It had taken mere days for the elves to set up the warding needed to protect the city. Aveyon's training, however, never stopped. Training was farthest from her mind this morning. Two more weeks had passed in the blink of an eye.
Kirra had stepped in to help train her for a time with her blood wielding. Given that these new undead, as they were calling them, were connected to ichor, they were experimenting to see if Aveyon had any control over it like she had commanded Vincent by the lake when she was awakened. However, it appeared to have been altered, it was as though Ashera knew everything, she was capable of, and it was frustrating to say the least.
She had woken early and headed to the baths, needing some time to mull over her next actions. She had soon become lost in thought as she stared at the warm water. Its gentle lapping appearing to be so inviting, her body all too ready to soak in its depths and relax her aching muscles.
But... how long had it been? She wondered. Her hand brushed the surface of the water, making the image of her reflection dispersed. Looking at her own reflection left an ache in her heart. How long had it been since she'd cared about a thing like that? Being normal? Looking normal? When had that come back to her?
She sighed; she was thinking like a child. Appearances didn't really matter in the master plan, her pasty white skin riddled with scars would always remain. There was no point in dwelling on it. Slipping the white nightgown off her shoulders she slid into the swallow pool of water. Another day of training would start soon, she couldn't hide away in the baths forever. Erisena would have her head for being late. She washed quickly, leaving little time for leisure.
As she approached the edge of the man-made pool, a voice from behind the bathhouse door could be heard, she kinked her head to listen.
"Vincent! The lady is having her morning bath! You musn-"
They were cut of abruptly as the door flung open, she didn't have time to think but her body reacted. The first dagger she dodged by twisting her body out of the projectiles course. The second, now that she was facing her assailant, she caught between her fingers with ease. With deadly accuracy she flung the weapon back at her attacker. It hit the door frame, embedding itself only inches from his head, where she had been aiming. In any other situation she would have hit, but she knew this was training.
Vincent stood looking down at her, mildly stunned, he tilted his head to look at the dagger. "Please tell me, you weren't actually trying to kill me, Princess?"
Aveyon folded her arms under her breasts and answered his question with a smirk.
"Your reactions are getting much better, however your movements are still quite slow." he added as his eyes narrowed to a spot on her hip.
She frowned inspecting the area, a thin line of blood had formed - it was merely a scratch.
"The water..." she mumbled to herself.
Walking to the edge of the pool she could feel the friction it applied to her legs. She made a mental note, she must remember that the environment she was fighting in affected the way she moved.
The elven attendant finally came running in having caught up. "YOU despicable man! HOW dare you!" She shouted and proceeded to beat Vincent with a towel while Aveyon fetched a spare one to dry herself off.
Funny how she was envious of a scar-free body but never once hid it away from Vincent, maybe because they had spent so much time together in the same room, clothes were nothing but fabric that helped her stay warm.
Aveyon hid a smile. "Merissa, it is okay really..." she began but knew it was no use, the women were furious.
The elf wouldn't let up. "You train her day and night with Mistress Erisena and don't even let her rest or take a bath!"
Vincent was trying and failing to defend himself from the towel onslaught, as he was battered out of the room and down the hall.
Hurriedly getting dressed Aveyon threw on her leathers and rushed out of the room, following them. "Any news from Kirra?" She asked the elf.
"No, but Mistress Erisena knows better than I." The elf took another swing at Vincent slapping him in the face with the material, an anguished look which intensified spread over her face. "Though I do believe..." She took another swing at Vincent. "She is due back to the city..." and yet again she swung the towel. "Any day now."
Vincent caught the towel as it came down about to collide with his face for the fourth time. "You're that eager to move forward?" He inquired.
Aveyon nodded. It was frustrating to have their hands tired when they had the means to progress. Though, she couldn't deny she would need the elves, so all she could do was continue her training in the meantime. Kirra had left two days ago and was still on her journey, gathering the elders and councils of all the clans. The council saw it fit to hide away and not stay in the city like the rest of the elves. The elves wouldn't normally dare act without the approval of the elders. But since Aveyon was seen as of higher standing than them, it had caused some issues between the clans. Kirra was trying to sort it out by gathering and bringing them all to the city now that it was a safe haven.
They headed for the underground training area to continue working for the rest of the day, much to the elf attendant's dismay. Entering the enchanted underground cavern, Damon sat waiting for them to arrive, Erisena by his side.
"How'd she do?" The elf questioned.
"Small scratch on the left hip, but great reflexes, and I probably would have died if I'm honest." Vincent responded making a pained expression.
"Was it necessary to attack her in the baths though?" Damon questioned jumping to his feet.
Damon and Vincent were her opponents for her session today. Aveyon started stretching out her muscles. "Damon how are you feeling?" She asked.
"Quiet good Princess, I am training with Erisena now in my spare time to better resist Ashera. I believe I will be of more use to you in the third realm."
She nodded, Damon had become quite isolated, they had long offered him his freedom, but he denied, choosing to stay and aid her. She found it hard to reject the damaged demon, he was struggling to find purpose and clung to the group. She had just accepted it, accepted him. At this point she may even call him a... friend. She frowned, what was wrong with her? Feelings and emotions that she had locked away surfacing of late had her mildly confused.
"Begin!" Erisena called snapping her out of her own thoughts.
Vincent lunged first, coming at her at fun speed. Her eyes could barely follow him as his form flashed from one space to the next. Speed she had once been envious of, something she had always wanted to learn, and now she had.
Her fighting style was different from the boys. They often used their legs and fists as weapons, while Aveyon, being of smaller statue, used her speed to her advantage. Using her spirit abilities was more difficult in the thick of battle, as her concentration was split into three ways. Moving her body, protecting her mind from Erisena and channeling essence, building it up and storing it for an attack.
