of the past, and Amane was right: they couldn't be tainted or changed, because they had already happened. He looked over towards Kitanni and saw her sitting there as quiet as possible while drinking her hot chocolate.

With a soft smile on his face, he looked over at her,”I appreciate that you sat right there next to me. I apologize if I ever came off badly, and made you feel as if you weren’t wanted around.” The arrogance he had was slowly starting to unravel, but even he knew it would take time.

“While I appreciate your sentiment, you’ve never done that to me.” Kitanni explains. “You’ve been a little cold but I’ve never felt like you didn’t want me here with you.”

“Honestly, I just want you to be safe. When we first met up with them...I was sure Kyra was going to hurt one of us.” Toshiro cupped her hands as she cupped her drink. “I really didn’t like that happening..and if Amane wouldn’t have been calm from start to finish I think things could have ended up worse.”

“Toshiro, you may not like it, but if I’m coming with you, I’m going to be in danger whether it was from Amane, or something else in this huge goal they’re all a part of. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, so you might as well move on because I’ll be right beside you.” Kitanni replied with a smile. “I’m coming with you.” She paused. “Are you okay?”

“Physically, I am. Mentally and emotionally? I am not.” Toshiro sighs deeply and drops his head down.

“Look at me.” Kitanni says after she sets her cup down. She places her hands on his face and lifts him up. “I'm here for you; you just have to talk to me.”

He looks up at her, with his face slightly paler than before as he struggles to speak at first, and finally lets it out. “I took a big shot at my pride and mental state outside, which hit my emotional state hard.” He swallows hard and shakes a bit, as he speaks. “I have to come to terms with the fact that my emotional spot with all my joyous memories...are with him. That he goes easy on me ...for good reason.”

“Good reason?” Kitanni asks him, questioning his words. She looks around in confusion, then looks over at Amane who is watching her and encouraging her to keep asking and talking. She smiles at him and shakes her head. “What happened?”

Toshiro took a breath before speaking again, ”I accused him of showing off when he was demonstrating and he asked me if I wanted to see him show off...which now I’m learning was a mistake. You, Teo, Kyra, and myself all had a simple aura of energy around us…Amane has several forms going into his and it's like a ball of flame. There’s pressure and force that can push people back. I could barely stay on my feet.” He gulped once more. “I don’t think that was everything either. He could have beaten me at any moment with ease, but he’s holding back on me.”

“We felt that pressure in here.” Kitanni replies. “Monk Chand knew exactly who it was and wasn’t surprised. It doesn’t matter how strong he is compared to any of us. We’re all on the same side; he’s with us. Not even just that: he’s helping us get better.” She goes on to explain to Toshiro. “He has a wealth of knowledge that we can ask about whenever. I’ve told you before: the only person he wants to win over is you. You mean a lot to him, even after everything ...because he cares about you a lot. He cares about all of us ...a lot.”

“I’m seeing that now, but I still need to see everything. I can’t just let it go; he didn’t even ask me to. All he did was help, and it seems like this vendetta doesn’t bother him.” Toshiro added.

“It doesn’t.” Kitanni replied bluntly, then continued on, ”If it did, I’d probably be out here alone.”

“You’re right, because he wouldn’t have had to hold back if he didn’t care.” Toshiro replied.

The rest of the group was somewhat watching them but were more involved with drinking their hot chocolate, except for Amane: who was only holding his to his face as a camouflage, and was entirely watching them. Kyra and Teo looked back and forth, but weren’t really worried about all that much. None of them needed to know what was being said, but Amane had a feeling he knew anyway, considering what they just went through outside. Kitanni was a way for Toshiro to express his emotions to someone, just as Kyra was becoming Amane’s.

Kyra leans over to Amane and whispers to him,”What do you think they’re talking about?” She was actively trying not to hear them talking during a private moment.

“They’re talking about me.” Amane replied, with his cup still up to his face.

“Little conceited there aren’t we?” Teo interjects.

“Only a little. I’m basing it on what happened outside, and Kitanni stopping me on the way in.” Amane explains.

“What happened?” Kyra asks.

“Not my place to say, milady.” Amane replies a little sarcastically. “You’d have to ask, Toshiro. It was personal for him.”

