Carolyn
*Olivia watched in amazment at this god she often loved coming to the branches to see new godliness come about from the tree. No single god was the same so it was amazing to her, to see new life.*

*She watched as the sword god was born and then she stood there waiting for her to take notice, when she didn't Olivia made a point to introduce herself.*

"Hello I am Olivia god of fire, truth and hearth and who are you?*
Shirley
At the sound of her voice, the new god turned and stared her way with innocent, curious eyes. A flicker of confusion passed across their features, and then a dawning realization. *Words. Speech. Communication.* At once they stood up straight, and then bowed politely before the red-haired goddess.

"I am Ittou, the Sword." Their voice was soft and gentle, with a faint hint of an accent that was difficult to place. "It is my honour to meet you, Lady Olivia. You are very beautiful." When they raised their head, the young god was smiling. Their compliment may have seemed overly forward or flattering, but in truth it was completely guileless: Ittou could hardly have lied if their life depended on it.
Carolyn
*Olivia looked at her and the she nodded her head.*

"Nice to meet you Ittou, though I do wonder why you call yourself a sword. What is your story? Or do you remember?"

*As she finished talking she stopped her questions, remembering to take it slow for the God had just been born. Bombarding it with questions may be overwhelming, the last thing she needed was to scare the girl away.*
Shirley
"Hm?" Again, that flicker of confusion. Talking was so strange! Why would Olivia ask them something so plain to see? Ittou did not fully understand, but nonetheless strove to answer, for they had nothing at all to hide.

"I call myself Sword because I am one." They gestured at their own body, as though that explained everything. "Just as you are the Fire, my Lady. My tale is but a simple one: I was forged, I did battle, and then I was left to rest once my purpose was done. It is the most a humble blade could ever ask for." They looked away for just a moment, seeming almost sad.

It quickly passed, however, and the young god soon sprang into the air again. With a single leap, graceful as a flying dove, they touched down right in front of Olivia, so close she could reach out and touch them if she so wished. Whatever Ittou felt in her presence, it certainly wasn't fear.

"Lady Olivia—will you share with me what you know? I have only felt the touch of fire on the day I was forged, and hardly ever after. The fierce flame intrigues me, but I cannot grasp its nature, nor how it dances with such flowing ease." Surely she, a bright flame herself, would have some inkling of an answer to this.
Carolyn
Olivia listened and then, she had a look of confusion and concern. She couldn't wrap her head around a sword becoming a god... This was beyond her imagination yet here they were standing before her. 

"I'll share what I know but you have to share what you know in exchange. Fire is unpredictable but predictable all at the same time, you don't know where it will go, or how much it will consume. There's always a constant with fire, it's flame is fanned by wind like water to a plant or food to a human. Wind fuels the fire to make it hoter and brighter. I do not know how hot the fire was that was used to forge you but I can imagine it was quite hot probably stoked by wind. There's another constant fire needs wood as much as it does air. This is how fire is u predictable yet predictable at the same time."

*Olivia gave a pause and took ittous hand and she looked in her eyes*

"Now tell me how do I become good at wielding a sword, teach me the ways of the sword. I hate being weak but when I am holding a sword I feel as weak as an ant to a bird, I sought you out fir this very purpose."

Letting go of her hand Olivia quickly got down on her knees, clasped her hands together, and bowed. She said "Please consider my request I beg you."
Shirley
Ittou absorbed her words with rapt fascination, their mind already filled with vivid images of fire and wood and wind. The elements intertwined, feeding each other and growing together—this was a principle the young god could both comprehend and apply in practice.

Before they could thank red-haired Olivia for her kindness, however, they felt her tender grasp upon their hand, and found the elder goddess gazing back at them. The gesture took Ittou by surprise, that much was clear, but they did not flinch nor shy away: their rose-coloured irises stared straight back at her as though they could see all the way into her soul.

"Raise your head, Lady Olivia." They reached down to offer her their slender hand once more. "You need not plead to me—I would never turn away one willing to learn. Truly you are the fire itself, for you have warmed my heart." Again that small, delicate smile she'd seen before.

"But to learn swordsmanship, one must first wield a sword. Do you carry one, dearest student?"
Carolyn
Taking her hand she stood up and smiled gently at her, thank you it means alot to me.

