The two men continued to bark orders to the young women that continuously threw punches at the dummy. Left, right, left left, right, and kick. Kasey's limbs were starting to protest and give in as the exhaustion sept through. Digging into her muscles as she again listened to her coaches.
"Keep your knees slightly bent. Elbows in!" Apophis repeated. Kasey felt her shoulders start to droop as she came close to calling quits. They've been at it all morning. What the hell is wrong with these guys? Why were they pushing so hard for her to train?
By this point, Kasey tuned out Apophis as she again did the sequence he had showed her this morning. She could feel her knuckles burning with the constant pain of the beating. It was becoming too much.
She jumped when she felt a warm hand touch her waist and she swung her arm back in an attempt to hit her attacker. Shobek easily caught her arm and quickly tucked it behind her back; the other arm quickly joining. With his true form exposed, he didn't bother taking the illusion of a little kid, so now his body mass was bigger than Kasey's and she often found herself intimidated.
Shobeks breath fluttered against her ear as he gently whispered, "Don't ever tune out when you are in a real battle. Otherwise, you'll end up dead."
"Good thing this isn't a real battle then.." She muttered, a blush creeping into her cheeks.
A deep chuckled rumbled against her back, "I suppose.." Shobek took a step back, releasing her gently. "Apophis, go cook us some food."
The snake looked up at the dragon confused, "what? Why me??"
Shobek slowly looked over at the Egyptian, giving him a hard look before turning back to Kasey. "Go get some water, Kasey."
Apophis opened his mouth to complain but thought better of it and instead stomped his way to the ramp; muttering under his breath.
Kasey relaxed a little and wandered over to where she had set her water bottle. She took a few gulps of the cold water before turning back to Shobek, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "What's next?"
Shobek gave her a lazy smile, "I thought I'd let you rest for a few moments."
Kasey gave him a suspicious glare before taking another gulp of water, "it's not like you to give me breaks. What is it you want me to do?"
Shobek's smile grew, "rehydrate first. When you're done, I want you to try something."
Taking one last gulp, Kasey put her bottle back down and walked back over to stand in front of him. "Alright, ready."
Shobek looked her over and smiled again, "are you sure?"
Kasey put her hands on her hips and gave a half-hearted shrug. The sooner she does what he asks, the sooner they can stop and she can take a well-deserved nap.
After looking her over again, Shobek held out his hand for hers. Kasey stared at his waiting hand before slowly removing her hand from her hip to rest on top of his. His calloused fingers slowly wrapped around hers. Curious, she looked up into his eyes and almost flinched when she saw how tender they were as he gazed at her.
"Don't be scared. Alright?" Shobek gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Okay..." Kasey whispered slowly, she dropped her gaze to their hands again.
A small flame flickered to life, then it consumed their joined hands. Kasey went to yank her hand away but Shobek tightened his grip on her small feminine hand, holding it still.
"It's okay, It's okay.." Shobek consoled the fear that she clearly showed. "See? It doesn't hurt."
Kasey gaped at the purple flames that surrounded their hands. He was right. There was no pain, just a warm tingling sensation. Her fear slowly dissipated, leaving a growing curiosity in its wake. Shobek slowly released her hand, taking his hand back. The purple flames stayed, consuming her entire hand in its brilliance. Stunned, Kasey turned her hand over, holding it up to get a better look at the dancing flames.
"How.. is this.. How is this possible?" Kasey asked, breathless.
"Our power is connected.. So it doesn't react negatively towards you. You have this ability too. You just need to master it.." Shobek gave her a gentle smile, watching her expression change from bewilderment to excitement.
"Can you teach me how!?" The flames flickered with her excitement, then slowly dissipated till it was gone. A small disappointed frown spread on her face as she looked at where the flames once were.
"Do you remember how they felt?"
Kasey looked up at Shobek and nodded slightly, "yes."
"I want you to close your eyes, and imagine a ball of lava in the center of your chest.." Shobek stepped closer, watching her instantly obey. "Then, imagine all of your veins being connected to that lava ball. Do you see it?"
Shobek waited for Kasey to give him a small nod as her brows furrowed in concentration. "Good. Next, I want you to hold out your arm and focus on those veins, imagine the lava flowing through them, all the way to your palm.." Shobek took a step back as she raised her arm and bit her lip, trying to focus on the image. The veins in her arm started to pulse slightly, a gentle glow spreading throughout her arm.
"Now, imagine the heat radiating above your palm.." A spark flashed in her palm before fading. Shobek watched in silence as she scrunched her brows together, a few more sparks lighted before fizzling out. "You're almost there..."
A small pink flame finally sparked to life and Shobek smiled. "You did it."
Kasey threw her eyes open and caught a glimpse of the little flame before it dissipated. "Wait, why did it disappear?" She looked at Shobek, a pout forming on her lips.
He chuckled, "because you stopped focusing on that image."
Kasey looked at her empty hand and her frown deepened, "oh."
"You can try again if you want, but the food should be just about done." Shobek rested his hand on her shoulder, giving her a soft smile before walking past her towards the ramp.
