Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

The Guardians of the Forest: Book Two
The Guardians of the Forest: Book Two
The Guardians of the Forest: Book Two
Ebook501 pages7 hours

The Guardians of the Forest: Book Two

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

Are you ready?
Kiethara considered chiding the voice for breaking her concentration, but the annoyance that should have been there was missing. Then, pausing in her climb, she considered the question.
It seemed...so familiar. She felt that someone had asked her this before. Was she ready? Prepared? Kiethara pursed her lips at the wave of déjà vu.
Well? she demanded.
Kiethara shrugged and pulled herself up another foot. She did not remember what she was supposed to be ready for.
The voice's anger at her ignorance and lack of interest was so strong that it shook Kiethara. The potent emotion was like a slap in the face, sparking her own emotion and memory.
Are you ready...Ready for Gandador? Ready for the fight? Ready for...
This.
At the sound of the voice, Kiethara was thrown off the cliff face. She had been right. As she fell, the images around her shattered like glass, breaking into rugged pieces.
Right before she hit the ground, she heard the voice whisper:
Are you ready for the end?
***
Kiethara, a descendant from a long line of powerful guardians who have been charged to protect a magical forest, is forced to face her mother’s killer and the greatest threat magic has ever faced: Gandador. As she fights to hone her skill and control her emotions, the fate of the forest—and the world—faces the most peril it has since the dawn of time.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherKelly Napoli
Release dateAug 1, 2015
ISBN9781311426673
The Guardians of the Forest: Book Two
Author

Kelly Napoli

Kelly Napoli is a student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Environmental Engineering and minoring in English. Her primary interests are in Young Adult Fiction.

Related to The Guardians of the Forest

Related ebooks

YA Fantasy For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for The Guardians of the Forest

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    The Guardians of the Forest - Kelly Napoli

    The Guardians of the Forest: Book One Synopsis

    Fifteen-year-old Kiethara is a guardian; a descendant from a long line of protectors of a magical forest. Thousands of years ago, a man by the name of Aaron Pervel discovered this forest—pulsating with the magic it is known to create—and decided to commit himself to this power and become the most powerful man in the world, all the while guarding it from the threats that pursued it and himself. When he charged his son to do the same, he established the guardians.

    The world that lies outside the forest relies on its power; if the forest were to perish, so, too, would the magic that it creates perish from the world. Despite the gravity of this consequence, there still existed venal beings who attempted to destroy it, along with the guardian who defended it. None of them were able to succeed, for although these outsiders became skilled with magic, no one had ever come close to the sheer skill and strength of the guardians.

    No one; that is, except for one man.

    This legend began when Kiethara was fifteen, after she prematurely took the place of the previous guardian—her mother—when she was killed by a man named Gandador. When she was only the age of three, the Spirit of Aaron awoke to protect Kiethara and raise her to be the guardian. One fateful day Gandador returned to the forest with renewed intentions to destroy the reign the guardians hold over this great power, and his visit brought with him an entire world that Kiethara had never experienced before.

    After barely surviving Gandador’s first attack, Kiethara realized she must train her powers arduously in order to triumph. Visitors from the surrounding kingdoms ventured into the forest, some of them—a young man by the name of Navadar—bringing prospects of love, while others bringing with them the dark intents that Gandador had charged them with. She barely escaped with her life when Gandador’s overtly faithful servant, Sinsenta, attacked her, sparking her anger along with new powers for her to train.

    Kiethara discovered a shattering truth when Gandador returned, interrupting her first kiss with Navadar. Heart-broken at the revelation that he is her father and feeling betrayed by Aaron for keeping it from her, she found herself at Gandador’s mercy until a new emotion sparked a fresh power that saved her from her perilous situation. Having barely escaped alive, she turned her raw emotions onto Aaron.

    He utilized these emotions to train her further in her magic. Then, one day, Kiethara was assaulted by a gang of four men armed with a jewel that saps her of her magic. Drained, they kidnap her and take her out of the forest for the first time in her life, carting her off to the kingdom of Nikkoi. There they try to sell her, but the youngest man of the gang takes pity on her and allows her to escape. Unfamiliar with the territory, she gets mistaken as a slave and brought to Redawn, where she is put up on an auction block. Out of the crowd Navadar came to her rescue, purchasing her off the auction and taking her home with him. There he nursed her back to health; Kiethara, contented with his promise that he would take her back to the forest, enjoyed sensational experiences with the culture of the kingdoms, but her good feelings were devastated when she walked in on Navadar kissing another girl.

