“Look... I know you’re pleased to have someone to teach who is capable of actually learning something from you without killing over, but we’re going to have a problem if things continue like this.” 

“What do you mean? The girl loves to FIGHT so I TEACH HER HOW TO FIGHT!” 

“Yeah, she’s my daughter, there’s no doubt she will have an affinity for combat. It essentially runs in our family’s blood. However, the methods you’ve been using thus far have proven to make her too active at a young age. Her behavior has become too aggressive.” 

“Is that NOT the WAY A WARRIOR should be?” 

“She doesn’t even understand what she is yet! Proclaiming that she is a warrior is exactly the problem!” 

“I don’t understand. If she CHOOSES TO BE A WARRIOR, then that is EXACTLY WHAT SHE WILL BECOME regardless of your intervention!” 

“No, you clearly do not understand. My daughter isn’t some everyday claimant who can just go about freely doing as they desire with lack of consequence! I’ve barely had the time to spend with her myself, and yet every time I see her, she wants nothing more than to fight needlessly!” 

“That SOUNDS LIKE a good thing to ME!” 

“I don’t believe you properly get the weight of the words you’re letting out of your mouth! I desire to raise my daughter without a need for fighting!” 

“And if the NEED happens to arise? What would you do if she were not prepared?” 

“You should be more worried about what I’d do if she haphazardly rushes into some situation she has no business in and manages to get hurt! I do not plan on raising my daughter to be some war machine if I don’t have to, and the more you urge her in that direction the more I’m urged to act!” 

“Come now, boys. There’s no need for all the yelling,” Cyva spoke as she brushed Gabi’s wings. “You both have valid points, in certain regards. Arguing over who is right will get you nowhere, yes?” 

“It’s not about who’s right! It’s about him not raising my daughter in the manner he has been!” 

“Should I follow an example more akin to YOUR OWN? I’m sure I could be around FAR LESS THAN I ALREADY AM if that would please you.” 

“Excuse the fuck out of me?” 

“Language,” Cyva interrupted. 

“A little too late for that,” Mayray responded as she handed the girl a blunted knife. 

“Perhaps if most of you did more than indulge in your own desires that’d be a more suitable option for me, but as it stands the balance is constantly askew. When I stop doing my job then peace collapses entirely! Violent claimants run rampant and, based on what I’ve seen, no one else would care to treat it as their problem. It’s why I exist to begin with and why I was raised to be a warrior! Because there was a purpose that could not be avoided, and my parents valued the power of a warrior above the happiness of their children! I will not allow you to force that decision on me.” 

“Then why not ask her?” Mayray questioned him. “She’s old enough and well taught enough to make a proper decision for herself. If you want to do as she desires, then ask her.” 

“I don’t know if that’s the smartest decision given how things currently are, May.” 

“Nonsense, Cyva. This is the easiest way to do it. So then, Gabi?” Her words caught the child’s attention. 

“Die!” she spoke as she poked her in the arm with the blunted knife. 

“Good, I have your attention. Now then, listen carefully,” she spoke as she placed a fingertip on her forehead. “Your father is right there, wondering what you want most. He wants you to be happy more than anything else in this world. So, tell him what would make you happy.” 

“Happy?” she spoke before looking around the room at everyone present. Pausing for a moment on her uncle before pointing a finger at him. “Die! I want him died!” 

Cyva could barely hold in her laughter, the girl’s words nearly brought her to tears as she attempted to hide her morbid joy whilst May looked to be entirely shocked by her response. She loved everything her daughter did without any questions asked and felt that the most chaotic parts of Gabi were the things she gained from her. However, she could clearly see that Gahbreal was not pleased at all. She knew he wouldn’t be pleased with any answer outside of the most common and normal of them all. He wanted nothing more than the child to be everything he was not, after all. 

“You mean you want him dead, little angel.” 

“You want him to KILL ME!” Eric cried out. 

“No!” she responded as she jumped up and rushed over to her father’s side. “Teach me. I want to make him died!” 

“...What makes you think I can do that? You know how strong your uncle is, don’t you?” 

“Pa is the strongst, so pa can teach me!” 

“It’s strongest, dear,” Cyva said as she moved to retrieve the child. But before she could grab her, Gahbreal lowered himself down to her. 

“That’s what you want... Gahbriogyva?” 

“Yes!” 

“That would make you happy?” Her response was nothing more than an excited nod. 

He stood to his feet; the displeasure prominent on his features. For a moment his fists tightened and the muscles in his face tensed, but he relaxed himself within moments with a delicate sigh. He placed his hand on Gabi’s head of blonde hair, almost as if giving a farewell to something that no one else knew existed, but he knew it all too well. The peace and love they once shared would be reduced to a shell of its former self. 

“Teach me!” 

“I will, but only after you learn what you can from your mother. She will be the foundation for what is to come. Once you’ve learned all that your mother can teach you, I will teach you a dance only warriors can comprehend. A dance passed down through generations... it won’t be easy, and it won’t be fun. The price of power is high. However, if it’s what you want, I will pay that price to make you happy.” 

The moment was simple, without much to be left for thought or questioning. He simply said what needed to be said and left it at that; it seemed as if Gabi also understood as she didn’t respond with any words and rather chose to cling to his leg as she always had done. However, it was clear that her father was no longer angry at all with the expression he now carried. The girl held onto him like any daughter who loved their father would, and yet the look on his face was that of someone who would carry that moment for the rest of their life. As if that were the last time it would ever carry the same meaning it now does. 

Neither Cyva nor Eric really could understand, but Mayray knew what was happening without question. He looked partially lost yet all there, as if the choice he had just made would come to haunt his every step for the rest of his life. For the normal claimant it wouldn’t seem like a big deal. Hell, for the other aikekunai it wouldn’t seem like a big deal to hear that he chose to raise his daughter to be a proud warrior. Some might even think it a situation that needed congratulations or fanfare, but for their family it wasn’t something to be happy about. As she watched the girl run from her father’s side to her uncle the words seemed to escape her senses, watching as her brother almost seethed with contempt towards her husband in a manner she rarely saw of him. 

“Well, I suppose this can’t get much worse,” Cyva said as she stood next to May. 

“You’re wrong,” Mayray responded as she watched her brother silently exit the room. “My brother, despite his strength and title, has had very little outside of you and those he calls family. I’ve watched over him as he was raised, almost every step of the way even. He is not and will never be pleased with this. I must admit, I didn’t expect the girl to give the answer she did.” 

“What do you mean by that? This is what our daughter wants so there isn’t anything that can be done about it now. Besides, if he chooses to refuse her, she will turn to someone else.” 

“That’s the problem. He isn’t going to allow that. He’d never allow that,” her words caught Eric’s attention as he lifted Gabi into the air. 

“I would GLADLY TEACH her if he chose not to.” 

“Use your inside voice... you lack conviction, the utter focus and will to do what it takes to raise Chisuke children, my beloved warrior. There is only one way to raise a proper and true warrior... power. That power must be forged directly into a claimant’s being. Their very soul. Just as it was mine, just as it was his, and just as it was our younger brother.” 

“What’s wrong with that?” Cyva questioned her sister. 

“Well, that’s simple. We all hate both our mother and father. We hate them beyond everything that exists in all realms. I almost killed our mother because she was the one who taught me, but stopped because that would have meant I’d have robbed him of a mother. My brothers, Jerimyha and Gahbreal, they both have a single thing in common. They were forced to become the warriors they are now just as I was. The main difference is that Hellfire was made to grow on his own. I ran away before my mother could finish teaching me, I wanted nothing to do with her before we even finished. Gahbreal, on the other hand, had no choice. He was destined to be an aikekunai and as such couldn’t just run off. Xainayne would find him if that were the case.” 

“What does that have to do with anything? You all turned out relatively the same.” Eric spoke to which Mayray scowled. 

“I’d rather you not compare me to my brother; it is an insult, and we are not the same.” She looked at Gabi with a smile as the girl attempted to hit her uncle to no avail. “Gahbreal never smiled as a child. I don’t believe he ever smiled once in the entirety of his first life. Not until he was dying. By the time he lost his first time he believed that death was a more pleasant fate than his own life. Even Hellfire seems to enjoy himself more than Gahbreal who was the only one who fully had to learn from our mother... he knows that he’ll be taking the same role our mother did with him, meaning Gabi will be placed in the same position he once had. Mother did not care to break bones, body, soul. None of it mattered compared to power. He learned directly from Xainayne, but I’d have to say what he learned from our mother was worse.” 

“He told me of your mother, Kikana. An assassin for the ancients who rarely ever gets used. Something about how they can’t keep track of her most of the time. She couldn’t be that strict, could she? I don't think there could be a more serious teacher than an ancient.” 

“You clearly haven’t met our mother. She was raised to be the head of our household upon our grandmother’s death. She fights mercilessly and with enough skill and power to ruin nations if need be. Claimants, humans, animals, children, she wouldn't hesitate if it meant she accomplished her goals. She drills every single lesson she’s learned into her students because that is the only true way to power. With that in mind Gahbreal will no doubt do the same. It’s all he knows.” 

“Why would he do that? It doesn’t make any sense if it will make the girl unhappy!” 

“Because being happy has nothing to do with power! Power isn’t handed to you; it’s gained through experience and trials. No one gains power overnight, and no one just happens upon real power. You have it forced into your very existence. Gahbreal will no doubt train that girl to be a warrior akin to himself, above his peers and even his own self. But the process? It’s a process that will no doubt end with his daughter hating him more than anyone could imagine. Power isn’t a gift, it’s a curse in our family. One that severs the ties which bind us all together. He knows that, but he’s too stubborn to tell the girl no. So, he plans to ruin his relationship with her because she said it would make her happy. Nothing anyone says is going to change that now, and he won’t allow the girl to turn back when that time comes. That’s probably why he’s having you teach her first.” 

“So, he plans to have her learn from me in a more moderate setting before getting as strict as possible... there are other ways to teach someone to fight.” 

“It seems excessive!” Eric spoke as he swung the child around. 

“Is that so? Well, let me bring up an example; his only other pupil in combat... Cyva, how would you say training with Gahbreal was as an adult?” Her words caused Eric to look at this woman with ecstatic eyes. 

“You were taught to fight by Gahbreal? Then we must fight in the future!” 

“Ah, I’d rather not. Recalling those times is never quite pleasant. I don’t think there was a time in which he ever held back his punches, and he was struggling with controlling himself back then. His madness was a big problem, but sometimes it felt like he would have killed me if I didn’t evade or block. He never seemed pleased, only really saying words of praise without ever saying it was good enough. In fact, nothing pleased him. It was as if no matter how hard I fought it wasn’t going to be enough to make him say I was strong enough to be to his liking. There was no pleasure in it. In fact, he only started taking it easy on me when we became a couple. But he could barely bring himself to fight me at that point, and now he doesn’t spar with me at all. His other potential pupils hated him enough to go after his life, and by that time I had already become accustomed to killing without mercy before I ever realized. Even if it could be avoided.” 

“My brother isn’t stupid, and there is one big difference between you and your daughter that will make this far worse. Gabi,” the woman spoke to which the girl turned her attention to the woman. “Come here please.” 

They watched as the child walked over to her auntie begrudgingly, not wanting to give up on hitting her uncle yet. However, as her aunt looked her in the eyes the girl became suddenly entranced. For a moment it was as if she had begun looking into a mirror, but that clearly wasn’t the case. The woman crouched down, her face now down at the height of the girl, before looking directly into her eyes without blinking. 

“May!” 

“Yes, dear?” 

“What are we doin?” 

“Just look at me, look in my eyes, and don’t look away for a moment. Let me see what’s hiding behind those blue orbs my family holds so dear. That curse which will no doubt make you a force of nature the likes of which will lead our family forward.” 

Gabi seemed entirely confused. It was unmistakable that she did not understand a single word her auntie had said, but she found herself looking into the woman’s eyes all the same as her own grew wider. It was as if she couldn’t turn away, watching as Mayray’s irises became a red which attempted to absorb her everything. She had become entirely entranced, as if losing any will or desire to break contact. It was also at that point, however, that a smile stretched across her face as if filling her with a happiness that was inhuman. A happiness that accompanied the reddening of her own eyes just before she fell forward into the woman’s arms. Fast asleep. 

“What did you just do to my daughter?” Cyva questioned the woman with a more agitated gaze. 

“Don’t worry, I’m not my brother. I don’t spread madness like a disease, nor do I enrage my victims like a certain person we all know. My eyes simply put others to sleep. However, these eyes are a part of our family, and your daughter also has them. That means my younger brother will have to train her with them in mind. She will no doubt have the same madness as he does, and it will be present no matter how much she attempts to hide it. He will have to teach her the meanings behind power as well as the means to control that madness. She hasn’t used any of her abilities yet, but I’m sure they’ll be linked to that madness.” 

“I suspected that might be the case, but he never told me anything about this,” Cyva responded as she approached and lifted her child into her arms. “What makes you so sure?” 

“All of our abilities stem from our mother, excluding Hellfire who ended up being a Rhihon, but he still has the same eyes and his rage. Our mother will afflict you with a myriad of things all at once. You’d feel like you’re going completely insane if you spend too much time around her. We all gained bits and pieces of her. That means all Gabi can gain from him is madness. No doubt she’ll have a tough path ahead.” 

“It won’t be anything she can’t handle. The girl is strong after all! She’ll come out of this completely fine.” 

“We can only hope. Gahbreal only knows one way to fight, and that is no doubt what he will teach her. That alongside what you teach her, beloved, will be a fearsome combination. The raw strength you offer and the absolute skill he employs. If he takes this seriously, which I know he will, that girl will have his skills and possibly not have the self-control to limit them. A machine for combat with teachers who can give her everything she needs to overwhelm her enemies. Although she will most likely come to hate him, her father will teach her to destroy her enemies just as he was taught.” 

“Then what would he need me to teach her? It seems a bit redundant to have me be her teacher first,” Cyva said as she held the girl close. 

“Whatever you believe is best.” Mayray answered as she approached Eric and placed her hands on his cheeks. “There’s no doubt this giant idiot will continue to have his fun with her, but you will be another source for that.” 

She turned her head to see Gabi again, the child sleeping soundly as she always did. May did not like the idea of having children for this very reason and knew that it wouldn’t be possible to raise any without them eventually desiring combat as a part of their life. It was inevitable with both Eric and her as the parents, with the only possible saving grace being the possibility of the child being born outside of her house. She abhorred the thought of having to raise another combatant into the family and truly believed that Gabi would want otherwise. However, it seemed she had been proven wrong. 

“The two of you must understand... the girl will turn to the both of you when she can no longer turn to him. You will be her sources of play and peace. He will be her guide to what she desires most. That will be his will, based on her own will and desire for happiness. There will be a point in which she can no longer gain happiness from him, and the two of you will be the sources of that happiness she will need. He had nothing like that when he was still growing and so he knows just how important it is. I couldn't give him that happiness when he was still young, but that is something you two can give to her.” She looked at Gabi once more, watching as she rested peacefully just as her brother did when he was still young. "He'd do anything for his family to make them happy. Even if that means sacrificing his own happiness for the sake of his daughter's strength. So, you better take this seriously Eric. That girl will most likely always look to you... even before her own father at some point."

"Of course!" Eric spoke without faltering in the slightest. "I wouldn't have done things any other way. We'll always be the best of rivals!"

"You mean friends?"

"Yes! RIVALS!"

It was best described as havoc all around, the constant breaking of things and forced relocation of furniture that could be described as Eric and Gabi enjoying one another’s company. Jillian could only do her best to avoid them as their home was reduced to nothing more than a small-scale warzone. Gabi wasn’t any more than a few years old, but the amount of raw aggression and force she put behind most of her actions well exceeded the capabilities of most other claimants her age. Eric, being who he was, did nothing outside of encouraging her to press on with a smile. All it took was his palm to halt all her attacks, but occasionally he would step aside and allow the girl to miss. That would be when she goes flying into a wall or piece of furniture and destroy it in the process. 

“Can’t you two do that anywhere else?” Jillian questioned them to which only Eric responded. 

“There is NOTHING which CAN’T BE FIXED!” 

“It’s not about whether it can be fixed or not. If you both continue like this the building won’t last.” 

“They can’t very much fight on the streets,” Mayray’s voice caused Jillian to jump as she turned to see the woman curled up in her shadow. “Besides, I already pay for the damages as is. Not like I’m running low on funds.” 

“How long have you been here? Can’t you make them stop?” 

“I’ve been here for about half an hour, but it’s not like I can stop them. Tatakai wa karera no chi no naka ni arimasu. However, it is time to call it quits. He’ll be here soon.” 

“Then that means it’s TIME TO STOP,” Eric spoke as he caught Gabi’s hand and held her up in the air. “Time for you to get ready to go home!” 

The child gave no response, only flailing about as her wings flapped wildly in an attempt to escape. Jillian could not comprehend how the girl was so full of energy all the time yet so feral in tandem. She was akin to a rabid dog, or perhaps a wolf would be a better comparison. From what she had known Gahbreal was rather calm. So how had his child managed to be so wild? Mayray, on the other hand, couldn’t keep from laughing. 

“Alright, that’s enough Gabi. Your pa will be coming to pick you up soon.” 

“Pa is coming?” the girl responded as she was placed on her feet. 

“That’s right. Now go and gather your things. You don’t want to keep him waiting, do you?” 

The girl dashed off into the back rooms of their home, Jillian quickly following behind her to monitor the girl as best as she possibly could. Anything to keep her from making a mess. 

“Wait! Gabi! Let me help you get your things!” 

“So then,” May began as she walked over to Eric’s side. “It doesn’t look like you’ve told her yet.” 

“Of course not. It is difficult to know exactly how to bring it up.” 

“Just be straightforward. You know she won’t be pleased no matter how you say it, but that’s exactly why it will be best to let her hear it from your own mouth. Besides, she's too young to be angry about it.” 

Their conversation halted, the shadows seemingly deepening for a moment as what looked like a direct tear in the realm opened. Its very existence made things less comfortable, shadows and darkness pouring out until Gahbreal’s red eyes emerged and the vestige of the void closed behind him. He looked tired, as always, but as he looked around the room his expression shifted from exhaustion to disgust. 

“I’m surprised you can even stand in a room like this, May.” 

“Not like I have a choice. Your kid destroys everything she touches these days, but you know I clean up quickly when I try.” 

“I’ve said it before, but I can pay for all of the damages she causes.” 

“It’s fine, Gahbreal. Besides, it gives me the reason I need to replace all their low-quality furniture.” 

“The COUCH is PERECTLY FINE,” Eric spoke as if her comment was directed at him. 

“You’ve both been using that thing for years! Either Gabi will eventually destroy it, or I will eventually do it myself so I can replace it!” 

Gahbreal sighed, looking around the room as if expecting his daughter when she came rushing out of one of the doors with Jillian close behind her. Gabi leapt into the air with her wings flapping wildly until she reached his arms. He caught the girl and, for a moment, a subtle smile was on his face as he lifted her to a comfortable position. Of course, she smiled like a maniac herself. 

“Did you enjoy yourself?” 

“Yeah! Uncle Eric fed me lots of food!” Following her words, Gahbreal looked over to Jillian who shrugged her shoulders. 

“I hope you didn’t expect me to stop the two of them on my own.” 

“I’d at least be happy if you taught her the moderation of a proper meal outside of the local IKEA.” 

“There is NOTHING WRONG WITH IKEA FOOD!” 

“What are you talking about? I know you cook better than any of the food you’d get at an... You know what? Never mind. I’ll make you a proper homecooked meal tonight, Wolf Pup.” 

“I want steaks!” 

“Then that’s what you’ll get,” he spoke as Jillian handed him Gabi’s bag filled with her belongings. "Thank you. We'll be on our way then." 

“WAIT A MOMENT!” Eric spoke before rushing into a separate room. 

Gahbreal looked at May who, in response to his curiosity, shrugged her shoulders. It was clear that Gabi was growing restless with each passing moment off her feet, but as Eric emerged from the room with a large box in tow Gahbreal chose to place her down. She hopped in place, watching as her uncle placed it on the ground next to her. However, he had to stop her before she immediately opened it. 

“Present!” 

“Not a present, but a TEST... I will be away for some time, and in the meantime, I want you to open this box and all that is inside of it. This will not be easy, and you should be prepared before you attempt it. There is danger inside of each box, but I know you can do it” 

“Watashi no musume o korosu yōna mono o watashi ni kureta nodesu ka?” Gahbreal said as his brow rose. 

“Of course not! THIS will be NOTHING FOR HER. However,” Eric spoke as he placed a hand on top of her head. “If you can open all of them before I return, I will tell you my greatest weakness.” 

“Why’d you word it like some kind of cartoon?” May questioned him. 

“I DIDN’T. Only YOU can open these boxes, Gahbriogyva. So, do we have a deal?” 

“I’ll open the presents,” the girl responded as her smile grew. “And when I do, you won’t be able to stop me anymore!” 

“THAT’s the SPIRIT!” 

“Well, if that’s the case then you’ll need to learn as much as you can,” Gahbreal spoke as he lifted the box in his arms and glanced at his daughter. His eyes flicked towards his back before she leapt into the air and allowed her wings to carry her to his shoulders. “We’re off. Gabi will remain home for the time being with her mother. After that, she’ll be spending her time with me. I appreciate all of you taking the time to watch over her while we’ve been busy.” 

“It has been... I wouldn’t say pleasurable, but it has been fun.” Jillian’s response was more than understandable. 

“Little brother,” May called out to him before they disappeared. “Take care of yourself. Remember not to push yourself too far, I mean it.” 

“Of course. I’m prepared for what is to come.” 

Gabi watched as the home faded away into black, a sensation she never grew tired of. Something about being in the void made her skin tingle with excitement, but she could barely focus on it with her eyes locked onto Eric’s gift. The box which she now believed held the secret to his defeat. With each step Gahbreal took she grew more pleased with the situation she now found herself in. 

“If I can open the box, I can beat Uncle Eric!” 

