Black Phoenix Heir

Chapter 94: Chapter 94 — Slow Mornings

Chapter 94 — Slow Mornings

Victor woke the following morning to the familiar ache spreading throughout his body.

He remained still for a moment, staring at the wooden ceiling above him.

His injuries were far from healed, but there was a noticeable difference compared to yesterday.

He swung his legs over the edge of the hammock and carefully stood.

It hurt.

But he was standing.

Victor took a few cautious steps around the room, testing his body.

Much better.

Monkasa would be busy for most of the day, so Victor knew he probably wouldn’t see him much. That gave him plenty of time to settle back into the routine he had planned while recovering.

There was always something to work on.

Still, before beginning, Victor decided he wanted to take a walk.

He needed to clear his head.

Victor walked over to the small water basin in the corner of the room. He scooped some water into his hands and slowly washed his face before slicking his damp hair backward.

Afterward, he picked up one of the robes Monkasa had brought him.

The robe was a deep blue, with intricate black flames embroidered throughout the fabric. The designs curled around the sleeves and continued across the chest and back, each flame seemingly woven into the robe rather than simply painted onto it.

Victor ran his fingers across the material.

The craftsmanship was impressive.

The Lava Rock Monkeys clearly had a talent for working with their hands. Between the enormous treehouses, bridges, furniture, and now this robe, Victor was beginning to appreciate just how much their culture valued craftsmanship.

He slipped it on.

It fit surprisingly well.

Victor smiled.

”Not bad.”

He stepped outside.

The morning air was cool and fresh, carrying the faint warmth of the surrounding fire-rich environment. Luminescent stones filtered through the enormous trees above, slipping between the branches and illuminating sections of the wooden walkways.

Victor began walking.

After several minutes, Victor reached a part of the settlement he hadn’t seen before.

A large open field stretched beneath the trees.

Benches surrounded the grassy area, while elevated gardens had been built into the massive branches above. Colorful plants grew throughout them, adding splashes of life to the earthy surroundings.

For a moment, Victor simply stared.

It reminded him of a park back on Earth.

Victor slowly made his way toward one of the benches and lowered himself onto it.

His body still protested every movement.

He leaned back and took a deep breath.

Fresh air filled his lungs.

Then he heard laughter.

Victor opened his eyes.

Several young Lava Rock Monkeys were running across the field.

”Tag!”

”You didn’t touch me!”

”Yes, I did!”

”You’re lying!”

The second child immediately took off after the first.

Victor couldn’t help but laugh.

More children joined them, darting across the grass with carefree expressions.

Victor watched them for a while.

There was something beautiful about it.

Their laughter carried through the trees, mixing with the sounds of the village around them.

Victor smiled.

I hope they never lose this.

That innocence.

That ability to enjoy something as simple as running through a field without worrying about what tomorrow would bring.

Victor had spent so much of his life looking forward.

The next breakthrough.

The next battle.

The next mystery.

It was strange to sit still and simply watch life happen.

But he liked it.

A few more children entered the field.

Six of them gathered together.

After a brief discussion, one of the children stepped forward.

He closed his eyes.

”I’m counting!”

The other five immediately scattered.

He watched as the children disappeared behind trees, benches, and bushes.

The boy in the center continued counting.

”...Eight! Nine! Ten!”

Victor chuckled quietly.

Then something caught his attention.

An elderly female Lava Rock Monkey was walking along the edge of the field.

Her hair had been carefully arranged, with a decorative hair needle holding part of it in place. The style reminded Victor of something from old Japanese paintings he’d once seen on Earth.

She walked slowly, enjoying the morning.

One of the children suddenly darted across her path.

The little monkey passed directly beneath her arm, causing her to stumble.

She nearly fell.

”You darn kids!” she shouted. ”Watch where you’re going!”

The child immediately turned around.

”I’m sorry!”

”Sorry, ma’am!”

The others called out apologies as well before disappearing behind a tree.

