Chapter 21 - Part 1

The mid-summer sun scorched the gravel in the training pit with such intensity that whenever Tasgal's bare flesh made contact with the ground it sent a flash of searing pain throughout his body. The sky was clear, no clouds in sight. The heat bore no sign of diminishing.

Ashen cheered from the sidelines as Tasgal jumped to his feet in a fluid motion. He loved showing off, especially to Haiden, but this time, the wielder he cared for was his opponent.

Unlike previous sparring matches, this one was more serious. Tasgal gave Haiden his approval on using the full extent of his powers while Tasgal wielded his Ashen sword that he finally retrieved from once he had stashed safely. He never actually noticed how much he missed it and a spare sword from the armory was never the same. This sword was of a higher quality steel, and stones. Made by master craftsmen, gifted to him by his master the day he departed. It was his prized possession. The blade when sung through the air cried melodically as if it cut through space itself.

Haiden threw another three force blasts to test the waters and Tasgal cut through them with incredible ease, dispelling the spells. Although earlier Haiden managed to pin Tasgal to the ground using water manipulation to hold him down, Tasgal was swift enough to dispel all snares Haiden tried.

"Is that all that you haven, little guy." Tasgal taunted, confident with his newly returned straight.

"That wasn't even drop of what I can do." Haidem smirked, he too was confident. While sparring with limited use of his powers always resulted in his loose, Tasgal could not handle the full front of his powers.

Haiden placed a few full barriers to create some distance between himself and Tasgal but a single sweep of the sword was enough to wipe away any trace of energy. Haiden cursed at the effectiveness of the sword. But, it didn't matter. As soon as Tasgal was ready to destroy the final barrier Haiden raised a hand and the ground before him collapsed slightly, cracking in the shape of a perfect thick rectangle. Tasgal's sword came down easily cutting through the barrier but then meeting hard stone just inches beyond Haiden's face. The sword rang like a tuning fork as it shallowly lodged itself in the stone shield Haiden created.

"Not bad." Tasgal smiled, his hands still feeling the reverberance from the sword as he pulled it out effortlessly.

Haiden let down the stone shield and gave Tasgal an arrogant smirk. "Let's see what else you got, big guy." Haiden took a few careful steps backward to create some distance but Tasgal was already hot on his heels. Haiden didn't let him advance too fast, pulling water from the air and sending frozen bullets from both Tasgal's left and right. He parried the bullets with his sword, the energy around them dispelling as soon as they came in the vicinity of the crystals and reverting back to their original gaseous state. This slowed Tasgal, alright, but he still made good time advancing.

Haiden formed several balls of plasma, surrounding himself and with a twist of his extended hand they rained down lightning bolts, powerful enough the crack and boom throughout the pit with such force that the onlookers had to cover their ears. Haiden had full trust in Tasgal's abilities to withstand his attack, and he was right to do so. Tasgal raised his sword towards the lightning, his hair was fully standing up, he felt the sheer power crackling on his skin. The lightning changed directions to the tip of the sword, the electricity flowing through him straight in the ground. He felt all that power run through him, but it was not painful, just annoying. With a swing to his left, the lightning bolts jumped to the ground dispersing harmlessly.

"Not bad." Haiden mocked Tasgal, resulting in him laughing before taking his fighting stance and rushing towards Haiden. The young wielder quickly used the same trick as with the stone shield but this time the cracks in the ground surrounded Haiden. A pillar of stone pushed him high in the air. He enveloped himself in energy changing the charges to provide a bit of lift, and with a simple force blast he propelled himself on the other side of the pit, creating a big gap between him and Tasgal.

Haiden began to twist his arms in the air, and slowly the gravel on the ground began trembling as Tasgal started running towards him. Soon the little stones and gravel began circling Tasgal, not allowing him to advance any further. He was surrounded by a whirl of stones of high velocity that if any would strike Tasgal's naked torso it would surely pierce his flesh.

The Ashen didn't fall back, but sung his sword with great force, chipping at the whirl of stones. Those that were touched by the sword did not respond to Haiden's Fios. Taking his time and avoiding any direct contact, Tasgal managed to thin out the whirl to a mere few pebbles.

"Is that all you got." Tasgal said with a genuine smile. He never had so much fun while sparring. After that initial accident where Vick had stabbed him, everyone was weary not to inflict any real damage. This was the first all out fight he had with Haiden, and the most fun one he can remember. While with limited access to his power, Haiden was weak physically, but now with access to all of his arsenal he was a fearsome opponent.

