Peace of mind

The enemy

-Note-
Thanks for reading! ^^
If you enjoy, feel free to vote or give me some feedback! Sorry for late release of this chapter! Vacation and school got me busy, Ill publish more frequently from now on forward!

-We are almost at the Church top, come on now!, Kou cheered from the front, while I followed carrying the backpack.
-Thats a strange name for a hill..., I complained with heavy breathing. It was morning, and the skies were clouded. There was a smell of wet grass in the air. We had been walking for 15 minutes, when we finally reached the top of the hill. The orange sunshine glowed behind the skies. It must have been six or seven in the morning.
-What did you put in here? Your oven?
-A little to drink, and some spare clothes, no oven!, Kou laughed.

I sat down on a rock, and took the heavy backpack off. It wasn't the top of the mountain, but the view from the hill was great. It was closer to the end of the forest, where I could vaguely see a lake, and some tighter housing. I knew that in the other direction was the bus stop and the road to the town.
-Did you sleep well tonight?
-Yes! Thanks for carrying my bag to the room and making everything ready for me last night., I thanked. I was still staying at the guest room.

The mountain landscape was dominated by naked, flat stone- surfaces, with yellow- green grass and heather in between them. Moss was growing on every rock. The hill was not very far from the cabin, but it was a steep trip. On one side we could see the smoke from the chimney, the thick forest and the lake in the far distance. Behind us was a cliff, which got steeper and steeper.

But beyond the cliff was another big lake, this one much closer. On the other side we could see the town I had left a few days ago. A beautiful view. To our right, the hill grew together with the rest of the mountain. Kou had said the top of it was the highest point in dozens of kilometers range.
-Now then, lets get to work., Kou finally said.
-What is up first?
-Meditation.
-Medi...tation?

Kou spread his legs into a horse stance, and inhaled slowly. Then he exhaled, with a long breath. He looked at me with impatient eyes. I imitated him.
-Bend you knees more!, he demanded.
-Yes, Kou!
-Master Kou!, he corrected.
-Master Kou!

I heard the birds sing. I felt the wind blow, a wet, chilly wind. It flew through my clothes. Through my hair.
-Now, do you feel it?, Kou asked.
-I think so.
-You are connecting with the energy of the nature. Its great for improving your energy flow, which makes magic easier.

-Is that what I did wrong yesterday?
-Yes, your flow was stiff, and it moved in bursts. Good thing I saved you last night, you could have blasted yourself out of the house, and also have done much more damage.
-You knew I was losing control? You definitely know your stuff..., I smiled amazed.
-Well... Lets just say... You... reminded me of myself. When I first tried magic when I was little.
-Oh I see..., I answered carefully, as he had a serious look on his face now.

-Is the heavy stance necessary though?
-of course! I told you it would be rough. It is physical, mental and arcane exercise.
-If it will help me get fixed sooner...
My legs were already shaky, and I struggled to keep myself on my feet.
-If it will help me get fixed sooner, Ill do it!, I repeated.
Kou turned, and started walking away.

-Kou!?, I shouted frustrated.
-Thats the spirit! Keep it up! Hold the
-Where are you go...?
-Hold the stance!, I heard from a dozen meters away. -Until the sun is there!, he said and pointed straight up. The glow behind the skies had turned slightly more yellow. I closed my eyes, and continued slowly inhaling and exhaling in the painful stance.