What's The Matter With Sky

In the morning, as everyone gathers at the table, Peter brings out a plate of golden pancakes with chocolate syrup and mango juice. He then tells Xiander and Xane to wait, as their breakfast is different.

“Yes, what has the master told you to make for me?” Xane asks with a smile.

“Here’s oats for Xane, and the new avocado toast for Xiander.” Peter smiles as he sets down their breakfast.

Seeing the breakfast, Xane says, “Wow, Peter, you’re amazing! Back home, our healthy food was Ptisane.”

“What’s that?” Peter asks curiously. “Maybe I can make it for you! That’s if the ingredients are available on Earth, and more precisely, here in Mountspring.”

As he eats his breakfast, Xiander says, “Peter, the breakfast is made of barley, water, and wine. The consistency is different, since food on Earth is heavier, but otherwise, it’s almost the same.”

“OH, that explains why you guys eat so little,” Morris states. “It’s because you’re not used to eating such heavy food.”

“Sam, when did you find that out? Your chart matches their needs perfectly.” Peter asks in a curious tone.

“Obviously, when I first checked them,” Sam says frankly. “Though it took me a few days since I don’t have a lab, I eventually realized that even though the quantity they eat is less compared to us, it’s nutritionally the same. So, I made the chart accordingly.”

Recalling the night’s events, Morris says, “OH, brother, you didn’t tell us who Sky is?”

Hearing Sky’s name, Vonruil suddenly stops eating. “Morris,” he says, “I told you he was my special friend.”

“Was?” Xane says, shocked.

Xiander puts his hand on Xane’s hand to stop him from saying anything further. Seeing this, Xane stops asking.

“OH, I was going to ask why he didn’t come, or if we can call him,” Morris says lightheartedly. “I really want to meet the others too.”

Sighing, Vonruil says, “Morris, you will meet the others soon. As for Sky, he never tried connecting with me. Maybe I was expecting too much.”

Suddenly, an eerie silence falls over the room. Only the clanking of spoons and forks on plates can be heard. Frustrated, Peter says, “So, brother, when are we beginning?”

“Let’s finish first,” Vonruil says as he finishes his food. “Since we just ate, I’ll give you some light punching practice, okay.”

Getting up, Vonruil says, “Boys, wear something light. It’s hot, and remember to take your water bottles.”

As Xiander finishes his food, he asks Sam if he can take his plate. As Sam nods yes, Xiander goes over to Vonruil and asks, “Vonruil, though I haven’t seen him for a while, I’m sure he has his reasons.”

“Xiander, I can’t tell them because I myself don’t know who we are anymore,” Vonruil says with an aching heart. “But it’s clear. He hasn’t tried to contact me once, let alone find me. And you know better than anyone the connection we have.”

Sighing, Xiander says, “Vonruil, I suggest you don’t judge before you really know. And—”

“And everyone in Artmitis believes I have disappeared. Is he one of them?” Vonruil says angrily. “And if he is, I prefer to stay disappeared.”

As Vonruil leaves, Xiander begins to wonder about Sky. He hadn’t realized until now that Sky had been behaving distantly for a while. For the first time, Xiander regretted being on Earth. He desperately wanted to ask Sky what was wrong.

The boys come over and say they are ready, So Vonruil takes leave with them.

As they reached the mountains, the sun was blazing through the trees. Looking around, Vonruil finds a shady area, and says, “Come on boys, over there.”

Just as the boys were enjoying nature, Vonruil comes over, and says, “OK, I don’t think we came to enjoy the trees. But, I promise, I’ll bring you all for a picnic soon. For now, let's practice.

Vonruil tells the boys to sit on the rocks, as he demonstrates some basic punching skills. As he shows them he also explains how they are to maintain their body posture. As Vonruil shows them some basic punches, the boys can see his moves are fluid and precise. The power he has in his body is evident even though his powers have been taken away from him.

Then he says, “Boys, remember when you are punching, it's not about how much brute force you put in your punches, but the control, and focus on your target.”

The boys begin to imitate Vonruil, but their flaws are visible in every move. And, more than punches, it looks like they are trying to catch flies. The boys were pushing their limits. They began to breathe heavily, sweat was rolling down their face, and they were feeling like they would fall down any moment.

Seeing the boys, Vonruil goes over and corrects their posture, and helps them in moving their hands in the right direction. He emphasizes on the importance of hearing the rhythm of their moves. Hear the wind as their hands punch through the air. He tells them to learn how to balance between agility, and power.

As the day went by, the boys' punching improved drastically. Now their punches were sharper, and they had more confidence in them. The once hesitant boys were punching with confidence, and strength. Though the boys had improved immensely, now and then Vonruil would step over and help them out.

The training was no less a grueling ordeal for the boys, especially since they never did anything so strenuous in their life. Vonruil could see the determination in the boys driven to prove themselves.

Then as the sun began to set down, the sky became calm, and casted a beautiful rainbow over the trees, “OK, boys, that’s enough for today,” he says with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. As he hands them their water bottles, a small smile plays on his lips. “You did well,” he said, “but this is only the beginning, we still have a long way to go.”

“Brother, can you teach us how to awaken our natural elements?” Morris asks in a curious and excited tone.