“That’s not correct,” her father’s words caused her smile to fade slightly. “Eric said he would tell you the method to accomplish his death, but he did not say it would give you the power to make it a possibility. You are far from being capable of felling your uncle.” 

“Then what do I have to do?” 

“Simple. You need to gain more power. More power than anyone or anything else that has or will ever exist. That power will be the foothold that you stand on and the foundation for which your every action will build you further.” 

She could barely understand what he was saying, but she knew that he was serious. She is strong. She knows she is strong! However, the way he spoke made it seem like that wasn’t going to be enough. What else would she need to gain the power her father spoke of? A power that could never be defeated? 

“Do you think I can do it?” Her question made Gahbreal stop in his tracks. The void surrounding them like a quiet hum. 

“I believe you can do anything, Wolf Pup. That’s why I will personally lead you down the right path. When you’ve learned all that you can from your mother, I will build you into a warrior blessed with absolute power. Not just as Dimea, but as Chisuke as well. My unstoppable daughter.” 

The way she stared at the box was almost fanatical. Her mind could only think of infinite things that could possibly be within, but it would all mean nothing if she couldn’t manage to open it. Gahbreal had told her that he’d place it within her room and did just that but urged her to take precautions when attempting to open it or handling whatever was inside. She didn’t know what he meant exactly, but she knew he just wanted her to at least be careful. However, curiosity was a strange beast she could not usher out of her mind. It was for that reason she attempted to open the lid of the box the moment the thought entered her mind. 

“Can’t get it open?” her mother said as she peaked her head around the corner at the sight of her daughter struggling to even lift the lid. 

“It’s too heavy... open it for me!” 

“Now I can’t do that. This was a gift for you from your uncle, little angel. You’ll have to open it yourself. This is your own trial.” 

“Trial?” Gabi looked confused. 

“Indeed, a trial. This is a test for you. Something you must overcome. You will have to grow as strong as you possibly can as quickly as you possibly can. Your body, your mind, and your little heart will all have to grow so you can gain the strength to do this on your own.” 

“Power!” the girl spoke as she looked at the box. “Pa says I need power, so if I get that I’ll be able to open it?” 

“Absolutely. That’s why your dad and I will be teaching you ourselves.” 

“You and pa?” 

“Yes. Starting tomorrow I will teach you all of the basics you will need. Then, when you’ve learned all that you can from me, your father will be your teacher. He said he would do it, now you’ll just have to show him that you are ready and willing to learn what he has to offer you.” 

“I’m ready!” Gabi said as she punched the box to no avail. "POWER!"

“Calm down, dear. I have much to teach you before you’re ready for your dad. So just be patient and the time will come.” 

“Patient... okay! I can be patient.” 

“Good. Now come, your father has finished dinner.” 

“Steak! Steak! Steak! Steak!” 

“Yes. He made the steak you asked for, so calm down.” 

“This isn’t what I expected when you said you’d teach me stuff, ma.” Gabi said as her head fell to the desk. 

“Well, you should have expected this much. You’ll be going to public schools soon and I will have my daughter be the smartest person possible.” 

“Isn’t all of this for the school though?” 

“Well, I will be teaching you personally so that you are always a step beyond your peers.” 

“But we barely fight! All I’ve been doing is reading, and math, and stupid stuff!” 

“Just calm down. I will teach you everything you need to know, but your intelligence is far more important than physical prowess. A sharpened mind will take you much further than a sharpened blade. In the same way, physical strength will not lead you to the power you seek. That is a lesson your father will no doubt grind into your soul.” 

Gabi still found it odd, how her father always referred to her gaining power compared to gaining strength. In her mind those two things were quite similar, but he made them seem so different in comparison. She raised her head from the desk and looked at the words which filled her paper. Mind continuing to wander from thought to thought as she questioned what exactly it meant to be strong and powerful. What purpose did the two words serve apart from one another. 

“Mom,” she started with a more serious expression. “What do you think power is?” 

“Power? Well, I suppose I would consider your father’s lessons to be best when describing power. Not so much as strength or speed, or even talent. It has more to do with the direct culmination of it all. In his mind, and as such in my own, absolute power is taking all these separate aspects and melding them into one cohesive unit. Like a military force cannot function without multiple people doing multiple jobs, so too does power rely on the constant management of all the physical and mental attributes of an individual.” 

“I don’t get it! Can’t I just keep getting stronger?” 

“Perhaps I wasn’t detailed enough. Allow me to show you an example,” her mother spoke as she raised her hand. “I’m going to flick you on the forehead-” 

“But I didn’t do anything wrong!” 

“I know, dear. Just calm down. All you must do is stop me. Based on what your uncle has taught you and what I have seen, your physical power already outmatches my own. So, stop me.” 

Gabi’s expression grew far more serious than it had been before. Not only because she had been challenged, but because she knew more than anyone just how much it hurt to be flicked in the head by her mother. That was why she was focused and ready, but it did not change the outcome when her mother deftly connected her finger with the girl’s forehead. She held her forehead for a moment, as if attempting to hold back just how much it hurt, but Cyva was far from done. 

“Again. If you can manage to stop me then we can do nothing more than combat training for the rest of the month. But that now depends on you.” 

“Fine!” 

The next several minutes would involve the two continuing the same dance repeatedly. Cyva making her attempt, Gabi trying to stop her, but failing in a spectacular fashion. 

“We can stop whenever you’re ready.” 

“I refuse to lose!” 

“Then by all means, continue my little angel.” 

After some time Gahbreal entered their home quietly, his footsteps as silent as the night until he quickly grew accustomed to being within his own home again. He removed his boots and placed them in the normal location they always were, his axe nowhere to be seen as he made his way through the home. His first course of action would of course be checking on his wife and child, but as he entered the office space Cyva occupied for her daily errands he was surprised to find the two of them still hard at work. His eyes, however, were focused entirely on the bandage which covered Gabi’s head. 

“What happened to her? Did she try running through a wall again?” he spoke as he looked over her work. “I already told you we reinforced the walls just for that reason.” 

“It wasn’t me! It was mom!” 

“Really? What’d you do to cause that?” 

“She just needed a quick lesson. She was having a bit of trouble understanding the meaning of power, so I gave her an example. Would you like to tell your father the conclusion you’ve come to?” she spoke with a smile that only made the girl more irritated. 

“Power isn’t just being strong. It’s about everything, so I have to be smart. And fast too. And a bunch of other stuff.” 

“Good. Now that you understand let’s finish up your work for the night. Tomorrow we will begin building up those things which you lack as well as building more on what you already possess. As much as technique matters it will mean nothing if you lack the strength and speed to make use of it. So, for the time being, we will focus on your mind and prepare you to open that box.” 

“Okay mom.” 

“I may be able to give you something that will help you with that,” Gahbreal started as he exited the room and returned with a long box. “This is yours. I expect you to be capable of using it properly in the future.” 

“What is it?” Gabi asked as she eyed the ornate box. It was black and gave off no reflection. Tied closed with a red rope. 

“A gift from me and a relative. All children with the blood you have coursing through your veins learn to wield one of these before any other weapon. Your mother will teach you the basics, I will improve upon them later.” 

“You think I can’t teach our daughter everything there is to know about a sword?” Cyva’s question immediately sparked the girl’s interest as she quickly removed the rope. 

“It’s not about that. You should probably look at the type of sword it is.” 

Cyva watched as her husband exited the office before turning to her daughter. The girl’s eyes refused to turn away from the contents of the now opened box, what Cyva could now see as a tachi or extravagant design resting within it. Her name was carved into the scabbard, signifying that the weapon itself was made specifically for her. A handle and scabbard wrap which looked almost black, but at closer inspection was simply an extremely dark red which matched well with the scabbard's dark yew. As the girl lifted the weapon from the box, she could tell just how heavy it was as every muscle in the child's arms flexed just to accomplish that feat alone. It was crazy, but as she watched Gabi interact with the weapon it was almost as if she knew exactly what to do with it. Like she had done it multiple times before. 

She held the scabbard tightly as her right hand clutched the handle of the blade. She paused for a moment, her eyes resting on the ornaments which looked to be both a ruby and garnet, but the pommel cap held a diamond in contrast to the rest of the weapon. When she drew the blade from its place, the metal gleamed like the sky being lit by the moon. A dark hue of blues and violets on a deep gray. Within the reflection the girl could see her own eyes, or what looked like her own eyes, staring directly back at her. Blonde hair like shooting stars in a night sky upon the clear horizon that was the weapon. But, as a smile stretched across her face, those stars steadily became black and her eyes... scarlet orbs which glared at her in anticipation and carnal expectation. She found herself afraid for only a second. That fear hastily replaced with hunger. Desire. Obsession. A want for whatever hid behind those eyes she now stared into. 

“Dear?” Cyva spoke as she watched her daughter nearly drooling in what seemed like a mad trance. “Are you okay, Gabi?” 

“Huh?” the girl responded as she returned the weapon to its resting place. “Yeah, I’m-” 

She could barely get the words out before her mother’s hands touched her cheeks. The woman rose to her feet, leaning in until she was face to face with the girl. Cyva refused to allow her to turn away as she looked directly into the child’s eyes before releasing her and motioning for Gabi to follow. She hadn’t seen her mother this panicked before and could only wonder what could cause such a thing. Had she done something wrong? It wasn’t until they found her father preparing to cook in the kitchen that she came to understand what was happening. 

“Gahbreal!” 

“Yes, my love?” 

“Don't my love me, stupid! What is the meaning of this?” Cyva demanded as she pointed at their child. Her father did not even look. 

“This is an inevitable part of her path. This is her facing herself as well as our family. Her first step towards becoming a true and proper warrior.” 

“What did you do to that weapon?” 

“I did nothing. There are multiple of its kind, but they are only ever forged when the time is right and specifically for Chisuke children.” 

“I don’t care about your family traditions, Gahbreal.” 

“Well, you should. This isn’t something that can simply be ignored! This is the way it has always been and the way it will be. Those eyes will be the pride of her soul, that which builds her towards power unmatched by others. The weapons are made to resemble the scenario our eldest ancestor found herself in when she first saw her own eyes for the first time, and her blood runs through all our veins. We all share her eyes in our own capacity, and we must face those eyes if we are going to face ourselves. Admire them, understand them, desire after the power which rests behind them. What others see is Dimea when they look into these eyes, what we see is Chisuke. The power which resides in the very soul which has led those eyes forward. It’s why I chose not to show her mind up to this point, but that time has come to an end.” 

“What are you talking about? I swear, your family is such a mystery, and you never tell me anything outside of the most surface level information. How am I supposed to know how to proceed if you do not let me know anything important?” 

“That’s exactly what I’m doing now,” he spoke as he raised a simple kitchen knife and looked at himself in the reflection. “This isn’t something that can be avoided. It will eventually be faced, but it’s better to face it head on with a guide. Now watch... Gabi!” 

“Y-yes?” she spoke as she watched the male turn his head in her direction. 

“Come to me. Look in my eyes and don’t turn away until I say.” 

She approached slowly, looking directly into her father’s eyes as he had instructed her to do. She paid close attention as she watched the blue turn to black, and black to red. It was a mesmerizing red that almost felt as if it were attempting to peel away at her mind. However, she could clearly see that they were different from the eyes she had seen earlier. What she saw previously looked normal compared to this. 

She saw war, conflict, violence. She saw a cycle of life and death that did not make sense. She saw countless lives of both victims and allies hiding behind the red orbs which rested before her. She saw madness seeping through the seams and attempting to break free. She could see it all so clearly but could not understand why she could see it. What could she see more than anything though? That would be strength built up over decades. Centuries even. No, not strength. It wasn’t something so simple as to be called strength so casually. This was what he meant by power. Something so absolute that it was difficult to describe in so few words. 

“What do you see?” he questioned her to which she smiled. 

“I knew it,” her words caught her mother’s attention. 

“What are you talking about, my little angel?” Cyva watched as the girl’s head quickly spun around with an almost crazed look in her eyes which now burned a bright scarlet. 

“Pa is the strongest... the most powerful claimant alive.” 

“I wouldn’t go that far; you haven’t even met many claimants. You have much to learn Wolf Pup. There are beings out there who outrank me easily, but you will be different. You wanted power, so I will give you power when the time comes. Those eyes are my gift to you. Don’t run away from them. They will always reveal your soul to anyone capable of looking at them the right way, but no one more than yourself. Remember that.” 

The clashing of wood was like a melody which filled the fields surrounding the farmlands with a tune of struggle and strife. Something which had become normalized over the passing year. Cyva was relentless, as always. Her strikes were like that of a serpent attacking its prey as Gabi did all she could to deflect and evade them all while counter attacking when she could. It was clear, based on how well her daughter kept pace, that she had grown privier to the concepts of speed alongside her strength; her eyes keeping up with her mother’s movements in ways she could not have hoped to at the start. 

“You’re doing good. At this rate you may overtake me in the next year or so.” 

“No talking!” Gabi responded as she pressed on with her attacks. 

“No need to be so serious! Besides, it’s almost time for you to get ready to study.” 

“Do we really have to?” she spoke as she halted her assault. “You taught me enough in one year to skip three grades. Everyone already thinks I’m weird enough being a five-year-old in second grade.” 

“That just means you’re smart. If you want to defeat your enemies soundly-” 

“Then its best to beat them both mentally and physically. Yeah, I know, you’ve said that more than enough mom.” 

“Good. Now go and prepare yourself.” 

The girl sighed, handing her mother the wooden sword she used for training before stretching out her wings and lifting into the air. It was a short yet peaceful flight to their home, and she did not bother using the front door and instead opted to enter through her bedroom window. Her room was clean, tidy in every sense of the word, but decorated with all manner of rare items and gifts her father had brought her from his jobs. She had no idea what had allowed him to bring her a claimant skull at one point, neither did her mother, but the fact that it was displayed proudly on her desk was reason enough to understand why. 

She began stripping off her clothes, preparing for a shower so that they could begin studying before Cyva had the chance to complain. However, she paused as her eyes caught a glimpse of the large box resting against the far wall of her room. She hadn’t attempted to open it for quite some time once her mother had begun training her. Saying it slipped her mind would be an understatement, but she couldn’t help but waltz over to it after tossing her shirt to the floor and looking at it in a curious manner. Something about it seemed so small now compared to before. Perhaps it was the fact that she had grown far taller than she was upon receiving it? That did not seem like the case in her mind. It wasn’t until she placed her hand on the lid and swung it open that she realized the change. 

“Holy shit,” she said as she looked inside of the once sealed box only to find... several more boxes?! “You’ve got to be fucking SHITTING ME!” 

Cyva entered the home just in time to hear her daughter on a rampage. It was easy enough to know when the girl was upset but having taught her so much only served to really give her a greater sense of what all the words she used meant. It's for that reason that she found it better to avoid the situation entirely when Gabi could be heard curing across the house accompanied by the sounds of what could only be furniture slamming against the walls. 

“Whatever you break you fix, dear!” her only response was a shrill screech from across the house. 

“So, how many boxes has she opened so far?” Gahbreal spoke as he sipped from his glass of whiskey. 

“Well, she was upset when she opened the box initially and found seven more boxes inside. But she was back at them within a few months. She managed to open the first early this morning and that resulted in what you can see now.” 

“Mhmmm,” he responded as he looked around the living room. The walls were scorched, furniture in tatters and desolation. 

“She was sitting on the floor with the box, but when she opened it the thing just... exploded? Or rather an explosion came from inside of it? I barely even had time to defend myself, but Gabi just covered herself with her wings and endured it.” 

“You didn’t intervene?” 

“I thought to, but those boxes are meant to be her trial. If I had stepped in, I would have robbed her of the experience she was meant to gain.” 

“A good choice. How much damage did she sustain?” 

“Not much. She only gained some charred feathers, which I helped her remove with a bit of complaining of course. However, she has recovered quite quickly as always. If she keeps acting in the way she does we can only hope they grow this fast forever.” 

“Do you know what she’s up to now?” he asked as he leaned back in his seat. 

“Well, she doesn’t have school tomorrow so I promised I would help her do some training tonight. If she’s doing as she was told she’ll currently be stretching and preparing herself.” 

“And you think she’ll listen?” Gahbreal responded as Cyva made herself comfortable on his lap. “She rarely ever listens to us anymore if it doesn’t have anything to do with what she desires.” 

“That’s all just a part of her growing up. Besides, she’s still a growing girl no matter how much she wants to be a boy.” 

“Don’t say that. You’ll only make her angrier than the last time if she hears you. She spent so much time around Eric it only makes sense that she’d make all the choices that she has. Even still, you should just be glad she is the type of person that she is.” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

“Specifically, that she only sees herself as a boy but prefers that everyone else look at her as a girl. It’s like she said the last time she saw her siblings. Remind me what it was again?” 

“How could I forget. She told both Stasia and Verin that she is and would always be prettier than them. Apparently she has a need to be above others in more than just combat. I don't know why she can't just get along with them. They haven't gotten along since she started talking.” 

“You know how she has always been and very few people around her have made much of an effort to change that. She always feels like she must win, she always feels as if she can do whatever she pleases, and no one will probably ever be able to change that part of her. Even so, she knows what her strengths and weaknesses are, and she will play into them whenever she gets the chance. I wouldn’t be surprised if she grows up to believe she deserves every single dress of the highest quality just because she believes they’ll look better on her than anyone else, only to never wear them.” 

“She wouldn’t be wrong either!” Cyva replied with a confident grin. 

“Now you’re just being conceited. Let’s call her down or she might never show up... Gabi! It’s time for you to start training! Hurry up before-” 

He paused for a moment as his eyes seemed to peer through the walls. He rose to his feet slowly and Cyva had to catch herself before falling to the floor. His wife was, of course, irritated by his sudden actions, but that irritation was found reasonable the moment she looked at his face. It was serious. Far more serious than she had ever managed to see it before. 

“Did you feel that?” he questioned the chaos claimant who shook her head with a steadily furrowing brow. “Realm traversal. I could have sworn I just felt it in Gabi’s room.” 

That was more than enough of an explanation for Cyva to be across the house in seconds. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she needed to move at that speed, but it was an entirely necessary thing in her mind. Realm traversal had always been an iffy subject in both her and Gahbreal’s line of work. He had explained to her time and time again just how important it was to understand it because it was difficult to catch or detect. Normally only ancients and treasures could move between realms or allow others the opportunity to move between realms, but certain claimants could also be born with the knack for it, as he was. Because of that it was hard to tell exactly what changes took place to detect if someone jumped between realms. Gahbreal himself had become rather skilled at it, but Cyva was not privy to catching those changes. 

She trusted his judgement, especially involving the subject. He was one of the few claimants she knew who could travel through realms and one of the select few out of those who could tell when others did the same nearby based around centuries of practice. That was why she was quick to act and why she just as quickly found her daughter to be gone. She looked around the room frantically as if searching every small corner for Gabi’s presence, but nothing could be seen. 

“Looks like I was right,” Gahbreal said as he walked into the room with his eyes scanning the area casually. 

“Gahbreal! We’re going now! I will turn every realm inside out until I find her!” 

“Calm yourself, my love. Hold on and let me think for a moment.” He looked around the room before his eyes rested on her desk. He approached it quickly upon spotting one of the smaller boxes Eric had left for her resting on the edge, lifting and flipping the top open. “Of course.” 

“What? I am growing impatient.” 

“It was the box. You sent her up here to prepare and she was playing with the boxes. Turns out that she’s opened a second one, and this one seems to have sent her somewhere else. Where? I have no idea.” 

“Should we go and look for her?” 

“No, I doubt Eric would have sent her somewhere that dangerous. It’s most likely just some test for her to deal with, and it will no doubt be a good experience. But I will admit,” he started as he looked inside of the box. “I have a terrible feeling about this. Like it’ll cause us many problems in the future.” 

“You believe so?” 

“Uh, dear?” she spoke as she slowly backed away until she could feel the wall at her back. 

“Yes? Is there something my beautiful sparkling flower requires from me?” 

“We seem to have a very disgruntled guest? Or perhaps a feral animal?” she spoke as the sound of predatory growling could be heard mere feet away. If it were anyone else, she might have known who they were, but all she knew for the time being was that they smelled heavily of Xainayne. 

“You smell like stupid!” 

“That wasn’t very nice at all. There’s no need for name calling.” 

“So, did some crazed dog wander in or something-” 

He paused as he rounded the corner, the sight of a young girl with blonde hair and black wings hunched over as if prepared to pounce at any moment catching his full attention. To some degree he had expected this, but the details he had been given were slim to say the very least. It was no wonder his partner referred to her as possibly feral; all the signs of a wild child plain for any to see or hear. She was more animalistic than anything else. Possibly some type of defense mechanism in her own way, but what caught his eyes most caused a smile to form on his face. 

“Oh my, aren’t you absolutely precious?” 

“You!” Gabi spoke as her head leaned to the side. “You smell like... Uncle Eric?” 

“Uncle Eric? Do you have any idea who that is?” 

“Yeah, you know the Eric she’s talking about as well. Although I didn’t think she’d be showing up at such a young age like this. But I suppose now is better than never.” 

Gabi watched as the male approached the woman and took her hand. His actions, his movements, they were all so gentle and alluring in their own way. His touch alone seemed to calm her just as it did himself, but most fearsome was his approach. It wasn’t confidence of anything so honorable. His eyes, even with a smile, looked as if they were entirely filled with some form of haphazard bloodthirst. Compared to the scarlet which glowed within her own, the teal almost looked as if it could devour her whole. It was like a serpent’s poison, and watching as he approached left her unable to act no matter how much she felt she had to. Perhaps it was intuition, but she did not believe she could defeat him even if she tried. It made her mother pale in comparison. 

“Alright, allow me to introduce the two of you to one another.” The way he talked made her feel comfortable, but his gaze did the exact opposite. She couldn’t understand how the woman at his side could stand it. “It has come to my attention that you opened one of Eric’s boxes, and I will be your test. This little claimant is Gahbriogyva, daughter of Cyva and Gahbreal who have been jumping through hoops to keep me from meeting her.” 

