After some numbers were put in a hat we all drawn.
Mine was a big black 2 write on it .. meaning ..
" I'm first. "
I will go after Alexander.
I took a seat with the others and waited for them to start.
" I'm dead last .. " - Eli showed her paper with the number 9 on it. " .. after Cintia.
Demelza choose 4 coming in after Stuart whom needed some encouragement from his wife.
Alexander was extremely concentrated while dodging them without much hassle, he did ended up getting hit with 3 consecutive balls right before the end .. 37 / 40.
We cheered the disappointed man on with his wife jumping right on him and even his son clapping his tiny hands, still his smile remained missing.
" Good job brother, you improved a lot .. I'm proud of you. " - said Zephyr stepped behind him.
Of course that made him smile, embarrassed even just scratching his head.
My stomach wasn't my friend .. in my mind it was kept repeating .. it's just a test .. but in the back of it I really wanted to match Alexander score even if that was a pipe dream.
" .. Babe? "
I looked up and my husband was just a few inch away from me.
" I'm here .. " - I said absent minded.
" Clearly .. " - he rolled his eyes. " .. my love listen, just go out there and do your best. For better or worst, it will be over in about 2 minute or so. "
His cheeky smile lessened the knots in my stomach and steadied my legs.
" Thanks for the pep talk darling .. where ?
Just as I was stared searching for my daughter she appeared like a ghost. " Good luck mom, remember it doesn't really matter since dad said .. mphmp ..
" Shush now .. " - Zephyr tapped her mouth shut before she could leak information. " .. go back to your seat .. airhead. "
He nudged a pouting little girl back to the tables and returned to me.
" .. later .. just concentrate for now and good luck. "
I recieved his delicious kiss and with this little development my nervousness was almost all gone.
" Good luck sweetheart! "
" Do it for all of us! "
There were a few shouts but my mother and Demelza's was the stand out ones.
I took a few deep breaths and calmed my mind. After a small nod the balls were launched with deadly speed and precision.
The way we played, from lvl 1 till lvl 4 was the only difficulty on us and the test were obviously lvl 4 meaning all four of them launched those ball simultaneously. They're too somehow got better over these days and got to know our movements and such.
Non the less I leaned much about them as they did from us. There balls were on point but had a pattern to it, because they're were so good, even without wanting too they're unintentionally going easy on us at the start.
I was lost in thought and let my body and eyes work in harmony while my brain anticipated their throws.
Without noticing I've heard the family getting rowdy behind me but I was in the zone .. felt as if the balls themselves slowed down for me and somehow I narrowly avoided most of them ..
But the second I let those thoughts creep in my mind ..
( THUD , THUD , THUD, THUD .. .. .. THUD )
The first one took out my left shoulder guaranteed the others to hit my side and the last one slammed into my temple taking me down the ground landing on side.
My ears were ringing so bad I wasn't able to understand Zephyr words as he helped me up .. after playing with my ear a little the constant pressure and high pitched sound disappeared and I was able to hear.
" .. mazing.. it was incredible. " - he said smiling ear to ear, picking me up.
" Huh!? "
" I said you were amazing, 36 / 40 and let's be honest you've could have gone for 40/40 .. your hard work over the last few weeks paid off big time. "
I was taken and placed down the benches and quickly buried by my sister and sister in law.
" How did you do that!? "
" Sisi that was something else, I was ready with a consolation speech but it was for nothing. "
I heard them from one ear each. Pulled away and touched my temple a little only to feel it was burning up, granny walked closer and took a closer look shoving the others away.
" You are fine .. and show a fine form as well little one, well done. " - she said cupping my face.
My head still hurt but it was all overshadowed by the new found respect I saw from everyone's eyes, my husband and daughter looked around acting a little smug made me laugh.
" Mom you were like a different person our there.. "
I took her and placed on my knees. " Well it was a combination of things, which I'll teach you once we returned home. "
We both looked at Zephyr who sighed a little before giving in.
" Fine train her but don't come crying to me when she gets hurt."
"" Yay .. ""
While we talked this over, Carlos took position and created a thin layer of water around himself while nodded towards the four snipers.
He sure stole the show as the balls incinerated around him before they could land, as if the water was tearing it apart so small part it was barely recognisable.
As we were all convinced he was going to clear it the water shield disappeared and he landed on all fours as the remaining 6 balls pummeled him without mercy.
It started out great but ended up behind me in rankings.
His depressed face sure told that story as he was crawling back to us until mother and Zephyr picked him up.
" I was impressed Em .. I mean it was insane to try that out right at the start and not from the middle or something so to guarantee a 100% score but .. whatever. "
Their eyes meet and laughed out loud as mother were wobbled under her share of the weight.
Still these armour he showed just now promised a lot of potential and it could be a good tool once he further master it.
I felt like we all got a little better than we were last week, found something about ourselves that we didn't know was there and pushed our potential further.
One more day and we set out towards Hori the Elephant King of the East.