Damon's prime elements were fire and water, Vincent could use all but spirit remarkably well. But Aveyon, though she excelled in spirit, could wield all elements equally. Erisena put it down to the blood of the gods that ran through her veins.
Twisting out of the way of Vincent's attack, Damon was next, he breathed fire at her. She had anticipated this, his red hue around his eyes giving him away. Throwing her hand out toward the lake she imbued her stored essence with the water. Using her hands as a medium to control the flow of the blue liquid she drew a circle with the palm of her hand in front of her, where her palm traced a purple glow remained. She'd find through her training that the colour of her essence was a soft lavender hue. The water she summoned flew to her defense spiraling in front of her like a shield. The fire collided with the water and diminished in strength before fizzling out completely.
Behind her Vincent didn't let up, he was about to land a hit when she twisted out of his reach. His other hand coming around with his new sword, it buzzed to life with his own blue hue as it missed her by mere inches.
With great effort, she pushed the spiraling water toward Damon, it exploded rushing at him, knocking him to the ground as she drew her crystal daggers. She felt her energy instantly drain as she fed the daggers her essence, a purple glow emerging from her weapons. With Vincent's next attack she blocked his weapon with her own. His strength far exceeded her own, but she just needed to stop the blade from impacting her.
The impact from the clash of blades caused her limbs to vibrate, but she didn't falter. Using her speed, she side stepped out from under the blades, moving with the burred speed he had demonstrated only seconds before, she was now at his back, her blade placed at the nape of is neck. The humming of her essences infused with wind threatening to slice through his neck well before the blade even touched his skin.
He threw his blade to the ground in defeat as Damon coughed and fumbled around in a pool of water as he tried to stand.
"The daggers are still draining you a great deal." Erisena piped in walking over to the trio.
Aveyon nodded, letting the essence go. "Yes, I have yet to master them." She concluded as her blades returned to normal.
"They are a difficult weapon to master, they are designed for those with auras, which you are lacking. That you can even use them, is a feat in itself." The elf placed her fingers to her chin. "I would avoid using them if you can, your essence wielding however is exceptional. That should be your priory focus in a battle, and it is far less taxing on your body then the daggers." she instructed.
As Aveyon loosened her hold on Vincent's neck, he grabbed her wrist. She only had a moment to show her surprise as he lunged forward, flipping her over his shoulder.
"Always keep your guard up." Erisena mocked her with a laugh. "Damon come, that is enough for today. Kirra is due to return today, we must prepare."
Aveyon was slammed into the ground hard, her breath caught, and her vision blurred for a moment. They were right though; she had been sloppy. Vincent stood over her with a smirk on his face, as she looked up at him.
She snapped her legs into action, interlacing her legs with his and proceeded to trip him up, as she abruptly swept her legs out from under his. She watched as his smirk turned to shock as he fell forward. His hands landed beside her head as his body fell on top of hers.
"What was that about keeping one's guard up?" she asked innocently.
He chuckled causing her lips to edge into a smile. Only then did she notice that they were alone in the training grounds. Still too early for the other elves to come down to begin the usual drills.
She suddenly felt very aware of how close he was, his body only inches from her own. This was happening more often now, but only when they were alone. Her body would react strangely sometimes and usually for no apparent reason. But he had never mentioned anything about it.
His face brushed slightly against her cheek, and she felt a slight tingling sensation run down her neck. Her heart betrayed her, as it pounded in her chest, it was so loud, she hoped he couldn't hear it.
"Your heart wasn't beating this fast when I saw you in the bath this morning." He'd turned his head and whispered the words to her.
She felt a heat rise in her cheeks, as a shiver ran down her spine, his breath was ticking her ear as her own breath appeared to be caught in her thought.
"That situation was different." She managed in a whisper.
He pushed himself up, his eyes locking with hers, an expression she'd never seen before across his stern features. She'd never noticed it before, his eyes, his jaw line... she blinked up at him in that moment thinking that he was quite handsome.
Her eyes widened with surprise as she took a sharp intake of air, she felt what he did at that moment, though she was sure it was her fault, he could sense her emotions. To find someone handsome meant that you had a slight, no matter how small, desire for them. You found them attractive.
His eyes lingered on her lips for a moment, and it had crept in, something she'd never felt from him before. A feeling of lust towards her, that was impossible.
The feeling shocked her; she didn't know what to make of it. But the moment she saw and felt it, it was gone. Locked away, forced down and away. He'd cut it off, and she could only surmise that it was for her benefit due to her past trauma.
"I'm sorry, I really try hard to push that down, I didn't intend for you feel it." He said coming to his senses and removing himself from her. He looked away as though ashamed.
She blinked up at him, unsure how to react, or what it meant. He'd felt that way before. When? Her mind was racing with questions as she searched his face for answers that did not come.
She reached her hand out, only inches from his arm. "Vince-" But she was cut off.
"There you guys are!" Before they had a chance to discuss anything, Kirra came bounding down the stairs "Come quickly, I have gathered the last of them, we can move forward!"
"We'll be right there." Vincent responded before helping Aveyon to her feet. "I didn't sc-"
"No, no. I am alright, I just never expected anyone to find me..." She couldn't say it. "I never thought anyone could generally feel those sorts of things for me, not after..." She reassured him. "I know you would never hurt me Vincent, I believe that. It is truly okay."
He still seemed disappointed in himself, so she grabbed hold of his hand and pulled him along. "Come, let us not be late."
They'd have to talk about this later and what it meant, but right now there were more important matters to see too.