For two months I've been training hard. Testing myself to the limits. My power has been growing stronger, and I'm struggling to keep it under control. I would walk down the hall, and things would just start flaoting. Or when we're in the dining hall, busy eating, I would reach for a glass of water, and the glass would just slide out of my reach, on its own. Everytime when something like this would happen, a faint reddish glow would appear around the object and my fingers. My friends don't know about my struggles. I try to hide it as best as I can, but if they've noticed something, they haven't said anything about it. As much as I don't like these abilities, I won't act ungrateful, so I try to get them under control, but the only progress I've made is when things begin to float, I can un-float them, or whatever, if I concentrate really hard. I also try to refrain from using my powers when we train, I can't take shortcuts to where I want to go, so I do it the old fashioned way. The right way. I train with the group where Cid would come up with scenarios and as a team we have to execute a plan- that we had to come up with- to complete the challenge. Or sometimes, we don't have to use our strength at all. She would describe our opponent, then we had to explain to her how to take it down and why we would use such tactics.
When the training is done for the day, I would stay behind and train some more and try to make the mistakes, that I made, right. I'm dead tired when I go to sleep, but after two months of intense focusing on my abilities, I can see the difference. The hard work has definitely been paying off.
"Hey, Snow! You gonna be here for much longer?" I whipped around and saw Cid standing there with keys in her hand.
"Uhh... No, I think I'm going to turn in early for the night, but you can go. I'll lock up."
"Alright, but don't stay up too late. Your body needs rest, especially for tomorrow. It's going to be a long day." She put the keys down on the bench where the rest of my things were.
"Why? What's happening tomorrow?" I leaned on the Bó Staff that I was currently practising with.
"You'll just have to wait and see. That is the point of a surprise." Cid smirked before walking away. I just rolled my eyes.
"Goodnight!" She called.
"Goodnight!" I turned back to the dummy and went on practising my hits, losing myself in the rhythm of it all. The prince's face suddenly clouded my thoughts, and I remembered a few of the times he came in here. One in particular stood out.
It was one hot afternoon and Cid gave us a quick break, before one of us should faint of overexertion. I quickly ran up to my room for a change of clothes, since I really underestimated the weather that day. We didn't have official training clothes, so we can wear anything comfortable. I changed into a sports bra and a loose fitted tank top with leggings. I don't normally wear sports bras, but it was way too hot to worry about that. When I came back down, I heard an abnormally a lot amount of chatter from the training room, but quickly realised why...
I entered the training room and saw the prince talking to Cid. The girls were chatting excitedly among each other. I thought I felt my hand move, but wasn't sure. It could've been a twitch. Without warning the door banged shut behind me, alerting everyone of my presence.
Great.
The prince did a double take when he saw me, and I inwardly groaned. I must admit he did look good in black shorts and a short sleeve, blue top. That seems to be his colour, since all his clothes is in black and blue. I cleared my throat before apologising and opened the door again. I held my head high, but avoided looking at Noctis and moved to my spot. After a few minutes, we began training again, running a few drills and practising defence and attack movements. When we began sparring with partners that's when the real trouble began.
"Since there aren't enough partners at the moment with some of our troops out in the field hunting demons, the Prince and his highness' friends offered to stand in and train with us in their place." It was only then that I noticed three other guys had entered the room while we were busy. Or were they there the whole time? I'm still not sure.
The youngest looking one was blond, while the one with glasses was brown haired, and the more muscular one of the group was dark haired.
Cid began pairing us together and I began figuring out who was who. Promto was the blond one. Ignis the one with the glasses and Gladiolus the third one.
My friends got paired up together. Yuna and Cynthea. Fay and Thea. I, on the other hand didn't get that lucky.
"... and lastly Snow and prince Noctis will spar together."
For real?
The others stared at me. Shock and jealousy was written on their faces.
"Excuse me, Captain, but is there a reason why Snow should specifically train with the Prince?" A girl in the front row asked. Irritation appeared on Cid's face. I glared daggers at the back of her head. Its one thing to be jealous about something so petty, but to question the captain so openly, is another thing entirely.
"Yes, because his highness is much stronger than all of you, so it would be unfair to pair a weaker opponent against a stronger one, but in this case Snow is the best qualified to spar against his highness, not that I should have to explain any of this to you. I am the captain of the Guardian Core. What I say goes." Cid spin on her heels before the girl had a chance to say anything more. I smirked at the silence of the girl, but when she turned to glare at me, I quickly schooled my face into indifference.
"So, I guess that makes us partners for today." I took in a deep breath before turning around. The Prince had his hands stuffed in his pockets and a satisfied glint in his eyes.
