Time To Grow

With everyone else gone it was just Zilan's group left in the throne room along with the Queen.

"I'm surprised things are going the exact way you want Katrin."

"I wouldn't say that, if I had a real say in it anymore there would be less Astral Zones in the world right now. With Xilo's help though I can slowly make that happen with time."

"So that's what you're after, his potential."

"Exactly, what about you? I know you're quite busy lately yet instead of running around getting stronger you actually fought back against me. That was certainly something I didn't expect."

"We just help each other out here and there. Doesn't mean I'm on your side, besides I've become good friends with all of them. I'd hate to lose that."

Hearing his plain answer Katrin couldn't help rolling her eyes as she rested herself on her palm. She knew Zilan a lot better than that and knew it was probably a lot more than that. "He seems so simple on the surface." Underneath it all was someone he had quite a few schemes himself. "His brother is probably to blame for that." She knew a bit of his story that Zilan was willing to share with her. "Well enough prying, If I'm right they'll be here soon." Information travelled fast and if Katrin was right they would be here by tomorrow at the earliest. She had to prepare for that or else they would be in huge trouble. Getting off her seat she headed for the door with Zilan following right behind.

"If you want to keep it a secret I'll leave it alone, I've got some stuff to do. I don't really care what you do now, just try not to get in the way of anything."

"Don't worry, we'll be leaving now. Try not to be too rough on Xilo and tell him goodbye for us. We'll probably see him again at some point I'm sure of it. Hopefully even stronger and better than he is now."

Waving bye, Zilan passed by a bunch of people who were finally waking up as he left the Castle with Marie and the twins. "There's been a strange creature running around lately." Before he arrived here he received some information about a new Astral Beast that had been causing quite a bit of havoc. The Astral Beast had apparently killed over a few hundred people and has constant reports of it being stronger than the last time it was spotted. "It hasn't attacked any towns though." All reports of its attack had been when people left for gathering in forests or moving merchandise around. Their next goal was to take a look into it and see if they could put a stop to that Beast.

"You all know the plan?"

"""Yep."""

"Good let's get going."

Grass rubbed against Xilo's ankles as the rising sun began to pour down on him. A few stone paths connected each exit with a fountain in the centre. Flowers lined the edges mixed in with a few benches that lined the walls. In this one giant square Xilo saw a lot of people watching him. The girls all sat on one bench and the people Katrin had brought to him were also here observing. "...This doesn't feel real." His head was spinning as Aeon studied every movement Xilo made. "Well Xilo, time to become a leader." Aeon had already thought about training Xilo before and now he was given the opportunity, he planned to make him the best version of himself.

"To start things off, straighten your back, Stand tall and proud. Don't be scared of the world around you."

Straightening up a bit, Xilo didn't even realise he was slouching.

"My bad."

"Well it's a bit hard for you to believe but no one here thinks of you as someone lesser. I've read up a bit about you and your past so I get it. Let the past be that though. Don't get stuck in it like I did, you'll only live to regret it. Next take out your sword, or whatever you prefer to use, it doesn't matter. Just come at me with everything you've got and don't be afraid to hurt me. I can assure you, you can't even hurt me if you want to.."

With a slight grin Aeon beckoned Xilo forward. Hearing Aeon's taunt, Xilo let it brush past him as he took out Icebreaker. Completing the blade Xilo added a bit of darkness into it along with some Ice as he charged it up. "He asked for everything I have." Feeling his muscles pulsing Xilo crouched down low as power entered his legs. Bolting straight ahead Xilo swung straight at Aeon without holding back. A chill travelled along with the sword as Xilo appeared in Aeon's face. Without a worry in his mind Aeon didn't even bother blocking as Xilo's sword struck him. A chilly wind blew past his body as he ate that attack head on without feeling anything. Grabbing Xilo's sword he pushed it off of him as he fixed his hair up.

"Quite impressive..An attack that goes beyond your own rank of Strength. Not too rare but still good. It was incredibly sloppy though, your energy use was everywhere and you mixed in so much that you couldn't use everything to its full potential. Your strike was also like a wild beast that had no elegance to it. While that's not a bad style it's also relying solely on power and wastes even more as well. If I had to give your attack a rating it'd honestly be a three out of ten."

Of course Aeon knew he was being incredibly harsh but he had to be. If Xilo sharpened his skills he could become someone to be feared. "His potential is there, yes but there's something much stronger behind that." Years of hard work and suffering had already shaped his resolve giving him an edge well above others. "He's done the hard part most are afraid to do on his own." Giving his respects to that, Aeon grabbed Xilo's body and quickly threw him to the ground. A loud thump resonated throughout the courtyard as Xilo lost his breath. Looking up at the sky Xilo hadn't expected that in the slightest.

"Why did you do that..?"

"You attacked me, so I did the natural thing and attacked back. I wanted to see how well you could react and defend yourself. I give it one out of ten. That was pretty damn awful Xilo. Oh well, we got plenty of time to improve everything. You told Telan when you first met him that you wanted to get stronger and now that's going to happen. Don't you give up on me now alright?"

Getting his breath back Xilo did his best to respond.

"I'll do my best."

Xilo didn't realise at that time just what he had signed up for and how much hell Aeon was about to put him through.