The Guardians that is what we are. We guard and protect Magic and its balance in various worlds along with ours that we all know as "Earth". In a way like the police only against very terrible monsters and villains and that's mildly put.
We, the Guardians, are a group of four people, myself included. We all possess a strong power bestowed by the former user of the power or as some would say, Magic made the decision. My power was bestowed with a bit of both, the former user of the element water chose me and to be sure Magic assured him that I am the right person. My name is Helen and am a teenager visiting middle school near Cardiff in Wales. Not long ago as I noticed my powers, I learned that I wasn't alone in this, Lazar attends to the same school as I do only in a different class and he's better informed than I am because he saw it coming as an inheritance from his grandfather. He's the element user fire but he's very calm most of the time with a friendly smile. The other two users are a lot older then Lazar and me and have trouble adjusting to it like I do with barely any information, so we trust greatly in Joshua. He's the former element user water and helps us find the way to become Guardians as he did.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVgQpOhbVv
"Come on, now. You have to be faster than me or you won't make it far as a Guardian." Spoke Joshua with an Irish accent as he climbed fast up the rope net and past us covered in sweat, struggling at the second round of this workshop he built up for us to train. It reminded me of a training ground at the military.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcTtWI29tK
Farthest from all four of us was Quentin, the element user air, crawling on all fours on the ground under the rope net. "Easy for you to say. Why can't we use our powers? You said you would train us how to harness our powers." Panted Quentin with a thin Italian accent and made a brief stop as he finished crawling.
"I won't tell you because it's all part of your learning and training. Since you have enough strength to speak, invest it for more training. I'm turning in a few years 70 so come on, now." Joshua sped past Quentin and sprinted almost with ease over different walls and objects. "Mio Dio!" Quentin gave a raspy gasp as he saw how Joshua sprinted over.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fN7TnkIwa
"But you can't argue with that." Sighed Flora, the element user earth, as she caught up with Quentin. She took a deep breath and jogged off to continue, immediately Quentin followed her.
I too took a deep breath and climbed over the rope net and almost caught up with Lazar who was crawling already. Suddenly I heard from behind the walls a loud painful slap and Quentin calling out in pain. "Ahi!"
I scoffed and shook my head. I have noticed from the beginning that Quentin had an eye on Flora but Flora wants nothing from him yet he doesn't give up. I feel at times a bit sorry for both of them but something inside me tells to let them be. I like both of them and get along very well. Flora has her passion for plants, medicine and cooking that's why she's studying medicine so she can become a doctor. She takes many things very serious and therefore can become grumpy or even angry, especially when Quentin's around. Quentin is a good listener, knows life problems very well, how to box and act theatre along with his sense of humour. Sometimes they're funny and other times they can be really annoying but since we've met I've always seen him with a grin or a smile. As for Lazar, I guess he has a similar situation with the school like me and is therefore happy to be here. In school, I only see him smiling or grinning when I'm nearby. In school, I'm a wallflower and don't mind it most of the time but there are days it does get to me. It hurts but since having this power within me things have turned for the better. I looked down at my right wrist with the dark tattoo shaped in spirals and rolled waves around my wrist. The style reminds me of Celtic or Maori or maybe even both? Anyway, I like it but it has been difficult too besides better. I'm now here training to become strong, to become a Guardian instead of being at home doing my homework and learning for exams. This suddenness from a wallflower to a Guardian is a huge step, mentally and physically.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71KasyQPZG
"Are you coming?" Wondered Lazar.
I blinked and found myself facing the crawling task. I nodded and crawled. Soon I finished the second round and needed a drink and a break. Everyone else thought the same except Joshua who faced us with a stern expression and crossed arms.
"Come on Joshua, can't you take it easy on the first round with us?" Wondered Quentin.
"I can but I won't. When you come face to face with your opponent will they take it easy with you? I think not. Chop, chop you've had your break and now on with it."
"What!" Exclaimed Flora exhausted. "Is there an alternative to this military course?"
"Yeah." Nodded Lazar pleadingly.
"Well..." Joshua looked up to the sky in thought while tapping his chin that is covered with a thin grey beard. "Jogging around this entire course five times, then 50 jumping-jacks along with 20 push-ups for the ladies and men I want from you 40 push-ups!"
We all sighed exhausted to the sound of the alternative.
"I'll better stick with the military course." Noted Quentin.
"What are you waiting for? Go for it if you know what you want." Demanded Joshua.
"He's starting to sound like our gym teacher Mr Thompson. I think he'll be very pleased to see this." Noted Lazar as we started off.