    She ran away on her own, narrowly avoiding Gandador in Nikkoi, when Navadar caught up with her in her frenzied attempt to make it back to her forest. The confrontation quickly became heated as Kiethara lost control of what little magic she had left. Navadar was sent flying through the air and hit the ground, unmoving, as Kiethara turned her head away and took off in search of her home.

    CHAPTER 32

    RELIEF

    Relief. Pure relief blossomed in her breast, expanding through her entire form. It was amazing, truly; nothing had ever hit her as hard as this feeling did now. It almost suffocated her, restricting her airways, bringing tears from her eyes and causing them to fall down her cheeks. Kiethara had never felt this happy. She found the feeling rather strange, alien, for—considering the previous events—she thought the only things she would have the strength to feel were pain and despair.

    Fortunately, that was not the case. And she didn’t really feel like dwelling on the implausible emotions she was feeling. Instead, she stood rooted to the spot, basking in the glorious sensation that was lifting her heart. She knew that, if she had had any magic left to her, her crystals would be glowing. Perhaps even a rose would have blossomed at her feet.

    Apparently, she had used all of her magic last night. Accidentally, of course, and almost all of the phenomenons that had occurred last night were unknown to her. How had she blasted him back like that? Aaron had never once hinted that she had the ability to do that. Did it fall under one of the elements? Wind, perhaps, but she had not been concentrating on her fear. Although, he had also said that things didn’t necessarily fall under one element, or any at all.

    Kiethara shuddered as she remembered him soaring through the air…smacking numerous times upon the ground. She could have killed him with the way she had lost control like that.

    She shook her head. She did not wish to brood over her mistakes or Navadar’s foolishness. Before her lay a happiness that promised her no pain and she wanted to focus on it and it alone.

    So Kiethara set her attention back on the beautiful scene before her. There, in front of her navy blue eyes, was a line of trees. Whole, healthy, unmistakable trees that seemed to welcome her back with open limbs. She smiled at each and every one of them. Already, the air seemed lighter and her breathing came easier.

    There were some changes that had befallen it in her absence. Autumn seemed to have finally hit the forest and some of the trees had changed their colors in preparation for winter. Lavish reds, oranges, and yellows bespeckled the rich brown bark and the emerald green grass beneath it. Not all the trees were colored, of course. Some were still green, as they would stay year round, and others were already bare, as though winter had already stripped them. Still, the forest was home.

    And it had never looked so welcoming.

    Kiethara stumbled forward, catching herself at the last minute before she could fall into the ground. Maybe she wouldn’t make it to the forest, after all.

    No, she had come this far and she would make it. She pulled herself forward, one agonizing step at a time, still smiling all the way. Kiethara paused in front of the trees for only a moment, inhaling deeply, her stomach curling in anticipation. She was so worn, so tired, but at that moment she could feel nothing but pride in the fact that she had made it back. She had survived every trial that had come her way. Maybe, at last, she was worthy of being a guardian.

    At long last, she entered the forest.

    Oh!

    It was an overwhelming sensation, as almost everything else she had experienced these last few weeks had been, although this was different: this one cried with a fulfillment so painful she almost gasped. She, for the first time in her life, was aware of how much magic there was in the air and—being in the state that she was—it hit her like a ton of bricks.

    Kiethara was able to drag herself past a couple more trees before her vision faded and her legs gave out beneath her.

    ***

    Kiethara was used to the empty, floating feeling the blackness gave her by now. How many times had she fallen unconscious against her will? Too many for her to even feel the slightest desire to count them. She wasn’t really complaining, though. Being disconnected from the world for a few moments was sometimes such a relief.

    Well, well, look who managed to find her way back, a dry, sarcastic voice said.

    Usually, every good feeling seemed to fade in annoyance when the voice sounded in her head, but as for this time, Kiethara felt nothing but gratitude in hearing the familiar voice.

    Aw, don’t flatter me, the voice said sarcastically. Our tearful reunion. Boo hoo.

    Jeez, Kiethara thought. Why so bitter?

    I’m not bitter, it said. I just didn’t enjoy having to put up with your foolishness.

    Foolishness? Images of Navadar flashed before her eyes. Was it really foolish that she was happy that she was home? The voice was beginning to confuse her.

    I’m just not fond of people who overuse their emotions.

