Yami no Aite (闇の相手) The One Who Stands With Darkness

Underneath Azarette's oldest and largest willow tree, nestled between Idris's house and the border gates, was where Kishi had retreated. Idris found him slumped, crouched low, his face buried in his lap as if trying to disappear.

Idris let out a short sigh and settled down beside him. Kishi briefly lifted his head, glancing at Idris, but then quickly turned away. 

His gaze drifted to the cascading, droopy leaves of the willow, still heavy with dew, hanging like shimmering curtains in the emerald and silver light of morning. A gentle breeze, barely a whisper, stirred the outermost branches, causing the delicate foliage to sway in a slow, mesmerizing dance.

"I don't like that stray you've picked up," Kishi muttered under his breath, a clear hint of jealousy laced into every word. 

"She gives me the creeps." He ended with a distinct pout.

Idris, staring ahead with unseeing eyes, sensed his student's wavering emotions. A slight smirk touched his lips, and he gently rested his left hand on Kishi's head. 

"You don't have to like her. You just have to not be rude to her, at least," he advised, his tone calm and comforting. 

"She'll be accompanied by Doctor Ashriel the day after tomorrow to head to the capital, so, can you at least play nice until then?" Idris asked kindly.

"Hmpf!" Kishi's lips pouted even more. 

He still couldn't wrap his head around why Mr. Noorgareth allowed a "stray" in the room by the balcony, a room no one had set foot in since 'he' died. But he kept his mouth shut and said nothing more aloud.

A pause settled between them. Kishi's jaw clenched. The truth pressed harder than his pride.

"I miss him, Mr. Noorgareth," Kishi finally uttered, his words reluctant, heavy with a sorrow he tried to suppress. His forehead knotted, fighting back bitter tears.

"I know, Kishi. Me too…" Idris sighed, as if lost in a shared memory.

"Let's go back and prepare for the day. You still have an hour before we head to the basement," Idris said, ruffling Kishi's hair. Both of them rose and headed back towards the house.

— — — 

Sena, having just finished washing up, glanced around the living room, noting its sudden emptiness. She was curious to see how Idris would manage teaching his students for the day. 

Just as she considered heading back upstairs for a book, the front door opened, and Idris and Kishi walked in.

Kishi dashed upstairs, passing right by her. But as he reached the landing on the second floor, he halted, turned, and mumbled, "Sorry about earlier." Then, just as quickly, he turned away and headed into his room, the first door closest to the stairs.

A small smile played on Sena's lips as she approached Idris, who was settling onto the couch. 

"Can I watch you and your students' activities for the day?" she asked, a slight hesitation under her breath as she sat on the adjacent side of the couch.

Idris pondered for a moment. Sena's passive ability this morning had certainly made him consider allowing her to join the duel and discipline course; it might even enhance her unique gift. 

Crossing his legs, he inquired, "Actually, if you'll indulge me, would you like to train with them as well? I want to see that passive defense of yours again."

Sena's head tilted to the side, and she scratched her chin, a boggled expression on her face. "My what?"

"When Kishi toppled you earlier, I noticed a wave of energy emanating from you, and the next thing I knew, Kishi was out your door," Idris explained. "Care to explain how that happened?"

"Oh… T—That… Hmm… I don't know how that happened," Sena confessed, carefully sifting through the events. "I, uh, think I asked him to stop," she uttered, mincing her words.

"Hmmm…" Idris mused, thoughtfully analyzing her response. 

"So, will you join us? Let's test it out, why don't we? It will be fun, and I will make sure to protect you along the way." Idris offered a reassuring tone and calm manner, determined to secure Sena's agreement.

Feeling a profound sense of safety, Sena nodded her head. 

She knew she could access her heightened senses when alone in Silvershroud forest, but since arriving and staying at Idris's house, she'd noticed she hadn't needed to exert much effort to sense her surroundings, given the pervasive protection Idris had made her feel.

