Training

Staring at the 50 foot tall incline in front of them, Atlas and Altair got closer to find a good spot to start climbing from.

Taking a few steps forward Atlas threw off his top robe, wearing a black t-shirt, pants, socks and i'm his waraji sandals, he dug his foot into the side of the mountain then started looking for a place to grab with his hand.

Altair stood behind him trying to learn from what he's doing and taking mental notes from his performance. 

Digging his hand into the rock and pulling himself up, Atlas slowly left the level ground. After getting 3 feet up, Atlas continued to climb higher.

After climbing around 10 feet up, Atlas went to grab a rock sticking out of the surface of the mountain.

Upon grabbing it instead of bringing himself up to the rock, the rock had instead came to him.

Losing his balance Atlas tumbled down to where Altair was at. Altair helped him stand back up on his feet as he looked down at his hands that where starting to bleed at his fingertips and caked in dirt. He let out a sigh and dusted himself off.

Looking up at the incline he started to study it and think. After a few minutes he was already mentally mapping his route up.

Following the route he decided on, he starting making his way up again.

As Atlas was climbing, Altair watched and then started a little after he got back up to the 10 foot mark. She made sure not to climb up behind him though, she didn't want to get knocked down.

They where soon to hit the 30 foot mark, time seemed to be passing a by as slow as a snail. Atlas had slowed in his progress causing Altair to catch up to him.

Looking up Atlas and Altair felt their muscles and tendons being pushed to their limits. The fiery burning sensation that traveled from their hands, under their forearms, to the biceps, to their abdominal muscles, made it hard for them to keep their grip.

Their legs where shaky as they clung to the side on the mountain, whether from the hight, the wind constantly harassing them or from the strain on them from running and now climbing, didn't make it an easy task. 

Panting and with shaky breath Altair looked over to Atlas, seeing him reach forward with his bloody hands and continuing to climb, a competitive flame started to burn within her again.

Looking up she started to mentally map where she was going to climb up to next. 

Reaching upwards with her right hand, that aren't in much better shape than Atlases, she grabbed onto a root that was sticking out above her. After testing it stability she firmly gripped it. Moving her right leg up she found a foothold to use. Shifting her weight to the right she freed the tension on the left side of her body. Freeing her left hand from it hold, she took the tension out allowing it to relax before she got back to climbing. 

Atlas now 5 feet higher up than Altair, continued to climb but his speed was decreasing. He was finding it hard to find natural protrusions. He had to start digging into the side of the mountain with his hands and feet, making holes to use. 

Looking over he could see Altair was having an easier time and she was quickly gaining on him. He grit his teeth and started to dig with his hand faster. He wanted to finish first, to be a good example as the older twin and her big brother. 

However they where soon at eye level with each other. Altair smirked as she passed Atlas and continued to climb. 

Atlas bit his lip and got even more aggressive with his digging. His fingernails where starting to tear off, blood was running down his forearms and dripping off his elbows. He gritted his teeth through the pain. His toenails where bleeding under his black socks causing the wetness of them to easily get caked with dirt and turning it into a bloody mud. 

Approaching the 40 foot mark Altair was 3 feet above Atlas. Altair had a smile on her face despite the pain racking her body. Looking down at Atlas below her she felt very proud of herself, it wasn't everyday she could show off to her brother. 

However Atlas wasn't seeing it the same way she was, he thought she was looking down on him and it was hurting his pride. He lowered his head while biting his lip causing it to bleed.

He wanted to lead the way while Altair wanted to show off on how good of a job she was doing to her brother. She looks up and learns a lot from following this example, she wanted to show him that she learned how to climb like this thanks to him. 

With a proud smile she reached to grab a rock with her left but this rock wasn't in deep enough and was quickly freed from the dirt surrounding it. It was a big rock and the weight of it caused Altair to lose her balance.

"AHHHH!"

Altair yelled causing Atlas to look up and see Altair falling, with out thinking he jumped over to intercept her fall. 

Kicking off the wall and opening his arms wide he caught her as she was falling past him. He circled his arms around her head and pulled her head into his chest as she continued to yell and scream.

"Shhhh calm down and quit squirming! I've got you!"

Hearing Atlases voice Altair looked up with tears in her eyes.

"T-t-thank you Atty" 

She said she she circled her arms around his back as they continued to fall. Bracing for impact they closed their eyes waiting for the pain that would soon over take their bodies.

After a few mins and feeling completely fine they cracked open their eyes to see them selfs floating above a flat grassy ground.

Confused they looked around and noticed someone with a big smile on her face and trying not to laugh.

"Hahaha confused?"

"You really think I'd let my babies climb a mountain without having safe guards in place? Hehe you don't have anything to worry about with mama around."

Aira said while puffing out her chest and holding a basket in her hand.

"H-h-how did we get up here?"

Atlas asked with a shaky voice and confusion on his face

"Like this"

As she said that she gently lowered Atlas and Altair to their feet on the flat ground but soon they both fell on their butts because of their shaky legs.

"W-whats that mommy?"

Altair asked with tears still in her eyes and snot coming down her face, still shook about what just happened. 

"Wind manipulation.. But before anymore questions lets get you two cleaned up then eat. Its already 2 hours past lunch time."

She then cast a cleansing and healing spell on both of them. Their hands and feet where cleared of their clotted blood and the wounds disappeared like they had never existed. The dirt and dried blood that where caked to their robes were cleaned off.

Reaching over she put a hand on Altairs face and cleaned off the snot and tears. She rubbed the top of her head and spoke to both of them

"You guys did a great job, let's rest, eat and then you'll get back to training okay?"

They both nodded. Aira layed down a blanket and they soon all sat down and started to unpack the basket of food.

Now that they had calmed down Atlas and Altair took in their surroundings.

They where sitting in the middle of a flat patch of grass. The top of the mountain was completely flat, covered in grass with dirt patches in certain areas and a sand pit.

The top of the mountain was around 1 mile in diameter. There's a nearby small log cabin with a storage shack behind it with only one tall tree beside the house.

Looking around, Atlas asked curiously

"Is this where we will do the rest of our training?"

"Yes now eat, i'll walk you two around after."

…

After finishing up eating and still seated on the blanket. Atlas was laying down on his back while staring up at the clouds. Altair had her head in Airas lap while she gently ran her fingers through her hair.

"So what did you guys learn?"

"Climbing is hard!"

Altair grumbled under her breath

"Pacing and patience is important when running, utilizing your weight while climbing is difficult and the mountain is a lot harder than it looks."

Atlas said while still staring at the clouds moving over head in a daze.

Aira nodded her head. Altair looked at Atlas with bright eyes and began to speak enthusiastically at first then started to get quiet towards the end

"Mhm! I agree with Atty as well! Also… competition is good but when you rush yourself… it's easy to make mistakes…"

"Extreme eagerness is not good to have, it's okay to want something but should always keep a clear mind especially in dangerous situations."

"Good, good my babies have been learning well! Alright you've rested enough, your father will be home in a few hours and you still want to get your hands on some weapon right? Time to get back at it!"

Aira asked causing both Atlas and Altair to look at her with big shining eyes.