"Not even a drop." Haiden repeated, although he was breathless he still had much more he could do. But, he didn't want to show all that he had hidden in his sleeve, so he tried to keep his exposure to a minimum. He was certain Bras was somewhere in the crow, watching. He didn't want everyone to know what his full potential was. He didn't know what Bras could do, so he wanted to keep the element of surprise. Haiden took a page from Camila's book and created two thin vortex blasts one on each side. He sent them towards tasgal with great force, ripping through the stone and gravel on the ground.

Tasgal dodged one with a roll and the other one was dispelled with a slash of his sword. While Tasgal was busy with the two vortex blasts Haiden closed it. The Ashen got taken by surprise, instinctively he raised the sword in the blink of an eye and it came down towards Haiden.

Haiden raised his hand to meet the full brunt of the sword, stopping it with a very thick glove of body armor. The sword managed to penetrate half of an inch but Haiden focused on increasing the thickness gradually, countering the force with which it slashed.

Once the blow came to a halt, Haiden grabbed the sword, constantly renewing the armor that the sword's stones were dispelling.

"What the..." Tasgal loosened his grip in shock and fear to not hurt Haiden. The young Wielder took advantage of Tasgal letting his guard down and with his other hand, he punched Tasgal with all of his might, which in comparison with Tasgal's was not much.

The force of the attack was not enough to make Tasgal blink, but he dropped his grip on the sword, falling with a clank on the stone and gravel. He raised his hands in defeat.

"You win." Tasgal said with a proud smile on his face. This was the first time Haiden actually won a sparring match between the two of them .

"Told you." Haiden beamed from ear to ear.

Tasgal lowered his voice and said with a hungry smirk on his face. "Maybe you can show me some of your new moves later tonight."

"I-but- I mean - If- You - I" Haiden mumbled, immediately blushed red and his thoughts scrambled.

"I'll take that as a yes." Tasgal's blue eyes twinkled with mischief. They matched perfectly with the clear summer sky. Every time Haiden looked into his bright gems he felt the warmth of summer all over again. Or was it all the blood rushing through his body?

The crowd cheered and screamed for them. Master Istrek was approaching the two, clapping enthusiastically. Camila walked behind him, nex to her was Vick and the other two Ashen Kip and Mav.

"Well done! Well done! Both of you. I see Rwoy is doing a tremendous job with the lot of yous." He laughed smacking Tasgal over the back.

"Thank you, Master Istrek." Haiden nodded in appreciation. "If this was a hand on hand combat I would have surely lost. Tasgal is a fierce opponent."

"Of course he is, training him myself." The old man laughed. "But he still got a long way to go to beat you."

"That's just because Haiden is too powerful for his own good." Camila added.

"Can't believe you got your ass handed to you by this twerp." Vick meant this to sound like friendly banter but somehow it conveyed to the rest mean spirited.

"You have a go at it and see if you can beat him, then." Mav kindled Vick's fire. "Don't think you can last half as much as Tas did."

"I'll have him begging within the first two minutes." Vick turned to Mav beating his fist against his chest. Kip budded in that he wanted a turn against Haiden and they soon began arguing who would be next.

"Maybe some other time, guys. We have somewhere to run." Tasgal interrupted. "Istrek, I'll see you later in the evening to talk about the match."

"Sure, maybe next time." Haiden gave an apologetic smile to Vick and Kip, although he didn't want to spar with either of them. Vick would have been needlessly bruteish and get overly angry when Haiden would have won, while Kip would have tried to show off in front of Camila.

"Neither of you would have stood a chance." Mav chided both of them.

Tasgal jugged to get his shirt and the sheathe of his sword, meeting back with Camila and Haiden at the top of the pit.

"Finally. Let's go!" Camila was already in front of them. Haiden and Tasgal fell behind her.

"That was a great match." Tasgal said, fidgeting with his shirt trying to figure out which was the right side.

"You should wear your armor next time, maybe then you'll have a chance." Haiden teased.

"Maybe next time I won't go easy on you." Tasgal wrapped his arm around Haiden's neck and and pulled him in to give him a light knuckle.

"Stop! You're too sweaty!" Haiden tried to pry himself off but Tasgal tightened his grip. He loved that Tasgal was not afraid of skinship and showing his affection, but a part of him was scared that someone would see them for what they were Yeva'Ah.

"You like it." Tasgal whispered gingerly in his ear, then let him go. Haiden was again, fully read and thankful Camila was not paying them any attention. She had one goal in mind today. Spend time with Maree. Finally, after three weeks of training, Headmistress Helena gave him the evening off and they could spend it together in the garden.

"Come on, you two, quit fooling around." Camila hurried her pace and they followed suit. These three weeks have been stressful for Camila, she worried that without her protection Maree could become again a target for Bras and his goons. He missed most of their lunches together as the Headmistress did not like to waste time and the few times he did had lunch with them he was beat up and had little energy to do anything else. He had a few bruises and cuts, but nothing major. Camila, of course, dotted on him like a mother. Even in class he was absent minded and out the door as soon class ended.

