"Momshie.... Even if we stop the training, there's no guarantee that those memories won't resurface in a far future. What's worst— I don't even know how I'll react when it comes. So, listen momshie. I don't wanna run from it any longer. I'm going to face my fears in order to let me go forward. That — is the only way I can become strong."
Hearing Luke's words, she can't help but tear up, so she quickly embraced him. "Oh my lil' chubby cheeks. Momshie's so proud of ya!" She rubs her cheeks to him. "With that, Imma cook your fav food! Steak!" Luke starts drooling, childishly. "Really?? Really??? You mean it? Don't take back your words momshie!" Lura smiled. "I am." The boy jumps cheerfully. "Let's go home now, momshie!! I'm starving!" So, both mother and son head back home.
Meanwhile....
Lura's serving food to her plate and then, just as she gaze at Luke, the boy eats like a lion. Lura can't help but observes. "Hmm... Luke sure does have an appetite of a lion. What a surprise for a 3-year old kid. Well, he's half-infernal so there's nothing to be surprise about it." Luke keeps gobbling the food. "Luke mastered Pyros, and Agua. The next element he'll train will be Tontrus. I'm quite certain it'll be the same as Agua. Now, my greatest concern will be Aeros and Tierra."
"I have suspicions that those elements has greater chances to trigger his memories. Either way, I must be vigilant at all times."
Next day....
Mother and son head back to the Training Site to resume the training. "So momshie, what nature element I'm going to train next?" Lura rubs her chin. "You're done with Pyros, and Agua, leaving us 3 elements."
"Aeros, Tontrus, and Tierra, isn't it momshie?" Lura winks at him. "You're correct, son!" She then crossed her arms. "Now, we're almost half through this session! We're nearing to end! Hmph! As expected of a prodigy." Lura felt all proud as she rubs her nose. The boy blushed and felt shy. "Oh stop it momshie, you're making me blush."
"Anyways, the 3rd element you'll be training is Tontrus. Tontrus is the element adored and loved by people who pursues wisdom and inventions. Most Tontrus casters are quite noticeable from the Great Empire of Caur'Bon Naura and Peiz Zae. But Peiz Zae's favorite is Agua."
"Now, you know how it's done. So—" Lura's interrupted by Luke. "Momshie, aren't we gonna head to where Tontrus is dominant? What I mean is— to be one with that element?" Lura's brainstorming. "Hmm... The Borders of Caur'Bon Naura is great for starters but— given the controversies between Spau Rihaetti from that recent incident, I'm afraid we should avoid that place for a time being."
"What are we gonna do momshie? I— I can't risk delaying this training much longer!" Lura's rubbing her chin as she brainstorm. "Well, in Spau Rihaetti, there are 3 known mountains; First is facing at the ocean, 'Primera Mons'. Second is in the border of Vegetation and Desert, 'Segunda Mons'; and Third is in the middle of the vast desert, 'Tercera Mons'."
"Tierra Mons is the mountain that lies in the desert, also where your Popsie lives." Luke's eyes widened. "Popsie??!" And Lura nods. "Aren't we gonna visit Popsie, momshie??!" The boy felt enthusiastic. "NAAH... Popsie is busy with blacksmithing, son. It's best not to disturb him and besides, you aren't big enough to head there yet. Wait till you grown into a fine man, I'll let you journey there alone." Luke made a pouty face. "Ah, ah! Don't give me that grumpy look, lil boy! It's for your own good."
"Anyways, since you are eager to learn tontrus, let's travel to the 2nd Mountain which will take up— hmm... 4-7 days." Hearing her made Luke struck in comical despair. "Almost a— week??!"
"Well, there's no guarantee though but it's better to be ready." Luke let out a deep sigh. "Ahh??! You asked for it, so ya gotta do it whether you like it or not." Lura smiles. "Let's make those small legs of yours embark on long journey, my son."
"Ooohh... maaannnn!!!!" And so, the mother and son head back to the town to embark on a journey.
Later....
Lura and Luke headed to the Horse Rentals. There, Lura filed the papers for Horse rent. "Hmm... Back to Rentals again, eh Lady Lura?" The Owner gleefully greets. "Yeah. Me and my son are heading towards the 2nd Mountain."
"Oh? 2nd Mountain, the 'Segunda Mons'. That's one heck of a long journey, mi'lady!" Lura felt shy. "Yeah... It is. How much is the charge?"
