DODGE!!!

[sergerp.livejournal.com]

Who: Serge, Kid, and Glenn
When: A week after the Arch Behemoth Hunt
Where: Rooftop of Edge
What: Training in magic...and failing
Rating: PG

Another week came and went for the trio, and yet another seven days in spent in this world. Serge lost count of how long he had actually been in this world, but he was adjusting pretty well. Every day was pretty much the same, with him cleaning up tables and occasionally serving drinks whenever Kid decided she needed a break from dealing with the customers. All of this reminded him of the days Orlha ran the bar in their world at Guldove, though there were far less lecherous people roaming about; Orlha proved time and time again that no one should place their hands on her.

For now though, the bar was closed, Tifa could not be spotted anywhere, and Garland had gone out to do his own personal training. In the meantime, he and Glenn were doing their own type of training on the rooftop. Usually they sparred with one another, often getting carried away with their rivalry and ended up destroying almost everything around them, hence why they only trained when nothing was within their hurricane of destruction. Unlike the last hundred times, there were no weapons involved, not even elements. But that didn’t mean there would be no magic. As a matter of fact, today’s activity was just that: magic training.

The idea came from none other than Schala herself after witnessing the events of yesterday through her daughter-clone’s eyes. Despite the overall success of the Heartless mission in Dollet last week, the former princess of Zeal thought things would have gone a lot smoother if Glenn and Serge had mastered magic, rather than rely on elements.

Elements, the small crystals that were shining within their bodies upon calling their mystical powers, were powerful in their own right, perhaps even more powerful than magic, but they always had a catch. And while magic could be executed again and again without fail, unless the user is drained of their strength, elements hardly drained the user’s life, but the problem lied with the fact that they were onetime attacks, unless the user has multiples of them coursing through his/her body.

Serge and Glenn could use regular magic, but only to a certain degree, such as Glenn’s blade beams, or Serge’s Luminaire. In any case, their magic was far too limited, and even Glenn agreed to this, especially after the incident with Kefka; without magic, he stood little chance against the jester. As much as either individual didn’t wish to admit it, they needed all the power they could get.

So they sat cross-legged on the ground in front of Schala, arms crossed over her chest and eyes shut, concentrating all of her energy to unlock their power. She may not have been too familiar with using this technique, with her only experience being used on her brother, but there was little choice in the matter, and she couldn’t afford not to let this happen. Being the only real magic user in the group was hard enough as it is.

One at a time her arms were stretched forward, each palm gently placed on their foreheads. Silently she chanted the spell, words inaudible to the ears of anyone, even though she was mere inches away from her friends. The mystical force surged through her arms, engulfing Serge and Glenn in white and green auras, respectively. Both warriors could feel the power flow within their bodies, the warmth spreading at an incredibly quick pace. Neither of them could even describe this.

Schala let both of them go, watching as they fell onto their backs stunned, trying to comprehend what was going on now. She smiled. “It would appear that the first step of the process has worked.”

Serge continued to look at his hands, astonished at the force that coursed through his veins. “This is unreal…” He turned his attention back to Schala. “So can we use magic?”

Schala shook her head. “I said we completed the first step. The next course of action involves being able to track the magic anywhere, in anyone. Which is why…” Her eyes flashed briefly, the color slightly brighter than before. Kid had now taken over, smirking and holding up blindfolds procured from the pouch on her belt, just as Schala had planned. That didn’t mean the former princess was happy about it though. “I’m gonna teach ya all how to. Now close your eyes!”

Needless to say, they were both nervous as to what Kid was about to do. But with the opportunity to complete their training, they were left with little choice in the matter. Reluctantly, the put on the blindfolds that were handed out to them, donning them on and awaiting further orders.

Kid’s smirk grew wider, a fireball forming in both of her hands. She had been looking forward to this all day, and had always wanted a good excuse to do so. “Now I know Schala said somethin’ about tracking energy, and today’s lesson involves just one thing to do so…” She hurled the two fireballs at her friends while practically yelling at the top of her lungs, “DODGE!”

“Say what?” said the both of them before crying out in pain from the fireball, knocking them to the other side of the rooftop.

Glenn was the first to get up, shaking his head and about to undo his blindfold. “What the hell was that for!?”

“The name of the game is dodgin’ fire usin’ only yer magic! In a truly dangerous situation, now bein’ little ol’ me, your powers should be wakin’ up right around now!” Another sphere of flames formed into her hands. “Now dodge!”

The training alone was brutal, and while usually certain things were accomplished during such times, nothing had been done, other than Serge and Glenn burnt to a crisp. They applied ointment to their burns after Kid finally gave up on them, apparently bored after six hours of training.

The both sat down on the table, heads on top of their arms as they sighed heavily. Training was going to be a lot tougher than either had first thought!

“DODGE!”

And it was only getting harder!