Chapter 3: Learning Anew

Skysin Rillem-

It's been a year since I had unlocked my powers. After I turned four, mom and dad are finally going to explain what these supernatural capabilities are called. We sat down on the white couch, in front of the warmly lit fireplace in the living room.

Mom wearing a white gown, had me seated on her lap. I wore a blue t-shirt and black pants. The both of us were occupied on the right side of the couch while dad was next to us on our left, attired in a black t-shirt with grey cargo pants.

Dad leaned in with a grin on his face, "Sin, you ready to learn about-"

"MAGIC!!" I excitedly shouted cutting him off, shooting my arms into the air as mom grasped my waist so I wouldn't fall.

Mom chuckled rubbing my head, "no silly. Those are only in fairy tales, from the books I read to you."

"Then what's it called?" I asked, twirling around to mom tilting my head.

Dad answered, "it's called vital."

My attention was brought back to dad as he said this. He lifted his hand, then snowy rays slowly arose from it, like small white snakes slithering into the air.

As I watched filled with amazement, dad further explained, "vital is the life energy inside of all living things. The story goes that a powerful goddess named Malerenz, embedded this energy into us when she created life. Vital is what allows us to move and fight at superhuman levels. Also giving us the ability to use our aura, to protect ourselves from physical and mental harm." Dad then shrouded his entire body in a ghostly white essence, that flowed like calm waters.

"We can also mold our vital with our minds and use kinesis. Kinesis are powers that a person can gain, which I'm guessing is how you got it mixed up with magic," dad chuckled. "But usually, kinetic users unlock their abilities when they turn three. Just like how you did," dad waved his hand, causing small snowflakes to emerge, hovering over his palm.

"Kinesis allows us to use our minds and manipulate a natural affinity like the four elements. Water, fire, wind, and terra, or control other supernatural forces. Some can control animals or even people, if their advanced enough. While others can use plants, light, plasma, metal, matter, or their own bodies to alter their selves into living weapons. Even electricity, ice, sound, magma, and the list goes on. The possibilities are endless for whatever kinetics a person can get."

"To get stronger with your abilities, it all comes with extreme mental and physical training. As your mind and body grows from training, your affinities will as well. But when two kinetic users have a child, that child will usually gain two of the same kinetics as their parents.

Some are even able to have all four if possible. But the rarest power to have, is spatial kinesis, which allows a person to have authority over cosmic energy. You; Sin, have two types of kinetics from me and your mom. Ice from me, and spatial from your mother," dad then used his ice and molded a small, crystal white fox with ten tails.

"But there's extraordinary powers that humans can't even dream of having. The power of deities… these being's bodies and minds are anything but weak. Their physical and mental strength are far more powerful than humans. Hundreds of years ago, a small amount of clan members - around four or so - came to this solar system and had families with humans.

After time had passed, most of those families had died off, unfortunately, the reason is still unknown though. My father…your grandfather, Jagan, is a part of the Kitsune clan. Powerful fox beings who were known for their ice to be at temperatures impossibly lower than freezing. Long ago when I was little, he froze flames from the sun so all the planets wouldn't disintegrate," dad expressed in awe.

"Where's grandpa now?" Engrossed, I leaned in closer to dad.

"I don't really know Sin; I really wish I did. But more than likely, he died. After I turned twelve, he disappeared..." Dad lowered his head, slightly revealing a solemn smile.

It felt like my heart sank when dad finally informed me about Grandpa Jagan. I really wanted to meet him, 'I wonder what type of man he was?' I pondered, trying to imagine what he looked like.

"What about your family mom? What are they like?" I turned looking at my mother filled with fascination in my eyes.

Mom's smile disappeared, changing into gloom, "my family died years ago when I was only a teenager. They weren't really the nicest people either, so I wasn't exactly…close to them."

I could see the sadness in her lavender eyes as the corner of her lips pulled down. "Well, I'm happy that mom and dad are my family," I gave mom a hug, hoping to comfort her.

"I'm happy that I'm your mother Sin," she made a loving smile rubbing her cheek against mine.

"Now that your four, me and your mom will start teaching you how to control your powers. Also, I'm gonna teach you how to use the sword," dad wrapped his big hands under my armpits and lifted me into the air with a bright smile.

"Can we start now?" I asked, waggling my arms frantically.

"Sorry kiddo, that'll have to be for tomorrow, I have some business to attend to," dad shook his head, sitting me down on the floor. In which I dropped my head, pouting with my bottom lip hanging out.

"Don't worry Sin, we'll train tomorrow," dad laughed tickling me.

"You promise?" I asked holding out my pinky finger.

Dad wrapped his around mine and we put our thumbs together, "I promise Sin, I'm sure you'll be one of the strongest kids as you train."

*****

Currently standing in the back of our giant yard. My hands clutched onto a wooden sword as dad stood a few feet away from me. I'm very ecstatic today, since dad will be teaching me how to use a sword. Furthermore, I'll be learning how to activate my kinetics.

Dad flawlessly rotated the grip of the sword through his fingers, "alrighty kiddo! Swing your sword," dad instructed with a merry smile.