"You did this," I hissed, and he actually had the decency to have a innocent look on his face.
"I don't know what you mean. I am just as shocked as you are," He replied. I rolled my eyes.
"I wouldn't describe what you are feeling as shock." I told him. He gave a surprised laugh.
"Oh? And what would you call it then?"
"Victorious. You got what you wanted without thinking of how it might affect me." I crossed my arms, glaring at him.
"Yes, I guess I did, but I didn't organise this, and maybe some girls are a little jealous, but it'll go away and like Cid said, you are the strongest of the lot, if they want to train with me, they have to work harder." He winked. What he said made sense, but that doesn't mean I had to like it.
"What are you doing here anyway?"
"Weren't you listening? I'm here to help you guys train," He smirked, and I had to refrain myself from rolling my eyes... again.
"I meant why are you here. Is this some kind of punishment, because I find it hard to believe you would do this out of love," I said, eyeing him sceptically, which made him laugh.
"Wow, that's how little you think of me. I'm hurt," He made a show of holding his hand above his heart while pouting. I tried to glare at him, but it was hard when he actually looked cute.
"Snow, Noctis! I didn't pair you two to chit-chat. Get some weapons and start training," Cid yelled from the side of the room. I shook my head to clear any thoughts of 'the prince being cute' and glared at him for a moment longer before moving to pick a weapon.
I picked up the Bò Staff we trained with and faced his royal highness.
"Ready?" He asked, widening his stance.
"Always," I put one foot in front of the other, and decided to let him attack first. I had to judge his strength and technique.
I won't go in blind.
He smirked and my only warning before he attacked, was blue electricity sparking from his hands. Then in a flash he was in front of me.
Holy hell!
I blocked his attack with my staff. My arms felt numb with the impact, but I didn't loose my grip and was surprised to find my staff still intact. I noticed his stance wasn't solid, so I kicked him back, and he grunted, stumbling with impact. He swung his staff at my head, but I blocked it again.
Cid wasn't kidding, he is strong. I swung around, trying to catch him off guard, but I should've known he would block my attack. We exchanged lightning fast blows. I was more on the defence, he attacking me relentlessly, but what I noticed was that when he moved forward he would sometimes land on his left foot, leaving him unbalanced. And that is how I would end this.
I side-stepped him, trying to put space between us. Again he lunged at me, setting his left foot forward.
Crack.
I felt the staff strain with the blow, but still held fast. That's when I saw my opening. He was unbalanced and not focusing on his feet. Or my legs, otherwise he would've seen it coming.
I placed my arm on his chest, and placed my leg behind his legs. I thrusted my arm forward, and shifted my weight forward which caused him to fall backwards. His eyes widened, before landing with a thud on the mattress. I pointed my staff at his throat, a signal for him to surrender.
He laughed, breathlessly. It was a deep, and warm, carefree laugh. I blinked at him. For some reason I was surprised that he could laugh, and not one of those arrogant laughs, but an actual laugh. I didn't know which bothered me more.
A sound of clapping drew my attention.
"Good job, Snow. I wondered if you would notice the little flaw in his attacks," Cid walked up to me. It was then that I noticed that the whole room was staring at us, with astonishment and awe.
"Thank you, captain," It was also then that I noticed how fast my heart was racing and how breathless I was. It happend so fast, it was electric. Barely having time to think and act. I could still feel the adrenaline in my body, running through my veins. Cid gave a respective nod my way, then turned to address the room.
"Alright everybody back to training, the show is over."
There was a few awww's and chatter, before you heard the crack and clash of wood against wood.
"Well done. I must say I am pleasantly surprised that you beat me. Not everyone can do it, you know," I turned to see the prince up on his feet, with a smile on his face. I was in too good a mood to be bothered by what he said, so without thinking, I grinned back.
"Hope you aren't too bruised to continue."
"Nah, I can handle it. It felt good to practise a bit," He stretched his arms above his head.
"Oh no. I wasn't talking about your body, I was talking about your ego," I couldn't help but laugh, when I saw him blink. Clearly caught of guard. He stared at me for a moment longer, before grinning back.
"Nah, it'll be alright. I've got plenty of it." He said with a wink. I burst out laughing.
"You said it, not me." I grinned. His smile grew even wider, showing perfect white teeth. Of course he has perfect teeth. Why wouldn't he.
"But then again, I went easy on you. Next time you won't be so lucky."
"Ha! Right. Whatever makes you sleep in the night, your highness," I answered mockingly, bowing, "but since you are so sure of it, why don't we test that little theory of yours?" I widened my feet into a fighting stance, holding my staff in front of me. The prince then touched the tip of my staff with his staff.