“She’s, their daughter? Look how much you've grown! You used to be so small and... peaceful.” 

“You know me?” 

“Yes, I do! Your parents introduced you to all the ancients after you were born. Even the ones they did not personally like. They were so proud they could barely contain themselves.” 

“Ancients?” 

“Oh! That’s right, of course you wouldn’t remember me. My name is Chaemai.” 

The name alone made her wings slowly fold as her posture repaired itself until she stood upright. Aside from Xainayne she hadn’t met any of the ancients or remembered meeting them. She knew all the ancients by name, knew that they were strong in their own rights and ways, but did not expect any of them to be this kind in comparison to her own ancient. She thought Stasia’s ancient would be just as much of an annoyance as... well... Stasia was in her mind. But that clearly was not the case. What bothered her more, however, was the man at her side. 

Her mother had spoken to her on multiple occasions about how the ancients went about their business, their territories, tec. However, one thing that she certainly took note of was how she always avoided speaking of two specific people. Cyva did not skip a beat when mentioning the relationships between the ancients and treasures, but when it came to Evyette and Chaemai she went out of her way to refer to their respective partners as just a Rhihon claimant and an aikekunai. Did that mean that this person was that aikekunai? 

“Oh my, I can see it eating away at you. I know you want to ask, and it would be terrible of me to leave a young lady like yourself wondering. So, go ahead! Ask away! I will answer that question which eats away at you so generously!” 

“Are you stupid?” she questioned him with a disgusted look. Chaemai only chuckled. 

“Well, I suppose I should have expected that from Gahbreal’s daughter... he did say the same thing to me before.” He sighed and stood up straight. His silver hair was like steel needles as his fingers brushed through them before he spoke again. “Eric made it clear that, by now, you’d have most likely only been learning from your mother. Cyva is quite skilled, but she lacks tenacity when facing those she cares about. I, on the other hand, do not.” 

“It has come to my attention that the Eric you speak of is one of Stasia’s past lives. What connection does this girl have with him?” 

“He’s been acting as her uncle, apparently. As much as it pisses me off. Stasia and Verin are siblings to her after all so it makes sense in a way. But he did request that I take part in his little game, and I chose to accept out of respect for us sharing a very specific title, and this girl being the daughter of someone I call brother. So then, Gabi,” he paused as he placed his hand on top of her head. “You’ve been introduced to my precious everything, but now it’s about time you learn about your other uncle! My name is Nier, current aikekunai of the House of Mucmoi, and your test for opening that box will be surviving a fight with me.” 

The words alone caused Gabi to step back into a defensive state, but Nier only laughed at her quickness to action. He waved his hands in a calming motion before ushering Chaemai to a seat and plopping down right next to her. 

“Don’t worry, the test isn’t starting now! What do you take me for?” he said as he looked at the girl with interested eyes. “We won’t be doing that until later. I rarely get days off, so I plan on spending as much time with this dazzling woman as I can for the day. That means you’ll have until tonight to make all the necessary preparations.” 

“I don’t even know where we are...” 

“That’s right! You’ve never been here before! Maybe it’d best if we don’t leave her alone. I hear she likes to destroy everything she touches.” 

“I do not! Maybe if everything wasn’t made of weak crap like wood! Or stone! Or fucking... paper or some shit!” 

“Maybe we can take her out? It has been a while since we’ve gone and enjoyed the open air together. We could take her to view that garden of yours.” 

“You’re not wrong. And it would also make for a very scenic battlefield!” 

“Please don’t allow her to destroy all of your hard work.” 

“It’ll be fine! I can always replant what has been ruined out there. So, what do you say?” Nier said as he turned his attention back to Gabi. “Are you willing to go for a walk on our battlefield, Gahbriogyva?” 

“Yes! I’ve never seen a battlefield before! And stop calling me that! Only dad, mom, and Uncle Eric can call me that. You call me Gabi like everyone else.” 

“Oh my, then I suppose I have no other choice. Then allow me to say this one more time in as formal a way as I possibly can.” 

Gabi watched as he stood to his feet and approached her with that same look on his face, but as he came closer it almost seemed to disappear entirely. That feeling of despair which was once pounding in her chest now replaced with a more calm and normalized emotion. He didn’t look nearly as threatening as her father or as imposing as her uncle, but she got the same feeling from him that her mother gave her dialed up to the maximum. No matter how kind he acted, she knew Nier was not the type of person that could be written off as weak. It almost felt as if he had no mercy to speak of in his entire being. 

“Formal? What is that supposed to mean? From what I've seen you're just an ass.” she questioned him just before he bowed his head slightly. 

"That was a mistake. Now he'll go out of his way to be as over the top as possible."

"What?"

“I am Nier, aikekunai of Nammay and designated assassin for the ancients. I am unmatched in my trade and shall remain that way for all eternity. So long as this electrifying blossom remains I shall be there by her side as the sharpest blade of all claimants. Your test Eric has prepared for the box you opened will be to survive my onslaught. I will not hold back, and I will not show mercy. This has been designed to be your hardest battle yet. So, I hope you’re prepared for something beyond your capabilities.” 

“As if I’d lose to someone like you.” 

“Well, you certainly can’t go easy on her now.” 

“Don’t worry, my precious flower. I never planned to make things easy for her.” 

“You were where?” Gahbreal questioned the girl as she continued her exercises. 

“I was with Nier.” 

“You were gone for an entire day with Nier?” Cyva asked as she did her own set of stretches. 

“Why didn’t you both tell me about him? He’s fun!” 

“That’s exactly why,” Gahbreal responded as he shuffled through documents. “Nier is known for his... eccentric nature. He’s a joker most of the time, a romanticist, and rarely ever takes anything seriously these days. Of all the aikekunai he’s the worst type of influence. I honestly don’t even know why Eric chose to send you to him. Nier has been inactive for years now outside of jewelry crafting.” 

“Perhaps he wanted her to learn something specific from him? I don’t know what that would be, but maybe something?” 

“What are you two talking about?” Gabi asked with a confused face. 

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Nier win a fight, Gabi. And that’s if he ever actually fights.” 

“It’s not that he can’t fight, but he often goes out of his way to avoid it. He has his uses, but he’s better with a gun than with his fists from what I’ve seen.” 

“Wha... what the fuck are y’all talking about?!” 

The night air was a blessing in comparison to the warmth of the evening. They had yet to tell her exactly where they were, but from what she understood so far, she would learn very little from both of them. Chaemai was kind and not nearly as bad as she had expected the ancient to be. She smiled far more than anticipated and that was mainly all due to Nier. He took as much time as possible to just interact with her in the most casual way possible. They got along better than even her own mother and father, but they both still made time enough to answer her questions and give her more than enough attention. Gabi hadn’t expected Nier to be the one who was the most interested, but he seemed even more interested in her than she was in him. 

However, after making them a proper meal and dessert, Nier’s entire demeanor seemed to change. He looked more focused, as if meditating or resting ever so slightly. He’d often close his eyes as if in a deep sleep only to open them seconds later. Chaemai didn’t seem to pay it any mind, but perhaps it was just something he did after meals? Or at least that was what Gabi thought until he spoke. 

“So then... the sun is down, the moon is high, the stage has been set. Are you ready for your test?” 

“It’s about time! Let’s get this over with so I can win.” 

“Don’t get too ahead of yourself. Allow me to explain a few things first. Most importantly how this test will be handled in detail.” Nier stood to his feet, leaving his spot at Chaemai’s side. She held onto his hand for a moment as if hesitant to allow him to go, but with a smile he placed a reassuring peck on her cheek before progressing further out into the field. “Come, we will handle things out there.” 

“Don’t push yourself too far!” Chaemai called out to which he smiled. 

“She doesn’t seem very confident in you,” Gabi said as she walked behind him. Nier laughed in response. 

“It’s not that Chaemai isn’t confident. She knows me too well. She knows my weaknesses, my strengths, almost everything about me that is within reach to know. That’s what it means to be partners, and that’s why she has reason to always worry. Just as your father and mother no doubt always worry for you.” 

“It sounds stupid.” 

“You’ll understand when you get older and find yourself someone to love unconditionally. I’ll even make you a personalized ring for the occasion, but I digress. We have more pressing matters to give our attention.” They stopped a distance away from Chaemai. The wind calmly brushed over the colorful array of flowers. “Eric seems to think very little of me, but that’s to be expected. He told me to just fight you until there is a victor, but when he talks like that it’s as if he expects me to just lose.” 

“That doesn’t sound too odd. I don’t expect to lose to you at all-” 

“But!” he interrupted. “Everyone seems to think very little of me, aside from Gahbreal. Sure, I’m not as overwhelmingly powerful as both Eric and Gahbreal. Even Stasia and DeVian have received more accolades and praise than me. As much as I prefer to keep things that way, I earned my title through merit.” 

“Merit? Didn’t you say you’re an assassin?” 

“Indeed, I did, but what do you think qualifies an aikekunai as an assassin? Who do you believe is worthy enough to warrant an aikekunai as their assassin? I’ve done the training, I’ve taken all the steps, but there are still certain things that I can’t overcome. It’s why I don’t see too much work these days. Then again, there aren’t many targets remaining for me to go after.” 

“So, you’re just trying to say that you’re a good assassin?” Gabi asked with a smirk. “That won’t change anything. I’ve dealt with assassins before.” 

“I’m not a good assassin, I’m the best assassin. Failure does not exist in my world and will never exist in my world. If the ancients want someone dead without question, I am the one they send, but the ancients have grown soft with time. It’s a good change, but that also means I’m low on work. There are very few people who know the methods of how I fight, and I never fight straightforward battles. Eric asked for my help, but we’ve never fought or worked together. He isn’t even one of my past lives, so I don’t know why he asked me to do this and not just Stasia or King. Then again, anyone who has anything to do with Stasia tends to find a way to agitate me.” 

“You know my sibling?” 

“Of course, they’re the one who took my beloved’s sight. Not that I hold it against anyone... not anyone other than them... but this grants me a special opportunity.” 

“An opportunity, huh? And what might that be?” Gabi questioned him as she steadied herself. She could feel the fight was about to begin, and yet the following words were unexpected. 

“Yes, an opportunity. I understand you also dislike Stasia and so I’ll gladly give you some experience you won’t gain from anyone else in your family as a gift of comradery. At least not anyone right now... You see, wars are waged with life and death. I’m not a merciful man, as much as some may believe. I was raised to forgo mercy, a trait that weakens your father in certain aspects. Gahbreal has a tendency of holding back, but I do not understand the concept very well. As such, your test will be to survive.” 

“Survive? Why not just kill you and get this over with? I’m pretty sure it will be easy enough if Uncle Eric believes I can do it.” 

“Eric is a fool who doesn’t properly understand the opposite side of the coin of combat. As I stated before, I’m an assassin. I don’t deal in fights where I’m ever at a disadvantage. You are beneath me, and I will not allow you any higher without the proper work for it. If there were any aikekunai who represents the title we bear, that would be Nier.” 

“A bit overconfident, aren’t you?” 

“Five minutes.” 

“What?” Gabi spoke as her fists clenched. “You’re still underestimating me.” 

“If you can survive for five minutes or land a single blow on me at all in any capacity then I will give you a passing score. That is your test, and I suggest you take it seriously. Five minutes with your life on the line can feel like ages.” 

“And how would I managed to fail?” 

“You die, of course.” 

Compared to how he spoke before the tone was completely different. She had fought with Eric and spent her entire life around her father and mother. She had even spent time with Stasia and seen DeVian to some capacity at certain points. But there wasn’t a moment she could remember that was akin to this. He looked at her like absolute garbage. It was as if he stood at a place so far ahead that her mere presence disgusted him, and she knew he was doing it on purpose. It was irritating but allowing him to get under her skin now would just make things harder. 

She took her stance, the one her mother had taught her. Over the time she had spent with her there was a subtle mixing of what she and Eric had taught her. As such, she had grown accustomed to melding the two together and using her mother’s movements with Eric’s techniques. It proved effective against Cyva, so the idea was that it would do the same in this situation. However, as she watched Nier raise his hand in a casual manner, she felt the urge to attack. 

“What are you doing?” 

“Your test starts now,” he responded with a yawn. “You have about thirty seconds. After that you’ll understand the lesson I must teach you today.” 

“As if you can survive thirty seconds with me!” 

“That’s the spirit. No matter how crazy it is.” 

She rushed forward, watching as he stood there with a blank look on his face. Was he still not taking her seriously? She pulled her fist back, relying on speed to strike him directly in the face the moment she closed the distance. Her strike was as swift as her mother taught her, but as she watched it connect with nothing, she could only wonder what had happened. She could have sworn she had landed a blow directly on his face, but the feeling of his palm directly on her back caused her body to collide with the ground harder than she had ever experienced. 

She pushed herself up to her knees, coughing up a bit of blood before eyeing it in a strange manner. What had just happened? She could still feel the sting on her back. It was painful, like nothing she had felt before. Sure, she had taken blows from her mother and Eric, but this didn’t feel the same at all. 

“You’re resilient, I’ll give you that. Your average claimant would have probably died. I’m surprised your spine is still intact. You have about fifteen more seconds, by the way.” 

“Don’t fuck with me!” she spoke as she jumped up and continued her assault. 

“Oh my! You talk like your father used to!” Nier chuckled as he casually avoided all her attempts at finishing the test early. “However, you lack his accuracy, and it will cost you.” 

Gabi watched in shock as he stepped out of the way of one of her punches, his arm seemingly coiling around her own before she felt herself thrown to the ground. She attempted to pick herself up, but a kick against her stomach sent her rolling across the field a distance away. She could feel herself struggling to breathe, but it did not stop her from jumping up to her feet and using the distance to her advantage. 

She spread her wings, using them to push forward in his direction with increased speed. She could see he was still playing with her, but she did not understand why she was having so much trouble with him. His attacks weren’t particularly strong, but they felt as if they were dealing far more damage than she had sustained before. What really pissed her off, however, was watching as he chose not to move out of the way and instead meet her head on. Instead of dodging her punch he caught it, and when she attempted to unleash another, he did the same. He wasn’t strong enough to halt her, but he still chose to toy with her in this fashion? 

“You think this is funny?” 

“Laughably so.” 

“I’ll show you funny!” she spoke as she pushed them upward, Nier now looking down at the ground as she lifted them both into the air. 

“You’ve got some crazy raw strength for a claimant your age! I’ll congratulate you on that, of course, but there’s one problem... you forgot about the time.” 

Gabi paused in her tracks, sending Nier continuing through the air without her just in time to avoid a sword which flew right by her. If he hadn’t said anything she might have been too focused on him to realize, but that still meant nothing. Her eyes turned upwards, her expression curling into something she hadn’t felt in so long when dealing with a fight that it made her stomach turn. In her mind she didn’t want to believe it or give it the satisfaction of existing in her soul, but there was no denying what now rested within her being. Unshakable fear in the face of unbearable odds as her eyes refused to look away from the sky nearly clouded out by countless blades. 

As Nier’s decent paused, she watched him smile in the smuggest of fashions before the expression faded away entirely. What had once been a less serious individual with constantly changing tones in his demeanor was now a focused and unbending visage. His eyes looked as if they were that of snakes peering through sapphire dipped in poison. It was the gaze of someone who didn’t understand mercy or second chances, something she had personally seen herself when looking in the mirror. But it was a look he wore far more proudly. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours, hours like days, days like- 

“You don’t have time to let your mind wander. Now you survive and if you lose focus for a moment... you perish.” 

Chaemai could hear it in the distance. The passing few minutes filled with the sound of steel whizzing through the air. Gabi, on the other hand, was forced to face it in the first person. Every attack was dangerous beyond comprehension. If she stopped moving for a moment she died, if she lost focus for a second it was all over, if her eyes didn’t follow every sword and her body didn’t react to every attack it would mean her fate would be sealed. This couldn’t even be counted as a fight anymore; she didn’t even have the time to locate him amongst the constantly moving and swirling swords. 

She found herself having to improvise to avoid the attacks. The weapons moving to make up for the small gaps and maneuvers she had been using. He was watching her from somewhere, she knew he was, and all she had to do was find him to end this! Her eyes darted around frantically, searching while absorbing all the information they could until she spotted it. She could barely see his eyes through the wall of steel blades, pacing around her like an animal stalking its prey. He had been waiting for a moment to strike her down, she could feel it in her bones. But she would be the one to attack first! 

She grabbed one of the blades from the ground and rushed his position directly, using the weapon to deflect the others until she had finally closed the distance. It only managed to piss her off more as she watched him act as if she had accomplished nothing, even with the sword in her hands bearing down on his head. But her confidence was quickly shattered as her weapon came to an immediate stop. She could tell just by looking at them, the two khanjar which held the sword in place, that those were his real weapons amongst the myriad of blades. They looked as if they belonged in his hands, at his side, as if they didn’t know any other places to be. But the thought didn’t last long before the pressure of his foot against her head sent her back to the ground again. 

“Why?” she spoke as she stood on her feet with a wobble. “Every time you attack, I can’t see it coming.” 

“Because you’re weak.” 

The next passing moment was now different from before, and Gabi could tell. He no longer bothered to use the other swords and instead chose to put the khanjar to use. They floated around him like a benevolent vanguard as he himself struck with attacks that she had finally come to understand. They didn’t carry much weight at all, but they all were aimed directly at places which naturally had little defense. His blades more accurate than the other swords grazed and cut her constantly, but she couldn’t focus on them entirely when he was directly on the assault. Too many blows from his hands and feet would whittle her down quickly and leave her in an even worse situation. She had to find an opening, force and opening! 

She stepped back quickly, her wings spreading in a fashion to ease her momentum so that she could grab one of the swords from the ground at her feet. She raised it at the ready, but upon her attention returning to Nier she would find him now so close that his hand was nearly touching her face. She had to act, had to do something, and in a desperate attempt she chose to do something she had only managed to see once when watching her father training. Her left hand rising with the weapon as her body twisted in a manner to force all her weight and strength into the attack. It wasn’t meant to be strong; it was meant to be fast. Fast enough so that he couldn’t dodge it. But as she watched his hand quickly shift direction and catch her wrist it was clear that she had made a mistake. 

“Don’t feel bad,” he said as she felt her feet kicked from beneath herself. “It’s not your fault that didn’t work.” 

She could feel herself nearly lose consciousness when his palm collided with her stomach. Her body collided with the ground again, pain surging through her limbs as she forced herself to remain aware, but there was very little she could do as she watched his weapons fly to his hands. All she could see was a streak of beautifully colored metals moving through the air just before... stopping short? 

“What are you doing?” Gabi questioned him as she watched the blade hover above her throat. “I lost! Finish it!” 

“No, on the contrary. Congratulations! Your five minutes are up!” 

“Wait, what?” 

“You passed. How long did you think we were fighting? Don’t tell me you lost track of time again,” Nier said as he lowered himself and lifted the girl from the ground. “Just relax for now and let's get you back to Chaemai and bandaged up.” 

“But I don’t understand. I didn’t win.” 

“It’s not always about winning, Gahbriogyva,” he started with a serious tone. “Sometimes managing to survive is the best we can all do. I will tell you now while I have the chance, because no one else will. What matters most is that you survive to the end of the day. Warriors will speak of honor and glory, the thrill of the fight, but I don’t really believe in all that stuff. I’m probably one of the only aikekunai in history who was taught to run if I felt I couldn’t win. Survival is everything, and you managed to survive an attack on your life from an aikekunai today. You’re already leagues above many other claimants out there.” 

“So, my victory... was survival?” she spoke with an unenthusiastic voice. 

“Don’t sound so disappointed! Besides, you can be proud to know you’re the third person to ever survive a confrontation with me.” 

“Only two others? Who were they? I don’t want to be compared with trash!” 

“Trash?” Nier chuckled at her words. “Well, Chaemai and Nammay stopped me from following through on my attempt to assassinate Stasia. But that was a personal matter.” 

“Ugh. And I should be pleased with that?” 

“The other was your father... we were young, stupid, desperate to prove ourselves and quick to combat. At the time I could barely hold my own against him then as well. It was called a sparring match, but we both knew it in our hearts. We were trying to kill one another.” 

“You fought my dad? I find it more impressive that you lived.” 

“Everyone says that, but he was always more merciful than me. I’m sure I would have easily died if he didn’t hold back.” 

“It looks like you two are done,” Chaemai said as they approached. “I brought your medical bag, just in case.” 

“You’re as thoughtful as ever, my precious spark.” 

“You two disgust me,” Gabi said with a disgusted glance and Nier sat down on the ground with her still in his arms. 

“There’s no need to be so mean. You’ll understand when you find someone who loves you more than you love yourself.” 

“And I always will, but I have a few more things to tell her... you’re strong, but you should use all the tools you have at your disposal. Your wings shouldn’t just be used for movement, but to attack as well. Don’t put so much movement into your punches and kicks, it leaves you too open and makes it easier for others to read your attacks... make sure you eat enough to support your training and get as much rest as you can... practice flying more so you can go faster in the future, that will no doubt help you. I’ll help you too if you need it... be careful when training, don’t push yourself too hard... you’re still young, so make sure you enjoy your life as much as you can now while you can... and always remember that I’ll be here if you need me. I’m an aikekunai... but I’m still your uncle too... don’t be afraid to rely on me... I’ll always...” 

“Huh?” Gabi spoke as she looked at the male’s face. “He’s asleep? What the hell!” 

“Nier has always been like this,” Chaemai began as she applied the bandages to Gabi’s wounds. “Nier is quite lethargic and requires lots of rest to use his abilities properly. He must have been having a lot of fun with you, but he runs through all his energy when he makes a big show of things.” 

“Then why would he do all that?” 

“Well, probably to make a point. Everyone looks at him as the weakest aikekunai after all. He’s the only one who would run from a fight, and he tries to end conflicts in as few moves as possible to retain his strength. He was trained to be faster than anyone else at the cost of physical might, but certain decisions have made him one of the most slothful claimants around. It’s easy to see him as lazy and weak but, as much as he tries to hide it, I know he’s always trying to prove himself to be something more than that to everyone else. Even if I told him it was fine to me, I doubt it would change his mind.” 

