Chapter 47: The Water

Fayra's days played out smoothly as one blurred into the next. She was even making some progress with the water. Though it often led to a massive headache and nose bleed. The other elements she controlled grew stronger the more she used them. It took longer and longer for her to begin growing tired and weak. Unfortunately, her physical combat training wasn't going as well as Cara would like.

"Alright!" Cara fustratedly yelled. "That's enough."

Mando released his iron grip on Fayra and her feet hit the ground.

"Take a break." He said.

"Aw, finally." Fayra was all too happy to do so. She had come to hate combat training more than practicing her water skills. She could feel Cara shaking her head at her. Fayra began walking toward the village, ready to spend some time with Omera.

"You're pulling your punches." Cara declared as Mando sat on the fallen tree long next to her.

"Of course I'm pulling my punches." He replied.

"And that's the problem. She knows you're not going to hurt her. Hand me your Pulse Rifle." Mando did and Cara began adjusting some of its settings. "When she's up against someone that's trying to kill her - half assing it ain't gonna keep her alive."

"Then, what do you suggest?" He asked.

"Well, let's see how she responds when something she loves is in trouble." Cara swung the Rifle around, connecting the prongs to Mando, effectively sending a low grade shock through his body. Mando rocked forward and was slammed into the ground. Cara jumped to her feet slamming her shin directly in Mando's ribcage at full force. He went rolling several feet across the grass.

"Cara!" Fayra screamed as she came running up.

Cara slammed the hilt of the rifle into the side of his helmet. Mando groaned at the impact. His body still reacting to the shock wave, rendering him immobile.

"Cara stop!"

Kuiil came up from the other side. "Cara." He yelled.

"I'm tired of this bullshit!" Cara yelled at Mando, landing a stomp across his stomach. She jumped on top of him and began pelting him with one blow after the other.

"Cara stop, he's hurt!" Fayra screamed.

"Cara, stop this." Kuiil begged.

Cara ignored them. She shoved her knee into his throat and pressed. Mando began making choking noises. "You're not so tough." She mocked.

Fayra reached for her, grabbing her elbow and trying to pull her off. Cara twisted off Mando and landed a kick to Fayra's stomach. She flew back, her head smacked to the ground.

"Stay back, you weak piece of shit!"

Fayra coughed and spat blood. Fear rose up as she watched Cara continue her attack on Mando. He was showing little sign of movement. Fayra braced herself on one knee, coughing and trying to regain her breath. Panic set in. She looked around, Caben and Stoke just stood, concern and confusion across their faces. Kuiil took off running toward the ship.

Suddenly the wind stopped blowing, freezing in place. Every sound around Fayra silenced. There were no birds, no laughter as the children played, no leaves rustling on the ground. Earth's vibrations disappeared from beneath her bare feet. Fayra's body went numb. She watched as everything slowed to a near stop, she could see the ripples of movement as Cara pounded Mando. When she looked toward Kuiil, he had turned and had started running toward her. Eyes wide with fear. Then she felt it, and only it. A wave of water had risen up behind Fayra, growing until its size doubled her height, then doubled again.

She stretched her arms and fingers to her sides. "Water?" she questioned it. It caressed her mind gently. She smiled. "Water." She commanded. It obeyed and she blasted it toward Cara. It slammed into her, sending Cara flying several feet from Mando.

The sounds rushed Fayra's ears as the world turned back to normal. It took Fayra a moment to orient herself. Her panic returned in full force. She ran to Mando, he rolled over gripping his stomach and grunting in pain. Kuiil ran past them to Cara.

"Manny!" She knelt down trying to assess the damage, but his armor made that impossible.

"Fayra!" Kuiil called. Fayra stood. When she saw Cara she froze. Cara was trapped in a large pool of water, floating off the ground. She struggled to free herself. "I've tried pulling her out and can't"

Mando rolled over and braced himself up on his knees. When he saw Cara, he stood and limped to Kuiil.

"You must call the water off." Kuiil instructed. He reached in again trying to pull Cara away.

Fayra closed her eyes and tried calling the water again. She pulled it, grinding her teeth down until it became painful. Nothing. She stretched her hands out and took a deep breath and held it. She gasped and screamed, not being able to hold it long enough to pull the water away. When Fayra looked, Mando, Caben and Stoke were pulling Cara as hard as they could, but the water held firm.

With panicked breath Fayra moved closer, trying again. Fayra lurched backwards as her connection slammed and then bounced from the water's surface. But she didn't give in, she pushed harder, forcing it to make the connection. Pain exploded in her head causing her to drop to the ground on her knees. Finally the water began to yield. Cara gasped for breath as her head was exposed to the air.

Fayra pulled harder, but the water swallowed Cara back up. Fayra gasped for breath as she was forced to release it again.

"She will die if you don't stop this." Kuiil said, now standing next to her.

"I'm trying, I told you it doesn't listen to me!" Tears streamed down her face. She didn't want her friend to die.

"You can't force it. Remember it's the strongest element, yet gentle. Life giving. Try again."

Fayra stretched out her hands again. Out of breath and shaking with exhaustion, she bared down. But instead of demanding it, she tried focusing on the water's whispering voice. She let herself go, and be taken. Once again everything around her stopped. That was her opportunity. She pulled the water toward her. Fayra screamed for it to obey as the world around her started back up. The water burst and blasted Fayra through the air. She landed with a thud against the ground.

Cara began coughing and gasping for air. "What the hell!" She screamed. "She almost killed me, that's not okay!"

"You're the one that decided to push her." Kuiil snapped.

"I was right though." She coughed and looked at Mando.

Mando was now kneeling next to Fayra.

"Is she alright?" Kuiil asked.

Fayra was bleeding from her eyes and ears. "She's breathing." Mando answered, picking her up.

Fayra woke, jumping from her cot. The oil lamp burst, Mando threw up his forearm to block the shattering glass.

"Is she dead?"

Mando shook his head.

Fayra ran out the door, she skidded to a stop on the porch when she saw Cara sitting on the steps with a bottle of Spotchka in her hand. Fayra threw her hands around Cara's neck.

"I'm sorry."

"Whoa!" The blue drink splashed from the bottle as Cara reacted in surprise. "No. It wasn't your fault. It was mine, I'm sorry." returning the hug.

Fayra released her and Cara's warm smile spread across her face.

"Come on." She said, standing and setting her cup down.

"Where we going?" Fayra asked.

"We got one day left before we leave, got to get in as much training as possible."

Fayra groaned.