“He probably won’t tell us.” Kyra adds.

“You’d be right.” Teo replies. “Let’s just get some more hot chocolate.” Teo scoops some up in the ladle, and pours it into their cups.

“Thanks.” Amane says with a joyous tone.

“I appreciate it, thank you.” Kyra adds.

Following the training, and the hot chocolate session Kitanni and Toshiro rejoined the rest of the group and just piled in beside them. They were still here because they didn’t know if they needed to be here for anything else, as Monk Chand had disappeared after the training. They just sat back, drinking hot chocolate and talking about their journey so far.

As they were finishing their third cup of hot chocolate, Monk Chand had finally returned. He returned with a few fish in his hands that were wrapped up and barely alive. He set them down on the table.

“Now we’re going to learn some healing, through light abilities.” Monk Chand announced. Amane looks around confused and puts his hand up as if he was in school. Monk Chand looks over at him and laughs. “Yes, Amane?” He asks.

“Are we learning to heal the fish?” Amane questions him. He knew it sounded stupid, but he had to ask. Just couldn’t stop himself from doing it.

Monk Chand shook his head and looked at him like what he said was stupid entirely. “No. Why would anyone do that?”

“Good question.” Amane retorts. “You just came in with fish and said we’re learning healing ...so it's a valid question.”

Monk Chand laughs and shakes his head. “I can see the confusion, but no; we’re not healing the fish. I need to prepare the fish for our dinner.”

“Wow.” Toshiro says from behind Amane.

“Shut up.” Amane replies sarcastically.

“Heal the fish.” Toshiro continues on. “Why not just flash fry it instead Amane?”

“Give me a minute, I might and I’ll fry you with it too.” Amane laughs.

“I prefer my fish cooked properly and not burnt.” He replies.

“I prefer mine not frozen.” Amane adds.

“That’s enough, guys.” Monk Chand interrupts their silly and fake argument. “Who wants to take a beating for an educational cause?”

“Do we get to hit back?” Amane retorts.

“No, not this time. I need someone who can handle hits of spirit energy, and not be easily hurt.” Monk Chand explains.

Everyone in the group looks at Amane. Amane drops his head and puts his hand up. “Guess I’m the unlucky winner. Your choice as well it seems, Monk Chand.”

“You’re the ideal candidate.” The monk laughs as he walks over to the sparring area. “Join me?”

Amane sighs and walks over to the area. “Armor on or off?”

“Off. It’ll be easier to damage you that way.” The monk explains.

Amane takes his armor back off and is standing there shirtless again except for his unitard under it. “Guess my actual power is stripping. I’m moving to Baishun Toshi.” Amane laughs to himself.

“What is Baishun Toshi?” Kyra asks Toshiro.

Toshiro sighs deeply hearing the question that he knew was coming. “Amane basically said he’s moving to Prostitute City ...because he keeps stripping.”

“Oh.” Kyra says quietly, then gets slightly angry and yells,”YOU’RE NOT MOVING THERE!” She screams at him, flustered and embarrassed just to hear it.

Kitanni knew what it was as well, but she was just staying quiet. Teo didn’t care at all, and was laughing at Amane even considering something like that being a possibility. Kyra stood in front of them with her arms crossed, scowling.

“It was a joke.” Amane explains. “No seriousness at all, just a joke.”

As Amane is standing there, talking to them about his joke, Monk Chand takes the initiative to quickly hit Amane with a burst of energy from his palms at close range. The best way for him to cause enough damage was to catch Amane off guard when his focused defenses are completely down, but he knows that Amane can take it. The shape of Monk Chand’s hand can be seen against his skin, as it begins bruising almost immediately from the energy. Amane’s body suddenly juts back a couple of steps from the force he was hit with.

“Little warning next time.” Amane states.

“If you would have been aware, it would have been harder to cause damage. Surprisingly enough ...that did less than I expected.” He replies with a slight confusion.

“That’d be the armor and exercise.” Amane explains to him. “I stay in top shape because of what’s going on. Harder to penetrate the skin if it’s stronger, and the muscle is built up. I also happen to have a higher level of control over my own energy.” He puts his arms out so he’s in a T-pose and takes a deep breath. “One more time.”