“Boys, it’s not that easy,” Vonruil says, “I mean it’s not like waking a person up. It takes years of meditation, and dedication.”

“But, Sam, he knows how to use it, he said he used the fireball fists.” Peter says in a little hurt tone.

“What? Forgot already. He said his grandfather taught him,” Vonruil says, “That means he began at an early age. And, like I said, it takes years.”

“But, brother, with punches alone, we can’t deal with Rival, and the allies.” Morris makes his point.

“What? Deal with Rival, and the allies?” Vonruil says shocked, “Guys, who told you I would let you go up against them. I won’t even let Xiander go.”

Stunned Peter says, “What? Then why are we practicing in the first place? We want to deal with them.”

Taking a sigh, Vonruil says, “Boys, let’s just say, I’m the army captain, and you are the soldiers. Let me deal with the demon captain, you all, Xiander included, deal with the soldiers.”

“The allies?” Peter asks enthusiastically.

“To an extent.” Vonruil says, “Though they have powers, they do use weapons, and fighting skills as well. So, to a limit, you can fight them. And, I promise, I will make you stronger than them.”

Morris gets up, and makes a punch in the air, and says, “Oh, yeah, allies here I come.” Turning towards Vonruil, “But, can I punch Ethor?”

Vonruil smiles, and says, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely give you boys a chance. Now, let’s head back.”

Back home, Xane is practicing the basics of Karate, while Sam is practicing igniting the fireplace. Seeing them busy, Xiander gets up, and says, “Boys, I’m going up, call me when they come back.”

As Xiander comes up, he tries to telepath a connection with Sky. Luckily, he managed to get connected with Sky, and opens a portal hole to go meet him.

Entering the portal hole, Xiander sees Sky standing with his sword. Coming over, Xiander asks, “Sky, why are you with your sword? I called you to talk, casual talk.”

Looking towards Xiander, Sky smiles with the most beautiful smile, “Xiander, I’m on patrol. Some black shadows have been seen lurking around. You called so suddenly, I left in the middle.”

Not wasting any time, Xiander says, “Have tried contacting Vonruil? He might be.”

“I know he is alive. I can feel him. But, now I don’t hold the same rights. As a warrior, I am to protect him, else then that, I have no right. I just hope he is fine, and will soon come back, and take his designated place.” Sky says with no emotions in his voice, “If nothing else, then I’ll take my leave.”

Before Xiander could say anything else, Sky leaves, leaving Xiander in a more worried state than he was in before. “What the hell is wrong with these boys? Vonruil gave his emotions to Satan, and Sky looks like he gave his soul.”

Coming down, Xiander sees they have come back. Seeing the boys state, Xiander says, “Looks like you didn’t let them slack on the first day itself.”

“Slack off, Morris wants to punch Ethor, can I let them?” Vonruil says as he takes a sip of the juice Sam just gave him.

“Hey, why don’t you give me juice when I stop training?” Xane asks in a curious tone.

“Xane, can you see the boys, they are drinking water. I only gave brother juice, for one, he didn’t train, and two, it’s for recovery.” Sam says as he hits Xane lightly on the head.

“OK, guys, one thing I have confirmed, you all are ready to take on the next level.” Vonruil says as he keeps the glass on the table, “Sam, what about Xane?”

“OH, he has improved immensely. I think, one more day with the basics, I’ll take him to the next level of Karate.” Sam says with confidence.

As the boys are chatting and telling how their day went by, Xiander can’t forget what Sky said. Speaking in his mind, Xiander says, “What does he mean he doesn't have the rights? Does Vonruil know?”

Then Xiander gets up, and says, “Vonruil, let's go and get some wood.”

Shocked, Vonruil says, “What? Both of us, and back here?”

“Sam is here, trust me.” Hearing Xiander say with such confidence, Vonruil agrees.

Walking through the woods, they come to an enclosure, looking around they see an old tree. Xiander says, “Hey, we can take that one, and plant another one in its place.”

“Xiander, that’s not really why you brought me out here. What’s the matter, come on, I can’t wait for the shooting star,” Vinruil says in an irritated tone.

Realizing he cannot hide, Xiander says, “OK, I met Sky in the Nomid portal.”

Seeing Vonruil’s expression, Xiander is baffled. He was expecting he would be happy, but instead he looked irritated.

“Vonruil, is there something you are not telling, you have no emotions, and he has no rights. Like what in the universe is going on?” Xiander asks in a give-up tone.

“Xiander, don’t bother about us. It’s his decision, and I have no objection. But from now on we are on our own path.”

Vonruil takes a sigh, and says, “If this is all, then let’s go back.”

“Wait, we need to take the woods. Now, since you have closed the chapter, then I can’t say I took you to ask about him.”

Soon they go back with some wood. As Xiander places the woods, and says, “Sam, how’s it going on with Xane?”

“Well, he’s improving. He’s a little weak on the elbow punches, but in a day or so, he’ll pass. Then I’ll take him to the next level.” Sam says with confidence.

Just then they can hear commotion coming from outside. Morris gets up, and goes towards the window. He pulls the curtain away slightly and is shocked on seeing who’s outside.