The Realm Hero Chronicles: Round 2

Chapter 34: Exposed

Laval flung himself into Lu'lura's training with a vengeance. Every night, a new skill, whether it be portal manipulation or elemental or whatever. Workouts, drills, training (even a bit of hand-to-hand), it was a challenge. Laval hardly cared, throwing his best into it.

This new schedule of training left him exhausted on both fronts (almost to the point of sleeping in again as he used to), but he pushed on, determined to make this work.

It sure wasn't easy, that was clear.

After a few grueling nights of training, Laval felt dead as he staggered into the throne room. Lu'lura had him working with Locator abilities. How she made it look so easy, Laval had no idea. It took all his strength to pull a pebble from another dimension -- how could she pull a TANK and a thirty-foot-wingspan DRAGON from two different dimensions at the same time?

He nearly walked straight into Lavertus, because he gripped Laval's arms to keep him steady. "Easy there, nephew. You know I've never been one to brawl."

"Huh? Oh, sorry, uncle." Laval shook his head. "I'm not awake yet."

"I can see that," Lavertus laughed. "You need to wake up, though. Race day today, right?"

Laval's eyes snapped wide. Of course! How could he forget? "I didn't forget! Are they here?"

"Breathe," Lavertus laughed again. "Go get something to wake you up and get ready. They'll be here soon."

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An hour and a half later found the Realm Heroes strolling through the market together, laughing and joking as always. Cragger was recounting a misadventure with a faulty Speedor wheel and Razar was chatting about some merchandise that just came in.

Laval laughed too, but he kept sneaking glances at his Realm Bracelet. Lu'lura had taught him that the bracelets flash to signal their wielders if the power imbalance within them was too much.

"If it gets too much, it's like a volcano. The energy pushes until it has no place to go but out."

Laval certainly didn't want to lose control.

"Laval?"

"Yeah?" He blinked.

"I asked if you wanted another crowd control," Danny asked. "I mean, this is the first race we've had here at Lion City since, you know."

The abduction. Laval shivered as he remembered. "Yes, that would be wise. All non-Chima Realm Heroes on crowd control. One punch and you're on them."

"As you wish," Robin grinned as he and the Realm Heroes fanned out.

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"Are you sure this will work?" Terrence asked.

"Of course," Crooler sneered. "You said you picked up on extremely strong quantities of dimensional powers here. We'll find them either at the race or while they're at the race."

"Right," Terrence sneered. "I will find it. I must."

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A joust was chosen for the course today.

This had everyone (especially Cragger and Laval) excited. The last time the tribes jousted, it had been before Laval's Age of Becoming.