Destined

1. Struggle

The past few months have passed by so quickly, and no sign of the Corrupted king. When Judas died, everything changed. His death shook me and reminded me of everything I wanted to protect.

"Jaiden focus, you can't rush it." Zelme scolded.

I charged him. He dodged moments before I landed a blow. I recovered at the spin of my heel but Zelme crossed his arms and sighed.

Zelme shook his head. "Where is your head? You asked for me to teach you, but you are too distant. You haven't gotten over his death yet, it appears."

I clicked my tongue. "Shut up and start teaching me or I will do it for you." I lunged at him again.

Zelme evaded like he was fluid in the air. My punches mere fractions of an inch from connecting with his shoulder. "Its been two months now let the guy rest in peace. I still don't get why he would teach a kid like you when it is obvious you still lack discipline."

I swung. He sidestepped while I tried to the backswing and he caught my arm. His eyes were intense on me. I scowled. "I'm not a kid anymore."

Zelme scoffed. "Still waiting to see you grow up, so you are a kid."

I retracted my arm and tore away from our sparring match. I turned my back and I felt almost worn out. We had been out here all morning, and I was getting nowhere with how to use wind magic. Zelme moves quicker than I can react, no doubt because he is using his magic.

"You will never get how this works if you can't clear that head of yours, kid. Wind magic is not like fire and ice, same with spirit power. You think too much, and you fail." Zelme rushed over in a flurry of air. "What I saw you do to Ravela was the reason I agreed to this, but if you can't find your own center, this is pointless."

I made a fist at my side. "You don't think I am taking you seriously?" I glared at him.

Zelme sighed. "No, kid, I don't. After his burial, you have been throwing yourself into learning our elements. You haven't gotten over his death, and the truth is you won't."

I gripped the collar of his shirt ready to deck him. "Like you can talk when you have not gotten over how he killed the woman you loved."

Zelme's eyes crossed over into the shadows. "You are afraid. Every time you raise your fists to lash out, they will not connect. Ever since that time you refuse to unleash your power because you hurt deep down." His eyes drifted back to me. "You need a reason to continue, one stronger than what you fear. I think we are done for today." He broke away from my grip on his shirt and walked away.

Zelme left the courtyard before I called after him. I unsheathed a sword off my back and stared at the reflection in the metal. My own reflection irritated me with the intense guilt in my eyes. I sighed shoving the sword in its sheath.

"Your Highness, your father is calling for you." A trembly voice caught my attention. A young servant boy with a scrawny frame and a ragged pair of boots.

"Don't call me that, it's not necessary." I frowned at the boy.

"But I cannot Your Highness, you are the crown prince."

I trudged past him and off to look for my father.

I heard the hurried boots of that boy follow. "I thought you fought well with your friend; I could barely look away."

"It is still not good enough, so don't bother trying to make me feel better." I snapped and the boy lowered his eyes. "I am in a bad mood, so don't go and blame yourself." The boy's eyes shot up instantly and he nodded.