It was finally the day to train my demon. Hazel was at home with the baby. Uncle was going to watch. "Hey uncle. When do you have to go back? Are you bringing her with you?" "Yes of course I am." "OK." Then I looked at dad. Kade was watching too. He needed some pointers.
Finally time for business. "Ok turn to your demon. I need to see how long you can hold it." "Uh how exactly do I do that? My body usually does it on its own. I don't know how I do it?" "Sigh really? What about those times you saw Eri?" "Like I said my body does it on its own. It has a sudden urge to go in water. Under water I can only do 1hr and a half." "That is actually pretty good for someone your age. OK well lets see. Ah I know. Remember when you were angry In your uncles office and you fluctuated? Your uncle told me. Not necessarily anger but strong emotions. Whatever that emotion, it will be how you are in your demon form at the time." I nodded. "What strong emotion should I do?" He looked around and said, "Lets do determined." "OK sure." I closed my eyes to get in the mood. Then I felt my body start to change.
"There you go Zuri. Now lets see how long you can stay in this form out of water." "Dad. I turned the day before my 17th birthday. I was angry that day. I don't remember what pulled me back, but maybe I couldn't keep the form or something." "Did you hurt anyone?" "I think I might have accidently hurt Hazel but he won't tell me." "I'll talk to him. Anyone else you hurt?" If I did it was probably Kade but just a scratch." "OK lets fight." Then father and I fought.
After about 2 ½ hours my body was fluctuating. "Ok looks like your at your limit. Lets stop." "What does it mean when I fluctuate?" "Either your body is fighting you like it did at your uncles or your about to turn back. In this case its turning back." Then when my body turned back I was a little lightheaded. I was about to fall when Kade caught me. "Hey you ok?" "Yeah just a little dizzy and lightheaded." "Its to expected. You pushed yourself to your limit which is good sometimes. But since its this bad you do it too much." "You have no idea father. Hazel and I try to get her to rest but she never does until she is so tired out sometimes she sleeps for a few days."
"Zuri you are just like your mother. She did the same thing. If she didn't die from being attacked she would die of overworking herself. If I hear this again, I will hire you a caregiver. It can't be Hazel or Kade. I'll find someone." "Yes father. I will do my best." "You better. Aiden if this happens I will let you know. Maybe you have someone that would be good to watch her?" "In fact I do. She is in her early 20's as well." "Ok good. If that happens again Zuri Kade or hazel will send word to Aiden." "Yes father." I rolled my eyes. "Good. Now when do you go back to work?" "Monday Why?" Ok I don't want you doing anything those days except for spending time with Rio. I still can't believe you named him after me. Anyway you do anything else Kaden or Hazel will tell me. I will let Hazel know too. I will tell him myself." I was leaned against a tree, right now I just starting to calm down.
Once I was finally calmed down, I was helped up by Kade and dad. "Very good Zuri. Keep practicing and you can be in your demon form as long as you want. I wish I could still turn human. Sigh." "Oh dad. Your not so bad looking in your human form." "Thanks Zuri. OK well lets get you home and I am meeting up with friends in a bit." "OK dad." Then we all walked back home.
A few days later it was time for uncle to leave. "There is something we need to tell you all." Father was there too to see his brother-in-law off. "What is it uncle?" I said. "Do you want to tell them or should I?" "You can. Go ahead." "Well we are going to have a baby. Zener is pregnant." "Congrats uncle!" I said. Then everyone else did too. "Where is she going to be during the future battle? Is she going to be safe?" She will be going to her family's house away from here." "Good. She and the baby are going to need to be safe." "Uncle try not to die ok?" "Yes I know. There is something we also needed to say. If I do die in battle. I know you are going to say I won't but if I do, I need you Zuri, Hazel and Kade to help Zener with our child ok?" "Yes uncle. We promise. Still don't die. I will make sure of it. Now that you have one on the way I will be on your team during the battle. Father how long should I be able to keep my demon form up during battle?" "As long as possible. There is no time limit it just depends on how long the battle will last." "OK well I will hold it and take it too the limit to protect you uncle." " I don't think I will need it but thank you. You have a son as well." "Yes but I am not easy to Kill. The only thing that can kill me right now is overworking myself." "Haha." Everyone laughed. "Yeah that's true." "Well uncle. Safe travels. You too Zener. Congrats." "Thanks Zuri. For everything." "No problem. I'll miss you." "You too." I gave her a hug then my uncle. "Bye guys see you again sometime." Then they left.
"Ok well I better get to work. Kade…" Then I put my hand on his shoulder thinking for a moment. "Come with me to work for the day. You will be staying with my boss Jim." "I guess I'll see you later Hazel." "Yeah I'm going to work too. Dad will be watching the baby. Have a good day you two?" "I'll do my best. Hazel." I said. Then we waved and left.
