Chapter Text
Rayla span in the air slowly watching the man she hated and sacrificed herself to kill plummeting to his death below her, but whatever righteousness or anger that fueled her burning blood was extinguished the second she turned. Callum was falling above her having apparently jumped after her, her heart nearly shattered as tears filled her eyes as all she could do is reach up to her dumb human. What felt like an eternity passed to Rayla before the pain of seeing him falling was washed away by absolute soul crushing fact that he had jumped sacrificing himself just to be with her in her final moments, but before even a moment more passed, she saw his arms glow before his jacket seemed to rip itself apart revealing what could only be wings.
Rayla barely had time to process the sight before he entered a dive quickly gaining speed to catch her, she reached up to catch his neck but as they made contact and before she could utter a single word, she felt herself being pulled slamming into what felt Like a soft bed. "Callum," Rayla called out apparently having been asleep, Rayla began looking around through blurred vision trying to figure out where she was and how long she had been unconscious for. This however was cut short when two figures she could barely make out in the dark wrapped their arms around her instantly causing her to struggle to get away until a soothing voice spoke up causing her to go still as stone.
"Rayla calm yourself, it was only a nightmare, don't worry were here," The unmistakable voice of Runaan soothed her as he placed a hand on her head resting underneath her horns. She shot back from the two her vision clearing as she put her back to the backboard of the bed, she looked at her surroundings again the dim moonlight coloring the room enough to make it out quickly recognizing it as her old room but not as it was when she last saw it. For starters a few toys were strung about the place, some she hadn't seen in years. As this registered in her head, she looked back to the two adults finding that it was actually Runnan sitting on the edge of her bed accompanied by Ethari. As her head started to swim with posable explanations she heard Ethari quiet and soothingly say, "You're okay Rayla everything is fine it was just a dream we're right here."
Rayla didn't even realize they had pulled her back into another hug; and when she did she realized just how much larger they were compared to her. Their hold too seemed stronger than their last embrace the memory feeling far older than it was. She soon however came to a conclusion that she didn't know to laugh or to vomit at as she felt Ethari begin to stroke the back of her hair. She was smaller, her guardians hadn't changed at least not noticeably by much and the only solution slammed into her like a punch to the gut. This was her room years ago, and her guardians her dads were younger by that same number, she was in the past.
Rayla felt herself return their embrace tenfold her hands gripping the two as hard as she could wanting something to feel real. Her mind looping her thoughts the last memory of Callum diving after her forcing tears from her eyes when she realized that it could have all been a dream. It made her sick finding herself begging silently as she started to shake while her tears turned to sobs, she prayed that this was a dream that she was unconscious at the storm spire and even that wish made her feel worse. As she felt Runaan gently rubbing her back, Rayla could only feel worse realizing that if this wasn't a dream she would have Runaan he wouldn't have died, but with the idea that it would cost her Callum. That he might not even actually exist, the two options seemed tear her vary soul as the urge to vomit stayed bubbling in her stomach for however long she remained conscious.
Callum felt the wind rushing past him as he dived towards Rayla, he pleaded silently that he would reach her in time, but fait seemed to have a twisted sense of humor because the second he felt her arms touch his neck he felt himself slam into something soft back first. Callum immediately sprung up casing blankets to fall of him as he franticly about trying to let his eyes adjust to the sudden darkness. As his eye's adjusted finding himself in a semi small room his frantic thoughts began, 'Did he get knocked out, did he save Rayla and pass out from exhaustion afterword.' His questions grew even more when he could slightly make out the room he was in, he wasn't in any room of the storm spire, and it didn't seem to be elven in architecture ether. Getting up with shacky hands he made his way to a medium sized window over a desk stepping on what could only be a kid's stuffed animals as he walked giving him even more questions, but they were soon swept away by one question. Why was he only a head taller than the desk?
His mind seemed to scream this point at him but for right now he couldn't care less instead already climbing onto the oddly tall desk. He fumbled with the window slightly before finding the latch and unhooking it causing the glass to swing inward slowly revealing a calm cloudless night a calm breeze drifting in. His breathing stopped as he recognized the buildings, he was in Katolis but the room was definitely not his and Ezren's. Callum turned back to the room and with what small amount of light the half-moon gave off he realized he did recognize the room, having been his old childhood room before he moved in with Ezren.
He felt a shiver run up his spine unable to keep himself from looking down to his hand, his thumb grazing over his palm finding what few calluses he had from what little work he actually did with a sword missing. They weren't the hands of a teenager, but that of a toddler far smaller in size, clear even in the nights dim light. The sight sent him into a panic attack falling back against the wall next to the windowsill as he sat on the desk, his breathing becoming quick and spontaneous trying to make sense of the situation. Many ideas flooded his head from the possibility of dark magic to this just being a nightmare, but the second he thought of that he pinched himself as hard as he could on the arm and to his own distress, he felt the pain.
