As Courtney closed her eyes, her mind drifted to the ocean—the soothing sounds, the invigorating scent. She merged these sensations in her thoughts, focusing intently. "Courtney, are you okay?" Kristen inquired, observing Courtney's closed eyes.
"I am," replied Courtney, opening her eyes. "I think I know what I need to do."
"What's that?" Niall asked with a smile.
"This," Courtney said, raising her hands. Niall saw a ball of water forming around them. "Wow, that's cool," he exclaimed, surprised.
"Let's see what I can do," Courtney said, directing her water balls at dummies. They flew like bullets, hitting the dummies with precision. "Nice work, Courtney," Thomas complimented. "You're almost ready to understand your powers; it's almost time to fight."
"It's my turn now," Katherine declared, eyeing her mom and Thomas. Walking over to the group, she felt her power building up. "Okay," she breathed deeply. As she swung her sword, she sensed the power leaving, but Niall and Kristen saw nothing.
"What just happened?" Niall asked, confused.
"She swung her sword," Kristen laughed.
"Yeah, but nothing happened," Courtney added.
"Exactly," Niall said, just as Katherine let her sword rest. Suddenly, the dummies split in two effortlessly. "What the hell?" Niall exclaimed. "How did that happen?"
"She used enchanted speed," Tierney explained with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Niall questioned as Katherine walked over to them.
"It means she enchanted her magic to go super fast," Thomas clarified. "So when she swung her sword, the wind from the swing went superfast."
"So you're saying the wind sliced the dummies?" Niall asked, still confused.
"Yes, that's what I'm telling you," Thomas affirmed with a smile.
"All I felt was my power flowing through me," Katherine said, placing her blade on the table. "And then it flowed into the sword like it was nothing."
"That's what it feels like to use enchanted speed," Tierney added with a smile. "It runs in the family."
"It does?" Katherine asked. "Who else?"
"Your father has it," Tierney revealed, looking at Katherine with a hint of sadness. "So why is there darkness rising, and how did all of this begin?" Katherine inquired, hugging her mom.