Nightfall

Chapter 11: Destruction and Discovery

Seeing the demons cannibalize one another was a rude reminder of the reason I had come out to train. And while it was a very much unwelcome way to start my morning, it sharpened my focus considerably, so in hindsight I could understand why Jason wanted me to see it.

We decided to start my training for the day after Jason had killed the cannibalizing demon since we were both already wide awake. Jason ate breakfast afterwards but my unsettled stomach led me to decline the food he held out.

"Suit yourself bud." he replied with a mouthful of beef jerky.

Then, once he had finished eating and the sun had risen up to drive back the demons that surrounded our camp, Jason led me down to the lake one more time. I had mentally recovered overnight quite a bit and, additionally, the encouraging words of the night before coupled with the rude awakening had left me feeling much more confident about my training than I had been on the first day. I did my best to relish the fleeting moment of confidence and tried not to think of all the ways I could fail for once in an effort keep it going. Gaining control of my gift was apparently not going to be a simple feat and I needed every advantage.

I took my shirt off and stepped into the cool, crystalline water for the second time. My feet stirred up the mud on the bottom as I waded out until I was waist deep. I took up my favored fighting stance and for a second the thought crossed my mind that I looked like something out of a karate movie, making a smile flash across my lips. However, I dismissed the thought and it took the child-like pleasure with it. I needed to concentrate, imagining myself as a movie star wasn't going to teach me to use my gift.

I threw a few punches to warm up then once again began to meditate on my emotions. I started by continuing the same method that I had used the day before, but finding that it was still unproductive, I began to meditate on situations that would invoke the emotions I needed to bring out; the way Jason had suggested.

Since the emotion I was fairly sure I needed was defiance the first situation that popped into my head was defending someone. I refined this idea into defending a girl from a demon because demons were the most vile creatures I could think of. It took a few tries to play the situation out in my head, but once I had refined it, it began with me on a hunt with Ruby. We found the creature we were hunting was about to kill a pretty young girl about my age. We fought it but it took down Ruby with ease and turned back to the girl. I stepped up to help her, putting myself between the girl and the beast. I pictured the face of the disgusting creature in front of me and I thought about the girl. I wasn't going to let any harm come to her.

I could feel my face and arms getting hot while I played this situation in my mind. As I imagined the demons face I felt a surge of emotion flood through me; not as strong as the other times I had used my gift, but it was definitely the right emotion. The feeling crept through my cold feet and up into my arms.

I did it!

I could feel the power inside of me and before it melted away I lashed out with all of my strength into the open air; yelling in determination as I did so.

...But nothing happened.

Well, there was a slight breeze, but I don't know if I caused it or if the wind just blew.

I dropped my arm and tried not to let myself feel disappointed.

This isn't an easy skill to master, right? I just need to keep trying. I can't give up yet.

I put my hands together as if I was praying and once again began to meditate on the situation I had created in my mind. There are very few things that stir my heart into a frenzy, but defending people has always been one of them. So if anything was going to work it was going to be this.