Bobby wasn't only my physical trainer; he was my life trainer. As I mentioned previously, he influenced my life dramatically offering my best chance at survival. However, at the naïve age of five I had no idea just how difficult becoming a hunter really was. Not only did he bury martial arts into my bones but my heart too. And…it hurt like hell.
Bobby, "Do it again." Ria struggled to her feet sweat hailing from her brow, would it kill her grandfather to go a little easy on her? Ethan didn't take to the idea of hunting so kept his activities indoor only. Also, despite being against the idea her parents were very supportive.
Outside on that field was a world of struggle and annoyance, Ria was beginning to regret her decision indefinitely. Jane stood biting her nails as she watched her daughter being beaten down time after time, still she felt proud that no matter how exhausted she was Ria always got back up like a true fighter.
Bobby, "Judo is a form of martial art used to take down larger opponents which is practically everyone. Just look at you." Ria gritted her teeth; she didn't need to be reminded of her scrawniness. It took every ounce of her strength to avoid using telekinesis as an advantage. Her abilities took a great toll on her little body, resulting in rapid fatigue and loss of consciousness if pushed too far. That was the cost of being Nephilim.
Ria, "I don't need to you to ridicule me I'm quite aware, just charge!" Bobby chuckled and ran towards her, with a rush of adrenaline Ria rolled to the side and kicked at the back of his knees with all her strength. However, Bobby was a bulky man and kicked her aside unphased. Ria coughed her guts up, getting angrier by the second.
Bobby, "If someone charges you stand your ground, if you move it gives them time to gain an advantage whereas if you take them head on, they only have one option and that is to go forward. Think! What should you do?" Ria had been trying to counter this move for two hours now her brain struggling to find an alternative. Then a lightbulb illuminated in her brain, keeping a cool expression she stood back up and waved for Bobby to go again. Jane was getting sick of her fathers' attitude and was ready to set in when she witnessed a calm come over her daughter. Confident this little girl was about to suffer again he ran full pelt towards her. Ria spread her legs apart with her head tucked down, gripping his shirt she twisted sideway flipping him over her back onto the ground. Like lightning she wrapped her legs around his neck and pulled upwards with all her might. Jane was stunned, it was the perfect lifting hip throw followed by a grapple hold.
Bobby attempted to break free in which she pulled harder, after realizing he was defeated, he tapped the ground. Ria jumped off him back into a defensive stance expecting him to engage again but he simply ruffled her hair and walked away.
Bobby, "Good job your learning now." Jane watched him walk past with a secretive proud grin. Ria sat down catching her breath, not being accustomed to the outdoors her body wasn't coping well. Jane walked over and handed her some water.
Jane, "That was amazing sweetheart." Ria smiled through her pain and gulped down the freezing water, it was just what she needed. Thank god she didn't need to be humiliated anymore. Jane lifted her sleeve up to see her side and arms covered in bruises.
Jane, "That damned man, I'll kill him." Ria gripped her shirt as she was about to beat him, it still surprised her to see such a vicious side to her mother but she kind of enjoyed it. It was like a breath of fresh air.
Ria, "I'm fine mother, pain is the quickest way to learn apparently." She said sarcastically as her body throbbed, Bobby advised her to build up her pain tolerance as superiors didn't hold back even when it came to children. Ria wanted to build it up high, so she wasn't fazed by anything.
Ria, "Did you have to endure this too?" Jane sighed and shook her head, for the first time she confided in Ria about her family.
Jane, "My mother didn't stand for his cruelty and taught me how to hunt in a less painful way. As you can tell my father and I don't see eye to eye on many things including hunting. In the great words of Bobby Lake if it's stronger than a human it shouldn't have been born." Ria cocked her head confused of his principles. If that was true, then why had she been an exception?
Interrupted from her thoughts Ria glanced at the front door where Ethan stood nervously watching them chat away. It had been two weeks since Ria started her training and her brother wouldn't dare go past the entrance. She wanted to expand his world and prove he was safe with her. Ria waved at him asking him to come over in which he shook his head. Tiredly she walked over to him with a kind smile.
