Umbra and Avie Reunited

"Avie?! Is that you?!" I heard a voice from the top of the hill, and as everybody was lost in the thought of Avie's speed, she ran over to Umbra, hugging her as soon as possible. I was touched.

"Oh my God... you're okay... I thought you died... you're okay, right?! Nothing's injured?! Where's Fico?! Did she find you?!" Umbra was spilling concern for Avie and as she separated the hug to reassure her face-to-face, Avie smiled.

"Fico won't be bothering us for a while. I kicked Quake's ass. I killed most of them, but Zeka revived them and they took the chance to run. Sorry I couldn't finish the job." Avie said to Umbra. They both smiled, knowing Avie was just joking around.

"Still... you took on Quake in Sky's body? Did they get weaker, or did Sky get stronger?" Umbra asked, looking at... my body. It was weird, calling it my body, when I wasn't in control of it.

"Mas- Sky has gotten pretty strong, Umbra. Have you been filled in of all of his feats? And, look at this muscle! He is working up a body, that's for sure." Avie said. It was weird to take those as compliments. She was moving the body she was using around, but complimenting me because it was apparently in shape.

"I'm sorry, Avie, but can we put off our reunion for a second? I would like to speak with Sky." Umbra said. I thought Avie would've taken offense, but she nodded without caring and switched back with me.

My appearance slowly shifted and Umbra crossed her arms, looking at me with a frown.

"You have a lot of explaining to do. Your story, why Avie might've died... and where your goals stand. Go ahead, begin." Umbra said, pointing her finger at me.

"My story is a pretty long one. If you want me to sum it up, I was put against several challenges on the Isle, against those who wanted me dead, against The White Stones... and against Orion Danafall. I ended up besting them all, and Illya dragged me into The First Trial to breed me into the Deity of Wrath. Then, I ended up here. Eirikr visited me, and for his opening, he threw The Isle at me. I had no choice but to deflect it, as it would've hit the Earth as well. I used my stone to do it, with Avie's permission, and that's why she might've died. Yet, she didn't." I told Umbra.

"Okay, I find that satisfactory... what became of Providence Achamo?" Umbra asked.

"Killed in combat. By Buusu Achamo and me," I answered.

"What of Ali and Lucas Asterio?" Umbra asked next.

I had a hard time answering that one.

"Killed in combat while saving thousands of lives by Providence," I said.

"I see, that's a shame. Sorry, you had to deal with that. Why isn't Illya dead?" She asked next.

"I still have some use that I can squeeze out of her," I answered without delay. Umbra chuckled.

"And, your goals? What's next?" She asked yet again.

"My goals...? I'm not sure. I'll help Zealous out as much as possible, find Genesis Asterio, and turn him into Eirikr. Then from there, I'll take out Quake, get stronger, and finally, fight Eirikr to protect my friends." I told Umbra while she planted her face into her hands.

"He's a go-getter, isn't he?" Illya asked Umbra with a smile.

"You mean to tell me, you're going to get Genesis into a position where he'll either go to Eirikr or let you bring him to Eirikr... you plan to take out all of Quake... and then fight Eirikr? I've never heard of such a stupid plan! How do you even plan to do that? And, you won't be endangering Avie, will you?!" Umbra scolded me. She felt like a big sister... like Cynthia used to...

"To be fair, Sky has done much stupider things and won... and we'll be helping him, so it shouldn't be a problem," Lia told Umbra.

"Yes, I remember hearing about your reincarnation from Xian about a month ago now, and I can only assume the stupidly reckless things you've done... although, you are Sky Asterio, and it isn't exactly impossible for you to perform such things. I will help you best I can, but do not expect me to go fight Eirikr with you, and do not take Avie with you. Those are my only conditions." Umbra told me, crossing her arms and looking away from me.

"Got it. I wanted to get to you anyway to teach me how to get stronger. I figured there was no better person than you to do so... was I right to think that?" I asked Umbra, watching her eyes open back up.

"I will train you, yes. However, I cannot afford to waste the time to train anybody else. You'll be my exclusive apprentice, and there will be no further discussion." Umbra said, ignoring the gazes from the rest of my friends.

"Alright, I can accept your terms. So, when do we start?" I asked her.

"Hmph... right now?" Umbra asked me.

Right as she asked me, her arm swung in a weak hit that almost connected to my jaw. I backed up after my System warning went off, but the wind pressure from the strike of her hand was so intense that I was blown over, falling down in front of her.

"Part of my training involves pushing you to the brink of destruction. My strength was earned through hard work... it came from years of it. Your strength will come the same way, but in a much shorter time frame. You are Sky Asterio, and unlike any time before, you will prove your name and how much you deserve it now. Are you ready?" Umbra asked me.

I would sure look pathetic if I backed down now.

I stood up, facing her with all my might, and smiled.

"I was born ready," I told her.