What followed was the sheer terror of the possibility that what he had bin though all the years he knew were just a vivid dream, it had seemed so real he kept going over their adventure, and him growing up with Ezren in his head was it fake, was... was Rayla fake. Callum began to fold in on himself clutching his legs close to him as he fought off tears trying to think of any other way to explain what happened, his mind kept circling back to magic when he paused tears no longer threatening to fall from his eyes in but a moment. With barley a whisper Callum said to himself his voice almost startling himself recognizing it as the voice of a young kid, "If it wasn't just a dream then I would know the sky arcanum." He turned back to the window sitting back up on his knees before hesitantly raised his hand preparing to draw in midair, taking a few deep breaths as his hand shook as if freezing and giving a small prayer that this would work as he began the motion. Barley a moment passed before he couldn't help but let out a small laugh, the last of his tears that remained fell from his eyes. There in the space where his hand had been, was now occupied by the light blue rune aspero flouting in midair giving of a faint glow. His smile only widened before whispering the spells name letting out only a small whirlwind against the cool night wind.
He stayed like that for a while even after the wind dissipated, finding himself staring towards Xaida, towards Rayla, becoming a constant in his thoughts. He had no idea why he was here or how through whatever means he seemed too either know the future or have been brought back to his younger self, but none of those questions even came close to the one that sunk like a knife in his heart. "Would you remember me," Callum asked towards the land of Elves, even while knowing a response was impossible.
Still the prince couldn't bring himself to dwell on it no matter how much it burned him. Callum slowly made his way off the desk nearly slipping and falling as he stood back on the chair. Steading himself against the desk with his hands as he kneeled on the chair, he felt his right-hand graze something on the desk. Callum pulled the object into the night sky's direct light finding his all too familiar sketchbook with the only difference being the fresh look of its cover and pages on top of the fact it was larger or rather he was smaller than the last time he held it. Having tossed it to the side right before jumping after... after Rayla.
Callum shook his head focusing instead on the book in front of him opening it finding only blank pages with few exceptions. Flipping through the pages before coming close to the front, the few sketches on the page were... well rough as one would expect given his apparent age. Counting the few drawings he had and with the last being a blunt sketch of Ez as a baby he was six and considering the air wasn't already freezing it was the late fall before winter a good half a year till he turned seven. The urge to fix up his previous drawings was immediate, knowing even in this light he could run circles around his early work. However, he could barely focus on the works before him with Rayla still pulling on his mind.
The memories of her smiling becoming the most prominent, a solum smile touching Callum's lips as he remembered how she smiled as she showed off Xaida, or how exited she had been when she wanted to show him around the silver grove and offer him desserts before the rather grim surprise of 'ghosting' was realized. Yet another thing Callum shook his head to get off his mind, when another idea came to mind. 'What would she look like now,' he thought before he grinned turning a few pages away from his other drawings. With little other hesitation other than finding his pencil he went to work in the pale light from the open window, unaware of the hours that would pass by before his body slipped into unconscious all on its own.
Callum felt cool, maybe slightly chilly before he felt himself stir from sleep. Feeling something warm press gently against his left shoulder blade as his mind unfogged. Thinking it was Rayla waking him up again to keep moving he mumbled barley addible, "okay... I'mmm getting up Ray..." however as his mind woke up more, he remembered the storm spire realizing he needed to get ready opening his eyes with a bit more urgency remembering the army approaching.
That however led him to his third realization as he adjusted to the light, the light breeze disappearing as something moved overhead casting a shadow on the desk and a small metal click followed. The memory of last night came back to him realizing he had fallen asleep at the desk and the residual shock of the situation hit him. He quickly sat up to startled see what was going on when he heard a kind and warm voice, "Good morning sleepyhead, what were you doing by the window you feel cold as ice."
Callum felt his mouth drop open slightly as his mother came into view, her right hand resting gently on his shoulder. He could barely move as his heart and mind quickly filled with a combination of hope, excitement and far too much loss to hold. Tears weld in his eyes prompting concern from his mom who was quick to ask kneeling down to eye level as she pivoted the chair he was in before resting her hands on his shoulders, "Callum what's wrong. Did you catch a cold, did you have a bad dream is that why you were by the window?"
