The Oracle

Chapter 7: A Test of Faith

AKARI

"Left, right, uppercut, sidestep," Gambit repeats as she walks around Sora, her eyes focused on him as he whirls his staff around.

"What do you think of this?" Merrick hums as he stands next to me, several feet away from Gambit and Sora.

"You know already what I think of this," I say, my lips pursed as I cross my arms before I glance pointedly over at him. "Question is, what do you think of this?"

"Me?" Merrick sighs and takes off his fedora to run his fingers around the brim. "Oh, who knows."

I frown and return back to watching Sora and Gambit. The two of them have been training for at least an hour now, Gambit deciding to run slightly into the free time of Sora's other class because he's been doing so well and she wants to see how far he can go. Besides, it's not like he has anything picked out yet so he would've just been doing that right now anyway, which he can do after they finish because Gambit refused to tell him how that works until she's satisfied with his skills.

Merrick has been unusually quiet for most of the time, his eyes surprisingly focused for once. It's been making me uneasy because I know he knows the truth and I don't know what he intends to do about it, but I know for certain that I won't hesitate to fight him if he tries to lay a finger on Sora. I don't know why I'm so protective of him considering I've only known him for about two days, but something in me just doesn't sit right with letting an innocent being get hurt simply because of what they are, who they are, or the potential they have. So, I refuse to let anything happen to him, even if that means crossing the academy.

"Alright," Gambit sighs and places her hands on her hips. "You've got the basic maneuvers for fighting with a staff mostly down, but you still need to learn how to use the energy within the staff. We'll go over some more basic maneuvers tomorrow and once you learn how to do those as easily as breathing I'll start teaching you some basic energy movements. I wouldn't worry about it though. You're a natural, kid. The staff really knows how to pick 'em, as it should."

"Thanks," Sora grins and runs a hand across his forehead as he lowers his staff. "You certainly make it look easier than it is, but I think I'm getting the hang of it."

"Right," Gambit nods before she glances over to Merrick and me, "Merrick, would you mind teaching him about picking a position and how to pick his other four classes? I know I'm supposed to but I had to miss lunch today and I'm starving."

"Sure, go ahead," Merrick says and Gambit smiles.

"Thanks," Gambit replies before she glances back at Sora. "Don't let him try anything. If he does, you have my full permission to lodge that staff inside of him."

"Got it," Sora laughs weakly before Gambit runs off, his attention then going to Merrick. "So, could--"

Sora trails off whenever the light in the room turns blood red with a faint magenta hue to it and I glance pointedly at Merrick, who is currently in the process of putting his fedora back on and tipping the front of it down.

"Merrick," I warn, readying myself to reach for my scythe that's strapped against my back.

"What's going on?" Sora asks, his grip on his staff becoming tighter as his eyes look around guardedly.

"I suppose it's true that the mighty do fall far," Merrick sighs and raises his gaze to meet Sora's, a pair of blood red and grey angel wings unfurling from out of his back as he holds out his hand and a silver chakram with magenta trim forms in each one of his hands.

"Merrick, enough," I command and draw my scythe, my eyes burning into the side of his head.

"What? Can't I have a little fun?" Merrick pouts and Sora clenches his jaw as he stands in a more defensive position. "After all, a child of Wrath has entered our midst. You know what that means, don't you, Akari?"