“He doesn’t seem weak to me at all. Why would anyone ever see him as weak?” Gabi asked as she watched Chaemai place her hand on his cheek. 

“Because he’s compared to claimants like your father, and he views your father as a brother. He doesn’t tell me why, but the two of them share a bond that connects them in a way that only those two can understand. So, while I feel like he fought you the way he did for the sake of his title,” Chaemai paused as she placed her hand on Gabi’s head. “I’m certain he pushed himself as far as he did to show his niece that he wasn’t as weak as everyone says. But don’t tell anyone else about that. It will be our secret. Okay?” 

“Okay! I can do that!” 

“Isn’t uncle Nier an aikekunai too?” Gabi asked her parents. 

“She just met him, but she already calls him uncle. I suppose it’s too late to turn back now,” Cyva spoke as she helped her daughter stretch. 

“He is an aikekunai, but that isn’t all that matters. He often acts so carefree that he gets grouped with other claimants. He doesn’t do anything to respect his title, but we all know what he is. I often feel as if he were dealt a poor hand.” 

“What do you mean? He doesn’t seem to act that way.” 

“Because he often goes out of his way to not act that way. It’s difficult to describe,” Gahbreal said with a frown. “Being an aikekunai wasn’t a thing he likely would have chosen, if he had the choice. Even so, he does his job out of respect for Nammay and Chaemai. I don’t believe he cares for many other people outside of those two and his mother. Even if we call each other brothers, sometimes it feels like he keeps me at arm's length.” 

“Nier is a kind person, but he often holds onto too many burdens. Chaemai seems to be the only person who can lighten that load, much like I do for your father.” 

“Burdens and lightening the load,” Gabi looked at the bandages on her arms and legs for a moment. “Someone who loves you more than you love yourself...” 

Nier’s eyes opened slowly, catching the moon and stars as a sigh escaped his lips. He knew this feeling on the back of his head all too well. The feeling of Chaemai’s lap which only he was fortunate enough to experience. 

“So, she’s already gone?” 

“Yes. I sent her back home not long after you fell asleep. She seemed to be pleased with your time together.” 

“That’s good. Hopefully she managed to learn something.” 

“I’m certain she has... but I have to ask you something.” 

“Yes, my spark?” 

“Why did you go easy on her? If you planned to fight her in a way that simulated you going after her life, then she would not have survived. Is that not what this test was all about?” 

“What?” Nier chuckled slightly. “Eric is stupid, but he’s not that stupid. I’m sure he knows my relationship with Gahbreal well enough. I might be the one person who will truly put her life in danger, but if I saw she were incapable of avoiding one of my attacks I would have sooner cut off my own arm to stop it before I let it land. I couldn’t bring myself to hurt her.” 

“Is that so? It sounds like you’re beginning to grow soft on me.” 

“Perhaps I am. But I’m sure you knew it the moment I saw her. I could barely contain my smile.” 

“Of course, I know. In your own words I’m sure you’d say it was love at first sight. I wonder how many people you’d kill for the girl now that you two have met?” 

“As many as it takes, for both her and my brother.” 

Some time had passed since the last box had been opened. Following the events between herself and Nier, Gahbreal and Cyva had thought it best to hold off on them until she had gained a bit more experience. Gabi, on the other hand, didn’t believe it was necessary. That short period of time with Nier had taught her something very important compared to everything that the others had taught her. No matter how she attempted to look at it she had been working from a disadvantage. 

From the beginning she knew it was the case. She looked up to her father and Eric the way she did because they were both strong, and they were both strong because they’re both aikekunai. She knew there was work that had to be applied to achieve that status, but that didn’t mean it was going to be easy to surpass them at all. She essentially had chosen to challenge one of the strongest of their kind and there was nothing particularly special about herself that she could note. The more time passed the more useless it felt. It felt as if things had barely been moving forward, and eventually her mother had found herself struggling to teach her anything new. 

But, regardless of what her mother could show her, there was always a means to find another source of strength. That was around the same time their daughter had begun to disappear for extended periods of time without a trace. 

“I must admit. I didn’t expect you to actually come.” 

“There isn’t anything for me to do back at home. There’s no point in studying at this point. Mother had taught me more than enough, and what she hasn’t taught me I’ve taught myself. It’s why I essentially have the understanding of a college student in middle school, but I’m the age of an elementary schooler.” 

“I can tell. You practically speak like an adult and you’re already nearly my height as well... So, what did you expect to achieve by coming here.” 

“I came here to train, but I don’t need your help. I just need the proper equipment to push myself.” 

“To push yourself?” Kikana responded as she crossed her legs. “The last time I saw you, you were so small and energetic. But you should be fine with normal training methods-” 

“That won’t be enough. If I plan on pushing myself past my limits then I will need more strength, more speed, more power. In order to achieve that I will need things that can test me properly. I’m sure you can get me the equipment I’ll need.” 

“Well then, let me see what I can do. But we’ll need to see where you stand before that. Come with me.” 

Kikana stood to her feet and walked down the dark hallway. This was Gabi’s first time ever actually coming here, but she could tell that her grandmother was a Dimea claimant just from the way she moved around in this environment. There wasn’t a single light shining and yet she moved around as if it were still day. She didn’t seem tired at all and kept her pace as if she were always in a hurry. She didn’t wear any clothes that looked relaxing. The woman looked like the proper assassin from head to toe, clad in the classic attire of what she could only describe as a royal shinobi yet with reinforcements on her person that kept her defended but nimble. Her father never looked so prepared. 

They continued until they were out under the moonlight. The area behind Kikana’s home wasn’t anything too special when compared to other homes, but comparing the place to other homes was a mistake of its own. There was a place for training with multiple tools lined up and spread everywhere. It looked as if it had once been a school for multiple students, but at the same time she knew no one else ever came out here. Everything seemed well used, telling her that Kikana herself did not ever cease to train, but what was she bringing her out there for?” 

“Is this where you wanted to take me?” 

“You seem disappointed. I can only really gauge your capabilities based on the information I received from your fight with Nier, but that was quite some time ago.” 

“You knew about that? I’ve only told mom and dad about that.” 

“You’ll find that I don’t often let information slip by me, in any capacity. So, I’d like to see where you are right now.” Kikana approached a simple wing chun dummy and ushered Gabi over. “Do you know how to use one of these?” 

“This isn’t worth anything to me,” the girl spoke with disgust. 

“You should practice respect. If you know how to use it, show me what you can do with it. Don't hold back and let me see your form at least.” 

“This is a waste of my fucking time,” she stated as she approached the dummy and took and offensive stance. “Don’t get mad at me when I break your toys.” 

Kikana watched as Gabi moved her hands and feet around skillfully. She could tell that the girl had improved substantially based on the information she had learned from her past confrontations. However, the progress was much more intense than anticipated. From what had been brought to her it was concluded that she had trouble dealing with attackers who were serious, and her eyes struggled with focusing on targets for both attack and defense. It had almost sounded as if she were incapable of easily focusing both on attack and defense at the same time. However, she looked as if she had already realized and fixed the problem on her own. 

It was amazing to think that such a short period of time could repair such an oversight, but what made her slightly confused was just how direct and intense her actions were. She barely looked as if she were moving at all, or rather it seemed like her movements were steadily pushing further and growing sharper. Each strike was more intimidating than the last until she began to realize what the girl had been talking about. Her warmup was normal training and, with each passing second, she applied more and more force until the entire dummy itself began to creak and shatter against the force of her strikes. Before she could even tell Gabi to stop the thing snapped in half. 

“I told you this was a waste of my time! If it’s too weak I can’t do anything with it. Nothing here will be worth the effort.” 

“Perhaps you should learn a bit of control? Strength isn’t everything, granddaughter.” 

“Do you take me for a fool?” Gabi spoke with an irritated expression. “Of course, that’s a lesson I learned a long time ago! But there’s no point in pushing speed if I lack the strength to follow it and vice versa.” 

Gabi turned and walked over to another training dummy. This one looked like a reinforced bar of pure metallic alloy wrapped in multiple clothes. The girl did not hesitate to twist her body into a kick and shatter the thing in half. It took no buildup and certainly not much effort on her part. It was fast, accurate, skilled, and certainly powerful. Kikana didn’t even believe she could pull off the same feat. 

“I’m not trying to be strong for no reason. I’m going to be the most powerful amongst all claimants. I must dominate everyone in all categories, leave them incapable of even believing they have a chance of victory against me! That is when I will believe I am the most powerful! No claimant, no treasure, not even the ancients will match me. Now I don’t have time to waste. If you can help me push myself further, then tell me; I won’t be bothered to waste my time with all these useless tests!” 

“Don’t worry, I’ve seen where you stand. You certainly do have my blood in your veins... Alright dear, let’s see what we can do for you. If you’re looking for power, I can only be inclined to help you find what you seek.” 

The box was lighter than any of the others in the box. She could remember this one specifically because it had proven itself to be a difficulty in the past. No matter what she did it refused to open itself for her and she could not force it open. She even flew as high as she could go without breaching space and dropped it down to the earth. Outside of causing a small natural disaster, it had accomplished nothing for her overall objective. She had steadily found herself reaching a breaking point at which she would just turn to attempting to destroy the box in its entirety. 

“Did you drop or try to melt the box?” 

The response was the box flying into an opposing wall and causing a new hole, larger than any other hole Gabi could make on her own and it made Jillian try her best not to yell at the girl. She had to be nice, she promised that she would be nice for Eric. Taking a deep breath, she approached the wreckage of the newly repaired wall and got onto her knees. 

“Hmm. Did you at least figure out what the box is made of?” 

A sound of annoyance told Jillian that Gabi had already done the necessary research, but it seemed that had come up blank and it was leaving the girl with very little options. 

“Have you tried being... nice to it?” 

“Nice?! It’s a box! A BOX!” 

“I mean... there’s not much else I can think of. You know how your uncle is. He’s a bit crazy like that.” 

“He is not crazy, he’s misunderstood.” 

“I think you might be the only one who would believe that.” 

A growl escaped Gabi’s throat as she attempted to snatch the box from Jillian’s hands, but when Jillian pulled the box just out of reach, she looked at the woman instead. 

“No more throwing things. While repairs don’t cost much, I’d rather not live in a house full of holes.” 

Gabi looked entirely annoyed, and Jillian could tell. There was no doubt that the girl was already agitated because of the box and her own words weren’t going to please her next to that. However, when she chose to hand the box over to Gabi, she took it with surprising speed and took a few steps away before sitting on the floor and fiddling with it once more. 

The girl looked at the box with a steadily more upset expression. It was steadily starting to shift from the normal angry and aggressive nature she always displayed when met with a problem, and that was enough to get Jillian to remember that regardless of the way she acted Gabi was still quite young. It was a little disappointing to a subtle degree. There was a part of her that almost expected Gabi to never get so down about something, but that was an unrealistic standard. That was why Jillian chose to approach her and kneel at her side. 

“What?” 

“Come on, just try it. What do you have to lose just by being nice to the box? You can’t be stubborn forever.”

“I’m not stubborn! The box is just stupid.” 

“Well, if the box is stupid then wouldn’t that mean it’ll open in an equally stupid way?” 

Gabi looked at Jillian with a look that told the woman it made no sense, but as she looked back at the box, she found herself wondering what else she could do? What were the odds that Jillian was right about this? Eric had managed to surprise her many times in the past, albeit she was still just a little kid, and she knew that. All she could do was look at the little box which somehow was simultaneously the lightest and the most difficult to open. Nothing about the box made any proper sense... 

“Open... please?” 

Both her and Jillian were surprised to see the box click open. They looked at one another in disbelief. 

“What in his right mind made Eric think this was the best way to have you open the box? I don’t think you’ve ever been polite around him at all.” 

“Maybe he anticipated you telling me how to do it?” 

“He’s not that perceptive. I refuse to believe it.” 

“I even have trouble believing he thought about that. There’s nothing urging you to even let me stay with you... I wonder what could be inside.” 

Gabi shook the box as if expecting to hear something move around inside, but there wasn’t a single sound coming from within. For a moment she believed she would be pissed to find the box was just empty and the test he had prepared for her was just managing to open the damn thing. But, as she slowly began to open the lid, Jillian’s nose turned up. 

“Time?” 

“What?” Gabi turned as she heard Jillian speak but was faced with nothing but darkness. “Aunt Jillian?” 

She looked around for a bit, panic in her eyes as she wondered where she might be. It felt as if she were moving and yet she was clearly still sitting in place, but as she attempted to stand, she found there was no ground for her to stand on. What felt like sitting now felt like falling, her wings accomplishing very little in the form of balancing her out. She couldn’t tell up from down and it made her stomach turn, but what felt like falling soon became the sensation of her back slamming against wood. Her eyes now filled with light, the clamoring of dishes and cutlery falling to the floor, it was all so suddenly chaotic, and her attention was entirely on herself. 

Gabi groaned, her head leaning back off the edge of the table she now found herself lying on. Her body ached slightly, as if she had fallen from a great height, but it wasn’t nearly enough to leave her incapacitated for a long time. However, she soon came to hope that had been the case. It might have been better to instead be unconscious compared to opening her eyes and being face to face with a woman who absolutely terrified her. A woman with a head of long, jet-black hair. She was tall, extremely tall, even slightly taller than her father. Her eyes were not like Nier’s or Erics, and certainly not like her father’s. Not that they lacked the qualities of a fighter, but they looked more like they were pulling her apart. Her skin was pale but seemed somewhat gray, and it was clear that she looked down on her from the moment she spotted her. 

“Aren’t you a bit too young to be out here?” the woman spoke in a low voice. It was both pleasant, but also intimidating. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about... Where am I?” 

“Credi a questo idiota? Do you all hear this?” she spoke as she turned to the others who were in the building. It was at this moment that Gabi finally realized where she was and how strange things had truly become. 

“I think she’s lost lieutenant!” 

“Lieutenant?” Gabi responded as she turned on her stomach and found herself face to face with the woman. 

“That is my rank. I don’t know how you ended up so close to the front lines, but this is a war zone. You should go back home where you belong.” 

“War? What war?” 

“Questa ragazza è seria? Non sei un pretendente? We’re currently in the middle of the Spanish Inquisition, child. A revolution. I thought you were the person Qrow was sending me for help, but I suppose that must mean he ignored my request again!” 

“Qrow? Isn’t that DeVian’s past life?” 

“Who the hell is DeVian?” the woman asked her before standing to her feet. “Enough questions. I don’t have anyone to spare to get you away from the frontlines, so I guess we only have one choice.” 

“What are you talking about?” Gabi asked as the woman placed a jacket over her shoulders and turned to all the other people who filled what she could only describe as a tavern. 

“What do you say boys?! She’s here, so why don’t we force her to fight for us!” the building erupted into a roar of cheers and battle cries all around them. It wasn’t like anything she’d ever seen before. These people were all warriors, all ready to fight and die, all committed to battle. It made sense now, why the woman intimidated her the way she did. You’d have to be a certain type of individual to lead a band of claimants like this. “It looks like it's been decided. Welcome aboard, Dimea child. From this moment onward you’ll be fighting under me.” 

“And who exactly are you supposed to be?” Gabi asked. 

“I’m the leader of this band of fools currently taking care of business for one specifically irritating aikekunai, just to spite my even more foolish ancient. You can call me Lieutenant General Zorelle. I look forward to seeing what you’re capable of on the battlefield.”

"Aren't you going to ask my name?"

"As if it matters. You're one of my mercenaries now. So all you need to do is kill when told and survive. A claimant who can't do at least that won't find it easy to survive long either way."

The doors burst open, the locks breaking and falling to the floor to the surprise of everyone inside. While they wanted to rush and see to the problem, or rather see the problem in general, it would be far safer to remain out of sight and allow the two heads of the house to handle the situation. At least that was what they told themselves. It was all mainly an attempt to avoid becoming the target of Qrow’s ire if things had managed to go south. However, it was when Ears had finally joined them in the kitchen that Spinach and Fish could at least glean a slight bit of insight regarding the current situation. 

“Do you know what’s happening?” Fish quickly asked him. 

“From what I can tell there’s just an angry visitor. She and Chef have been having a yelling match from the moment she arrived. Needle and String haven’t cared to come down. Tonic, surprisingly, is also present.” 

“And what of Qrow and Godfrey?” Spinach responded. “Qrow specifically just got back recently. I’m sure he’s not happy about this.” 

“That’s the problem. This person is a subordinate of his, and you can tell they’re dangerous just by looking at them. Apparently, they’ve come directly from the battlefield. But I don’t know how she managed to travel such a far distance in that short time. She even brought what looks like a little girl with wings along with her.” 

“What do you think you’re doing?!” 

“Sounds like Master Qrow has finally addressed the situation.” 

The three approached the door which connected them to the adjacent room which contained their newest guest but were intercepted by Chef making their way back. There was a look of disapproval, but the curiosity was of course understandable. It wasn’t everyday someone was crazy enough to directly enter Qrow and Godfrey’s home in this manner. 

“It’s about time you came out! What in Novevu’s name is wrong with you?! Ho chiesto aiuto! Non per un dannato incubo! Se ci volevi morti potevi farlo da solo!” 

“What are you talking about?!” 

“I’m talking about this little idiot!” Zorelle said as she raised Gabi up by her wings for them all to see. It was like a rabid animal flailing around wildly. Screaming and growling like no living and sentient person should be capable of doing. Even Qrow looked like he didn’t want her to touch him. 

“What’s all this noise about?” Godfrey’s voice entered the equation as Qrow quickly rushed to help him the rest of the way down the stairs. 

“Why are you down here? You should be resting.” 

“Someone just broke into our home. I can’t possibly sit on my hands while there’s so much commotion.” 

“Do you know who this is? She’s a part of your house! Did you suggest her to Qrow?!” 

“What? I’ve never seen this girl in my life,” Tonic responded while taking a few steps back. “She’s filthy. Where did you find her.” 

“It doesn’t matter where she found her, get her out of here!” Qrow interrupted them only to then be interrupted himself. 

“Shut up and fight me! I know you’re strong, I can smell it on you! Fight me now! Your sister demands it!” 

“Sister? Zorelle! Where did you find this girl!” 

“I think she’s cute. She could work for us... after a bath and some lessons on manners.” 

“Work for you?” Zorelle responded to Godfrey. “I can assure you she’s useless to you, unless you need someone to demolish infrastructure... or move stones.” 

“She can’t be that bad. And why are you holding her like that?” It was an odd position to be certain. Both of her wings being held above her so that Gabi hung down with her feet away from the ground. “That looks very uncomfortable for her.” 

“Because the damage she causes when she’s grounded, or flying, is both enough to be a major disaster for all of us... that and she tried to kill me multiple times on the way over here!” 

“And you if put me down I’ll try it again!” 

“You little shit, I swear I’m going to-” 

“Enough!” Qrow silenced everyone immediately. “I will not stand to listen to this nonsense any longer! You will answer my questions now, Zorelle. Why did you choose to damage my home? Why did you abandon your post on the battlefield? And why did you bring this... animal here? And for an extra question, why are you wearing that ridiculous thing over you eye?” 

“Do you really not know who this girl is?” Zorelle asked only to be met with an irritated stare. “Bene, questo ci porta un problema ancora più grande.” 

“I won’t be asking again. You’ll just die instead.” 

“Fuck,” Zorelle said as she looked at Gabi. “This girl just showed up on the frontlines. I believed you’d sent her because she just dropped out of what I believed was a portal right in the middle of our occupied territory. I took her to the battlefield and after that I came directly here.” 

“That didn’t really explain anything at all.” 

“That’s because I thought it would be best to get the main details out of the way first, jackass.” Zorelle snapped at Tonic before turning her attention back to Qrow. “This girl is the root of all your questions being answered. I abandoned my position on the battlefield, because the battle is already over. I brought this girl to fight, and she looked hesitant at first, but out of nowhere she flew up into the sky dodging all manner of attacks and looked down on all of us. That was the last thing anyone saw before it looked as if the entire world flashed red for a moment.” 

“A widescale ability? Did it kill anyone?” Godfrey asked, to which Zorelle shook her head. 

“No, but the effects were worse than anticipated. The girl nullified the abilities of everyone on the battlefield all at once excluding only herself. From personal experience, it felt as if a dark haze had blurred my connection with Flori. She essentially cut off everyone’s connections from their house... and then proceeded to ATTACK EVERYONE INDESCRIMINATELY! The girl boasts enough physical strength and speed to outmatch almost every claimant I’ve ever met. Which means that everyone had to fight her at an extraordinary disadvantage, and she would have already been able to kill them without cutting off their abilities! She killed the majority of both MY forces and the ENEMY forces! I was forced to restrain her myself while everyone else recovered, and she was the one who kicked your door in because she got close enough to cause ANY type of damage!” 

“So, you mean to tell me that this girl caused all those problems? That this one little girl could terminate an entire battlefield on her own against both sides?” Qrow questioned the woman with a less than satisfactory gaze. 

“She doesn’t even look like she’s old enough to fight on the front lines,” Godfrey said which caused the girl to lash out in his direction. 

“Even at six years old I could snap you in half you frail fuck!” 

There was silence, then confusion, then silence again followed by the raising of brows and leaning of heads. It wasn’t that they were shocked by her language or anything so simple. Instead, everyone was more focused on how a girl could claim to be six years old, be almost the same height as a young adult, and talk more clearly than just about any adult they’d known. 

“You let someone claiming to be a six-year-old kill your soldiers and claim your victory for you? Even if she's lying and clearly looks to be in her teens, that doesn't bode ell for you. Perhaps it would be easier to just kill you now and save myself the embarrassment of your failures in the future.” 

“Save yourself the... Devi prendermi per un fottuto scherzo! Gabi, was it?” Zorelle asked the girl who looked in her direction quickly. It was as if she were attempting to find the slightest opportunity to get free and attack her. “You said you wanted to fight Qrow, didn’t you?” 

