Cyrus Solaris
"How was the meeting, Gramps?" I ask, opening my eyes to see my grandfather standing in the walkway of the screen door.
He looked tired, probably from all the meetings and the around-the-clock care of my father's body.
"As well as it could," he said, stepping out to the backyard, his arms spread open.
I give Gramps a warm embrace.
"I've missed you, Cyrus." He said, his arms squeezing me.
"Missed ya too, Gramps."
Gramps released me from his death-grip hug and stared at me.
"...What?"
"Gramps?"
"You've put on a bit of muscle since the last time I saw you. I see the academy is treating you well."
I sigh at the comment, and Gramps raises an eyebrow and plops down onto the grass.
"Explain?"
I sit back down and glance at Solmane. Solmane nods his head.
"Well, Gramps, I didn't realize you sent me to school with a bunch of lunatics."
A small smile crept its way onto my grandfather's face. He didn't say a word, just a nod, signaling to continue.
"They all are so stuck up and arrogant. Especially the other heirs of great clans, they might be the worst."
Oh, and the teachers assign piles of material to study. I understand why, but for Pantheon's sake, let me digest one thing first before starting the next. Professor Rhondall and Head Master Naga are cool, though." I said, realizing the stress ball had been bobbing up and down, along with my vocal inflection.
"Sounds like you are getting acclimated to the real world then. How have things been going with Prime Minister Kazehoshi's grandkids? Are you guys getting along?"
I rolled my eyes.
"Oh,"
"Yeah… We got put into a cluster together. Let's just say we don't mesh well."
"And that reason is?"
"Jace is a lazy bag of rocks, and Sora… She buds in where she's not welcome at times."
"And you would rather work alone?"
"Exactly, but the Head Master and his staff insist that it is not the way. If only I didn't have to hide my real clan name. People would understand my thought process more."
Gramps's head tilted, "Why?"
"The world knows how strong our clan is. They have seen what one of us alone can do. So it would make more sense as to why I would prefer it."
A pause hung in the air.
"Yes, we are powerful, Cyrus, but there are many others who are just as capable. The strong recognize that we are just part of a whole, not the whole itself."
"I guess…"
Gramps reaches out and pats my head.
"The sun will rise."
"For its protection is unyielding in the face of dusk," I responded.
Silence hung for a brief moment.
"But it looks like you have mastered your second node. That's a big improvement from the summer."
"But it's not enough," I said, as my fist clenched.
"How so? You should have only one node left before you take your next astral trial."
"I was attacked by some strange behemoth-like creature on campus. There was nothing I could do against it." I said, lifting my shirt to show the bandages.
Gramps's face crinkled at the sight of it.
"What did the school say about it?"
I paused.
"Nothing, just told me I would have to do better at defending myself next time, because rifts and the astral realm can be unforgiving."
A deep breath left Gramps's body. "Then I guess the rumors of Xhatal's curriculum are true. They truly do push students to the edge," Gramps said, his arms crossed, deep in thought.
"That's why I wanted to ask you for a favor," I said, rubbing the back of my neck.
"Go on,"
"Can I please get my Scale of the Eternal Hydra back. I need it."
"No, you don't. I agree with your school, do better at defending yourself." Gramps said, his gaze intense as the burning sun. I didn't expect him to answer like that. I figured he might see the type of danger I was in and cave to the situation.
I guess not.
"Gramps, I nearly died."
"And there will be more times when that is the case. You know what we are up against; we are not allowed to take the easy way out." He said his voice was firm.
Gramps stood up and headed to the screen door. "I'm going to check on your father."
The screen door closed behind him, and Solmane came and stood in front of me.
"Why didn't you tell him about your situation?"
"Because I didn't need him worrying more than he already is. I can tell something else is on his mind as well. I'm not sure what it is, but it must be big if it's affecting him like this."
"I see. But young lord, did you ever get a chance to locate that other piece of the relic?"
"I know where it is, but I don't have access to the vault it is in. I was close after passing the last midterm, at least I think I was. But I'm going to need to find this creature and pass the rift exam to get access to it. Why didn't you tell Gramps about the piece of the relic?"
"I felt your intentions regarding the desire to surprise your family with it. So I decided to play along with it."
I gave Solmane a smirk.
"Well, I guess it's time to get to work then."
"Training?"
"Correct. I want to try to pass my third node before I return to the academy."