The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 24

A deep chill emanated from the stone walls of the cell, the cold damp seeping into her bones. Kamar Taj had electricity and even wi-fi, but the temple school lacked a reliable heating system. Cassandra burrowed deeper under her blanket, a violent shiver racking her body. Everything ached from the beating she took in training.

Heat flushed her skin as she thought of how easily the sadistic drill instructor knocked her unconscious. Raising a hand to the bruise on her cheek she longed wistfully for the days Loki trained her. Wong was right. Loki had gone easy on her.

Moonlight spilled through the narrow window across the flagstone floor. Cassandra gazed across the room at the empty bed where Loki would have been if he weren't locked in the Mirror Dimension.

Eventually exhaustion drove her back into slumber.

She woke the next morning and hobbled slowly to the bathroom to turn on the shower.

In a few minutes, steam flooded the small bathroom. Cassandra sighed in relief as she stood beneath the hot water until the last of the nighttime chill vanished. Her limbs were a little less stiff after the hot shower.

In her room she found a fresh set of robes and changed into them joining the other novices in the dining hall. Another novice plunked a bowl of rice porridge and a cup of tea in front of her.

She rubbed her aching jaw. Just as well.

Cassandra couldn't chew anything right now. She glanced around the dining hall aware of the sepulcher silence. No one talked to each other, but a few novices cast her curious glances.

Averting her eyes, Cassandra stubbornly shoveled in a spoonful of porridge biting back a curse at the throbbing pain in her jaw. Damn, it hurt!

Halfway through the bowl Cassandra sensed someone standing over her. Dread forming a lump in her throat, she slowly lifted her eyes and whimpered when her gaze landed on the newest object of terror in her life.

Satan the Drill Instructor glared down at her. "Now, that you're conscious follow me."

After yesterday Cassandra knew better than to argue with him. If she complained about not finishing her breakfast she might end up picking her teeth off the stone floor. So she trudged after him into the same courtyard as before.

Satan crossed his arms over his chest, assessing her calmly. "Novice, you are a spoiled brat."

Cassandra disagreed with his assessment but wisely nodded.

"Up until now, everyone has catered to your every whim." He circled her slowly. "I will not."

Talk about stating the obvious. Cassandra kept him in her vision as he prowled around her, waiting for him to lash out.

"Kamar Taj is a place of learning and growth. In an ill-conceived decision, the fates have chosen you as the Merlin." He shook his head. "It was a mistake. Anyone can see that, but I will do my best to mold you into what you need to be."

Nothing like being called a mistake to wound the old ego. "And what do I need to be?" Cassandra bit out.

"Whatever the world needs you to be no matter the pain you may suffer." Satan tossed her a staff.

This time she caught it without fumbling, a steady anger rising in her breast. His insults were like fuel to her rage. Cassandra twirled the staff in one hand.

Approval briefly lit his eyes. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master."

"Good. Let us begin."

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Cassandra struck the ground hard enough the flagstones cracked beneath her. Unseen by the training ground occupants Loki watched from the Mirror Dimension as she crawled toward her staff, blood trickling down her face from a cut on her forehead.

"Stop lazing about, Novice! Stand up!" The instructor barked.

Grinding her teeth, Cassandra surged to her feet with a fire he had never seen before. With a roar, she charged the drill instructor.

Wong joined Loki in watching the pair. "Master Li is the best instructor in Kamar Taj. He is exactly what the Merlin needs."

"So, am I to remain in the Mirror Dimension forever?" Loki asked as Cassandra flew backward into the low garden wall.

"Until Cassandra's training is completed. Its what's best for her." The monk tucked his hands into the voluminous sleeves of his robes. "Like a duckling imprinted onto its mother she is too dependent on you. The novice is strong. Stronger than any of you know otherwise her predecessor would not have chosen her."

"Who are you to determine what her fate is to be? It is Cassandra's choice." Loki seethed, his hands balling into fists. "Not yours."

Wong turned to face him. "Enough, novice. It is your turn to train." A pair of short swords appeared in his hands. He tossed one to Loki. "You are skilled, but you don't know everything."

Loki tested the feel of the blade, running a finger lightly over its edge, sharpened to a lethal point. He smiled slowly. The fool had armed him. Killing him would be a bloody simple task. "I relish the chance to defeat you wizard."

Wong attacked him from the side, his blade slashing up beneath Loki's sword in a clash of metal. Loki braced his legs against the strength of the blow. This mortal was surprisingly quick and agile.

Side by side the two pairs trained in synchronicity. Once, Master Li's gaze landed on Loki as if the wizard could peer into the Mirror Dimension.

Loki smirked and nearly lost his sword to Wong. Refocusing on his opponent, he attacked in earnest driving Wong toward the temple entrance. They stumbled into the corridor. Loki's sword struck the stone wall sending sparks into the air.

He chased the wizard through the entire complex. Sweat beaded on Wong's forehead but his remote expression did not change as he countered everything Loki threw at him.

Wong swung leaving his left side open. Loki lunged to strike and suddenly found himself flipping through the air and slamming into a wall. His sword clattered to the floor.

Breathing hard, Loki chuckled peeling himself off the stone. "You are a worthy opponent, wizard."

Wong bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Pick up your sword. We are not finished."

Loki grinned appearing behind him. Wong was ready for the trick and blocked his attack without looking.

Wong spun his sword slowly. "Your tricks are easy to see. They will not work on me."

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After training with Master Li a.k.a. Satan, Cassandra joined the other novices in learning how to summon portals. She stared at the strange brass ring on her hand and spun her hand in front of her in a wiping motion while keeping her other hand steady, palm out.

A few sparks and then nothing.

This became the pattern of her life for the next two weeks. Cassandra was slowly getting the hang of combat. Her magical skills, however remained dismal.

One day after portal training Master Li awaited her in the hall. "Novice."

"Master."

Expressionless, Master Li summoned a portal into a world of swirling white. An icy wind blasted into corridor. "Do not think with your head, novice. Trust your instincts."

"Uh..."

Then Satan shoved Cassandra through a portal into a blizzard.

A/N: I love Wong and felt he needed to be more badass. I think he gets cheated a bit in the main canon. I hope you enjoyed it. As always comment, vote, and have a great day!