As the two walked down the quiet street, Aidan continued.
"Dorn is like an older brother to me, he is very protective and he can be quite overbearing sometimes. But I know that he means well and is just looking out for me."
Aidan's lips curled into a faint smile as he looked up at the ominous rift in the sky. The giant eye at its centre had yet to vanish and was still staring down on the world unblinkingly.
"Sometimes I forget just how beautiful and terrifying the rift is. I wonder who or what caused it, but I can only speculate. What do you think, Kharon?"
Kharon whose gaze was fixed on the ground slightly moved his head.
"It may have been an effect of the Obelisk. Or maybe it was a result of the war between the Gods."
"The war happened after the rift had already formed. But maybe it was a God who created the rift in the first place..."
As they both continued to walk down the street, Aidan quickly said, "I will be returning to hunting tomorrow. I hope you don't mind me leaving you at home; until you get your soulbind token you can't freely leave Lunaris Haven."
"Why are you going so early? Shouldn't you stay home and train?"
"I have learned that training isn't enough. I already know my abilities, now I need to test them in actual combat. Training while I am safe and sound at home wouldn't do me any good. It would probably lure me into a sense of false security."
As the pair continued to walk, Aidan waved towards a bronze carriage that was passing by as they boarded it. It wasn't as spacious as the gold carriage and would only be able to fit a dozen or so people. But its quality wasn't to be underestimated. As the pair got on, they both remained silent. Aidan was looking out of the window while Kharon was staring at his gifts with awe.
Kharon began fidgeting with his glove as his eyes lit up before he suddenly blurted out.
"Let's have a fight!"
Aidan slowly turned towards Kharon who was looking at him with a bright smile.
"Why? You know that I could easily subdue you in battle. What would be the point of it?"
"You said you didn't want to fall into a false sense of security. So why not fight me; a wielder with strange powers which you don't know much about. It would be a good opportunity for me to test my abilities when I am not on the verge of death and for you, it could be a warm up of sorts."
A long silence passed as Aidan contemplated the idea before nodding.
"Once we get home we should get changed and go to the training room. I hope you are ready to lose in a second."
"I forgot to mention one thing. I get to use mystic constructs. That should even the playing field."
Slowly, a smirk appeared on Aidan's face as he said, "It wouldn't make much of a difference in the end. I will still defeat you before you can even blink."
The carriage was filled with the sound of laughter as the two continued to bicker amongst themselves until the carriage dropped them off at Glimmershade Market.
"Why not ask the driver to drop us closer to your house?"
"I don't know. I just like walking through the market, it's one of my favourite things to do. But next time we could get dropped off closer."
"No, I like walking through the market as well. I was just curious, that's all."
The air was filled with various aromas. Though Kharon already had a full stomach, his mouth couldn't help but water at the alluring scents in the air. The bustling market was filled with many buyers who walked and chatted as they went about their business. The sea of colours was slightly overwhelming for Kharon who's eyes slowly adjusted to the brightness of it all.
"Why is the market livelier than usual? And why are there so many people, it's getting late."
"It's Rift Bloom Day remember, the people of Lunaris Haven tend to throw a small party every time. It is common believe than the eye in the rift belongs to a being who gives good fortune."
Kharon looked at the banners and tinsels which seemed to slither and coil around every shop in sight. There was loud singing and dancing a few yards away as people chanted and sang together.
"How does it work? Do they dance and sing to please this being or is the celebration for people celebrating their good fortune?"
"It's a mixture of both. They praise the being for their good fortune and sing and dance to receive more good fortune."
Kharon watched the celebration as he asked, "I thought the people of Lunaris Haven believed in one of the three Gods. Are there people who worship spirits and arcane beings?"
"Yes. We'd better get home though, I need to defeat you before I get ready for tomorrow."
"We will see who defeats who."
Kharon began sprinting through the street as Aidan followed suit. They ran around the festive market with wide grins, on-lookers didn't pay them much mind as they were caught up with their celebration while those who did cheered on.
They quickly reached Aidan's residence. Aidan who had over taken Kharon quickly drew the symbols and opened the door. The pair continued to laugh as they ran to their rooms before they both speaked, "See you there."
...
Aidan was walking down a long flight of stairs with Kharon following closely behind him. They walked down for what felt like an eternity before Aidan opened the door to a wide space filled with training gear. They both moved the objects to a little storage space before taking their stances.
"You know what, I wouldn't use any arcane abilities for this fight. I am also not allowed to use my full speed or strength; to make sure I don't cheat, I am using these training weights. I have been waiting to be capable of picking these up, it truly highlights my growth in strength."
"If you want to handicap yourself, that's fine. It's your funeral."
The tension in the room was palpable as both men stood in complete silence. Suddenly, they went flying towards each other with frightening speed.
Aidan reached for Kharon's face as he grabbed it. He would quickly knock him out without doing much damage before healing him. But as gripped tightened, Kharon's body suddenly vanished.
"An illusion. I should have known."
Kharon who had used Veiling on himself quickly went for Aidan's back as he shouted, "Aidan Brighthart will be unable to turn around for 1 second."
As soon as he screamed those words, he used Silent Craft to create a bullet and using Hidden Hand, fired it at Aidan's leg.
The bullet quickly made contact with his trousers as it ripped though them. But it failed to penetrate his skin. Aidan who had now managed to turn around quickly lunged for Kharon. He managed to grab his shirt as he quickly let go and turned around before narrowly dodging a bullet which flew past his face. As the bullet flew by, it hit the wall of the training room before creating a slight dent.
Aidan continued to lung as Kharon gracefully dodged each attempt. He quickly formed a metallic barrier which was swiftly shattered by Aidan. But as Aidan attempted to punch his face, he suddenly began to fall. Kharon seized this opportunity as he said, "Aidan Brighthart will be unable to stand up for 1 second."
He then jumped up in the air as he formed a boulder around his legs which pulled him down and smashed into Aidan. The boulder crumbled into pieces as Aidan stood up, but as he did he narrowly dodged another bullet.
'How did he dodge that?! I fired it as soon as the boulder crumbled... None of my attacks can even scratch him. Maybe... no. I can't. What if it kills him? Maybe if I reduce my aether output...'
As Aidan once again lunged for Kharon, he was suddenly engulfed by bright, golden flames. The flames quickly burned through his clothes and skin as he jumped away from them with some difficulty. He then held his hands out as he said, "You win. Just don't use that on me again."
Kharon silently cheered as he walked towards Aidan who's upper body was red and raw. He then activated Healing Light as Aidan's skin quickly mended itself without leaving any scars behind.
"I am sorry. I didn't want to resort to using the Solar Ring, but I didn't know how else to defeat you. Your body is pretty much invulnerable to my arcane abilities. I hope it didn't hurt too much..."
Aidan who seemed to be in a daze shook his head as he smiled.
"It wasn't too bad, I have had to endure worse..."
Aidan began laughing after he said this as Kharon stood cluelessly before realising what he meant and laughing as well.
"I have to say I am surprised. You use the glove pretty well considering that you only got it today. Are you going to give it a name?"
Kharon looked down at the black, leather glove before smiling.
"I will call it, Hand of Order."