ACROPHOBIA: Fear of heights

Two weeks had passed.

Two weeks of complete suffering and pain.

My daily routine was simple. I woke up six every morning for training with Lux and Ignis which, of course, included argument and fighting over irrelevant topics. I spent the first thirty minutes listening to them exchange rude words. Most of the time, I spent the thirty minutes unraveling the girly mysteries I had in my room.

Then, we'd go outside for proper training. Sometimes, they made me run round the forest repeatedly while they ate snacks or played around. Either ways, they always made sure they had their eyes on me to ensure I wasn't running too far away from them.

After that, I would lift heavy logs of wood to strengthen my noodle arms as Ignis would call it. Lux was always there to help me during this session. It was fascinating to see him carry so many logs of heavy wood at once. Usually, I carried just one while he carried two larger ones.

After two weeks, Axel had decided it was time for him to train me.

Ignis and Lux didn't wake me up for training but I did on my own. I guess it was because my body was used to waking up so early. As soon as my eyes fluttered open, I closed them back and spent an additional three hours sleeping.

I wasn't surprised Axel didn't come to wake me up. He had his way of being different from the rest so it wasn't unusual for him to be unique. I didn't waste the opportunity. It was was break from waking up early to listen to an adult argue with a teenager.

Minutes after nine, I had to get up and get ready. I did my normal routines and dressed in a simple white top, blue jeans and a pair of sneakers. Unlike my normal training with Lux and Ignis, I had no idea on what to wear. Normally, i'd dress in sweatpants and tan top because I knew they would get wet and dirty sooner or later but I didn't know how Axel wanted me to dress. At least, I was comfortable in jeans.

I followed the aroma of pancakes and toast till I got to counter where Ignis was having breakfast without Lux. Axel was making more food while Ignis shoved them down his throat

"Good morning to you too" I said to no one in particular. "Thanks for the greetings"

"You're welcome honey" Ignis replied, taking a sip of his tea which reminds me, what is it with him and tea?

"Where's Lux"

"He went to get us our wedding rings"

"What?"

"Just kidding" He laughed "Geez, if you want us to get married, just say so"

I didn't think twice before taking away his lovely jug of tea. He didn't understand what I was doing till I went over to the sink and emptied its content.

"NO!" He yelled, running over to the sink "My baby!"

"I'm sorry, my hand must've slipped" I said sarcastically and left him alone as he mourned the loss of his dear tea. How pitiful?

"You intentionally did that" He whispered "I saw you"

"Calm down boy, it's just tea"

"You wouldn't understand" He whispered but this time he made it sound like he was actually hurt.

Okay, it was getting awkward and he was making me feel very guilty already. I mean, his voice was all low. He made it look like I murdered his entire family and walked away. The way he was frozen in one position, starring at the remain of his tea just made me feel more guilty. I would've understood if it were to be chicken but it was just tea. Axel could've made him another one if he just asked.

"I'm sorry. Should I make you another one?"

"What is done is done"

"I'm sorry"

"You just ruined my breakfast and probably my life" He said, running his fingers through his hair. As much as I wanted to ignore him for all his drama, I was also at fault for pouring his tea down the drain.

"I didn't mean to_"

"Save it" He cut me off, placing his hand on his chest.

Just then, Lux walked looking all sweaty. His black top stuck to his body like a second skin. It outlined his muscular chest and tight pack. Thank God it wasn't see through.

His hair was damp and ruffled from whatever his previous activity was. Beads of sweat dropped from his face down to his neck. His arm muscles bulged out of his top a towel draped over his shoulder.

I had to admit, he had a very good body shape. He wasn't too muscular, neither was he slim. He was in between, the perfect physique.

"First, you take away my baby and now you're checking him out?!" Ignis wailed.

"I'm not"

"Of course she was" Lux grinned "She's not at fault you know"

"Oh shut up" I said "I wasn't checking you out and I'm sorry for taking your baby away. Please let's eat in peace. One word you both will never understand"

"Wow" Ignis started "Thanks mom"

"I'll take away your pancakes"

*~*~*~*~*~*

We'd been walking for minutes, if not hours.

Axel didn't look tired, neither did he break a single sweat. He kept his hands behind him as he lead me through the forest. It didn't look like we were going anywhere. It felt like we were going in circles. All I saw were burnt trees.

Axel, on the other hand, looked like he knew exactly where we were going.

I didn't get it. What was the point of walking deep into the forest when we could've done it inside.

"We're here" Axel said and took a halt. I breathed out a loud sigh and stopped right beside him.

It was a river. A very large one.

The water moved with so much pressure, it looked like it could carry a building away. The water was a bit darker than normal colourless feature of water. It looked a but dirty from a distance but with a  closer look, it would be seen it was the dark colour of the soil beneath it.

The river demarcated two lands. There was no way a sane person would try to swim his way through the water so I guessed it was kept there as geographical boundaries.

A slim log of long wood was placed in between, probably to aid movement to the other side but it was far too dangerous. First, it was too thin, it only had space for one leg at a time and second, it looked like it would break.

"Beautiful isn't it" Axel brought me back to reality.

"Actually, no. It isn't"

"Do you know why you're being trained?" He asked, shoving his hands in his pocket.

"No"

"Did you care to ask?"

"No"

"Why?"

I'd never been so confused. I didn't know what to say. He was right. I had no idea why I was being trained. I'd been spending my time working out for a reason I wasn't familiar with and I didn't even bother to ask.

I probably was taken away by all the fun I had with them, I didn't even ask the reason why. I'd spent eight years of my life waking up to see the same people, same room, same boring life. I had no where to go so I had no choice than to stay with them. Yes, Lux said something about me being their only hope bit after that conversation, i didn't dwell more on the topic. Spending my time with them made me feel a million times better than I did.

I didn't ask why they gave me this huge favour.

"I don't know"

"Well, would you like to know?"

"Yeah"

"That's a story for tonight" He said "Follow me"

He started making his way towards the wood. I already knew I was not going to like what was about to happen. I definitely didn't want to risk my life by placing a foot on that wood.

"What are you doing?"

"Follow me" He repeated. "You chose me to train you, didn't you?"

I did, and it seems like i'm about to regret that decision.

He placed his first foot on the wood and then the second. I was right behind him, watching him take his first steps. It looked like he was used to it already. The way he balanced know it was like he was walking on the ground.

"Come on" He said and held out his hand. I took one last glance at the running water. It screamed extreme injuries and death, something I'd avoided for years.

It's now or never.

I took his hand in mine and placed my first foot on the plank. I felt it wobble a bit beneath me but Axel gave me a reassuring look like he had my life held tight in his arms.

I had a feeling I was going to regret it. Axel didn't look so trustworthy. It would've been better if It was Lux and Ignis. At least, I knew they wouldn't risk their lives for training.

I placed my second foot on it, feeling the cold breeze hit me. The breeze was enough to make me lose my balance but I balanced my weight evenly.

I took slow and steady steps behind him as he walked like he had done it a million times.

He took a halt when we got to the middle of the plank. At that point, I could feel the strength of the wind and noise from the running water.

"Now what?!"

"Jump!"

"What?! Are you crazy?! There's no way I'm gonna jump"

Before I knew it, I lost my balance.

He pushed me.