    Kiethara frowned. It almost sounded like the voice was hiding something beneath its harsh, sarcastic tones. Maybe this hard voice was hiding a softer weakness of its own.

    Ha! it barked. You really are full of yourself, you know that? He was right, you know: "Just because you are the guardian does not make you better than the rest of us."

    Kiethara flinched. How did the voice know this? It seemed to have some uncanny clairvoyance to know just were to prick at her thoughts to stir up something she didn’t want to think about.

    So you almost killed Prince Charming, huh? Well done, Kiethara!

    Shut up! she snapped back. It was hard to believe only seconds ago she had been happy to hear this terrible voice.

    Yes, I have that effect on people.

    Kiethara closed her eyes and tried to block out her annoyance. She thought she heard it, once again. An undercurrent to the voice’s tone, one that suggested a deeper problem. Was the voice causing her pain in order to cover for its own?

    You did very well, the voice said suddenly, in a much quieter voice.

    Finally, a kind word. Well, if the voice was proud of her, surely Aaron would be too. Her heart swelled in anticipation to see him. She had so much to tell him, so much to ask…

    Well, I think he’s coming, the voice informed her.

    Coming? From where? Kiethara did not understand.

    Listen.

    Kiethara listened with all her might, but she heard nothing. The silence was so deep she was afraid she would get lost in it. She was about to call out to the voice again when she heard him.

    Kiethara…

    His voice was very faint, but happiness exploded inside her. She began to reach up, as though she were swimming to the surface of a very deep lake…

    Kiethara! Aaron stressed.

    Kiethara finally broke the surface, remembering nothing from the previous conversation.

    Kiethara opened her eyes and was immediately blinded by Aaron’s bright light. She blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust before pulling herself into a sitting position. She blinked again, looking around her once. For a moment, all she could do was stare at Aaron.

    And then she burst into tears.

    It took all her strength to keep herself from throwing her arms around him. She didn’t understand why she was crying harder than she ever had in her life now, when she was finally irrevocably safe, but seeing Aaron crouched next to her brought every one of her feelings rushing back. The way the dark jewel had made her feel…the fear a windowless room inspired…the maddening rage of being locked up…Why did a familiar face have such an effect on her?

    Maybe because she was finally looking at a person that loved her unconditionally. She finally felt that it was okay to be weak, because in front of him, it did not matter.

    Kiethara! Aaron cried in shock. Shh, it’s okay, Kiethara, it’s okay.

    Aaron, oh, Aaron, they took me! They had this n-necklace, and it t-took all my magic away! I—

    Shh, Aaron interrupted. It’s all over.

    Kiethara took a deep, shaky breath and tried to stop the relentless flow of tears. How was she supposed to prove to him how strong she was if she could do nothing but bawl like a child?

    Kiethara… Aaron seemed lost for words. It has been so long…I have been so worried! Day after day, I felt as though I would lose my mind! I had no idea where you were, or what was happening to you! But you’re okay, thank goodness!

    They…they had this jewel! It took away my powers! she repeated. They couldn’t even use magic themselves!

    I know, trust me, I know. I wanted to help, but I couldn’t go anywhere near that cursed necklace myself. Please forgive me, he pleaded.

    Of course, she said, blinking in shock. I-I don’t blame you Aaron. I didn’t even know something like that existed!

    I haven’t seen that necklace in a long time, Aaron said, his voice telling her that his thoughts were in the past. How they got their hands on it, I can’t begin to imagine. Kiethara, I should have warned you about it sooner…

    Kiethara put her face in her hands as her tears stopped and her breathing slowed. Her mind was strangely blank, with Aaron’s words running through her mind much too fast. Usually, they stuck to her like bees on honey, but at the moment she knew she was in no state to receive any new information. She feared it would only spill off the top of her over-crammed head. And she still had so much to tell him, to ask Aaron to explain…

    Aaron, she began, looking up, but he cut her off.

    Kiethara, I am dying to know what has happened to you, but right now you need rest and nourishment. Tomorrow, you must tell me everything that has transpired and, if you are up to it, we must begin training. We must quicken the pace in the matter, because I will not let you be unprepared like that again.

    Kiethara nodded. It was easier to obey than to argue and, as of the moment, all she could really think about was finally lying down in her hammock and rocking off to sleep. Or sinking into the guardian’s lake at the center of the forest. She was so thirsty, too, and that called for a trip to her washing lake…

    Kiethara could not help but smile at the thought. Thinking about all of her old routines and favorite places brought back the happiness that she had lost for a few minutes.