After some time, both Kishi and Kanon descended the stairs and stood by the fireplace in front of Idris. 

"Mr. Noorgareth, we're ready to head for the basement," Kanon announced, as both siblings placed their right hand to their chest and bowed slightly towards their teacher.

Sena tilted her head. Basement?

Idris rose and led the way outside. 

All three followed behind him, turning left into the forest, where a winding rock path emerged. 

It wasn't long before they reached a truly remarkable sight: a drooping camperdown elm that looked enchantingly braided, its contorted branches intertwining like multiple trunks to form a dense, umbrella-like canopy. 

Standing just over eight feet tall, its slender twigs and leaf-filled branches reached down, almost touching the grassy ground. 

A lush blanket of plantain lilies and ferns adorned and encircled its exterior, making the entire scene exceptionally magical and entrancing.

Sena gasped at the sight, her eyes glimmering with awe at the sheer majesty of the scene. She glanced at Idris, Kishi, and Kanon, who seemed utterly accustomed to this magnificent tree. Yet, a question still lingered in her mind: where was the basement Kanon had mentioned earlier?

Just as she continued to gaze around the tree, Idris raised his hand and made a slight, almost imperceptible wave. 

The braided, entwined camperdown elm began to unravel as if by magic, its twisted trunks parting in the middle to reveal a sturdy, intricately carved wooden door. It was reinforced with elegant ironwork, its two parallel, entwined roots serving as natural handles.

Sena's eyes widened further at the spectacle, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and boundless curiosity. She was utterly amazed by Idris's effortless manipulation of the ancient tree.

With a gentle push, Idris opened the hidden door, revealing a long stairwell descending into the earth. 

The inner walls of the stairwell were cloaked in a living tapestry of lichen and moss that pulsed with ethereal, bioluminescent properties, casting an otherworldly glow that perfectly illuminated their path downwards.

He stepped inside, Kishi and Kanon following without a moment's hesitation. Sena, however, paused. With gentle, deliberate steps, she managed to swallow her lingering fear and followed them into the mesmerizing descent. 

Just as they all disappeared into the depths, the tree's living door slowly, silently closed in on itself, once again becoming an impenetrable part of the forest.

After some time, they reached a wide landing. Kishi and Kanon immediately set to work, striking matches and lighting the torches that hung along the walls. Sena waited beside Idris, watching in anticipation.

Kishi moved to the left, Kanon to the right, illuminating the vast, circular space. 

Light flooded a huge, bunker-like area, its walls formed by thick, interwoven roots. Cascading vines of bioluminescent flowers and leaves, along with patches of glowing lichen, adorned these living walls. The ceiling, far above, explained their long descent.

"Woah," Sena gasped in awe. 

This enclosed space beneath the earth held a calming coolness. 

Idris leaned slightly closer to her. "Why don't you sit down and watch for the time being," he suggested, gesturing with a wave of his hand towards a wooden bench that seemed to have materialized to their right.

Sena tilted her head, trying to recall if the bench had been there moments before, or if Idris had simply willed it into existence for her. She sat nonetheless.

Kishi and Kanon stood in the middle of the cavernous space, awaiting instructions. 

Sena watched the siblings with amusement. 

Kishi stood with dignity, his slender form poised. His dark green hair, streaked with white, was short but textured, brushed up on top, and faded to the sides. This style made his upturned, emerald-green eyes look even fiercer.

He wore a white tunic similar to Idris's, though without the intricate sapphire blue embroidery. A black belt cinched at his waist accentuated his straight, masculine form, flowing into black slate pants and long, below-the-knee boots. 

To Sena's eyes, Idris and Kishi almost resembled brothers, or perhaps even father and son. If they were somehow related, Sena could begin to understand Kishi's hostility toward her.

Glancing at Kanon, Sena noted her long, stark green hair, which had been flowing freely earlier, was now neatly tied into a high ponytail, making her face appear sleek and striking. 

