It was humbling. Disconcerting, leaving her feeling vulnerable and off-balance.
It would be so easy to destroy their hero worship.
Kira stood. "Come on. You can show me the new things you've learned as we walk back to the fortress."
Hope lit Joule's expression. "Are you sure?"
Kira lifted a shoulder. "Not like I have anything else to occupy my time right now."
He bounded to his feet with an energy and grace only someone as young as he could manage.
He ran through the warrior forms Maida had taught him. Kira watched with interest, cataloging them to try later. She was glad to see his form had improved since she'd last seen him work. Whatever training Maida was putting them through was working. With practice, Joule would become a talented warrior.
"That's not all," Joule said. "She's been working on teaching us a shielding technique."
Joule fell out of his last stance, straightening. He inhaled, centering himself. His hands came up to meet at his chest, his palms facing each other as he left an inch of space between them.
The frown on his face deepened with concentration, sweat dotting his forehead.
The faintest flicker of power sparked to life between his hands. It built, the pressure causing Joule's hands to shake.
He held it like that, the flicker getting brighter. With a cry of effort, Joule ripped his hands apart, stepping back with one foot at the same time.
His left hand swept up in an arc, his right hand mirroring it as he drew a circle, his hands crossing as they finished the circle. Visiblekicrackled in the lines he had drawn with his hand. His palms flipped to face out and he shoved.
Kira's ears popped as a dome sprung into being, accompanied by a soft glow. It wobbled then stabilized. Joule remained in that position for several seconds before dropping the dome.
Joule's gaze swung to Kira, his expression exhausted and victorious.
"Well?" he asked.
Kira didn't say anything for several seconds, and uncertainty crept into Joule's posture.
"That is badass," she finally told him.
"Indeed," Finn agreed. "Holding akishield as complete as that at your age is impressive."
Joule basked in the oshota's praise before the happiness drained. "It's only good for defense. Not as impressive as a primus form."
Kira knocked him lightly on his head. His expression was incredulous as she pointed a finger at him. "Something like that might save lives one day. Listening to the nonsense of others or comparing yourself to them will only serve to hold you back. Develop the talents you have until you know every facet of them."
He was letting the attitudes of others influence him. If he couldn't see pastwhat wastowhat could be, he'd never make it to the position of Overlord.
"Yes, it's helpful to have offensive talents, but I can think of a dozen ways something like what you showed me can be used effectively in battle." Kira's tone was harsh. "Your imagination and adaptability will stand you in far greater stead than something like a primus form."
Joule's hand dropped, and he stared at the ground for several seconds before meeting Kira's gaze. "I understand. I won't think like that again."
Yes, he would. It was inevitable. But as long as he didn't get stuck in that kind of thinking, he had a chance to exceed the limitations life had put on him.
Not that she should blame him. In this, she had a bit of an advantage on him. She'd seen skills like his before. Seen their creative application until they barely resembled the original intention behind them. If Joule had even a fraction of that person's creativity, a talent like that would stand him in good stead.
Not that she could tell him that. Trust was a valuable commodity, and some secrets weren't meant to be shared.
*
Several pairs of eyes shifted to focus on Graydon as he stepped into Harlow's office. Graydon paused in the doorway, observing the scene with the same scrutiny he would if it was a battlefield, and he needed to determine the best strategy for victory.
The analogy wasn't too far from the truth. Over the past few weeks, Graydon had begun to feel like a caged animal, hemmed in by his duties and responsibilities, his skin too tight and a coiled tension sitting in his middle.
