Dream Partners: Dark Rain (book 2)

Chapter 21: Training Tribulations

Meanwhile, back with Jay, things were going much better as he had finally learned how to channel the chaos properly but it still needed work. Maldor smiled and told him to take off for the rest of the day. After Andrea and jay had left, All three gods met up with each other in the arena, to discuss today's results. Maya spoke up and said, "how was the training?" And Maldor and Ariel looked at each other before he finally spoke up and said "Jay is far beyond the skill levels required to do the circuit" and Ariel spoke up and said, "Andrea's endurance and strength have grown exponentially since she came back to life ma'am".

Maya's eyes opened wide and said "you're kidding me right?" And both Ariel and Maldor shook their heads no. Maya smiled and said, "very well, proceed with their training as you see fit, but I will be watching the training session at the end of the week". They both nodded and said "yes ma'am before leaving the arena and heading back to the house for much-needed meditation. Maya stayed in the Arena and started setting up for tomorrow's session. The next morning, Ariel and Maldor transported Andrea and jay into the arena together and were shocked to find the massive obstacle course that was set up for them. Just like last time, it would test their new skills to the limit.

Maldor and Ariel looked at each other and nodded before Ariel said "It seems Maya wants you to warm up with this course for a bit before we start battle scenarios". Jay and Andrea sighed before looking at each other and starting the obstacle course which by the time they completed, had their clothes ripped and covered in gunk". Ariel said "try again" as the second try went on into the 3rd 4th 5th and 6th, until the 7th time, the duo came through unscathed...it had taken 2 hours.

Maldor finally spoke up and said, "Congratulations, now you both get to take on me, Maya and Ariel". Andrea said, "how's that fair?...it's 3 on 1 ".Maya appeared and said, "sometimes the battles pick you and at times they're not even, but you have to adapt and use your powers to compensate". Ariel said "you two are way more powerful than all 3 of us combined, but the purpose of this drill is to teach you to use each of your movements as well as your opponent's movements to aid you in tandem with your powers. Andrea and Jay took their stances as Maldor shouted "begin" and as soon as it began, it was already over as both Andrea and jay got thrown to the ground.

Maldor shook his head and said, "work together and use your new abilities to form a battle plan...today is just a test, we will begin teaching you tomorrow". Andrea and Jay nodded at each other before Maldor announced round two and this time they did slightly better as Jay used his chaotic powers in tandem with his harmonic energy to knock Maldor out of the fight. Then he helped Andrea by Augmenting her powers while using his own to match Maya's mighty power and it was draining as she wasn't going to give up easily. The dual continued for another hour before Maya called it quits for the day and nodded her head with a smile. She said, "I'm amazed that you held out that long against me and Ariel, but tomorrow we'll show you how to defeat us... your powers are there but you're not utilizing their full potential yet".

The next few weeks consisted of constant matches and battle scenarios and for the first couple of weeks, Andrea and jay were sore, not from training but from getting their asses handed to them repeatedly by Maya during the matches. After training, Andrea went home in a less than ideal mood and jay was determined to cheer her up. When they got in, Andrea went to her office and lightly slammed the door in anger but jay wasn't going to leave her be. He walked into her office; sat the food he ordered down; ignored her yelling for him to leave and pinned her against the wall as he kissed her fiercely. After a few minutes, he pulled away and motioned for her to sit on the desk with him and she smiled and walked over and sat down, still blushing.

Jay said "alright what's going on ma'am and Andrea aggressively said "nothing" as jay cupped her cheek and said "my spicy habanero has a bit of extra spice on her today". Andrea grunted and said "stop...you know I can't resist you when you're being cute". Jay smiled and began to rub her shoulders and talked in his deeper voice which sent chills down her spine and forced her to give in. She sighed and said "fine I'm just pissed that we're not getting anywhere with this training right now, it seems like no matter how hard we try, it's not enough". Jay cupped her cheek and pulled her into a gentle kiss that lasted until they pulled away for air. After pulling away, he looked into her hazel brown eyes, smiled, and said "I can't believe I'm saying this, but let go, my love, get angry and use it to increase your powers".

She sighed and said "I'm scared of hurting you and everyone else" and he smiled and wiped away her tears that began to run down her cheeks and said, "you won't hurt me". She burst into tears and said, "I don't know that...I'm uncontrollable". Jay smiled and pulled her into another kiss and held her hands and said "it's all in your head, I know what you did to get me back here, I know about you confronting your emotions, facing your trauma, pushing yourself...all for me". Jay held her and said "do this for me and our future and don't worry about going insane, I am your balance, your reason to be here and strong...I am your partner, your other half and I will do all I can to protect you, just don't slip backward".

Andrea looked at him for a minute; frozen in thought before he extended his hand and said "please lean forward onto me and well handle this together like always, don't fall backwards into that past crap". Andrea smiled and grabbed his hand which he used to pull her into a tight hug which lasted for a bit as he whispered reassurances into her ear; determined to keep each one. She looked up at him and said "I love you so much and I will do it for you and for our future".Jay smiled and said "good now let's eat" as he laid the Chinese food all across her desk and they dug in.

After cleaning up they headed upstairs and showered before watching TV for a while. Andrea found Jay's words sticking to her mind more and more with each passing minute and so was her resolve. Instead of worrying, she smiled and said to herself"I got this sweetie...for you and for me" before turning over and drifting off to sleep.