Turning to Stone 5: The Shadows Fall

Chapter 7: The Roaring

"In order to be stronger to fight against the enemy, you'll need to train your mind."

Laskell sat in front of Drasil, listening to their teachings. The Epic Wubbox was working to make everyone better, ready to fight. Split and Anya were off sparring somewhere, Laskell could feel the distant clash of his daggers against her spear. Loading and Glowbe were also off doing something, but Laskell had no idea what.

"Close your eyes." Drasil instructed. "What do you sense?"

Laskell shut her eyes tight, only relaxing when Drasil told her too. "I sense... eagerness, from you. Anxiety, from Buttons, just behind your feelings. Carnivorti is... distant, but there's someone else closer."

"That's Amelia." Drasil said. "But you might remember her as the purple feather from your dream. Tell me, what is she feeling?"

Laskell felt her horns pulsing again, searching for any trace of a thought, sorting through the emotions of Drasil's other alters.

Laskell! Laskell, can you hear me? Drasil, I think you've done it! Oh, this will be so interesting to tell Carnivorti, he won't believe it-

"...I heard a thought." It was the lofty, high voice of a Tweedle. She could almost visualize it.

Drasil smiled. "Amelia is quite the gossiper, isn't she?" He said with a smile and a soft laugh. "Now try beyond us. What can you hear?"

She opened her eyes for just a brief moment, taking in the physical setting around her. Trees, rocks, clouds, fog. No sun. How sad. She shut her eyes, disappearing back into the thoughts swirling around her.

Galvana damn it- How is this Glowl so strong? It's like she's been training for this!

Maybe I should start using a spear, they do look kinda badass. Guess those would be hard to hide though.

Relax. Deep breaths. Control. Good job.

This is boring.

Quiet, Volume. Request and I are meditating. Leave us alone.

I don't like that Glowl. She'll turn on Laskell at any moment, I just know it.

"I hear everyone's thoughts." She opened her eyes, a wide smile on her face as she looked Drasil right in the eyes. "I can read minds! ...Do you think they'll trust me if they knew?"

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" The Epic Wubbox gestured around them. "That feels like snooping..." Laskell looked at the ground. "You're getting used to your powers. You need practice." They encouraged.

She breathed in and tried again. "No one's thinking about me right now." Her shoulders fell. "Exactly. Your powers are clearly not a concern on anyone's minds. You haven't shown that you would betray anyone." Drasil set a hand on her shoulder comfortingly.

Laskell perked up as she sensed Split and Anya getting closer. "Woo! I'm beat. Laskell, has Split always been this good? I've been training with my spear since I've been little, and she's still better than me!" The Tawkerr exclaimed.

"I've been training with daggers for nearly my entire life. Constant use helps too." Split looked off into the distance. Bet Anya didn't have to deal with my shit.

"What are you looking at?" Split turned to face Laskell. "Nothing, nothing." The Xyster shook her head, clearing away her own thoughts as well as everyone else's.

"Why don't you two rest? You've proven to be competent fighters. Relax and take a break." Drasil ordered, and the two walked back to the tents.

"A-Are you sure we're ready?" They turned to see Loading, or rather, Request, standing nearby. "I am confident in you. You are a strong Wubbox. So long as we fight together, I believe that we will not be seriously harmed."