Legend of the Sky Guardians

Chapter 8

The next morning I woke up in my dorm room, which still smelled no matter how much I cleaned it. I put on my apprentice uniform; a black one this time. Miki met me by the pond on the training grounds. It was an early morning so there weren’t many others around.

“Did you sleep well?” Miki asked; her voice filled with energy. I, still exhausted, nodded slowly. “Well,” she said, “I know you’re tired, but I wanted to start your training without many others around. There have been a few incidents where people have gotten hurt.”

I only understood half of what she was saying.

“What are we going to do?”

“We won’t work on much; I just want you to get used to channelling your energy.”

She takes my hands and cups them.

“Focus on your breathing. Turn the sound of your breath into waves of water lapping up against the shore. We’re going to work on controlling the elements.” She waves her hand atop the pond, and a stream of water forms in a ball below her hand. She sees me staring in awe at what she’s done.

“I thought I told you to focus.”

“Right.”

I start to think of beaches; the ones my mother took me to when I was younger. I’d pick up shells and make sand castles that all ended up getting washed away. I didn’t care; I was just happy to be outside.

Miki cups the ball of water in her hand as it floats ever so slightly above her skin.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

Miki took the ball of water and set it down so it floated just above my skin. She stood beside me.

As I looked at the ball of water, it started to drip. Falling through my hands, and landing on the grass. I became worried. I didn’t know what I was doing wrong. I turned to Miki once there was nothing left in my hands.

“You were too focused on what you were accomplishing;” she scolded. “You were not one with the element. Remember your breathing.”

“Right.”

We repeated this process several times, each time the water lasting longer and longer, until I could keep it in my hand. It was tiring, focusing all of your energy into a tiny little ball of water to keep it floating.

“I guess that’s good as far as magic goes.” It was mid morning now, so there were many others out and about.

“Are we done?”

“Partially. We’re going to work on combat now. Luke should be here any minute. Wait here.”

She leaves me by the pond. Before she returns I see Luke running towards me. I cross my arms and don’t meet his gaze.

“Hey Gwen!” He calls, stopping beside me. “I heard you saw the Water Guardian yesterday. Did she say anything about me?”

“No.” I muttered, “Why?”

“I don’t know. I don’t think she likes me; that’s why I’m not a full guardian yet!” He boasts as if he is proud of it.

“Yeah,” I speak under my breath, “That’s why. What do you want?”

“Nothing. Aren’t I allowed to be nice to you?”

“Not really.”

Luke laughs, “Don’t pretend like you don’t like me.”