Callum met her eyes as he heard nothing but concern for himself in her voice and broke. He shoved himself between her arms, Sarai quickly catching him as he fell from the chair in the process. Callum felt tears soke her shoulder seeping into her lightly armored manly padded robes as his hands clutched the fabric tightly. He could feel her hold tighten as he buried himself in the hug, his entire body shivering as the fact he was actually hugging his mom settled in his head. Sarai unaware of the mess of emotions going on inside her son's head stated still very concerned, "Callum you're shaking, you must be freezing let's get you covered up."
Callum felt her stand up still cradling him in her arms, a feeling of absolute safety coming with it. The feeling left him barley aware of getting slipped under the covers before the heavy blanket was on him as his mom wiped the tears from his eyes. One hand still in hers as she continued, brushing his hair out of his eyes with her free hand. “it’s okay I’m here, I’m always here,” she whispered calmingly before wiping away the larger tears that formed, unaware that they formed because of that statement.
‘You weren’t though,’ Callum’s mind mourned internally as he forced himself to say something, “I… I know M-Mom.”
“Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong, maybe I can help sweety,” she said with a concerned smile as she moved her hand to his chest pressing on it slightly to comfort him. As he met her kind gaze he felt his heart break under it knowing he couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t tell her about his journey, how Ez would act, how he had learned magic, and what dug at him most, every day without her.
“I- I had just had a dream,” was all he could say finding it partially true in a rather uncomfortably strange way. Deciding it was a dream of what’s to come or at least his memories was a far bit less unsettling than thinking he had been directly brought back to his younger self.
Sarai simply looked slightly relived the concern slipping away slightly before reaching up to brush away his brown hair out of his eyes. “Callum why didn’t you come get me if you had a nightmare?”
“I… It wasn't bad it- it was just strange. I’m okay m- mom...,” Callum said only earning more of the same caring look from his mom.
“Okay... ugh why do you have to grow up so fast, still for any reason dream or nightmare you can come get me. I miss my little bed bug,” his mom finished grinning before leaning down kissing his forehead.
He felt himself nod but it felt off, everything was off the second he had woken up, it was like he was there and at the same time wasn't, the situation was completely serial to him. He however felt himself smile despite not knowing why only to get the answer when he sprang up from the bed grabbing his mom in a hug his arms unable to make it around her fully. “I love you mom,” he said muffled into his mother’s robe before he felt her hug him back after a moment.
His mom sounding slightly surprised but otherwise enjoying the sudden affection, “I love you too, my little prince.” The nickname forced a few remaining tears to his eyes having almost forgotten it, even with his near photographic memory. Luckily, they were absorbed unnoticed into her robe before she pulled away.
Her hands grabbing the sides of his face gently squishing it slightly as she began playing with his hair using the tips of her fingers. His mom’s lips still smiling parted into a grin causing Callum to giggle slightly. Callum couldn’t remember the last time he giggled, he could definitely name a million times Ezran had, while Callum mostly recalled full on laughter, or an awkward chuckle maybe a snicker as opposed to truly childish laughter.
The realization brought a warmth with it before his mom leaned down again planting another kiss on his hair. Sarai seeing she’s earned a grin from Callum let go of his face giving his messy bed or desk head a rub only adding to the brown chaos. The idea of what Callum used as a pillow most likely inspired her next thought.
Callum’s mom glanced back to the desk by the window before asking, “Now what made you decide your desk was a good replacement for your cozy bed?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to, I just…” Callum said in a sad tone or at least thanks to his younger voice sounded sadder then intended. Sarai felt his words melt her heart saying turning back to her emerald eye boy, “You don’t have to apologize Callum. I’m not mad but please keep the window closed next time at least, I don’t want me and Amaya’s partner in crime sick now do we.”
Callum blushed slightly at the reminder of yet another one of the many nicknames his mom had for him, not that his aunt didn’t contribute to the list. Although he definitely thought it childish, he couldn’t help but laugh lightly, his mom already messing with his hair again. After a moment he was laying down again his mother pulling the covers back over him.
Callum went to sit up again but Sarai had other plans, sitting on the edge of his bed placing a hand on his chest to keep him pinned. “Where do you think you’re going mister, you’re staying in there till I know you won’t catch a cold,” His mom said teasingly with an echo of a scolding in her voice.
Callum not really able to think of an excuse considering he still couldn’t fully comprehend the situation decided it was best to agree and act the part, “Okay.”
Sarai returned a nod still smiling down at him before turning to his desk seeming to study her sons sleeping place. “Where you up drawing, that’s why you had the window open,” His mom asked getting up suddenly from the bed.
Callum couldn’t even sit up before his mom had covered the room already next to his desk, seeming to pause on the last step. It was hard to make out her emotions well her shock with her turned partially away but he could tell she had stopped mid-way through saying something. “Callum… Did you draw this?” His mom asked finally speaking after what felt like an eternity of silence while picking up the book to inspect his work closer before glancing back at him.
