Chapter 15
As the sun rised, it rays hit all the things in Tretho. The wildlife opened their eyes and continued their life. Plants started produce dew at the leaves with flowers blooming with radiance. Maya's training has officially started. The sole inhabitants of City of Stone congregate together in the temple; they stood at the centre and saw the rays entering the temple as confirmation. Kharkov looked at the light and nodded to Akari, to which she closed her eyes and speak in ancient Siren language. As she spoke, Red and Kharkov stood at the side of Akari. The three of them face Maya who stood clueless of what was happening. She could only understand only a little of the language spoken by The Host.
The sunrays made the pond glow into clear blue hue. The koi fish in the pond emerged from the deepest depth and show the colourful scales that they possessed. Maya saw the fish and could not put her eyes off it. They started to swim in tandem, flowing and circling in one direction. Akari soft voice echoed around the empty temple, announcing the ceremony that was held concerning the new arrived Siren to Tretho officially. The echoes that were made could be heard from the outside and some unique colourful birds chirped in unison. The small furry mammal across the place came out from their burrows and howled together.
Maya could feel the importance of what was happening and could not believe that she was the centre of the occasion.
Akari's Siren marks started to glow even brighter, the shine flowed around the temple and revealed intricate symbols that were hidden in the dust. Maya looked around the temple to see the glow started to spread. The glow also spread to the statue behind The Host and The Searchers. The stone statue eyes glowed gold and it Siren marks revealed. Maya turned to the statue and felt a higher presence that she could not explain. Akari continued to speak then at one point, she stopped. Her eyes open to show golden pupils, she looked up and span her arms.
"O Sirenos." The Host declared. "The First One. Here we have another Siren youngling for us to teach and test for the greater race. Give us your blessing and protect us from any misfortune. May the truth be revealed and the lies shall be buried by the righteous."
Maya stared at Akari in awe, she never attend any proper Siren ceremony.
Akari closed her eyes and the glow faded. "Maya, your training has officially begins today. Are you ready for the challenge ahead?"
Maya took a deep breath. With confidence and decisive spirit, she spoke. "Yes I am."
"Good." Akari opened her eyes and smiled. "It is time for you to know the basics. There are three elements that a Siren needs to know to unlock her full potential. Nomine', Nonua and Naraane. Mind, heart and body. The three of us shall teach you each element. Searcher Red shall teach you about Nomine', the mind. As a Siren mentor, I shall teach you Nonua, the heart. Finally Searcher Kharkov shall teach you about Naraane, the physical. Each day, you will focus on one teacher."
Akari spanned her arms and pointed at the two Searchers. Maya turned to Kharkov, the man gave a spirited smile that showed his gums. Maya would expect some rough training from him but a welcome one. She looked at Red and the young man coughed to adjust his throat. Red was not a person that likes to speak, he let Kharkov his comrade to do the talking and he do the thinking. Like any intellectuals, Red used his mouth sparingly. That was proof for Maya that he's a knowledgeable person. Then finally The Host, Maya met her just yesterday yet he felt a bond that only Sirens could feel. The Host to teach about the heart of a Siren, it was an honour for Maya. Her eyes showed admiration towards Akari, the three teachers could see it clearly. But for her part, this was the first time in her life that she would learn the true teaching of Siren. Regardless, Akari just smiled and accept the admiration as a token of gratitude.
Akari continued. "The first day, Searcher Red shall take. The second for Searcher Kharkov. And the third shall be mine. Your training will happen whenever the sun is in the sky. During the day, you will follow all the activities that are set by the teacher but changes can be made if needed. During the night, you can do whatever you please but it is advice for you take all the rest you need. There shall be no days of rest, though the teacher of the particular day can decide to postpone it for certain reasons. Is there anything you would like to say my Searchers?"
Kharkov moved forward. "Expect some hardcore training on my side. I guarantee that things will get dirty and painful. Hahaha."
Maya nodded. "Yes Searcher Kharkov."
Kharkov gave a thumbs up and moved back. Akari glanced at Red. "Is there anything you would like to say Searcher Red?"
"My class would be at The Academia." Red said. "Bring the book I gave you so that you could use it in the real world. That's all."
Akari nodded. "Mine would be at the Temple of Truth; you can come after you have your breakfast."
"So I think we can start right now for Maya's training." Kharkov said.
"No, first we need to measure her." Red interceded. "Can't teach someone without knowing how smart she is."
"Ah yes, forgot about that." Kharkov scratched his head. "The Plains should be a good place to start."
"Are you ready Maya?" Akari inquired.
Maya nodded. "Yes!"
"Alright, your first assessment shall begin." Kharkov said.
The Plains was a place not far from The City of Stone, it situated beneath the mountains where there were cleared place with no vegetation. It was spacious, clear and windy. With only dried gravel ground, it was perfect for any physical activities to be carried. Maya stood with The Host and Red as Kharkov made a big circle mark with a twig that he picked up. The diameter of the circle was as large as five arm spans. Finished on making the circle mark, Kharkov proceeds to make smaller mark at the centre of the circle. It was a fifth of the size of the original circle. Kharkov finished his work by marking a small X at the centre and proceeded to throw the twig away.
Kharkov approached towards Maya and the others with his arms folded. "You will fight with your teacher. With the exception of The Host, you can choose me or Red to fight against."
"Are you sure? I mean you guys are not Sirens, it doesn't seem fair to me." Maya worried. "I mean the last time I used my powers I killed a small bandit camp."
"And yet both Red and I manage to make a surprise attack on your HQ." Kharkov grinned.
"Ohhhh burn…" A small crease formed at Red's mouth.
"Oh that's how you want to make it." Maya was intimidated but a little competition doesn't hurt. "What's the rules?"
Kharkov pointed at Maya. "You got some fight in you, I like that."
The Host was interested with the competition, it was entertaining.
"Rules are as follow." Kharkov informed. "Only two fighters shall be allowed in the ring. In the beginning, the fighters must stand in the inner circle. The observers decide when to start and after the announcement, the fight shall begin. The only ways to win are to push your opponent outside the outer circle, to submit them by the act of tapping or loss of consciousness during the fight."
"Can I use my powers?" Maya asked.
"You can, do whatever you need to win. If you lose, then you can try again if you want. Is there anything else?"
"No, I think I'm prepared." Maya cracked her hands.
"Then chose." Akari said.
Maya glanced at the two Searchers, thinking who would be the best opponent to fight against. Kharkov who was older but experienced or Red the smart and younger. The two Searchers have proved themselves to be effective together, sabotaging the whole Resistance army with little effort. Now they are separate, Maya could assume they were not as powerful. Kharkov will teach her how to use her Siren powers, picking him will show a glimpse of his capabilities as a teacher. Red was a smart individual, he would teach about the academics so it was safe to expect him to be less skillful in combat comparative to Kharkov. Regardless which one, they both must not be underestimated. Maya and her friends learned back at Pandora the hard way.
A moment pass, Maya turned to the one that she wants to spar. "Red, do you want to fight me?"
"Your choice, not mine Blue." He shrugged.
"Then I choose you." Maya smiled.
"Welp." Red sighed. "Just wanted to see Kharkov have his ass kicked, how unlucky."
Red walked to the inner ring to fight with Maya. Kharkov patted his back as Red passed him. "Don't embarrass yourself, haha."
"Alright blondie." Red answered.
Maya stretched her body lightly and walked towards the ring. She raised her fist up when she met Kharkov and they bump fists. "Good luck my friend."
"I'll try my best." Maya walk passed and catch up to Red. "Don't go light on me Red."
"Uhuh." Red cracked his neck. "That's what they always said."