Ria, "It's okay brother, it's beautiful outside. Will you come out with me?" Ethan looked terrified.
Ethan, "I-I'm afraid Ria." Feeling her heart break, she thought frantically for a way to get him outside when her answer landed right beside her.
Ria, "Didn't you say you liked butterflies?" Ethan's eyes lit up; it was a creature he'd been dying to see. Watching its blue speckling wings spread in the sun Ria pointed attracting his attention.
Ria, "If you come outside, I'll let you hold it." Scooping it up Ria walked a few steps back as if taunting him to follow. Ethan was captivated by the beautiful insect. Taking little baby steps his feet met grass. John watched from the door as his son toddled towards his sister, Ria was really doing it he praised.
Ria, "It's the same colour as your eyes, hold out your hand it will perch on your finger." With shaking hands Ethan outstretched his finger, Ria steadied him before swiping it on his finger. Ethan smiled the biggest smile she'd ever seen as the insect flapped.
Ethan, "It's pretty just like Ria." Laughing Ria air high fived her parents who were amazed at their son, Ethan's first venture outside.
Bobby, "Would you look at that, the lamb has been set free." John gave a loving look at his children running after a single butterfly. Bobby tapped his shoulder gesturing to the sofa, it looked like he had something to say. John sighed and sat down with the man he'd grew to hate watching Ria suffer.
John, "What is it Bobby?" Reaching for his notebook, he picked a pen from his pocket and adjusted his glasses, he looked like a professor. John raised his eyebrow as he read the title of the page. 'Ria's journey' he didn't know whether to be happy or concerned.
Bobby, "I want you to tell me all about her, from birth until now. It's important." John wished his wife was here to tell him no, but he was a single soldier in the firing line of a tank.
John, "What's there to know, your already fully informed about Nephilim?" Bobby rolled his eyes; this man was an idiot.
Bobby, "Ria's different in many ways. Particularly her growth, she understands advanced terms and language. Nephilim grow at a normal rate of a child which is why it makes it so dangerous when they receive their abilities whereas Ria can already control it. Tell me about her in better detail." John knew his daughter was unique, so his suspicion didn't surprise him one bit. If Ria was going to have a good life, they needed this man. Since his arrival their daughter had transformed into a different girl. She was kind, considerate and loving because she was receiving the stimulation she needed. Ria was born to be a fighter.
John, "Very well…We recused them from birth from an orphanage outside of town. As you know Ethan is a normal child but…Ria was advanced even then I mean she could talk by the time she was three months old and walk at five months." It was another lie, but her parents were still hell bent on protecting her true identity. Bobby jotted down mementos as John spoke.
John, "Ria could read at seven months and began talking like a grown woman almost as if she was reincarnated as an adult. She also has exceptional memory; she can remember every detail since the day Jane brought her home." Bobby paused and looked up intrigued by the idea.
Bobby, "How interesting so she's photographic, that's a rare ability among superiors. But she doesn't remember her birth parents? "John shook his head keeping his face stone cold, this man could fish a lie in a sea of truth therefore making him extremely careful.
John, "Why are you so interested in Ria?" Bobby kept writing ignoring him, he had his own reasons. As they sat awkwardly Jane came in to see what was going in, she always liked eyes on her father.
Jane, "What on earth are you doing?" John sheepishly nodded towards Bobby's notebook, she glanced it over and realized what his goal was. Any information was key in training a person, that included their past, present and aspirations for the future.
Bobby, "Has the girl ever showed any violent traits since you took her in?" Jane sat down with her arms crossed, this reminded her of childhood. Bobby wasn't interested in anything other than training, but she wanted to request he give Ria a break after working her six hours a day.