I laughed at his notation. "I don't think, I know for sure he'll be very pleased with this."
By the end of the day I had nothing else in mind but to take a shower and go to bed. I wasn't even hungry as I got home in time for dinner. I told my parents and little sister that I went out for training with some friends, they know nothing of my powers. The only secret that I hide from them. As a matter of fact, I can barely walk as I got home, went straight under the shower and off to bed. Joshua told us that tomorrow, Sunday, we will take a pleasant walk along the beach and that we should pack along with our bathing suits. "A chance to relax and train on your powers as promised." Were his exact words, I sure hope so...
As discussed we all met at the beach with a bag or backpack. We all groaned and grimaced in pain from yesterday's training except Joshua. A cold wind blew against us as we met but Quentin dared to arrive in his bathing shorts and flip flop sandals.
"Aren't you freezing, Quentin?" Wondered Lazar as Quentin arrived with a small backpack.
"No, I'm not." He answered determined but with shivering blue lips.
I scoffed to his answer and the sight, even his nails turned blue.
Flora sighed with rolled eyes. "Quentin, wear something on before you get a catch of cold. Your blue nails and lips say entirely something else."
"Oh yeah? What do my blue lips say?" He smirked broadly and took a step closer beside her.
She grunted to contain her anger but her cheeks flushed. Quickly She walked behind Quentin opened his rucksack and soon stood in front of him with a warming grin. "Did anyone ever tell you that with rosy cheeks you look cuter than before?"
"No." She grinned and immediately strapped around his neck a scarf. "How many times do I have to tell you to quit it?" She pulled a bit tighter at the scarf that Quentin gave a short cough. "I hope this gets through your thick skull." She hissed and walked over to me. Quentin swallowed loudly as he loosened the scarf but soon started to smirk again as we walked off.
"Alright, that's enough, Flora. Remember in time you need to get along with him." Reminded Joshua calmly to Flora.
"How can I when he is all the time flirting with me and never taking anything seriously?" Remarked Flora angered.
"In time I'm sure you both will find a way." Joshua noted with a grin and walked off to lead us the way. Flora sighed with rolled eyes and paced ahead, I followed her close by.
My entire body ached in every move and breath but after a while walking the pain ceased. The cold wind in my long hair, the salty and tangy smell of the sea and the sound of rolling waves eased my mind.
"Joshua, where exactly are we going?" Wondered Lazar as we walked for a long time in silence, trying to keep up with Joshua's pace.
"You will see, all in good time." Answered Joshua without turning to us and kept pacing on.
"How do you keep yourself so well in shape?" Asked Flora.
"It's very simple. Practice, practice and practice."
"Why did I ask?" Flora sighed.
After a long time walking along the beach I noticed that we were totally surrounded by nature and its solitude. Maybe Joshua plans to train our powers here where no one comes along? "Joshua, is this the place to train our powers? I see no one in sight."
"Excellent observation, Helen. Yes, we're almost there for a wee break and then for a swim those who want to."
As he promised we soon came to a halt and sat down on the white sand as we had our small meal. Joshua made a small fire and drank his strong black Oolong tea from a thermos flask. "So, we can go for a swim if we want to?" Asked Quentin while eating his sandwich.
Joshua nodded with a content grin. "No specific training in the water or something of the sort?" Wondered Flora sceptical. Joshua shook slowly his head.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXg3QhTnXv
I laughed relieved. "Well I'm going, who's joining?"
"I absolutely will." Smiled Flora.
Once we've eaten Flora and I were in the water swimming and splashing each other. We played tag and bit of diving, we raced who can swim the farthest, the fastest and hold their breath the longest. At that point, Lazar joined in but Quentin remained with Joshua. At times I spotted them talking to each other.
"Hey Helen, water is your element. Why don't you try something out?" Wondered Flora.
"True, what should I try?"
"How about trying to lift a handful of water?" Suggested Lazar.
"Alright." I licked my lips and began to focus on a certain spot of water in front of me. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and tried to remember how I managed it the first time under the shower with ease. I pictured a ball of water in my mind and slowly lifted a hand with a fitting gesture to shape the ball easier since water is very loose. "Let there be a ball, let there be a ball," I repeated to myself. Slowly I opened my eyes to look. A small ball of water floated above my hand, almost a wee drop really. "I-I thought I could do it."
"Don't take hard on yourself. You're new to this and so are we. I can't make a plant grow plainly from seed, yet. In time you'll surely will." Comforted Flora.
"I have my power a bit longer than all of you and I still can't make a flame out of my bare hands and surely not here in the water." Lazar grinned warmly.
