Chapter Eighteen
Acacia parked her truck and hopped out with Trick as Tamsin, Bo, Alex and Kenzi joined them. When Alex's feet hit the ground and she got out of the truck, she looked around at the sight before her. Her eyes fell on the pile of rocks that looked like an alter.
"Hey.. You okay sis?" Tamsin asked as she turned and looked to the younger blonde.
"Yeah.. Just a weird feeling.." Alex said, not taking her eyes off the piece of land before her. It was like she knew that this should mean something big to her, but for the life of her she couldn't remember.
"Come on kid.." Tamsin said as she threw her arm around Alex's shoulder and started to walk slowly over to where Acacia and Trick were standing. Tamsin knew her sister better than anyone, she also knew what being reborn felt like and how moments like these where you see something and know it is a part of your past, but you have no clue what it was, were times that caused a saddened feeling to occupy your heart.
Bo and Kenzi slowly followed.
"Do you think it's a good idea practicing HERE of all places?" Kenzi whispered to Bo.
"I don't know.. Trick and Acacia thought of it.. This is the first time we have all been back here since the funeral.. Maybe they think it'll help trigger her memories.." Bo said in a low voice as she shrugged.
"Oh that's nice.. They bring her to the same place we buried the bitch and lit her on fire when she died to jog her memories.. How pleasant.." Kenzi said as she rolled her eyes, causing Bo to chuckle and smack her arm.
"Alright Kenzi.. We have a few lessons for you today.. You need to understand that this will be difficult for you. You are going to need to learn how to access different parts of your powers that most have centuries to perfect. You need to be focused and please.. Try to take it seriously" Trick said with a grin.
"Gee Trickster, talk about no pressure added here.. I got you.. No fun, all work. Learn shit that people usually get their whole lives to learn when I've had a solid two weeks. No problem.. So what's first?" Kenzi asked as she looked around.
"Alex? Care to give us an idea of what you think would be the most critical to start off with?" Acacia asked as she crossed her arms.
"Huh?" Alex asked as her eyes drifted back to the alter.
"You Ember. This baby Ember. We need Dawning tips. Was that better?" Acacia asked in a bitchy tone as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh yeah.. No uhm honestly she needs to work more on controlling the body temp. Kenz, you need to be able to heat up and use your fire on your command. You're letting the fire decide when it goes out and you can't do that. YOU need to be able to have a say over it. If you're fighting and you can't get your body to activate flames you'll die. Especially in the Dawning. Being an Ember you're going to face situations where you need to be able to have command over when you activate your fire, how hot you let it burn, how long.. Stuff like. If you're in a fucking ice storm you need to heat up. If someone is strangling you, you need to get your body hot enough for them to let go. Shit like that is what you need to focus on today. It's going to be hard and there really isn't a specific way to tell you how to do it because everything with our abilities is different when it comes to using them based on the person.. So ya gotta figure it out and be able to tell the fire what to do.. Not let it just flare up when you freak.." Alex said as she nodded to Tamsin.
"We have a few things that we did with Alex when she was a kid we could try moms, but you have to actually fight back and not be worried about hurting us.. Cause if you hold back we will kick your ass.." Tamsin said with a grin.
"I feel like this is going to suck ass.." Kenzi groaned as she rolled her eyes in frustration.
Alex walked over and playfully punched Kenzi's shoulder, "I'm gonna go for a walk.. Shit is fuzzy in my head.. You can do this Sparky… I wouldn't have given you my powers if I didn't think you could handle it.." the blonde said as she gave a weak smile and headed off through the field.
"Come on bestie.. Let's go figure out what we're doing first.." Bo said as she slung an arm around Kenzi's shoulder.
"Why don't I remember you having to go through fae training day like this?" Kenzi asked as she raised an eyebrow.
"Because I had my powers for more than two weeks.. And my abilities don't burn things to the ground.." Bo said as she laughed.
"No.. You just set fire to crotches.." Kenzi said as she giggled.
"Come on you two.. Lets get this shit started.." Acacia said as tossed Tamsin a long wooden stick. Bo slapped Kenzi's ass then walked over to Tamsin and was handed a dagger that was longer than her usual weapons.
"How come they get like weapons and shit?!" Kenzi asked as she pointed to Tamsin and Bo.
