Acheron in Tensura

The courtyard of the palace was not as alive as always with the sounds of silence. Milim and Acheron faced each other, the energy between them crackling with intensity. Milim's fists were clenched, her eyes burning with determination, while Acheron stood calmly, her katana sheathed at her side.

"Come on, Auntie Acheron! I'm ready for you!" Milim shouted, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Acheron nodded slightly, her stoic expression unchanged. "Begin."

Milim launched herself forward, her fists blazing. "Drago Punch!" she screamed, aiming a powerful blow at Acheron's midsection.

Acheron sidestepped effortlessly, her movements fluid and precise. Milim spun around, her foot sweeping low. "Drago Kick!"

Acheron leapt over the attack, landing lightly a few feet away. "You need to be faster, Milim," she said, her tone calm and measured.

"Drago Uppercut!" Milim roared, leaping into the air with her fist aimed at Acheron's chin. Acheron bent backward, avoiding the strike by mere inches.

"Drago Elbow!" Milim continued, driving her elbow downwards as she descended. Acheron slid to the side, the ground cracking beneath the force of Milim's missed strike.

Acheron moved with blinding speed, closing the distance and tapping Milim on the forehead with her finger. "You're too predictable."

Growling with frustration, Milim charged again. "Drago Breath!" She exhaled a torrent of fiery energy, the ground beneath her sizzling with the heat.

Acheron didn't flinch. She moved like a blur, reappearing behind Milim. "Drago Spin!" Milim shouted, swinging around with a spinning kick. Acheron ducked, narrowly avoiding the attack.

"Drago Slam!" Milim leapt into the air, bringing both fists down in a hammering motion. Acheron caught her wrists effortlessly, pushing her back gently but firmly.

Milim stumbled back, her eyes narrowing. "I'll show you predictable!" She gathered her strength, her aura flaring with power. "Dragoooo Busteeeer!"

A blue orb formed above her head, growing larger and more intense. Milim hurled it towards Acheron, the explosion spreading out in a wide area. "Did I get her?" she shouted, her voice echoing through the courtyard.

As the smoke cleared, Acheron's stoic voice cut through the air. "What did I tell you about using that attack?"

Milim's eyes widened as Acheron emerged unscathed, the hilt of her katana in her hand. Acheron moved swiftly, bringing the hilt down on Milim's head with a gentle but firm thump. A large bump formed instantly, and Milim winced, rubbing her head. "Ouch, Auntie Acheron!"

Acheron looked at her with a rare hint of a smile. "You are ready."

Milim's eyes lit up with joy. "Really? I'm ready?" She started jumping up and down, her previous frustration forgotten. "Yes! Yes! I'm finally ready!" She dashed off to pack her things, calling out, "Little friend, come on! We're going on an adventure!"

A tiny dragon, created by Veldenava, flitted around her, chirping excitedly. As Milim gathered her belongings, Luminous appeared next to Acheron, her expression thoughtful.

"Do you think it's wise to let her travel on her own?" Luminous asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Acheron closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, her gaze steady. "She is more than ready."

Luminous sighed but nodded in agreement. "I hope you're right."

Milim, now fully packed and brimming with excitement, ran back to Acheron and Luminous. "I'm ready to go! This is going to be so much fun!"

Acheron placed a hand on Milim's shoulder. "Remember what you've learned. What do you do when someone says something that irritates you?"

"Emmm, punch them, right?"

A small but genuine smile blossomed on Acheron's face. "Take care of yourself."

Milim nodded enthusiastically. "I will! Thank you, Auntie Acheron. And thank you, Auntie Luminous."

With a final hug, Milim set off on her journey, her tiny dragon companion fluttering beside her. Luminous watched her go, a mixture of pride and worry in her eyes. "She's grown so much," she murmured.

Acheron nodded. "Yes. She has."

As Milim disappeared into the horizon, Acheron and Luminous stood side by side, knowing that no matter where her journey took her, Milim would always carry the lessons and the love they had given her.

A slight smile appeared on Luminous's face. "I never knew that the stoic Acheron could smile like that."

Acheron touched her mouth. "Smile? Did I really do that?"

Luminous came a little closer to Acheron. "I really liked that smile. It suits you. You should smile more."

---

That evening, the palace was quieter than usual. The dining hall, usually filled with Milim's lively chatter and boundless energy, seemed almost empty. Acheron and Luminous sat across from each other at a long table, their meals untouched.

Luminous picked at her food, her thoughts far away. "It's strange, isn't it? The silence."

Acheron nodded. "Yes. It feels... different."

Luminous sighed. "I never thought I'd miss her constant interruptions and wild antics."

Acheron glanced at Luminous, her expression thoughtful. "She brought a lot of life into this place."

The two women ate in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. The absence of Milim was palpable, a reminder of how much she had come to mean to them.

Finally, Luminous spoke, her voice soft. "Do you think she'll be alright out there? Alone?"

Acheron nodded slowly. "She will. She's strong, and she's learned a lot. But more importantly, she has a good heart. That will guide her."

Luminous smiled faintly. "You're right. She'll be fine."

As they finished their meal, the silence of the palace seemed to settle around them. 

(End of a chapter)