Callum went to answer when he found his voice basically useless to him, nothing leaving his mouth. Shutting his mouth realizing its uselessness he forced himself to nod, coming out as a sluggish and shy gesture. He felt guilt gnaw at his heart realizing he couldn’t explain the sudden burst in talent knowing whatever rough sketch he managed in the dark was years ahead of any drawing he had managed in that book so far.
‘She might not believe me,’ a small part of him hoped as she turned fully to Callum still holding the book. His mother’s surprise after his answer soon vanished, a grin now in its place as she made her way back to his bed. “This is amazing Callum, you’re already a great artist,” she said sitting down next to him holding the book out so they could both study the page.
Callum felt embarrassed at the praise especially with the rough sketch before him. Callum even though he knew he could do better seeing the outcome of his nighttime sketch, had to say something so he settled with, “Thanks mom.”
It was clearly Rayla all be it younger as best as Callum could imagine her as. Her horns were shorter, and she was of course smaller and maybe a bit softer if that could really be described. All his guesses topped with the little detail he’d managed to add last night left him rather disappointed in this drawing personally.
“Now where did you learn what an elf looks like, I don’t think there’s any art around with them, at least not anything close up enough to see well,” His mother continued teasingly.
Although she said so jokingly Callum felt himself go stiff slightly knowing there was still curiosity behind the question. Of course, like any other time Callum needed an excuse, he was reminded of his record of not being able to lie for his life so the best he could do was stammer and pray. “I uuhhh heard the knights talking about them… so I checked the library,” Callum replied trying to keep his words simple as he could.
“Well I hope you didn’t overhear anything you shouldn’t have, gods know some of the fresh batches can be rather crude when nobody’s bothering to kick them back into shape,” Sarai replied wrapping her left arm around his shoulder before playfully pulling him closer.
Callum let out a giggle remembering when Ez had overheard some rather inappropriate language. Their father having to set heavy reprimands for the knights and mainly squires for anyone making crude jokes within the castle walls at least until Ez got bigger, although it wasn’t too common of an occurrence. Still, it was funny thinking back to it, realizing now Ezren’s gift with animals might have contributed to a few of those overheard words and not the more rookie knights as they believed. He was however pulled from his thoughts with his mother letting go of his shoulder before messing with his hair again and saying, “Well for now why don’t we get you out of those pajamas for breakfast. Maybe I can even get the cook to bring you hot chocolate to warm you up.”
Callum tried not to cringe realizing he was at the age when you needed assistance to get pants or even a shirt on or maybe he would be lucky and was already passed that and she just needed to make sure he got dressed right, he was six after all. Still, whatever the result was he found the only saving grace here being the fact underwear was a thing as he tried not to bury his face in his hands. “O-okay,” He managed before his mom got up pulling him up with her and bringing him over to the wardrobe near the desk and setting him down on the floor.
Standing there he watched her pull out some clothes, a familiar long sleaved blue shirt in the mix along with his scarf despite it not being too cold. Although he had fallen asleep with the window open, so it didn’t seem too odd that she probably wanted him to keep warm. Although seeing her hold the scarf brought back a memory that made him momentarily forget the embarrassment of the situation.
That only lasted for a moment before she turned back to him with a smile saying with humor in her voice, “Okay time to get you bundle up mister.” Callum let out a slight yet small hopeless sigh that went unnoticed, at least thankfully she hadn’t pulled out any underwear he had to change into as well, giving him some semblance of privacy.
Rayla was not having a good day; waking up had been well hard, as the grogginess of sleep fell away the events of last night flooded her head. Sitting up she found herself still in her room at home... was this still her home, she'd been ghosted, where else would she go. As soon as that question was asked her thoughts flooded, the image of a particularly dorky human being the topic. Rayla, however, felt her throat go dry the events of last night being the culprit, remembering how Callum looked diving towards her, how she had bolted up in bed and finally the lonely realization of the situation she was in.
Shaking her head Rayla let out a desperate yet distraught sigh to distract herself, realizing she had started to shake. Forcing herself to get up, Rayla made a decision to focus on the here and now and nothing else. As she forced her mind to the present she noticed the door to her room open a few inches clearly just enough for someone to peak in the most likely candidates being the two most likely concerned elves she considered second parents who had just spent the night comforting an extremely scare- confused five year old.