"Well, given the distance, it would cost a pocket of gold. But as a hero who keeps the town safe, I'll give a discount." Lura felt happy. "Oh thank you so much! It would really means a lot with my lil patotie here."
"Momshie, momshie! Look at that black and white horse! He looks like a combination of Cookies and Milk! Hmm... Yummy!" Luke speaks as he keep tugging Lura's clothes. The owner sees the boy and looks surprised. "Oh? If it isn't Luna's son? I'm so sorry about your loss, Lady Lura." Lura smiled. "It's okay. I appreciate that." She lift the boy up. "He may not be my child biologically but— I already treated him as my own."
"This chubby cheeks? Who can't resist you?" Lura's pinching the boy's cheeks. "Momshie, stop it! It hurts!" Luke's cheeks reddened. "I see. Take care on your journey, Lady Lura. May the Supreme Deity bless you your way." Lura took the Black and White horse and embarked on a journey.
Along the way...
The horse they mounted is taking its time to travel and Luke is drooling. "Hey there now, this horsie is not food." Lura warns and the boy's drooling stopped. "Anyways Luke, I wanted to give you insight about Segunda Mons. It is slighter higher than Primera Mons but smaller to Tercera Mons. It is a mountain ridge whose edge ends at the desert. It might be impossible to cross to the other border but there are paths carved to access the other." Luke started to doze off.
"But I won't be explaining that long. Let momshie do her thing and safely arrived at our destination." She petted Luke. On their way, Luke felt silence. Just then, he remembered what Lura speaked about strict obedience of the Divine Law. "Momshie, may I ask you something?"
"Sure!! Anything for my chubby cheeks son!" Luke's eyes shows timid. "Momshie, is my mama also following the divine laws that the Supreme Deity gave to his people?"
"Of course dear! Your mama and I adhered to the divine laws of the Supreme One! It's what your grandmom thought us!" Lura looks cheerful than ever. "Momshie, if mama and you are adhering to the divine laws, does that mean my existence is a— curse? A misfortune to mama?" Lura flinched. "What makes you say that?" She seemed surprised to hear it from the boy. "I saw my dada, he looks— hideous, like an infernal."
Lura's surprised, after all, the last time she sees him, he looks just like a mortal would do. "What... do you mean? The last time I saw him is— well, he just like any other human." Luke stares at the horse hair. "I see. It seems momshie's too late to see dada in his unhinged state." Lura shakes her head. "Well, truth be told, your mama did say your papa is an infernal but I've never thought seeing his infernal nature— in a flesh."
"Say momshie, given the fact I'm a half infernal, am I— a curse that resulted Mama's and dada's death? Is my existence... a mistake from the Deity's intended purpose?" Lura halts the horse and let's the boy face him. "You... are not a mistake, Luke. You never are!" She touched both his chubby cheeks. "The Supreme Deity must've had a role given for you, that is yet to be known. Every choices, and every decision, everything has their purpose. If you aren't important, you wouldn't live during that raid regardless how my big sis and your dada save you."
"Don't you EVER say that." Luke felt down and they continue their journey to Segunda Mons.
4 days later ....
Finally, both mother and son arrived at the mid part of the mountain. There, Luke fell on the ground, running out of breath. "Momshie, are we there yet? We've been walking for like— many hours now." Lura looked around. "Do you see the thundercloud formation at the peak of the summit? Supposedly, we should be... Umm... 100 meters below the thunderclouds for you to train. But given how young you are, let's initiate the training just a little more higher to where we stand." Luke look up and feel grumpy.
"It's still far! Aaahh! This is infuriating!" The boy whined. "I know but the electrical charges around this place not enough for you to traisn. Therefore, few more meters is advisable for your training." Luke groan. So they continue to move their feet to get higher.
Once they've arrived, Luke's exhausted but clearly, he sensed something. "Momshie...." Lura raised her guard and points the suspected location of the creature. "Who goes there?! Show your self or taste my blade!"
"Woah, woah! Chill! Don't raise your blade against me, Lura!" Lura flinched. "Wait, that voice—?! John??!" John revealed himself from the bush. "Hey Lura? Long time no see!" Lura dashed and give him the tightest hug she could have. "Lura, I know you missed me that much but to break it up to you— I can't breath!" She gasped. "Oh, sorry." Lura stepped away and tugs her hair.