We decided to head back to shore and warm ourselves by the small fire. Quentin wasn't wearing his bathing shorts anymore and wore more warm clothes therefore his blue lips and nails turned to normal.
"Did you have a nice swim?" Wondered Joshua.
Flora, Lazar and I nodded. "Cold but it was fun." Noted Flora.
"It was cold in the beginning but afterwards it was very pleasant," I noted.
"Easy for you to say since it's your element." Lazar grinned and tucked to his towel. "Hey Quentin, why didn't you join us?"
"As you've mentioned before, it's cold." He answered.
"Well, you could have tried using your power to soften the wind a bit at least." Suggested Flora.
"An excellent idea, Flora. Quentin, why don't you give a try?" Said Joshua.
"Che?" Quentin questioned surprised. "Alright." He sighed as he noticed everyone was in the same opinion as Joshua and slowly stood up. He took a deep breath and looked out to the sea and soon closed his eyes as he held up his arms. Soon he moved his arms with round moves and in the end gave an odd open-handed gesture. The wind around us remained the same as before cold and strong.
"Don't tell me you know 'Avatar the Last Air Bender'?" I thought out but quickly clasped a hand over my mouth and felt my ears growing warm.
Flora and Lazar laughed to my notation.
"No, and I'm trying to focus here!" Hissed Quentin annoyed.
"That was an interesting try but you forgot one important thing whenever using your powers." Said Joshua with a content grin. "Remember that whenever you're using your powers you are also using up your energy, so in order to save energy and concentration, pick up the source that lies or stands before you. Start with something, there's always an element to pick up and put it to your way. Feel your environment, after that feel out your element and become one." Suddenly Joshua bid me sit close to the water, Lazar to sit beside the fire and Flora to sit on a solid sand hill while Quentin stands where he remains. "Now everyone close your eyes and feel out your environment and then feel your element, let yourself become one with it."601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSaD2xQ1zS
We all closed our eyes and there was total silence except the wind and the sea. I took a deep breath and tried to feel out my environment, listen carefully how the wind blows corns of sand aside and forming the sea. The cold gentle push of the little rolling waves became like a moving blanket at my legs. The texture feels smooth and graceful in every move, its liquid form is thin and can reach in every nook and cranny so it's curious and free, just like me but it can it also adjust to the various environment yet here it's wild and free. I felt the motion of the rolling waves very clear and knew when they would meet my feet to cover me and rollback.
Suddenly I heard Joshua's voice close beside me. "Now make a ball of water as before." He whispered softly. I tried my best to keep that focus I had before and feel as one with my element. Slowly I gestured one arm to form a ball. I felt how a part of the water was lifted and few drops dripped over my legs. Slowly I opened my eyes to see. A ball of water as large as my head was floating above my hand. I laughed with joy of my achievement. As I looked over to Joshua he gave me a content nod. I was surprised to see the others still focusing on their elements but I have noticed the wind is gone and the fire looks a lot larger than before and a small ball of sand wrapped up in roots grew beside Flora. While the others focused I've decided to make my ball of water a bit larger, to see where are the limits of my power.
Suddenly I heard Quentin laughing with joy and the following Lazar exclaiming in surprise. As I looked over I saw Joshua walking over to Flora who didn't look happy. Curiosity got within me and kept the ball of water floating as I will walk over.
"No worries Flora, sand is not an easy start but you've made it very well with the roots." Joshua comforted her.
"Woah! Helen, how you make it so big?" Exclaimed Lazar surprised.
"I felt quickly one with my element." I laughed nervously, still not used to be acknowledged.
"That's because you're concentration is sharp and you basically feel out your environment with all your senses on a daily basis." Noted Joshua. "So that's an easy start for you, something the rest of you may acquire some more practice."
"Easily said than done." Muttered Lazar.
"Now that you know I'll leave the rest of the day to you to decide what to do. Remember tomorrow night we meet for training at Quentin's boxing establishment." Joshua packed his few things together and walked off.
We all watched speechless how he walked off.
"Did I miss something?" Wondered Quentin while scratching the back of his head.
"I was wondering the same," I noted. "I think we can go home if we want to or keep practising a bit on our powers."
"Looks pretty much it." Nodded Flora. "I'll practice some more but will try it with a tree instead. Those that want to keep practising are welcome to join."
"I'm in." I smiled. "Maybe I can give you few tricks?"
"Tricks are always the best." Smiled Quentin.
"I'm in too." Lazar grinned.
They all looked at me with friendly and warming smiles. It sort of came over as if I was in charge and have the word which Joshua usually had. I swallowed.601Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFH1pgvX7a
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