Leaving The Nest

After Katania was done playing, she turned her attention back to the tray of food, she grabbed large handfuls and began devouring biscuits, eggs and meat. Flaky bits of biscuit and meat fell between her fingers as she ate like a possessed demon above a raw carcass.

Empress revealed a look of disgust, "Erik was right, you really are a pig," she said, displaying a look of contempt, Katania shot her a withering glare but did not pause her consumption of food. "Mm," she grunted, and no longer paid her any attention. 15 minutes later they were descending the spiral staircase together, Katania was defending her eating habits. "What? I love food!" 

"You can love food and not eat like a crazed pig," Empress retorted, "It is unbefitting of a lady, in the future, properly comport yourself." She growled disdainfully.

Katania turned up her nose, "hmph, I shall eat how I like, we shall see who dares to say anything about it!"

Sir Voorhees was watching this exchange with a weird expression. His eyes shifted between the beautiful transparent woman and the approaching figure of his own daughter, who as of this moment was still oblivious to his presence.

He continued to watch as they turned towards the courtyard and subsequently disappeared from his sight.

Katania and Empress crossed the threshold between two towering bushes that had been carefully shaped to resemble the Emblem of House Voorhees. It depicted two fangs protruding from a snakes gaping mouth embedded into a large gemstone. The sun had risen high in the sky when they arrived, Erik could be seen shirtless, his sword drawn, slowly going through the motions of the Fourth Form: 9 Dragons Assault. His blade wove an intricate web as he stepped into each thrust, sweat glistened on his face that revealed a look of intense concentration. Seeing this look on him caused Katania's chest to once more swell with pride and beaming brightly she strode forward to join him pulling her rapier from her belt as she went.

Erik was in the midst of transitioning to the Fifth Form when Katania's rapier suddenly interrupted a critical diagonal slash he was performing with an abrupt parry, his arm was thrown wide. However his instincts immediately kicked in responding to the danger, Katania's eyes shined with approval. Erik was instantly on the offensive, executing a flurry of complicated blade swings which temporarily pushed Katania back.

Her eyes widening in surprise; Katania twirled on one foot, reducing the surface area of her body open to attack, she stabbed her rapier at a point near her waist as she spun and heard a satisfying ring of metal striking metal, causing her to immediately retract her rapier and spring forward. After widening the distance between them she turned to face an exhausted Erik dropped to one knee leaning on his sword plunged into the dirt, sweat streaming down his face and threatening to fall into his eyes.

His thick black hair was matted flat from moisture and he appeared to be on the verge of collapse.

Katania felt slightly guilty for not holding back, but also proud that he'd managed to keep up with her in top form, albeit for only a short while.

Katania gave a sudden shrill whistle to get his attention, when he looked up he was wiping away thick rivulets of sweat from his eyes, she jerked her head towards the door, "Go bathe," she told him, "we're leaving the moment you're done," Erik felt stunned, then excited, he gave a few quick nods before darting into the house, his sword forgotten. Katania shook her head at this before she approached the sword, she grasped it by the hilt and pulled. Katania's expression revealed a frown, "So heavy?" she exerted some strength and pulled the sword from the ground, surprised, she turned her head in the direction Erik had disappeared in, feeling extremely complicated in her heart. 

With her thoughts muddled, Katania carried the sword listlessly, Empress fell into step beside her as she walked.

Katania handed the sword to her and Empress immediately sagged under the weight. She stared at it in confusion. "The hell is this made of?" She directed this question at Katania who shrugged absently. 

"I think…" Katania was leading Empress to their bedroom with a look that implied she was deep in thought, "that boy may be a monster," she said slowly, Empress nodded, "I agree, the way he fought, and with how heavy it is…" her voice trailed off. 

"It wasn't this heavy a month ago," Katania recalled, "I remember him dropping it and it was much lighter at the time, in fact I doubt this is the same sword." Katania said.

"And yet, for such a small boy, and a grade 3 spiritual realm at that to be able to lift a weapon that actually weighs a ton, and exhibit the level of skill he performed…" the two of them were extremely disbelieving in their hearts, however the proof was before them, there was no denying that it had actually happened. Even forcing Katania to take the fight seriously, that kid; he must be a genius!

Not long after, Erik appeared in the doorway of their bedroom. He was wearing a dark black tunic and black trousers, his scabbard was slung across his back, empty. "Big Sister Empress, have you seen my sword?" He sounded extremely worried and slightly panicked.

Empress pointed towards a corner where the sword rested. At this Erik breathed a sigh of relief and a small smile appeared on his face. He quickly ran over to the sword and bent down to grasp its hilt, and with a smooth, practiced motion, slid it into its sheath as if it weighed no more than a common knife. He turned afterwards and faced the stunned looks of his sisters, oblivious to their reactions. He beamed brightly, "Big sister, are we leaving now?" He asked, his eyes were shining and the excitement was evident in his voice. He'd never left the castle grounds before so naturally he was very eager to finally get to travel to other places.

Katania gave him a nod, however, she had a stern expression on her face.

"Outside these walls, you will refer to me as Master. This is not a trip for your personal enjoyment but to train. You are to make sure that you properly cultivate, understood?"

Erik gave several quick, solemn nods.

"Good," her expression softened, "then we can go."