Monk Chand readies himself and swiftly pushes his palm against Amane’s chest in the same spot with another burst of energy coming from it. This time, it was enough to cause more damage as small amounts of blood flowed from his wound. “That’s better for practice.”

Amane grasped at his chest for a moment after the hit, as he finally felt the sting of it against his body; since it wasn’t the worst wound he had ever gotten, it still didn’t phase him that much. “Now that one stung.” He wiped the blood off with his hand and smeared it across his chest.

“How’d you do that?” Monk Chand asked.

“I pulled back my energy from that specific spot. This is for educational purposes, I’ll be fine.” Amane explains.

“Interesting, you definitely have control.” Monk Chand responds with intrigue. “Anyway, who wants to be the first to try healing?”

Toshiro lightly nudges Kyra forward as a volunteer and smirks to himself. “What was that for?!” She says surprised, directed at Toshiro as she turns around.

“Kyra, alright. Step on up.” Monk Chand looks to Amane,”Lie down please.”

“Of course.” Amane lies down on the floor on his side with his right leg fully stretched out and his left bent up at the knees with the foot flat against his right knee. He places his left hand on his hips and the other propping up his head. “How’s this?” He raises his right eyebrow and smirks at Kyra, ”Come on over.” He winks at her.

Kyra turns back the other way and is surprised at how Amane is laying on the floor and blushes deeply, as she makes her way over. She continued shuffling her feet, slowly approaching Amane; her face beet red with blush, and her eyes low. Her emotions and embarrassment were finally getting the best of her.

“Amane lay flat.” Monk Chand commands.

“Fine.” Amane replies fake pouting about it before laying down all the way on his back.

“What now?” Kyra asks.

“Sit beside him on this side where I placed the wound.” Monk Chand explains to her. “From there put your hands over the wound.”

Kyra sits down beside him and places her hands on his chest then immediately pulls back, as her face continues getting hotter. She places her hands back where they need to be: right above the wound; her hands quivering while she hovers over him.

“Last time we were like this, you were in the sand and I was on top.” Amane says with a straight face, trying not to laugh as he watches her.

“Shut up, I’m trying to concentrate.” Kyra replies.

“Concentrate on what? He hasn’t said anything yet.” Amane retorts with a smile on his face.

Monk Chand laughs at their playfulness with one another, as he stands behind Kyra. “Focus your spirit and imagine you’re closing the wound.”

“Do you trust me?” Kyra asks hesitantly.

“With my life.” Amane replies with a serious expression.

Kyra smiles down at him, as she watches his wound closely. She recalls her focus method and begins channeling her energy into her hands; she imagines the energy is closing his wound within her mind. Her hands begin to glow a pale green as she focuses. The wound slowly closes up partially, but not entirely. Her face is covered in sweat as she exhales deeply after focusing; she had been holding her breath.

“Good thing it's not fatal.” Amane jokes. “It was a good attempt though and I’m proud of your effort, Kyra.”

“Thanks but at this moment I’m not good at this at all.” She inhales and exhales again. “I think I know who might be though.”

“Kitanni.” Amane and Kyra said together.

“Yeah. We might as well skip everyone else and let them learn from her along the way.” Kyra states while nodding her head.

“I agree.” Amane snickers for a moment before speaking. “If you keep sending just the women over here, I might need to work in Baishun Toshi.”

“If you do that, I will drag you out myself.” Kyra says blushing as she slaps him in the chest where his wound is.

“Owww.” Amane shouts out.

“Really, that hurt?” Kyra replies sarcastically.

“No. I just wanted to mess with you more.” He lightheartedly jokes with her.

“Shut up.” Kyra says smiling as she steps on him but doesn’t put her body weight down as she walks over him.

“This will not be the last time I’m beneath you.” Amane says, as he continues trying to hold his laughing back.

Kyra ignores Amane as she walks back to the others, with her face completely red. “Kitanni, you’re up. We decided that between us all you’re the one most suited for this. The rest of us can learn along the way.” Kyra explains to her.

“Um..Oh...wait..what?” Kitanni replies confused about what’s going on. “We’re not all doing this now?” She asks in a confused manner.

“No, we decided that you should learn as you seem most suited to this role. You are the healer and the antidote maker, based upon what happened with the poison.” Kyra explains to her.

