My Knight in Dragon Scales

39. Practice makes perfect... and frustration

I slammed into a column and Remi just sat there shaking his head in disapproval. Give me a break ok? This is only my 5th day with all of this. 

"We don't have time to waste, Roman. Lydia never was one to sit and idle when she wants something.  I doubt her successor is much different." I sighed and pushed myself up out of the mess of debris. Avery was right. There was too much to do and only an illusion of time. We have no idea when Deceit will attack. I can't keep making excuses for myself. "Go again."

I nodded and took a deep breath letting the energy surround me and the purple cloud my vision. Remi held three fingers up and again I nodded. Three fingers... three moves... only moments for each. He held his hand up, palm out and I narrowed my eyes. I took another deep breath and closed my eyes.

"You need to watch what your doing, Roman."

"Shut up, Avery!" She clammed up and I let the sounds surround me. I am an adventurer. I am a knight. I am a prince. I have fought in battles and I have won. I have learned a few tricks along the way. The problem is trick won't win wars. Tricks won't protect Virgil. What they can do is help me get to the point where I can do it without them.

I felt a small vibration to my right and behind me. I opened my eyes jumped to the right somersaulting over the spike that had fired from that direction. I brought my hands in close and felt the energy surround me. I pushed out and fired a blast of energy at the to spikes watching them disappear.

I smiled brightly over having actually done something right but stopped when I saw the whip. Three moves Roman. There were only three spikes. And in a real battle, you don't get warned as you just did. I jumped back and put myself in a sprinting position with narrowed eyes. Remi flicked his wrist and I watched as the whip circled around him until it lashed out cracking the ground beside me as I jumped out of the way. I ran as fast as I could avoiding the whip. I could hear it every time it struck the ground, just missing me. I looked over at Remi and smiled.I'm going to do something entirely stupid.

"Roman, what..." I ran right past Avery and place one of my feet on the wall I have done this before with parkour but this is slightly different. I didn't miss a single step and as the whip hit the wall cracking it I ran up it. I ran up a damn wall. Remi paused for only a second slightly shocked but soon I found the whip coming right for me. I pushed off the wall and flipped until my feet were below me. Aver started to freak but I didn't fall. I looked down to see this square block thing beneath my feet and I smiled wide. I took off running. Every step I took created a new purple block, making the old ones disappear. I could see Remi getting frustrated about something, looking off to the side, and I smiled. I held my hands out and felt another pulse leave me. "Game over, Remi."

"What?" Remi's eye went wide as the whip vanished. I walked up to him and poked the bubble I had trapped him in. He just laughed as he ran a hand through his hair. "Wow. I didn't even notice."

"You were distracted." He raised an eyebrow at me and I collapsed on the floor exhausted. "Is practice over yet?"

"That depends on..."

"Roman?" I opened my eyes to see Virgil sitting over me. I smiled and reached out, brushing my hand across his cheek. "You were crying out in your sleep again."

"I'm sorry." I slowly got up and stretched wincing at the pain in my back. You'd think that any damage I take in a dream would stay in the dream but... I always wake up with soreness and bruises. No cuts though, thank god. I don't want to have to explain them. "How did you sleep?"

"Sleep? What's that?" He laughed and I frowned, brushing his hair back. "I slept fine, Roman. I'm just... It's loud. Logan and Patton are fighting again. I just know it. There's this person... I can't see. He smells like coffee and caramel... Reminds me too much of Cassidy." I tensed up and he pushed himself into me. "I don't like it here. I don't like it stuck in this room all the time."

"I know, hun... Just give me some more time ok? I want to make sure you'll be ok." I could feel him shaking and I looked over towards the door. I have to make sure he'll be ok. I have to help him. I want to take his pain away. I just... I want to make it all right again. I placed my head on his and took a deep breath, seeing the purple cloud my vision again.

"Roman..." I jumped slightly and Virgil just smiled. His face was so light and happy.

"What? What happened?" He reached out and I grabbed his hand tightly. "What's wrong?"

"For a second there... I could see you."

I pushed through the door and everyone jumped at the loud sound. I whipped away the tears and walked right up to Emile, this serious look on my face. He shot me this confused glance and I crossed my arms.

"How do we give him his sight back?" His eyes went wide and he shook his head.

"We can't Roman. Only the shield can."

"Right!" I glared at him and he took a step back in confusion. "So tell me what to do!" They all just froze. Well, everyone but Remi, who already knew. "I don't know what I'm doing. I don't have a good grasp of my powers. I just found out about them last week. I need help."

"Y-You're the sheild," Emile said with wide eyes. I nodded and Logan nearly spit out his drink. " I don't..."

"God damn it..." I held up my hand and let the energy surround it. I saw it start to glow with a purple aura and Emile's hands dropped. "Believe me now?