‘Wait how old am I,’ Rayla thought suddenly more alert the realization pulling her from the last remnants of comforting yet drossy sleep. Moving quickly Rayla found herself in front of her desk just about a head and a couple inches shorter than her allowing her to still see herself in the mirror attached to the back. That however proved rather ineffective, finding her horns barley an inch or two tall with the rest of her facial features seemed slightly softer while also smaller although everything about her was smaller. She looked like any other five- to ten-year-old in the silver grove giving her almost nothing to go off of.
Rayla felt her stomach drop realizing she might have to live through that harvest moon again. ‘Relax one thing at a time, besides I’ll see it comin’ this time,’ Rayla thought turning away from the mirror. ‘unless tha was a dream to…’ Rayla’s thoughts reared themselves refusing to obey.
Luckily however having turned to the rest of the room she found it rather tidy mines the few, well five toys in the room three of which had fallen off the bed the other another sitting on the dresser next to her bed and the last on the chest at the end of it. The sight actually let Rayla relax knowing she had only fully unpacked, accepting this as her room after facing that monster.
Walking back over to her bed she tossed the three plushes, that of a shadow-paw pup, a blue-browed gecko, and an ambler onto the bed. While yes, most moon shadow elf children tended to not have a tun of toys they did have plushies for two reasons. One; There adorable, and two; they make the perfect ammo for when you had a friend over. ‘Callum would probably think it’s adorable,’ Rayla thought looking to the nightstand with a rather new plushie of a familiar looking yellow adoraber.
‘She must have already left for hibernation then,’ Rayla thought remembering how gloomy she’d been even after trying to hide it. Ethari as usual caught on giving her the model plush which she may or may not have spent a few nights holding. Considering how new it looked Rayla had her answer, she was a good bit away from her eighth birthday. ‘Callum would be six, right... dam it he never told me his birthday.’ Rayla thought before realizing her mistake.
‘How would he look, did he wake up like I did, does he remember me. Was he real, was it all a dream, no, nonono…’
‘Can’t!’
“Can’t!” Rayla found herself saying aloud rather loudly before she took a deep breath and continued talking to herself, “Can’t think about hi- that now…”
‘Besides it was to detailed to be just a dream, maybe something happened when I interrupted Virens spell, or Callum did… no not even he could pull this off… was it a dream,’ Rayla’s thoughts continued to spiral her body starting to shake slightly before shoving her fists into the soft mattress of her bed leaning into it for support. Letting out a few long yet raged breaths Rayla closed her eyes trying to calm herself. After calming down Rayla opened her eyes something akin to determination burning softly in them before she said quietly, “That’s not an option, it was real.” ‘He was real.’
‘Ok no more debating, time to get ready for the day… whatever tha may look like.’
Rayla made her way to the dresser before rummaging around in its draws. After pulling out a simple, well simple for elven standards light green tunic and blue pants she turned back to the room remembering the door was still ajar. Taking care of that shutting it with a slight click she quickly got changed.
…
Making her way up the slightly curved hall passing Ethari and Runaan’s room to her right and then just before the kitchen the living room to her left, a sweet smell coming from her current destination. Pausing just before she would be seen and listening. Only hearing the sound of a spatula against a pan and Ethari’s slight humming rather than any useful conversations Rayla could overhear.
Slightly wondering if they had heard her coming, she continued on entering the kitchen finding Runaan already at the table Ethari standing near the stove/oven holding a pan as he shoveled lightly purple pancakes onto a plate.
“Ah, mornin’ sleepy head, just in time for yur batch of moon petal cakes,” Ethari said the moment he noticed her, and given he was already done meant it was probably already past six which was not even close to early for Moonshadow elves. So, she couldn't exactly argue with his comment on her sleeping in.
Setting the empty pan aside he picked up the plate and brought it to the table sliding it closest to her on the corner. “Thanks,” Rayla managed, trying to sound exited even taking a breath before speaking as she forced a genuine smile. Grabbing the plate she quickly sat down to eat slightly surprised they seemed to believe the act.
Only to realize they had two reasons why they would despite their long history of seeing right through her. Reason one she had way more experience keeping secrets than she would at this point, and two they were clearly busy trying not to look concerned. It wasn’t even the petal cakes that gave it away, one look at their faces told her everything she needed to know. The rather sweet breakfast in the place of mush cup just added to the evidence. Rayla wanted to say she was fine and tell them to quit worrying, but how could she, in what world was waking up in your five-year-old body fine. Especially when for all they knew she just had a rather tough nightmare as embarrassing as that is for a Moon shadow elf.
Ethari however seemed to think she could use some more cheering up from what could be described as a sluggish and uneasy happiness. Sliding over a jar of moon berry jam stopping in front of Rayla. She of course being the reasonable elf she was, would be crazy to turn down moon berry jam as a toping no matter how down she was behind the mask she managed to pull over her true emotions.
