Long Flight

Disclaimer: NWN belongs to Bioware. Not me.

Chapter One

"Alright, Vindur, let's see that fireball once again."

"But master…"

"No buts, young elf." Vindur sighed and stared at the wooden dummy, charred with burns. As a Red Dragon Disciple, he was supposed to burn it down with his Dragon Breath. But his teacher had placed a spell that made it resistant to all but the hottest flames. Unfortunately, he hadn't got a lot of control over his fire yet.

"Master Croyden, please. It's midnight. You've put me through a lot and my fire is already low. Give me time to rest." Croyden shook his head.

"You must learn to control your fire, Vindur. Control is what you lack. I'll show you. I've been training with you all day; so theoretically, I am as tired as you are. But look what I can do." He then shot out a blast of fire that completely obliterated the dummy.

"Looks more like it came from a spell than dragon-fire." Vindur straightened and shook his wings. "I shall rest for a while." His voice was laced with a definite finality.

Croyden sighed. "Very well. But listen to me while you recuperate. I will show you how to control your flame. Vindur sat in a lotus position and waited.

"Now, the first thing Vindur is to control the source. Control your Qi."

Vindur was skeptical. "Qi? No offense, master, but we're Dragon Disciples, not monks. They are the manipulators of the life-energy. We are not."

"Just because they have greater control over their Qi does not mean that we do not. They may use it for combat. We use it to support our skills. Vindur, all people use Qi, not just the monks. We gather them into the places we need-the energy centers."

"Energy centers?"

"Chakras. They exist," Croyden added, seeing the look in his student's eyes. "Believe me. They are scattered throughout the body, storing the Qi energy. We focus on the Power center." He pointed towards his stomach.

"Why?"

"Because, that center's element is fire. It is also called 'the sea of Qi'. The dragons use this chakra, and the dragon blood within us makes us utilize our Power chakra more efficiently than others."

"Do the monks control all of the Chakras?"

"They must, for in order to be the potent adversaries they are, they must have complete and balanced control. But enough of that. I have a challenge. Try gathering Qi in your Power chakra."

"But master, how will I know if I succeeded?"

"You will feel it. Now blank out your mind. Focus on gathering the chi." Vindur closed his eyes. He shut off all his thoughts. Focus the chi. Focus… Focus… Soon, he could feel something mentally, like there was a very faint presence in his stomach. "Master? There is this essence I am feeling." Croyden started. He's that quick? "Good. Now, try to make a flame. Stand up, and don't lose control of your focus."

Vindur stood and readied himself. I told him that I'm still weak. I need to rest. He started getting ready.

"Alright, now when you unleash your flame, release the focused chi. Combine the chi with the flame." Vindur just nodded. Okay. Here goes. He cocked his head back slightly, and closed his eyes. He opened them again and let loose. The fireball came out a lot bigger than expected.

"Whoa!" Vindur was stunned. "That was more powerful than any flame blast I've ever produced."

"Yes, but I will teach you to control it. A wild shot is good, but a controlled shot is better. Now get some sleep. Tomorrow, you'll need it."

Great. More training.

Author's note: What do you think?

Till next time.