Authors Note:Hi all! That you to those who are reviewing and to those adding this story to your favorites. It makes me smile! Please keep reviewing, it really helps me keep going with this story. It's inspiring.
Anyway, Once again we are in another chapter of Kaleria's story. Hope you enjoy it!
Read, Review, and above all... Enjoy
Kaleria had trouble sleeping that night. Her head raced with a combination of thoughts, mostly worry and anger. She was worried about her training, what if something went wrong, what if she hurt someone? Her mind then flooded to thoughts on Loki, how she was certain he would sabotage her, and if anyone were to get hurt… she had hoped it would be him.
Sif could sense Kaleria was on edge as they walked towards the training hall. She eyed her sister carefully, trying to read her emotions and responses. "You look tired today." She commented only to receive a nod in return. "Had trouble sleeping?"
Kaleria yawned. "I had a lot on my mind."
"Well I'm here to listen." Sif offered.
Kaleria forced a quick smile. "I know."
"I hope you're ready to start training." Sif said as the two walked to a giant set of double doors. "It can be a little intimidating at first."
"I'm ready." Kaleria replied, her voice sounded hopefully even though her stomach swarmed with butterflies.
Sif opened one of the doors revealing a large hall filled with different types of weapons and many different Asgardians training. The room was loud and filled with the clashing of metal on metal. Kaleria felt her nerves growing as she followed Sif to a quieter area of the training hall.
A few faces she recognized were waiting for them; the Warriors Three and Thor. Sif smiled to the group. "I didn't think you'd be training today, Thor." Sif teased.
Thor grinned. "You know I love a good fight." He turned his attention to Kaleria, smiling. "Lady Kaleria, I hope you're ready to fight."
Nervously, Kaleria smiled back as Sif responded for her. "She will be working on her gifts today."
"That's right, Sif mentioned you had magic." Fandral commented. "May I ask what it is?"
Before Kaleria could reply, another voice responded. "Fire, she can manipulate and conjure it." Kaleria felt her hair stand on edge as she turned around to see a familiar, grinning face.
"Brother, you've decided to join us!" Thor walked over to Loki, patting him on the back with a little force.
Loki kept his eyes on Kaleria. "I assumed today would be interesting, to say the least."
"Well we're glad to have you." Thor turned his attention to the warriors and Sif. "Let us prepare."
Sif looked to Kaleria. "I will be right back."
Kaleria nodded as she once again was alone with a smirking Loki. He stepped closer to Kaleria. "You look exhausted. Trouble sleeping?"
"No thanks to you." Kaleria glared.
"If my memory serves me right, I helped you last night."
"Yes, after you started it." Kaleria inhaled deeply, holding her breath. This is exactly what he wanted; he wanted to get under her skin. She wasn't about to let that happen. "No, I am not arguing with you."
"Who's arguing?" Loki continued.
As Kaleria opened her mouth to unleash her fury, another voice cut in. "I hope my son is not causing too much mischief."
Loki and Kaleria turned to see Frigga, her smile genuine and knowing of what her son was up to. She was joined by Sif, who looked at Kaleria with a slight disapproving glace. "Kaleria, may I introduce the All Mother, Frigga."
Kaleria bowed her head. "It's an honor."
Frigga smiled. "Your sister tells me a lot about you. It's wonderful that you have such a natural gift." Kaleria grimaced slightly at the talk of her gifts. "We will help you control it, do not worry."
Kaleria smiled. "Thank you."
"Mother, may I have a word." Loki walked over to Frigga whom smiled at her son lovingly.
Sif walked over to her sister, smiling. "Was Loki...?" She began.
Kaleria shook her head. "He's just a pariah; he was just being annoying actually."
Sif giggled. "He can be a handful. Watch your back with him."
"I plan on not being near him ever again."
Frigga and Loki rejoined Kaleria and Sif, Loki's lips were curled into a slight smirk as Frigga spoke. "Kaleria, I'd like to see your powers."
Kaleria felt as though she'd faint. "Right now? Here?"
Frigga smiled. "It would really help me determine where your training needs to begin. Loki tells me your power runs with your emotions."
Kaleria passed a quick glare to Loki before looking back at Frigga. "What if I cannot control it, if it goes out of control… what then?"
"Try to use your gifts without any emotional attachment, we can go from there." Frigga's voice was warm and reassuring.
