Chapter Text
CECIL TROTTED ALONG, her hooves clicking rhythmically on the gravel path. Sponge sat slumped in the saddle, head bowed, while Vvh walked beside them, one hand steady on the reins, guiding the horse forward. The sun shone brightly behind them, casting long shadows and seeming almost to mock Sponge’s gloom.
“Sponge,” Vvh called, prompting her to lift her head and sigh softly.
“Sulking won’t help you,” Vvh admonished gently.
Sponge swallowed, her voice rough from disuse. “Sorry. Do you want to ride Cecil? I can walk,” she offered, already shifting as if to dismount. But Vvh placed a firm hand on her knee, stopping her.
“No, stay put. We’re close,” Vvh said, steering Cecil off the gravel path and into the trees.
Sponge blinked, confused. “Where are we going?” Her words came out hoarse—she hadn’t spoken much since Ji-Ho’s passing, not even during the cremation, not even when Vvh had tried to provoke her with pointed jabs and challenges.
“To train,” Vvh replied, and Sponge’s eyes widened in alarm.
“T-Training?” she echoed, as Vvh halted Cecil and placed a hand on the horse’s neck.
“Yes. Come down,” Vvh instructed, motioning for Sponge to dismount.
Sponge obeyed, nearly stumbling under the weight of her armor.
“You need to get used to the heaviness,” Vvh said, tying Cecil to a branch. “Improve your speed. Sharpen your agility. Right now you’re slower than a turtle.” Sponge bit her lip, saying nothing.
“Is this your way of saying I’ve passed as your student, or just another scheme to get me moving?” Sponge muttered, scratching the back of her head.
Vvh only hummed, cocking her head. “I want you to run down this mountain and climb back up before—” she glanced at the sun, clicking her tongue, “before noon.”
Sponge gaped. “Before noon? Do you know how tall this mountain is?”
Vvh sat on the grass, leaning against a tree as if preparing for a nap. “Better start running, then.”
With a sigh, Sponge dragged a hand down her face and hurried off, nearly stumbling as she went.
Cecil snorted and nudged Vvh, who produced an apple from her pocket. “You know me too well, Cecil,” Vvh said, amused, offering the apple, which Cecil devoured in a single bite.
Meanwhile, Sponge grumbled as she swatted aside a thin branch, making her way down the steep hill. The soil was slippery, and she nearly fell more than once. Dirt found its way into her boot, making her recoil in disgust. A stray yelp echoed through the trees as she tripped over her own feet, tumbling toward a tree and gasping for breath, heart pounding as she eyed the small stone that had sent her sprawling.
With a twitch of her eye, Sponge got up and pressed on. If descending was this difficult, what would the climb back up be like? “Oh god,” she moaned, trudging forward. Her legs already burned, and she was only going downhill—if this was the easy part, she dreaded what was to come.
She sighed, almost slipping again as she slid through loose soil. “Stupid training. Stupid mountain,” she muttered, only to let out another yell as her boot caught on a thick tree root and she tumbled again.
Vvh tilted her head to the side as Sponge stood in front of her, dirt clinging to almost every part of her body. “Who knew that you were a pig all along,” Vvh mused, while Sponge gritted her teeth, shooting daggers at the other woman. “I wouldn't be covered in dirt if it weren't for you,” Sponge huffed, pointing an accusing finger at Vvh.
“Ah ah— you’re late, redo the whole thing,” Vvh spun her finger in a circular motion as Sponge stared at her, shocked. “You want me to go back down and run back up the mountain again?” Sponge asked, blinking in disbelief.
Vvh cocked her head, “Unless you want me to throw you off the cliff, I suggest you run down there and come back up before two o'clock,” Vvh stated, Sponge lets out a yelp and dashed off, nearly slipping a few times on her way.
Vvh snickered quietly.
January 12 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)
It's been a few days since I last wrote here, so I apologize. I've come to realize that all of this is pointless the moment Vvh made me run up and down the mountain multiple times. I didn't get a break or even a chance to catch my breath. On the third time I made it up the mountain, she kicked me back down, and I was forced to make the climb again.