Glazing the lightly purple discs in the dark red jam she quickly dug in. Ethari joining the table soon after with his own plate. As Rayla made some progress on the meal Runaan spoke up already having cleared his plate before Rayla sat down, “Hope ya had enough rest, we’ll be working on yer coordination and reflexes.”
Rayla not having finished chewing her last bit forced herself to swallow what some might call an amount just big enough to hurt as it passed her throat before she responded knowing they probably thought last night was an after effect of the blood moon incident, “Yeah, slept fine, an ya can stop walkin’ on eggshells. I’m ok just a bad dream… and some memories.”
Rayla said deciding it was better to just get it over with knowing they would just keep tiptoeing around the subject until they finally ask her. Or really Runaan would in the middle of training, and his record of doing so was consistently blunt. Her surrogate parents seemed surprised even a bit relieved in Ethari’s case and while Runaan looked surprised by his usual standards of grumpiness decided to keep with his track record to be eternally blunt in his responses, “Good as long as you don’t drag your fear with you from sleep there’s no shame in it.”
She could see Ethari spare his husband a glare for being blunt probably thinking Rayla wouldn’t be able to realize it was his way of saying having a nightmare was fine given that she was only seven. “Thanks… I’ll remember tha,” She replied the memory of Callum finding out about her... distaste for water forcing itself up causing a slight smile to form on her face.
Rayla unfortunately realized what had happened and quickly buried the thoughts that came with it. ‘Why does everything lead back to him... you know why. No. Can’t think about... him, even if I can already see him getting into an argument about suppressing fear with Runaan. Ugh stop,” Rayla thought her smile only growing ever so slightly before deciding to ironically burry her thoughts and feeling in the moon petal cakes in front of her.
Ethari seemed a little curious to her taking Runaan’s words so well but seeing that she probably looked a whole lot happier he didn’t pry. Although if they knew her current shift in mood was because of some unyielding memories of a certain human boy, she could only imagine that conversation as she tried and failed not to take comfort in her memories with Callum.
‘Why can’t I just ignore it, it’s only going to hurt more whe- If!!! If he’s not...’ Rayla thought this time succeeding in shoving her thoughts down focusing on the last few bites of the cakes. Now however she had to deal with the slight after shock of fear her last thought caused her. ‘That’s it no more thinking just the moment, stay put in reality,’ Rayla said internally as she swallowed the last peace off her plate before jumping out of her chair.
Runaan seeing this smiled his usual hiddenly soft smile getting up to before giving Ethari a slight peck on his temple. “Have fun you two, and don’t push her too hard,” Ethari called after the two elves. Rayla replying, “Buy Ethari see ya later, thanks for the Petal cakes.”
Runaan as Rayla went ahead a bit turned saying, “Don’t worry I won’t, and don’t forget ya already got twelve more orders for the forge.” Earning a smile from Ethari as Rayla and Runaan left.
…
The air was crisp and cool, perfect fall weather in Rayla’s opinion. As she followed behind Runaan she happily breathed the air into her lungs dragging away the last remnants from sleep. Weighted training swords made of shadow oak at her hips as they made their way to the far side of the village. ‘At least I’ve already been promoted from the sticks,’ Rayla thought slightly missing her sharp blades that weren’t really even made yet. Runaan on the other hand had blunt metal blades similar to his preferred weapon but seemingly heavier, and while they'd definitely burse it would be harder to accidently wound anyone severely with them. Actually, that was the main reason he had them, giving his student's another good deterrent for avoiding attacks and the added weight would slow his attacks to make it easier on beginning students and also more away on how much power he put into the attack.
Although Rayla only ever remembered them from the beginning of her training as most of the others, still she apparently had to deal with them longer than any of the others. Rayla smiled remembering how annoyed she was at the time complaining he was going easy on her. Now though she knew he didn't like seeing her get hurt although that brought back the last memory of him she had, and it made her smile falter.
As she thought about her future training and the weapons she trained with or against, their destination came into view. A small clearing if that was a thing when the village was built into massive trees with enough space between them to be considered a continuous clearing, there destination however was a rather large one nestled between two trees where the roots walled off the far side of the field and narrowed the entrance. Entering the area, she saw what she expected training dummies set up in the back left corner for archery, and similar dummies and straggly enough thick wooden polls in the front left, clearly dedicated for close rage practice given the number of slashes and dents in them.
On the opposite side it was pretty baren with a small shed built into the back corner where they kept the supply with the only designated training area being the tree itself with areas either smoothed out or made extra textured where they would train any moon shadow elf to climb in all sorts of conditions. The easiest of which being the corner closet to them with grips hammered in for the wee ones in moon cubs. Although she had already mastered climbing by now and had fully stopped joining the group almost a year before her parents left.
