50.

Another training demon was sent flying into one of the castle's pillars, dissipating into a fine mist, though the impact of the illusion would make anyone jump on the other side of the wall. From the training yard came the howling war cies of the Sage of Light as he wailed on the training demons that surrounded him. Though the small impish creatures could not really harm him with their clubs, but when they hit a person it does feel real though the damage is non-life threatening.

Clearly Ostel had no such liabilities, and using his newly acquired warhammer the Grimward bastard tore his way through the nine remaining minions like a giant broom, sending their shadowy figures flying this way and that. With one mighty upward swing an imp fell high into the sky, and with a downward strike another one's head was crushed into the ground with a resounding thud. Before he could bring the Dawnbringer back into his firm grasp though, one of the creatures got a swipe at his heel, which made Ostel howl all the more wildly as he spun round and sent the minion into a fountain with a loud splash and puff of black smoke.

The fight continued few only a few of the imps actually hitting Ostel, but the end was predicable from the start. After the final shadowy figure evaporated, a sweaty and slightly bloodied Ostel stood in the arena with only himself standing. He took a few moments to look himself over for injuries, and felt a bruise on the back of heel and head, and a small cut on his right cheek.

Aside from that he shouldered the Dawnbringer and walked over to the training bench to rest for a brief spell and treat the injuries.

"Knock knock?" Calixta asked, letting out a small giggle. "I was just out and I wanted to ask you if you had seen Summer anywhere... Oh! You're hurt! Do you want some help with that?" She entered the training yard then, quickly walking to where Ostel was seated. All thought of Summer was gone, and the nymph stepped forward to inspect his injuries even as slight as they were. 

Though Ostel tried to put up his hands he could not stop the persistent nymphe from doing what she desired. With a pathetic sigh he gave up politely declining and let her help him as he treated the injuries. As he mended the cut on his cheek he turned to her with his sky blue eyes and said, "Thank you Milady, I appreciate your kindness as always." He said with a small nod of his head as his glowing palm went over his cheek, and as his hands past the wound, the injury sealed up.

The blue eyes that were so clear seemed to pierce Calixta right to the soul, and she blushed slightly, fascinated by the healing process. "My healing is very different from yours, though I can see how light has healing properties. Are you hurt badly? I saw you swinging at those training imps, and you did a very good job. Although... they are very different from fighting real demons. Real demons are tall, fearsome, and they take away loved ones." A hard glint lit up her sea foam green eyes, though it quickly passed into nothingness. 

The Human sage placed his sword hand on his head and grimaced in discomfort at the healing effort, but thankfully the injuries only let the headache stay for a brief few moment. However Ostel was listening to Calixta, and noticed her tone drop a bit at the mention of the demon's taking away loved ones. He decided against asking how she knew, as he knew some secrets were better left buried.

The Sage of Light then straightened himself on the bench and began, "I've had worse injuries, but I am touched by your concern. I'll be fine Calla, trust me. My healing powers allow me to heal fairly quickly. However, the more grievous the wound then the more it takes out of me to heal it. It goes from being a slight headache to the possibility that I could black out entirely. Thankfully I have not had to exert myself that much yet." 

He then nodded his head and said, "And you are right, REAL demons would hurt alot worse. But that's why I train myself like this, it is not like the real thing, but it helps me to keep my mind sharp and reflexs quick." He then sighed and realized he was probably yammering on like a crazed loony. 

The Grimward bastard then chuckled and asked, "So, you adjusting to life here Calla?" He said leaning back and smiling at the Sage of Water.

"Life here is very different... There is no water surrounding the land, for one, and I often feel like I'm out of my element. But I imagine that most of us here feel that way very often. I know for a fact that Summer does, and that's why I like speaking with her. We relate in many ways." She smiled and looked up at him, surprised that he would know about what real demons would be like. 

"Nothing can prepare the body and mind for the aggression of a demon, no matter how much physical and magical training a person has had. They are simply wild cards and no one, not even my immortal people, has begun to understand the inhabitants of Tenebra. Aegar is different though, that much I can say." Calixta quieted for a few moments, then gave Ostel a dazzling smile. "While we're here, would you care to show me some combat tactics? Nymphs rarely ever fight, as most of our fight is mental and magical... a dance of minds, if you will." 

With a simple nod Ostel eased himself up from the bench, "I'd be honored Milady." He held out his hand, which Calixta took gladly, and Ostel noticed her cheeks turn slightly red. He knew she had a fancy for him, and truth be told he did not mind. It felt nice to actually be held in high esteem, it felt like he was special to someone. But he didn't dare bring it up, and he knew that as Sages they would be facing the worst situations. So he cleared his mind of such thoughts... for the time being anyways.

He then went over to a small training rack and grabbed two training wooden swords, to which he handed one to Calixta pommel first. Once she had it in her hands Ostel then began, "Alright, I'll try to teach you some basic defensive moves. Since I am guessing you are not trained in swordplay I'll be teaching you how to deflect and get away from combat. It may not seem herioc, but by buying yourself some time, your allies can deal with whoever is assaulting you." with that he raised his training sword and gave her salute by bringing sword up to his face and bowing.