"I accept your challenge, m'lady."
"Good, but you'll soon come to regret it." Both of us moved at the same time. Trading blows and dancing around each other. Neither getting the upper hand.
It wasn't until the end of training when he had to go ruin everything.
"Train with me."
"What?" I blurted out when we came face to face again. Both of us were tired, but didn't want to lose.
"I said train wi-"
"I know exactly what you said, but I'm giving you the chance to think about what you just said." He grinned at me.
"I already thought about it, and I've made up my mind. I want to train with you. You've got a lot of potential and you are just as strong as me. Plus I can help you with your powers," That made me pause, and I felt a mildly irritated.
"I don't need your help. In fact, I don't need anybody's help. My powers haven't shown itself in weeks, so I think I've got it under control, thank you very much," I know it was a lie, but I didn't want or need his help. I swung to hit him, my annoyance building. My staff crashed into his, with a wicked blow.
Crack!
The Prince stumbled back a few paces, his staff splintered in two. He held the two pieces up, inspecting it, then he looked at me with wide eyes.
"What's going on here?" Again Cid appeared out of no where, with a frown on her face. She looked between the two of us. Before the Prince can say anything, I spoke up.
"His staff broke. It must have been old or something." Noctis shot me a questioning look. We both know it wasn't because of old age. Cid furrowed her brow.
"Can't be. These Staff's don't just break, and I inspect them myself every weak." Cid turned to me, waiting for an explanation. I tried to school my face into confusion. Pretending I don't know what happened.
"No, I must have swinged it too hard," Noctis looked down guiltily, ''I'll replace it, if you want." Wow. He actually looks guilty. That made me wonder when I would know if he's being geniune or pretending. Plus why did he stick up for me? He could have easily ratted me out and cause major problems for me.
Cid waved it away, "No need. We have a dozen of 'em, but please try not to break any more. And finish up. We are almost done." She returned to the other groups, giving them more instructions.
"Why did you lie-"
"Why did you do that-?" We began together.
"You first. Was that your abilities? Are they back?" He asked. I glared at him. If I told him anything, it would mean that I'm letting him into my life. Giving him permission to know stuff that has nothing to do with him. I want nothing to do with him. He can't know my abilities have been growing stronger since it awakened a month ago. No one can. They might cast me out, or begin searching for answers that my grandmother fought hard to keep buried.
"No, that was all you," I whispered harshly, "and keep your voice down, I don't want people talking about that again." He furrowed his brow, contemplating.
"Why would you want to keep your abilities hidden? Its a gift. Not many people get to have that, and everyone wished they did." I clenched my fists together.
"I don't have to explain anything to you." I turned away from him when I heard Cid's voice calling everyone to end their training. I heard him call my name, but was lost in the sea of excited chatter, and when I looked back I saw that he was already surrounded by girls. I rolled my eyes, at least with everything else that has been changing, that stays the same.
I packed away the training gear in silence with the help of my friends. I knew they had some questions, but I didn't want to answer them right now.
When we finished the prince was still there, waiting patiently, but his friends was no where to be seen.
"Are you kidding me," I muttered under my breath.
"Snow, you never answered my question," He nodded to my friends in greeting, then trained his focus on me. His dark forest green eyes bored into mine. I folded my arms, in an almost protective manner. Like I could deter his stare, or shift his focus from me.
"Which one. You surely asked a lot of them." I deadpanned.
"I want to train with you, if you would allow it," My friends sucked in their breaths. Its not a request they hear everyday. A prince asking a guardian if they could train together. Royalty usually doesn't even give us a second thought, even though we're the ones saving their lives in the face of danger. I squared my shoulders.
"And I told you no," Out of the corner of my eyes I saw the shocked stares on my friends faces. That also doesn't happen often. Someone refusing the prince. A guardian refusing the prince, and we are only one step higher from the people. Refusing the prince could mean treason.
"Well, you didn't exactly refuse. You only uttered out in shock." He smirked at my glare.
"Well, now you have a real answer. And it isn't going to change soon, so don't bother trying to persuade me." I was irritated and just wanted to be left alone. I didn't understand why the Prince couldn't just leave me alone. All my life I tried to stay out of the spotlight, and I did a pretty good job, until he noticed me and ruined everything. I picked up my bag filled with water and a towel and headed out the training room and up the stares to my room. I was done arguing. My answer is no, and if he can't except that... tough luck! He can't always get what he wants and its time he learned that.
I could hear my friends bounding up the stares after me.