"If you're not comfortable…." Sif began.
Kaleria passed another glance at Loki, that stupid smirk on his lips. She sighed. "I can do it. Everyone step back…"
Sif, Loki, and Frigga took a few steps back. Sif felt her nerves acting up, she was worried for Kaleria, and she was worried about what could happen. Kaleria lifted her left arm, holding it about chest high. She stared at her hand intently. The fire wasn't starting.
"You're hesitating." Loki commented. Sif glared at him.
"Loki, let her concentrate." Frigga reminded him softly.
Kaleria closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She was afraid, she knew she was. Holding her breath, she opened her eyes and looked at her hand. With that, her hand was engulfed in flames. Unbeknownst to Kaleria, she began to draw a small crowd.
"Very good Kaleria, now diminish the flame." Frigga said.
Kaleria began to panic slightly; she was unsure how to diminish the flame. The flames always disappeared when she calmed down. However, she was calm when she created the flame. She inhaled deeply, suddenly remembering last night and how Loki distracted her with talk of the Bifrost. She began to imagine the Bifrost, her mind calming and clearing. Soon, the flame disappeared.
"Well done Kaleria, your gifts are truly wonderful." Frigga commented as she walked closer to Kaleria. "Just think what you will accomplish when you fully learn control."
Kaleria smiled. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me; you are a very capable woman." Frigga smiled and turned to Loki. "My son will be an excellent teacher for you."
Kaleria nearly fell over as Sif interrupted. "With all due respect, my lady, I am sure there is someone more qualified to teach Kaleria."
"I am quite qualified, thank you." Loki chimed in, moving closer to the group.
"Loki has learned well from our lessons, it would be the same as if I were to teach her." Frigga added. "I believe in the best for my son and for Kaleria. This will be fine."
Kaleria caught Loki's smirk out of the corner of her eye. "If it is my lady's wish, I will oblige."
"I wish you all the luck in your training, Loki will keep me posted."
Loki nodded. "Of course mother. For now, Kaleria and I should get started. A quieter place would be best." He then looked to Kaleria. "Shall we?"
Reluctantly, Kaleria followed Loki to a separate training area. Her face red with pent up anger as she went.
"You did this on purpose. I am not sure how just yet, but I am certain." Kaleria grumbled.
Loki just chuckled. "Well now you will have all our time together to figure that out."
"You are truly the most arrogant, most childish-"Loki just chuckled deeply as Kaleria tried to find words that would best fit the God. "Stop laughing at me!"
"It is truly a wonderful sight when you are angry." He replied, shifting slightly on his feet. He watched Kaleria tense up as she stood before him, her shoulders stiff as she tried to formulate words.
"Unbelievable." She huffed.
"Right, well if you are done attempting to insult me." Loki said. "We have training to complete."
"I don't have to train with you." Kaleria retorted.
"Ah, but the All Mother did command it." The smug smile on his lips did not fade.
Kaleria would protest. "We could just say you trained me and not actually train!"
"And ruin my reputation with magic?" Loki replied. "Not a chance."
Kaleria deflated in defeat. "Then what is our first lesson."
"You'll see." Loki replied.
"You have nothing planned, do you?" Kaleria tested.
"No I do."
"Well do you care to tell the person you are training?"
"No." He replied simply.
"This is a waste of time." She could feel her body begin to heat. "I could be training and learning how to control my gifts and the person who is supposed to help me is not being helpful!" Loki just crossed his arms, grinning. "And wipe that stupid grin off your face!"
"Does it bother you?" Loki asked.
Kaleria could feel herself becoming short of breath, her muscles tightening, her body heating. "You are without a doubt the worst creature in all the realms!" Loki just laughed. His laughter echoed throughout her head, he was getting to her. No, she was not going to let him.
"We should try to make this experience pleasant for the both of us." Loki stated. "And that last statement was far from pleasant."
Kaleria rolled her eyes. "There is nothing you can say or do to make this experience pleasant."
His signature grin grew. "You don't mean that."
"I really think I do." Kaleria gritted her teeth.
"Well regardless of how we feel towards each other, I am still training you."
"Loathing; I feel a sense of loathing." Kaleria admitted quickly.
Loki chuckled. "Yes well, that is a mutual feeling we both can agree upon."
Final Thoughts: Thank you for reading, remember to review! The more reviews the more inspired I am to continue!