Chapter 2, The Scythe

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the bow is there again, the white void is empty, and there is nothing

once again, it feels like nothing.

The dream ended and the light from inside shimmered down on my face. I groaned and went under the covers.

"Did you forget?"

I made a loud pitched noise and noticed Vincent at the end of my bed. He laughed as he covered his mouth. I sighed and sat up. I stretched and adjusted the strands of my hair.

"I need to meet up with Indigo, train later? Sorry, I forgot to tell you that yesterday."

Vincent wrapped his ghostly arm around me
"Nah it's okay, Pearl's taking care of her already. She told me she might bring her over today."

"I see..." I mutter.
The sudden change of schedule for today irritated me a little bit. I shrugged it off, "I guess we can train now?"

"Whaaa? Can't you just get ready and eat breakfast?" Vincent rubbed my head. "I've been training with Ribbon, it's important to energize!"

Vincent takes over to make the body stand up straight.

I sighed, "Fine."
I got up and went downstairs.

Vincent then appeared at my side,
"It is important for me to train you! With our combined strengths we can wield the scythe. Carrying it gives me arm cramps..."

I nodded along and went into the kitchen, I turn my glance to my aunt sleeping on the couch with a cigarette in her hand. The faint smell of smoke bothered me.

I made myself some toast with butter, fruit on the side, and a cup of water. I hear Vincent chanting, "Eat, eat, eat!" on my side. I groaned and sat down.

I bit into my toast, I heard Vincent cheer on my side quietly, I glared over at them. He stops and stares at me with a smug grin.

A few minutes later, I finished and chugged down my water. I placed my dishes in the sink and went upstairs.

"You don't seem pleased..."

"Hm, I don't know, everything is different now. I usually don't eat breakfast or wake up early...or do something like this." I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror.

I brushed my teeth, brushed my hair, and splashed water on my face.

"You kind of remind me of Ribbon when we first met." Vincent chuckled.

"How so?"

"Ribbon goes off a schedule and so do you."

"That's funny..." I chuckled.

-

A silhouette of a scythe glowed in Vincent's hand. The scythe went into form,
"Are you ready to train?"

I nod.
Vincent raises his hand and a dark sphere forms. He throws it onto the ground.

Strands of black lines twirl around us to make a void.

"Welcome, in here we won't damage anything in the process as I teach you through the training." Vincent spun the scythe and swung in the air. He gave it to me, "It's a tad heavy, but you'll get used to it."

"I can create a replica of anything, so teaching won't be too hard." A white glow came from Vincent's hand, it became a clear version of the scythe.

He held the scythe in front of him, it was sideways, the blade was pointed down, and he placed his hands in the middle. I observed and set mine like his,
"We'll start with defending ourselves, spinning the scythe will help you deflect away enemy attacks, it's great at blocking. A long-range weapon, like this is great! A few cons, it gets tiring to hold sometimes, you may accidentally hit yourself, and others."

He began to switch his hands slowly, the scythe started to spin along, and eventually became faster Vincent ended with him slicing the air.

"Now you try, watch me carefully."

I ready myself and began following Vincent's movement. "Focus in the middle, try not to look away or off view."

The spinning became faster, I moved around slowly, "NOW SWING!" Vincent yelled.

I swung simultaneously but almost tipped over and felt a muscle pull. I grunt and drop the scythe. "What's wrong?" Vincent lifted me.

"I pulled a muscle..."

"Ah, that happens sometimes. I pulled a lot back then when Ribbon trained me."

Vincent chuckled, "You'll get used to it, you wanna study my movements? I'll guide you, as you watch."

I nodded.

I can't believe I messed up on the first try, I already feel like a failure already, and it started to bother me after. It's embarrassing...


— For the next 2 hours, Vincent taught and demonstrated me swinging methods such as bringing the blade towards your enemy and doing a big swing, jumping up high to bring the pointy tip of the blade down and crushing your enemy, and as you spin, you can also slice the enemies around you.

More defensive moves and more attack moves.

It was a lot to process, but Vincent taught well.
He kept on getting distracted and off-topic mostly...but it's alright. —

I collapsed on the bed, I felt tired and wanted to sleep. Until I saw a shadow hovering over me, I looked over and it was Ribbon, waving.

I panicked and he stepped back surprised.
He apologized after.

"How was your training?"

"It was good, pulled a muscle though so I had to watch Vincent do some demonstrations. But I think I did great when I demonstrated it too the first time and I did well on paying attention." I laugh.

"Hopefully you'll recover and do great next time. Handling the scythe isn't easy." Ribbon patted my head.

"About the woman downstairs..." He brought up, suddenly.

"That's...my aunt...she doesn't care about me. She just gets up for work or goes out to drink."
I stare at my hands.

"I see..."
"Sorry for bringing it up, I was just wondering."
Ribbon nodded.

"You're fine." I chuckled.


The doorbell suddenly rang, it scared me badly. I went downstairs and opened the front door.



There stood Pearl and Indigo, Indigo looked so happy. My heart burned with joy, and felt like almost crying. I hugged them both, "Glad to see you again Pearl, me and Indigo never gave up on searching for you."

"I'm happy to hear that, I couldn't wait to see you all." Pearl wiped a tear from her eye.

"I didn't know something happened to Indigo, Mom told me about you coming over to help her. You're a great friend, Leo." Pearl placed a hand on my shoulder.

"We talked for a bit, I was sad that I wasn't able to be there for Indigo but now I am. I'm proud of myself for being able to see you...I'm proud of everyone." She huddled everyone into a hug.

I felt tears form in my eyes,

I miss this warmth.

I wipe my tears away, "You alright?" I hear Vincent right next to me. "I'm okay, just happy." I smile at Ribbon hugging Indigo.

Vincent went into his ghostly form and also hugged Indigo. I laughed, and then joined in the hug. Pearl wrapped her arms around us.

It felt warm, once again.

I felt tears fall down my face.

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