Arise the Dragonslayer [The Flash warrior series #1]

Chapter eleven: True power

We trained for the whole day and I thought we would never stop. It made me feel energized, despite exhaustion. The four of us got to know each other better and better as each training progressed. Victor always wanted to be the guy who does impossible things (Which he couldn't yet) because of his abilities, but he has so much to learn and he has yet to discover his limitations. Lenard tends to have every single crush on every single girl, but every single moment, he moves on to another girl. Weird. I'm not judging, but I guess Lenard is that type of person who always looks for a person's appearance one by one. Chloriette always wanted music ever since she's heard of it, but her family won't let her play (It's quite unusual for them to hate music, especially if the issue involved their daughter). She ran away and got kidnapped by a nasty witch and a hideous wendigo and met these two boys.

 

They knew me as a troublemaker because like I always said as a kid, "I can't help it." And I told them about my sisters. Our siblings changed a lot the more we grew up. Lenard even said, "Good for you!" with a thumbs up. We went back to our physical training as we lifted weights many times with specific reps. We helped Lenard because he couldn't lift a single pound. We ran a mile until we reached several yards. "I've never felt more alive!" Victor said in ecstasy. Even I feel the same way. I felt faster.

 

After that, it's basic combat time! "All right, I'm impressed that the four of you did quite well. Now, it is time to test your basic skills when it comes to engaging in combat." The ground where we're at rose as Claes snapped his fingers, his snap echoing all around us. The clouds passed through us as we looked up in astonishment. The air became colder, nipping at our skins. "Whoa, okay, first I've become seasick, and now this." Lenard almost got dizzy.

 

Claes put his hands behind his back, "All of you will be tested by fighting the neiyads with hand-to-hand combat. Remember what I taught you. Focus on the attack, either block or counter it."

 

"Wait, what are neiyads?' Victor asked, but it was too late as fake neiyads are already sprouting out of the surface like growing trees. When we turned to face Claes, he was gone as if he wasn't there in the first place. "Well," Lenard said, " That's rude."

 

"Never mind about that," said Chloriette. "Right now, we're going to test our combat for real this time."

 

"I guess the schedule does show us great training sessions to become Flash warriors." Lenard shook both of his arms as if he was freezing to death. Why did Claes even bring us here? "So Vic, you ready as always?" Lenard turned to Victor, who was very happy about this training session. 

 

"Bloody pancakes, yeah! First, punching a wendigo's face and stretching the witch's nose, and now this? I have never been so pumped up. What about you MaXabiere, you ready?"

 

I thought he'd never ask. "I learned and trained a lot, Victor. A lot. Why do you think I'm not ready?"

 

The neiyads' appearances come in different types; some were wooden figures, plant figures, and stone figures. I had to remind myself that this is basic combat, so it wouldn't be so hard. But I must keep my focus.

 

The neiyads charged at us. They're way too fast! But Victor went dashing in sideways, using his fury with his fists and kicks as if he went berserk. His style was more wild and acrobatic.

 

Lenard, well . . . I think he got it. I could even tell that he was so proud of himself for being a nerd with martial arts skills. But he still screamed, dodging a right jab from a neiyad, which resulted in Lenard kicking it in the nut. In contrast to Victor, Lenard stood his guard conservatively.

 

As for Chloriette, she was getting a hand with her taekwondo kicks. Every block and every attack, she moved so swiftly yet fast. 

 

But what about me? Of course, I handled this quite well. Somehow, I managed to break their attacks by sweeping their arms and pushing them towards the ones that were charging at me. More like a counterattack like Claes taught us.

 

A flashback clouded my mind briefly. After we worked our bodies. The four of us were taught the fundamentals. The right way to punch, kick, block, grapple, and dodge. It was not as simple as I thought it would be. "Your body is an important instrument in which shows your capabilities. Like our predecessors, they use martial arts as an improvement of the body." We were astonished as Claes demonstrated a perfect high kick. "Now let us begin."

 

Going back to the present, one of the neiyads tried to hit Lenard, but Victor kicked a neiyad in front of him towards Lenard's attacker. Nice one. I looked to the left. Chloriette's attackers were multiplying, she was outnumbered. I have to go and save her. I used my hunting skills to get past these neiyads by jumping and using their heads to step on (I know, skills)- more like rushing to my target but this time it's saving. I punched the neiyad that was about to knock her out.