"Snow, wait!" A voice called. Yuna. I spun around, stopping them in their tracks. My face must have revealed what I'm feeling, because they all stared at me with caution and what looked like a little bit of fear. I held up my hand.
"Look. I know what you are going to say, my recklessness is going to get me in trouble one day, quite possibly kill me too, but right now I'm still alive and really tired and not in the mood to argue right now. Try me tomorrow, maybe then I'm up to explaining things," I turned around again, not waiting for an answer.
I wasn't sure if its the tiredness that made me sound like a 'b' with an ich, or because I just was one especially that night, but I didn't care right then.
I marched down the hall, turn to the left, third door on the right. I opened it, and immediately shut it behind me. I didn't waste any time undressing and climbing in the shower. The hot water helped relax my muscles and for some reason tears began to fall. I was shocked, but it felt good to let go of all the tension. I took a deep breath, composing myself, then climbed out the shower. I quickly dressed and went to bed. Yuna wasn't back yet, but I was too tired to dwell on it.
From there the prince and his friends came to train with us everyday, and everyday he would ask me to train with him, and everyday I would refuse. He just doesn't know when to quit, and since I'm the only one who can spar with him, apparently, I just have to endure it.
I shook away the memories before focusing on the task at hand. I practised some basic attacks with my Bô Staff, before I moved on to the real reason I'm staying late. I stood in the middle of the training room, my arms spread out in front of me. Three swords were lying on the floor.
I concentrated on one of them. Trying to call on my powers, that appear at the most unwelcoming times, without even trying, but of course the one time I want to use it, it doesn't appear.
"Come on!" I muttered, "I have to get this under control if I'm going to avenge my parents." And make them proud, a thought echoed in my mind. I threw my hands out in frustration, but still the swords remained immobile.
"I'm not giving up on you," I held out my hands again, concentrating on lifting on sword, but it was like having a delusional person thinking they've got magic. And that is exactly what it felt like. I rubbed my temples. There must be a better way to do this. Some secret I'm missing. I really wish Dad was here to show me. I let myself think for a moment what it would've been like for him to be here with me. I smiled unconsciously. I've never missed him before. The feeling feels so foreign, yet it gives me enough courage to keep trying. I closed my eyes and tried again. This time, following a gut feeling, I tried to feel the power within me. I tried to feel something, anything. Then I felt it. It felt like a flame inside me. Warm, but yet cold. I could feel it becoming part of me, spreading to my arms, then my hands to the tips of my fingers. It had the sensation of pins and needles, but it felt good. It felt right. Reacting purely on instinct, I lifted my hands and opened my eyes. The redish glow surrounding my hands looked stronger. I extended the power to one of the swords, and in my mind I imagined lifting it up, a second later it happened in reality. The same red glow appeared around the sword while it hovered above the floor. A smile stretched across my lips.
"I did it!" I yelled out. A laugh escaped my lips. The glow disappeared and the sword clattered to the ground, but I don't care. I threw my arms in the air and did a little victory dance.
"I did it! I really did it!" I laughed out loud while twirling in a circle. I can't believe it. Now I really wish Dad was here to see what I accomplished and without that prince too.
"I'm going to avenge you, Dad. Just you wait and see. The sacrifice you and Mom made will not be in vain. I'll make sure of it, or I'll die trying." I promised.
Now that I know how, the next few steps will be easy. I practised some more, lifting the swords in the air, higher and higher. Then I would lift two, then three, but out of no where clapping broke my concentration. My head whipped to the side and had to blink a few times. My eyes was crossing and blurring for a few moments, before settling on the figure who entered the room.
"Well look at that, it seems you don't actually need my help after all." He said. I recognised the deep voice immediately.
"What are you doing here? Its almost midnight."
"I was walking back to the palace, but then saw the lights on, so I knew it had to be you."
"Yeah, well I was just packing up, your majesty." I added. I turned around to start packing up, but his voice drew me to a halt.
"Why do you dislike me so? Is it something I did?" His face was unreadable, so I couldn't tell what he was feeling.
"You're drunk. Go home, Prince."
"I'm perfectly sober, I promise. Just answer my question," I sighed.
"I don't dislike you...-" A lie, "I just don't feel comfortable around you," Another lie. He snorted.
"I know you're lying, but alright, I'll play. If you don't dislike me, why won't you train with me?" He sounded closer, but I still have my back to him, so I'm not sure.
"Because I don't train with anyone. I always train solo. Its nothing personal," I told him, keeping my voice neutral. He sighed. He was silent for a moment, then spoke again.
"Alright, how about a duel?"
That caught me off guard. I turned toward him.
