Another 5am start, seriously kill me.
Ever since my first full transformation into cheetah form which occurred last month Laith has been on me ever more.
5am starts with more transformations, more cardio and even more interval training.
Then Laith decided ohh lets add some assault in and see how she handles it in human and cheetah form.
So here I am in the Training rooms with a log as a balance beam. Twigs to hop side to side on. Even some rope from one side of the room another just to work on upper body strength and agility.
Yes I am exhausted. My knees throb with every step. My muscles ache from every exercise. Even my skin itches from the repeated transforming over skin to fur yet i feel stronger than ever.
As soon as Laith shouts I launch in the air and attempt a transformation within minutes I am in full form but the landing doesnt go as I hope. I miss the rope and land hard despite the padding knocking the air from me.
A sound of whaling noise erupts from my throat without my consent and Laith rushes over.
'Are you injured?' His gold eyes are full of concern and he helps me stand on my paws.
Once I am stood Laith stands also, but instead of returning to his original position Laith outstretches his arms as if summoning something. Wait he is calling his power as his eyes turn electric blue and his features twist and grow.
In seconds his Lion Spirit form is before me and the water that surrounds him shakes as water does, truly reflecting the ever-moving property Laith's water has.
A deep growl sounds from Laith before he speaks up.
'You transform Erza but you do not become the beast. Refining your instinct is key to a power that includes animal instincts. Here watch.'
Laith jumps using his hind legs onto the rope but instead of falling as a human would, his tail outstretches. Laith with grace and the correct placing of his paws walks across a single rope without so much as wobble.
Laith jumps down and gestures at me to attempt the walk.
Oh shit. Despite my trepidation I jump.
I make the jump but end up with the rope along my chest and stomach instead of under my paws, the grace of an elephant instead of a cheetah.
'Erza you can do this. Extend your tail. Place the rope in the middle of the biggest paw pad and release your claws. This is how cats walk. Remember you are not human right now you are a cheetah so act like it. Give into your instincts.'
'Alright.'
So, with that I extend my golden and spotted tail. I place my paws beneath my stomach behind one and other to push myself up. Last but not least my hind legs wobble but with effort I am stood.
I hold my breath as I place each paw before one and other, with every wobble I feel my instincts kick in. I can do this. I am no longer a human. I am a cheetah and I will make it across this rope as if my survival depends on it.
I make it across the hope in a flourish. My jaw smiling as much as I can in cheetah form.
I jump down and land before Laith waiting for his comment with baited breath.
'Well Erza looks like your beginning to understand your own power. Now onto the next step!'
Relief seeps through me. In this whole month since first transforming all its been is 'not good enough' or 'work harder' but not its reassurance. That means I can do this and follow through on my promise. The change from Purple Predator to Purple Streak.
The next exercise Laith demonstrates is avoiding the twigs in cheetah form since I have two more legs to worry about in this form. Laith on the tip of his paws and dashes through without a single drop of water hitting the twigs. He goes left to right. He travels forward and backwards showing me how to manoeuvre my limbs as well as tail to keep my agility on point.
Then its my turn and with the speed of a cheetah I avoid every twig but one which crunches beneath my left back paw before finishing the exercise. So Laith has me repeat the exercise two more times until deeming my agility is good enough to be left at that.
The last but not least exercise involves the log. But not to balance as i once presumed no this is much harder.
Laith stands before me in his Lion spirit form towering over me.
'This is the last activity for today but by far the hardest. Now as we know you picked this form for its speed as you believed you could utilise it as a Flighter. But you must learn to manage the speed around corners and sharp bends. Especially around opponents. Here is your challenge. I want you to get up to full speed which I know you can from this month's interval training. But I want you to use your tail and pads on your paws to stop you skidding when turning. Finally I want you to get past me an reach the log only then will you prove to me you have mastered cheetah form.'
My whiskers twitch in anticipation and my ears pick up sounds to the right of us. There in the door way is Varian with his smirk, Will leaning on the door and nodding as if hearing my surprise at his appearance. Lin and Katie stand as Layla whoops excitedly. Shit they are all here. They knew this would be my final challenge from Laith to see if I can go in the field as a flighter. That bloody bastard.
I hiss at Laith who merely laughs at my disdained look.
'You can do it E!' Layla exclaims.
I croon at Layla knowing I heard her and then meet Laith's eyes.
Laith roars which signals me to go.
At first I sprint around the room keeping as straight as possible but then I angle my tail and twist. I skid slightly but my paws catch me so I continue. I pick my pace up to the maximum and twist and turn until finally I meet Laith in the centre of the assault course.
In a spilt second I veer left which Laith copies and swings a paw at me. I duck to the left and dodge his paw swipe before running right and jumping on the log claws stuck in. I yet out an explosive yelp as my instincts take over.
Cheering is heard from the door way. Will is beaming and his curls shake with his excitement. I feel pride within me at making Will proud. He has been my number one supporter other than Layla since joining here. I turn to Layla whose is jumping so high water soars above her. Varian claps half assed but nods in his own form of congratulations. Lin and Katie are laughing. But despite the celebration I turn to Laith who stands tall in his Lion spirit form and walks before me. I gulp but jump down as he walks over. I show my neck in submission my animal instincts now taking over. But instead of Laith growling to show whose leader he lowers his head and nuzzles me. Now to others it may seem strange but in 'cat language' this is a greeting and sign of respect.
Laith steps back and transforms to human form. His water disperses and his bones crack into their usual structure. So, I follow suit and in under 10 minutes I am back to Erza. However, this time I am not questioning why it was easier changing back than changing into. No,I am questioning whether I can do it again and keep transforming till it is a second nature.
Laith coughs, resulting in the cheering to subdue.
Laith smiles and his eyes crinkle betraying his age for the first time since I have been here. He looks tired and forlorn yet this smile meets his eyes so purely its hard to see him as weathered.
'Welcome to field duty Erza. Are you ready to work?' Laith raises an eyebrow to add effect.
So, without a care in the world my face stretches into a smile of its own, wide enough to feel the pull on my cheeks. I am one step closer to saving Insurgo. I am going in the field to change my name. I am going to be a flighter and work as a team.
But I cant say all that with my emotions so high, so I simply respond with 'Ready as I'll Ever Be.'