My hands automatically flicked open the switch, illuminating the training room in bright lights.
People have a swimming pool in their house I have a training room.
I chuckled at the thought, the joke never gets old no matter how many times I tell that to amuse my friends.
The floor was covered in training mats, a training course designed on the left and the right space free for when I need to practice defence with my blue. The rest of the space is filled with gym equipment which is only ever used by Skye and Kayden.
Dad had this training room made after we found out about my colours. I needed somewhere to practice control. The first few months I had spent just trying to control the colours, suppress them, hide them from prying eyes.
It made me seem weak in the training field at the Clauferry Academy because I was so conscious of keeping in control that I was just too tense to show my skills in school.
I had become closed off, left behind the popular crowd. It was not just difficult and challenging for me, it was much more. It helped me become who I am today, not afraid of my own colours.
I am not afraid anymore, practising for years have ensured that. Now using my powers felt good, the good kind of adrenal rush. I no more felt dread when I am asked to perform in the academy. I do it with ease.
Entering the room I felt the familiar rush of confidence. I have spent days here, training through sweat and tears. I stretched my arms and legs, getting the sore muscles to loosen.
Ash followed me. He has been here before, it was his own house after all. He had sat in the room cheering for me as Skye and I duelled in a match. It seemed like just yesterday he was here, annoying us during our training session.
"Let's start, now follow what I say. Just act" I spoke giving instructions while standing walking through the padded floor to face him.
" A shield is an extension of your body. It is in sync with your movements " I demonstrated while holding my arms in a block position. Diagonally in front of me, muscles coiled in defence.
A blue circular shield took form easily, blocking my upper from any attack.
We practised some movements back and forth, him trying to copy me as I demonstrated the most basic shields. It should do, for now, but the complicated part was the illusion. He will have to act while I have to make the shield without lifting a finger or using my hands.
Our hands are used to give direction to our weapon, shield or creation. Where to concentrate our colour. But conjuring a shield without using my hands is the task in this, I have to look unbothered. I have done it before, numerous times.
" Ok Ash, now suppose I am throwing a dagger at up, act accordingly. Take the posture and I will make the shield," I spoke.
He looked determined to learn, but this is a new domain for me too, we have to work as one.
I swung my hand in the form of an arc throwing the pretended knife while concentrating on creating a shield for Ash as he took a defensive position.
He folded his arms in an X and a blue shield materialized in front of him. But he reacted a little too slow for a defender, it didn't look natural. Assuming that he just received his power, that excuse will pass, but not for long.
The trainers in Clauferry academy are like hawks, they will either know that something is out or they will think that Ash is too weak.
Like they assumed about me once.
"Let's try again," Ash asked as he took his position and waited for me to strike again. And I did.
We practised the same motion a couple of times more before the motion became fluid as if his extension.
Natural.
I smiled encouragingly at him.
" Ok next," I indicated at him before swinging my leg at his side. He raised an arm and a slanted shield stopped my blow. Not like it was a real blow, it wouldn't have even hurt him, I was not even sharp in my attack.
Then I moved forward to punch him continuously. Barely focusing on the direction of my punch rather than putting my whole concentration on blocking them with shields. Ash moved back and I moved forward, going back and forth.
This is not working.
I dropped my hands with a sigh and placed them on my waist. If I concentrate on making shields to block my own blow then I can't monitor his progress, my attention is divided into my own movements.
" This is not working" I sighed proceeding to flop down on the mats.
" Ash shield, now." I heard the command and I saw the moss green dagger flying towards Ash. His eyes widened as he took a step back.
I swung my hands creating a shield for Ash and he crossed his arms later, too late.
The dagger clanked off the shield, disappearing a moment later.It was not an attack but merely a trick to catch us off guard.
I wiped back to look at the said culprit, to find Skye in his trainer mode.
Skye is doing an internship at our school to join as a trainer. He trains me at home and school too, meticulously pointing out my strengths and weaknesses during sessions.
" Ash too slow, and Ariel don't use your hands," he commanded stepping on the mat. We both nodded, standing beside each other, eager for his next instructions.
Good that he is here now, I can teach chemistry to anyone but teaching someone to fight was not my domain, it was Skye's.
" Ariel stand in the corner there," he instructed and I went to take my place.
Skye becomes a different person in the field. Sharper and more serious. This is what he loves to do, to train. And he is good at it.
He can train us better, obviously, but he will train us till we fall on the mat, begging for a break. He is relentless like that.
" Now Ash, I am going to toss a dagger at you, how will you protect yourself?" Skye questioned in his trainer mode, arms crossed as he assessed the position that Ash took. He tossed questions after questions, correcting his position, or showing him a better grip.
" Conjure a shield Ash," he commanded and for a second Ash looked confused before I materialized the blue shield before him, without using my hands and trying to be as nonchalant as possible.
" Too late Ash. You have a colour, this blue is your colour and your power defence. You need to act like you are assured of it, trust your power, trust your sister." Ash locked eyes with me as if to solidify his trust in me.
I noded back to assure him as if to say I will take care of it.
Ash nodded back at Skye, planting his feet firmly on the ground he stretched his arms in a ready position.
Then Skye started swinging his arm as if to throw knives. He was slow purposely, giving us time to sync our movements.
I followed every action with keen concentrated eyes. Never moving from my place as Ash acted with each step, becoming more and more confident in his step.
Skye increased his speed and we blocked. Then all of a sudden he conjured a real dagger and swirled it at Ash. I jumped slightly loosing my cool and created a shield without using my hands.
The dagger deflected off of it, falling harmlessly before disappearing. It was slow, Skye could have been faster if he wanted, more confident.
But he was worried, afraid for Ash.
Just like I am.
" That was good" Kaydens voice drew our attention to him, he was leaning on the treadmill, the eye bags drawing my attention.
He scanned my face and I was positive that he concluded the same thing as an understanding passed between us.
He didn't sleep last night.
" Ash, Ariel, and Skye. Come down for breakfast. It is 9 I think you have trained enough for today."
" Yes, you are right" Ash spoke almost too excited as his face lite up with hope at the prospect of getting a break.
I almost taunted him that he didn't really do anything. But I stopped myself before the words escaped my lips.
I think I can cut him some slack.
" No the training is- " before Skye could protest I cut him half sentence.
" complete. Kayden said" with that, I snatched Ash's hand and we sprinted out of the room before he could drag us back to train.
Phew!