Date: July 12, X770
Location: The Hidden Clearing, Rosemary Village
The sun hung high, casting dappled shadows across the grass. Five days had passed since Ren and Erza first crossed wooden "swords," and the clearing had already become their sanctuary. To the villagers, they were just two orphans playing in the dirt. To the [Great Sage], they were two anomalies beginning to warp the world around them.
Ren stood with his feet shoulder-width apart, his eyes closed. He was visualizing something the Sage had helped him reconstruct from the fragments of his soul's instinct: The Breath.
« Notice: Oxygen intake insufficient for Total Concentration. Expand the diaphragm. Force the blood to carry the heat to your limbs. »
Ren took a deep, shuddering breath. It wasn't a normal breath; it was loud, sharp—like the hiss of steam from a kettle. Haaaa-huuuu!
"There you go again with the weird noises, Ren!"
Erza's voice broke his concentration. She was standing five paces away, her scarlet hair messy and stuck to her forehead with sweat. She held her branch with both hands, her knuckles white. She looked tired, but her eyes were burning with a competitive fire.
Ren opened one eye and winked at her, a cheeky grin spreading across his face. "It's not just noise, Erza-chan. It's the sound of me getting ready to sweep you off your feet. Literally."
Erza's cheeks flushed a bright pink. "Stop saying such... such silly things! We're supposed to be training!"
"I am training," Ren chirped, regaining his stance. He lowered his wooden katana, the tip pointing at Erza's feet. "I'm practicing the stances the Great Sage taught me. You should too!"
"Ugh! You're impossible!" Erza lunged forward. She didn't have a style yet, just raw instinct and a desire not to lose. She swung the branch downward with all her might.
The Scarlet Moon and the Rising Sun
Ren didn't move until the last second.
« Analysis: Attack trajectory vertical. Velocity: Low. Counter-measure: Side-step, pivot, strike. »
Ren moved like a leaf caught in a warm breeze. He spun to the left, the hem of his ragged kimono fluttering. As he moved, his breath hitched into a specific rhythm.
'Sun Breathing, First Form: Waltz.'
He didn't have the magical power to manifest flames yet, but the movement was there. He swung his stick in a horizontal arc. It didn't hit Erza hard—he was careful—but it tapped her wrist, causing her to drop her branch.
"Point for me," Ren said, puffing out his chest proudly.
Erza stared at her hand, then at Ren. "How... how did you do that? You didn't even look like you were trying! It was like you were dancing."
Ren walked over and picked up her branch, handing it back with a gentle smile. "I call it the Sun's Way. It's about flowing with the light." He looked at her thoughtfully, his 5-year-old brain processing the Sage's observations. "You know, Erza-chan... you shouldn't try to move exactly like me."
"Why not?" she snapped, her pride stinging.
"Because you're different!" Ren shook his head vigorously, his long ponytail swaying. "You're strong in a different way. Like the moon is strong at night, even though the sun is in the sky."
He stepped closer. "If I am the Sun, then you are the Scarlet Moon," Ren said, his red eyes focused. "We should make a style for you, too. One that fits how strong you are. Something powerful and sharp."
Erza felt a surge of determination. She looked at Ren's earnest face. He looked so sincere, so focused on her.
"The Scarlet Moon..." she repeated softly. She liked the sound of that. It felt powerful. It felt like it belonged to her. "Okay. Show me. Show me how to breathe like that."
The Price Of Strength
After their sparring, the reality of their lives returned. Their stomachs growled in a perfect, embarrassing unison.
"Training makes me hungry," Erza admitted, looking down at her feet.
"Don't worry! The Great Ren has it covered," Ren declared. He pulled out a small leather pouch. Inside were several dried roots and a few small silver coins (Jewels) he'd earned by helping the local apothecary identify rare herbs.
"Sage, where's the best spot today?" Ren thought.
« Notice: 400 meters North-East. A cluster of Wild Ginger and edible mushrooms. Also, a small rabbit is currently caught in the snare you set yesterday. »
"Follow me, Erza-chan! We'll find some dinner!"
As they walked through the woods, Ren made sure to point out different plants. "See that one with the jagged leaves? That's for fevers. Don't eat the red berries on that bush, or you'll have a tummy ache for three days."
Erza watched him in awe. "How do you know so much, Ren? You're only five, just like me."
Ren grinned. "The Great Sage helps me remember things! And I pay attention."
"Well, you should pay attention to where you're going!" Erza said, pointing ahead.
Ren looked and laughed, then started running towards the snares.
Status Report
Date: July 12, X770
Relationship: Best Friends (Erza's trust is growing deep. She relies on Ren's knowledge).
Ren's Progress:
Body: Conditioned for "Sun Breathing" movements.
Skill: [Great Sage] has mapped out the basic forms of " Moon Breathing" for Erza.
Knowledge: Herbalism Level 2 (Can identify basic medicinal and edible plants).
Current Goal: Increase food reserves. The winter months in Fiore can be harsh.
« Internal Thought: The bond between individuals 'Ren' and 'Erza' is strengthening. Synchronicity during training has increased by 12%. »