    There we go, he said, thoroughly relieved. Now eat this.

    He handed her an apple. It looked ripe and plump, unlike anything she had seen of it in the past few weeks. Her mouth watered as she took it from him.

    When she brought her hands to her mouth she saw that her crystals already had a faint glow to them. They looked the same way they had when she had lost her magic to the fire that had burned through the forest. Huh. She had thought then that she had lost all of her power.

    Kiethara bit into the apple. There were no words to describe the taste, but she ate it with gusto. The feeling was instantaneous—already, she could sense strength returning to her limbs, accompanied with a strong glow issuing from her crystals. With the help of a nearby tree, she pulled herself up to her feet. She swayed slightly, but her crystals glowed—not quite as bright as they usually were—and they gave her the purpose she needed.

    Can you make it to your clearing? Aaron asked. Kiethara shuddered at the image of walking all the way to her clearing.

    I don’t think I can walk that far…

    No, I didn’t mean walk, Kiethara, Aaron said with a sad chuckle. "Fly."

    She gasped, feeling completely humiliated. How could she have not realized something as trivial as that? What did Aaron think of her now, when she could not even remember to use one of the most basic powers that she had learned? Going so long without magic had altered her fundamental instincts! She wondered if she had worsened in her training. She shook her head, bringing her mind back to the present. Hopefully she still remembered how to fly.

    Kiethara kicked off the ground, her crystals glowing brightly. She hovered in the air, feeling lighter than she had ever felt before. She ran a hand through her hair with a rather dazed smile.

    Which way? she asked Aaron.

    Northwest, he said, pointing her in the right direction.

    Thank you.

    Kiethara, Aaron said in a very serious tone. Tomorrow you must tell me everything. Understand?

    She nodded and, unable to contain herself anymore, she took off. She cleared the tree tops in seconds, a huge smile lighting her face. Her hands brushed the multicolored leaves below them as the wind caressed her face, pulling gently on her long brown hair. She spread her arms out wide and laughed, spinning round and round in the air. Why had she ever bothered walking in the forest when she had magic? Flying took no energy at all. It was exhilarating.

    She wanted to stay in the air forever, but nature had other ideas. Soon the wind began to feel chilly, her hair grew heavy and frizzy, and her eyes stung and watered. She smiled through it all, though. This was part of her home, part of who she was, and she enjoyed it immensely, despite the fact that it took her quite a while to reach her clearing.

    Kiethara almost flew right over it, distracted as she was. She practically dropped out of the sky in her haste to land. Her bare feet hit the cool, solid ground as she gazed around eagerly. Her hammock still swung innocently between the two trees. Now that she could compare it to the clean white sheets she had slept on in Redawn, it was filthy. Not that it disgusted her, but she laughed at the idea of Trinnia’s comments if she could see where Kiethara slept.

    Her vine belt hung in the tree just as she had left it, and everything else looked exactly the same. Kiethara’s hand instinctively rose to her neck, even though she knew there was no locket there. Her heart dropped with the thought of the loss; she knew that she would never see it again. It could be anywhere in the kingdoms and she did not want to return to that world ever again.

    Well, there was no reason to brood over her loss when there was no way to fix it. She was home. Her happiness was fading off and on so fast it was making her head spin.

    Kiethara stood there, torn between two options. She could throw herself down in her hammock and drift off into the most peaceful sleep she would have in a lifetime or she could fly to her lake, where she could get a much needed drink of water. She had never felt so tired or so thirsty.

    She remembered what happened to her when she had been dehydrated in Redawn, but she didn’t feel as dizzy now as she had then. It would be reasonable to go to her lake and then fall in her hammock, really—

    Wait! A new alternative came to mind, one that seemed much more inviting than the other two. Why didn’t she just go to the lake? There was nothing more relaxing than that; she could get a drink there and maybe even sleep there. Not to mention restore some of her magic. A perfect combination.

    Kiethara sped off towards the center of the forest. This time she stayed below the tops of the trees, for she knew the way well; her carved symbols from her childhood were still there to guide her. It was brilliant to zip through the trees, feeling the leaves brush past her cheeks. In no time at all, she was there.

