The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 10] Light - Shinobi Training

------------------------------------------------

Before him were two grey bags. The left one contained everything he owned. It wasn’t much, some clothing and personal effects. It’s Free and Hope who have many possessions. The right one contained his treasured literature. The library will be incomplete without them. While they ought to be simple to reacquire, he was taking them to be safe.

Grabbing his luggage, he glanced around. The room looked identical to the others on the second floor. So empty…

Exiting, he heard a thud. Silver had jumped down and was racing across the dome. Excitement is overwhelming sadness. It’d hit him later. Light took the stairs. My books don’t have special durability.

Free passed below carrying an enormous ball of roots. It’s a pity Wise and Hope haven’t properly experienced super strength. Examining his sister’s package, he frowned. Why doesn’t she roll it? Pondering, he shivered as intuition kicked in. Maybe there’s a reason she can’t.

“There’s a bug crawling on those,” he said, catching up.

“What? Where?” Free whirled the mass around. After a moment, she shot him a reproachful look. “That wasn’t nice.”

“What’s in the ball?” he asked.

Free stared back impassively, “More roots.”

That’s a lie. Not that he cared to press the issue. He’d seen normal insects in books, and some looked cool. What Free made were malformed mockeries. Which are surprisingly adept at wriggling through tight spaces. Tragically, his room had been right above her experimental area.

“How many are you taking?” He asked.

“Only this one.” Free sighed. “The others wouldn’t make it.” Thank god. There were six more behind.

“It’s sealed tight?“ Light confirmed.

“Of course.” Free scoffed. “Unless the ship crashes, it’ll be fine.”

Relaxing, he switched topics, “Are you bringing other plants?”

“Yes, all the cold resistant ones. It’ll be hard leaving the rest…” Free said melancholically. He sympathized. This place had been their home for fifteen years, with so many memories… I wish we’d had more warning. If not for the anticipation of the Isle, it’d be crushing.

Light watched Free store her bundle and dropped his bags at the opposite end. Waving farewell, he took off through the fortress. Reaching the longest vertical stretch, he ran straight up. Two, three, ten stories… Pausing near the top, he stood enjoying the breeze. Marvelous.

When he’d set out to master wall-running, he’d envied Silver’s aura. His brother had been scaling structures from the time he could walk. Luckily, he felt fear back then. Sadly, the adhesives he’d summoned had failed to reproduce this dexterity.

His next approach had been to levitate himself. All magic had a built-in telekinesis component. Ice magic moved ice and so on. It hadn’t worked. For every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction. When he lifted sand under him, a downward force was exerted on himself.

Not discouraged, he’d seen the solution. If raising something makes me heavier, then the reverse must hold true. One of his affinities was air, and there was an endless supply to manipulate. He’d walked up unleashing a gale behind him. It was incredible. He’d collapsed in exhaustion shortly afterwards.

Light observed the nicks on the wall below. They were concentrated at the base, but some reached where he was standing. They’re proof of my progress. While his earliest attempts had been mediocre, he’d tirelessly ascended further and further. That’s when The HEAVENLY DAO lent its assistance. Two months into his training, it’d grown inexplicably easier. He’d generate more lift with less exertion. A small exception to the laws of physics.

Light leaped across rooftops and ramparts. By embracing his identity, all his movements had been upgraded. He’d gained the freedom to traverse any terrain.

Thanks to the HEAVENLY DAO. Once he’d mastered a shinobi skill, its effectiveness would increase. Perks must be earned. The more appropriate, the greater the enhancement. Materializing shurikens was effortless. This divine interference didn’t bother him. It’s a shared appreciation.

Black spots covered the structures ahead. Free had provided the circular leaves, and Soul had ‘glued’ them with ice. With his affinity, he too can travel this fortress with ease. Light unleashed a flurry of blades, each penetrating a target with a gratifying ‘tack’. He hopped around the battlements raining steel with precision then settled on an archway. I wonder how I’ll replace this on the Isle.

He took off as the weapons disintegrated. Maybe I can also rectify my shortcomings there. Ninjas cast ‘spells’ or ninjutsus by interlocking their hands and forming a series of symbols. This had presented a challenge: which ones to use? Since Astra’s library offered no answer, he’d resorted to trial and error with few successes. Although the sandstorm was glorious. His comprehension was lacking.

Light perched atop a tower and soaked in the view. Half the sky was lit by a wispy lavender fog. The southern lights saying goodbye. A pink glow blanketed the fortress, save for a distant speck of white. The airship… He glanced South. Beyond the walls, snow drifted over a sleeping army. Mother works fast.