"I see him!" She yelled and ran to him and hugged him with all her might, lifting his slender body off the ground.

"Missed you too, Cams." He laughed and returned the hug. His bag was straddled over his back, it seemed unusually fuller.

"Hey, Maree." Haiden and Tasgal greeted.

"Let's go over to the backwoods. Headmistress Helena gave me permission to train just outside the wall. I'll be practicing there for the next few days since she's expanding her office for more room to train."

"She's really going all out on this, isn't she?" Tasgal remarked.

"Yeah, I feel weird about it." Maree sighed, he took his bag opening it slightly before making sure no one but his friends were around. A tiny white head popped out that brushed over his hand. "She says I'm special. Bahal has been keeping their ways of taming awakened secret from all outsiders. She has been documenting everything about me and Alva." Maree scrunched up his face in annoyance.

"She's not hurting you, is she, Maree?" Camila asked concerned.

"No, she's actually very careful with me not to get injured or heals me instantly if anything happens." He admitted.

"Good. Shell have to deal with me if she puts even a finger on you." Camila flexed her nonexistent muscle making Maree smile.

"And us." Haiden added. "Now show us what new spells you've learned." Haiden was eager to see Maree's growth but also curious to see what new spells had his friend learned and if he could learn something himself.

Exciting! Screech suddenly popped in Haiden's mind.

Isn't it? What do you think of Maree and his Na'vara. I think he called it. Haiden asked the creature while trying to also pay attention to his friends.

Similar to Screech in a way. Screech feels much power from Alva. Wonders how old is he.

I don't know. I could ask. Does it matter?

Yes! The older the stronger and much knowledge he has.

"You feeling alright? I didn't rough you up too bad?" Tasgal asked Haiden as they fell behind.

"Rough me up? Yeah, sure. I'm fine."

"You seemed lost in thought."

"I was just talking with Screech." Haiden lowered his voice.

"What does it want." Tasgal rolled his eyes.

"Nothing, he's just excited about Alva."

The four of them arrived at the gate at the end of the garden, Maree without hesitation pushed the gate open.

"Come on. No one's going to bother us here." He beckoned everyone to follow. He took his bag and pried it open. Alva jumped out, jumping all over the place with incredible agility and speed. "It is great to stretch your feet." He told the creature with a smile.

They went a big further past the trees to a small clearing and sat down next to a thick emler tree.

"Come one, show us!" Camila said excitedly while Tasgal scooched right next to Haiden, their hands brushing together. Haiden clamped up in surprise. His hand reacted on its own, his fingers intertwining with Tasgal's as he felt the Ashen's calloused palm. Haiden wasn't sure if he began to sweat because of the heavy summer heat or if this simple gesture was riling him up just a tad too much. Haiden placed a bag between them to hide their interlocked fingers, give Tasgal a smile and shifted his attention to Maree.

"Don't skip on the details, Mar." Haiden called out as Maree went to the middle of the small clearing. Light peaked through the canopy in scorching rays of warmth.

"Right." Maree said, as a sudden bout of embarrassment overcame him. "Alva," he said looking at the white fluffy creature beside him. He waited eagerly for Maree's command. "is older than me. He's over two hundred years old."

"Two hund - " Camila said flabbergasted.

"He doesn't look a day over two months." Tasgal joked.

"Yeah, he looks just like a tiny baby fennik fox." Haiden added.

"He's adorable." Maree crouched down and gave Alva a hug. "But he's an old man at heart." Maree laughed and gave the fox a few scratches behind his ear. "Ready, Alva?"

Haiden prepared his senses to feel everything, hoping there was something to learn from watching them.

"Battle form, Alva." Maree shouted and the blue flames engulfed the small creature, expanding rapidly. The flamed burnt out immediately and Alva's size increased tenfold. His size reaching up to Maree's chest. It's white fur, glistened light blue and moved like fire in the wind. It's deep blue eyes were now the size of Haiden's fist and its long ears were just as long as his body, tucked back and out of the way. Instead of the cute and adorable snout, it now had massive teeth poking out of it's vertical mouth. All six jet black nostrils flared as it breathed, steam coming out of each one with each puff of air exhaled. The nostril closest to it's eye, elongated around the eye in a beautiful contrast with the white fur. In the center of his forehead, Alva had a small rough bump, a keratin formation, the beginning of a horn. Its paws were as big as Maree's head, they ended in sharp claws that could retract. The awakened wagged his fluffy white tail back and forth, awaiting Maree's next orders.

"Whaa," everyone gasped.

