The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo (Books 1-3)

Sacred Weapons Chapter 2- Teachers

~Chapter 2- Teachers~

Headmistress Dama overlooked the sparring room of the Fighting Academy. There were several stone rings surrounded by water where her students would square off. Normally she'd be instructing the students, but she had a few others to serve that role that day.

The ferocious Therma was trying to teach the Mecarne students how to control heat, cold, and electricity. It was an ability exclusive to their people.

"If you have this ability in your arsenal, most combatants won't know how to fight you," Therma declared when she found the students struggling, snapping her finger, and procuring a small wick of flame.

The other students were being trained by the two black-haired brothers Razan and Lucar.

The bearded Lucar had a talon-shaped scar over his brow and a muscular frame. He taught the students a very defensive style, one that capitalized on searching for weaknesses in an opponent and countering decisively. Dama thought it was similar her own form.

The less muscular Razan was instructing the students to move in a flowing manner, almost dancing with their opponent and eventually breaking them out of their rhythm. He demonstrated by having three of the students try to attack him simultaneously. He dodged the three effortlessly, feigning blows whenever he saw an opening.

Their styles weren't as formal as Dama's, but learning a rougher form of combat would be good for the students.

Dama folded her toned arms and watched the sessions the three held when her older sister, Modi, hobbled to her side. Both women had gray hair. Dama preferred to keep it short, but Modi tied it into a bun behind her.

Modi looked at the two brothers and chuckled, "How did you convince those two to teach?"

"Their friends are in prison right now, and they're helping out here to reduce their sentence," Dama replied.

Modi looked at the men once more, "Did you get a chance to fight either of them in that trouble a while back?"

"I fought Lucar briefly."

"How did he fare against you?"

Dama sighed, "They fought on equal terms with the Four... They may be just as strong as I am."

"That's... unbelievable," Modi furrowed her brow, "Did you know I fought Lucar a few years ago?"

Dama unfolded her arms, "What? When?"

"Emil and I were trying to claim the bounty on them. He hoped that he'd be able to pay you back for everything he stole with that. Didn't work, of course." Modi explained, "It's how we ran into their kids."

"Their kids?"

"Jirro, Aero, and Corri."

"Razan and Lucar are their fathers!?" Dama asked. When she looked at the two men, it was obvious. Jirro was the spitting image of Lucar, all except for their hair color. Razan looked similar enough to Aero and Corri.

Jirro and Aero had earned 1st and 2nd place in the last tournament...

After classes had finished, Dama and the elderly Modi went to see the two brothers, "Well done today!"

Lucar gave an honest smile and said, "Thank you!"

Razan, however, was silent. While Lucar seemed to enjoy teaching, Razan was treating this like a job. It was, but some more enthusiasm wouldn't go amiss.

"I have to ask... you two are the fathers of Aero and Jirro, aren't you?" Dama asked.

Razan sharply responded, "Why do you ask?"

"Ever since the tournament, the boys seemed to vanish. Where are they?"

The two glanced at one another for a moment, seeming to contemplate how to respond. Before they had a chance to answer, Dama's attendant hurried to her side.

"Headmistress! You have a guest. He wanted to speak with you and Therma."

Dama rolled her eyes, "I am not taking guests today."

The attendant gave her a worried look, "I think you'll want to reconsider."

Dama, Modi, Therma, Razan, and Lucar walked through the halls of the academy to the front door. When they stepped outside, a several story tall owl waited for them. Dama immediately knelt on a knee and bowed her head. It was the Sky Deity, Ool.

Dama spoke as respectfully as possible, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Sky Deity! What do you need of us?"

Dama glanced back and saw that Razan and Lucar were still standing in the presence of Ool, and she glared at them.

Ool didn't pay them any mind, "A terrible force is approaching. An evil army has emerged from the desert and is traveling north."

"An army?"

"Yes, from another world. I'll be able to explain more later. I need you to call on every able-bodied fighter you can and go to Challenger's Lake as quickly as possible. The Water Deity is waiting there for you," Ool explained. Dama noticed a slight quiver in his voice, "The Earth Diety is dead."

Dama raised her head, "What?"

"Do not share this information lightly," The massive owl said. It turned its back to Dama and spread its magnificent wingspan, "Hurry to Challenger's Lake! I'll continue to search for others to help in the fight!"

With a gust of wind, Ool took to the skies and flew off.