The crown jewel of his dedication was his substitution ninjutsu. He’d been determined to acquire this signature skill, even developing a multi-stage plan. First, he’d practiced fashioning a sand outline of himself. Once satisfied, he’d summoned a sandstorm and thrown rocks straight up. Right before they landed on him, he’d draw in sand to form his double while jumping back. Months later, when Silver had rushed him in a match, he’d finally deployed the technique. What happened next shocked everyone, himself included. He’d instantaneously moved thirty feet, leaving his confused brother staring at his collapsing form. I wish I could’ve seen his expression.

Dawn considers it a cheat, Light smirked. She doesn’t know the half of it. If he employed his technique after suffering a wound, he’d vanish and reappear unharmed. Damage triggering the substitution is negated. As long as he didn’t lose consciousness, he could erase any injury. How’s that for overpowered?

Light spotted Rose on a balcony. She’s also admiring the scenery. Noticing Soul headed towards her, he grinned and jumped. A ninja that never eavesdrops isn’t a ninja. He felt this vaguely true. Beside there’s no ill will. This was necessary to improve his stealth. He settled on an overlooking roof and waited.

“Thinking hard as always?” Soul asked.

“Absolutely” Rose turned to lean on the railing. “There’s much to reflect upon.”

“Enjoy our expedition?” Soul joined her.

“Oh god, yes. How’d Hope put it? A ‘nightmarish doom factory’. It was so ‘cool’.“ Rose remarked snidely. It IS cool. Light didn’t appreciate the sarcasm.

“So?” Soul pressed.

“It narrows the possibilities, but it’s not enough.” Rose sighed.

“You should thank Hope for her bit of insight.” Soul smiled.

Rose shook her head, “She’s sharp about the weirdest things, yet blind to the obvious…”

“What do you think we are? Homunculus?” Rose asked.

“Homunculus?” Soul repeated. Sounds neat.

“It means artificial humans.” Rose explained. If we’re something less interesting, I’m blaming you for getting my hopes up.

Soul considered, “Doesn’t seem right… We’re too different in looks and abilities. What’d be the point of that diversity? If we’re artificial, shouldn’t we be standardized?”

“Then what are we?” Rose vented. “Children kidnapped millennia ago?”

“That sounds more realistic.” Soul said. “But if this could be solved by mulling it over, you would’ve done so long ago. You should get some rest.”

“Will you sleep?” Rose scoffed. “After what we’ve learned? With our imminent departure?”

“I don’t know.” Soul said. “But I’ll try.”

“Fair enough.” Rose said. “I’ll also ‘try’ later. For now, I’ll ‘mull’ more… How are the others?”

“Let’s see.” Soul said. “I’d say they’re eager, exuberant, apathetic, off-training, hesitant, and cautiously optimistic.” ‘Cautiously optimistic’ must be Hope. It fits her.

“That’s too specific.” Rose chuckled. “Dawn’s apathetic?”

“Yes.” Soul answered. “How about you?”

Rose reflected, “Expectant. Like I’ve received the call to adventure you see at the beginning of a hero’s journey.”

Soul raised an eyebrow, “You’re the hero?”

“Everyone’s a hero in their own story.” Rose laughed. “You, on the other hand, are the type who ends up a hero in the stories of others.”

They fell silent, and Soul suddenly turned in his direction. Light ducked, cursing internally. The terrain favors him too much. Due to magic’s conceptual nature, the right environment imparted benefits. Aside Dawn, none stands a chance against Soul out here. Perfectly in tune with the arctic, he was sensitive to anything out of place. Like me. The situation was reversed for Rose, who was operating in a fog.

Will he reveal me? Rose got rather mad about this stuff, and she held grudges. They were also traveling together in a confined space tomorrow. This is rather bad…

“Packing is nearly done. Even Free has finished. The only one left is Hope. She’s having difficulty deciding what to bring.” Soul said, gazing up.

Rose frowned, “That’s nice, but why’re you telling me?”

“No reason.”

Light quietly slid off, getting the message. Go help Hope. Hurrying back, he admitted another truth. I… have a crush.

He’d started frequenting Hope’s workshop back when Wise turned himself into a monster. Pushed down to second to last, He’d been looking to commiserate. She was the only one I could beat. He’d desperately wanted to know how she maintained her spirits. With time, he’d understood the twisted personality lurking below the surface. He’d loved the humor and began bringing books as an excuse to linger. They’d joke and rant for hours.

