Days passed and each morning would begin with a run back and forth down the valley. Alex and Shade began to enjoy this for they could run side by side, pushing each other to become more adept and even faster. The loose ground proved to be an annoying obstacle for they slipped and fell repeatedly, but they quickly learned why they needed to run on this kind of ground. Reflexes needed to be faster so if they mistakenly slipped they’d recover instantly, without compromising their vulnerabilities.
Ava’s entire day was strictly geared towards flying the inhospitable gauntlet for flyers. Each night she’d shake from both fright and over exhaustion. She looked forward to each night for Alex massaged her wings, back and neck. It was so relaxing that she usually went to sleep in the middle of his work. She also saw a few times he did it to Shade as well for he too worked just as hard.
Again Alex touched the poison quill, but this time the effects were negligible.
Just as Ginger promised, she entered their camp and was pleasantly surprised to see that Alex was well. Very few could boast they lived after being poisoned by her, even when her quill had been diluted. She and Gerieg talked while Alex stood with the boulder over his head. They discussed matters that were beyond him, but before she left she left another quill behind and explained to only boil it by half the number this time. She would come back again one more time.
Doing as she said Alex left the new quill to be only half strength and when he rolled them around in each hand he had the same reaction he did in the first attempt. Gerieg smiled arrogantly as the master cleaned his teeth with the quill’s sharp tip, after supper; proving he was fully immune to the Pikro’s poison.
Another week past and she returned to watch as Alex rolled the full strength quill between his palms, leaving a dark green film along where they touched. The pain still burned, but at least he could keep his body from evacuating his bowels. The contents of his stomach was another matter.
Nine-and-twenty days later it happened for them all. Ava began to feel the subtle changes mere moments before gusts changed on her and she managed to fly the entire valley from one end to the other and back again. Her feathers now felt more sensitive for she could detect which way she’d be blown and would adjust accordingly. Ava couldn’t stop laughing as she completed something very many avoided for their own safety. Her mother was also proud that her little hatchling did something even Fury lords are afraid of.
Shade climbed to the very top and let the world know that he made it, without and tricks, with a howl that carried miles in every direction. He then slid all the way back down and did it once again to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
Alex could hold the uncaring boulder high overhead for a full four-and-twenty hours, only breaking for a few seconds and three times to relieve himself. Gerieg fed him so he could work throughout the night. The next day he also managed to climb the entire rock-face without the use of his hands. Only he didn’t attempt jumping from such height quite yet.
Starting from a ledge in the early morning, just large enough to stand on, forty feet up, he jumped. Remembering what had to be done, as his feet touched, heat burst and made his knees bend. The attempt wasn’t even close to perfect for Alex broke both ankles and screamed on impact.
Shade, Ava and the others were away, running up and down the valley.
As Gerieg brought him inside and laid him down on the dry hay. Using a piece of wood to bite down on, Alex held still as Gerieg felt the breaks. Swelling and discoloration already began to set in. “I’m glad you didn’t do the full height yet or you’d be much worse. The injuries aren’t bad for nothing needs to be reset or re-broken.” His mentor sat back and bore his vision on Alex. “We will finish the sixth step, but first we need to touch on the seventh.”
Spitting the piece of wood out he ground out “How can I train when I can’t even walk?”
Firm blue eyes silenced him. “Alex, part of the seventh step is the ability to increase the speed of healing. There are many aspects to the final step and this is but one out of four. Now that you can control your strength for a full day you must learn to control your heat in a new way, it will need concentration like you originally did to trigger your strength without outside factors controlling you.” Gerieg leaned forward and took Alex’s legs off the soft hay. “We need to do this because you could make the bedding combust.” The solid stone was cool on the throbbing ankles. “Now to expedite your ankles recovery, do as I do. Imagine and picture a small flame at each point that has been injured. Slowly feed those fires until the heat surpasses the pain. Go ahead and try.”
Nodding, Alex focused on both swelling ankles and imagined what he was told. Doing this new kind of imagery also changed how his ability felt. Aside from a pounding heart, no intense heat was produced over the entirety of his skin, save for where his focus remained, aside from the usual he normally made. The pain began to subside almost immediately, but as he touched the injuries, the imagination of heat didn’t reflect the reality for it was so hot that it burned to the touch.
“See now why I took your feet off.” Gerieg said smugly. “Now keep the heat going the entire day until the swelling is gone. Slowly turn down the heat and when you no longer feel pain, you’ll be fully healed.”
They waited together, in silence, for Alex needed to be in complete concentration. Now and then he’d pull the heat down, only to flair it back when the pain was liable to break the concentration.
Shade and the others returned quickly and were all worried when they first heard Alex’s cry of pain over the howling wind.
By the time night fell, the individual breaks no longer hurt at all, but just to be sure he kept the area full of burning flame. Just before all went to bed he had to ask “Master, why now is my skin so hot it can ignite wood, but not when I nearly died back in Alluan? Shouldn’t I have burned the healers who worked on me?”