Amane interrupts from the floor with a chuckle as he speaks, ”I’m bleeding over here!”

“Shut up!” Kyra yells out again. “I've been saying that to him the whole time.” She says with a smile, but he can’t see it since she’s turned away from him.

“I’ll give it my best shot.” Kitanni replies.

“Good luck.” Toshiro adds.

“Thank you.” Kitanni replies as she begins walking over there towards Amane.

“Can she do it?” Teo asks.

“I believe she can.” Toshiro states.

“So do I.” Kyra replies.

Kitanni makes her way over to Amane, and sits down beside him where Kyra was. “Nice to see you haven’t bled out yet. Think we might be out of luck if that was the case.”

“I’m not dead yet.” Amane says with a laugh. “Kyra did step on me though.”

“Did you deserve it?” Kitanni replies.

“Probably.” Amane responds.

Kitanni laughs as she places her hands over his wound. “I think you liked being stepped on.”

“I won’t argue that when it comes to her.” Amane says with a smirk on his face. His true emotions about Kyra being shown so openly surprised Kitanni.

“I won’t tell her you said that.” Kitanni replied. “Now in her words: shut up.” She smiles at him as she begins focusing her energy into her hands.

Amane stays quiet, while she focuses as he just thinks about Kyra and their almost kiss at Wayfarer’s Oasis. He couldn’t believe how close they were to that; how close they had become in general. His mind raced about her but he didn’t know if it was okay to even try with the mission he was on. He places his hands behind his head.

Kitanni kept focusing on her energy and remembered the words Amane told her outside: Her energy was properly brought out from her feelings for Toshiro. Love was her power source. As she focused her feelings, her hands began glowing in a rose gold color. She continues pushing forward, as the energy flows from her hands into his wound. The small partially closed wound was now fully closed, and the bruise had even disappeared. Her sweat dripped down onto Amane from her bangs.

Unknown to them, Amane's body was healing with the energy as well as mixing it into his powers. A unique skill that he didn’t even know he had; it could eventually be used to push everyone further along. His spirit energy is now restored with an increase of light energy.

“Good work, Kitanni.” Amane says with a smile. “Hold your head up high.” Kitanni fell forward onto his chest, feeling drained and exhausted from doing that. She wasn’t used to using her abilities like that and it was showing. Amane sat up and lifted her up as he did so. “Kitanni, are you okay?”

“Nice catch.” She says with a weak smile. ”Just tired. I’ve never used my power like that before. How can you not be drained after everything you do?”

Toshiro rushed over with the rest of the group and stood above them. “Is she alright?”

“Yeah she’s just drained, like you were when you put my armor on.” Amane replies to him. “I have practice, to answer your question, Kitanni. The same thing happened to me, when I first started wearing the armor. It requires peak energy to move. I exhausted myself after taking a couple steps and fell over. My father laughed at me.”

“Fujimoto was a mess.” Toshiro replied. “I can’t imagine training under him.”

“I can’t imagine training under the ever strict Toshin.” Amane retorts.

Kitanni leans up, pushing herself against Amane’s arm for balance. “I'm fine, just need to rest.”

“Glad to hear it.” Toshiro replies to her before responding to Amane, ”Point taken. Why didn’t you teach me spirit control back then?”

“You weren’t ready.” Amane says calmly. “I wasn’t either..”

“Where you’re at now, in your skills, how were you not ready Amane?” Teo finally joined the conversation.

Amane stands up and grips Kitanni; as he does so, she stands up and gains balance with him. He puts her arm around his neck and his arm around her body as he begins to walk them to the statue. The area was raised for them to sit down. Toshiro is visibly concerned and worried but lets Amane move her, because he already had her. Amane begins to explain, “I couldn’t teach it, because I didn’t know how it worked. I tried to figure it out, but I just couldn’t at that time. It didn’t make sense to me.”

Kyra raises her eyebrow, ”Can you explain it now?”

“Honestly? Probably not. My explanation would be that it's the act of drawing out your inner strength, but you have to find what's connected to it in order to use it effectively.” Amane replies before setting Kitanni down. “You did good. You’ve earned a break.”