"Right!"

I lifted the weapon over my head and veered it down – but I smacked the ground as well, knocking it out of my grasp. "Fart baskets…" I clumsily lowered myself to grab it.

"Pfft…at least you can swing it," dad chuckled, approaching me as he continued to giggle.

After I picked it up, dad performed the same move as me. However, as he swung down, a heavy gust of wind made an appearance, making our hair, the grass, and trees in the distance flutter rapidly.

While I was in awe from his execution, dad spoke, "when you swing your weapon, always make sure you have control Sin."—He began to swiftly discharge multiple slashes— "Be sure to follow through with your attacks, never falter. If you swing up, go down. If you swing left, bring it to your right. When you swing, don't just focus on your arms, but your waist as well. Which gives you more momentum and power."

With a resolute nod, I implemented what he instructed. Bringing my arm to the left, then twisted my waist, swinging it towards my right. I brought the weapon to the grass, and arched up to the sky, following through, I slashed down – not smiting the ground this time.

Dad patted my head, "good work Sin. Next, we'll be going over you're footing."

He lifted his sword and prodded my knees, "your legs and feet have to be steady, but be sure to stay light on your toes. With that, helps your attacks become more fluent. But not to the point you'll have to be stiff as a rock, so you can still be agile when fighting."

"I don't get it dad... How can I keep my legs steady while moving swiftly?" I questioned, scratching the back of my head with the wooden blade.

"It's simple kiddo, you have to stay relaxed," dad raised his weapon, keeping it aimed at me. "We're gonna spar, this'll help you understand what I mean. You just focus on attacking – I'll block."

"Ok," I acknowledged, taking a step forward, casting multiple attacks at him. Dad, however, blocked them without a sweat. I quickly retracted my weapon, lifting it over my head, then swung down onto his chest.

Dad brought the weapon in front of him, casually parrying my attack, "you're pretty talented Sin, but you still need to relax. Don't think too hard, just flow with it - like water."

Without a word, untensing my body, I tried to maneuver in a loosened manner. I leapt into the air, slashing at his neck. Dad moved his weapon before it, evading my sword. But I briskly acted, bringing my blade under, swinging up to his chin.

Just when it was about to connect, dad bobbed his head, dodging my sword and swept his foot across my ankle.

I fell on my face…

"Hey! You said you wouldn't attack!" I shouted rubbing my nose.

"Kek – Don't believe everything your opponent says kiddo. They might trick you, just like I did," dad chuckled.

"I hope you go bald…"

"Ouch…"—Dad lifted me into the air, rubbing his wild hair onto me— "You really want your old man to go bald?? The ladies like my hair."

"What ladies, Rellgis…?" A woman questioned dad, with a tinge of vexation in her soft voice.

Both dad and I looked to our left, feeling a minacious presence. Coming to see mom standing before us. Wearing a simple blue dress, her pineapple-colored hair tied into a ponytail that draped past her back. Although her lavender eyes glared at him with animosity.

"O-Oh hey Val," Dad sat me down and walked to my short mother, wrapping his arms around her waist as he lifted her into the air. "Of course, I meant you…" dad chortled anxiously.

While being held in air, mom kept an emotionless expression, nudging his forehead with her finger, "I'll see you later tonight, Rellgis."

"W-Wait…Val please, I'm still tired from last night…" Dad gravely responded, sitting her down, clasping her slender hand in fear.

Mom released a devilish smile, "well you should've never said that. And you're gonna give it to me…"

I tilted my head from her words, "what're you talking about mama?" I pondered.

Mom's personality altered fast as lightening, walking to me and taking a knee, giving me multiple kisses. "...Oh, it's nothing honey, your idiot of a father is in trouble, that's all. But it's time to teach you how to use your kinetics too."

Yes! Finally, I get to learn how to use my kinetics. I can't wait for them to teach me. I know exactly what I'm going to craft first…A giant snowman. I'll create not just one, but an army of snowmen!

"Well first, we'll be visiting Savitra and Crim in the Ilen Region. You'll be taught over there," mom informed, lifting me onto her chest.

"How many regions are there in Valorrey?" I asked as she walked over to the house.

With dad by our side, he answered, "there's three regions in Valorrey. The one we live on is Raven. The other two are Nova, and Ilen, which is where Savitra stays," he explained.

"How far are the regions dad?"

"Well, Raven is in between both Nova and Ilen."—He scratched his chin— "Ilen is in the eastern side, surrounded by mountains. Nova is on the west, however, it's sort of separated from the continent. There's a large body of water in the middle of Nova and Raven, called Maurves Lake."

I nodded from what dad explained, it seems the entire kingdom is connected. Practically a giant continent. As we entered the house, mom turned to dad, "should we take the rifts honey?"

Dad shook his head, "let's take a carriage, I wanna show Sin something when we pass the mountains."

'Rifts, like portals? And what is it that he wants to show me?' I asked myself.

Mom nodded as she took me upstairs. I lifted my head, looking at dad behind us, "hey dad, what're you gonna show me?" I wondered.

Dad showed a smile, "I think it's about time you see where I grew up."

*****