The old woman shook her head.

But Victor noticed the small smile forming on her face.

She continued walking.

Then, instead of leaving the park, she made her way toward Victor.

She lowered herself onto the bench beside him with a quiet sigh.

”Ah,” she said. ”You must be the human everybody’s been talking about.”

Victor smiled.

”Yeah. My name’s Victor.”

”Ah. Nice to meet you, Victor.”

She extended a hand.

”My name is Jackie.”

Victor shook it gently.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jackie.”

Jackie looked out over the field.

Then she glanced at Victor.

”So tell me, boy. What are you doing sitting here? Usually this is something only old people do.”

Victor laughed.

He looked toward the children.

”I haven’t made much progress with a new technique. I figured it might be good to clear my head for a little while.”

Jackie nodded thoughtfully.

”Ah. You’re a wise one.”

Victor raised an eyebrow.

”Really?”

”Most youngins don’t understand that.”

She rested her hands on her knees.

”Sometimes, when you’re searching for enlightenment, clearing your head is the biggest step toward finding it.”

Victor smiled.

”That makes sense.”

Jackie looked at him again.

”So, how’s your mind?”

Victor thought about it and then he looked across the field.

The children were still running around.

One had apparently been discovered and was now chasing the others.

Victor’s smile grew.

”Yeah.”

He took a slow breath.

”It feels a lot better.”

”Good.”

Jackie gave him a motherly nod.

”Don’t let yourself become too stressed all the time.”

Jackie’s voice softened.

”If you spend every moment worrying about the next thing, you’ll never get to enjoy the moment you’re actually living in.”

Victor remained quiet.

”Sometimes you just have to sit down,” she continued. ”Enjoy the air. Watch the youngins play. Let your mind rest.”

She gestured toward the field.

”You don’t always need the next extreme adventure.”

Victor laughed softly.

”It’s like you know me.”

Jackie smiled.

”You’re young. That’s what young people do.”

Victor nodded.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

They simply watched the children.

Victor found himself appreciating the silence.

Eventually, Victor looked toward the sky.

”I think it’s about time I head back.”

Jackie turned toward him.

Victor slowly stood.

”I think I’m ready to get back to my training.”

Jackie smiled.

”Good boy.”

She gave him another motherly nod.

”Just don’t forget to take breaks when you need them.”

Victor smiled.

”Yes, ma’am. I won’t.”

He turned and began walking back toward his house.

The walk was slow.

His injuries still made every step uncomfortable, but his mind felt lighter than it had in days.

Maybe Jackie was right.

Maybe sometimes stepping away was just as important as pushing forward.

When Victor finally reached his house, he stepped inside and sat down for a moment.

His thoughts felt clearer.

And with that clarity came another thought.

Why not try?

Victor stood.

His body immediately protested.

He ignored it.

He moved into an open space and raised his hands.

If his body could only handle a little training, then he would only train a little.

Victor took a breath.

He remembered Monkasa’s movements.

The strange rhythm.

The three steps.

The way energy had been drawn toward the fist like a tornado.

Victor placed one foot forward.

Step.

Another.

Step.

Then the third.

Step.

Something changed.

Victor’s eyes widened.

Energy began moving.

It gathered around his body before being pulled toward his fist.

The sensation was faint at first.

Then it grew stronger.

A tiny vortex began forming around his hand.

Victor stared at it.

A tornado...

He had finally done it.

His heart began beating faster.

He tried to maintain the flow.

The vortex grew slightly larger.

Then pain shot through his injured body.

Victor’s concentration broke.

The energy dispersed instantly.

The small tornado vanished.

Victor staggered backward and grabbed his side.

”Damn.”

His breathing became heavier.

His body wasn’t ready.

Not yet.

But Victor couldn’t stop smiling.

He had done it.

For the first time, he had successfully begun drawing the energy into his fist.

He looked down at his hand.

Then smiled.

”Finally.”