"Yes I do I currently have a simple sword embued with fire though when I become strong enough I will make a sword that will have a phenix attatched to it (already created the phenix) and embued with fire. So yes my desire to learn to wield a sword is for a legitimate reason my dear."

```current sword```
Shirley
"Then we may begin." Ittou took a step back, drew in a deep breath, and lifted one foot off the ground. 

*"Hoh!"* They exhaled all at once, and fiercely stomped their foot down upon the bark of Gaia's branch. At once, the essence of creation unfurled around them, and in the blink of an eye the two gods were standing in an old-fashioned dojo with smooth wooden floors. A gentle light filtered through the paper-layered windows, which illuminated their training ground while still allowing the two a measure of privacy.

Ittou now held a wooden *Bokken* Training sword in hand. "Watch, and do as I do! This is your first lesson: swordsmanship starts with the feet!"

As they spoke, they slid their left foot backward and raised their heel just slightly off the ground. Their spine stood straight, their shoulders squared and knees bent, and they held their *Bokken* With the right hand up near the guard and the left hand at the very base of the hilt. The 'blade' of the sword pointed up at a diagonal, as though aimed straight between the eyes of an unseen opponent.

"With a proper stance, you will never be caught off guard. Your balance is crucial, and the positioning of your feet is even more important than the angle of your blade. This is *Chudan-no-kamae,* The middle stance, and the seed from which all others spring!"

It may have been a little amusing to hear their soft voice speak with such sudden enthusiasm, but their confidence was well-founded. Standing there, Ittou seemed as sturdy as an oak, able to hold their ground against any assault—yet before Olivia's eyes, with a deft one-two step, they slid forward quick as a darting fish.
Carolyn
*Olivia's felt lightheaded from the teleportation that suddenly happened, she looked around and they were in a dojo a place she's always wanted to be.*

*As she listened to ittou she did what they said and maintained the same stance and she felt empowered like she could take on anyone. Just as she was getting cocky Ittou darted forward and she quickly paried her as she did. Her senses were suddenly heightened in this stance she even was aware of her peripheral vision.*

"This stance did make it so much easier to see your feet move before you even lunged forward." 

*Olivia stumbled back and felt herself lightheaded again as she was still feeling the effects of teleporting.*

"I'm sorry I need to rest, I am still dizzy from teleporting I need 5 minutes to rest."

She sits on the ground cross legged, closes her eyes and refocuses her mind by meditating on the flame within. As she does she feels the dizziness subside and she refocuses all her attention on her surroundings what she can smell, hear and feel.

*Olivia stands up once more, clearly more focused and takes her stance again with her foot back, slightly raised and her knees bent.*

"Continue, I apologize for my weakness"
Shirley
"You need not ask forgiveness. Knowing and accepting your own limits, caring for your body and soul—these too are important for your growth." When she opened her eyes, Olivia would find Ittou doing a one-handed handstand in front of her. They soon flipped back up into their stance and fixed their eyes on her once more. "You learn very quickly. Now, watch how I strike."

They stood just out of range, beyond the reach of Olivia's arms and sword—but another quick step brought them suddenly forwards again. At the same time as they moved into range, their grip on the *Bokken* Shifted, so that the wooden blade swung up and then snapped back down in a lightning-quick strike at the top of Olivia's head. The god had only moved their arms slightly, but each tiny change in the position of their hands on the hilt made the point of the sword carve a path through the air, producing a powerful attack with minimal time and effort.

Once again, the fire goddess would need to try and parry. Even if she failed, though, Ittou would stop their blow before it could bring her any harm. Then, before she could retaliate, the sword god stepped back as quickly as they'd advanced, retreating outside of her sword's reach.

"We do not wait until we are close to attack. We choose the right moment, and strike in time with our advancing step! And then, when they try to catch us—" They took another small step backwards, with a hint of a mischievous grin. "—We go where they cannot reach, and cannot do us harm. Thus does a warrior control distance, and decide the flow of the fight."
Carolyn
*Olivia opened her eyes to see ittou in a one hand stand and her mouth dropped open, she couldn't believe the balance and agility of this god.*

*She stood up quickly and took her stance as the blow came she was confused, she used her fire skills to propelle herself backwards ```not hurting ittou``` and avoided the attack. Out of breath she looked at ittou as if she was crazy* "Your quick ill admit that... But yes lesson learned."
Shirley
"Mmm-hm. I knew you'd pick it up." The small god looked very pleased by her response, even if they'd come close to getting singed. "That's the first lesson: footwork and distancing. Next we'll work on strikes and defense, and then... Ah, one thing at a time."

