The day began like any other: sun rising slowly, pale moons still in the sky, the smell of root tea in the cabin. Abraham woke up with a sore body, but excited. Level 78. Nothing that would change the world, but each point seemed more conquered than the last.
He went out to the clearing early. Mahina was already there, Eternal Guardian sword in hand.
"Today you train alone first. Then the others arrive."
Abraão nodded. He picked up the old sword and began: Light Cut repeated 100 times. His arm trembled on the last set, sweat dripping down his forehead. He thought of Lia — the way she laughed when she hit, the warmth of her hand yesterday. And of Lio — the boy who appeared out of nowhere and now seemed part of the group. They're becoming family... I can't disappoint.
He heard footsteps. Lia arrived first, basket in hand, light dress, hair tied up.
"Good morning! I brought fruit... and more bread. Don't kill me today, okay?"
Abraão dropped his sword and went to her. "Good morning. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
She put the basket down and gave him a quick hug. "Liar. You always say that and then you kill me with training."
He laughed. "Just because you're improving quickly."
Lia blushed. "Thanks... I guess."
Liora arrived soon after, her silvery-blue hair swaying, a thin sword on her back, her pleated skirt billowing.
"Abraão-nii! Lia-nee! I came early today!" He jumped into Abraham's arms as if it were normal.
Lia raised an eyebrow, slightly jealous: "Lio... you wake up early for this?"
Liora winked innocently. "It's just that I like watching Abraham-nii train. He's amazing."
Abraão ruffled his hair. "Hold on, Lio. Let's train all three of us."
Training began. The sun beat down, the air was hot. Abraham led:
"Lia, attack with Light Cut. Lio, defend with Moon Veil. I'll cut in half."
Lia attacked first—a wooden sword spinning. She missed her balance, the blow went crooked.
"Damn wrist!" She laughed at herself.
Liora danced: she spun, her skirt billowing, moon veils appearing like colored mist. She confused Lia's attack, creating light illusions.
Abraão cut in half: Light Cut flowing, good precision. Lia's wooden sword stopped in mid-air, blocked by the veil.
Lia: "Hey! That's cheating!"
Liora: "It's defense! Abraham-nii said to help!"
Abraham laughed: "You two are good. Together we're better."
Hours passed. The sun at its peak, sweat dripping, grass flying. Her arms ached, her breaths heavy. Lia tripped on a root, Abraham caught her by the waist.
"Careful."
She looked at him, her face close. "Thank you... again."
Liora saw, pouted subtly, but didn't speak.
Suddenly, something happened.
During one of Liora's spins, the intense lunar veil + Abraham's cut created a wave of energy. The ground trembled slightly. A thin crack appeared in the earth—not large, but deep enough to swallow a leg.
Lia screamed: "Abraham!"
Liora froze: "Oh no..."
Abraão reacted quickly: he activated Shared Reflex + Light Cut. He jumped, pulled Lia by the hand and Liora by the arm. The three fell onto the grass, the crack stopping inches from them.
Silence.
Lia breathing heavily: "Damn... almost."
Liora hugged Abraham: "You saved us again..."
Abraão, breathless: "It's okay. It was just a scare. Lunar energy leaked... we overdid it."
They sat down, hearts racing. Seraphina appeared in the doorway of the hut, sword in hand.
"What was that?"
Abraão: "Energy leaked during training. Crack in the ground. Nothing serious."
Mahina frowned. "You need to be careful. The moons don't forgive mistakes."
While they rested, a strange sound came from the air. A bluish light appeared in the sky, like a lunar hologram. A voice echoed—an official announcement from the Bastion of the Eternal Moons:
"Awakened of Elyria!
The Great Dojo of the Eternal Blades opens registration for intensive lunar swordsmanship training!
Location: Central Tower of the Bastion.
Duration: 3 months of total immersion.
Legendary masters will teach ancient and modern techniques.
Limited spots available.
Registration closes at the end of the week.
Prove your worth... or be left behind."
The light faded. Silence.
Lia: "Dojo of the Eternal Blades... I've heard of it. They say you reach another level there."
Liora: "I want to go! Abraham-nii, shall we go?"
Abraham looked at the cracked ground, then at the two of them.
"Maybe... it's time to level up. Train with real masters."
Lia squeezed his hand. "If you go... I'll go too. I don't want to be left behind."
Liora jumped: "So there are three of us! Team complete!"
The phone vibrated. Mission: "Consider this a greater growth opportunity. Post a photo of the announcement + of the trio. #CallOfTheBlades"
Reward: +2 levels (80). New layer: "Group Instinct" (reacts 5% faster in a group when danger appears).
Abraão took the photo: the three of them sweaty, a crack in the ground in the background, the announcement still echoing in the air.
He put his phone away. He looked at Lia and Liora.
"It's decided. We're going to the Dojo. Together."