Today the training ground wasn’t too busy, not that it was ever swarming with elves but today there were only a hand full of students all of which older than her by a few years and their mentors most being members of the silver grove’s guard. Although guard was always a stretch for Rayla, they were more for dealing with dangerous wild animals coming to close to the village, and maybe to split up a skirmish than anything else. Three students were currently practicing blade work with one sparing his mentor as the other two fought each other with another mentor watching. Another two students were currently working on climbing the smoother side of the tree and another student and instructor were currently working at archery.
Other than that, the field was empty none of Runaan’s other students present. Although that was usual with them rarely visiting the training yard. In fact, the only reason she was here now was because she had just started her training… again. That little piece of information struck a chord in her, realizing as they came to a stop semi near the other sparing students.
She was a fully- well not fully, but at least a well-trained assassin about to duel a master who had no idea she had already mastered the next hundred or so lessons he had planned. Whether she actually did though came back to if it had been a dream, which was a question she’d rather not think about due to… reasons. Unfortunately, that wasn’t even the only problem as Runaan unhooked his blunt blades from his belt another question came to her mind, ‘would he notice if I failed on purpose.’
The answer was probably yes to Rayla’s discomfort although she wondered as she defeatedly unhooked her training blades if she could blame it on the incident last night. Although that to rang negative with her knowing there was a clear difference on failing on purpose and being distracted. ‘I could think of Callum… bu’ then I might end up smilin’ while I’m knocked around or start crying… Yeah definitely can’t think of him, too much of a mess,’ Rayla thought before Runaan broke his way into her thoughts saying, “yur ready.”
Rayla knowing cornered decided it would probably be best to pray her body’s lack of muscle memory might hide her skill from her mentor. While another quieter part of her knew she wanted to see if she had learned anything from those memories or had it all been a fantasy she dreamt, and she wasn’t hopping for the former just for her skills. Unfortunately, at the possibility of proof there be no way she wouldn’t give it her all, so taking up a ready stance and raising her blunt yet sturdy sticks she let out a breath before saying, “Ready.”
Runaan simply nodded entering a defensive posture himself already preparing to block. Rayla knowing what he expected charged deciding to focus on the small goal of one hit, she kept her left blade idle but ready as she took a swing with her right downward as bait. Runaan as expected blocked her with his left blade and as he did, she thrusted her left sword forward in an attempted stab with the wooden blade. Runaan of course went to knock it out of the way with his right and seemed proud and would have probably given her some instruction once her attack proved null. That would have been the case had she not been planning something entirely different; Rayla easily changed her training sord's direction pivoting as she brought it up at a steeper angle Runaan's blade barley grazing it. She could see the slight surprise on his face as she fit her left blade between him and his left blade and using the fact he had been pushing against her right blade to her advantage pulled away as she twisted knocking his blade away from his chest.
Rayla found it amusing as she went to follow through her motion with a full spin as she pivoted, realizing that with the size difference she had the advantage with him having to hold his weapons at an awkward angle in order to spar with her even with his slightly more crouched stance. As she came around, she had brought her right blade forward in the turn ready to slash, and as her target came into back sight she adjusted her path finding his right blade ready to block again having recovered just slow enough for Rayla to have done the spin in the first place. As their right swords made contact, she added pressure forcing it down as she continued to pivot on the balls of her feat completing the turn. Due to the angle he had to hold the sword she managed to knock it low as she brought her left heavily through the turn in as before more of a stabbing swing then slashing motion.
He of course blocked it with his left knocking the blade to the side slightly and up, but Rayla managed to hold on despite the strength difference while pushing against what could be considered a wall in her opinion. 'Ugh why do I have ta be this weak come on,' She thought as Runaan blinked probably going over what she did as they held their blades against each other's. Although she wanted to keep attacking like usual this body didn't have enough strength to push through his block, and yeah, the four second fight did chip her ego considering she could at least keep him occupied in the past, or possible future really. After a moment more he said as they separated Rayla taking a step back her blades to her sides, "well done, yur instincts seemed to have improved dramatically, though it might be better for me to see ya spar someone more yur size..."
Rayla knew she'd gone a bit too far Runaan clearly wanting to confirm it wasn't just the handicaps he had to give her, still the parse didn't hurt her pride as she replied, "Thanks."
He only nodded in response before gesturing with his head to follow as he sheathed his blades. Following behind she saw they were approaching the other elves, specifically the kid sparing with his mentor. As they got closer the pare stopped sparing the mentor seeing Runaan approach as they came to a stop the two teachers shared a polite nod before wordlessly agreeing to walk out of hearing range. Rayla went to stand next to the boy easily a head taller than her neither of them breaking the silence seeming to have the same idea. She couldn't say for the boy, but she managed to strain her ears enough to pick up some of the conversation.