Jane, "No, Ria's always been a kind child. What exactly are you looking for father this is ridiculous?" Bobby stood up and watched to ensure Ria wasn't listening, Nephilim were generally very tuned into their excelling hearing, but Ria was too busy teaching Ethan about the outside world.
Bobby, "I have high hopes for her, she's very bright." Blunt and concealing were his forte, not only did he have high aspirations but wondered if she could be the first Nephilim to become a hunter. As long as they kept her morals straight, she could be amazing.
Jane, "Don't you think your pushing her too hard? Father she's a five-year-old girl, her body can only take so much." Smirking he opened the blinds so they could see Ria's smiling face as she played with Ethan.
Bobby, "Not at all. Despite being covered in bruises she pushes through the pain and even has energy to spare. I'm telling you that girl was born for great things." Jane and John couldn't argue there, seeing how hard she was working to protect them only deserved affection not worry. Ria had changed since starting training, like her world had gotten larger.
Bobby, "Back to business, when did Ria receive her telekinesis?"
Jane, "On her fourth birthday." Bobby looked up in interest, so she was an early bloomer. Also, a rare trait among Nephilim, he was pleased Ria had an advantage of control. However, Jane had a blank look on her face as if her mind was somewhere else.
Bobby, "I'm guessing it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows when it came to control. But…the house is still standing so I won't question you further." Relived Jane relaxed holding John's hand for support. This was like a counselling session.
Bobby, "Finally, has she ever hurt anyone before?" Not that her parents knew, Ria always preferred to resolve conflict with words not her fists. Like a natural born politic.
John, "Never. So…what have you concluded?" Apprehensively they waited for his verdict, could Ria really be the hunter she wanted to be.
Bobby, "I'm training Ria differently than others, instead of demonstrating martial art moves for her to imitate I'm letting her work it out on her own. Truthfully, she's perfect her mind can effectively adapt to high stake situations. If we continue, she will perfect martial arts to a professional degree level to the greatest of hunters." Breathing a sigh of relief Jane and John smiled, so this was Ria's true calling. As they began discussing where their strengths would benefit her in teaching, they overheard Ethan's cries.
Jane, "Ethan?" she rose and peaked out of the window to see their daughter facing off with a strange man dressed in black. Instinctively Jane pulled out her knife and ran outside, this man looked shifty. John and Bobby joined her knives in hand, they knew immediately this man was a superior.
"If it isn't the brat who challenged me before, we meet again." Terrified Ethan gripped Ria's back, while his sister stood in a defensive stance. She knew this man…it was the same superior she'd encountered a year previously. He looked like death with his large black sunhat, his scent was disgusting. How had he found her?
Jane, "Your trespassing, we have permission to kill on site if you don't vacate immediately." Their mothers stern voice caught them off guard. Ria could sense their bloodlust, there were knives behind their back she could feel it.
"You would speak to a superior in such a manner, I should kill you on the spot." What surprised Ria more than anything was Bobby's suspicious smile, looking at this mysterious man like prey. Was he so confident he could kill this man?
John, "Ria, Ethan get behind us." Ethan responded without question and ran behind his parents, but Ria was more stubborn than that. Instead she walked closer with a smile on her face. Bobby paused his smugness to ogle this brave child, she was a hunter in soul not just body.
John, "Ria!"
Ria, "State your business surely this can't be a petty reform of revenge for our last encounter. Or is it?" Raising her hand, she gave him a taunting smile, this man still believed she was just a human child. How wrong he was…
"Still an obnoxious brat I see, sadly no Nephilim will run to your aid this time. Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness." John went to engage when Bobby held him back, he wanted to see how Ria would react in the face of danger.
Ria, "Not a chance in hell. What a pathetic display of superiority, if you want it so badly then make me." Enraged the man raised his hand, Ria stomped her feet into the ground and caught his wrist before contacting her cheek. She's had enough of fearing these people, there was no such thing as superiority when she was concerned.