 

"Thanks," she said in gratitude.

 

"Don't mention it." I focused back on our pathways.

 

"So, how long are we gonna keep doing this test?" We faced our foes side by side. By the looks of it, these neiyad duplicates never back down.

 

"I have no idea, but I guess it will be over" I punched another one after I dodged its claws, and yes, they have claws. "Well, that's unfair!"

 

"You know what is more unfair?" Chloriette turned to me. "Captain Claes didn't warn us about this."

 

I shrugged. "Just for laughs, I guess?" 

 

The neiyads suddenly stood still for a moment. Out of nowhere, Claes approached us with a blank face. "I do not need to warn you all. What I taught you is about focusing on their attacks blocking, evading, or counter them based on their movements. You will not be reminded twice because your instincts already tell you that."

 

And there we were, continuing our basic combat training as the neiyads charged at us after Claes snapped his fingers. 

 

***

 

In other lessons, the Equadaux transformed into a peaceful landscape where the leaves of pine trees danced from the gentle breeze. I thought of myself relaxing in this place with my family. Chatting, having a picnic, and tell each other's stories from our days. But I'm here now.

 

I remembered something about learning mentally. I was expecting math lessons, but this was different. "Our adaptable bodies aren't the only ones who can manifest the power. The power of our mind has a strong connection to the spiritual energy of the universe of what we simply called magic, or chakra, or ki. But in general, we call it magic. Thanks to this magic, we can perform unique or enhanced abilities on our physical bodies, allowing us to carry great and bizarre powers and practice spells."

 

"Sounds interesting," Lenard commented.

 

"That makes sense." Victor smiled.

 

Claes stood straight. "In this training, you are going to concentrate on meditating to unlock your magic in its highest, possible potential. Do not think of anything else, let your thoughts reach into your inner power."

 

"Cool," Victor muttered. "Wait a minute, why do we need to train our powers if we can even control it in the first place?" Claes went forward as he gave Victor a serious look. A look that will surely cause Victor to swallow his question back in his mouth. "Once a recruit developed his magic, it can still be unchecked and unstable, it could cause serious catastrophic problems."

 

"Okay, I'm good." Victor squeaked as if he was listening to a monster. Claes glared at us. "Your abilities may be controlled, but when you grow stronger, there is a possibility that the magic will control you instead. That is why our body and mind must bind together to master our energy." Claes sat on the soft grass and closed his eyes. His body began to levitate. That made me wonder what Claes' ability was.

 

Once he was done, it was our turn. The four of us attempted to empty our minds. I heard Victor laughed a little because he kept thinking about clowns (Which Lenard mostly hates). I couldn't see what Chloriette was doing, because my eyes were closed. I couldn't even think emptiness now I realized how much I missed them. Darn magic, why didn't this develop inside me when I'm still young?

 

Finally, I focused, not thinking, but by feeling the nature surrounding me. Feeling the wind through my hair, the leaves falling so gentle and quiet. I could sense Claes watching us. "Besides what you're doing right now, you have to connect with your power," he told us. He's right, I also have to focus on my magic. My blood ran as if my blood cells were sprinting, but my heart pumped calmy. The hot energy from before swirling around my body. Then, it got weirder, I am no longer on the ground. I only felt the air, blowing from every direction. Even my hair was floating. I was tempted to open my eyes. I was floating, I turned to see my new friends. Lenard was burning violet, surrounded by every written word as it was going in and out of his mind. I turned to Victor, who was smiling as he clenched his fists with blue flames all over his body. I looked at Chloriette, this time her hair glowed, so as her mouth as she sang. (That's what I call "music to my ears"). I could feel my spiritual energy gaining as if my magic was infinite.

 

"Whoa, I've never felt this feeling before." Victor gazed at his hands. 

 

"See." Claes took a sip with his apple juice. "You've experienced the first meditation about connecting your body and mind into your magic, you're developing much strength, but you need to keep practicing." It was a good thing that the place was even more peaceful. We even focused on our magic together just like the last time. I guess Claes didn't have a hard time when it comes to teaching us recruits. Since there were just four of us anyway.