Monk Chand had disappeared again after Kyra traded places with Kitanni. He had taken the fish to the back room and was preparing them. He knew that this was going to tire them all out, so he wanted to give them a nutrient based dinner before they left. He finally returned after cleaning and gutting the fish. “Everyone okay here?” He asks.

“Yeah, she’s just exhausted.” Kyra explains to Monk Chand.

“Let’s get her some food for replenishing her energy, since I’m assuming you need to go soon.” Monk Chand adds.

“You’re not wrong about that.” Teo replies. “We do need to get going if we’re going to make it to Areno by morning.”

“Stay for dinner after your hard work.” Monk Chand insists.

“She can’t travel just yet.” Amane states. “She needs to rest a bit more. Let’s eat here, and set out when she's feeling better.”

“Don’t stop on my account, I can keep going.” She replies trying to get up.

“Stop being stubborn.” Amane adds. “Never thought I’d say that.”

“That was definitely out of character for you.” Toshiro agrees.

“Happens occasionally.” Amane continues after speaking, ”You need rest. End of story.”

“Just deal with it.” Toshiro retorts. “This is our training coming out. Train. Rest. Eat. Train more.”

“I agree with Amane: We’ll wait until you're feeling more energized.” Teo added.

“Then it’s settled. Let’s eat!” Kyra replies randomly. “That’s out of character for me too.” Her stomach growls.

“Now, you’re me.” Amane laughs at their current similarities.

“Come and enjoy a freshly cooked dinner, my friends.” Monk Chand insists “I hope you'll enjoy this meal.”

The group consisting of Amane, Kyra, Teo, Toshiro, and Kitanni, along with Monk Chand and the rest of the monks sat down to eat together. It was a big party sitting at a huge table. They all got to enjoy their evening in a less formal way than originally expected.

Monk Chand was at the head of the table, on the left side. The back row was Amane, Kyra, Kitanni, and Toshiro. Teo was opposite Monk Chand across the table. Following the front were the four monks of the temple. Their meal consisted of several steaming fish from the rivers that passed by and the oasis; rice cooked in cactus juice, salt, and pepper with some bread and vegetable broth. Monk Chand had even got the deserts Amane was smelling before they went into the temple.

Amane quickly lit their table candles, using his pyromancy and almost accidentally set Toshiro’s right sleeve on fire, while he was chilling the drinks. Toshiro responded by throwing a chunk of ice at him that was heated into water. They were messing around like they were kids, and reliving their old feelings towards each other with smiles...at least at that moment.

The melted water flew past Amane and landed on Monk Chand, splashing his face quieting the laughter of the room with a tension that he was going to be angry. He picks up his napkin and dries his face off and his neck. He sets the napkin down and looks at them both. “Now you’re going to get it!”

Amane hops over the table bouncing off the back wall quickly as Toshiro escapes behind Teo, and they start running with smiles on their faces. Monk Chand begins chasing them as they start laughing together. Amane jumps on the raised platform, and boosts Toshiro up using his hands and sends him up high enough to grab the wood in the rafters. As Monk Chand goes to grab Amane, Toshiro reaches down and Amane quickly grabs his hand and is pulled up.

“These boys are going to save the world…” Kyra states.

Kitanni whispers to Kyra,”At least they're working together.”

Kyra giggles and snorts accidentally while drinking. She didn’t know why she found it so funny, maybe it was because it was true. As she does, Amane looks over at her with a smirk. “Shut it.” She says with a smile.

“Did you just snort?” Amane says, still smirking. “That’s not proper etiquette.”

Kyra playfully sticks her tongue out at him,”Too bad for etiquette. What are you, my Dad?” She says jokingly.

“Be awkward if I was.” Amane shudders.

Kyra looks at him and rolls her eyes with a smile,”Shut up and get down here.”

“I can’t, Monk Chand is after me.” Amane retorts.

Kyra and Kitanni were entirely embarrassed just being around them at that time. It was like they were dealing with children again, and while Kyra wouldn’t admit it, both her and Kitanni couldn’t believe they had fallen for these two goofballs. This was their new family and they were appreciative to be accepted into it.

Teo, along with the other monks, were trying to calm everyone down. The whole lot of them were the big brother types. They had to prevent the younger siblings from acting out and messing things up.