"I know she's four years younger Telina but..." Runaan said apparently trying to convince the other mentor before Telina interjected, "there is no but, she wouldn't stand a chance, I know you're found of-"
It was then Runaan's turn to cut her off, "I am not expecting her to win, I just need to see what she's doing from a better point of view."
Telina sighed hanging her head before saying, "Fine but I and Deben are absolved from any confidence issues she gets from this."
Rayla had to resist the urge to roll her eyes as the mentors turned back to the pair. "Deben Runaan needs to inspect Rayla's... form so we're going to have you to spar for a bit, plus this could be a good lesson in control."
Rayla had to grit her teeth at that comment but held it in and instead thought of anyway she could lose without making it look like it was on purpose while she and Deben nodded. She knew pulling her swings would only make her look far more physically weak then she already was and not taking available shots would be impossible to hide from the two mentors watching who could definitely see her hesitation if she had any. So, Rayla resigned herself to keep digging the hole she got herself into for showing off as they moved to stand in front of Runaan and Telina. Rayla looking her opponent up and down saw that Deben wielded a blunt wooden sword like her blades in his right hand and a horizontal kite shield that was around the size of his upper chest in his left. He was also wearing guard training gear telling her his desired profession, Rayla taking in the information she managed to get entered a fighting stance raising her blades clearly ready with the boy quickly following although he looked hesitant.
Seeing the two ready Runaan said commandingly, "Begin."
Rayla didn't even hesitate unlike Deben who after recovering from the slightest of hesitation went to block Rayla seeing this already thought of a counter quickly flipped her right swords grip with some ease fumbling only slightly with her smaller hands. Her training blade now reversed allowed her to easily use the tip to hook onto the edge of the shield and yanking it to her right as she brought her left forward in a slash. He managed to block her second swing with his own blade, but he was clearly still recovering from her countering his shield. As a result, his sword didn't have nearly enough push behind it to knock her back and even then, Rayla felt herself use all of her strength to not get pushed over reaffirming what she had already guessed that she was at the disadvantage in the brute strength category. Wanting to end this before she got worn out, she decided to duck to the side as he attempted to bring his shield back and use it to knock her back, taking the fact he couldn't turn as quickly with his shield already heading to her left and the fact he had leaned far to into the motion she managed to get to his left and slightly behind him.
He didn't even have time to turn to her, Rayla quickly using the momentum she'd gained from keeping him in front of her while she moved channeled it into her right leg kicking the back of his knee. Although it definitely wasn't easy, she managed to get him to buckle practically having to jump off his leg only to catch herself by hooking him by the color bone with the back of her training blade as he descended. The end result however spoke for themselves Deben now on one knee and awkwardly leaning back Rayla's training sword now at his throat after stabilizing herself her foot having narrowly been caught between his leg as it had first bent. As she stood behind a boy who could definitely be described as startled, she turned to the two older elves vagally aware of some snickering from behind her probably from the other two student's that she had thought were still sparing.
Apparently though they had stopped at one point causing Rayla to hold back the urge to cringe knowing she'd probably sentenced this boy to months of teasing. The looks on Telina and Runaan faces were of well, surprise, although Telina's was a fair bit more notable more than Runaan's. However, it only lasted a moment the two composing themselves Telina being the first to speak, "well I see why ya insisted they spar, although I'm surprised, she's already this far along, even when she already can enter her Moonshadow form this is impressive."
She had glanced at runaan as she had said who gave a small smile in response before saying, "I would agree, looks like her instincts are sharper than I thought, although I wouldn't let that go to her head, you still need to polish yur skills Rayla."
"Right," Rayla said trying not to grin while also pulling away from Deban letting the poor boy go. Getting up he walked over to stand next to his mentor looking defeated earning a look of pity from his mentor who seemed a little proud of his attempt.
Runaan probably also having pity for the boy said, "Rayla why don't we end here for today I apparently need to revise you're training plan anyway."
"Ok sure... Thanks for sparing with me," Rayla replied before turning to the boy who only muttered an apathetic yeah for a reply. Not that she could blame him as she and Runaan made there leave, Rayla glancing back to see his mentor already giving him pointers and probably telling him not to lean into every attack so much. She did feel a little bad for basically showing off but there was an upside, she had gotten done early and she could use that time to find out exactly how accurate her dream was, after all she remembered all her training, she could just as easily remember a certain dorky prince who could be across the border in his ivory tower probably still sleeping in like every other human.