The Kiros Chronicles: Into Shadow

4: The First Lesson

Vero was violently kicked out of the window. It was right there that he thought he was going to die. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, rolling at least a foot away. He trembled as he tried to get up. He didn’t know how Gaia got down without hurting herself, but she did.
The strange thing was, Vero didn’t feel pain. He rose to his feet, seeing Gaia standing in front of him. Gaia reeled her arm back, causing Vero to jump back.
Gaia leapt forward, striking Vero and smiting him to the ground. Vero looked up at her and raised his legs to push against her stomach. Gaia staggered back, allowing Vero to get up and punch her across the face.
Gaia retaliated by whipping around and kicking Vero with the heel of her boot. Vero fell to the ground with a groan. Gaia stood over him, kneeling down beside him.
“Now I know how much training you need.” She stated.
“Who says I’m done?” Vero seethed, twisting his body and getting to his feet. He looked exhausted and beaten.
“I do.” Gaia answered, rising to her full height. Vero’s fists became loose. His anger dissolved. “We’ll start with some basic conditioning. Then we’ll introduce you to your magic.”
♤
Vero survived Gaia’s attacks easily. He could anticipate every punch and kick. But the two went back-and-forth for what felt like hours.
Finally, Gaia stopped her onslaught of attacks. Vero felt exhausted.
“Your awareness has improved.” Gaia noted.
“Last time was unexpected.” Vero answered, catching his breath. “Plus, you didn’t kick me out of a window this time.” Gaia seemed to understand.
“You have adapted to this place well so far. Physically, I mean.” She took a few slow steps closer to Vero. “But I know what it’s like to be the new arrival. The one with no idea that this place even existed. If you have any questions, you can come to me.”
“Right now, I just have one.” Vero replied.
“And what would that be?”
“How do I activate my magic?”
♤
Vero stood before the Headmaster, who gazed down at him with a blank expression. “Are you ready, Vero Kiros?” He asked.
“Yes.” Vero answered, looking up at the man.
“Hold out your palm.” The Headmaster instructed. Vero did so, turning his palm towards the ceiling of the room. “Now, close your eyes.” Again, Vero did as he was told. “Focus on your emotions. What do you feel?” Vero didn’t respond for a while.
“I…” he began. “I feel anger.” Vero replied.
“Focus on that anger. Feel it flow through your body.” Vero felt his blood boiling. He felt his body heat up. “What do you see, Vero?”
“I see…” Vero trailed off, searching his mind. Then he found it. But before he could say it, it appeared in the palm of his hand.
“Fire.” The Headmaster answered.
“Yes. How did you know that?” Vero asked, opening his eyes. He immediately set his eyes on what was in the palm of his hand. Fire. “Whoa!” He exclaimed. But the fire didn’t burn his body. It was a small flame. But it wasn’t orange or yellow or gold.
It was blue.
“Is fire normal, sir?” Vero asked, looking into the fire.
“Yes, but not normally in this color.”
“Does this… mean something?”
“Yes; it means you are cursed.”