Monk Chand climbed his way up to the rafters, and as he did, Toshiro and Amane climbed back down. Sighing, he jumped back down beside them and put them both in headlocks. “Let’s go back to the table.” He walked them back to the table. “Let’s eat before you go.”

“Yes sir.” Amane replies as he sits back down next to Kyra.

Kyra steps on his foot, ”Apologize for the water.”

Amane stands back up and bows to Monk Chand, ”I apologize for you getting you all wet.”

Kitanni looks to Toshiro,"You too.”

“I apologize as well for getting you soaked with water. My apologies.” Toshiro adds while bowing as well.

“Apology accepted, but unneeded.” He bows in response to their apology. “It’s been a good while since laughter filled this room. I will miss you all after these last few hours. Please visit again when you’re able.”

“Of course we will. Your hospitality has been greatly appreciated.” Teo replies.

With the fun only over long enough to eat; everyone sat down together and enjoyed their dinner. They were all family now and a part of a bigger family that they were creating while traveling. They had met many people along the way. Vic in Riverpass with some other bar patrons; Tani and Naraj in Wayfarer’s Oasis, and now the Illumination Sect in Journeyer’s Junction. Everyone was all smiles and laughter being brought together for a lesson in life:

Your family isn’t always the one you’re born into but the people you accept as your family.

After Kitanni had regained her strength; Amane, Toshiro, along with the monks cleaned up the temple. The group left their new friends and headed back to their dune lizards. They were seen off by the monks as they left the temple.

They had finally returned to their quest, after a side lesson that was beneficial to all of them on some level. For Amane, it was helping his best friend and all his friends in some way. Toshiro got to tear out a few bricks from his wall of pride he built over the years. Kyra was finally feeling accepted into a family for who she was, and not what her title was. Kitanni got to learn some healing skills, and put them to use as well as her power being tied to love. Teo got to be a part of something bigger that was more similar to his upbringing, with the large party for meals as well as some refreshment training.

The group set off on the Dune Lizards, who were still running crazy fast in the rain as it hadn’t let up yet. The waters were darkening the sand dunes as they soaked them, making more mush than grain. The lizards weren’t having any problems with the terrain though, and were still making great time.

Amane had wrapped his larger elven cloak around Kyra to keep her dry and warm. He was going to be up for a while anyway. Toshiro had given Kitanni his jacket for the same reason. Both of them were fine with the weather, they were used to the rain, and the colder temperature.

“Does this weather remind you of anything, Amane?” Toshiro shouts out to him.

Amane nods his head,”Yeah, feels like home.” He says somberly.

“If your memories are accurate, I’ll do what I can to lift your exile.” Toshiro states.

“Appreciated.” Amane replies. “Honestly, even if you got rid of my exile, I still don’t think I’d return for a while. I kind of want to be forgotten.”

Toshiro looks at him confused with his right eyebrow arched, ”Any particular reason?”

Amane chuckles to himself, ”I’m looked at as a murderer, a killer of civilians. People won’t get over that easily. The sooner Amane Fuseishutsu doesn’t exist, the better for us all. This is my exile, my atonement, and my destiny.”

Toshiro sighs to himself, ”I understand.”

The ride goes quiet after their serious talk. Kyra is asleep in front of Amane leaning her back against his chest. His heart beats faster as he looks down at her soft face and how peaceful she looked as she slept. He shook his head and returned to steering his lizard. Kitanni had been passed out since they left the temple, with her energy drained.

Meanwhile Teo was leading them towards Areno as the little Axolotl revealed himself to Teo again with a squeak, as he sat in front of him. Teo looks down and smiles at it. “Did you want to enjoy the rain my little friend?” Teo asks. The axolotl squeaks in response as his red feather gills shine as if they were approaching something and getting closer. “We must be making our way towards something you’re sensing. We’ll find it ...whatever it may be.” Teo rubs its little head with his index finger.

The axolotl squeaks again and disappears into Teo’s right hand while his markings glow under his clothes upon entry. The axolotl leaves a mark upon his skin that looks like its feather gills. Teo looks at it, and sees one is pointing north, in the direction they’re going. He turns his hand and the shine moves to another spot, then back again to north when he returns to his previous position. He had a tracker for what the axolotl was looking for built into his hand.