    The center of the forest was one of the most beautiful sights she had ever seen. The grass was such a livid green, rippling in a memorizing way. The lake stood off to the side, glistening in the sun. Kiethara ripped off her dirty robe and garments, threw them into the lake, and dived in after them.

    A soothing numbness took over her as she took a breath of water. Compared to the chilly air above, the water was rather warm. She closed her eyes, letting her naked body drift towards the bottom, her hair swirling around her sensitive skin. It didn’t take long until her back thudded against the bottom, sending up a swirling cloud of dust.

    She lay there for a minute, letting herself feel nothing but the calming pull of the powerful water around her. With a deep, underwater breath, she pulled herself up and opened her eyes. It was time to visit her mother’s grave.

    EARTHAPHORIA

    LIVED FOR 35 YEARS

    "OUR GREATEST GIFT IS LOVE."

    The purple stone embedded atop the name sparkled eerily, as though there were some magic in it. It was a bright purple, though darker than lavender. Kiethara looked down at her own crystals and frowned. Sometimes her green crystals seemed rather dull in the green forest. They weren’t a deep, emerald green like the crystal she had seen in another tomb; no, her green was much lighter.

    Kiethara sighed, tiny bubbles escaping her mouth. She felt refreshed and rather atoned. By visiting her mother’s grave upon her arrival back, she felt like she was apologizing for losing her locket. Now it was time to get some sleep.

    It scared her how much effort it took her to climb onto dry land once she had pulled herself out of the water. She almost nodded off as she flew back, avoiding what might have been several painful collisions with a tree.

    She dropped right into her hammock, finally falling asleep, not in a strange land with fear of stranger people, but in the forest. Her home.

    Such relief.

    CHAPTER 33

    PHYSICAL COMBAT

    Kiethara moaned softly as the sunlight shone rather harshly through her eyelids. She had the impression that she had been in a very deep sleep for a very long time, but she couldn’t recall any dreams. She rolled her head to the side, causing her hammock to sway slightly. It had felt nice to be rocked to sleep. Her bed in Redawn had been comfy, yes, but it was nothing compared to her tattered, dirty hammock.

    Kiethara took a deep breath. Her eyelids seemed too heavy to pull back and her legs seemed too worn to move. She would rather lay here for the rest of her life than summon the strength necessary to roll out of her hammock.

    So she lay there for a few more minutes, unable to fall back asleep. She began thinking about what she had to do today. Training, Aaron had told her. Hadn’t he mentioned that she was behind in her training and that it was time to prepare her? Kiethara didn’t know whether to be excited or insulted. Did that mean that Aaron had not been working her as hard as he could have, indicating that he didn’t think much of her strength? It was a waste of time getting offended, however, even if the thought did disappoint her somewhat.

    Now he was going to teach her a lot more and a lot faster. This made her eager for two reasons: her thirst for knowledge was never quenched, and she wanted to have every power she could so events would not repeat themselves.

    Of course, lying here in her hammock wasn’t going to get her anywhere. Aaron was probably waiting for her to get up and, because she was being lazy, precious time was ticking away. The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. It was impossible to relax now. With a groan, she rolled out of her hammock and onto her feet. There was nothing like scaring herself out of bed.

    Kiethara made her way towards her lake. It seemed rather plain when compared to the guardian’s lake, but it was just as refreshing to splash her face with water and take a drink. The water was rather cold, indicating that winter was close. She had not bothered to put her robe back on after washing it yesterday. The water had certainly done its job in waking her, though, and the slight breeze only sharpened the feeling of coolness on her damp skin.

    With wide eyes and slightly chattering teeth, she hurried to the center of the forest. She was eager with anticipation: what type of magic would she learn today? They had already covered all the basics, but apparently, things were a lot more complicated than that. Maybe they would go a bit more in depth with an element. In her case, she hoped it was water. She felt that she was rather pathetic in that area.

    Aaron was already waiting for her. To her surprise, her eyes didn’t really need to adjust at the sight of him. It wasn’t as bright or as blinding as she remembered him to be…and hadn’t his shape been a bit more defined? Kiethara bit her lip. She hadn’t noticed this yesterday and she was unsure whether or not it would be unwise of her to mention on. The last time she had commented on Aaron’s physical appearance, he had gotten annoyed. Not the best way to start out the day—she pushed her observations to the back of her mind.

    Good morning, Kiethara, Aaron said as his usual greeting. She smiled widely. When had been the last time she had heard that?

    Good morning, Aaron, she replied.

