MIND LINK

"Ready? I won't be gentle!" uncle said coldly to Mino as they took off their upper clothing. The sun, which was just arising in the forest, embraced them as I sat on the grass.

Mother left early to return to the villagers Macara was looking after since she was worried about not seeing them. I sipped the hot drink in my hand right away since I am seeing a pair of gorgeous body this early.

"No magic for now, uncle! He can't release his magic that easy," I gently said. "That would be an issue," uncle stated solemnly, because Mino's magic would be a problem. Mino's powers remain restricted.

"Then we'll have a physical fight first," uncle replied emotionlessly, and Mino simply nodded. After a few minutes of their physical encounter, I notice Mino's pains as a result of the attacks on his body. During their fight, I could sense his rising exhaustion yet he didn't even hit uncle.

I noticed uncle Alonzo's composure while blocking and delivering strikes, as if he wasn't fatigued. I also observed Mino fall to the grass several times but still get up to return the attack. I took another sip because I knew it would require a lot of practice and training. If he fights like that, he'll die in one flip.

I immediately chuckled since uncle managed to fix his unruly hair while Mino collapsed on the grass and catch his breath. He gently wiped the blood from his mouth, which had most likely been caused by uncle's repeated blows on him. He lost consciousness and collapsed on the floor a few moments later. I can see noticeable bruises on his body as a result of the duel.

Another day has passed, and I'm still sitting in the same spot where I watched them fight yesterday. Really, I'm sipping the same cup as my eyes are once again satisfied with their magnificent bodies? Is it always necessary for them to remove their top?

Even though it's a new day, Mino is still having difficulty to strike even a single blow to uncle. I realize uncle's attacks aren't that powerful, but Mino is getting hit a lot and he still doesn't have any power. It will be another training session if he fights with magic. "You have a potential Mino, but your attacks are as messy as your head!" uncle said as he caught Mino's fist that was about to strike his jaw.

Mino ignored this and attempted to kick uncle's side, but uncle blocked it and tripped Mino, knocking him down once again. "What are you fighting for, Mino?" uncle inquired, his gaze fixed on Mino, who was exhausted and gasping for air.

Uncle extended his hand to assist Mino in standing, which he quickly took and prepared to attack again. He had no intention of responding to uncle, so I simply sneered at him. It's obvious, uncle; he just wants to go home and obey the Goddess's commands. Why do I believe there is another reason? I only disappoint myself because, like him, I hide and protect him for my own safety, so I can say it's a tie.

The day came to an end with no improvement as Mino was still beaten up while uncle was unscathed. It's another day of watching them, and I'm tired of their bodies, but I can't help but notice the scrapes and bruises on Mino's body, which are getting worse by the day. Mino's back flung a few minutes later and crashed on a large tree.

Uncle kicked him hard when he was almost struck in the face. Mino's tremendous anguish over what happened to him is palpable. I'm not sure, but I just grinned since nothing had changed. What will happen to him will only get worse over time. "Mino? Don't rush everything," I urged gently as I noticed them both looking at me at the same time.

"I see how you're trying to make uncle struck you so hard, you think that if you're hurt severely, your power would come out," I quickly met his defeated gaze, as if I had caught his thoughts. "What if you release your power? You can't be sure you'll win right away. You shouldn't rely on power. The body needs to be strong too," I said emphatically, and I noticed his gradual nod as a show of agreement.

"What's troubling you?" I inquired, drinking casually again, but he didn't respond. Now that I think about it, I believe his mind has to be strengthened before his body. Perhaps he believes that he only needs to keep his issues to himself, and that releasing his power will solve everything.

"That's enough for today, uncle, because nothing will change!" I said, and he nodded as he grabbed up his clothing and dashed away from us, heading for the river. I moved gently towards Mino's direction, who was sitting and resting against a tree. I stroked his cheek, but he harshly smacked my hand, as if he didn't want to be held. That was something I was expecting.

"You don't have to rush everything if you want to fulfill this training," I stated as I sat in front of him at just the right distance. "What do you know about what I think and feel?" he asked coldly, a sneer on his face. "That's the problem, don't you see? We can't read you! You make decisions that I don't fathom!" I retorted emphatically.

"Who do you think you are? Who are you for me to explain all my acts to you?" he said coldly, yet I couldn't help but feel a tightness in my chest because of what he stated. That will always be a problem because he doesn't consider my role in his life. I'm still struggling to accept the role he plays in my life, but I'm slowly accepting the fact that he's my mate, even though it's tough.

"Do you think you're the only one who has questions, Mino? Do you think this is all about you?" I couldn't stop myself from becoming irritated because of what he taught me. "Be angry with me if I chose you to be my match!" I immediately reasoned with him because it was becoming tedious to keep talking about it.

"I'm also frustrated and mad because I don't want to be attached to someone like you, but all I can do is accept that terrible truth and work with you!" I shouted grumpily to him, but he simply seemed to get angrier in response. "Are you blaming me? You have this nonsense about having a mate! Your world is awful enough!" he spat.

I just closed my eyes and forced myself to loosen up because my chest felt like it was about to explode. If I am already in the process of accepting, it appears that Mino is still furious with our kind. He probably still can't realize that it's hard for me as well. But I can't blame him because I understand how frustrating it is for him.

I was about to open my eyes when I was startled by the sensation that something was opening in my consciousness. Something in my core seemed to be opened by force.

"I just want to go home!" my eyes widened because I thought I heard a voice in my thoughts, and my brow furrowed even more because it was Mino's voice. "What did you say?" I wondered, as he gave me a confused glance because he didn't open his mouth but I could hear him talk. What was it?

"What's the matter with this woman?" I immediately covered my mouth when I heard his voice again, but his mouth didn't even open. My eyes expanded immediately, and I stood up while he stared at me, puzzled.

"Mi... Mino? Could you please think of something else?" I asked, his brow furrowed even more. "What are you saying?" he asks bluntly, yet I want to verify what I'm thinking. "Just do it!" I exclaimed loudly.

"Fine!" he said violently to me as he slowly rose up, hissing from the pain in his body, and looked at me intently, as if he was mystified by what I was asking him to do.

"HAKDOG," my mouth fell wide open, not because of Mino's odd statement, even though his lips didn't open, but because I confirmed my suspicion. Why am I able to read his mind?

GLOSSARY (FOR NON-FILIPINO READERS)

HAKDOG- it is a slang for the word HOTDOG, a nonsensical meme expression, usually in response to "ha?" to make fun of whatever their responding to. In the Philippines, it's a part of a memeable phrase, "Ha? Hakdog", usually said in a sarcastic way especially fired at someone who doesn't understand or hear what you've said.

Example:

You didn't hear what someone had said or you didn't understand them at all.

You: Ha? (Pardon?)

Him: Ha? HAKDOG!