ENTRY # 13

ARIA

After two weeks of extreme, brutal training, I'm finally allowed to have a full day of rest.

You may be wondering why we're not taking the matter of Liv's disappearance urgently. And how on earth could we afford to spend the days training. I was like that too, the first few days.

I found out later on that my mom had been dispatching her servants to gather information and that Dad had already contacted The Church to report of the issue. He received a command later that only implied they both stand down, lay low, and wait for orders. And that's how both my parents afford to remain in the town, doing human work (for Mom) and training me (Dad).

I thought of doing investigations of my own, of course. I even had the plan detailed and organized in my head. I thought it would only be right to begin my search using whatever I could find at the starting location–the cabin in the woods. By now, it must've been in ruins. All that would've remained of the place was a large hole of ash and burnt, leafless trees.

But these days, I will often find myself waking in my bed. The sun was already peeking through the clouds.

It was always like that. I would wake up, wondering how I got back; eat breakfast, take a shower, and then go along with Dad through the woods. I would get beaten half to death, vomiting blood and spitting out teeth, as well as crying through broken bones.

And then when I reached my limit, I would pass out and wake up again the following morning. At this point, I think I'd forgotten what the night sky looked like.

But hey, at least I'm proud to say I'm improving. Enough that I'm now being taught how to use a sword.

We had to evaluate what weapon suited my fighting style first, of course. I tried using a long sword, or any type of single-handed sword. I mean, it wasn't that bad to use. They just didn't feel right in my hand. Then, we found out I had immense talent with dual types. I tried sparring with one long blade and one shorter. It felt nice, however, the party really started when I was using the dual blades.

They were this really gorgeous set of silver curved blades. The handles were simple: dark and comfortable leather. The blades had similar engravings to the ones I saw on the dome's steel door. I glanced at others and I realized all of them had enchantments. I didn't know what these symbols meant and I doubt I'll have the time to find out about them. I'll just pick these and go.

Dad, on the other hand, saw the blades and his eyebrows shot to his hairline. "You're choosing that?"

"Yeah, what's the problem? Is it a bad weapon?"

"N-No! " he stuttered. Dad stuttered. He cleared his throat. "I mean, that set was forged by an old friend. He said those were a failure. Didn't explain why, but I just sneaked them out of the trash and kept them. If you don't mind these blades are flawed, you can keep him. After all, knowing that guy and his abilities, I'm sure it'll serve you well."

"Oh, okay."

He handed me a dark leather belt with two scabbards built into it. A holster for the blades, I think, is what it's called. Both are the same size as the blades he gave me. I watched quietly as he demonstrated how to put them on, how to adjust the belt to my waist and how to secure the blades. "Does your guy have a name?"

"He does. But I'm afraid he'll hunt me down when he finds out that I took those." He shuddered at the thought. "Hence, to avoid that situation, I won't tell you."

"Why? What would happen?"

"Well, for starters, he would chase me half the globe with a shotgun." Dad shrugged, like it was normal. "At least that's what happened when I stole a shield from his room one time without him knowing."

"How'd he find out?"

"Your mother," Dad started, his head swiveling around as if Mom would magically appear; for a second there he looked scared. He continued. "She found me making out with Sofia at one of the parties, and told him everything. That wasn't my first time sneaking his toys."

"Sofia?" I said, disbelief plastered on my face. "You cheated on Mom?"

"We were a couple at the time. Not yet married. But I was drunk! And that was a dare!" Dad pointed out. "And I didn't know Sofia was attracted to me until she took advantage of the game and stuck her tongue down my throat. Vivian came in at that moment. Things got worse because it turns out Vivian also knew about Sofia liking me."

Sofia…I only know one person with that name. My jaw dropped in shock, "You mean Aunt Sofia?! Your sister?!"

"She's not my sister." Dad replied, rubbing his palms annoyingly on his face. "She's my stepmom's child from her ex-husband. We're not related by blood."

I thought of Aunt Sofia with her perfect hair, perfect teeth, and her narcissistic fashion sense. The woman who always brought different men—all old, but filthy rich, to family dinners. The woman who wore heels and revealing clothes in everything she did.

She had the face of a goddess, sure that's true. But even the most expensive things on earth wouldn't hide her wretchedness. "It's still the same thing! In the first place, why did you even agree to that dare?!"

"I told you I was young and heavily drunk! Teenagers do stupid things all the time! That's why they're called teenagers!"

I sighed, "And so? How did you make Mom forgive you? She hates that woman."

He blanched at the memory. "W-Well…She um….she kicked me really hard in the nuts. Too hard, actually. I had to eat an ogre's testicles to restore it."

"An ogre's testicles?!" I burst into laughter so hard I had tears pouring out of my eyes. "Why of all parts–hahaha!"

Dad scratched behind his head, looking really embarrassed. "Can you please stop laughing? That really hurts, you know. It was the most painful thing I've ever experienced in my entire life. And the stories of it even spread in our organization. You have no idea how much ridicule I got."

"Was hahaha–hack! T-the testicles—hihihi! Mom's idea? Hwek hwek!" I snorted mid sentence, then continued laughing.

"Of course it was. Who else could've thought of such a cruel idea? Your mother has a peculiar talent when it comes to that kind of thing."

I giggled at the conversation we had as I reminisced about that story. I laughed so hard that day, and Dad took revenge on me by training me thrice as hard. He made me last that day by continuously pouring elixirs in my mouth whenever I passed out. And when I woke up, he would continue the lessons. Knowing Dad and his pride, that must've meant I should forget everything about what he said, and never tell a soul.

But knowing myself and my stubbornness, of course, I didn't let such a precious thing be beaten out of me. No way in hell.

And for everything he made me go through after telling me that story, I'll make sure to always bring it up during family reunions from this day forth (insert evil laugh).

I collapsed on my bed, enjoying the soft and comfortable feeling of rest. It's been a while since I enjoyed a nice book. Maybe I should continue the one I was reading before I got busy.

There was a knock at the door. I sat and opened it, "Oh, hey Mom. What's up?"

She was dressed more formally than usual, looking very beautiful and charismatic. Mom was wearing a white fur scarf that rested around her and on her fore-elbows, over an elegant black dress that hugged her curves and fancy designer heels. Her coffee-brown hair was tied up in a neat, gorgeous bun and covered with pearls. She wore her evening party makeup, with smoked eyelids and red lipstick. "Hi, dear. Did I interrupt you?"

"Not really. What's with the get up? You and Dad going somewhere?"

She nodded, "We received a party invitation from an old friend. We'll be out for the whole day. Is it alright if we leave you to watch over the house?"

"Sure. Where is the party happening?"

"In Seattle. We will be on a cruise. Are you sure you're feeling okay enough?"

"Mom, I just survived two weeks of Dad's training and managed to stay alive. Don't worry about me, go have fun with Dad." I gave her a hug. "You take care okay?"

"Always. Thank you, my darling." I accompanied her down the stairs and out the door where Dad was waiting with the car. I hugged Dad and told him to take care as well. With a wave, the engine started and they drove away. I didn't return to the house until I saw the car's tail lights disappear out of view.

And that day, two hours after my parents left, a loud banging disturbed me while I was deeply concentrating in an attempt to better get a hold of my mind powers.

I grabbed my coat and went downstairs to open the door. And when I did, I was surprised to see Teagan, Carter, and Austin on the front porch looking frightened and a mess.

"They're coming for us, Aria! We need to go!"