Sun and Star Academy: Book 3: Moon Kingdom

Chapter 13: Frozen In Time

For Kareena, there was only one person who came to mind to train her, really train her, the person who was entrusted with her life, Seth himself. She and her friends had flown in with Liam, Maleah, and the Elites in the later hours of the previous evening. And now she sat, not so patiently, in the training room of Star Kingdom. She was hoping to talk to him for a bit before the actual work began but she wasn't so sure it would happen that way. She did some stetches then noticed the doors open, Seth walked in with Serena.

Instantly, the hug she wanted to give him, the words she wanted to say, the tears that she wanted to shed, all froze, now that he was in front of her. It was an awkward silence till Seth spoke up, "You don't need to thank me or feel guilty for anything, I was ready to die carrying out my duties. You were my responsibility, and given the chance to do it all again, I wouldn't change anything."

Kareena felt a sense of calm, mixed with a slight sting of being no more to Seth than an order, a burden to bear. She glanced between her sister and him, they were once engaged, before she had died, were they still together? They certainly looked every bit the power couple. Kareena took a breath, she had to get over her childish ways. She should be used to being overlooked, people always liked Maleah over her, now it was Serena...maybe she really was a burden. Serena walked over to her.

"I didn't know you'd be here." Kareena directed at Serena; it came out a lot harsher than it was supposed to.

Serena didn't seem to pay any attention to the tone, "Maleah sent word that you were coming here, that you were set on training with him...Kareena, are you sure you're ready? We can have you train with Renay or Chris..."

"More than sure...It should be Seth, he's the best...I used my powers, Serena. It was so...exhilarating."

"But do you have control of it yet?"

"I think so. Look, just let me do this. He, of all people, needs to know that his efforts weren't in vain, I can do this."

"If you're doing this to prove that to him, this isn't the way to go...especially not now, he's..."

"Serena, please."

Serena understood there was no point trying to argue anymore, she nodded and stepped back, "Good luck..."

Kareena nodded and noticed Seth looking at his palm while flexing his fingers, "What's first?" she called out.

"You tell me...You insisted on me training you, surely you have something in mind," Seth said.

Kareena took a breath, "You're the best fighter, Seth, I need you to teach me to fight." Kareena playfully put up her fists, "Can't be too hard, right. Learn how to hit hard, then just hit hard...Once I master my powers, then it'll be a real fight."

Seth chuckled to himself, only for a moment before throwing a line of blue flames down the room as casually as one would throw a bowling ball, Kareena clumsily through herself out of the way and landed hard on her side.

"I wasn't ready, what are you doing?"

"Reflexes and agility," Seth casually responded.

Already she wanted to give up, but that would be weak, she couldn't be weak anymore. Once more, Seth did the same motion and Kareena wheezed and rolled to the other side.

"On your feet, Kareena," Seth called out.

"I'm trying, give me a break, it's my first day!" Kareena said whilst slowly getting up.

Serena glanced quickly between Kareena and Seth, she knew what was coming and she was worried Kareena couldn't take it, Seth shot 3 lines of flames down, two on either side of her so she couldn't dodge and one central one to hit her. He managed to make the lines of flames run underneath the room tiles, somehow the heat was searing through the tiles without once cracking or damaging it on the surface. Serena's eyes widened, wondering how he could do that, she was about to intervene, but it happened too quickly, she felt dizzy and at the same time Kareena screamed in pain. Her palms and knees had been burnt through her pants, she cried out whilst falling flat once more.