"Because you ARE a weapon Kenzi.. Although Bo is a Succubus and Tamsin is a Valkyrie and they are both strong and deadly in their own way, your ability is a more active power and can cause far more pain and devastation than you realize. You can produce fire from your body Kenzi. That even against these two is enough to harm them. They have weapons for their protection Kenzi, not as means to simply beat you.. You are far more dangerous than you think, which is a good thing.." Trick said with a smile.
"So they aren't going to beat me like a piñata right?" Kenzi asked as she eyed Tamsin, who was grinning and tossing the stick back and forth between her hands in a devilish manner.
"Don't let them get close enough and they won't kid.." Acacia said with a smirk.
"Come on Kenzi, we aren't going to hurt you… that bad.. You need to learn how to control the fire. We won't hurt you unless you don't fight back. Just hold us off bestie.. You've always wanted to be a badass fae.. Here's your chance" Bo said with a sweet smile, "You can do this Kenz.. We need you to do this.."
"Momz.. all you have to do is try to hold us off. If we happen to hit you then get mad or however you channel your power and fight back. But Kenzi, you aren't a human anymore.. You have to remember that. You're fae now, you can take hits and not die.." Tamsin said as she grinned.
"I am kinda a hardcore fire starter now.. Alright Bo Bo.. Tam Tam.. Let's see what ya got.." Kenzi said as she flashed her eyes red and stood in a fighting stance as Tamsin and Bo both moved forward with striking attacks. Kenzi allowed fire to form in her hands as she braced herself and used what little hand to hand combat training she knew to try to fight them back.
After realizing double teaming Kenzi was a little rough for a beginner's lesson, considering Tamsin had hit Kenzi in the head with the wooden stick twice, Bo accidentally nicked the side of the baby fae's ribs with her blade drawing blood, and Kenzi's fire kept dying out and disappearing randomly.. they decided one on one fights would be better.
Tamsin stood beside Acacia and Trick as they watched the two best friends try to hit one another. Kenzi was quick, which played in her favor during one on one fights, but what she lacked in coordination showed weak when it came to striking back. Bo could easily dodge each punch and kick that Kenzi threw with the fire on her hands. Bo ducked a flaming fist and spun around with a low kick that hit the back of Kenzi's knees, causing the small Russian to tumble to the ground.
"Shit Kenz I'm sorry.. Are you okay?" Bo asked as she frowned and helped Kenzi up to her feet.
"I'm freakin' dandy Succu-hoe.. You're just lucky you're pregnant and I'm taking it easy on you.." Kenzi groaned as she rubbed the back of her head, wincing at the soreness of her body right now.
"Swap with me babe.." Tamsin said as she walked over to her wife and patted her gently on the butt.
"Maybe she should take a break.. We've been at this awhile.." Bo said as she looked to Tamsin then back at Kenzi.
"What? A break? We're just getting started.. No pain no gain ass wads!" Kenzi said as she tried to catch her breath.
"Momz why don't we take five.. Seriously you've been working hard.. You can't kill yourself before you enter the Dawning.." Tamsin said as she turned back and signaled for Acacia to throw her a water.
"I'm good… Give mama some H2O and I'll be ready for another round of ass kicking.." Kenzi panted as Tamsin handed her the bottle.
"More like ass kicked.." Acacia grumbled as she looked towards Trick who quietly scowled her words of negativity.
"Alright.. Tams.. Let's do this.." Kenzi said as she tossed the water bottle to Bo.
"You sure?" Tamsin asked as she raised an eyebrow.
Kenzi just flashed her eyes read and smirked.
"Babe.. Don't hurt her too bad.." Bo said in a whispered worried tone as she looked into her wife's eyes. Tamsin looked at Bo and nodded as she leaned over giving the Succubus a quick peck on her lips.
"Alright Kenz.. Show me what you got, and don't hold back.." Tamsin said as she lunged towards Kenzi.
The Russian had her eyes burning their bright red and was happy when she glanced down and saw red flames consuming her hands. Kenzi met Tamsin in the middle and used her forearm to block Tamsin's punch to her face and quickly spun trying to kick the Valkyrie, but Tamsin was ready and swatted Kenzi's leg away. Kenzi growled and threw a fiery right hook to Tamsin who moved slightly, knowing maybe Kenzi landing a punch would boost her confidence, but when Kenzi's fist got close to Tamsin, the fire from her palms died and she punched the blonde with just her bare hand and no flames. Tamsin took the punch and spun around as she attempted to lay a high kick but Kenzi spun underneath of it.
