Nicky

Chapter 12

I got up from my nap and went down to meet with Jordan in the armory. "You ready?" he asked when I walked in.

"Yeah. Lets go." I couldn't believe training was already almost over. It feels like we just started. 

"Your dad hasn't really got the time to supervise us so that's why he hasn't come out to watch us." Jordan pointed out. I just realized that my dad really hasn't come out to watch us. It was strange given the fact that he's super protective of me and my sister. I actually haven't really heard much from my family. 

We eventually reached the cliff once again and started to spar with swords. We had completely forgotten our bow and quiver's. I learned to control my sword more and how to keep my balance, but Jordan being as strong as he is always knocks my sword to the side, leaving my whole body exposed. 

I only exposed his front side once, but that was only when we unlocked from a lock. That was probably the only time that I was ever proud of myself. "Maybe, if you want to keep this sword, we'll engrave your initials onto it." Jordan recommended.

"I'll do that eventually. It's a good sword to me." I didn't really have any complaints about the sword itself. I knew it was just me and I had to get better. My balance was still off which meant I still needed to work on my footing. 

"I'm bringing us a couple sandwiches just in case we get hungry this time." Jordan said. I had never really gotten hungry while training at all. 

"Okay..?" I said awkwardly. We walked in silence the rest of the way to the cliff. I could see in Jordan that he wanted to strike up a conversation but had nothing to talk about. We finally reached the cliff yet again for one of the last training sessions. 

"Alright, I want you to give all you got today and tomorrow." Jordan said. He looked at me right in the eyes. I could see the determination and dedication inside him to train me and prepare me. I knew that I had to push myself to the limits if I wanted to succeed. I drew my sword and he drew his. We both pressed out fingers on the side of our helmets, bringing the face mask out.  

We held them up with both hands and charged each other. The metal began to cling and bang against each other. Rocks were kicked around and sparks flew out from when our swords slice the ground. From a distance, I could tell that we were two smooth moving silhouettes. 

We went back and fourth pushing each other around. We got into locks numerous times. Each time, we looked each other right in the eyes. I saw a true fighter inside him and he saw dedication inside me. There was a lot more grunting during this spar session and it was definitely more intense than all the other ones.

I had finally gotten into a lock with Jordan where his back faced the cliff. I lifted my leg up and kicked his stomach, sending him towards the cliff. He dropped his sword, knowing he was about to fall off with his arms flailing in front of him. His eyes closed, thinking he was about to die. 

Right before his right foot left the rock, I grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards me. He flew towards me and hugged me. I dropped my sword and hugged him back.

"Now we're even." I said as I looked up and smiled at him. 

"Really? How did you even pull me back?" He asked. He knew he was still stronger and heavier than me. I took off the strapped on armor that covered my bicep and tricep on my right arm and flexed. 

"Woah, you built up muscle that quick?" He asked in shock. 

"Mhmm" I had a big grin on my face as I was so proud of myself. 

"No wonder why your strikes are getting harder." Jordan pointed out. I didn't even realize a difference in my strikes. "I think you're really, almost ready."

"Let's keep going then." I said cockily. We raised our swords up and engaged out masks again. We charged and pushed each other around again. I had really started pushing Jordan around and feeling his week points. I slid under him as he swung towards my neck through his legs. As I slid, I closed my eyes and just focused. 

A fake, hologram type me appeared in front of Jordan. His sword went right through it with no effect. I stood up behind him and taped his helmet with my sword. He had dropped his sword in shock. He quickly reached and created a sword and swung at me. 

We quickly disengaged from our lock, both realizing what had just happened. "Uhh, did you just-" He couldn't finish.

"I- I think so.."

"But, how did you...?" We both didn't know what to think of it. I had all of a sudden used my elemental power for the first time. I closed my eyes, focusing on the fake me and said "Disappear" in my head. The fake me quickly faded into the air.

"I'm not even going to question it, but I sure am proud of you."

"Thank you." 

The orange started to fade from the sky as the sun left further behind the mountains. "I think we should head back now." Jordan said.

"ok" I said meekly. I immediately became upset knowing that this was one of the last days of training. We arrived back at the castle where we were immediately greeted by my dad. 

"I want both of you in the war room asap." He commanded. He rushed down the halls to inform other guards. We rushed ourselves to the room, even though we were covered in sweat. We bursted in where there were all the commanders and generals. My dad wasn't there yet. Guards sat in chairs, looking at a chalkboard with a drawing of the complex on it. We also took a seat in the front. 

My dad finally arrived to give us a...debrief? 

"Ok, I want all of you to listen up." There's been a slight change of plans." I instantly became worried. "We are attacking the complex tomorrow." My heart dropped. How could we attack tomorrow? My training wasn't fully complete. I didn't feel ready enough. "Jordan and my daughter Nicky we take charge in the operation once we arrive at the complex itself." 

Oh great, is anything else going to get worse for me? Seriously?

Jordan looked at me like he didn't even know this information. I saw fear in his eyes and I'm sure he saw the fear in mine. We knew that we both weren't ready for this task. How could I, a girl with no strategy experience, no military experience, be in charge here? I knew that if we or I failed, I wouldn't become queen for sure. I would just be a guard for the rest of my life. 

The generals and my dad discussed the different types of strategies that we could use. I thought I even heard one general whisper that I was just a girl and I couldn't really do anything. I wanted to just yell out to him when I heard that. 

I put my mindset to where I would succeed and prove whoever that was wrong. I wanted to really prove myself to all of them that I could become the next best queen in replacement of my mother. 

"I want everyone to wake up first thing in the morning and regroup in the armory. Suit up and sharpen your weapons tomorrow morning. Make sure you're ready for anything." My dad said.

This was it. It was really it.