I was still late, so I had to go back down once more. It wasn't smooth, but it was a little easier than the first time I descended the slope. Going back up was still challenging, but I think I was faster than before.
Vvh still made me go down again, though. It was incredibly tiring, and I feel like she wants to both embarrass me and train me at the same time. I've lost count of how many times I rolled around in the dirt; I'm pretty sure there's dirt even between my toenails. And as far as I know? I was wearing socks...
Signing off,
S.
January 13 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)
I'm back again. Vvh had me go down the mountain once more and then back up. I was a few seconds late, and predictably, Vvh sent me down again! Thank goodness my head didn't hit a rock. Honestly, she can be both frustrating and terrifying. I could have easily mistaken this for her t rying to fucking kill me!
Anyway, I have no clue where all that anger came from, haha... At least I know Vvh won't be able to see these entries. But if she does, I fear running up and down the mountain won't be the end of it. I'm utterly exhausted; even writing this feels like a monumental task. My arms and legs feel like they're about to give out. I genuinely thought I might lose my legs while running up the mountain.
At this stage, the weight of my armor is barely noticeable; I just want to reach the mountain peak…
I think it's time for some rest. Vvh rises early to begin the day, and I have another full 24 hours tomorrow to run down the mountain and climb back up...
Signing off,
S.
January 14 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)
I really feel like I've finally been accepted as Vvh's student. Right now, my entire writing arm feels like it's about to fall off, but earlier she taught me how to properly use my axe—how to swing it and how to hold it. It turns out, the way I was holding it could have led to a serious accident, possibly breaking my thumb. Thank goodness that didn't happen.
Aside from the grip and swing techniques, Vvh showed me something impressive with my axe. She effortlessly cut through a thick trunk in one swing and then told me that I had to do the same…
Well, that was an impressive sight, but there's no way I'm that strong to pull off such a feat!
Despite my doubts, she had me cutting down trees. It feels like complete deforestation at this point... I don't think I'll be able to make another entry for a few days. I'm utterly exhausted, and I feel like I might fall asleep even as I write this.
Signing off,
S.
January 15-19 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)
What I mentioned around January 14 was indeed accurate. The following day, I was compelled to run down the mountain, back up, and cut trees. For the next few days, this was my sole activity. It involved running up and down the mountain, attempting to chop down a tree within a maximum of four swings, as instructed by Vvh.
It was incredibly challenging. I recall passing out once during a rainy spell near the mountain's base. Thankfully, Vvh found me and helped me back up. It turned out that I had forgotten to eat breakfast, leading to my collapse halfway. Vvh now always reminds me to eat before descending the mountain.
Initially, her concern seemed touching, until I mentioned it, and she assigned me a new task: jumping around tree branches…
What?!?! Not only do I have to run up and down the mountain and cut down countless trees, but now I also have to engage in parkour?
Save me...
Signing off,
S.
January 20-23 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)
I DID IT! Not only did I manage to climb the mountain in record time, but I also succeeded in cutting a tree with just two swings! Vvh acknowledged my accomplishment, mentioning it was good but could have been better. Well, regardless, I still pulled it off!
Regarding the parkour with the tree, I believe I'm making progress. The endurance gained from running up the mountain has significantly improved my speed, agility, and most importantly, my balance.
Vvh has resumed training me with the axe. While I haven't won a single spar against her, it has been enjoyable. She moves swiftly—faster than light itself—or maybe I'm just exceptionally slow. I can barely keep up with her movements.
She acknowledges my progress, although I sense an unspoken 'but' in her evaluations… When I expressed interest in learning other weapons besides the axe, she seemed somewhat hesitant in response. Although she didn't address my suggestion, she continued training me with the axe. I believe she might agree with my request, but for some reason, she appears hesitant to act on it.
I'm unsure if I've done something wrong or if I'm overthinking this...