Kanon almost shared the same facial features as her brother; both siblings possessed that distinct, straight nose that complemented their faces, though her own lips were a tad smaller, with a heavier-looking lower lip.

She wore the same white tunic as her brother, but her belt sat just below her chest, giving her an almost hourglass shape. Her slate black pants hugged her curves like leather. Petite but not malnourished, Kanon cut a graceful figure.

Unconsciously, Sena found herself comparing her figure to Kanon's. A flicker of envy stirred as she took in Kanon's delicate, petite frame. Unlike her own fuller, more voluptuous form. A brief wave of self-consciousness caught in her throat, but she shrugged it off just as quickly.

Moments passed as Idris had the siblings do some pre-workout stretches, with Kanon gleefully counting out her brother's hundred push-up punishment. 

Then, Idris motioned for them to step aside. With a controlled grunt of effort, he lifted a wide, square platform directly from the rooted floor of the basement.

The ground around them trembled faintly as the stage-like platform slowly ascended.

"You will work as a team, defending each other through a barrage of attacks from me," Idris advised. "Remember your pacing and rhythm. Try to breathe through your nose and keep calm." 

The siblings took their positions on opposite sides of the newly risen platform, poised as if awaiting a performance, ready for the training to begin.

Idris, facing the siblings on the elevated platform, raised both hands perpendicular to his body. With swift, conductor-like movements, a barrage of razor-sharp spears and thorny vines erupted from the wooden stage, directly targeting Kishi and Kanon.

Kanon, with her delicate and agile form, vaulted herself backward. Like a bird taking flight, she rose into the air, arms extended, twirling on light feet to dodge the spear-like attacks with the grace of a gymnast or ballerina. Each movement was definite, precise, and fluidly beautiful.

Meanwhile, Kishi maintained his poised stance for only a moment before his arms and legs transformed into beast-like limbs, muscles bulging, reminiscent of his white tiger form. 

He dropped to all fours, pouncing, attacking, and slashing through the dense cascade of thorns, steadily closing the distance from his end of the platform, bearing down on Idris.

Suddenly, a thick log erupted from beneath the platform, shooting upward directly into Kishi's stomach. The force sent him flying backward, an unintended projectile, ultimately colliding with Kanon mid-air as she desperately twisted and dodged the relentless root-spears. 

The siblings both tumbled off the platform, landing just beyond its edge, clearly short of breath and momentarily defeated.

Sena's eyes widened at the spectacular display of strength and prowess. 

The sheer power and fluid grace of all three participants astonished her. She couldn't believe how relaxed and composed Idris remained throughout the entire exchange. 

"Oh, no wonder he can still move so fluidly despite being blind," she murmured to herself. 

To her eyes, Kanon was as agile and majestic as a crane, while Kishi, though resembling a hungry cat in his aggressive pounces, was truly like a powerfully collected tiger. She bit her lips, keeping her observations to herself.

Idris walked towards the siblings, helping them up. "Take a breather," he advised sternly. "Discuss how you managed and did not manage to protect each other, then resume your positions. Let's try that again."

Kishi clicked his tongue. "Tsk!" he snapped, glaring at his sister.

"You did nothing but attack! Not my fault you didn't even try to sense where I was!" Kanon retorted snappily.

With gritted teeth, Kishi muttered, "Who said you should be flying?" seething at his sister's chosen movements.

Idris clapped his hands, the sharp echo almost deafening in the basement's vast space. "Enough. I said work together, not against each other."

Idris then put the siblings through the same barrage routine, but this time, with a visible pattern. 

Sena, watching intently, noticed how the roots would feint, testing Kishi and Kanon to see if they could formulate a strategy to both defend and progress. 

Session after failed session rolled by, each ending with the siblings tumbling off the platform, landing flat on their backs. Sena grew increasingly worried for their safety and well-being.