They turned away from her, and once more brandished their *Bokken* In the basic stance. "I already showed you the center-line cut to the head, but you can attack it from the left and right, as well. Like this." Again their wooden sword rose and fell, a pair of smooth slashes from either side. This time Ittou acted slowly, so that Olivia could more easily see the careful, laser-precise movements behind each simple technique. Their right hand, positioned near the guard, was key: first it *Pulled* On the hilt to move the blade into position, and then it *Pushed* Forward to swing the cutting edge out at the target. Ittou didn't fight against the weight of their sword, but used it in tandem with their body, adding their own strength to the innate force of the falling blade.

"The sword is not just a weapon. For a true master, it becomes a partner as well. You both seek to cut down your enemy, but neither of you can do so alone." They showed her another set of slowed-down strikes, aimed at the shoulders and midsection. "That is why you learn the weight of your sword. You practice, and study how it responds to you. When you know it as well as you know yourself, then the two of you will dance together as one." They demonstrated a final pair of moves: long-reaching thrusts pointed at the chest and throat. "Try these strikes for yourself. However many times it takes, until they feel natural for you."
Carolyn
"Olivia nodded thank you I will practice these moves. I will have to get used to this particular sword because it'll be the one that is forged and enhanced Into the sword I dream it to be."

*Olivia then got her stance and quickly raised her sword and clashed it down quickly on the wooden training post. She then did the side cuts though she found those more difficult, she kept loosing her balance with the side cuts. Each time she lost her balance her anger would flare harder until, there were flames engulting her body and eyes. Finally she gave a frustrating cry and walked outside, for if she sat down she'd catch the whole dojo on fire and that's the last thing she needed. She needed tome to calm down, she also needed to improve her balance that much was true. She didn't understand how a sword could become a part of you, it felt so foreign and separate from herself. In a frustrated yell she stomped her foot, "I DON'T GET IT!" She then began to get an idea she needed to get to know her sword and get balance.*

"No I do get it now I need some time to get to know my sword because right now we are strangers. It doesn't know me and I don't know it. I also can't keep my balance, *She looked at ittou* Is there something I can do to gain balance?"

*By now her flames were just back to her eyes showing she was still mildly frustrated.*
Shirley
She really was entertaining to watch, this goddess. Ittou could understand her frustrations, though: even if Olivia picked things up quickly, it would take time and painstaking effort to reach the level where she wanted to be.

"I think... Before you try and balance your body, you should start with balancing your mind." Ittou gave her an innocent shrug. "I like your fire, and your passion. They're a part of what makes you you. But if you're not at peace, if you can't control the blazing anger inside, then how can you expect your body to do what you want it to?"
Carolyn
*Olivia looked at ittou and thought about what she said, as she pondered she got discouraged.* 

"I am the god of fire trying to contain my mind and emptiness is impossible. Possibly it would be better to channel them."
Shirley
"And you are goddess of the hearth as well, are you not?" Ittou came closer. They stared at the flickering flame in Olivia's eyes, expression serious. "What is a hearth, if not fire contained? The wild flames of the forest rage out of control, but within the fireplace, they burn only where they need to."

They circled around her now, thoughtful, considering the problem before them. "If you wish to channel your nature, then first learn to harness it. To keep that fire burning inside you, without lashing out at the outside world. Only when the moment is right—at the very instant you swing your sword—should the full breadth of your fury be expressed."
Carolyn
*Olivia pondered what she said as she sat down, she was good at cooking and controlling the heat just enough to cook what she needed. Possibly she could do the same for her emotions? She thought about it over and over till she suddenly jumped up and exclaimed* 

"I GOT IT! I'll just channel my flames into the sword as I wait for the moment to strike. Does this satisfy your request Master?"
Shirley
"Why don't we find out?" The slender god fell still, and watched her carefully. "You've arrived at your answer, dearest student. Now put it to the test. *Show me."*

With those words, the air around them went quiet and icy calm. No distractions, no interruptions: only Olivia and her sword, and the observing eyes of the one who would judge their worth.
Carolyn
*Olivia remembered when she was a young god just born she fought a god who she hadn't met since then. But she remembered focusing her anger and frustration into the sword and making the fire blaze hotter and so she planned to do just that.*

