Alpha King and I

Chapter 27: We Get Better

Outside it was unusually chilly, a refreshing change from the normally very hot weather here. Still it didn't help with my current state. Tired and determined.

I wore a thinner loose set of training clothes while we practiced behind the horse stalls. Already we have been here for many hours. Originally we'd planned for practice at the range like we've done before. But the unexpected weather change invited more than just us to the area. Crowding the range out with various military people and guards. Here with the thick stone walls to our backs and the sun to our side, was better suited anyway. Even better was that it was completely isolated.

It allowed for more open talk. Cadeth was currently embracing that.

"You've got a nickname too now Selese." A small smile graces Cadeth's lips as he speaks. I hold in a smile of my own. I didn't really want to smile, just the look of his lips curved ever so gentle had been having an effect on me as of recent. Really what I wanted to do was make an exaggerated sigh, though I was too busy holding my form, practicing some blocking moves for defense.

Blocking magic was one of the main forms of defense magic and required very specific hand movements and body posture to work.

Cadeth's smile dropped as he stepped toward me. His hands tilted my palm down more and my wrist back on my left hand. Then he switched over to my right hand, pushing it further down angled slightly forward and to the ground.

My gaze focused on my open palm welcoming whatever may come. My left hid it's palm, only revealing the knuckles. The knuckles would release the magic, while the open palm would endure the burning and tearing of flesh as the magic was cast.

As I started to cast the magic, pretending something was coming at me, I questioned Cadeth, "What is it?"

Cadeth chuckled, "The coy queen." A darkened shield of magic covered the front of our view. Making it look like night instead of the obvious brightness of the day which warmed me to my core. I finally give in and let a smile spread across my face. The smile quickly fades as the sting of the spell stabs me and blood pours out slow onto the ground. Around the cut red blistering forms and the shield gets more opaque for a second. It felt like my hand was on fire. My hand jerks back just a second from the pain. Instantly the shield is gone.

"Again." Cadeth commands. Hesitation flows through me. This is the forty third time I've done this spell today. Each ending within barely a few moments of being cast. This was a much more painful spell than the other ones I've been learning, but this blocking spell can be impervious so the cost is greater.

Almost in stressed desperation, I exasperate out, "Again?!" My voice isn't raised, but the exaggeration I add near the end of the word, surely shows my feelings. Cadeth pats my head. Tilting his head down slight as a form of yes.

He answers, "Training to master this takes time, like with those deformed wolves you'd play with on Terra." I start to prepare my form again, speaking as I do so.

"How'd you know about Puffs and Nala Cadeth?" I miss them, but honestly they're the only thing I miss from earth.

Cadeth responds, "I checked up on you shortly before deciding it was time for you to leave Terra." I nod at him, showing I heard, still focusing on my form. I wish I'd been away from earth sooner. If I had known I'd be here living in Develeon like now, I would have studied harder on my own instead of just doing the bare minimum for classes. Even in college I was just skating by. With how terrifying Develeon can be, and how much I need to know just to be of use here, studying as much in advance would have been better. Though learning everything as I have, has been very exciting. I admit the rewarding feelings I get of accomplishment are new to me, yet fill me with meaningfulness that has only been getting better as time here and with everyone has gone on.

Pulling me out of my trance, are Cadeth's words; he's still thinking of the dogs.

He comments, "They didn't like me much."

I joke, "It's probably your aura." Cadeth scoffs but says nothing in response. Though I can feel his eyes piercing at the back of my neck. I still haven't seen anyone else have such weird shades show along their body's like his. That strange forest green color.

Finally I've got my form ready. My hand is still a little bloody, but it'll do. Remembering those feelings pushes me harder. The spell casts, the darkness shadows our view. I feel the shocking stab, the blistering burning. This time I hold still. Gritting my teeth with all my might. Trying to accept the pain, but fight my reaction to it. Before I was rejecting it and reacting. To master this, I can't do that.

I hold firm. The darkness, goes from opaque, to completely black. The view in front still visible, but more like outlines on a chalkboard.

"Perfect." Cadeth's words come off in the smoothest tone. I can already feel my face warming. I continue to maintain the shielding.

I've got to keep trying. Not just for Cadeth and the Kingdom, but myself too.

A/N: Sorry about the lateness. >.< I got it dones!!! WOOT!