Kishi's agitation visibly mounted with each failure, feeling out of sync with himself and his tiger limbs. To him, having Sena witness his repeated failures added a thick layer of humiliation and embarrassment.

Idris finally advised the siblings to take a formal break and sit down. 

Sena wondered if the training was over for the day when she glanced to her left and saw a table and a set of benches that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere. She was momentarily dumbfounded by Idris's ability to manifest something from nothing. 

Getting up from her bench, she approached the table, noting a wooden pitcher of water and four wooden cups. Curiosity piqued, she poured herself a cup and took a sip.

The water was crisp, clean, and incredibly refreshing. Pouring the remaining cups, she decided to offer them to the exhausted siblings, hoping to alleviate their growing fatigue. 

She walked over to Idris first, offering him a cup, then moved to Kanon, who gratefully accepted and drank it down. Kishi, however, merely flicked her hand away, his irritation palpable.

Sena let out a small sigh, maintaining a flat expression. She picked up the discarded cup from the floor and placed it back on the table, then quietly returned to her bench.

"You're being unnecessarily mean to her, you know," Kanon whispered to her brother.

"I don't care. I'm tired. Let's get this over with," Kishi retorted, bitterness lacing every word.

Idris let out a small sigh. 

"Kanon, why don't you rest to the side for a moment?" he advised, then walked towards Sena, clearly sensing her dejected state. 

"Sena, would you like to demonstrate your passive defense? I just want to teach Kishi a lesson," Idris urged, his tone assuring. 

"I'll protect you, and I'll be right behind you the whole time."

Sena looked up at him. 

Even though their lines of sight barely met, she could feel the profound sense of safety Idris emanated with every breath. She decided to trust him. Getting up, she walked onto the platform, taking a position opposite Kishi at the far end.

"Since you're being stubborn today, Kishi," Idris taunted, his voice carrying through the chamber. 

"Why don't you let all that pent-up emotion out and try your very best to attack Sena? Let's see if you can even land a hit."

Sena flinched at Idris's words, turning slightly to see a small smirk playing on his face.

"You might regret this, Mr. Noorgareth. If I end up sending her to the hospice, that's all on you," Kishi said mockingly, a predatory glint in his emerald eyes.

Idris chuckled softly under his breath. "Sure." 

This simple word only fueled Kishi's irritation.

Where does his confidence come from? Kishi seethed, irritation and agitation burning through him. 

This frail woman can't possibly dodge my attack. Damn it! Fine! I'll show you!

He transformed, shifting into his full white tiger form. 

All his claws unsheathed, glinting wickedly. Without stepping onto the platform, his massive body sank low to the ground, almost scraping the earth, as if trying to merge with the shadows. 

His hindquarters were visibly elevated and bunched, coiled like powerful springs ready to unleash an explosive forward momentum. 

His front legs bent sharply at the elbows, paws splayed slightly for maximum grip and stability. His head remained low and forward, his gaze an unnervingly fierce and unflinching emerald green. He gnashed his teeth, a low growl vibrating deep in his chest.

Kanon, who had moved closer to Idris by the table, whispered, "Are you sure about this, Mr. Noorgareth?" Fear for Sena's safety clouded her face.

Idris remained quiet, but he could sense Sena's outline quiver. He subtly relaxed his posture, ensuring he was ready to restrain Kishi if his plan went awry.

And just before Kanon could even blink, Kishi was airborne, a white blur streaking straight for Sena, claws raised high, ready to strike her down.

But before he could land his attack, Sena's hands flew to cover her face, and she screamed, "NO!"

Kishi was instantly catapulted all the way back to the far wall, impaled deep within the roots, unconscious.

Kanon, mid-wink, completed the motion, but as her eye opened, she lost sight of her brother. Her gaze scoured the room until she finally spotted him, stuck high up on the wall, completely motionless.

"Heh. Looks like I was behind the wrong person all along," Idris uttered, almost sardonically.