Tama - 5 years ago

  I jumped over the first dagger and blocked the second one with my own. Just as I landed, I ducked just as Sensei’s stick swung. I was too slow and I got hit in the head. I felt a sharp pain and another as I hit a nearby tree, feeling my bones break.

  I fell to the ground coughing up blood. I slowly rose to my feet, my legs about to give out. But Sensei wasn’t looking at me. He had looked over towards our home. He was frowning and looked upset. He turned to me and said “Heal yourself and meet me in the house, training is canceled for the day.”

  I weakly bowed and more blood came up. I slowly willed water to trickle from me and gently heal my internal injuries. It all hurt so much, but it was necessary. Sensei said pain brought strength, but only if I learned from it.

  I felt as if my internal bleeding stopped and sighed. I didn’t heal the rest, It would stay and I would keep it as a lesson for today. If I tried to heal myself fully I knew I would be punished. But even if I wouldn’t be. I would never cheapen my Sensei’s training. I had to be strong enough to protect everyone.

  I limped towards the house, as I reached it. I saw a strange lady, she had pointy ears and wore green robes. I hated clothes, Sensei had let me train naked today, but it was only because it was my eighth giving and he was getting me a new gi.

  I walked up to them and the tall lady turned to look at me with green eyes. The moment I saw her eyes I did not like her. I didn’t know why, I could just feel like she was wrong.

  She smiled at me and I felt cold suddenly. “Is this your protege Reginald? Why is she naked? Ah, she is of the Beastkin race, a Nekojin. I assume it's of her own volition.”

  Sensei sighed before responding “Yes, she dislikes clothing and it's her twelfth giving. So I am giving her some slack.” His voice sounded tired and I looked up to him confused.

  “Now Reginald, You think you would have learned the first time around with how much you slacked off. Maybe if you had trained even a little bit more, you would not have lost so badly. Tulip is still there by the way, doing her duty. Unlike you.” Her voice was soft, almost playful. But her words angered me greatly.

  I swung my dagger at her, she didn’t dodge and my dagger bounced off of her smooth skin like I was hitting a rock! She laughed and leaned in. “Oh little one, you are very brave to fight me.

  But foolish and not needed. I am no threat, rather, I am here to help. Your Sensei is a failure. But you, you will not be.”

  I swung my dagger at her again, but Sensei caught my wrist. “Tama, go get cleaned up. Manna, please do not antagonize my student. Tama is training to protect people one day. She won’t be your chosen one.” He said with finality.

  I did as I was told and turned to walk away. “Say what you want Reginald, I can see what she is destined for. She will be my chosen, and you will not be around to stop me.” Her words caused me to pause and anger to fill me.

  My hand tightened around my dagger but Sensei’s response was calm. “Maybe one day, she might. We both know you could kill me if you tried Mantheria. But I also know doing so would break your pact. Just know that Tama is off limits. You cannot force her as per your own rules.”

  I turned to see the green lady frowning at Sensei. She pursed her lips after a moment and her smile returned. “Just remember, you won’t live forever. When she has no one, I will be there for her. And you? You will be a memory.”

  The Mantheria suddenly grew two really big green wings and flapped them. I was picked up off my feet and thrown into the cabin door.

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  It knocked the breath out of me and I hit the door so hard it fell off its hinges. By the time I got up, she was gone. But her words echoed in my mind. She had called Sensei a failure. My eyes narrowed and I promised one day, Manna would die.

  Tama

  I tried to grab Saki as I blinked away. But Manna blocked me! She was so fast I only knew it was her because it was the same blue see through wall thingy she always used.

  I considered staying, but I knew after years I could not beat Manna. Talia, maybe if I really tried. Manna was too strong right now. But Manna wanted me, maybe if I ran she would chase me down instead. I turned and blinked away.

  I made it almost to Groks camp when I saw it. My heart fluttered and I began using Blink rapidly as far and as fast as I could. I watched in horror as I barely missed Saki’s hand and her body went through the first hill.

  I managed to reach her, only to miss again thanks to the second hill. The third hill I managed to shield her with my own body just barely in time. I wrapped my arms around Saki and used water chains to forcefully pull us to the ground. Using myself as a shield from the ground.

  I didn’t feel a lot of pain, I was used to the pain from Sensei’s training. Even still, the speed we were going caused my favorite gi to be shredded in the landing. I had changed because Anna wanted to go with Usaki to get food.

  Now my gi is ruined. Another thing Manna would pay for one day. It was a gift given to me by Sensei. It was special and she would pay dearly. She almost killed my best friend, she ruined my Gi, and she had insulted my Sensei.

  Her death would be harsh. I was not one to agree with torture, but some deserved it I was beginning to learn.

  We hit the fourth hill, but I had slowed us enough to only leave a small crater in the side of it. Climbing from the crater, I saw as Manna landed, her large dragon wings folding and disappearing into her back.

  She stepped forward and I instantly drew Serenity. Manna paused, and crossed her arms. I ignored her and quickly began healing Saki as fast as I could. I saw as her eyes almost seemed to be going blank. Panicking, I pushed more water.

  I heard Manna take a step and I threw a water dagger at her. I knew it wouldn’t hurt her, but maybe it could slow.

  “Why save that thing Tama. She is just another hero. And one who fraternizes with the void. She deserves death.” Manna said, her voice calm.

  I blinked over and sliced at Manna with Serenity as hard as I could.

  She simply sidestepped my attack, and suddenly Serenity was in her sheathe and I was holding air.

  “Now Tama, there is no need to throw a fit. I didn’t kill her did I? You managed to save her. I could have easily obliterated her and you know it.” I grit my teeth and blinked over to Saki, drenching her in more healing water before standing and turning to Manna.

  I finally snapped at that. “DIDN’T KILL HER! LOOK AT HER MANNA. YOU ARE A MONSTER AND A DEMON. YOU ARE THE ONE WHO DESERVES DEATH. YOU HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT BOTHER ME MY ENTIRE LIFE. GO AWAY AND NEVER TALK TO ME AGAIN. I WILL NEVER BE YOUR CHOSEN, I WILL NEVER HELP YOU AND ONE DAY I WILL KILL YOU!”

  Manna paused at that and her smile faded, turning into a frown. She opened her mouth to speak but I didn’t want to hear it. “NO! GO AWAY! I NEVER WANT YOU NEAR ME OR MY FRIENDS EVER AGAIN!”

  Manna stared at me for a moment before sighing, shaking her head “It was an accident, your friend tried to erase me Tama, keep a closer eye on your pets. Hero or not, I will kill her if she tries that again.”

  A moment ago she was saying Saki deserved death, now she is saying I need to keep an eye on my pets?! What did Jiggle have to do with this? I opened my mouth to respond, but Manna turned and spread out her wings.

  I quickly pulled out Serenity and pushed her into the solid earth before holding onto Saki tightly. The blast of air was strong, but I managed to hold us still and prevent Saki from getting even more hurt. Saki looked at me blankly.

  I could see she was thinking but I didn’t know what, Saki was the smartest person ever. If anyone would know how to defeat Manna, it would be her right?

  Chapter 109: A Breakdown