First of the Fallen (Neophyte Series 1)

21. A Diplomatic Solution

       DESPITE HER RATTLED AND defiant mood during the meeting that morning, Urielle seemed rather chipper and quite pleasant. Thoughts of her insistent vengeance and the unknown consequences that would surely follow, Michael would keep to himself, if only to keep the peace during their regularly scheduled training session. Between instructions, a silent worry plagued his mind, Melanie's words of warning like an itch he just couldn't reach, and all the more awkward to address face-to-face. The two Supernal beings sat casually in their usual cross-legged positions upon the training room floor, the gloomy overcast sky beyond the stained-glass windows threatening a coming rainfall.

    'There are a few more exercises we need to go over before we can officially begin Supernal training.' she began, sensing there was much on the tip of his tongue, but Urielle would not grant him the chance to bring up Belial, the topic deemed non-negotiable as far as she was concerned. 'The first subject we'll tackle today is a specific form of telekinesis; I'm sure you are aware of the meaning of the term.'

    'As in moving things with your mind, right?' he shrugged 'I can already do that.'

    'Yes, but what I'm talking about is a tad more complicated—dangerous if not regularly practiced. Trajectory Manipulation differs from standard telekinesis.'

    'Trajectory Manipulation, like changing the path of a moving object?'

    'Precisely.' she nodded. 'When throwing a knife, you rely on your physical strength to deliver the force of the throw, and then aim with use of telekinetic guidance. The force is a physical move, paired with ethereal ability. Trajectory Manipulation can be used to force the object to change or reverse the direction of its original path mid-air, relying entirely on kinetic energy rather than muscle. Unfortunately, it is a highly draining process, which is why it is rarely used in combat. But when we absolutely need to, it's good to know how to use it.' Urielle then raised her hand, a green, fuzzy tennis ball in her grasp; a much less lethal choice than the blades they'd been training with for the bulk of their lessons thus far. 'So, today I'll be instructing you on how to accomplish this advanced technique, and leave you to practice on your own for the next couple of hours. If you manage to succeed in this lesson by lunch time, I'll show you a bit more. Tomorrow we step it up a notch.'

    She closed her eyes for a split second and released it her grip. The ball now floated in mid-air, her perfectly manicured fingertips controlling its slight rotation a few inches away. She twitched ever so slightly, and the ball launched itself only to bounce hard off Michael's forehead and ricochet far beyond reach. The sting blinded him for a brief moment, as though she had whipped it as hard as she possibly could.

    'Owe.' he stared blankly, unsure of how to react. Eyes then narrowed playfully.

    She laughed as Michael moved to fetch the ball, looking to return the favour.

    'Don't make me tie your hands again.'

    'Promise?' he flirted, but her reaction was less than playful, silently reminding her student that he was there to learn. 'Right.' Michael flopped himself back down, closed his eyes and concentrated. His abilities were fine tuning with every lesson, now able to float the ball right into his grasp on the first attempt. 'Okay, so . . . what now?'

    'Do as you normally would—the same process as regular telekinesis.'

    'Right.' Closing his eyes, Michael instantly felt the light surging within every cell of his body. The process seemed much easier now, almost second nature. Now in the Realm of the Dead, surrounded by the ink-like forms of physical matter and a grim, greyed background, he forced his light into the tennis ball. Michael's gaze met the tiny bolts of electricity dancing about its spherical surface, remembering to pull away before it could surge too bright and explode, and granting the ball its own steady life force. He left his body and reconnected with his mind, as previously trained. Opening his eyes in the living world, he mimicked Urielle's finger movements to control the ball as it floated steadily with a slight rotation.