*Olivia focused on her fire then she willed it to go to her sword, the sword caught fire. As she thought of the emotion of anger and equated it to fire in her mind as she felt the anger make her flames around her burn she redirected her anger and fire to the sword. Without moving she felt the flames leap from the sword and they grew stronger as her anger did. She got into stance and struck the dummy post from an angle keeping perfect balance as she was perfectly focused and almost in a meditative state. As she did a sideways chop and cut the dummy post in half, she returned to standing normally as she looked at Ittou.*

"I showed you, and I unintentionally cut the dummy post in half we need a new one"
Shirley
"You did." A faint pink blush had spread across Ittou's cheeks. Their eyes closed, and they bowed their head to her with a smile. "That was a truly fearsome cut, my Lady. You must have quite the wind in your soul, for your flames to burn so hot."

They lifted their head, then, and raised one silvery eyebrow. "...Tell me, do you still feel weak?"
Carolyn
*She looked at Ittou* "No I feel stronger than I ever have before thank you. I would like to continue training on other techniques if that is ok with you. Also yes there's always and inferno burning in me it's been a struggle to contain it but this move that I did allowed me to take the pressure off of controlling it it gave me a place to channel the flame. So thank you very much I want to learn more."
Shirley
"An inferno..." Ittou looked right back at her with their signature curiosity. "I am learning many things about you too, dear student. You have your own way of fighting, your own principles... In time, you will develop your own style, a sword as sharp as the sun."

As they made this pronouncement, they straightened, and once more held forth their *Bokken* In the basic stance. "First, however, we must further cover the fundamentals. If you would grow stronger still, then carve these into your memory."

Their sword slid through the air like quicksilver, and in the blink of an eye they had switched into a different stance. Their feet were placed the same as before, but now their blade was held low, with the point resting just below knee level. *"Gedan-no-kamae,* The low stance. The guard drops to expose the body like an open door—but if an unwary fish takes the bait, it may slam shut just as fast." To demonstrate, they snapped the sword back up into a defensive position quick as a blink, then made an immediate riposte to cleave through their imaginary opponent. "From *Gedan,* We may also thrust forward, and pierce the foe's heart from the furthest possible range." They returned their wooden sword to its low position, and then stabbed it forward twice to demonstrate. Their first thrust *Snapped* Aloud as it shattered the sound barrier; their second one moved slow as molasses so Olivia could watch it in detail.

_ _
"Next, *Jodan-no-kamae."* They switched footing, and brought their left foot forward this time. Now they held their sword brandished high in the air, with the hilt above their head and the point behind them. "The high stance. In the right hands, its strike is powerful enough to break mountains." With a sharp cry, they lunged forward at a training post and slammed their blade down at the empty air. Even without hitting anything, the sheer force of the swing kicked up a fierce wind that blew through Olivia's hair. "Be cautious, however: a high sword leaves the body and neck open to attack, and a crafty enemy will pierce your throat before you can fulfill your threat. Draw not only on your strength, but also on your wisdom to know when the time is right."

_ _
With their left foot still in front, they brought the guard of the wooden sword up to the level of their jawline, with the point aimed high at the sky and angled slightly behind their head. *"Hassho-no-kamae,* The stance of many directions. From here you may strike at any angle, without warning; not even a skilled foe will know your true intention until the moment you make your attack." Their *Bokken* Whistled through the air in a series of cuts, aimed both high and low and from either side of the body. The sequence of their slashes was impossible to predict, a danger that enveloped the target from every direction at once like a spreading fire surrounding a hapless village.

"Last of all: the *Waki-gamae."* Their form was strange this time: left foot in front, hilt at hip level on the right side of their body, and the blade angled downward *Behind* Them. "The trickster's stance. Your sword is hidden behind your body, where it cannot be seen. Yet when the time is right—*Haaaah!"* Without warning, they showed off a powerful horizontal slash that brought the sword all the way in front of them at once. "You catch them by surprise. Use this against an enemy you have not seen before; they will not know the length of your sword, and will fail to judge the distance correctly. If they step heedlessly into your range, their fate is already sealed."

At last, they lowered their sword, and turned back towards the red-haired goddess. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on their forehead, but they still breathed light and easily. "Those are the five core positions. You found your method for attacking in *Chudan-no-kamae;* Now you must learn to channel your fire in every stance, so that each is as powerful as the last. Let me see the true potential of your flames, in all the forms of your swordsmanship."
Carolyn