“Zorelle, don’t you dare.” 

“Shut up, Tonic... Well then, Gabi. I believe that Lord Qrow is currently looking down on you. Wouldn’t you like to prove to an aikekunai that you’re not as weak as he believes you are? In fact, there are two aikekunai here! I’ll let you fight them both-” 

“No! Qrow is good enough, the other one can barely even stand. Now get out my way.” 

“Gladly, little devil,” Zorelle spoke as she allowed the girl’s feet to touch the ground before releasing her wings. 

“I’m not a devil! In fact, my mother says I’m the most angelic being alive.” 

“I’m sure.” 

Zorelle walked her way past the girl and over to Godfrey, standing between him and Gabi before giving Qrow a smirk. He looked as if he were prepared to kill her on the spot, but it was more concerning how Zorelle was so confident in this girl’s capabilities. From what he knew that woman didn’t care for or praise anyone, but he just heard her explain exactly how this girl ruined an entire battle on her own. If that were the case, he could at least not ignore her entirely. 

“I don’t need you to protect me,” Godfrey spoke as Zorelle made certain to act as a shield between him and Gabi. 

“If he keeps ignoring her the way he has been your entire staff will need protection.” 

It seemed more like a joke, but as Godfrey watched the girl grow considerably more impatient and agitated it started sounding less like a joke and more like words from experience. He watched as Gabi stretched out her arms and wings. The more he looked at her the more she looked slightly familiar, but as she steadied herself and lowered down with her wings raising outward the thought escaped his mind. The movement of her angelic appendages sent a strong burst of wind through the area. The walls creaked and shook for a moment before she immediately blitzed Qrow’s position. 

Her approach was simple, easy to predict without much in the way of strategy. However, Qrow was privy to what it was Gabi was attempting to accomplish with such a straightforward charge. Their hands locked together in the exact way he knew she desired, a pure and outright test of strength in which all she had to do was push him back in order to be acknowledged. It was a one-sided belief on her part, but it was clear that the girl didn’t much care for what others believed. If he allowed her to accomplish what she set out to do here, then she would no doubt call that acknowledgement without his say. And it was also for that reason that he did not allow her the chance to even have him move in the slightest of ways. Bringing a direct pause to her charge and forcing her feet to the ground immediately. 

“Did you really think that was going to accomplish anything? Comparing me to the fodder you’ve been dealing with to this point will only result in your demise.” 

“I knew it,” Gabi spoke as she experienced the pressure of his physical might weighing down on her own. “This is more than what I had hoped for.” 

“Are you trying to say that your charge was a test? For lowly filth like yourself to be testing me is more of an insult than you have the right to use.” 

Gabi found herself in a dangerous situation, but that danger only meant that this was all worth something. She rarely had the opportunity to be at such unbalanced odds. There was no point to training oneself in her mind if the opponent weren’t strong enough to defeat them. There would be no experience to gain if they were too weak, folding and crumbling the moment she put her all into it. Her father never fought her and most likely wouldn’t until they began her real training, and with Eric being away that meant that people who had enough power to really test her were beginning to run thin. That was why, as her fingers intertwined with Qrow’s, and his palms bared down on her own with enough force to force her back and dig her feet into the ground, she found herself smiling instead of feeling fear. As if a part of her were waking up that had been asleep. 

“Well, what can I say? This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve tried my hand at an aikekunai. But you’re just as my mother and father said you were. I don’t believe I could have asked for a more fitting opponent.” 

“And who exactly might your parents be? I should properly punish them later for raising such an irredeemable waste of space that would cause such a commotion in my home.” 

“Hah! As if you could accomplish such a feat!” Gabi started as her form stiffened and her body tensed. “My father may say that you’re stronger than he’ll ever be, but he’s too respectful for his own good! He is and will always be the strongest claimant no matter how much he denies it! That’s why I need you to die for me. I can’t properly defeat him or my uncle if I’m too weak to destroy you and that walking corpse over there!” 

“Has the girl gone mad?” Godfrey asked Zorelle who seemed entirely unfazed. 

“This is how she was acting before I brought her here, except she didn’t think anyone else was strong enough.” 

“And I’m assuming that anyone who wasn’t strong enough ended up dead.” Tonic entered their conversation. “I’m honestly surprised she’s lasted this long in this situation.” 

“There’s no doubt Lord Qrow is just letting her continue in hopes that he’ll find out where she came from. I wouldn’t put it past him to actually punish whoever raised the girl up to be this disrespectful.” 

“I think it would be nice to have her work here with the others. Teach her basic manners and how to properly present herself. Not to mention how dazzling she would look in a maid’s attire.” 

“You really want your home to be destroyed, don’t you Lord Godfrey?” Zorelle questioned him before turning her attention back to the fight. However, something didn’t seem right. Neither of them had spoken for some time and yet they still seemed locked in their test of might. “What are you doing? Hurry up and finish this Qrow!” 

“Oh?” Gabi responded as her eyes turned to the others. “You seem to be confused about this situation. Ah! How adorable of you all.” 

Qrow took note of how the girl seemed to grow more and more unhinged with every passing second. Crazy wasn’t a proper word to describe what she was. It was more like a gradually progressing madness which had no limits. What was once rabid and hostile actions now seemed more genuine and direct, but almost as if he had been playing directly into her hands. She was practically drooling, infatuated beyond comprehension and yet it wasn’t over him. She was drowning in some undiluted euphoria brought on directly from the fight. 

“Perhaps it would be best if I just ended this now. You’ve overstayed your welcome.” 

“NO!” A flash of red engulfed the entire room, Zorelle more proactive in her defense of Godfrey as the layer of diamond which covered her skin shattered to the ground. That alone was enough to tell Qrow that this was what she had meant when she said the girl could force abilities to stop functioning. But how could she have realized he was preparing to poison her in that instance? “I am Gahbriogyva Leigh Dimea, daughter of the strongest aikekunai! Starting now, this battle ends when I decide it ends.” 

“Dimea? That boy has no children!” Qrow responded as he attempted to push the girl back. 

“Then call me whatever you like! But you will fight me to the death! Let your house’s name become one with this battle!” 

The more Qrow pushed down on the girl the more she forced herself to remain in place. What had once seemed more like a simple act of foolishness by this child had soon managed to become something out of the ordinary. From what she had said he could only conclude that she meant herself to be the daughter of Gahbreal, the current Dimea aikekunai that existed, but there was no evidence of him ever having children. However, it was difficult to deny her words when looking at her eyes, glowing a red which resembled his almost directly. Just looking at them felt as if she were attempting to unravel his mind. But there was very little time to think about it. Before he even realized it the girl had begun forcing an unbelievable amount of raw strength his way. 

The ground quaked and crumbled, the building shuttering around them as she pitted her own power against his, Gabi couldn’t help but feel an undeniable joy filling her soul as she felt her feet begin to give way and slide back, but as she dug her toes into the ground and pressed on it was clear that she was not at all prepared to retire and say this was the end. She could feel it, her body reaching the limits of what she was capable of and yet she did not care to stop. This was what she desired, an opponent worthy enough to push her further than ever before. She hadn’t even realized it till that very moment, but this was what she had been looking for all along. 

Her father always seemed like this figure of absolute power. Someone she knew was strong and yet never had the chance to see it. That built him up in her mind as this unstoppable force that was beyond her reach. Eric often fought with her and entertained her, but that could be treated more like play than an actual fight to some degree in her own mind. Her mother was only capable of so much and Stasia was a waste of time. DeVian refused to fight her outright and she had yet to properly meet with any of the other aikekunai or sufficiently strong claimants. Nier had taught her the importance of fighting without holding back, without mercy, without restraint! And this? This was a fight which embodied all those values. An opponent who only saw her as something which needed to be felled. That was what made her heart sing. 

“Qrow! Could you take this outside? There won’t be anything left of our home if you allow this to continue any longer!” Godfrey called out to which Gabi turned in his direction. 

“Don’t worry! You may be weak, but I’ll gladly give you your turn next!” 

With that it seemed that Qrow had had enough. Gabi hadn’t felt so utterly overpowered in her entire life, the ease at which he pushed her back enough to make her blush as she was sent out of the door and in front of the estate. The dust settled as she rose to her feet, her wings flaring outward to scatter it away before her jaw dropped at the sight of her opponent. The visage of Qrow approaching her with weapon in hand the very push she needed to reach the height of her desires. 

“Qrow, was it?” she spoke as her red eyes nearly stripped him down entirely. “You’ve earned more than my respect, I must say.” 

“I don’t believe your respect is worth anything.” 

“Oh, don’t be that way! When you so eagerly give me what I want then you can easily be regarded as my most respected... what was the word? Friend? Perhaps that’s too kind... that’s right! My most respected slave!” 

“You have no filter, do you?” 

“Should I bother filtering myself? If you’re not privy to talking with words, then do it with your weapon! But don’t die too easily! If you fall over without giving me your all then I’d be far too disappointed!” 

She charged in without any care for preparation or regard. In Gabi’s mind the axe which he now wielded being both a proper means to challenge her as well as the thing which took their exchange to an entirely different level. The danger it brought being that which would push her even closer to her limits, whatever those may be. Qrow was now out to kill and that was more than enough. Of course, that meant she would need to be resigned to doing the exact same. 

Qrow found the situation to be entirely different from before. The girl had been entirely focused on pitting her own strength against his and that was clear from the way she spoke to the way she engaged him. But comparing that to what was happening now? The girl was far more skilled than she had initially led on and from what Zorelle had told him. It wasn’t that she was just strong, but she understood the ins and outs of combat far better than anyone her age he had ever known. The way she fought, the way she threw her punches, the way her eyes followed every movement as if incapable of allowing a single detail to slip by, it was almost as if she had learned how to throw a punch before she had learned how to walk or speak! 

The fight persisted with Gabi falling behind as one would expect. However, the longer things carried on the more accustomed she became to it all. Shrugging off damage as if it meant nothing, earning everything she could from the fight through direct experience. Pain, suffering, failures in judgement, she could gain it all here. There was truly nothing more inspiring for her than the direct method of fighting those who everyone else called the strongest directly. If anything, this moment solidified the thoughts which rested in the back of her mind all this time. Like a secondary voice speaking to her from the deepest darkness within the madness accumulating in her soul. 

“I knew it,” her words caught the aikekunai’s attention for a brief moment amidst their fight. “Normal claimants won’t work for me anymore. You aikekunai are the only ones who can satiate my ever-growing hunger.” 

Gabi rushed in just as she had the first time, Qrow looking on in disgust with the thought that the girl had lost her sense of self with such a haphazard approach. However, as he swung his axe in her direction, he could clearly see the girl raise one of her hands to intercept it. The idea was foolish to say the least as they both knew he was clearly the superior here, but even with the weapon bearing down on her and the blade of the axe cutting into her shoulder she did not stop or second guess her choice. The palm of her hand against his stomach was the realization that she did not care for the damage she had received, and his own realization as to just how much of a danger this girl was. He slid back across the ground slightly, the sting from her strike barely noticeable, but there, nonetheless. 

He watched as she inspected her left shoulder, lifting her hand to make certain that her arm could continue to function with a squeeze of her fist before returning to the same combative stance. This was clearly crazy, Qrow could not understand why she was willing to go so far for the slightest of things, but perhaps understanding her wasn’t something anyone could accomplish. As far as he knew she was mad, and that madness would lead her to her death. He would not make the same mistake again, now having to consider that the girl was willing to sacrifice her body just to land any type of blow. However, it was clear that she was growing exhausted with each passing moment. 

“You should give up already. You’re too weak to accomplish anything and all you’re doing now is tiring yourself out. You can feel pleased knowing that you at least managed to land a single blow. Even if it wasn’t worth remembering?” 

“Tch!” Gabi pressed her teeth together as the hairs on her neck stood on end. “You think this is a joke? I'll destroy you along with everything you own if that’s what you want! Acknowledgement be damned. Your grave will serve as proof that I am and will ALWAYS BE GREATER THAN YOU!” 

They watched as Gabi’s wings stretched outward before swaying down and casting her high into the air. She pulled her right arm back, balling up her fist with every ounce of strength she had and even that which she did not have to spare! Her brow furrowing as her eyes became scarlet beacons which looked down on everyone like the trash she had seen them to be! Qrow simply readied himself in a casual manner, unphased by her actions in the slightest and yet something continued to eat away at him. 

“Is that so?” he responded to everyone else’s surprise as he readied himself in a more serious manner. “Then come down here and die!” 

Qrow watched as Gabi spiraled down in his direction without so much as a single plan in sight. She was quick, without a doubt, but not fast enough to avoid his axe which cleaved her in two without even the slightest bit of resistance. The fight itself was vastly underwhelming, excluding what she had accomplished for her age, but more importantly this would only leave more questions than answers as to who she really was or what she was doing there. 

“Qrow!” Godfrey’s voice caught his attention. “What are you doing? Defend yourself!” 

Qrow focused his attention back on the fight, the girl having clearly been struck down and yet he now saw no body, no blood, nothing! Nothing except for the clearly alive and well Gabi, as crazed as ever and entirely in his blind spot. Had she used some type of illusion? When did she have the chance to do it? His weapon wasn’t in a position to be swung again; his body not ready to perform such a quick dodge in such a short amount of time. He would have to take this hit in stride, but looking at the girl’s face and the way she was prepared... she looked as if she were prepared to try her hand at destroying him with every fiber of her being. 

Her fist moved forward with enough speed and forced to shred through the air in its way, the snap of the sound barrier shattering against her power the last thing anyone heard or saw before the next two things which took place left them all wondering what it was all for. First being the girl vanishing before their very eyes without even the slightest trace, the second being the gracious ‘gift’ she had left behind in the form of the remaining force of her unfinished attack. A surge of direct kinetic energy sweeping over the area in a way which shattered all the windows on the building and left every form of plant life in the surrounding area either uprooted or without leaves and petals to show. 

“Our home!” Godfrey called out to which Zorelle finally removed herself from the position of his shield. 

“La piccola merda non stava scherzando. She really meant she wanted to destroy both you and everything you own. You see why I brought her here now, right? I’ll accept an apology at any time.” 

“An apology? You brought that thing to our home and just let it wreak havoc to prove a point and you want an apology? I should kill you where you stand!” 

“Don’t get all pissy with me! I told you what that girl was all about, it’s your fault for not believing me in the first place. How exactly do you think a person who has never been touched on the battlefield loses an eye? You should be surprised I managed to get her here in the first place. Also, I’m an earth claimant? I can fix any major forms of damage before I go.” 

“More importantly,” Tonic started. “That girl didn’t just travel between realms or get transported. I’m sure you know that too, right?” 

“Yes, I noticed. That was movement through time,” Qrow looked around as if attempting to glean some sort of evidence from anything at all. “Where did she manage to slip away to?” 

Jillian had been in a panic, and rightfully so. There was never any telling how Gahbreal would react when discovering that Gabi had just disappeared, but if she had been moved to a different point in time there was no telling where she would be or what she would face. There certainly wasn’t anything good she could think of. Especially not when thinking about places that Eric would have chosen to have her go to or people he would have her meet. 

However, that panic was replaced with shock and dismay as Gabi returned. It wasn’t a simple return that would see her find the girl with a few scars bruises. Instead, the girl was bleeding profusely, and her left shoulder looked as if someone had attempted to cut off her arm entirely to no avail. What was the most terrible thing, comparably to the rest of it, was the position in which she had returned... with just enough time for Jillian to see her at the very end of one of the most dedicated punches she had ever seen the girl unleash! The box being thrown into the wall prior was nothing compared to the complete destruction of the wall itself and everything between her and it. 

It was madness. There was no telling when Gabi had managed to obtain so much strength, but as the girl fell to the floor it was certain that she had expended it all. 

“Gabi!” Jillian rushed over to the girl’s side. “Are you okay? What happened?” 

“When did I? How did I?” 

“We can talk about it later! Let’s take care of these wounds first and call your mom and dad-” 

“No!” Gabi interrupted her. “This is fine. This is nothing I can’t handle.” 

“What are you talking about?” 

Gabi lifted herself up to a sitting position, placing her right hand over her left shoulder and feeling out the damage for what it was. Her fingers clasped the wound and squeezed it tightly as a smile stretched across her face. She couldn’t forget this. Just how much stronger had she managed to become just from this single loss? 

“I only have a few more boxes left to go. I will not have my mother and father interfere with my progress any longer.” Her scarlet eyes turned to Jillian with a harrowing gaze. She could see it on her features. Cheeks as red as roses, as if filled with a terrifying infatuation. “Ah! I can feel myself growing stronger by the minute. Won’t you keep this secret with me... Aunt Jillian?” 

“Your father will be taking more time off starting today.” Cyva spoke to her daughter as she ascended the stairs. 

“That’s odd. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him take time off from work without being directly told to by Xainayne or you. What could possibly cause him to make a decision like this?” 

“You, of course.” Her words caused the girl’s head to lean off to the side. “I’ve about taught you everything there is to learn about the basics, and there is no college willing to accept you at such a young age... so, your father has decided that it’s time you begin learning new things directly from him.” 

“No way. You’re serious?” 

“Quite serious but understand that it will not be easy. You will be pushed to your current limits no doubt; made to understand the faults in everything that you do. It will not be a simple task to train under your father’s heel.” 

“I’m ready for whatever he wants to throw at me. He’ll see the fruits of all my efforts.” 

“I’m sure he will, but you should not get your hopes up. You’ve fought many people leading up to this point but comparing them to your father is a dangerous topic, and one he specifically does not like. There are claimants with more strength than him and claimants with more speed. Claimants who hold a greater form of ability than he has, but your father prides himself as being a neutral field. He does not excel at one thing, but he is proficient at them all. It’s what makes him dangerous, and why Xainayne refers to him as the Black Knight of the ancients.” 

“Black Knight. What is that supposed to mean? I’ve never heard anyone call him that.” 

“Your father would most likely hate you calling him that, but I will explain for your own sake... Gahbreal was raised from the ground up for a singular purpose, and that purpose is the difference between him and the other aikekunai. Aikekunai are well known and notorious for their deeds, making their actions a symbol of who they are. Do you understand where that places your father?” 

“Does that mean everyone else looks at him as the aikekunai who slays claimants?” Gabi answered with a worsening frown. 

“Exactly. It doesn’t matter how upset you get, that is the simple truth. It is his duty to deal with the claimants who are chosen to be dealt with by the ancients. It doesn’t matter if they’re in the right or wrong. Your father lives to put them down. Those claimants are both lost to their house and lost to him. That being said, he was raised to be capable of dealing with all his enemies no matter who they were. That includes other aikekunai.” 

“What? That doesn’t make any sense. Wouldn’t that be a job for treasures or ancients to handle? Why send dad?” 

“Because the ancients and treasures do not always have time to deal with every single problem that occurs. It’s for that reason that Xainayne, along with Kikana, molded Gahbreal into the fighter he has become. Why the other aikekunai and even other claimants exist for very particular purposes, like Stasia. No matter how much he hates it or denies it that is who he will always be... Gabi, listen to me,” Cyva said as she looked her daughter directly in the eyes. “I’ve seen your father fight. I know you believe he’s the strongest, but you should not test him under any circumstances. Madness has made his mentality flimsy and he forces it back constantly. A single slip up will cost you dearly in your training. He will teach you what you need to know, but that is all you need to gain from him.” 

“I’ll be fine. No matter how powerful dad is, I’ll handle it.” 

“I suppose I will have to hope that is true. Both you and your father, I doubt I’d be capable of stepping between you two at all if worse comes to worse. Just please be careful. Your father, although he won't admit it easily, has always been against your choice to seek so much power.” 

“He never told me that. Why? What reason would he have to be against it?” 

“Because he doesn’t want to personally train you himself, but he refuses to allow anyone else to do it to the extent he plans to. You will understand in due course. Go prepare yourself, angel. Rest your mind and prepare your spirit. Things will change drastically soon.” 

Gabi had found herself upset for reasons she could not understand. It made sense in her mind, that her father would be entirely against ever fighting her in any sense of the word the more she thought about it. For as long as she could remember he had always been the softest touch she had experienced, almost as if he were scared that he’d crush her if he ever applied too much pressure. It was a part of him that she loved dearly and without question, but also found herself disliking at times. She felt as if he were treating her like some sort of baby, but in his eyes that must be exactly what she was. There wasn’t going to be a single thing she could do to make him view her as a worthy opponent because he’d never view her as an opponent. The thoughts continued to eat away at her. 

She lifted herself from her bed and rose to her feet. Seeking a proper distraction from her own mind, Gabi would soon find herself procuring another box from where she had placed them all. It had been quite some time since she last opened one; the one between her palms was now acting as the fourth. She looked at it as if confused. It was light, almost like a feather, and it was held shut with a clasp unlike the others. She flicked the clasp up and, to her surprise, the box nearly opened on its own. This might have been the first to not require some arbitrary amount of raw force or method to get inside of. 

Upon lifting the lid, she would find two things inside. What looked like a small bell made from pure glass was alongside a note with scribblings on it in her uncle’s handwriting. The note was simple and to the point... 

“What the hell?” Gabi muttered as she tossed the note aside and lifted the bell out of the box before placing the box off to the side and plopping down on the edge of her bed. “This bell looks pretty fucking fancy.” 

A bell of pure, clear, uncorrupt diamond. Decorated with a single white ribbon she would have liked to remove and keep for herself but chose to refrain from doing it for the sake of not messing up whatever it was. It looked as if it were crafted from strings of glass wound into cloth. Whoever had made the bell was either extremely special or so captivated by their own talents that they’d do it just to show off... or both. However, none of that mattered now. Not when Gabi chose to ring the bell and be graced with the sound of an almost harmonic ding which filled her room like a peaceful song. 

She couldn’t help but find herself entranced by it. The sound was enough to bring a smile to her face as her lips parted and she attempted to vocalize the tone herself. She had never heard a bell make such a powerful tone apart from the normal chimes. But that didn’t last long as her nose twitched immediately after. 