Kasey opened her mouth to beg for more time practicing, but her stomach let out a loud growl that stopped her from opposing the idea of food. She walked over to her water bottle and picked it up, jogging over to Shobek to match his pace.
"You did well on your first try." Shobek looked at her side-long.
"Thank you... um.. So... we share the same power, right?"
"Yes."
Kasey hesitated, "does... does that mean I will have all the powers you have?"
Shobek paused and looked at her, "It's possible but unlikely. You had your own power before you met me. I only enhanced and added a few things. It's unlikely you'll be able to change your body shape if that's what you are curious about. Though it's not entirely impossible."
Kasey looked down, "oh. I see..."
"hey.. Cheer up. I do know you'll be extremely powerful once you have mastered your abilities!" Shobek smiled at Kasey, hoping to console her.
"How do you know?" She looked up questioning.
Shobek cursed himself for saying anything. She can't find out about our bond yet. Think! What can I say..? "Because–"
"Lunch is ready~!!" Apophis called from atop the ramp. He eyed the two people that were slowly making their way to the ramp.
Kasey looked up at him happily, "good! I'm famished!" She gave Shobek a small smile before jogging up the ramp to Apophis, giving him thanks before heading to the table to eat.
Shobek silently thanked the snake as he met his gaze. Both walking to the table to take their spots. As soon as they were all seated, they ate hungrily. The spaghetti that Apophis managed to cook up was delicious, the flavor exploding in Kasey's mouth. She quickly finished and made herself a second serving.
"Not bad, snake," Shobek said before taking another mouthful of the noodles.
"You're welcome. I made sure to season your plate with extra poison." Apophis stated playfully.
"I can tell," Shobek smirked at Apophis before shoveling another forkful of noodles.
Kasey simply looked between the two for a brief moment before quickly finishing her second helping. "How did you two learn to make such delicious meals?"
The two men looked at each other before looking at her, "years of practice."
She blinked a few times and then blushed, 'of course.. they've been alive a lot longer. I think it's only natural that they would be good at making decent food if they've lived for centuries...'
Apophis smiled, "don't worry, you will be able to cook this good after a while."
"It's either that or live off chicken nuggets and instant noodles.. unless someone else makes a meal for you." Shobek didn't even glance at Kasey as he finished speaking and stuffed the last bit of food in his mouth.
Apophis nodded, "true dat."
Kasey couldn't help but be skeptical of their claims. Some people were just natural-born cooks. Others were natural-born burners. Like herself.
"I am pretty sure no matter how old I get, I will burn anything I dare cook." The men smiled at her comment.
Shobek opened his mouth to answer but a sudden boom shuddered the ground. Both men were instantly on their feet as the ground continued to quake. Kasey stumbled to her feet, alarmed.
"W-wh-a-t-s h-app-e-n-n-ing?!" Kasey shouted, holding onto the table to keep balance.
The shaking subsided after a few seconds and Shobek instantly turned to Apophis with a serious look, "he found us. We need to split up. I will take Kasey. Find a place to lay low. We will meet up once things have cooled down."
Apophis's expressions reflected Shobek's as he dipped his chin, "got it."
"What's happening?? Who is it?" Kasey looked between the two, panic gripping her chest as she tried to take deep breaths. Apophis gave her a sad look and walked around the table to give her a short hug. "What is it?? What's going on?!"
Apophis gave her a small smile after pulling away before he jogged to the hidden door and made a quick exit. Kasey turned to Shobek to question him but he suddenly pulled her very close. A loud crack sounded from the living room, she turned and watched in horror as the ceiling came down. Dirt rain down through the hole, along with a masculine body. His beady eyes instantly locking onto her. His thin red lips turning to a sneer as he charged at them. Darkness quickly enveloped the two and suddenly they were in the middle of a forest. Dead trees surrounded them, the ground was covered in ash. Shobek grabbed Kasey's hand and started running, pulling her along.
"Shobek..??" Kasey squeaked, her knees wobbled with fear as she looked around.
"Don't stop. Keep running." He said between breaths. He glanced back behind them once before turning to look ahead. "We have to keep running.."
Kasey nodded her head slightly, stumbling along with him. Confusion was invading her mind with fear. Flashes of what Belial had done before sending shivers down her spine.
A loud, angered roar vibrated the trees around them, causing Kasey to flinch and start to crumble in fear. Shobek paused to scold her but stopped when he met her crazed eyes that were gleaming with fear. Her face was ashen white and she was shaking like a leaf. He slowly scooped her up into his arms and started to jog. Kasey clung to his shirt as if her life depended on it.
Shobek ran to a clearing, he panted slightly and looked at the frail girl in his arms. He slowly grew his wings and held Kasey closer, he bent his knees a little before pushing off the ground. His wide wings instantly pushing air underneath their combined weight. A few strokes and they were up, above the trees. Kasey wrapped her arms around his neck, hiding her face on his shoulder as he started to quickly fly away from the island. A minute later and they were crossing a sea that was black, ripples showing every now and again as some feral beast peaked its head above the water. Eyeing whatever came in its path. Shobek paid the creatures below him no mind, his only focus was to get his mate somewhere safe. Somewhere secluded. Somewhere he could protect her.
He never wanted to see so much fear in her eyes again.