By the time I got to school the next day, I’d made a decision. I would at least check the training out and see if I liked it. I told myself that if I totally hated it, or was no good, maybe they would let me out of the obligation. Also, the opportunity to skip biology of the worlds (my most hated subject) was just too good to pass up.
I dressed in silky, black pants and a black, sleeveless shift top, because although unsure what they expected us to wear, I was pretty sure a dress wouldn’t be appropriate. Shay had already gone when I left for school. As I flew, I chewed on my bottom lip and hoped the ominous, dark clouds hanging low and creating a murky, grey sky weren’t a bad sign.
I had the jitters, my knees bouncing up and down in nervous energy. Relief washed over me as I reached the school, and upon landing, found my friends waiting for me.
“Look! It’s Twell, the wonder girl,” Dash teased as I joined them in walking up to the school.
“Har di har.” I aimed a half-hearted kick at his backside, which he dodged with a grin. Meela bounced up and down even more than my knees just had, looking far more animated than I did.
“So are you going to do it?” Dash launched an immediate attack, his breath held in anticipation.
“Yup.”
Dash whooped, punching the air.
“Fantastic, I have a special friend.”
“Oh you’re hilarious.”
“Youhavetotelluseverythingyoucanlaterokay,” Meela gushed in one breath. “It will be our secret of course!” She looped her arm though mine, half-skipping as we went along. It was really uncomfortable and didn’t work at all. The discomfort matched the gnawing feeling in my stomach at the thought of what I couldn't tell her.
Chaz smiled in greeting, while Mira stuck her nose in the air and pretended I wasn’t there. A reassuring act of familiarity. Chaz and Mira walked close enough that they appeared to be sewn together. Honestly, they may as well have held hands they were so conspicuous. I jumped when Chaz reached out to squeeze my arm. Our eyes met and he winked.
“You’ll do great, don’t be nervous.” He smiled kindly at me. Eavesdropping, Mira frowned, pulling him away.
Classes were already being announced as we arrived at the main entrance, my stomach doing little flip- flops as Mira and I said goodbye to our friends. Well, I said goodbye. Mira proceeded to retrieve Chaz’s tonsils with her tongue as soon as the other students were out of sight. I gagged noisily and Meela snickered. Dash pulled a disgusted face and pretended to retch.
“Come on let’s go,’ I interrupted abruptly when she came up for air. Reluctantly, she released Chaz and followed me a step behind, which made me more than a little paranoid.
We walked in stiff silence to the hall. I thought about apologizing to her again, but when I glanced back, the snitty way she threw her chin out and refused to look at me killed my motivation. Let her sulk.
When we entered, we found four strangers staring at us. They were all men, aged around three hundred moons old, fit and big. They towered over us in height, wearing black uniforms that clearly showed they belonged to the Army of Como. There was a gold emblem over their heart, a circle containing three wavy lines that represented water. Breaking the lines in the middle was Comian figure in a protective stance, legs slightly bent and apart, and hands raised with palms out. The stance implied two things to my mind. Palms out said “I mean no harm.” But the crouch said I am prepared.” They all looked kind of mean, standing in a rigid line, arms folded, cool eyes assessing.
“Greetings, and you are?” said the biggest one in a booming voice as he broke the line and strode over to us. He was a mass of a man, all bulk and sharp, square features. His black, thick hair was slightly greying around the temples. Hard, topaz eyes stared me down.
“Twell,” I squeaked, cowed by his commanding demeanour. Mira recited her name more calmly beside me.
“Well, Twell and Mira, I am Brazin, and behind me are your trainers Aza, Bar, and Raze.” I tried to smile politely at them, but their unfriendly expressions and equally imposing physiques had me faltering. The squeak of boots sounded behind me, as the other students from yesterday shuffled silently to our sides. Well, mostly silent. While Mekai and Sazika stared at the huge trainer before us with wide hesitant eyes, Stelli appeared as smiley and unconcerned as she had yesterday. She was also wearing a completely inappropriate short skirt that made me snort with amusement. What was she even thinking?
Marz wore a more neutral expression, obviously hiding any reservations he had. Jonaz, on the other hand, strolled in actually whistling. It had to be bravado, surely. Brazin’s eyes flicked over him in interest before he proceeded to demand everyone else’s name. Seemingly satisfied that we’d all shown up, he set about arranging us in a line opposite the trainers. He pointed a finger at the hall entrance, and the huge sliding doors closed with a loud clang. I jumped despite myself as he whistled shrilly and we snapped to attention. He got straight to the point.