In the midst of this, he stumbled onto ‘Tales of the Shinobi’. Masterpieces, all of them. One day, listening to him gush, Hope had suggested he become one. A paradigm changing notion. Plunging into this new life, he’d adopted their appearance, mannerisms, and philosophy. This passion had been recognized, his vision transformed to reality.

Later, once he was consistently winning, he’d discovered he’d lost something. Hope’s workshop didn’t feel the same. I wasn’t a fellow ‘loser’ anymore. Distance had grown between them. Acting stoic didn’t help…

It hurt more than expected. When making sense of the pain, he’d rejected his conclusions. She was his sister. How could he have feelings? Ninjas aren’t controlled by their emotions. He’d been flummoxed over what to do, since avoiding Hope wasn’t viable. There’s limited space. Also, if she noticed, she’d be distressed. Imagining it caused his chest to constrict. Worse, if she figured out the reason for it… Shivers ran up his spine. There’s nowhere to run.

His siblings already knew. They’re unsettled too. As for Hope, she was too fixated on immediate goals to realize. The status quo would probably persist indefinitely. While I agonize. Only the Isle offered a hint of salvation. Perhaps I’ll find someone, and all this will become a silly mistake. He entered the workshop.

This is a catastrophe. Half the shelves and drawers were empty, their contents scattered over tables and the floor. By the doorway were a bunch of unused grey bags. Hope sat in the center.

“What happened?” He asked.

His sister glared, “I’m packing. It’s the process by which you gather what to take on a trip. Also ——I suspected before, but now I’m certain—— I loath it.”

“What are these?” He continued.

“Glad you asked.” Hope began pointing, “Those things are the ‘probably-not-taking’ pile. That’s the ‘take-if-there’s-room’ pile. This is the ‘decide-later’ pile. Next to it is the ‘maybe’ pile. I should probably combine those two. On the table is the ‘partially-taking’ pile, where I’m definitively taking some, but not all. I’ll decide how much afterwards. In the corner is the ‘I-don’t-know’ pile——don’t ask. Over there are ‘sorting’ piles. Finally, here’s the ‘absolutely-taking’ pile.”

The last heap was tiny. Light didn’t say anything. I don’t need to. He was sure his sister recognized the absurdity.

“Sorry, but I can’t help it. It’s my first time. There’s so much, all of which is important to a varying degree. I’m trying to determine which is which.” Hope raved bitterly. “It’s hell.”

Light sighed, “Just take everything. It’ll take several trips, but I’ll help.”

Hope’s eyes widened, “I can’t! This is more than the rest of you combined!”

He shook his head. This was her quirk: an extreme determination not to inconvenience others. Monopolizing the cargo bay was unimaginable, hence her desperate effort to organize. I know how to defuse this.

“At this rate, you won’t be done by morning.” Hope tensed as he spoke, “Everyone will be devastated if we can’t leave, especially Silver.”

“True, he’s waaaay too excited.” Hope agreed.

“There’s more than enough space…” He pressed.

“That’s several tons of rocks!” Hope waved around. “Besides, there’s stuff I don’t really need. See, I even have a pile for it.”

“You’re an enchantress. It’s natural for you to have a lot.” Light said. “We might never return. I took everything. You should too.”

Hope weighed the alternatives, eventually nodding, “You’re right.”

Great. “That settled.” Light grabbed a bag. “What should I start with?”

“Don’t touch anything!” Hope shouted. “It’s hard enough already. If we’re taking everything, then I must adjust my entire approach. Let me think…” This’ll still take a while…

Soul walked in, observing the chaos, “It’s gotten worse…”

“It was like this when I arrived.” Light gave a quick update while Hope ruminated.

“Ok, I’ll give up on full organization and take my time unpacking once we get there,“ Hope declared, “But we can’t just throw things in bags so I need a semi-structured system for…”

She saw their faces, “I’m not needlessly fussy! You’ve no idea how long it takes to sort thousands of pebbles. They’re useless if you don’t know what they do. Mixing is forbidden!”

“I have a solution.” Soul approached an unsorted shelf and emptied its content into a grey bag, which he then placed back into the vacant space. “We do this and wrap it up so nothing falls out. Finally, we move the furniture to——”

“Brilliant! Everything stays exactly where it needs to be. Why didn’t I think of that…” Hope was stunned. Sometimes Soul is too useful…

“Wait, does that mean my piles must return where they started? God, freaking, dang it!” Hope pushed them out saying to come back later. It’ll be a long night.

“At least we’re on the right track…” Soul said. “I’m off to find rope. By the way, I’m not covering for you next time.”

Ah, right… The spying. Light made a note not to get caught again.