Signing off,
S.
January 24-28 of XXXX, Korean Territory (The South)
Training has been progressing well, I believe. Vvh has yet to introduce me to other weapons aside from the axe. I attempted to emulate her sword-fighting style using a stick when she wasn't watching, feeling apprehensive about her potential reaction. I fear that I may have distorted her fighting technique as I feel clumsy and awkward when using the sword.
I recognize that her swordsmanship resembles that of a dancer, a skill I lack entirely. Ugh!
I've been pondering the idea that perhaps Vvh is not proficient with other weapons. However, considering her expertise with the axe, surpassing my own knowledge, this theory seems improbable. Could it be that she is simply reserved? I'm uncertain. I don't want to delve too deeply into this matter and risk upsetting her. She's already teaching me how to fight, and soon I hope to locate the god I am seeking, perhaps with Vvh's assistance.
Nevertheless, I'm hesitant about disclosing my quest to her at this stage. She doesn't strike me as someone who believes in a higher power. While this doesn't bother me, as I respect differing beliefs, I don't wish to offend her.
Signing off,
S.
SPONGE SIGHED, CLOSING HER journal and tucking it inside her hoodie. She leaned back against the tree trunk, quietly watching Vvh slice an apple by the crackling fire. Sponge bit her lip, lost in thought.
“Your training is progressing better than I anticipated,” Vvh remarked, glancing over her shoulder. Sponge scratched her head, unconvinced.
“I suppose? Is it, really?” she replied, narrowing her eyes in challenge.
Vvh, ever the provocateur, paused and handed Sponge five thin apple slices. “You seem to expect me to say something,” she observed.
Sponge accepted the slices with a nod. “Well, yeah. Besides the usual praise—it starts to feel almost patronizing,” she teased, shooting Vvh a playful glare before taking a bite.
“Would you rather I criticize your performance?” Vvh asked, genuinely puzzled.
Sponge rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No, but it feels like you’re holding something back. I know I’m doing okay. I just wish you’d give me more constructive feedback. Be a little more upfront,” she said, waving a hand before slumping with another sigh.
She hesitated, then shrugged. “Actually, you know what—forget it.” Sponge finished the last slice and stretched out on her cot, gazing up at the dark sky, propped up on one arm.
She didn’t catch Vvh’s response. Despite nearly two months together, a wall still stood between them. Grumbling, Sponge turned on her side, eyes searching the darkness encircling their camp before finally closing them.
Vvh glanced over at Sponge, curled up and already drifting off, then turned back to the fire, shaking her head and exhaling softly. The remaining apple slices grew cold in her hand. Beside her, Cecil snorted, tiny eyes fixed on the snack.
Vvh fed Cecil the slices—she wasn’t hungry, and it was better for the apples to be enjoyed than wasted. After all, they were Sponge’s catch, and Vvh knew she’d be upset if they went unused.
Settling back against the tree, Vvh’s attention was drawn to the sound of mumbling and heavy breathing. She focused on Sponge, twitching in her sleep, her leg inching dangerously close to the fire. Vvh’s eyes narrowed.
Sponge’s nightmares had become routine; the shouting had faded, but she still woke up breathless, haunted. Vvh rarely slept, always half-alert.
Most nights, she heard Sponge whispering names—her mother, her father, someone else familiar.
“‘Ji-Ho, I’m sorry,’” Sponge murmured in her sleep.
Vvh stood and crossed over, crouching to gently pull Sponge’s foot away from the fire. Sponge didn’t wake, just twitched, a permanent frown etched on her face, glasses askew.
Sponge had secrets—a story, just as Vvh did. She’d never asked for Vvh’s, and Vvh wouldn’t pry into hers.
When Sponge whimpered, shivering in the barely-there chill of the Southern Lands, Vvh sighed and placed a hand on her head. At her gentle touch, Sponge’s body relaxed, tension melting away.
“Rest,” Vvh murmured.
And for a moment, Sponge found comfort.