“Right. You all know you are here to develop your powers. At this point, you are either here because you want to be, or because you feel obligated. In my opinion, it would be entirely selfish of you not to be here. My fellow trainers and I intend to make you understand the full extent of your powers and utilize them for the greater good.” I snuck a look at the faces alongside me. They appeared to be taking him seriously. Sazika’s knees were shaking, while Mekai gulped at the weight in Brazin’s words. “Each of you brings a different power from the other, but none of you are unique,” Brazin continued matter-of-factly. “We have trained many others like you all over Como. Though your skills will differ in some ways if you make it through training, you will all be united in the common goal.”
“Remind me what that is again?” Jonaz asked in a casual tone some would call insolent.
“As Zarian has already told you, you will be expected to complete a physical exam to showcase your skills on the last lunar month of this year. Should you pass, you will be considered for a special project the Governing Body has designed.”
“An army of powers!” the trainer Aza blurted, his eyes alight with fervour. Brazin turned; shooting Aza a look so cold, it would freeze all the lakes of Como. The trainer paled, stammering an apology. Brazin grunted and turned back to us.
“Yes, an army of powers, that will represent our world in times of conflict,” Brazin continued as if the trainer hadn’t interrupted him. “We will be pushing you. It will be the hardest thing you have ever done in your easy little lives. You will probably hate us, but remember we are helping you to discover your full potential.” Beside me, I sensed nervous fidgeting, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from this guy, he was impressively intimidating. “The first thing you need to learn is that there is more to your powers than you know. Twell?” he barked. Startled, I stood straighter before answering.
“Er..yes?” I stammered.
“So you think you can move things with your mind to bring them to you?”
“Er..Yes well, I can also push things away too I guess.”
“Oh? How did you discover that?”
“I guess the first time I discovered it was when I was around eighty moons old. One day I was home in the hanger cleaning beeval web from the roof, when the roof doors malfunctioned. If I hadn’t pushed the doors back with my energy I would have been crushed.”
“So you learned to reverse your powers to protect yourself?” Brazin nodded with approval.
“Well, I never really thought about it before but I suppose yes.” I felt Jonaz giving me a very intense stare. I refused to look at him.
“You see?” Brazin continued, “I suspect none of you have ever thought deeply about what triggers your powers.” He strode back and forth along our fidgety line as he talked. “For some of you it is convenience. For others perhaps it is greed. Or what about lust, or simply because you enjoy feeling more powerful than others?” There was now a fair amount of uncomfortable shuffling going on amongst us. I stared at the floor as a deep blush crept into my cheeks. I definitely fell into the lazy category. It was only just beginning to dawn on me that perhaps I’d been more than a little bit selfish with my powers. I’d honestly never really considered what my powers could do, beyond my own needs.
“Mira,” Brazin went on, swivelling to stand in front of her. “You produce energy from your own hands. You can hit a target from as far away as twenty Comian lengths from what I’ve heard. Yet your own friends weren’t even aware of this. Why do you hide it?” I stared at Mira, eager to hear this. One Comian length was about two metres in old earth metrics. Or in other words, an impressive effort. But, her head was lowered, her eyes guarded.
“Because it’s not that fabulous,” she muttered.
“Aha and why is that, Mira?” Brazin responded sternly. “Could it be because you only ever use this ability for negative actions? Do you use it in anger? Or perhaps when you are scared?” Mira didn’t answer, but she was blushing a humiliated shade of crimson, which must have killed her. “Just as I thought,” Brazin murmured turning away from her. He picked on Marz next. “What about you boy? How is your ability utilized in the lives of the ones you love?”
Marz thought for a second before he replied with a grin, “Well, I often do the all the chores around the house for my mum, it saves her hours. Oh and I would also like to mention that I contribute towards the environment by walking to school. Yes, some have doubted it, but that’s only because I move so fast they can’t see me.” Snickers broke out at this and Stelli bumped him with her hip. He grinned widely at her in response.
“What, is that all?’” Brazin sneered at Marz wiping the smile off his face. ‘“You run to school and clean-up for your mummy, and call that a worthy use of your abilities? What. A. Waste,” he spat looking disgusted. Marz reddened. He opened his mouth to say something then seemed to think the better of it. Brazin had already moved on to Stelli anyway. “Go on.” He nodded at Stelli, “How have you used that charming ability of yours to influence people?” Stelli was squirming and blushing all over the place. She glanced at Jonaz who grinned wickedly at her and winked. I resisted the urge to knock him over again.
“I use it to get what I want usually,” Stelli’s answer was barely audible.