“You’re every bit as beautiful as I’d heard.” Gabi had to refrain from spinning around and cracking their skull in half, remembering what the note had said. “Although, I don’t believe I’d say you’re more beautiful than me. You’re like an angel, while I’m akin to a god.” 

“You’re already pissing me off. Who are you?” Gabi questioned the female voice as she spun around. 

“No need to be so on edge and fussy. You rang for me, so I came. Let’s get the introductions out of the way and settle our business, shall we?” 

Gabi found herself at a loss for words. She had expected to see something... something different? But instead, she was met with the direct sight of someone so adept at overwhelmingly asserting their presence that it made the air feel thick. She wore pure white of exquisite design, the same material as the ribbon resting on the bell while her eyes resembled the glassy look of the bell itself. Her skin was so pale it was almost completely white itself, and that just meant her white hair was nearly blending with her skin. This person looked more like a deity than a claimant, but she could clearly smell time directly on their person. 

“I asked who you were. I won’t be asking again.” 

“So impatient, you’re no fun at all. I suppose you are very much like your father when he was your age. Quick to want answers without asking many questions. Then again, there can be good in reckless seeking.” The woman floated from behind Gabi to her front, hovering in the air in the middle of her room before offering her a delicate smile. “I am your taxi and professor for the day, by request of Eric. You may call me Mati-Mitta.” 

“Mati-Mitta? That asshole who keeps fucking with people? I thought you were some kind of child’s story or something.” 

“Rude! I’m very real, thank you very much. Children have no manners these days!” 

“I’m no child.” 

“Of course, of course. I’m sure you’re a fully grown adult already. Let’s skip the foreplay and get directly into today's objective. I’m going to drag you to the past because your precious Eric wanted you to see something and paid quite handsomely to have me show you.” 

“He paid you? What kind of claimant accepts payments?’ 

“A claimant who requires offerings for their services. Perhaps if you become a god someday, you’ll be capable of doing the same.” 

“You’re not a god. You’re not even an ancient!” 

“You clearly don’t know me well enough, girl. Now close your eyes and let's get this started. Eric said you should pay attention to what you’re about to see. A direct example of where your powers originated and how they should be properly used. Or, well, he didn’t say it like that. Something more like yelling and screaming at me.” 

“What?” Gabi responded. 

“Just hurry up and close your eyes!” Mati spoke as she placed her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “You want to see it, right? I know you all too well Gabi, so let’s hurry up and go. I haven’t gone back to this moment in history for a long while, and we must be quick. Echowix will be wondering where I’ve roamed off to if I’m gone for too long.” 

Gabi sighed and closed her eyes. It was an odd silence, but she found herself focusing on how soft the woman’s hands were. Everything about her made it extremely clear that she was nothing more than a delicate flower of sorts. It felt as if the slightest sudden movement might cause her fingers to snap, but Gabi could not remain focused on that any longer once the ring of clashing metal filled the air and caused her eyes to flutter open. 

“Don’t worry, they can’t see us or interact with us. We’re just spectators.” 

She barely paid attention to the woman’s words as she watched another woman breathing heavily not too far away from them. She was almost as tall as her dad, but clearly shorter. Her skin was just as pale as Mati-Mitta's but her hair was a long blanket of pure black with eyes as white as light itself. Looking at her, Gabi could almost feel as if she knew who the woman was. It wasn’t that she had ever met her or that it was some type of premonition. No, it was all due to the longsword which was held beautifully in her right hand covered with words she could not comprehend in the slightest. She was beautiful, even when tired and exhausted. She rose to her feet like someone who refused to be seen kneeling like a queen. She was... 

“Is that Audomattadjia Vall?” Gabi asked to which Mati smirked and floated into the girl’s view. 

“You know your history well! That’s the one who claims herself to be queen of the claimants, and many claimants hold her to that standard. However, you should be less focused on Audo and more focused on looking up. If you know who she is, then you know who her opponent currently is and why you should be paying attention to them.” 

“Her opponent?” Gabi spoke as a smile began to form on her face. 

She looked up quickly, immediately knowing who she’d find upon turning her gaze to the sky. All she could say was that it turned out to be exactly what she had hoped to see and in a form she had always imagined. Black wings spread across the sky like symbols of death, the coat which almost resembled her father’s, yet it was made of actual cloth instead of darkness. The axe held within his hand more than enough to give away the fact that this was none other than her father, but a single small change was enough to let her know this was different. 

He was shorter than her, with no beard and no bass behind his voice. He looked almost as if he were more pissed than she had ever been or ever could possibly be. He was clearly young, but not as young as she currently was. His axe next to his body made him look so small compared to her father, but that didn’t' make him any less impressive because he bled pure confidence. There was no other person this could be than the person her mother had explained in detail as well as compared her to for most of their lessons together. This was what they called her father’s third most powerful life based on tenacity alone. This wasn’t Gahbreal, this was Gabriel. 

“We don’t have to fight like this, Gabriel! We both want the same thing!” Audo spoke to which the boy looked at her with disgust. 

“You’ve caused the unnecessary deaths of countless claimants with your methods! We are not the same. The peace you seek costs the lives of the innocent.” 

“If the ancients will not listen then I have no choice! What I do is for the wellbeing of all claimants.” 

“You’ve allowed your dislike of Jayhe and your distrust of Jaiho to lead you by the nose, and that is what makes you a target. Perhaps if your methods were different, we may have been capable of fighting alongside one another... but as things stand, you’re in my way.” 

“Then I suppose we’re done talking,” Audo responded as she raised her sword with a spear falling from a portal at her side and into her left hand. 

“Yeah, I suppose we are.” 

“Pay close attention,” Mati spoke to which Gabi looked at her for a moment. “I’ve watched this fight multiple times and, if you don’t focus, you’ll miss important details. Gabriel was young, but the boy was certainly a genius in combat.” 

“Why’d you watch this multiple times?” 

“Just pay attention! This is one of the best parts.” 

“I’ll ask one more time! Are you sure you don’t want to surrender? My orders were not to kill you, but to bring you back.” 

“I will never surrender. I have my own set of worries and I will not be imprisoned again. Everything happens for a reason; this is no different. I have a purpose to fulfill with my actions today.” 

“Very well.” Gabriel responded as his wings spread outward and upward. “Ready yourself, self-proclaimed queen.” 

Audo looked at him, but it wasn’t with the normal confidence she held. Instead, it seemed she was more worried than Gabi had expected judging from the stories she had heard, and the way history had been explained. She looked as if she held Gabriel in extremely high regard. Almost like the chances of losing were higher than they had ever been from where she stood. It didn’t make any sense, but all she had personally heard was that Audomattadjia had won the fight. However, she could understand if only for a moment when looking up at her father’s past life. Even when not his opponent it felt like staring death in the face. 

The two looked at one another for a moment as if awaiting the other’s first move, but that moment was interrupted when Gabriel’s wings swung downward, and a hail of projectiles almost immediately stormed the ground like bullets. Gabi could barely comprehend how Audo managed to come out of that unscathed, she could barely register their movements herself. Yet the only thing faster than that was Gabriel’s own descent. Audo couldn’t even regain her proper balance before having to intercept his axe with her own sword. She watched as the spear lunged in his direction, but one of his wings quickly went on the immediate defense to stop it. Now they had resorted to a close-range exchange of blows. 

She could only describe it as magnificent. Audo adeptly avoiding and defending against the most overpowering form of assault she had witnessed yet, all while her own attacks proved to be blocked by his wings alone. It was almost as if they acted without his personal command, but she knew that wasn’t true at all. If anything, it was the exact opposite from her, and he needed to focus to make sure they did what he wanted. Each of his attacks carried the means to kill and so did hers. This is what she always craved, what she always desired. An immediate fight to the death without anything else needed. Words already spent. 

“You look pleased,” Mati said as she watched Gabi stare on as if entranced. “What do you think? Do you believe you could move like him?” 

“Like Gabriel? It looks odd, I can’t understand some of his movements.” 

“Good, so you noticed. That’s because Gabriel’s wings are not entirely like your own. His are made entirely of darkness which he creates. Your wings are more natural in nature, but with a consistency more real than his. As such, you look at them as if they’re real because they act in a more realistic way.” 

“What do you mean?” Gabi asked to which Mati pointed at the boy. 

“Take a look again and tell me what specific information you notice about them.” 

Gabi went back to spectating the fight, observing as Audo seemed to steadily gain her footing and sustain. Gabriel struck with his axe, and she quickly stepped aside with the thrust of her spear. However, Gabriel immediately lifted into the air where he once again looked down on her with a gaze of utter disapproval. It was from there black feathers once again began firing down on Audo who expertly maneuvered her way around them, deflecting those which she could not properly avoid. Gabi, on the other hand, crossed her arms as her brow furrowed. 

“It looks like he doesn’t flap his wings, and the feathers don’t regenerate at all after being fired because they're immediately replaced. How is that possible?” 

“You’re just as observant as Eric described you. It looks like I won’t need to point anything out to you... you’re correct, his wings do not act as you would expect because he understands what they are.” Mati opened her palm to which a clear box of what looked like distorted time hovered over her palm. Inside of it rested a feather. “This is a special item, one that Gabriel personally gave me while he was alive.” 

“You two were friends? That doesn’t seem entirely likely.” 

“That’s because we weren’t. He gave it to me and told me that if I ever came near him again, he’d cut my arms off. But I digress, that’s not the point! What matters is that this feather is made entirely of darkness like your wings, but Gabriel sees it entirely as a tool. Tools don’t dictate how they’re used; the user does that. The wings aren’t holding him up, he’s holding the wings up. The wings are simply connected to him much like your own.” 

“So, you’re saying that I flap my wings out of habit and I don’t have to? I’ve stopped flapping my wings before and I always fall to the ground when I do.” 

“It’s because your instincts tell you otherwise. It’s not something that Gahbreal can teach you because his darkness is not physical like Kikana’s or Mayray’s. Your overall speed should be faster when flying and the strength you output from those wings should also be greater because you’re controlling those wings directly. Yours certainly have greater properties towards naturality, and that’s why you can’t just instantly regenerate them when they’re severed, and your feathers grow back on their own over time-” 

“Wait, how do you know that? My wings have never been severed before.” 

“Because I do a lot of research in places you can’t understand. Anyway, all that to say your duty today is to observe and mimic. If you can’t reach this level of proficiency when using your wings, you might as well get rid of them.” 

Gabi could tell Mati was serious about her words. Not only because Eric had asked her to do this, but because the woman flew herself without wings at all. Perhaps that was why her uncle had chosen to have this woman personally bring her here, to serve as an example of sorts. She so effortlessly moved through the air as if it were the way she was meant to move. Is that the way she should have always been doing things? Was she meant to be so capable in this way? 

Her eyes returned to the fight, now watching as Gabriel and Audo continued their exchange of attacks. The woman looked far more serious than before, and Gabriel looked as if he were still dealing with someone far beneath himself. The look in his eyes reminded her of someone, but she could not put her finger on who it was. However, the fight had shifted drastically when a wave of fire flew in the boy’s direction, and he descended to avoid it. This was the first time Gabi had seen his feet touch the ground. It was also the first time she had seen him smile. 

“You’re finally done playing around?” 

“I had hoped you would back down or change your mind, but it seems my energy is running low. I don’t have the time or luxury to hold back. Not even on a child.” 

“Don’t act as if that makes me any less than my past lives!” those words seemed to have an immediate effect on him. “I will not abide being compared to a child. I am an aikekunai and you will treat me as such.” 

“You’re as stubborn as ever... fine, aikekunai.” Audo stood tall and switched her sword to her left hand. A new portal opened and this time a halberd fell into her right hand. “This is no longer a mere scuffle or spat of fun. You have slain my king, and as queen I shall not abide. This is now a duel with royalty.” 

“Then I suppose that makes me the royal executioner.” 

Gabi was dumbfounded. She did not believe the fight could have ever ascended to another level from what it once was, but now she was left with the sight of what could only be described as a real fight between claimants. Not that what she saw before wasn’t still a fight to the death. It simply did not compare to what she was now witnessing, the waves of elemental slashes flying through the sky from Audomattadjia’s sword, the feathers which not looked more like black blades raining down from the sky, all surrounded by what looked to be the starting of an elemental storm all around them. 

This looked like the type of fight she had imagined between aikekunai and claimants of proper renown. How she imagined a serious fight with Eric would look, or a serious fight with Qrow or DeVian would be! Something that could turn a battlefield on its head, and the only example she had seen prior was when Nier fought her with a sky full of blades, and he was seen as one of the weakest and least serious! She hadn’t even met others like Shinzo or Loic! Perhaps she might even get to fight them all! Then there was Evagelyne who she had heard very little about. It was enough to drive her crazy just imagining it. Seeing herself engulfed in this whirlwind of raw violence with her power forever rising to heights that would catapult her to places no one else could ever reach! Then, as if it were fate, the thought crossed her mind... 

“I can see you’re pleased,” Mati spoke as she watched Gabi look on as if in her own world entirely. She didn’t even grace her with a response, only smiling in a manner which displayed immense pleasure and joy. “No matter what world you never change.” 

“There’s no need for change,” she responded without even turning to face her. “All I need is power in any world, in any existence, in any realm. That power will craft me into something beyond what anyone else can ever hope to achieve. Then I will be whole.” 

Her scarlet eyes followed the two around as they moved across the courtyard which seemed to be coming apart more with each attack. By now they had both sustained their own injuries and were looking more worn out by the minute, but that just meant things were reaching the climax. Gabi was practically foaming at the mouth to see just how things ended, the experience far more than what the description had made It seem. But she could certainly tell when a fight was reaching its end. Watching as Gabriel raised his axe and Audo readied her sword and halberd. 

Audomattadjia watched as Gabriel lifted himself into the air, but Gabi watched as the woman’s legs pushed her off the ground up to his height. A hail of bladed feathers intercepted her, but Audo adeptly deflected them all with her sword in a way that only a master could possibly perform. With the distance closed Gabi was now allowed to finally see what it was she had been wondering that entire time. She watched on as Gabriel’s expression changed from that of a deep frown with eyes as blue as the sky... to a wide smile with eyes as red as her very own. The expression Gabriel had on his face, the look which seemed so familiar, it was none other than her own. 

However, with even this realization, she found herself staring on at what her mother no doubt meant when she spoke to her about the meaning of power. Audo and Gabriel proceeded to give and receive the fiercest of blows she had witnessed to that day outside of her uncle. A dance of death, shining on like the sun as the elements stormed on as if the world were preparing to end. Sparks flying through the air as the ringing of their blades connecting with one another played a melody that only proper warriors could dance to, could understand! A Conversation that she could clearly hear and see with her own ears and eyes! But then, as they reach the height of that conversation, Audo would parry Gabriel’s attack with a finesse that she could have only imagined beforehand. A counter of multiple blades now surrounding him as the woman dragged him to the earth and pinned him down on a pyre of bloodshed. 

“Magnificent,” Gabi caught Mati-Mitta's attention. 

“I assume you were pleased with what you saw? Are you unbothered by watching the death of one of your father’s past lives?” 

“Unbothered? Why would I be bothered by the death of the dead?” 

“You certainly are a ruthless angel. I have no doubt you can achieve your goals, so long as you remain on your warpath... However, we should go before the ancients show up. We may be hidden, from these two, but there’s always a chance the ancients will notice us even if we can’t interact.” 

“Fine. We’re done here anyway. I need to get back before they realize I’m gone anyway.” 

“Perhaps we can do this again sometime. I’m sure there are other fights you’d love to see from the past. Even if you aren’t directly involved, there are always things which can be learned from spectating.” 

“I’ll hold you to that, Mati." Gabi responded as she closed her eyes, but the moment she did she felt Mati's hands on her shoulders accompanied by a few more words.

"There is one last thing to tell you. Eric put a lot of thought into those boxes, so he knows that this one would have been your fourth one opened. He also wanted me to tell you that the remaining three would be the most difficult yet. Those were his words, but I will give you a piece of my own advice." She could feel her breath against her ear as she began to whisper. "Remain ever vigilant. Don't drop your guard. If you're aiming for the highest peak then you should always seek out more power."

Gabi opened her eyes quickly to be met with... nothing. Back in her room where the scent of time was gone entirely. Everything was just as she had left it. There was a part of her left wondering if Mati knew what she was planning behind everything else. A part of her which wondered if the claimant would end up being a problem in the future if left to roam. Even with those thoughts she had very little time to focus on them or time to put towards dealing with her. That would come later. What was more important now was putting into practice what she had learned. If she was going to be training with her father then she would need to be far more than what she is now and she knew that. All she had to do now was use every opportunity she could get her hands on to gain more experience, more power, more everything! If she aimed to reach the heights she desired she would need to push far beyond what she knew. Even past her father and her uncle.

Chaemai was the catalyst which caused their sparring to cease, Nier immediately halting all combat to place himself at her side. He and Gabi had been playing around with different techniques she could use most of the night, so it was about time he returned most of his attention to the ancient he loved. Gabi, on the other hand, was displeased. She felt as if she had made considerable progress. But that wasn’t enough to make her attempt to split them up for her own sake now. There was a certain charm the two of them had which she came to enjoy. 

“Are you two done for now? I’m sure you’ve been enjoying using your training room again,” Chaemai said to which Nier waved for Gabi to follow them. 

“We were just finishing up, let’s go decide on what to have for dinner. I’m surprised you’ve made so much progress in such a short period of time, Gabi.” 

“Well, there isn’t much else to do with my time now.” 

“You improve any faster than this and you’ll be better than me soon.” 

“Don’t lie to me. I know you’re always holding back,” she responded with disgust. 

“Oh my, is that so?” he said with a chuckle. “You should stop comparing me to Eric and Gahbreal. Not every aikekunai is a war machine. But I have been wondering since you arrived... why did Gahbreal agree to let you come over here? It’s been a while since he asked me to look after you.” 

“Because I requested it.” 

“You requested to spend your night here with me and Nier?” Chaemai sounded confused and rightfully so. “Why us and not anyone else.” 

“Uncle Nier doesn’t mind sparring with me, but Aunt Jillian always refuses. You two were the optimal choice.” 

“Well, I can’t say that’s an unexpected answer.” 

“So, Cyva and Gahbreal had to go on a short campaign and chose to let you stay with us while they did? He told me it would only be until tomorrow evening, but I suppose work is work.” 

“Don’t act too confused, Nier. You’ve disappeared for years to do your work before.” 

“Years?” Gabi asked with a vivid expression of interest. “What could take that long?” 

“Nothing too crazy. Underground kingdoms and the like. Nothing that would interest you. So, tell me, how has your training with Gahbreal been? I hear you’ve been rather disappointed.” 

“And where did you hear that? I don’t recall telling you that.” 

“You didn’t, but you certainly chose to tell your grandmother who loves to speak about you. We share the same trade, and both know of your existence. There are few other topics for us to talk about these days outside of you.” 

“Is that so?” Gabi looked somewhat upset. Most likely because she expected Kikana to keep that to herself, but it’s not like she could tell her what to do or ever really expect anything specific of her. As much time as she had managed to spend with Kikana it was difficult to ever know what the woman was thinking. All she knew was that her father told her she never smiled, but that seemed to be a lie. She rarely ever saw Kikana frown when she visited. “Well, of course I’d be disappointed. Dad never takes me seriously. It feels like I’m getting nowhere.” 

“Gabi,” Chaemai began. “I don’t believe you understand what it means to fight Gahbreal seriously. He doesn’t fight anyone seriously these days.” 

“Chaemai is right. The last time he fought anyone seriously... I suppose that would be against Amarjeet... Audomattadjia... Xainayne, Kikana... specifically when he was very young and still in the midst of his training. Believe it or not, your father was not always so powerful.” 

“That doesn’t sound believable.” 

“It’s true. Everything he knows was taught to him directly from Kikana, Harvel, and Xainayne. There was a bit of intervention from a few other ancients, but he only really learned from the aforementioned three. That coupled with his willingness to grow at the time and his dedication had him turn out the way he is now. All his lives, aside from the first, are living in what I’d call a form of limbo.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean? He doesn’t seem like it at all.” 

“While I don’t really like talking about your father’s first life, Nier speaks the truth. I’ve only seen him fight at his utmost a single time and it was an unsettling display. I’d go as far as to say he’s like the opposite side of Xainayne’s coin. Someone who fights more like an ancient at times than a claimant, doing what he feels is best for the ancients without regard for others. Lacking all morals, much like his mother. Steadfast in his beliefs and judgment, just as his father. The culmination of what makes a resolute warrior for an ancient. I assume that’s why Xainayne calls him a knight while everyone else refers to him as a wolf.” 

“Wolf? I’ve only heard mom call him that... but I suppose it makes sense that he calls me a Wolf Pup, and Verin Wolfling. But I’ve never heard anyone call him a knight.” 

“Xainayne’s Black Knight. I’ve done a lot of research into that matter,” Nier started as they all sat down. “After a lot of digging I discovered it was both a title and a trigger of sorts. Gahbreal is mentally tied to his own madness, and that madness stems from a darkness that is specific to him. Xainayne knows that and Gahbreal’s first life was an example of harmony between the two. The only one of his lives that didn’t struggle with it, although it was the direct cause of his death.” 

“To be exact, it wasn’t that madness itself,” Chaemai corrected him. 

“That’s right, you were present when it happened.” 

“Most of the ancients were. Xainayne wanted to show that his aikekunai could carry out mass eliminations of large groups without problems and, to that end, had him singlehandedly quell a rebellion on his own. He handled his job completely, but in the process lost sight of his own survival and died from recklessly sustained injuries. It wasn’t that he couldn’t avoid them, but he just stopped caring at some point. It was disgusting to say the least. Novevu was specifically upset about the matter.” 

“Do you believe I could trigger something like that?” Gabi’s question caused Chaemai to immediately respond. 

“Absolutely not! This isn’t just a matter of your own personal gain, but a matter involving everyone. Gahbreal, unlike the other aikekunai, forcibly doesn’t allow his previous likes to affect him because of the influence the first could have. We still don’t know what he’d do if he gained the slightest bit of freedom.” 

