TBATE: Let The Truth Be Known {Completed}

Chapter 7: New Family Bonds

CAERA DENOIR

Alacrya as a whole has begun to calm down. Before, every man, woman, and child held their tongue on anything related to the governing bodies in fear that they would end up like the few thousand people that were killed for heresy against the Vritra. It seems like Scythe Seris is right. The Vritra truly are tyrants that couldn't care less about those they call "lessers."

My family has yet to recall me from Central Academy yet. I assume that's Scythe Seris' doing. I don't care to have them pester me about my involvement with Grey anyway. Now that he's the most wanted man in all of Alacrya, I anticipated being the first person that the High Sovereign would drag away and interrogate. Scythe Seris has managed to convince him that I'm clean of any involvement. She told him that she personally did her own investigation into my relationship with Grey. I guess Agrona believes that his Scythes would never lie to him. Seris has a lot to lose, after all.

I left my room in a rush this morning after I overslept. I hope the students won't mock me.

I was given Grey's job after he well, did THAT. Since then, I've been trying my best to live up to his student's expectations. Seth has recovered from his beating, Mayla is quickly becoming better at her throws, Laurel and Enola have been pushing each other to get stronger, Valen, Remy, and Portrel have gotten their act together, and my aids have begun to respect me. Dare I say that life is good right now. I'm still quite lonely without Grey, but Miss Redcliff seems to be warming up to me now that we can't fight for Grey's attention. 

I really do miss Grey. He was one of two people on this whole planet that I don't need to hide things from. Well, three if we count Regis, but him and Grey come as a package deal. Ever since the Victoriad, I keep pondering on who or what he really is. A non-human, non-Alacryan, with an absurd healing factor, an aether core, and a talking wolf. Not to mention, he kidnapped that woman at the Victoriad AFTER breaking Scythe Nico's mana core and killing Scythe Cadell, the widely-accepted strongest Scythe. 

Who even was that woman? Agrona seemed quite fond of her given the arm on her back and how angry he was when she was kidnapped. What could make the High Sovereign care about a "lesser" so much?

That's not important at the moment. 

Students begin to file into class as Briar and Aphene begin to give out a few instructions on today's lessons. We're learning the question-mark kick, a move with a built in feint that actually curves around and strikes the head from over the guard. Remy and Portel are going to struggle given their limited range of motion in their legs. I don't even know if they can kick above their head, in all honesty. 

"Okay, class. Today we'll be pairing up into groups of two. You'll take turns replicating this move. Briar, please take position," I order as Briar takes a fighting stance. I assume a southpaw stance to mirror Briar. I quickly take a hop-step, plant my right foot into the ground, throw my left leg  right for Briar's ribs before using my knee to redirect the angle of the kick as it moves up and over her guard. I stop my kick just as it grazes her orange hair. Her face fills with relief.

"That, class, is a question-mark kick. If you need another example, ask Briar or Aphene. I'll be monitoring your practice and grading you accordingly," I instruct as I take a seat at the desk a few feet from the sparring platform. 

I wonder if Grey was a more involved teacher than me. I may be less talented, but maybe I'm more likable and encouraging. 

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At the end of class, I wrap up my grading of the students' performances. 

These kids are truly scary. What did you teach them, Grey? They're only 13.