Negrazul Mountains, Central Province
Jardin Rojo Arena
Marisa stood in the middle of the huge garden staring intensely at Mistress Melena. It was the last month of summer and everyone was outside at the various training arenas practicing. In the beginning, Marisa had hated this remote mountain place but, as time had passed, she had come to like it. Getting along with the other girls was not easy, but she was okay with that. After that mess with Gemma, she had been afraid to make friends. But that was a fear that quickly faded as she watched the others struggle with their powers, too. She didn't feel as alone. It was a nice feeling.
"Marisa, focus!"
She startled and blushed. "Sorry, Mistress Melena."
"Remember, Apprentice, that trouble doesn't wait for you to be ready to face it. Now, again. The goal is to be accurate when calling your flames. You must light all fifty candles at the same time. The flame must be the same size for all the wicks. Ready?"
"Yes, I'm ready."
She took a deep breath and reached into her power. One of the first things Mistress Melena had taught her was to imagine her power in a container. That way all she had to do was take it out of that place and use it. For her, she saw a forge that always held a softly banked fire in it. She walked to the forge and felt the warmth grow to heat. Grinning, she reached for it....
...And a single bright flame burned brightly in her right palm.
"Good. Light the candles, Apprentice."
"Gladly," Marisa responded as the flame spread from her palm and engulfed her hand. "Let's do this," she whispered to the eagerly dancing fire.
Snapping her fingers, she sent the flame flying outward and watched as it enlarged to a medium-sized ball of flames. It spun rapidly and then burst, raining down a shower of tiny flames. She grinned when they landed on the candles' wicks and lit each one at the same time.
"I did it!" she crowed and danced about.
"Well done. I hadn't expected that type of solution, Apprentice. Your creativity is impressive."
"Thank you, Mistress Melena."
"You may go take some time for yourself. Do not forget the special meeting tonight."
"I won't." Smiling happily, she left the arena. She would go check on the others. She couldn't wait to share her success with them.
She made it to the Madre Verde Arena and sat down on one of the benches that overlooked the arena below. Each arena was built differently. Out of the four, she really liked the Madre Verde the best. It was the prettiest but also one of the hardest to train in. Though the arenas were meant for a specific Element, any with Elemental powers could train in them. Mistress Melena said it was good to cross-train so that if one had to fight an Elemental wielder of a different Element, one would know the weaknesses of that Element.
Marisa could barely make out Tamara and Mistress Belena because of all the foliage. She got up and moved closer. She couldn't wait to see what Tamara would do.
* * *
Madre Verde Arena
Tamara stood on the flowered hill and stared across at her teacher and wiped away the sweat that ran down her cheek. Today's lesson was the hardest one yet. She would not give up. She had come this far. She was going to master this skill even if it left her weak.
"You are thinking too much, Apprentice. Do as you always do. Become one with the land. You cannot leave until you trap me on this hill."
"I understand, Mistress Belena."
And she did. The problem was everything she tried was countered by her teacher. She needed a new strategy.
Useme.
She wanted to, she just couldn't see how to do so effectively. Maybe Mistress Belena was right. She was thinking too hard. Simple might be best. That revelation gave her pause. What was something simple she could do? She had tried quakes, sinking mud-holes and clinging vines. What else was left?
Askmetorefuseher.
"What?"
AskitofmeandIshallrefuseher.
Baffled, Tamara thought about what her Element was telling her. How could it refuse someone?
"Still nothing, Apprentice? You'll miss lunch if you keep this up."
"I know!"
Irritated, she turned her back on her teacher and pondered the Earth's words.
"Argh!" She tugged at her hair in frustration. She could do this!
"Stop thinking," she muttered to herself.
Fine, she would do as the Earth had suggested. She turned back around, planting her feet firmly apart. Raising her right hand she reached into her power.
"BeautifulEarth,Ihumblyaskforyourhelp.Refuse,MistressBelena."
Asyouwish,ChildofEarth.
It was the only warning Tamara had before the hill underneath Mistress Belena abruptly collapsed. Gaping, she stared as her falling teacher was caught mid-air by vines that shot up from the ground, twining into a basket. The vines carried Mistress Belena over, and she got out.
"Mis--, Mistress Belena! Oh my goodness, are you all right? I'm so sorry, I didn't know it would do that!"
Mistress Belena's laugh rang out, silencing a stunned Tamara.
"Good trick, Apprentice. In all my years of training Elemental Seekers, you are the first to do that. Great job."
Tamara grinned as Mistress Belena embraced her.
The sound of clapping surprised her. She pulled away from her teacher and glanced up.
"Marisa!"
"I saw what you did. Amazing!"
"I know!"
"Go, Apprentice. You are finished for now."
"Thanks, Mistress Belena." She hugged her teacher once more and ran from the arena floor and inside.
Marisa was there with a smirk. "I see you passed, too. Shall we go see how the Airhead and the Water Princess are doing?"
Tamara giggled. "Sure, why not? Then we can all go eat together."
The two girls left and headed for the nearest arena where they knew Jazmine would be training.