“Hmmmm.” Brazin stared shrewdly at Jonaz. “I don’t suppose you’re over at the healing centre in your spare time Jonaz?” he said in a bored voice as though he already knew the answer.
“You guessed right,” replied Jonaz in an unconcerned tone. “I guess I’m just really selfish, which is your point isn’t it?” He stared boldly back at Brazin. I couldn’t believe he would be so rude to an authority, especially one who looked like he could squash him flat with one giant finger if he wished. However, Brazin’s expression was slightly amused before he turned and stalked back to where the other trainers stood. They gazed back impassively, their arms still stiff at their sides, still as statues.
“I don’t think I will bother asking you other two. I can guess, you only levitate to show off,” he indicated towards Mekai, “and you,” he said, jerking his head at Sazika, paused, then shook his head sadly as if she was a lost cause. I hadn’t heard one squeak out of Sazika since she’d arrived, nor had I expected to, so I was surprised when she spoke up, her girlish voice tiny but audible.
“I avoid trouble.” Her voice was trembling but she lifted her chin defiantly. “I can defend myself, but you’re right, I have no idea how I could possibly ever protect anyone else with my power. I just don’t see how.” She was still shaking, but she held his gaze so bravely I developed an instant respect for her.
“Well, very soon you will,” Brazin said, smiling for the first time. “You will all learn that it’s not just about you anymore. You were given these powers for a reason, a cosmic gift perhaps, evolution; we do not really know the answers, but it doesn’t matter. Up until now, you have not really begun to understand the potential that is in you, but you will by the time I am through with you. I will make you strong fighters and defenders of Como if you are willing. You have a purpose, to make your people proud. I will make sure you do.” I gulped. Oh boy, what had I actually gotten myself into here? I allowed myself to look at the others to see how they were taking it. Mekai was still scowling, clearly not over the humiliation of being dismissed. Marz and Jonaz both had their arms crossed, staring evenly back at Brazin. Stelli just looked slightly confused, like she might be in the wrong class, while Sazika appeared nervous but controlled. Mira, surprise, surprise, wore an open look of hostility, her face a cold, formidable mask. I wondered how long it would take for Brazin to break through her act and expose her in front of us all. I couldn’t wait to see it happen.
“Line up immediately, this is NOT a social club,” Brazin suddenly barked. Mad shuffling and scrambling ensued as we tried to organize ourselves into a line, whilst all trying to be at the back. I tried edging towards the end of the line, but found myself in front of Jonaz and behind Sazika. Stelli and Mira were behind Mekai and Marz got the last position. Drat. “Hopeless,” Brazin growled shaking his head.
“Nervous?” Jonaz asked quietly, his warm breath tickling the back of my neck. I leapt forward like I'd been burnt by a spitting serpent, swinging around to glare at him. His dark eyes danced as he leaned in closer to me. “Don’t worry about getting hurt,” he murmured “I’ll heal you, but you’d probably rather bleed to death right?” He grinned infuriatingly.
“Stop speaking to me,” I hissed, turning my back on him.
“Touchy, touchy.” He chuckled while I seethed. Why couldn’t he leave me alone? Unfortunately, I was too distracted to think of a better come back to his taunting.
Brazin pointed a finger at Mekai’s feet and a line scratched itself swiftly into the floor. Ooooh, did he just damage school property? Maybe I could warm to him after all.
“Right Mekai, Aza here is also gifted with the skill of levitation. He is going to come for you when you step over this line. His mission will be to take you down. Your goal is to take him down first and then reach the safety line over there.” He pointed his finger about twenty Comian lengths away to where another line appeared on the floor. The three trainers moved in sync to stand at the opposing line. “Got it?”
“Ahhh...” spluttered Mekai not appearing to get it at all. He turned, giving the rest of us a desperate look, but we had nothing for him. “Maybe we should make a rule now that what happens in class stays in class?” he suggested hopefully. The response was eager nodding from the girls, and hooting and jeering from Marz and Jonaz. Sighing, he turned back around and gingerly stepped over the line.
Aza, the smallest of the trainers, with white-blond, cropped hair, came barrelling towards him at a full run. His huge muscled arms swung powerfully, his expression fierce. Mekai balked. Stelli shrieked, jumping backwards into Mira who fell into Sazika, and so on. Of course, I was thrown back too, and felt Jonaz hand’s catching me, steady against my hips before I could react. I jerked sideways out of his grasp and gaped at Mekai, as he stood frozen to the spot.
“Mekai, GO!” I heard myself scream.
The others yelled at him too, “Move, Mekai! Do something!”