“Now release your conjuring. Let it spread naturally. Do not form a wall, do not solidify it. Instead, just reach with it.”
My chest grew warm with power, and I let it seep through me before falling from me and out into the world.
“That’s it. Now feel it, the way your mist moves over the ground, the way it reaches for the trees, climbing ever so slightly. Explore your surroundings.” He remained quiet as I pushed myself to move without actually moving, to touch the world as he instructed.
“I’m going to step away now, and I want for you to tell me where I am in relation to you.”
“Okay.” I agreed, keeping my eyes shut.
If he moved, then I did not know it, for his steps were soundless. I searched down the thread, tethering my powers to me, and stretched through it. I nearly gave up before noticing the smallest of disturbances. As if I built a spider web around me and could feel the movement in the distance.
“To my left,” I said.
“Good.” I heard the smile in his voice. “Again.”
Silence settled once more before I sensed that tug on the web of mist. I felt the disturbance shift. “Behind me.” He didnot answer, but I discerned the transition, him changing direction until he stood somewhere ahead. “In front of me.”
Something else entered the web of mist. Where Erik’s movements were gentle, a soft tug on my conjuring, this was different. It flew incredibly fast. It did not tug but cut, momentarily severing my ties to the mist wherever it passed. Its trajectory angled towards my ribs. The mist solidified into a thin edge and sliced like a blade, cutting off the object. I opened my eyes in time to see the arrow fall at my feet before ever reaching me.
Kiora yelled out, “WOOOOOOHOOOO! That’s my girl!”
Erik stood before me, a proud smile on his handsome face. “You did well.”
“Thank you.” A smile matching his found its way to my lips.
“Atta boy loverboy! I knew there was a reason I liked you!” Kiora added from her position amongst the trees.
I was going to kill her.
Erik’s smile grew, laughter touching his eyes.
“Get back to your position.” My cheeks grew hot.
“Loverboy will do as you command.” He dipped his head, turned and left. A soft chuckle escaped him as he went.
On the next attempt at the course, I finally made it past the Sparrows, only to be taken down by Kole and Willis. Several attempts later, the sun was setting, and the day’s training was at its end.Still, I could not get past the two of them.
I likely could not have gone much longer that day, anyway.
My body nearly broke, muscle and bone thoroughly abused. Near the end, my pace slowed, legs wobbling with the strain to keep me up and moving. The entire day took a toll, and I was still so far from the goal.
6
ARIANA
Enormously powerful flames surrounded me. Fierce fire surged, pressing against the mist I shrouded myself with. My senses overwhelmed by it. A loud hissing formed from where flame met fog.
My body grew weary and tired with every moment that I funneled all my strength into my conjuring. This was the first time I got past Willis and Kole, only to be stopped cold by Erik’s flames. As the fire climbed higher, it fueled the raging storm within. Anger melded with pain before condensing with disappointment for not getting past this point.
I screamed in frustration, throwing every bit of energy I could at breaking through the relentless blaze. The sound of my voice lost itself amongst the hissing.
Fire converged above, closing the last bit of blue sky that there was.
I couldn’t breathe in enough oxygen.
The world spun as my head pounded angrily against my temple.
Mist evaporated as the well I pulled my conjuring from ran dry. Instantly the flames vanished, Erik noting the weakening on my end. Cool, delicious air made its way into my lungs once more.
