Our Second World book three: Personal Truth

Chapter 12: Nephinae

Our eight months of hellish training were long ones. Every day was the same; wake up before seven for breakfast, spend the day training, eat dinner by six and in bed before eight. It was horrible, but somehow we managed. Somehow.

It was two months or so into our training when Elviya managed a Tier Break with Eliot. It was during a spar with me, and, needless to say, it surprised everyone when the small, white snake suddenly grew almost 20 feet long in an instant. Even more so when we discovered he could return to his smaller size as well. A few days later, Sylviana was next to follow. A month later came Haren and August, only two days apart, and finally, a week after that was Silver.

Each of our familiars developed new abilities, and it wasn't long before we started training on our own. Polishing our skills and discovering new ways to improve. Occasionally one of the elemental guardians would come to help out for a day, and we took turns sparing with them to track our progress.

It was the 22nd day of the fourth month that Riniya announced during breakfast we wouldn't be training today. We were all confused as to why, but she told us to gather in the living room in an hour, and ran off.

So, without much of a choice, the six of us waited an hour, then went to the living room.

After a few minutes of waiting, Riniya appeared and had us stand in a line.

"Now, you're all probably wondering why I asked you here today," she began," Well, that's because today is a special day. The final test."

"You really think we're ready?" Elviya asked.

Riniya nodded with a proud smile," the purpose of today is to find out."

"How are you testing us?" Silver asked.

"I'm not," Riniya smirked," they are."

As if on cue, the ground shook and loud roars sounded from outside.

"I'm paring you up to fight against three of the elemental guardians," Riniya continued," Azariah and I will oversee each of your battles. As for who's fighting who: Haren and Sylviana are a team against Luirlan. Elviya and August are the second team. Facing off against Sionia, and the last team will be Nephinae and Silver. You'll be up against Druavard. Any questions?"

"Just one," Silver raised his hand," I noticed you paired us up in a way that makes at least one of us weak against our opponents element. Why?"

"It's an added challenge to test your teamwork. Make up for your partners weak points and support each other. I can safely say it will take both of you to take down the guardians. This test is meant to push you to your limits. It will not be easy," Riniya answered," now then, your opponents are waiting."

From all the noise outside, I was expecting the guardians to be waiting in their true forms. When we went outside, however, we found them in human forms. I followed Silver over to Druavard, the guardian spirit of fire.

He was a tall man with tan skin and yellow eyes. Long, pointed ears stuck out from under his fiery orange hair and he was wearing a sleeveless, bright red overcoat.

"Ready?"He asked.

"Yes, sir." Silver nodded.

"Good. We're heading to my domain. There will be your test." Druavard waved his hand and three large, flaming birds flew down from the sky. Landing next to him," climb on."

He jumped up on one of the birds and Silver followed. Then, the two of them pulled me up and I sat between them. The other two birds picked up Luna and Emiko in their talons, and with a quick whistle from Druavard, they all took off.