"A duel? Why would I want to do that?" For some reason that idea gave me goosebumps. Then I remembered why. Its the same situation my mother fell in love with my father.
Mother above. This can't be happening.
"Because I'm going to make you an offer, you'll won't refuse," I snickered.
"Really now? Alright, I'll humour you. What is it?"
"We'll duel the day after tomorrow. When you win, I'll leave you alone. I'll never bother you again, I'll even drop out of the training sessions,-" Now that's something that I really want, but I can't let him know that. If he could leave me alone, most of my problems would be solved, "but if I win... then you have to train with me until I go on my roadtrip," My eyes widened. Of course that deal was too good to be true, but then again all I have to do is beat him. Simple enough. I beat him countless times in training. No reason why I couldn't do it again. Unless he has been going easy on me...
I stared at him for a moment longer, while making my decision. I don't want to duel him, it reminds me too much of my parents, but if I refuse, he'll just think I'm scared, and then I'll never get to live it down, or he won't ever leave me alone too. I sighed. If I do this and win, I'll beat the prince, which is a win, and he'll leave me alone, which is another win. So I guess the pro's outweighs the con's.
"Well?" He asked.
"Alright. Let's do it. Its a deal," I lifted my head, and faced him heads on. A smile appeared on his lips.
"Great, then I'll see you the day after tomorrow," He winked before turning around and walking out the door.
I wiped my hand over my face. Looks like history is repeating itself, but this time I'm not going to fall in love.
***
Noctis:
He came to the Guardian Core's building just to see her. Always finding excuses to talk to her, or irritate her, in most cases. She's always so serious, or maybe just hell bend on something, but he can't figure out what. It must have something to do with her parents. He heard her muttering about it just now, before he went in to talk to her. She's got an awesome ability. Telekinesis is regarded of the more powerful abilities. Any kinetic ability is, since it can be used from a distance.
This past two months have been interesting, he thought. He loved teasing her, making her mad is quite hilarious. Her eyes would flash when she's getting annoyed, literally. He first thought it was unusual, and must be seeing things, but after that first day they got paired together to spar, he definitely knew he wasn't seeing things. She was especially irritated that night, and her eyes looked a little more visible in the dark, than what is natural, and then her friends told him her eyes were glowing when they caught her upstairs. She looked really mad, but after she calmed down, her eyes went back to normal. It was strange, but he found it quite fascinating.
Her friends told him a little more about her, to help him understand her better. Of course they didn't immediately tell him, he really had to pull out all of the stops to persuade them.
They told him that Snow is different, not just because of her powers, but as a person too. They all acknowledged that she was brave, but sometimes very reckless and almost never thinks before she talks.
Yuna, apparently Snow's closest friend, told him that Snow wears a mask. She shows different masks to different people. She explained it that Snow only shows stuff she wants you to see, or says stuff that she wants you to know. If she doesn't want you to know stuff, she's not going to tell or show you, no matter what. She stubborn, but always tries to do the right thing. They all agreed that she's a good person, a little hot-headed sometimes, but she's the type of person that would help you in time of need, stand by you in the darkest times and protect you against anything and everything.
Yuna told him that's she is just going through some stuff right now, but wouldn't elaborate on it. The rest had questioning looks on their faces. Which means they know that she's going through something, but not what specifically. That was a month ago, he wonders if Snow has told them yet.
Snow. As cold as ice, but a temper as hot as hell. He chuckled softly, while walking back to the castle.
She really is something. Beautiful, intelligent, passionate. Stubborn.
He snickered at the last one. She is the most stubborn girl he has ever met.
Yet she has him enraptured completely. He loves the way she laughs, so unguarded and carefree. Like the mask she keeps on, just slips away for a second.
He found himself smiling at the very thought of her.
Is this what it feels like to be in love? Its a great feeling, he must admit. Then there is the duel in a few days. He got the idea from a story his father used to tell him, when he was little. The man was in love with this Guardian, and to make the man go away, the Guardian challenged him to a duel, made the same conditions Noctis made Snow, and won. The woman bested the man, not by strength, since he was stronger than her, but by using her intelligence, but after a while, she fell in love with him after all, and after several years, they got married and had a baby girl. His father always told the story so passionately, it was hard to forget it, and in so much detail he sometimes wondered if it was more than just a story.
He remembered the way the colour drained from Snow's face, when he mentioned it, earlier tonight. He wonders what's that about. Maybe someday he'll find out. But first he has to win that duel. Otherwise he'll never get to know her.
He entered the palace gates and made his way up the stares. He has to win that duel, and this time the story will end differently, he is going to win, no matter what.