Gerieg sat forward, meeting his unclear gray eyes. “I’m not entirely certain, but my belief is your unconscious mind instinctively knew what to do, if albeit in a slower way. You said it took a few days to wake and recover, maybe healing slightly slower, than in this new way, also made your naturally hotter skin to remain around the same temperature so that you wouldn’t hurt anyone. Like I said earlier, it is rare for the young and untrained to heal rapidly.”
Chapter 12
Three days after breaking both of his ankles, Alex stood at the very edge of the nearly straight drop. Toes curling over the edge, he peered down at the three miniscule figures of Gerieg, Sheer and Elo; all who were anxiously waiting three hundred feet below. A strong wind howled in every conceivable direction, blowing his raven hair in his eyes.
So this is it? Alex wondered. With a successful landing, this will all be over. Please let this work…
The past two days he slowly climbed higher in each jump back to the base of the valley. It took time and courage, but experience helped make the landings less violent and more fluid. Mostly it built confidence. Nineteen of the jumps were nearly catastrophic, but pure luck saved any deadly trauma. A pattern began to appear and it helped make each landing smoother than the next.
Now it was time to take the greatest leap and test of courage yet. Over three hundred feet down would end this frightening training. A single drop would prove he’d become strong.
“Let’s go.” Shade grinned excitedly, standing to his brother’s right.
“I agree.” Ava smiled on his other side.
“Let’s finish it.” Alex said, feeling a rush of adrenaline.
As one, Alex, Shade and Ava leapt over the edge.
Raging wind filled his hearing as he looked to Shade diving headlong in the air, grinning at the rush he also felt. Nothing could be heard through the fall, but expressions tell more than words ever will. Golden eyes were filled with delight and his ears had been folded against his skull. Intensely concentration was needed above the rush. Ava dive-bombed with them, fastest of all creatures in the world, she kept this title by tucking her wings firmly agains
t her side, becoming faster and more streamlined.
Fast approaching, the ground made Alex alter his jump so his feet angled towards the ground. Ava spread her wings at the last moment and disappeared from his sight. Shade too waited and stretched out his paws. As his paw touched his shadow he entered it so that the ground wouldn’t kill him on impact. Shade found this out on his own and proved that he could do this skill before he jumped with his siblings or got permission to come along.
Feet first, Alex’s heels touched. Immediately his heat exploded from within and the strength in his legs simultaneously absorbed and slowed the heavy landing. With the palms of his hands slamming the ground he slowed even faster. Both of his hands and feet sunk into the softer ground by several inches, but nothing broke internally. Round grey stones filled the entirety of his vision after coming to a complete, sudden and silent stop.
Heavy beating sounds and pressure from wings stopped flapping as sharp talons scratched stones not two feet away. Alex turned his head and saw Ava beaming with pride. Looking to his other side, Shade was grinning completely, his head was the only thing visible.
As one they all shouted “WE DID IT!”
Alex scooped Ava in one arm and Shade’s enormous neck with the other. Laughing joyfully the trio spun, laughed and congratulated each other. Rising out of the shadow Shade cleanly lifted Alex off the ground.
The sound of clapping brought their attention to a proud Gerieg and the other masters also beamed with delight. “Well done, all of you. The sixth task is now complete. Ava,” He called out proudly, a speech was expected and none were disappointed. “you are now the true partner of Alex and Shade. As the flyer, your responsibility is to be their eyes when they cannot see beyond themselves and warn them of any danger. Your voice is your most potent weapon, do not confuse my meaning for it isn’t your shrill that will aid them. Use your voice to support them in any way you see fit. There are and will always be tough times ahead and only your love and support will get all of you through those difficult days.” Ava was filled with glee as she made a short flight and landed on her shoulder perch. Gerieg then turned to the largest sibling. “Shade, your most vital task to your older siblings is to use your size to deter any adversaries seeking to cause them harm. Should any danger present itself, you are the teeth and claws that will defend them. And I don’t know if you realized it yet, but in these near three months you’ve made your final height and are now larger than your master. Having two nearby Furions accelerated just how large you could become.”
“Really?” His grin became more pronounced as he trotted up to Elo.
Truth became all too clear as Shade stood beside his master. Nearly an inch higher in the shoulders, Shade was now taller than Elo. His pristine sabers now reached an impressive twelve inches in length, another inch longer than his master’s. As he moved aside for personal space Elo said “It is true that you are taller, but make no mistake you still have much improvement to make.”
Shade trotted back, nose pointed up and his tail wagged dangerously.
“Alex,” Gerieg began, pride filled his voice as well as his expression. “Before you begin your final lessons I must say this. As the Furion of your partners, you are their leader and provider. Any actions you make will have consequences for both Shade and Ava. Never force them to go against their will no matter the reason nor treat them as if they can be replaced. They are an extension of you, though they are separate beings. Take care of them, for your life is hardly worth living without them as companions. Be reasonable to your choices and receptive in being counseled is what I’m trying to say.”
All three students bowed with respect.
“Now that it has been said, it is time to begin the final and most difficult part of becoming a Furion Master.”
Elo then stepped forth. “For now our Furions must leave for what is to take place will be too dangerous for us to venture with them.”