    I know you are curious about what we will be training today, he began. "But first we must get something very important out of the way. I warned you yesterday that you must tell me of your…experiences, and the time has come. Please, if you will, Kiethara."

    Aaron beckoned for her to start. She had forgotten about his warning yesterday and she was a little reluctant to keep her word. But he would be able to explain everything that she could not understand, so the price was fair to pay.

    What made her angry was that she had already had to do this once, when she had vented her problems out to Navadar. Navadar. The name caused so many emotions that it made her head throb…and her heart.

    Kiethara…

    She took a deep breath and then launched into her tale, pausing only to take a breath or recall a detail. She did not try to downplay the events like she had before and Aaron did not interrupt. She suddenly paused, ending her tale short, stopping just after Navadar had promised to take her home. Everything that happened after that were events she did not want Aaron to know, especially her foolish mistakes with Gandador and Sinsenta. She felt guilty, though; what if something Gandador had said was useful information for Aaron? It had only sounded like insane babble to her, but Aaron understood far more than she did.

    But you didn’t return to the forest with Navadar, Aaron said, speaking for the first time since she had started talking.

    No, I… she trailed off.

    I need to know everything, Kiethara, whether you want me to or not.

    You might not like it, she warned.

    It matters not. Go on.

    With great reluctance, she launched back into her tale, although this time she chose to leave out a few choice details. Again, he didn’t interrupt, but she knew that if he had any features to show an expression, they would be molded into a mask of anger. She always knew she wouldn’t have been able to get anything by him.

    Well, Kiethara, I certainly didn’t expect any of that, Aaron finally said, his tone both surprised and angry.

    I know, I know, but it happened. What do you want me to do about it now? At least we…well, did we learn anything from Gandador?

    A bit, he replied. Not enough to destroy him, per se, but enough to see a weakness. Just as he told you, his greed does play a big role in this, along with a great deal of arrogance. He thinks that he’s powerful enough to force himself to become a guardian. He envies you just as he envied your mother. He does not want to kill you, because he realizes that that will end his power as well. Yet it seemed he finally stopped using reason for his actions, only whims, and we can use that to our advantage.

    You are forgetting our great disadvantage, Aaron! The necklace! You can’t go near it, and I can’t last for very long by it. If he gets his hands on it I am done for, and so is the forest!

    I understand, he said. That necklace holds great power and a horrifying fate. I don’t know where it came from or how it came to be, but I can still remember the first time it was used against me.

    Kiethara held her breath. She heard in his tone that he was about to talk of his time as a guardian, the first guardian.

    "After many years of establishing my reign, I had thought no one would dare stand against me. It took a while to convince people that the forest was mine, but after some time, I became too powerful for anyone to look me in the eye.

    That is, until a rather intense looking woman strutted into the forest. Her expression had been void of any emotion, but her eyes had a jesting glint to them—I can still see it to this day. I approached her, curious and wary. All she did was hold up the necklace and, as soon as the jewel reflected upon my own crystals, my magic was seeping out of me and into the dark jewel. She then smiled with that cruel glint in her eye and took out a dagger from the folds of her dress. I was weak, but she had been foolish enough to lower the necklace. My powers were gone, yet I still had some strength left to tackle her to the ground, knocking the dagger away. She was weak from her own travels, so I overpowered her and killed her.

    Kiethara blinked. Only recently had she uncovered his more aggressive side. She had not expected such a blunt ending to that story. When she had been younger, he had always been so kind and gentle, sheltering her from most aspects of the truth. But her bubble had been popped, and she needed to realize that he had never been as gentle as she had perceived.

    Now, this brings up the reason as to why we are here. Guardians learn to rely on their magic. They become so caught up in their powers that they do not have the foresight to realize that they are not unbeatable. Today, I will help snuff out this arrogance and help you survive against the guardian’s greatest weakness.

    So what are you teaching me today? she asked, confused.

    Physical combat, he replied.

    You mean…we’re not using magic?

    For now, he said. We have a lot on our plate, but I want to get this out of the way so that you are prepared. After this, we will review all of the elements, but we’ll go a little more in depth than you are used to. I am pleased to say you’ve advanced quite well with earth and air, but you’ll need to work hard on the other two.

    Kiethara did not argue, although she really wanted to start water today. She could feel sorrow, not that she wanted to admit who it was from, and she really didn’t want to hold on to it for much longer. It would be sweet justice to use the pain he had caused her to become even more powerful.