"You little b*tch!" Startled by an increase of pheromones Ria jumped back, it took a few seconds to register the pain in her hand. Upon looking her whole palm had blistered like an allergic reaction. Suddenly Ria wasn't so brave and ran in-front of her family. Luckily, she wasn't stupid.
Jane, "Please don't hurt my children, we will apologize." Trying to settle this in the most painless way, Jane defied Ria's initial refusal and conformed to his request. Bobby chuckled watching Ria wave her hand attracting his attention, so this superior had pyrokinesis which meant the ability to control fire.
Bobby, "Don't accommodate him Jane, I've already found a way to resolve this matter." Proudly he walked closer to this furious monster and offered him a deal.
"Move away you peasant my business is with the girl." Bobby gave him a serious head nod.
Bobby, "You are free to do whatever you want to the child under one condition." Intrigued the man in black crossed his arms and nodded for him to elaborate. Bobby knew the best way to trick a superior was to give them a chance to show their power.
Bobby, "If you can burn us, you can kill us." Slapping his leg in hilarity the superior looked at them like meat, in his mind this would be easier than pie. But little did he know Bobby had a trick up his sleeve.
"Very well." Re-joining the Lake family, he was amused to see Ria's face whiter than a sheet, it was clear she was feeling insecure about her abilities, so he gave her a helping hand. Bobby put his hands-on Ria's shoulders his lips by her ear.
Bobby, "This man is threating your family, are you going to stand for that?" Ria shivered; she had never felt so weak in her life. For the first time in her life Ria felt like a child.
Ria, "I-I can't…I Don't know how too!" With tears in her eyes she looked at her family as the superior warmed up literally, his blue flame emanating from his palm stared right into her heart. Filled with visions of her family burnt to a crisp she covered her ears.
Bobby, "I'll tell you how so calm down. I want you to imagine a white veil covering us all tightly like a blanket. Now visualize the white veil becoming deeper and deeper. You can do this just clear your mind." Ria was hyperventilating in panic; she couldn't do this. Her powers weren't that strong. Jane looked at her daughter sympathetically, this was too much pressure for her.
John, "Your only limit is you sweetheart you can do this." Her father joined in on the moral support kissing her head. Ria closed her eyes and tried to picture what Bobby had described, this was for her family. For Ethan, For Jane, For John and even for Bobby.
"Let's begin." Like lightning struck through her body Ria put up her hand and took a deep breath. The superior looked at her peculiarly, all attention was on this human child…Unphased be bundled up the fire in his hands and laughed.
"Have fun in hell!" Ethan gasped as he watched a blaze of fire waft towards them. Ria gritted her teeth; this was it the moment of truth. Bobby patted her shoulder and stood back leaving their lives in her hands.
Bobby, "Now Ria!" Ria put both hands out and pushed with all her might, feeling the heat tickle her face. Silence filled the field leaving only a light wind whistle in the air. Bobby and her parents gasped in disbelief. Ria slowly peeked through her long black lashes to see the flame dwindling before her. White florescent sheets twinkled before her eyes like dust, how was she doing this?
"What—"
Bobby, "NOW!" Jane threw her knife right between the superiors' eyes faster than light followed by John who swept past them all stabbing the superior in the throat. Ria let her energy go and spun Ethan around so he wouldn't have to witness death.
Ria, "Don't look brother." A scream filled the field. Ria glanced back to see his body turn to dust. Wiping the sweat from their brows everyone practically collapsed in relief. It was the first time Ria had seen death first-hand and it concerned her she didn't feel nothing about it.
Bobby, "Well done Ria." She startled hearing him call her name rather than girl, was she really being praised… Ethan looked up uncomfortable at his sister feeling a droplet on his head, upon looking up her his mouth a gaped.
Ethan, "Ria your node is bleeding." So, caught up in her success Ria failed to realize she had pushed her body too far. Like a black cloud invaded her mind she began wobbling before collapsing on the ground. Bobby rushed up to her side holding her head, she was on fire.
Jane, "Ria!"