The Land Never Lost

Chapter 21

In his training with Peter, Leif noticed the boy's powers manifested in a completely unique way. While fairies were classified as spikes or Stokes, the human boy had his power take the shape of what was most true in his spirit. Leif believed the other boys would manifest their powers in similar ways. This new classification of spirit allowed Peter to use a combination of both spikes and stokes attributes, although to a lower degree.

The boys stood across from Leif inside the room of rumination, which now looked like a giant wooden coliseum. Peter stood in the middle. Leif wanted Peter to demonstrate his transformation while he explained as much as he could.

"Right, first Peter do us a favor and show your stuff." Leif backed up a few steps. Peter closed his eyes and the green light of nemerald covered his body, spreading down to his feet where small wings manifested. His ears had gone pointy and when his eyes shot open they were a brilliant golden hue. He jumped off the ground and shot through the sky. He flew over Leif and back towards his brothers who were cheering in excitement. Leif explained how he had trained Peter to harness and use it. He told his theory to everyone present, about how he believed the other human boys would manifest their power similarly. Before the real training began, Leif wanted to make sure his premonition was correct.

Keith stepped forward, "Well I'll give it a go next.". He walked over to Leif and Peter, being the type of person that would rather 'see for themselves' It made sense. "So what do I do?". Leif found that Keith was a good listener and incredibly intuitive. He had learned to hold onto the nemerald almost as quickly as Peter had. Keith stood glowing for a few moments with nothing else happening. He grew curious as to what he was supposed to do next. Keith just thought silently, what to do? What to do? Suddenly he heard Peter clap his hands, followed by the cheers from everyone else. The excitement broke Keith out of his thoughts, and he saw that his nemerald had taken form. He now sported a long fox tail and ears made entirely out of green energy. Keith laughed in approval, admiring his transformation.

Dexter ran forward, "I'm next! My turn!" He was scrunching his face in an attempt to unlock his transformation. Leif laughed, "There is a big difference between letting something happen naturally and forcing it to happen." Keith walked over, "Look at Dixon. He seems to have the hang of it already." The other twin was glowing, he waved his brother over to him. Dexter walked over and took his brother's hand, suddenly the glow spread from Dixon to Dexter. Leif smiled, "Now think, what makes you who you are? Both of you?" Dexter tried to let go but Dixon held firmly into his hand. "Both of us." He said to his brother. Smiling, they walked to the center to join Keith and Peter. As they walked hand in hand their nemerald began to take shape. Dixon's looked like scales covering his body, a layer just above his skin of hardened nemerald. Dexter had two large razor sharp fins coming out of either forearm. The distinct transformations complemented each other as only the twins could.

The process was repeated for Jake, who had serious issues transforming. He took a while to even harness the nemerald, but this part of the process was taking longer. Every few minutes he would get discouraged and his hold on the nemerald would shake. Peter walked to him to say encouraging words but it did little to help. The other boys tried the same, but even James couldn't get through to him. Leif decided to move on to James. Jake stood off to the side whispering to his hands as if that was going to help him.

James went over and said something to Jake. James walked towards the group and started to glow. Leif said, "Wow. Your vice captain is just as good as you huh?" Peter nodded approvingly, he started to glow the closer James got. James looked around, he smirked and knelt down. His nemerald had turned a brilliant white, everyone backed away in shock, as it took the form of two giant wings coming from his back. His hands, now covered in a white glow, were sharp talons. He stood and spread his wings to their full extent. Silence filled the room except for the soft hum of power coming from James. Leif circled the boy cautiously, not sure exactly what he was seeing. Nemerald was green, that much Leif knew was undeniable. James, "Why is it white? That's not normal right?". Peter laughed, "Whoa! Why does yours get to be a different color? James, you look awesome!". Leif said, "It is definitely unique but nonetheless James has demonstrated what he needed to. I just wonder if..." Leif threw a punch at the unsuspecting James.