"Follow me Kade. We need to put on our work clothes. We put them on over our clothes." "OK cool." Then he got the smallest one which was only slightly big for him. "Ok good. Let me take you to him." "Jim. Here's Kade." "Oh hello Kade. Good to see you again." "Likewise. So what are you having me do today?" "Well I thought just for today you would want to observe what people are working on. Then if there is one that looks interesting you can sit down and watch to see how they do it." "Yeah sounds good." "Sis what are you working on?" "Oh I'm supposed to be working on my first sword today. I got professional on daggers." "Cool show me when your done. I won't disturb you." "Ok see you little brother." "See you sis." Then I went over to Zira and she got the stuff ready. "Ok so what do you want to make the swords out of?" "Oh this material. What is this? Looks unique." "Oh that. We can try that if you want." "What is it?" "That is a very rare material. You can usually find it in the mountains. Hold on let me ask the boss what its called." She took the slab up to the boss.
"Hey Boss. What is this material called again?" "Its similar to Damascus steel. But because its colored its not. Its called Orichalcum. You plan on making a sword with that?" "No I'm not Zuri is." "Zuri is? Hmm. I wonder why?" "Is there something about the material?" "Its fine don't worry about it. Tell Zuri after work I need to speak with her." "Yes sir." Then she went back over to Zuri.
"I'm back. Sorry it took awhile." "Its fine. what is the material called?" "Its called Orichalcum. We call it Ori for short. Also boss wants to see you after work." "OK sure." Then I got what I needed and started the process. It took a little longer since swords are bigger than daggers.
"Finally done. Woah I did pretty good if I do say so myself." "Yeah you did. Good job for a first timer." "Thanks you and Jay gave me some good advice." "Oh you worked with Jay when I was gone?" "Yeah he was pretty helpful." "Good. He is also my little brother." "What I didn't know that." "Yeah well. He can be a pain." "Oh I like picking on Kade sometimes." "Haha I know what you mean. I still do at home. Its fun." It was finally break time. I went to go see Vince on my break.
"Vince you here?" "Yeah be right there Zuri!" Then he finally came out. "Sorry about the wait. Come this way." I followed him to the back. "So what brings you here?" "Well I started training with my dad a couple days ago. I can hold my form for 2 ½ hours and underwater I can do it for 1 ½ hours so half the time." "I see that is pretty good." "Yeah that's what dad said. So how long do I have to do it for the portal?" "Well we might not do it in time for battle so you will have to do with the boxes for now. Its safe if you can hold it as long as you can for the portal." "Yeah I figured. Sigh I guess your right. I could end up somewhere in water when I end up in the portal." "Yes that is why." "Ok then lets do the box training soon. I suppose you are on break for work?" "Yeah I need to go soon. Send word when you will be able to train me." "I will. Have a good day at work." "Thanks oh! When I get off work I might come by. I have a question for you." "OK sure. Go before you are late." I went out and went back to work.
Hours later work was done. Kade waited outside for me so I can talk to the boss. "What's up boss?" "That material that Zira asked about. Did you make a sword out of it?" "Yes I did. Why?" "Do you know what that material does?" "Is it some sort of special material? I mean I know its rare. Zira told me." "You have homework. I need you to look it up at the library then tell me what you learned at work." "Ok will do." I went outside to Kade. "OK Kade lets go see Vince now. I have something to ask him." "OK sure." So he followed me.
"Vince! I'm back!" "Oh there you are Zuri. So what is this question you had?" "Do you know sword metals by any chance?" "Well. I had a brother to was a swordsmith." "Was? He hurt himself pretty bad. It wasn't at work but in an accident and had to retire from sword smithing." "Is there a way I can talk to him?" "Yes but what is this metal you have a question about?" "Its called Orichalcum. Ori for short." "I have heard of that metal before. Why are you asking about it?" "Well I made a sword out of it and the boss wanted me to learn about it then tell him at work." "I see. I can see why. My brother should know about it. Here is his address." "Thank you." "OK you can either go home or come with me?" "I'll go home. Hazel will be worried about you." "Ok see you later then."
After awhile I found the house. "Well here it is." I knocked on the door. 'Knock Knock' Then I heard someone walking up to the door. A man answered it. "Hello my name is Zuri. I work with Vince. Are you his brother?" "Yes I am. How can I help you?" "Well I had a question about a certain sword metal." "Sure come in." I saw him look around. Then close his door. "My name is Rusty." "Nice to meet you Rusty." "So what is this metal you are talking about?" "Well I just made a sword out of a rare metal. My boss told me to learn about it before we can sell the sword. Its called Orichalcum. Ori for short." I saw his eyes go wide. "You actually found some?! What was it like working with it?" "Well it was harder than I thought. My teacher Zira had to help me a bit." "I see. Do you have any left over and maybe bring it over?" "I will have to talk to my boss. So what does the metal actually do?" "Yes I forgot. That is why you are here." Then he cleared his throat. "Well long ago when the first of it was found, they made a weapon out of it. It was a dagger. I have a picture of it hold on." I saw him looking and heard him say, "Ah ha here it is."