“Why must we let them leave?” Ava asked, wrapping her right wing protectively around Alex’s head.
Her mother stepped forward and clicked her beak before speaking. “Because Alex will need complete concentration on these tasks and we need to keep our distance or they could accidently harm us. Even the terrain could kill us if we are not paying attention. Not even Elo’s or Shade’s fur will protect them from this task. They will find us when they are done. We are to remain here and further develop our skills, for when Alex returns to us, he will be a Furion Master.”
“Are you ready to complete your training?” Gerieg asked.
“Can you give us a moment?” Gerieg nodded to his grandson’s request.
Walking over out of hearing range, Alex and his siblings knew there wasn’t any choice, for this needed to be done as soon as possible. Much to their disappointment they also knew this to be true. They hugged and rubbed their cheeks against him one more time, tears escaped Ava’s eyes, but her brothers both remained strong. Feeling somewhat abandoned, they let him walk back to Gerieg, hopeful to see him soon.
“I’m ready, Master.” Alex said, feeling hurt for leaving them behind.
“Before we leave,” Gerieg said while pointing. “you are to bring your boulder with us, it will be needed. Nothing else.”
Not understanding why, he lifted the huge boulder anyways.
Gerieg led the way, carrying nothing except the vibrant blue clothes on his back as well as his blood red cape and ornate singlehanded sword. Alex followed quickly for the boulder’s weight pressed him down into the soil and rocks. It was awkward carrying the tremendous weight while running east, along the river-cut valley. The skills Alex learned kept his reflexes sharp on the slick rocks for he didn’t slip, stumble or fall the first time.
That night they camped near a fruit tree and Alex saw that his appetite had increased. It was to be expected with all the work he’s exerted. Both Furions sat across from each other staring longingly at the fire, for both missed their companions. Leaning back on the jagged burden Alex just came out and asked “Master, why must I carry the boulder? Surely there must be a reason.”
“There is, but it is easier shown than explained.”
“Then can you at least tell me what I am to do with it?”
“Of course.” Gerieg looked at the mass behind his grandson. “The seventh step has several lessons that you will come to utilize in a variety of ways. I’ve already taught you how to quicken your healing, which you promptly mastered. The seventh step is harnessing your Fire Touch in a multitude of situations and outputs. What you must do is turn that unsightly, jagged and asymmetrical boulder into a smooth sphere with nothing but your hands. Normally when you increase your heat, your entire body expels the same amount. What if you needed to rescue someone yet couldn’t touch them, while being surrounded by an enemy?”
“We’d both die. Either I’d kill them by touch or I wouldn’t be able to get both of us away without using my strength.”
Gerieg nodded. “Precisely. To master yourself you will learn to simultaneously increase your strength without scalding anything in your possession. But in the beginning you need to master the control and output of the heat you give off. To do that you must begin shaping the boulder into a sphere by using your increased strength and Fire Touch in your hands. As you shape it, the intense heat from your hands will give the new surface a mild gloss. If you wish, you may get started.”
“Aye, I will. It might help cut down on the weight and be easier to carry.”
“Be sure” Gerieg warned. “to only remove what needs to make it into a sphere. For if you remove too much I’ll have you start all over with a new one. It needs to be as large and as perfect as possible. Keep it near your height overall.”
Understanding that perfection was needed Alex turned around where he sat and stared at the entirety of the grey stone. It helped that he knew it by touch just as well as sight. Veins were riddled throughout the stone and only a skilled hand would be able to sculpt such rock, without making the faults rupture. One wrong
mistake would weaken the fractures and irreparable chunks would break off. For nearly an hour he sat there, staring at every detail the boulder offered.
Needing some practice Alex stood and scoured the nearby area, collecting fist sized rocks or those that remained slightly larger. No use starting a project that is unfamiliar and difficult to work.
Back in the firelight, a jagged rock in hand, Alex began imagining an intense heat in his hands while also flaming his strength. It wasn’t easy for the different mixtures of heat faltered and failed.
An hour later Alex found that the heat that he exerted to his palms needed to reflect the exact amount of strength he increased. It was easier said than done for even miniscule finger motions to rub and pinch the smaller stones caused the attempt to fail. Ruining Allahandra’s table was much easier for it felt like crushing stiff cheese, but rubbing and shaping stone barehanded proved more tedious and numbing. The rough surfaces anesthetized his calluses.
Before falling asleep he ruined four stones and was glad to have experimented before attempting to shape the boulder. Sculpting wasn’t something he’s ever seen nor practiced before.
Seven more days of running east northeast, traveling over small mountains, long valleys and using many game trails eventually allowed them to come upon the final destination, only it wasn’t as expected. The failing light made everything feel surreal and alien.
Alex had begun to rub small flakes and debris from the boulder he carried on his back during the nightly break, only when he felt comfortable on the pieces he knew wouldn’t cause any permanent damage to the work in progress. Many smaller stones were worked and nearly each one was ruined and only one looked irregularly shaped like a sphere.
Furion's Trials (Book Two of the Items Trilogy) Page 25