“I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad. Let’s help her out, my beautiful flower.” 

“Do you even know what you’re saying?” Chaemai snapped back. 

“I do. This is Gahbreal we’re talking about. I don’t think it matters what life it is, they would never do anything to harm his daughter in a way that cannot be reversed.” 

“You sound crazy. What if you’re wrong?” 

“If I’m wrong then I will personally handle things myself. I’ll stand by and watch if I must.” 

“I don’t want you to fight him either, Nier. What if something were to happen?” 

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll bring some help with me too. Just to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible.” 

“...fine. If you think it will be okay, I have no reason to doubt you. There are few claimants alive that can claim to be as close to Gahbreal as you are, so I’m sure you know what you’re doing.” Chaemai turned her attention to Gabi before continuing. “You’ll need to shock his system. Something that’s enough to flood his senses; to offset his madness in a way that will cause his soul to fluctuate. That’s the best chance you’ll have.” 

“What? How in the void am I supposed to do that? My dad literally never drops his guard! Maybe if I killed Stasia-” 

“Okay, that’s enough of that kiddo. I’ve got a proper idea,” Nier interrupted. “I can set up a meeting with you and someone who can most likely solve your problem on his own. The only condition I have is to not provoke him because he will most likely kill you if given the chance upon meeting you, and that would cause your father to enter a battle he cannot win.” 

“You’re saying this person is someone dad can’t beat? You’re such a sorry liar, how could someone be stronger than dad?” 

“All this time has passed, and you still think your dad is just outright undefeatable? You and Amarjeet would probably never get along. But I digress, this is someone who you should have probably met by now. Personally, they were trained by almost the exact same people as your dad, but the difference was the ancient. They have a vendetta out for your father, so he would certainly kill you if you gave him the reason just to get at him. Chaemai, you wouldn’t mind sending him to my lovely employer, would you?” 

“Right now? That seems extremely irresponsible of you.” 

“What’s growing up without a bit of recklessness? She’ll be fine. Besides, then we’ll have the rest of the night to ourselves. You know she won’t want to let her go once she’s there anyway. Hasn’t she only seen Gabi once?” 

“I suppose you’re right.” 

“Alright Gabi, prepare yourself. You’re going to be visiting your aunt!” 

“I’m going to visit Aunt May? What the hell does she have to do with any of this?” 

“Not Mayray, you technically have more than just her and Jillian you know. I'm sure you'll be happy to visit this one.” 

“You’ve grown up to be so adorable!” Gabi could barely breathe under the pressure of the embrace she now found herself in. 

“And tall. A little too tall for her age if you ask me... don’t squeeze her too hard. Wouldn’t want to wrinkle a feather and have Gahbreal get angry with you, right Phianette?” 

“Why did they send me here? Evyette, I don’t understand!” Gabi asked as she attempted to escape Phianette’s relentless grasp to no avail. “And I’ve never met either of you before! Why won’t she let me go?” 

“Well, you were very young when we first saw you. Phianette and I haven’t seen you since you were a newborn. Not to mention you’re just as cute as Kikana described you to be now. You should be pleased; she rarely ever gets so comfortable with others.” 

Gabi wasn’t going to admit it, but a part of her was certainly pleased. Not just because she had the opportunity to meet both a treasure and an ancient in one day, but also because Phianette was so comfortably warm. The last time she had felt this type of warmth was so long ago she could barely remember it, possibly when she was so small her mother and father could fully cover her with their arms alone. She had heard that Phianette was kind yet difficult to approach in certain ways. How ironic that she would be the one having trouble keeping her away. 

“Uncle Nier said I’d be meeting one of my aunts here? Are you going to introduce me to them?” 

“Uncle Nier?” Evyette burst into a fit of laughter that was completely unexpected. “Hearing anyone call that idiot an uncle is the most surprising thing I’ll probably hear all night. Anyway, come here.” 

Gabi watched as the ancient waved her over and Phianette released her from the death grip she could not previously escape. Her wings fluttered a bit, a few feathers falling to the ground to which only she personally seemed bothered, but that did not keep her from walking over to the ancient. Her thoughts were that she would be met with some form of secret information, something that only Evyette could tell her as the one whose house is filled with claimants called assassins. However, as Evyette’s arms wrapped around her she found herself filled with an almost directly mesmerizing sense of nostalgia. As if she had been in this very situation before. It was embarrassing. 

“You feel the exact same as before.” 

“Uhm, I don’t understand.” 

“I only ever held you once, so I’m sure you don’t understand all that well. Your mother had to let me do it in secret while Gahbreal’s father kept him distracted, but he only went about letting people he called family hold you.” 

“Wait. And mom chose to let you hold me anyway?” 

“Yeah. While it’s a joke that both Nier and Cyva share amongst themselves, the two assholes, I’m most likely the person Nier referred to as your aunt. And luckily you got here just in time! The person he wanted you to visit is on the way with a few things for me.” 

“Wait. Wait! That doesn’t make any sense! Explain everything to me!” Gabi found her voice sealed off as Evyette smothered her face against her chest immediately when the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching. 

“Jerimyha! We have company!” 

“I’ve got everything you asked for. I don’t know how we manage to keep runnin’ through all our drinks but,” he paused as he saw Phianette standing in the middle of the room. “I didn’t know we had this type of company... you know she doesn’t like me, right?” 

“Phianette is not here for you, Jerimyha. She’s here for this little angel,” Evyette spoke as she released Gabi from her clutches. 

“Damnit! Are you trying to kill me?” she spoke before turning to see the male standing across the room with bottles of multiple alcoholic beverages in either hand. She seemed confused for a moment, but immediately turned to face Evyette again. “Who is this idiot and why does he look like dad?” 

“Idiot?!” Phianette turned away to hide her laughter. “Oh, this is just great. Our company is a rowdy child without any manners?” 

“Isn’t she cute? Look at her and tell me she isn’t the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.” 

Hellfire looked at Gabi for a moment who immediately showed nothing more than disfavor towards his gaze. How could someone manage to be so hostile immediately? Something was entirely off, but so very familiar about it and his eyes squinted the moment it began to hit him. His head leaned to the side slightly as his eyes began to glow a burnished red. 

“This kid, why do they look like my mother but blonde?” 

“What?” 

“Right? Nier sent her over to see you.” 

“The fuck? What makes him think I wanna see random children just because they look like my mom? What kind of person does he think I am?” 

“Calm down hot head, she’s not some random child. This is your first time meeting her, so I’d suggest playing nice with your brother’s daughter.” 

“Brother’s daug-” 

“Wait! You’re telling me that HE is why Nier called you my aunt?!” 

“That’s right. This is Jerimyha Rhihon, Gahbreal’s younger brother and effectively your uncle by blood. Hellfire, this is your niece Gahbriogyva Leigh Dimea.” 

Hellfire looked as if his soul were prepared to leave his body. Meanwhile, Gabi looked as if she were ready to charge him down and tear him apart. He questioned whether a trick was being played on him, but that was made to be an untrue thought the moment he saw her eyes begin to glow with a madness he could never mistake. Gabi watched as his red eyes locked onto her as if unrelenting and unprepared to allow her to escape his sight. Confidence wasn’t the word to use. It was like absolute domination in terms of comparison. This man was nothing less than a murderer and she could easily tell. 

He placed the bottles down and began walking in her direction. Her muscles tensed immediately, remembering that Nier said he would have no qualms with killing her if the need arose. Was he upset with her because she called him an idiot? Nier said he hated her father, was he upset because she said he looked like him? There were so many questions, so many things to gather, she found her eyes widening and her hands beginning to shake but... it all flushed away the moment she felt his arms envelope her. It wasn’t like Evyette of Phianette at all. He was cold, like a cool breeze amid a scorching sun. She looked up at his face, surprised to now see a smile that looked exactly like her fathers with eyes as blue as Kikana’s. 

“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that I haven’t met you until now. Look at how big you are. You’ll be taller than me in no time... I’m glad I got to see you before then.” 

“I knew you’d be happy about meeting her.” Evyette said with a smile. “Cyva and Mayray worry too much. Nier too sometimes, but at least he’s more relaxed with these types of things. Chaemai sent her here because Nier believed you be able to help her with a problem. Or at least that was what he told me before running off with Chaemai.” 

“And where’s Gahbreal? He won’t come looking for her, will he?” 

“Dad is working with mom right now,” Gabi answered. "They won’t be expecting me home until tomorrow evening.” 

“Good, then we have more than enough time. If you need something from me then let’s settle that now. Best to get it out of the way as soon as possible.” 

He was so different from her father, yet so similar in certain ways. Both were quick to make decisions, quick to get to the point, yet also caring in the way they spoke with her. It was as if they both feared their words had the capability to destroy her entirely. However, she found herself pleased with the way he wanted to settle things directly before anything else. Her father would have wanted to just go about normal business together, but he seemed as if he were more than willing to spend his time with her handling whatever business she brought to him. 

“Well, dad has started training me personally, but it feels like he doesn’t take me seriously at all. He’s taught me a lot and I understand all the basics and most of the more intricate techniques of our family as well as almost all other houses, but he doesn’t fight me like he should. I can’t gain any more power if he’s unwilling to push me with everything he has to throw at me... so I want to shock him into fighting me with all his power.” 

“That’s a terrible idea,” Phianette responded without hesitation. “Do you understand what you’re asking?” 

“Yes, I do. I need this. If I can’t fight him at his peak, then how will I ever surpass that?” she pressed her lips together in frustration. "I want to become more powerful, and he said he’d teach me to be the most powerful if that were what I wanted. He promised me that, but he’ll never do it if he’s too scared to fight me seriously.” 

Hellfire began to laugh in a way that Evyette understood entirely. It wasn’t because something was funny, but rather because he had found himself extremely pleased by what he was hearing. His eyes, which were once that blue which was rarely ever seen from him, now were back to that familiar red which represented his family so thoroughly. He placed a hand on top of Gabi’s head before smiling at her in a way that she didn’t believe anyone other than herself ever would do. She was beginning to find that there were quite a few others with that same mania she held dear. 

“Spoken like a true fuckin' Chisuke! If that’s what you want, then I’ll gladly help you! It’s in the blood of every Chisuke child to desire power, to want power, to crave it. And if they don’t crave it then we starve them until they need it. So, if you want to draw out that Chisuke blood from within your father then I will gladly give you exactly what you need.” 

“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” Evyette questioned the male to which he smirked in her direction. 

“Evyette, my delicious flame. Phianette, my dear friend. I’m going to assume you haven’t seen her in a long while based on how pleased you are with her around. How would you two like to help me do Gahbriogyva’s hair?” 

“My hair? What does that have to do with anything? And just call me Gabi!” 

“Oh dear, my apologies. But don’t worry about it too much. Just sit back and let us all work, then you’ll get exactly what you want... Gabi. Let your uncle set you up for what you’re seekin’. Anything to piss of my useless fuck of a brother.” 

“All done. What do you think sweetheart?” Evyette spoke as she held the mirror up for Gabi to see. 

It had taken longer to accomplish than she had originally anticipated. They had started by bleaching her hair entirely. A process which made her believe all her hair would fall out afterwards, but a part of her was intrigued to see her hair a pure white. It looked nice, but not as nice as it looked now. Her hair was just like her mother’s already, straight and often tied into braids, but now her hair was so straight it resembled strands of fine thread. The color, however, was no longer the blonde like Cyva’s but instead like another family member who they all knew very well. 

Gabi ran her fingers through the black hair which brushed against her shoulders. It was like a veil of darkness on her head, shinier than it once was and much straighter than it had been. The more she looked at it the more she realized exactly what her uncle had been attempting to do. Putting together all the pieces didn’t take long for her or anyone else present to see her. Coupled with her height, she looked exactly like her grandmother. Like Kikana. 

“I look... pretty,” she said as she stared herself down with a smile. 

“Don’t get too conceited. You and your grandmother both already had an abnormally natural beauty that seems to run in your family's females.” 

“It’s like their bodies don’t understand the concept of blemishes,” Phianette said as she continued to comb Gabi’s hair. “You’ll need to take proper care of your hair if you want it to remain in this condition. Okay?” 

“I don’t need it to be pretty!” Gabi shot back. “But it is nice.” 

“Dear lord, you act like such a child. But that’s good. You should enjoy it while it lasts.” Hellfire began as he looked at her with a smile. 

“What do you mean?” 

“I mean, things won’t be easy past this point,” he said as he walked over to her and crouched down to look her directly in the eyes. “You’ll get what you want with this. Gahbreal has not spoken to our mother in literal centuries because he fears how he will react. This will be a proper way to shock him, but what comes next won’t be some simple tasks to overcome.” 

“Do you really believe this will be enough to draw out his first life out?” Evyette questioned the male who responded with a shrug. “That’s not very reassuring, Hellfire.” 

“If it’s possible, but I wouldn't put too much hope into it. There’s a reason for that.” 

“But I wanted to confront his first life!” Gabi shouted as her temper began to rise. Hellfire could feel her anger turning to a blistering rage. 

“I’m gonna explain somethin’ to you right now, Gahbriogyva... his first life isn’t somethin’ fun or easy to fight. I can beat my brother now. Hell, I can probably best most of his lives, but that’s because he shut himself off considerably from what makes him Chisuke. I’ll teach you those things right now.” 

“What are you about to do, Jerimyha?” Evyette questioned him. Words which caused him to raise his hands in surrender. 

“Don’t worry, I’m just gonna talk to her.” He sat down next to Gabi while Phianette continued to play with her hair. “What do you think makes the Chisuke bloodline what it is? Give me all your answers based on what you’ve experience so far.” 

“Power! To be the most powerful, to be a real warrior. Nothing else matters outside of that. Building yourself up to be unstoppable is what makes someone Chisuke. The never-ending hunger for greater power.” 

“Mercy,” Hellfire started with a laugh. “I can see you understand part of it, but even your grip on that is flimsy.” 

“Are you making fun of me?” 

“And what if I am? You’re ignorant, lackin’ the knowledge of what makes you who you are and what makes your father and aunt who they are. Me as well, naturally. Power ain’t everything, niece.” 

“If not power then what is?” 

“Discipline!” Gabi flinched slightly. His voice was nowhere near what it had been seconds ago. As if he were a completely different person. “You lack discipline. You have a hunger for power and not much else. I’d assume Eric is responsible for that, and my brother has yet to correct it. You need control, a vicious consciousness, and the mentality of a monarch. Power is nothing without the properties to put it to proper use. As you are now, you’re weak. That’s why you shouldn’t confront his first life. You need to face what's hiding behind those eyes of yours before you can just waltz into a battle with anyone who has real power. Everyone else has just been playing around with you, but in all aspects I can tell you're just weak.” 

“That’s enough, Jerimyha. You don’t have to talk to her like that.” 

“She needs to understand, no matter how bad she feels afterward. She’s taking steps for actions that will lead to her demise if she is not prepared and you all don’t understand that well enough. Would you have me lie to her, Phianette?” 

“That’s not what I’m saying to do-” 

“Then what? You were not present to see Gahbreal fight in his primary life. The original, better than all the others. He fights without mercy, showing little care for his enemies, showing all the qualities of a Chisuke monarch with confidence and valor. Xainayne’s black knight.” 

“Nier said something about that too,” Gabi said to which Hellfire raised his brow. 

“So, you know then... good. That life is  one of the three I'd say I can’t beat. He lacks the qualities to show the mercy which would get him killed by me. He’s rightfully a monster in comparison to everyone else and someone I would not challenge if I were you. Nier had the opportunity to fight with him once and he explains it best. He probably sent you here knowing I wouldn’t be capable of getting you exactly what you want. But you’ll at least get some kind of reaction out of him.” 

“So, you don’t think he’ll even get shocked enough to reach that point?” Evyette asked Hellfire who smiled as he stood to his feet. “You’re terrible. You just wanted the girl to look more like your mother.” 

“Not entirely. This will be a good thing for her. Might just get him by surprise and make him attack with a bit more force. He’ll probably know it’s you immediately, but it will at least get some good responses out of him in a fight. He may have gone soft, but he’s still Gahbreal.” 

“Gabi?” Cyva called out to the girl as she stepped through the doors with Gahbreal at her side. 

“Just go and get her. I’m sure she’s probably doing something she shouldn’t be doing anyway,” Gahbreal said as he sat on the couch. “I’m sure she’s eager to get back to training. If she’s ready, then I’ll take her out for a few hours before dinner.” 

“Alright. Don’t get too comfortable, love. She’ll hurt you if you do.” 

“I know, I know.” 

Cyva ascended the stairs quickly, making her way to their daughter’s room where she found the door to be completely shut. That was reason enough for her to know that the girl was inside. The door was always left open unless she was inside and so she knocked a few times before pushing the door open. Surprisingly, she was relieved to find her daughter fast asleep under her blankets. 

“Gabi, we’re back.” She placed her hands on top of the blankets before shaking her slightly. 

“I’m tired... sleep...” 

“Oh? And to think your father was prepared to do some training with you,” her words caused the girl to rise from her bed quickly. Sheets falling to the floor. 

“I’m up! I’m up! Where is he?” 

She was surprised to see her mother silently inspect her for a moment. She didn’t look upset. In fact, she looked rather mystified in a way she could not explain. The woman placed her hands onto Gabi’s head and felt her hair with her own fingers as if making sure it was entirely real. Then, after confirming it was the real thing, she then began to speak. 

“I see you were busy with your uncle today.” 

“Y-yeah! I told him I wanted my hair color to be the same as pa’s, so he said he’d help me do it. Does it look good?” 

“It looks beautiful dear,” Cvya spoke as she looked at the ponytail it had been tied back in. “I’ll miss us having the same hair, though.” 

Gabi felt bad. Her mother hadn’t looked upset about it at all until she had said those very words, and she felt like it had personally all been done for nothing. If this was all just a plot to have her realize that she wasn’t ready to fight her father seriously then there was no point to this! She had sacrificed a connection she enjoyed sharing with her mother for nothing... it caused her lips to form a frown, but her mother’s hands on her cheeks snatched away her attention. 

“Don’t look sad, little angel. The choices you make will always be perfect for me. Besides, we still have the same eyes and now your hair matches your wings. You look like you could grow up to be a model!” 

“You think so?” 

“Of course! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, my little love. Now go and tell your father you’re ready to do some training before he changes his mind.” 

“Okay!” 

Cyva followed behind her as Gabi quickly left the room and made her way across the house. It was nice to be back home, seeing her daughter again. They may have only been gone for a day, but it always felt like any amount of time away was too much time. She stood at the top of the stairs, looking down from the balcony at the living room beneath where Gahbreal sat with a smile. A part of her knew he would want to kill Nier for what he did to her hair, but another part of her knew he wouldn’t ever deny what his daughter wanted. 

“Dad! Let’s train! It’s been two days!” she shouted at him to which he rose from his spot on the couch. 

“Only one day has passed, but you’re right. Let’s see if the lessons are still fresh in your-” 

Cyva watched as he froze immediately. The reaction she had expected out of him never showed, his smile instead slowly fading into a deep frown without any words as his eyes grew wide. His demeanor looked weak, drained, almost as if his strength had been sapped. She could see his hands shaking for a moment, something which never happened the way it was now. It had nothing to do with anger, but entirely everything to do with fear. What struck her odd above everything else, however, was the moment his eyes became completely black. 

“Something is wrong,” Cyva said as she rushed down the stairs and past Gabi to her husband’s side. “Gahbreal? Are you okay?” 

“Mom?” 

“Don’t move! Stay right there!” Cyva snapped at the girl who immediately heeded her mother’s words. 

Gabi watched as Cyva attempted to gain Gahbreal’s attention, but it was as if he weren’t there at all. She had seen his eyes as bright blue orbs like her own, black circles like her aunt’s and grandmother’s, even as a shining red like her own. However, now they were entirely black. It was as if they were filled entirely with darkness. Even more than that. It was as if his entire soul was filled with darkness. Looking down it seemed as if his very shadow was bubbling underneath him, but what made her more worried than before was when the color finally did return to his eyes. 

It wasn’t what she was used to. It wasn’t what her mother was used to either and that was clear when Cyva took a step back. His gaze was locked onto her as if disturbed that she was even that close, but it softened ever so slightly as if realizing who she was. His normally blue irises remained black, just as the rest of his eyes did. The only things which changed were his pupils which were a crimson so deep Gabi felt as if she were going mad just looking at them. 

“Cyva?” his voice was nothing like what it normally was. No accent was present, or rather it wasn’t the same as before. What was once an accent of southern descent was now heavily oriental. “What am I doing here?” 

“I don’t know who you are. I don’t know which you are and so I don’t know why you’ve been called upon-” 

“I was not called. No one calls me like I’m some sort of dog... there was a legitimate reason... I cannot reach the current life. He’s locked himself off, almost as if he’s asleep, and I’m looking for the-” 

He paused as his eyes spotted Gabi, standing by as confused as ever on the opposite side of the room. His brow rose, a smile spreading across his face in a manner that made her feel legitimately uncomfortable. It was as if she had been spotted amongst a crowd, singled out among thousands, but most importantly it was if she had been seen through entirely. 

“So that’s what it was?” he said as he approached her. 

“What?” Gabi began as her gaze intensified. “What are you talking about?” 

“Don’t play dumb with me, Gahbriogyva. If there is anyone who will know what you’ve attempted here today, it would be me. There aren’t many claimants alive capable of looking so close to my mother as you currently do. I’m certain this was what you wanted.” 

“Is that so?” Gabi said as she looked at him up and down. He stood taller, sterner, with more pressure than before. His shadow was entirely black, bubbling with darkness. She couldn’t tell what was going on, but she also wasn’t going to back down from this. The reason was clear. “What if this is what I wanted? What would that mean to you?” 

“Gahbriogyva!” Cyva started which caused her daughter to flinch. “What have you done?” 

“Quiet... Cyva. This doesn’t concern you any longer.” His words even surprised Gabi who looked at him as if he had lost his mind. Surely her mother wouldn’t stand for that. 