"Are you ready to begin Calla?"

The Sage of Water let out another feminine giggle as she got a feel for the wooden sword. "If you wanted to engage in swordplay, I could have used my long knives. I'm not completely devoid of training. Acheron had taught me many things in his lifetime. But yes, I would like to begin!" She twirled the sword around, surprised at how heavy it was despite it being made out of wood.

And so Ostel began his lessons, teaching her of how to fend off a skilled attacker. Though he did his hardest to not actually hit her when he got by her defenses, he did land a few whacks to her arms and legs, and one good solid jab at her stomach. He taught her that merely deflecting the blow was not the objective, but to use the opponent’s momentum to throw them off balance. After a few failed attempts, Calixta started to show promise as she almost threw Ostel's brute strikes off.

Finally as the sun began to set on the pair, Ostel gave her one final try before they called it a night. The first swing he sent to her midsection, but she parried his attack and spun inward to strike him back. In response he tried to use his arm as a battering ram to shove her back, but the Sage of Water continued to move around him as graceful as a dolphin around a jagged cliff. Expecting her to strike him in the center of his back Ostel spun with her and swung at chest level with his sword.

Usually this would get her as it did before, only this time Ostel felt a solid kick in his midsection, which sent the Sage of Light sprawling onto the dirt. For a moment he lost his ability to breath but then he laughed, "Calla you beautiful damn nymphe! What a kick!" He said as she stood over him as the victor.

Rasinging his hands up Ostel then admitted meekly, "I surrender to your mercy Miliady! The day is yours." He said with a broad smile of pride etched across his face. 

Calixta grinned at his praise, breathing heavily from the physical exhaustion. It had been a while since she engaged in such heavy training, but the times for relaxation were over and the girl needed a reminder of how to fight. The exercise left a thin sheen of sweat on her brow, and she sank to the ground to kneel beside him. She would have offered a hand to help him up, but he was tall and she she was much too short for that. Instead this was her way of helping him even after she brought him down.

"I apologize for the kick," she said, a look of worry on her face, "but I just got so excited! It's been a while since I've really been challenged and you provided just what I needed. Thank you, Ostel." Her cheeks turned a deep pink at the mix of emotion and exhaustion, and the nymph girl leaned forward and placed a hand on his chest as if to kiss him.

At first Ostel did not know what to say or let alone even think. He actually was going to be kissing a beautiful woman? But was it right? ... in his gut he heard a resounding no, and thus he regretfully knew what he he had to do. He then began to stand himself and his fellow Sage up who was starting to give him a worried look.

Ostel then took her hand and said kindly, "Milady, I fear I am not ready for this." He then took a careful step back, "If you want to yell, go ahead, I won't stop you." He said as he seemed to ready himself.

Confused, Calixta cocked her head to one side a bit. "But I thought... I must have read things wrong, I apologize... again," she giggled out once more, though it sounded empty and a bit heartless. "I won't yell at you, I promise. I was just... mistaken, that is all." A sad smile turned up her lips, and she took a step back to distance herself even further from the Sage of Light. "Are you... upset with me?" 

The Sage of Light merely shook his head, "I can never be mad at you Calla, I just do not wish ... something that special to be based off a lie. You are a beautiful young nymphe, and I can see your kind soul, your caring nature, and happiness yearning to grow again. It would be wrong of me to take advantage of your quest for happiness." 

He then shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile, "Then again I could just be acting like a fool. But ... hell's I don't know." He then gave a sad look to his fellow Sage, "I do not want us to grow apart because of this Calla, you are a good hearted person. And my life would be less joyful if you distance yourself from me. Am I making sense?" He said as if asking himself the very same question.

"Of course you make sense. And why would this make us grow apart?" she asked, genuinely confused. Back on Nymphe, finding a mate was often confusing and it was never easy. But despite all the failed attempts, they all remained on good terms with one another. It just meant that things were not meant to be. "I am glad you told me now rather than later as it probably would have upset me more later..." 

A comfortable pause colored the air, and then Calixta turned back to the human. "Well then, I must be off! The sparring was fun, but I was trying to find Summer... Ah, I'll find her later!" She moved to put away the wooden sword, and she had returned to being her bright cheery self again, almost as if the entire ordeal never happened. But nymphs were like that; they were emotionally all over the place. 

Before she left though Ostel then intercepted her departure, and again she tilted her head to the side in confusion, to which he merely bowed, "If I may at least have the honor of escorting the victorious conqueror back to her quarters?" He said hooking his strong and sturdy arm out to her with a warm smile.

"Of course, Ostel." The girl brought her raven hair over to one side then gladly took his arm with a smile. "You truly are unparalleled when it comes to being ever the gentleman!" She awarded him with another dazzling smile and lead the way back to the castle towers, leaving Ostel with a friendly kiss on the cheek before heading up to her room.