The Soul Keeper

I flinched.

"No, I'm afraid that won't be possible at the time." I said with a cold voice. "I would love to accept that challenge in the future though." I bowed my head slightly. "If you'll excuse me," I turned my back and left with hasty steps.

"Kai?" Aoife called my name, but I ignored her.

I headed straight outside, to the trees surrounding the outer wall. A place to relax, a place to clear my mind. That was what I needed right now.

I walked among the trees as I forced myself to calm down. 

Emilia's words hurt more than I thought they would. Despite my failings and inadequacy, I had always prided myself on working as hard as I could and being the best version of myself. As much as I could, anyways. Sure, I was rarely successful, but I always tried my hardest. And if anything, I could accept any challenge thrown at me because I knew that it would help me grow as a person and as a martial artist.

But now, all of that had changed. My body was weakened to such a degree that I had to start from naught. My mind was so filled with chaotic memories that I had trouble knowing what was what from time to time. For the first time in my life, I was incapable of growing from the challenge put before me.

"What are you doing here?" Mother's voice sounded. 

Startled, I looked directly at her as she walked out of the bushes. "What are you doing here?" I asked. She was the last person I expected to see in these woods.

"Answering my question with another question is one thing, Kai." She said with a sigh. "But repeating the exact same sentence is a bit much, don't you think?"

"Uh," I mumbled. "I was just surprised to see you here." I couldn't help but smile for a moment. "I was just taking a walk." I added, noticing I still hadn't answered her question. "What about you?"

"I had some business to attend to." She spoke in a cold voice. I glanced around. "…In the woods?" I asked.

She glared at me. "Why aren't you at your sister's match?"

I rolled my eyes. "She already beat the girl. With ease." 

A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Good." She said as she turned towards the entrance. "Don't be late for dinner." She said before leaving.

I stayed behind as I pondered. What business could she have in the woods? She had never missed one of Aoife's matches before. With furrowed brows, I decided to look around the woods, though I knew she would probably not approve.

I headed towards the way she came from, looking at the ground, following what little tracks she left behind of the moist earth. A short while passed before I stepped out of the woods. 

"Ah," I mumbled to myself as the ocean stretched far to the horizon. I hesitantly stepped forward and lowered myself onto a large rock. I was on top of one of the higher cliffs of the island. This was one of Mother's favourite places – she loved watching the seemingly endless ocean from here.

I watched the waters below for a while as the wind tugged on my hair and clothes. I raised my hands a little, let the wind push me forward. 

A while later, as the sun began to set, I returned home. It was difficult to put into words, but looking down at the ocean and the rocks… It was a grounding experience. Despite everything I had been through in the recent past, right here and now, I was nothing but a normal person.

The skies were not mine anymore.

"So," Aoife said, putting her glass down. "What's troubling you?"

I glanced at her. "Nothing?" I mumbled. "What makes you think that?" 

Mother's cold voice quickly cut off Aoife who was about to speak. "Because its all over your face, Kai. You're a poor liar." 

I looked away. "Ah… It's nothing." I finally said as they continued to glare at me. "I haven't been sleeping well, so my mind is a mess. The… uh, game stuff doesn't help either."

Aoife's expression softened. "Kai…" She looked away.

"What game stuff?" Mother asked, continuing to glare. 

I sighed. "I already told you today, Mother." I rolled my eyes. "Too many memories, so things are getting jumbled up." I dismissively waved my hand. "I'll be fine, I just need a little time to process all of it." Or so I hoped, though I didn't really believe my own words either. 

Mother raised her chin as she spoke with a sharp voice. "What you need to do is pull yourself together. How long are you going to wail in your own misery before you touch a blade again?"

"Mother!" Aoife got up, hitting the table. "That's too far and you know it!" She shouted.

"Silence." Mother's voice startled me. I had never seen her speak to Aoife like this before. "Kai. Do you wish to prove the elders right?"

I flinched. 'Inadequate', huh? 

"Excuse me," I said as I pushed my chair back and got up. 

"Kai, wait!" Aoife motioned to follow me, but Mother's sharp voice stopped her.

"Leave him be, Aoife." She spoke. I shut the door behind me as I left, but even as I walked in the hall, I could hear Mother's words. "He is broken, let's see if he can fix himself."

I clenched my fists. That was not what I needed right now, Mother. I needed support and time. Not harsh words and… whatever this was.

I climbed up the stairs and shut the door of my room behind me with anger. The sound of the door closing echoed throughout the building as I stood there, not knowing what to do.

Straight across from me was a photo on the wall. Uncle Eion was showing me a branch of the burnt tree. 

"You can do anything, huh?" I mumbled as I glanced at my hands. Could these weak muscles really do anything?

My gaze turned on the sword, still on its wall rack. 

The only way to find out was trying, wasn't it?