“She is my daughter, Gahbreal! This has everything to do with my concern!” 

“That was not a request, it was an order. She is Chisuke above all else and that goes beyond your petty concern. Now stand down or I will show you the difference between your resolve and mine.” 

“Enough!” Gabi interrupted. “Are you going to talk all night or show me what it is I apparently wanted?” 

Cyva looked as if she were prepared to say something, but with Gahbreal giving her a direct look she remained quiet. It was an odd sight, something that Gabi could not comprehend. It was almost as if both her father and mother were now acting strange. Cyva was now hesitant, fearful, almost like she didn’t know if her actions would bear dire consequences. She looked dismayed, almost like she had lost something imperative to her existence. What was more concerning to her was how it seemed as if her father did not care. 

“You’re absolutely correct, Gahbriogyva. I think I will show you exactly what it is you wanted.” He took a deep breath, his shadow now creeping up his legs until it covered his body completely in a shroud of darkness. The edges sharpened until they formed proper shapes and gave off a deep indigo luster which made Gabi feel as if something were itching in the back of her mind. “Today you will learn proper discipline.” 

“Why did you bring me out here, Nier? I thought this was important.” 

“It is important. Just wait and you’ll see.” 

“I don’t have all night to play games with you. The only reason I chose to even follow you this far is because you’re skulking outside of my son’s home.” 

“Oh my, don’t say it like I’m some stranger. Me and him are practically brothers! Besides, we’re here for Gabi who has no doubt already sniffed us out.” 

“And why would that matter?” 

“Because we’re here to monitor their training. She chose to make a decision that I feel isn’t really the best, but if I didn’t help her, she would have no doubt done something else reckless to achieve her goals. That’s what she always does. So, we’re here to make sure nothing crazy happens.” 

“Sure, here to make certain nothing crazy happens while hiding out in the fields? Do you realize what will happen if Gahbreal discovers us out here?” 

“I assume he’ll yell at us,” Nier said with a chuckle. “Or at least just yell at me. Don’t worry, they always come outside to train in the open. Just try to enjoy yourself. I planned on bringing Mayray along for this, but I thought you’d prefer to see your granddaughter more with what Hellfire decided to do for her.” 

“She was with Hellfire? Well, I suppose it’s about time they met, but I don't like the idea of those two together.” 

“Yeah, Gabi wanted to know how to make her father tick. I thought if anyone would know how to do it, Hellfire would know how to do it.” 

“And you believe his methods will be effective?” 

“Of course not. Gahbreal has never been shaken by simple shit. I doubt anything outside of a familial death would be enough to-” 

Both Kikana and Nier turned their heads towards the home upon hearing the loud crash which echoed through the night sky. Watching as wood scattered around from the damage the house had received, but their attention more concentrated on the form which was now careening through the air until it paused abruptly. It was then they realized exactly what it was, who it was, Gabi hovering steadily with her wings outspread as her eyes remained locked onto the building below. How, or rather when, did she receive so much damage? Her clothes tattered, her skin bruised and scratched, her feathers frayed with some falling to the earth below. Neither of them had ever seen her this panicked. 

In her mind she didn’t know what to say. She knew her father was strong, but this was completely out of scale. She knew that everyone had been taking it easy on her. Even Qrow had taken the path of not going all out against her and that she could most likely blame on Godfrey. However, Qrow had still been her toughest opponent yet outside of Eric. While he certainly held back, Gabi also knew that she was considerably weaker when they had fought back then. She was left wondering, was this the type of power Qrow could have used in comparison to what she had faced? 

“My body hurts all over. I’ve never been thrown with that much force,” she said to no one in particular as she took note of her injuries. 

“If you were weaker, you’d have died.” 

Gabi spun around on a dime, but it was nowhere near quick enough to react to Gahbreal slipping through the void at her back. His hand shrouded in darkness grasping her maw and taking her directly down to the earth below at increasing speeds. She could barely focus, but there was enough thought rummaging through her mind to at least cause her body to act. She twisted herself from his grip; pulling herself away from him just in time to veer off and barely softening her impact with the ground by pulling up and rolling through the field. She did not rest, however, and quickly rose to her feet just in time to see her father touch down on the ground. It didn’t even look like the fall phased him. 

Gabi attempted to gather herself and prepare, but there were only seconds before her father blitzed her position. No matter how she attempted to defend herself or repel his attacks there didn’t seem to be any proper way to accomplish the task. The difference was staggering, vaster than she could have anticipated. Each punch or kick felt like solid steel colliding with her body, each blow to her head distorting her vision, each strike to her body knocking the air out of her. There wasn’t a chance in sight to retain her balance or composure. It wasn’t until he let up that she found a moment to even breathe. 

“This is what you have to offer me? I'm disappointed. Perhaps you should focus entirely on discipline instead of power. At this rate you’ll fold the moment you fight a serious opponent.” 

“Quiet. I’m not done yet.” 

“Really? Then I suppose we need to continue,” he stated as his fist hit her stomach. The strike sent her careening to the ground, coughing up blood in a manner she could not recall having ever done before. “Not that it is your choice to decide when this ends.” 

“You think this is enough to make me give up? I’m the daughter of Gahbreal, child of an aikekunai. I will never give up.” 

“Being stubborn won’t just give you victory, girl... but I suppose it does create an opportunity. Allow me to teach you discipline through discipline. Prepare for your first punishment.” 

He stepped forward, Gabi pushing herself up from the ground in a manner meant to make space between them. However, she found herself in a state of panic when her father disappeared into a sudden vestige of the void. His method of traversal wasn’t something she could counter or anticipate. It was difficult to predict when directly in combat with him, only her nose giving her insight as to where he was when he came back and yet it wasn’t enough to prepare her for when he returned. 

She could feel the grip of his hand on the back of her neck, keeping her from being capable of turning around and properly gauging the situation she was in. There was something about the darkness which wrapped around his body, as if seeping into her mind and setting off a series of shocks in the depths of her mind, distorting her focus and making the world seem as if it were pulsating. The only thing which caught her attention was the gleam of the moon reflecting off the edge of a crescent blade. Her father’s axe raised high above before the gleam of sliver sliced through the air and there was an intimidating quiet. One that made her eyes grow wide. 

Everything was muffled. As if her ears were filled with cotton balls and water. She could feel her father’s grip release her and turned to see him raise the axe again, but before he could follow through with his attack Nier stepped in to the immediate defensive. There were a few words shared between the two before a fight broke out, the two males moving out of sight as Kikana then stepped into view. She looked panicked, saying something that Gabi could not make out as it also sounded muffled, but as she felt a pool of warmth beneath herself, her eyes turned downward to spot an increasing pool of dark liquid. Her eyes then looked past Kikana to see feathers littering the ground; surrounding something she could never possibly mistake. One of her wings lying a distance from her body. 

“Calm down Gabi!” she began to hear the woman's voice as sound steadily began to fill her ears. “You have to calm down!” 

It wasn’t until that moment she realized the cause of her lack of hearing, the moment her voice finally gave way, allowing her to realize that her own screams were outweighing everything else around her. It was a pain she had never experienced before. She had been cut by blades, hit with attacks by aikekunai, trained with her mother, all sorts of damage that she had brushed off with little care. But this? It felt as if every nerve on her back had been lit on fire. The feeling of hundreds of tiny blades driving into her flesh. It was maddening to say the absolute minimum. 

“Gabi!” Cyva’s voice grabbed the girl’s attention. Her head turning ever so slightly, yet each movement seemed to cause increasing pain. 

“Cyva! Come over here now!” she heard Kikana’s voice and yet her mother’s steps were staggered. Whatever she had been suffering through seemed to take its toll on her, enough to mentally shake her enough to slow her actions and reactions. However, she still moved forward until at her daughter’s side. “We need to get her to Eviax.” 

“How do you expect us to do that? None of us have the means to accomplish that right now other than Gahbreal, and he will not listen as he currently is.” 

Gabi could barely focus on what they were saying. Her teeth grinding together in an attempt to distract her from the pain which now showered over her body. Every once in a while, she could hear the clashing of her father’s axe and Nier’s blades. Regardless of the situation she wanted to see it, she wanted to know what it looked like, how aikekunai fought one another. She wanted to experience it, she wanted to- 

Her eyes turned to where the voice came from... but there was nothing there. 

The voice was familiar. Too familiar in fact. It was her own voice she was hearing and yet she knew for certain that she was not talking. However, as she continued looking forward, it dawned on her that she was staring in the direction of her severed wing which proceeded to twitch and move about frantically. From where it had been severed thick darkness seeped from within, pooling on the ground until rising into a full body. It was just like her own but lacked any feature, the surface of her skin and face as black as the wing itself, save for two red glowing eyes which now looked in her direction. 

“That’s right, I’ve been waiting for you to lose that composure of yours. That... confidence that keeps you oh so entangled in what you currently are.” The shadow rose to its feet, the wing raising and spreading outward as it stood on its two feet. “There’s no need to walk or speak. I can already tell what you’re thinking. What is this? How is this happening? Why is no one else reacting to this?” 

Gabi was puzzled, confused entirely by what was going on. This thing which now spoke to her talking as if it knew her mind and speaking questions she thought up without ever giving her the opportunity to voice them. What was this thing? Why was it now talking to her? 

“What am I? That’s a simple thing to answer. I’m your madness made manifest, those red eyes of yours staring right back at you, but you already knew that. Or perhaps you didn’t. You want to know why I’m talking to you now? The answer is simple... because you’re fucking around with our life.” Gabi’s eyes grew wide as the shadow approached her slowly, but her body would not move. “You let this joke treat you like a toy, and you wonder why I’m here? You let him bombard you with excess madness and you think I wouldn’t show up? Stop playing games and fight!” 

Gabi could feel herself losing the tight grip on her mentality that she had been building up, but it felt as if that had been lost a while ago. Perhaps when she was mid fight with her father? No, even before that? 

“From the very moment he arrived. That’s when it began.” The shadow crouched down at her side and looked directly into her eyes. It felt as if its gaze was burning itself directly into her mind. “Gahbreal, aikekunai of darkness and an apt wielder of madness. Of course, he’d have you drowning in it from the start.” 

And she didn’t even notice it... didn’t even take it into consideration. 

“It’s because you’re acting weak,” it said as the red eyes seethed with an extraordinary anger. “You’ve grown too complacent, but for what? You’ve been searching for a proper opponent, someone who can teach you, someone who can push you forward and yet to fold when they arrive? You hold back because you don’t want to go too far? It’s a disgrace! You should be aiming to tear him apart, and yet you’re looking to see how far you can push things? Pathetic! Have you forgotten your purpose? Have you forgotten what you’re fighting for?!” 

“What I’m fighting for...” 

“You came to the conclusion when you were a child! Maybe even before that, it was already resting in your mind! Strength is everything, strength will guide you forward! The power you gain will be the result of that strength! The strength to kill all existences, the power to rise above all the aikekunai and even further!” The shadow stood with its gaze resting on her. “You don’t want to be like your father, we both know it. You want to be even more than that.” 

“More than my father...” 

“No more... no more holding back.” 

“Gabi?” Cyva spoke as she watched her daughter lift herself up from the ground. 

“A god,” she responded as a mad smile spread across her face. “I will become a being the likes of which no one else can ever challenge, so I can’t show mercy. Not even to my him.” 

“Gabi? What are you talking about?” Cyva asked with a confused expression. 

“Ah! Mother! Isn’t it wonderful? He finally accepted my request! Dad is finally taking this seriously, so he should have no problem if this becomes a fight to the death, right?!” 

Kikana looked at Gabi with careful eyes. She could tell there had been a change, but it was so steep there was no possible way she could be seeing it right. Her eyes were filled to the brim with madness and yet they were also calmer than any other eyes she had ever seen. As if Gabi had managed to somehow enter a state of enlightenment, but there was nothing good to come from it and that was entirely clear. The girl outright ignored the pain she had previously been nearly paralyzed by. The muscles in her body flexed as if being pressed to their limits. However, the most important detail was her face which was overflowing with a transcendent desire. A lust so egregious it made even her feel uncomfortable experiencing it. 

“Cyva, we need to stop her.” 

“Stop her? What is that supposed to mean? I don't even know who you are.” 

“Gabi is willingly letting herself being led forward by madness, but I can’t properly understand it. Normally anyone else would have gone entirely mad, but she doesn’t look as if that’s happening at all... she looks as if she’s enjoying it.” 

“Do you even believe we can stop her? What would we have to do?” 

“Stand right there and watch,” the girl’s voice caused them both to freeze. She was far too alert. “If you get in my way now, I’ll rip off your legs and wear them as trophies. All you need to do now is spectate and observe the actions of the only true strongest.” 

Gabi stepped forward casually, her eyes now following Nier and Gahbreal’s movements as they continued their bout. She respected her uncle, cared for him as she did all her family, but as things now stood, he was simply in her way. She couldn’t kill her father if Nier did not remove himself from the equation. Yet the enhancing of her smile gave rise to a different thought entirely. Would this not serve as a good opportunity to deal with them both? To have two aikekunai see that she was truly the strongest among them? 

“Gabi don’t!” Kikana called out as she watched the girl plant her feet firmly on the ground. 

“Don’t get in my way! This is all for the sake of my desires, and anyone who would put themself between those desires and myself will die by my hands!” 

Cyva’s voice was the catalyst which caused Gahbreal’s eyes to wander away from Nier for the slightest moment. He looked at his wife before spotting his daughter, the girl whose eyes were like that of a primordial madness burning away the night. There wasn’t a chance to react before a flash of red filled the sky in a manner that made it seem as if the clouds were on fire. Nier could barely catch his bearings before Gahbreal pushed him back. An action which he questioned before spotting the reason why. 

If he hadn’t been searching for a reason, he might have missed it. However, nothing was going to keep him from spotting Gabi who shot by them at a speed the likes of which he hadn’t seen from her before. The most troubling part about it was that her target wasn’t Gahbreal, but himself. He could only watch as she spun around and used her remaining wing to halt herself a distance away from the two of them. Hovering ever so slightly in the air with an expression that seemed entirely manic, but more so displeased with the outcome. 

“So, you’re going to get in my way? Then I suppose I can deal with him later!” 

“Gabi! The fuck? Are you trying to kill me?” Nier called out to which he received a direct smile. 

“Wouldn’t you be pleased to act as one of my steppingstones?” Nier looked at her as if her words made no sense, but Gahbreal was more serious than ever. “Don’t worry though, it seems my dear father would like to be the first to go instead.” 

“You need to calm down, Gahbriogyva. You’re going to go mad at this rate.” 

“Go mad? Don’t put me on the same low standards you rely on, trash! You wanted to teach discipline? Then show me! Let your blood be the teacher! Let your bones be the example I remember for all time! The first aikekunai to be felled by my overwhelming hands!” 

“You’re crazy, little girl.” 

“Not as crazy as you. Did you believe you could trick me? Make me think you were my father? No, of course not. You’re one of his lackluster lives which perished like the weak peons you all were. You’d call me weak, but which dead man are you?” 

“The first. You should know your place.” 

His words were like direct euphoria injected into her mind. Filling her senses with an unsurmountable pleasure that nothing had yet to compare to in her life. In the grand scheme of things everyone else would see this is the absolute worst outcome, but Gabi? From the very start this was exactly what she had wanted! To fight the first of his lives which everyone held to such a high standard! The first of her father’s lives which became the foundation for his power. The one who would lead to him being called the wolf amongst claimants. Her cheeks burning red, her eyes widening, her attention fully on him. Nothing else could possibly matter now! 

“Ah! Wonderful! Oh, how I have waited for you! Brich nicht zu leicht an mir. Es würde keinen Spaß machen, wenn ich nicht die absolute Grenze meiner Kraft austesten könnte!” 

(Don't break too easily on me. It wouldn't be fun if I don't get to test the absolute limit of my power!) 

“This isn’t a joke, Gahbriogyva.” 

“Then treat it like it’s serious! A simple fucking game! IF I TOUCH YOU, THEN YOU DIE!” 

Gahbreal watched as she fell to the ground, her knees bending before she pushed herself forward in his direction and the earth beneath their feet shook ever so slightly. She was certainly moving much faster than before, but it wasn’t going to be enough for her to land any direct hits on him. He stepped aside as she came within range, her fist moving past him as he prepared to counter in his own way... but his chance to counter was forced aside when the shock of her fist blasted earth and grass in all directions. For a moment he had to question if such an effect had been caused by an ability or raw force, but as he watched her prepare for another attack it was clear that her physical quality was no joke. 

“Show some restraint! Are you trying to destroy the entire area?!” It was clear that the bounds of their fight had already gone too far when the girl responded with a laugh that sent chills up his spine. 

“What does it matter? Are you NOT the STRONGEST? If so, then it’s only natural that our fight rends the earth a little! Now enough talk! KILL me or DIE!” 

The first thing Gahbreal attempted to do was move through the void, but upon doing so it had become clear he was no longer capable of doing that. In fact, he wasn’t capable of using any of his abilities at all. Each of her attacks weren’t wild by any means. All filled with techniques and experience she had no doubt gained from everyone around her and yet the extreme amount of force behind every strike had the capability to destroy anything in its path. Not only that, but with every successful counter she seemed to grow more accustomed to it and gradually rendered them all useless with her constant maneuvering. The most troubling thing about the situation now was how quickly she picked up on everything. 

If he dodged too many attacks, it was almost as if she forcibly made her body adapt within the next series of engagements. If he blocked, she would steadily push the strength behind each attack past the previous attempts. It wasn’t that she already had the power before, rather she was using it all as a means to grow more powerful on the spot. Rapidly learning and growing through the battle without regard for her opponent. Gahbreal was left wondering if this was how she fought how could anyone have lasted against her in the past? Or was she constantly restraining herself before? And if so, for what reason? No matter the answer, one thing was clear. If he didn’t settle this quickly, she would break his body down without giving him a chance to properly counter. 

The moment he felt it, the feeling of his control over darkness returning to him, did Gahbreal make space between the two of them and begin to analyze the situation thoroughly. He looked over his body carefully, noting the fractures which had accumulated on his arms from defending against her attacks and the damage he had suffered to the body from attacks which he could not manage to fully defend against. Gabi, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care about self-management at all. She had clearly taken damage from the encounter but didn’t let the blood and bruises bother her at all. Her eyes did not leave him for a moment and in her mind the fight was all that mattered. Gahbreal was prepared for another charge on his position as the girl took a step forward. Her eyes and body showing her resolve to charge headfirst into combat readily prepared to kill without mercy. 

Gahbreal knew the girl was out to kill him now, but it hadn’t become any clearer than it was in that moment. As Gabi made the choice to plant her feet firmly on the ground and move her arm into a position to utilize the very attack Eric had taught her. By now, in the state she had found herself in, it wouldn’t be possible to dodge it entirely and he would have to use the void to make a proper attempt at avoiding it- 

“Don’t think you can run now!” her voice called out as another flash of red muffled his connection and severed his ability to move through the void. “YOU said I was WEAK, right? Then PROVE IT and accept this for ALL THAT IT"S WORTH!” 

Her forward charge was already difficult to avoid, a mix between her flight and brute strength pushing her in his direction. However, there was no telling how much faster she would be now compared to the previous time. It was almost like her capacity to learn and grow was infinite. All he could do was prepare himself and get ready to make a proper retaliation against her. Watch as her body motion revealed she was preparing to attack, observe as her right hand readied itself to strike, get ready as he watched her foot press into the earth with enough force to crack the ground beneath her feet and... fall flat on her face... There was a moment of silence before Cyva rushed to the girl’s side as worried as ever, eyes examining Gabi before lifting her so she could properly see the girl’s face. Cyva lowered her ear to her daughter's face before letting out a breath of relief and turning to Gahbreal. While he was still entirely prepared for combat, there was also a clear concern in his eyes. Cyva was personally surprised to see it.

“She’s okay, she just finally fell unconscious from the blood loss. She needs to be healed. Take her to Eviax, now.” 

“I don’t think that would be the best idea. It would involve explaining this entire situation which would cause more problems than would be enjoyable,” Gahbreal responded to which his wife looked at him as if she were prepared to tear his heart out on the spot. 

“You may have caught me off guard before, but do not test my patience! Take my daughter to Eviax and have her healed immediately or I will show you what lies beyond madness! Now!” 

Gahbreal looked at the woman as if unphased, but he wasn’t stupid enough to ignore her warning. While he knew what he was capable of and knew she wasn’t anywhere near strong enough to challenge him properly, he also knew Cyva and what exactly made her the current problem that she was amongst the Gimnai claimants. It was why he chose to deal with her first before anyone else, but with her functioning again it only meant the chance of him having to deal with her as an immediate threat was always likely. Because of that he chose to follow her orders without question. Lifting the girl from the ground before Kikana approached and placed the severed wing in his care as well. 

“See if she can reattach it. For your sake, I’d hope it’s possible.” 

“Mother? When did you get here?” 

“I’ve been here, you've just been so absorbed in your fight that you didn't notice. I thought I had taught you better. Now go before I lose my patience and don’t come back until the current life has woken up. Your actions here today have caused more problems than I care to deal with.” 

They watched as Gahbreal stepped through the void and the subtle peace of the night air replaced what had once been a battleground. But that was the time when Kikana began to speak once more, a deep frown forming on her features. Cyva personally was intrigued by the woman. Of all his family, his mother was the one person Gahbreal had gone through great lengths to keep her away from. It didn’t seem like a necessity at all from what she had seen. The woman was capable, caring, direct and unbending. In many ways she was much like him. 

“If I’m not mistaken in what I heard, you would be Gahbreal’s mother-” 

“Nier... Cyva... Today someone was heavily injured who is a direct candidate for one day becoming the head of our family; I would love to know exactly why that is. I personally don’t care for your feelings or your personal opinions on the matter. My family is no game to be played with and I will assume you feel the same way I do as Gabi’s mother, Cyva. So, we’re all going to talk for a moment and sort out the details. Piece by piece.”