"Hmm... It's quite unexpected to cross paths with you, my dear." Lura blushes. "Yeah, me too John." John noticed Luke sitting behind her. "Hmm... A blood-tainted hair, could that be your cousin?" Lura nods. "Yeah, he is." She signals Luke to come and the boy did not hesitate then Lura lift him up. "This is Luke, my big sis' only son." John takes a closer look and the boy is intimidated.
"I see. He sure has a striking blood-tainted eyes there. Well, this boy sure inherit unique genes from his parents! I assure ya!" He's amazed and Lura giggles. "Oh heck yeah."
Later....
"By the way Lura, what brings you here in this harsh mountain?" John ask as he's tempted to pinch Luke's chubby cheeks. "Well, this boy right here wants to train and get stronger. Therefore, he trains to master the elements of nature." John's brows raised. "Oh? He looks young though. Are you sure he can pull it off?"
Lura rubbed her nose. "Ehe! He may be smol but— oh bhoi! My son right here already mastered two elements; Pyro, and Agua." John's eyes bulged. "SERIOUSLY??! When did he mastered it?" Lura's pride is boosted. "Within this week."
The blacksmith's jaw dropped. "Oh my Tophet, this lad here is a prodigy! As expected of your big sis' child!" She then smirked. "I know, right?" As the two of them chitchatting, Luke became impatient. "Momshie, should I begin the training now?" Luke shouts. "Sure son! Go on!" And so, the boy proceeds.
"John, I've told you our business. I guess it's about time you tell yours? Hmm?" She taps her feet, leaving John to confess. "Well, I am in search of medicinal herbs and some materials for blacksmithing that only exist here in Segunda Mons. I'm sure you already know and you're just looking for an excuse to talk." Lura slaps his shoulders. "Oh come on you, don't be such a bummer."
"Hmm... I'm quite surprised your sis grants you permission to train your cousin in this harsh environment. Surely, your sis trusted you a lot, huh?" Just then, Lura didn't reply making John felt awkward. "Lura, is there something wrong?" Lura starts making fidgeting movement of her thumbs. "To be honest, that boy's parents died right after I arrived at the Town." John gasped.
"Does that mean—?!" Lura nods. "Yes, he is orphaned and so, I took him and raised as my own." She then gazed at the boy. "You see, that boy remembered the tragedy that befell on his parents and that painful memory hinders his training."
"Moreover, it might haywire his power outage that could lead to destruction." Lura nods. "It is. More importantly, that boy carries Anherion's Royal blood in him. He might inherited their traits such as their unrestrained emotions." They looked at the boy. "Surely, it is first time in history to ever had a half-blooded infernal to ever been born here in T'Matou Sauz." John sighs.
"If his existence is regarded as a threat in Supreme One's eyes, that child would not been formed in a womb but it seems He has plans and even take heights of letting that boy survive in that midst of chaos."
"It sure is, John."
"Anyway, I better set up our tent. You, go to that lad and—" just then, Lura hugs him tight. "John, you and I recently lost our child. I don't know how you feel but it seems you're right. Everything has its purpose." John petted her head. "It sure is, Lura. I assume, you treated your cousin as your own, right?" Lura nods. "I see. Well then, I will also accept that child as my son." Hearing his words made Lura gasped and shed tears of joy.
"That kid, he may not be our flesh and blood, but his existence gave us hope that we've lost. That, I'll treasure it with all my heart. I'm sure you'll do the same." Lura nods again. "Anyway, I better set up the tend now, Lura. It's getting dark and cold."
"Okay." John and Lura do what they're task to do. As John sets up the tent, he suddenly felt an electrical charges going on around the area. Just then, he both heard the mother and son cheering. "Momshie! Momshie! Look at me! I did it!" Luke jumped in joy. "Ohooo??? Job well done, Luke! Truly you're a prodigy!" Lura carried him and celebrate.
John watches them and Lura, by far most, caught his eyes. Seeing her smile is the delighting sensation he could ever wished. So, he stopped, approaches them, and joins the bandwagon.
Later...
Three of them are having their break near the tent. John is preparing a delicious food and Lura extend her aid, so is Luke. The boy grabbed the chopped chicken and— "Momshie, this chicken looks juicy! Should I eat it?" Lura took the chicken from Luke and petted him. "You shouldn't eat raw meat, son. It will give you nothing but nasty stomachache." Luke shivers comically. "Wait till Popsie's finished cooking. I'll bet you'll admit that— it is the tastiest food that melts you ever tasted!"
Luke's eyes glimmers. "Woaahhh?!!! Can't wait to taste Popsie's food!"