Bo watched as Kenzi started to frantically shake her hands, but no flames appeared. Kenzi's eyes had fallen back to their normal gorgeous blue and the red had vanished. Kenzi was so focused on the fact that her powers, yet again, were not working when she wanted them to, she lowered her guard long enough for Tamsin to land a right hook across her cheek, sending the small Russian tumbling to the dirt.
"DAMNIT! NOT AGAIN!" Kenzi yelled as she slapped the ground with her hands.
"Oh God Kenzi! I'm sorry! Are you alright?!" Tamsin asked as she sprinted over to her mother figure.
"Yes.. I'm fucking fine! Pissed, but fine.. At least I can take hits like a fae.." Kenzi said as she gave a thumbs up, "This is so getting old. Why is this not working?! What the hell am I doing wrong that I can't keep my fire going for more than like a minute! This shouldn't be happening! I've used my powers before and I've been fine! Why can't I do it when I fight?!" Kenzi mumbled as she frowned.
"It's okay momz.." Tamsin said as she walked over to Kenzi and tried to help her up, but the small Russian remained laying in the dirt.
"It's so not okay Lil' T.. Why does this keep happening?! Why the hell is it when I need to use my fire the most I can't make it appear?! THIS IS SO FRUSTRATING!" Kenzi hissed as she closed her eyes tightly.
"Kenz, you're doing fine.. You're just now learning what it's like to be fae and to be an Ember in high pressure fighting situations.. You'll get the hang of it. Today's just your first day.." Bo said as she walked over and kneeled down beside her best friend who was once again, laying frustrated and in pain on the ground.
"Yeah.. The first day where I learn that I may be fae now, but still gonna get my cute tight ass handed to me. I can't figure out how to control the fire on my hands and make it stay. It's like once I start fighting everything goes blank and I get so pumped up that I'm protected and not gonna die then when I go to actually use my Ember gifts they're gone and it's like I have nothing to fight back with. I can't fucking get how to do this and how to keep it together. Like how the hell am I suppose to fight and keep the fire coursing and constantly on.. I'm like a sad little zippo lighter running on low fuel.. I flicker and it's sad.. How the hell do I do this?! I thought I had SOME control over this thing but today has made me realize I have like none. My powers are like letting an obese child with ADHD in a candy store and telling them to take what they want but they only have 5 minutes.. This shit is all over and I can't keep it in one place.. When I don't want the fire to pop on I go up in flames, when I need to not die and actually use my fire nothing happens.. I'm a shitty Ember and it's only been two weeks.. I'm so dying in my Dawning.." Kenzi said as she groaned and threw her hands over her face.
"Shut up momz we aren't going to let anything happen to you.." Tamsin said with a smile.
"She's right Kenz.. We are all here to help you.. We've got you hun.." Bo said as she ruffled Kenzi's hair.
"Bo you've saved my life countless time, even from the moment you didn't know me.. And Tammers, you're my Valkubaby and I adore you and I know you'd put anyone in a permanent mind fuck with your cray cray black eyes but lets face it.. You two won't be there to save me this time. If I can't get this shit together and learn to control all this and keep the fire on when I need it most.. my ass is toast.." Kenzi said as Acacia tried to stifle a laugh at the young fae's comment.
Trick, Bo and Tamsin all glared at Acacia.
The Elder Valkyrie cleared her throat, "Sorry.."
"You aren't going to die Kenzi.. You just need to focus.." Trick said as he tried to shed some positive light.
"I am Trick. That's what's so aggravating about this shit.. I am trying to focus.. Nothing I try is working.. I can't do it.." Kenzi said as she refused to move from the ground.
"With a piss poor attitude like that you sure as hell won't be able to do it.. And you WILL die.. Now get the hell up.." Alex said as she walked over.
Everyone jumped at the blonde's voice, it had been almost two hours that Alex had been gone and now she simply walks up.
"Where the hell have you been?" Tamsin whispered as she glanced to her little sister.
"…grab Bo…Hold on to her and no matter what happens next, you two stay back.. Got it.." Alex said as she glanced to Tamsin.
"Alex.. What are you about to do.." Bo asked as she stood close to Tamsin.
"I'm about keep her ass from dying.. Bo.. I love you and my little pile of goo niece or nephew morphing in your stomach.. But stand back hot pants and you and T don't get in the middle of this.." Alex said in a low voice as she walked over to Kenzi.
"Did she just call you.." Tamsin said as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
"..Hot pants.." Bo finished as she glanced over to her Valkyrie, "Does she.."
"…She remembers.." Tamsin whispered as she and Bo started to grin.