Since her time in Roake, Kira had learned aboutkiand how it differed from person to person.
Some, like Auralyn, manipulatedkias if it were an external force, manifesting it outside their bodies. Then there were those like Joule who specialized in shields. Kira suspected since his designation was as an earth affinity, he could also manipulate the attributes of materials, a handy talent for anyone seeking the role of protector.
His talent was still raw and unpolished, but Kira had a feeling he would become a force to be reckoned with if guided properly.
And then there were those like Elena who usedkiinternally. Speed, agility, power. All amplified.
This time when Elena attacked, she did so with a speed and force double what she'd used previously.
Kira knocked Elena's sword thrust away. Elena whirled, coming at Kira again and again, her momentum increasing until the thwack, thwack, thwack of their swords filled the room.
Elena jumped and leapt, even her most vicious attacks repelled until sweat dotted her head and her eyes glittered.
Kira waited for her moment, knowing it was coming.
Finally, Elena barreled forward. Kira slid to her right, stepping forward and turning until she was behind her. She poked her niece in the spine in the next second.
"Dead."
Elena gritted her teeth, undeterred.
Her movements came faster and faster. Kira parried easily.
Finally, she swept her niece’s legs out from under her, toppling her onto her back. She thrust the point of the blade down, holding it to Elena's neck.
"Dead again, dear one."
This time Elena didn't move, resting with her arms spread.
"Auntie, why are you so good?"
"Practice." Kira tapped Elena on her belly twice with the blade. "Now, chop, chop. You know the rules. Every moment you lie there, you’ll take an additional punishment."
Elena rose to her feet with a groan, grabbing the practice sword next to her.
"Remember, it's not always about speed, kiddo," Kira told her. "Sometimes you have to be slow to be fast."
Elena'skimade her reactions quicker and her movements faster, but it also made them uneven. Her accuracy fell as a result.
With a normal opponent she'd be fine, but she wasn't up against normal people. They'd take any weakness and exploit it to their own benefit.
Kira stepped aside, taking up a defensive stance and motioning for her niece to continue. "Again."