"That's amazing!" Haiden leaned over to get a better look. This shape was not his physical body. Haiden could see it, it was all pure energy.

Similar! Screech said in his mind.

Immediately Haiden understood. When Screech had made itself visible to Tasgal, he did the same thing, created a body out of pure energy. Maybe you could turn into something more useful, then. Haiden joked.

Hmpf! Screech came out of Haiden's peripheral vision. It did not make itself visible to anyone. Alva turned his head towards Screech.

Can it see you? Haiden asked.

Yes. Hello. Screech waved at the overly sized fox. Alva lowered its head in a deep curtsy, showing his respect for Screech, then turning hs attention back to his master.

What was that? Haiden asked.

Wouldn't you like to know. Screech turned to Haiden and stuck out his tongue before disappearing. Haiden rolled his eyes and shifted his attention back at Alva and Maree.

Maree was in deep concentration. Although Alva had his own Fios, it pulled on Maree's to create this form.

"Fire, Alva." With that command from Maree, Alva raised his head to the clear sky and fired a few a barrage of blue fireballs. Haiden could feel the power they emanated, it was intense. One of those could easily obliterate an entire tree in seconds leaving nothing but ash.

Camila backed down a few paces as she felt the heat from the fireballs.

"Those were crazy powerful." Tasgal said. He had to turn away for fear of singing his eyebrows.

"Right?" Maree's face gleamed and fully embracing the fluffy giant. "He's so powerful! He can do a lot more, look!" Maree concentrated. Haiden could feel him feeding the awakened energy.

"Breathe, Alva. just a little." Maree instructed. The awakened began to take deep breaths through his six nostrils, with each one increasing in power. With one final exhale, sparks flew out of his nostrils in front of him. They were just a few and flew gently away from them. Haiden could feel that Maree was controlling where they went. As soon as the sparks landed on the ground or a plant a column of blue fire engulfed the area of a few feet.

"Alva." Maree repeated, and with that the fox breathed in and the fire extinguished immediately. Maree gave him another big hug. "That was amazing, Alva. You're so strong!"

Haiden looked at the ground, not even ash was left over. The ground was completely razed, not even scorch marks were left.

"That's all for now, I'm afraid." Maree turned back to his friends. "Alva still has a lot more to teach me."

"That was incredible, Maree!" Haiden and Tasgal got up to congratulate their friend.

"That could properly level down an entire village."

Everyone looked at Tasgal with disbelief.

"It was just a joke." He pouted. "And he could."

"It was very powerful. I have to admit, it was the right thing to do, training with the Headmistress, I mean." Camila said ignoring Tasgal.

"It's not really her that's training me, Cams. It's Alva. She just makes sure I don't burn down anything or hurt myself."

"He must know a lot of stuff, being two hundred years old." Haided noted.

"Over two hundred." Tasgal corrected.

'He says that after a while he lost count." Maree laughed.

"I would too. Two hundred... It must've been lonely for him to be out there without you." Camile reached to pet Alva. It's immense head turned for her to scratch him behind his huge ears. It loved attention. Soon Haiden and Tasgal found themselves petting him, playing with it's soft fur. It had a tingling warmth to it that was inexplicably pleasant.

"He was indeed. He told me that animals and plants don't awaken alone. Usually a pack, flock, a group, or a whole patch of plants or trees awaken at the same time from the ambient Fios. He awakened a long time ago somewhere in the heart of Frey, on a tall mountain. His pack was hunted down by greedy humans that thought by killing them they would gain their power." Maree looked down at his Na'vara. He felt the pain he did as he remembered those tragic memories. "Alva survived because he run, leaving everyone behind. Ever since he has been roaming the continent learning from other friendly awakened he met during his travels, running from maddened ones and humans, until around fifty years ago he had settled in the backwoods. There's plenty of ambient Fios and the humans that entered the backwoods never ventured too far. And then, one night, I called.. It was as if we were meant to meet." Alva pushed Maree gently with his head, his long ears bouncing at his sides.

"Poor thing." Camila looked at Alva with sympathetic eyes.

"I'm glad you found each other, Maree.

"Me too." He said with a smile on his face. Although Maree had been exhausted these past three weeks, he seemed to enjoy it.

They spent the remaining couple of hours in pleasant conversation. Alva wrapped himself around Maree and dozed off.

"We should get going." Tasgal said looking in the distance at the setting sun. Everything was engulfed in a deep burnt orange. Streaks of pinks slashed at the sky.

"Already?" Camila pouted with disappointed.

"It's not like we're not going to see each other for Creators know how long. Besides, tomorrow I'm free since we're getting our Ashen appointed." Maree said casually.

"WHAT?" All three of them said simultaneously.