Chaos-Two didn't dare slack off while they were in their self-exile. They returned to Draco a few times to commit to their duties, teaching Chaos-Four and taking them out to Pegasus for most of their lessons. But that wasn't all they were doing.

They'd been sorely disappointed in their spellwork as of late, what with that horrible fail with Labradorite and Zoistie ending in them very nearly blacking out. The headache had lasted for days afterward and they didn't want that to ever happen again if they could help it. Not when it was extremely important that it had to work.

So they started simple.

They slunk into the forests of Pegasus for their self-training, shadows crawling over their form sluggishly, nowhere near as fast as they wanted it to. It was a little disappointing, actually. But it was practice and they had to remember that this would make them stronger, would make their magic more reliable.

"The stronger I get, the less I have to fear," they mumbled softly, "And perhaps... Perhaps the more Vargas will respect me."

They found a small clearing that would work for what they intended and peered around, only seeing birds in the trees. Just in case, they decided to double-check before they started, in case someone were to sneak up on them.

With a quick spell, they surveyed the area, seeing only the small heartbeats of birds and mice running in the grass. Nothing that would come up and surprise them out of the blue.

Good.

Chaos-Two drew their spear out and twirled it, setting the staff on the ground with the tip pointing towards the tree line at an angle. They contemplated their known spells and decided to start small. There was no use trying to do something fantastic right away, they needed to warm up to it.

So they cast a silencing spell, one that would keep their movements quiet in case they were setting up for an ambush. Either hunting prey or gembounds. Hopefully the former, though.

They felt the magic come as expected, their footsteps making no noise as they trotted around the clearing. A smile crossed their face and they stopped, wondering what to do next. Perhaps a step up now that they'd succeeded as they wanted to?

Chaos-Two crossed their arms in thought, wondering what to do next. Maybe they could do something they'd wanted to for a while. They picked up their spear and made their way into the trees to search for a stone, something they could tie to their spear easily.

They pulled vines off of the trees and searched the ground, kicking aside leaves and larger rocks to peer beneath.

Once they found a stone they got to work tying it, wrapping vines around it to create a sort of trinket before adding it to the feathers adorning their spear. They fiddled with it, making sure the vines wouldn't loosen, tugging on it lightly.

Chaos-Two returned to the clearing and cleared their throat, touching the small stone with a finger. All they needed to do was make it glow. That was simple enough, right?

They pushed their magic into it and watched light start to radiate from the stone. A soft smile crossed their face and they stared at it for a moment more before focusing harder. A soft red-pink was produced and they couldn't help but laugh softly, immediately thinking of their sibling.

They sent Khavur an image of the stone, letting it drop and dangle. Honestly if they kept adding things to it, it would stop flying straight. Another gentle laugh and a thought of perhaps a proper spear, made of metal, maybe?

"You have made another treasure, haven't you? Glowing like the flower crowns... an excellent addition. For some reason, emanating light captures the eye. A little firefly on your spear."

Chaos-Two perked up at their sibling's voice in their head, a smile crossing their face again, "I did. I thought it would be pretty and easy to cover up if I'm trying to be sneaky. But it also reminds me of you. Your glowing eyes and your colors."

They stopped for a moment to rest, always appreciating a conversation with their sibling.

"I am practicing my magic in an attempt to become stronger," they said, "I believe I am doing well so far."

This time, they decided to leave things to chance. What would happen? What would they do? Would they make something explode, heal someone, or nothing at all?

They would have to see.

With some effort a memory came into being, a moment that had very literally determined their fate. Glass erupting from the earth in massive spikes, but the spell they summoned was slightly different.

Instead of glass erupting from the earth, particles were pulled from the ground to form sharp shards of glass. They spun around them like a tornado, dangerous and lethal before they thrust their arms out, the shards flying all around, embedding themselves into the dirt and the tree trunks, creating massive spikes all around.

Chaos-Two felt a reply and turned, listening carefully to their sibling.

The beaming smile radiating off of Khavur is palpable.

"You are a mango." What the implication here is, Khavur does not disclose. "I can join you if you desire a spar."

"It's alright, sibling," Chaos-Two said softly, "I'd actually like to practice by myself, though I wouldn't mind some time spent together later, if you're willing."

Chaos-Two carded their fingers through their quills, staring at the ground for a moment as they stuck their staff into the soft soil. They cracked their knuckles and shook themselves out, humming softly. What to do... what to do... aha! They would summon a snack to eat.

They held out their hand and a yellow banana formed in it, soft and tasty as they knew it would be. They peeled it and tossed the peel away, munching on the soft flesh inside instead. It was so soft it became stuck to the roof of their mouth, making them smack and struggle for a moment to lick it off much like a dog with peanut butter.

Khavur would call it cute, and the thought made Chaos-Two snort and shake their head in embarrassment. Perhaps when they were small and fluffy, but they weren't cute now.

... Were they?

"No you are undoubtedly adorable, you told me so yourself."

Chaos-Two bleated in protest and shook their head, snorting again, "Lies! I am not cute- I'm... fine. Perhaps I am a little cute, but don't let Master Vargas hear that."

They crossed their arms and pouted by themselves, sulking in a clearing surrounded by sharp, jagged shards of glass. If anyone found the place by the time they were done, that person would believe a battle had gone on. But no, it was just the practice of a simple soldier.

They heard laughter and puffed out their cheeks, huffing and shaking their head. Chaos-Two stood there for another minute before shaking their head and getting back to work. They were supposed to be practicing, after all.

Let's try that Dissipate spell again.

Once again the shadows rolled over their arms, slowly, sluggishly, but it wasn't good enough. With a frown on their face they shooed them away, sighing.

Not good enough.