*Olivia paused it all seemed too daunting so much to learn at once... She went through each sword strike with the phenix being summoned each time. Each time she told it to sit on another post and wait, for one day the phenix would be needed. Each day she trained heavily and she got better at her uppercuts the lower cuts the side cuts and the total slash. By the end of the week she was able to destroy a dummy in seconds due to her doing all the cuts on it with her fire.*
Shirley
Cycles passed, godstars wheeled through the sky high above, and Ittou happily remained by their student's side. From time to time the sword god would come up to Olivia and gently correct her posture, or whisper soft words of advice, but for the most part they simply stood back and watched with a growing sense of pride. Practice and dedication were the best teachers of all, and the goddess of fire showed an admirable discipline in her efforts.

From time to time Ittou would stop her for a break, and conjure up a light meal for the two of them, most often rice and soup and delicious white fish followed by warm tea in gleaming white cups. On each occasion, the sword god would ask Olivia more about her domains, and the realm of Etna, and everything she knew about the world. Their curiosity seemed boundless, and they devoured every scrap of information with a hunger that rivaled the blazing fire itself. They would often sit in quiet meditation while she trained, and cast out their mind to observe all creation, including the other gods and mortals who dwelt within it.

At the end of the week, as the latest training dummy crashed to the floor in a dozen neatly severed pieces, Ittou suddenly called a halt to her training. "Hold now, dearest student; I've seen enough."

They stood in front of her, and briefly bowed before they addressed her in a formal tone. "You have worked with utmost discipline, and your basic techniques are a delight to my eyes. In all the many realms, I could have found no better pupil." A fleeting smile, and then their expression turned deadly serious. 

"Nevertheless, no sword art can truly be called strong until it shows its worth in battle. Lady Olivia, will you allow me to put your efforts to the test?"
Carolyn
*Olivia got serious as she looked at her master, her teacher, she didn't want to hurt her... But if she went all out she would certainly die...*

"But... If I go all out master I'll kill you... I could never live with myself if I did that. What you ask of me is impossible... I say no to your challenge because I love you too much."

*The last past of what she said her voice cracked and wavered from her trying to keep from crying*
Shirley
Myriad emotions flashed across Ittou's expression with every word she spoke. Confusion, surprise, sadness, shame, and finally a pink flush of embarrassment. They cast their gaze downward, and answered with quiet remorse:

"Lady Olivia... I'm so sorry. I never thought..." Their slender hands pressed together over their heart. "Forgive me; for I have been a fool. Your love is a gift more precious than any other, and I nearly overlooked it in my ignorance." 

When they raised their head, the goddess of fire could see care and tenderness welling up in the small god's unwavering eyes. Even after all they had experienced in their past life, they remained a novice when it came to the secrets of the heart. All they could do was accept her feelings as they were, and perhaps reciprocate in their own peculiar way.

"If you would allow me..." They spoke hesitantly, unsure of their own emotions. "...May I cherish you in return?"
Carolyn
*Olivia took ittous hand*

"Ittou you have given me the greatest gift of all, the gift of defending myself. Should I ever enter battle I'll be sure to win because of your teachings and wisdom. So yes you may cherish me how you feel fit, but just know you will always have a place in my heart." 

*With that she kissed ittous hand, and gently placed it back at her side before stepping back.*
Shirley
The sword god stared in amazement at the back of their own hand, and at the small, sweet sensation that lingered upon their skin. "It's so warm..." Like the flame of the hearth, or the light of the sun on freshly fallen snow. Compared to the heat of the forge, it was a feeling so much softer, and a dozen times more lovely.

Around them, the wooden walls and papered windows and sliced-up training dummies all blew away in the wind like so much fine silt, and the two gods were left all alone upon the branch of Gaia under the light of the many stars. Ittou stood serenely with both feet planted upon the bark, and looked up at Olivia with eyes filled with fondness.

"My first and dearest student; your lesson is over. You have acquired a wonderful art, and it is yours to do with as you with as you wish." She seemed to them a fledgeling bird, ready to take flight for the first time on her own—and perhaps the same went for Ittou as well. "Practice your forms each day, and keep seeking truth within yourself and the world around you. Grow stronger, and become a worthy master in your own right." Their head tilted to one side, and they spoke with a smile to Olivia's sword. "You too, little one. Treasure her as I do, and be sure to protect her always."
Carolyn
*Olivia smiled and then felt her phenix sword warm up and catch fire in response to her masters words. It's seemed to her that her sword had even grown fond of ittou.* 

"Thank you wish you good luck in the many adventures you will encounter."