    What do you mean by physical combat? she asked warily.

    Fighting with nothing but your body, he elaborated. You will learn techniques that are not very advanced, but the most important lesson you will be learning in physical combat is defense. When your opponent can use magic and you can’t, the best thing you can do is dodge his attacks.

    Gandador has some attacks that come from nowhere, she complained.

    Yes, and that brand of magic is something that you cannot avoid and something I will not teach you to use. But he can’t kill you with them; keep that in mind, Kiethara.

    Kiethara felt a little uneasy about not using her powers, and Aaron’s words did not reassure her. Punching and kicking Gandador did not appeal to her, either.

    As always, though, she trusted Aaron, and he trusted her to get the lesson done. That was the only way they could function.

    With a sigh, she squared her shoulders.

    All right, let’s get to it.

    That’s the spirit, Kiethara, Aaron chuckled. Now, I have made it so that you will be able to hit me.

    Made it so…?

    There is no good way to instruct this, so I’m going to let you come at me and slowly guide you away from your mistakes. Here, go at me.

    Aaron beckoned her forward, and she smiled. Never had she imagined that she would have the opportunity to throw a few punches at him. She bent her knees and raised her arms, balling her hands into fists. He mirrored her position. She grinned and then lunged at him.

    He knocked her fist away with ease and with his other arm he knocked her to the ground. She felt the air leave her lungs. Gasping, she struggled back to her feet.

    How did you do that? she demanded.

    Easily. Your attack was predictable, your movements slow, and you had absolutely no defense.

    Huh, she said slowly, a bit disorientated with his critic. And I can fix these things by…?

    Keeping your fists closer together, moving a little faster, and by not giving away your next move before you perform it.

    Kiethara nodded, and they resumed their previous positions. She ran her tongue over her teeth, thinking hard…

    Swiftly, she moved forward. Aaron made the same jerky defensive move he had the last time, but this time, instead of punching him, she brought her leg around to kick him.

    Aaron brought his arm down in lightning speed and grabbed her ankle. With a single pull, she was thrown back onto the ground.

    Either you’re very good at this or I’m very bad, she commented after she had regained her breath.

    Years of practice, he chuckled.

    Right. She didn’t even try to imagine how long that might consist of.

    That’s how long it’s going to take me to hit you, she mumbled out loud.

    Patience, Kiethara. We have all day. Plus, I have a reward for you.

    Reward? she asked, instantly curious.

    You will see. Only if we work all day, though.

    And work they did. Aaron instructed her to slow down her motions, so he could point out crucial angles she needed to make and obvious mistakes. She was surprised to learn how many ways there were to incapacitate an opponent. They learned attack after attack and, to match it, each attack had several different defenses to counter it. The movements took a lot of concentration, along with flexibility, something she realized she did not have. Aaron realized this, too, and decided to devout an entire hour to some painful stretches, which involved a few interesting cracks to her joints. She felt as though they were remodeling her body into new, unnatural positions that allowed her to move in ways she had never moved in before. Before this day, she had never been able to accomplish a split.

    It was not easy. The training required everything she had, but most of all, it required patience. More than once she found herself flaring up at Aaron, grinding her teeth and declaring that it was impossible. Of course, he would not let her stop and, in the back of her mind, she felt a strong urge to push herself for him, even if he already was pushing her past her own limits.

    But these days she was beginning to believe that she had no limitations, only boundaries that she hadn’t tried to cross yet. She had survived the previous events not because they had been within her boundaries, but because she had been willing to exceed them.

    Now bring your leg around, as though you were going to kick me in the waist, Aaron instructed her after they had taken a break for lunch.

    Kiethara did as he said—he grabbed her airborne ankle. She had to hobble a little to stay balanced.

    Remind me to work on balance with you after this.

    Right, but if you have a point, make it, because I can’t stay like this forever, she pointed out.

    All right, he chuckled. I have you now, but you can get out of this easily. Lean to the left, and, when I say so, twist your body very fast and use your other leg to kick me.

    Kiethara had a strong suspicion she was going to end up on the ground again, but she attempted it anyway.

    After a quick blur, she was face down in the grass again. She groaned.

    You’re all right. Get up so we can try again.

    Kiethara repeated her actions again and he repeated his. She was not surprised when the same result repeated as well.

    How do I know you’re not, well, doing something! she cried.

    Doing what, exactly?

    I don’t know!

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1