 

***

 

I don't know how to put this into words, but as far as I could tell, I felt as if I wanted to burst myself out of the sky. Victor trained his leaping abilities a couple of times. Lenard was thinking and reciting random languages. Chloriette sang so aesthetically that all creatures went towards her. While I, still, am figuring out how to use my powers. "Everything okay?" I was startled as Claes stood beside me. "You look sick."

 

"I'm not sick," I said. "Though I feel different."

 

"Like them," Claes guessed.

 

"No . . . yes . . . I have no idea."

 

"Then what?"

 

I didn't know how I would clarify this for him. It was true that I am feeling more different than what I've felt during my monster fight. I felt like I wanted to explode. "My point is I feel too different."

 

"I still don't get it."

 

"I guess I'll have to show you." I concentrated, calling upon my magic to flow. Strange energy swirling around me like red flames. I could feel the radiating power from my eyes glow. I gazed at my hands, it's glowing white.

 

"MaXabiere, what are you doing?" Claes stepped back. I looked at the horizon, seeing a tall mountain that almost touched the sky. I raised my hand and a massive light cannon blasted straight into the mountain, it exploded with a massive bang. "What in the world-" Claes muttered. Victor, Chloriette, and Lenard hid behind the tree. How did they get there so quickly? Oh never mind. Then, I saw Claes who was stunned and covered with dirt. "What. Did. You. Do . . . ?" I was shocked by my magic. I didn't even realize that I could unleash something from my bare hand. Has anyone done that before?

 

I turned to my friends. "That was WICKED!!" We all turned to Victor who was smiling. "What just happened?"

 

***

 

"Your training is now over for today. Don't be late for tomorrow- especially you." Claes pointed at Victor.

 

"Come on, why me?"  Victor tossed his arms. The sooner we got back inside the giant castle, the sooner we had free time. We were almost late for dinner. I'm not used to having dinner in some sort of boarding, enchanted school that looked like a gigantic castle floating up in the air. These recruits turned out to be my first friends in this academy and I am lucky enough to meet these kinds of people. The cafeteria was not a cafeteria, but it was more like a humongous dining room or a restaurant.

 

The room was a ginormous square-shaped interior with golden chandeliers hanging on top. On a vast wall displayed the colorful Flash warrior flag. The golden outlines shimmered from the sun's rays coming from the stretched royal window from the other side. I couldn't even count how many warriors were sitting on every table, too many for me to count. They were all having the same conversation about missions, magic, and the Devastrigon.

 

The meals magically appear on our table, even though we didn't choose our dishes on the menu- if there was one. They were satisfying. Roasted chicken, salads, pasta, soups, beef, fruits, cakes, and some other delicious meal that you could think of. I was nervous to get close to my friends or anybody in here because I heard them talking about what happened in the Equadaux. I didn't know who told them, but . . . 

 

"Hey." My thoughts were suddenly interrupted as Chloriette came to me on the corner. "What's wrong, you don't look like you're in a mood."

 

"Oh . . . uh," I was thinking about the words that I'm going to say. "It's just that . . . you know . . . they heard what I did from our training."

 

"Oh, that," she said. "Mostly, they were shocked. I even heard that no one could do that, not even the past recruits. But don't worry, they're not gonna think of you as a-"

 

"Strange guy?" I guessed. "I hope so. This is not going well for me on my first day of school."

 

"Come on," Chloriette nudged me on my arm. "Every first day of school always comes to this part. Trust me, I know." I smiled, knowing that it was true. I remembered my first day back in grade school. I felt strange though. Back then, I felt that I have so much energy and was full of power. No wonder I was so excited and always fueled up.

 

I sighed, "I hope my days will go well."

 

She put her hand on my shoulder, reassuring me not to think about anything worse that could happen. "It will, they just need to know you better. Maybe not by your true power, they already knew about that. Although, they could also know you by showing who you are as a person."

 

"Well . . . I'm not good at making new acquaintances when it comes to other people. But, I guess I'll try." As we thought of going to another table, because I felt lonely sitting by myself, both of us saw Lenard and Victor playing chess instead of eating first.