Why So Serious? pt.2

"Quaerite et conteret," the purple-haired witch formed a hand sign and aimed both of her palms in Lust's direction.

Her fingers wriggled swimmingly to mimic the waves, and tiny streams of water slithered out from the side of the banks; as if they were alive. Lust's ears perked up ever so slightly at the sound of trickling water nearby. He couldn't make out where it was coming from or how. The hypnotizing fluid snakes wrapped themselves around a stone boulder next to him as Wrath clenched both of her fists.

"Displodo," she clasped her hands together.

The rock exploded into sharp pebbles of puny rubbles. It startled both Wrath and Lust. The impatient student leaped away from to commotion and observed what had happened right beside him. The crumbled rocks were lying in a pool of water.

Lust scratched his head, astounded, "How did you do that from there? h-how did you do that at all?"

"I don't know. I'm still practicing too," she retreated her hands back to her sides.

The trails of water retreated and unified with the lake once more. Lust's eyes were glued to the phenomenon he just witnessed. His mouth was gaping at the showcase of his roommate's power. His imagination ran wild with the possibilities. What else was she capable of? Was that even her full potential? He began to wonder if he would be capable of anything even close to that. How long would it take him to be half as good?

"What else are you gonna try?" asked her jolly partner.

"You were supposed to be focusing on your own training you know," she replied.

"I know… but how can I miss all the cool things you can do? This is huge!"

She sighed, "You're making this harder than it should. I don't have enough patience to teach you how to stay quiet and just meditate. Maybe I'm approaching this in the wrong way."

"Hmm…? Isn't there anything we can do that'll be exciting for both of us?" he titled his head.

"Come to think of it…I used to train with my grandma here. She was the one who introduced me to all this."

Wrath closed her eyes and put her index finger in between her brows as she dug deep into her memory. She tried to search for a proper teaching method that she could use without wasting her emotion in trying to stay calm yet intriguing at the same time. It should be suitable to be performed and practiced by a novice and an experienced magic user.

"I got it! I used to this when I was practicing with my grandma," she walked to the center of the lake.

"What are you doing?"

"I'll do the meditating this time. And you have to disrupt my concentration. You can throw things at me or even physically move me. If I move or open my eyes, I lose. If you give up or didn't manage to do it before 6 P.M., then you lose."

"W-what? You're gonna do it there? So, I'm allowed to swim and physically distract you?" Lust widened his eyes in excitement.

Wrath's straight face turned into an ominous smirk, "That is if you can."

Lust eventually realized that this wasn't a mere challenge for her, but it was for him as well. She was provoking his ability and competency. His excitement turned into determination. The tension between the two strengthened as he straightened his back and scanned his enclosure for ideas. The youngest member of The Sins had begun her preparation. She sat crisscross and tied her hair up into a slick ponytail. Her fringe hung on her temple; covering the corners of her eyes like a curtain.

"Keep a sharp eye out," she taunted.

"You bet," Lust smiled and started to plan his action.

The girl inhaled and exhaled deeply as her body eased up. She closed her eyes and put her hands together in front of her belly button. An abrupt rumble ensued from the bottom of the lake. It caught Lust's attention as he watched as a water formation emerged behind Wrath's back. He dropped the bulk of stones and sticks he had gathered from the ground.

"What in the hell is that?" he fearfully watched as the structure completed.

The lake had formed a semi-circle structure of many palms resembling the thousand-hand Buddha. Time and the elements were against his odds. He swiftly picked up his props and began strategizing his attacks. Lust winded his arms to gain momentum and launched his first rock with immense power. The sharp-edged rock spun in the air and was aimed straight at the mentor's forehead. Just as he was about to get the taste of victory, one of the palms swatted the rock and it ricocheted.

Lust dodged it just in time as the bullet he used missed his ear by an inch. He began to rethink his strategy. He decided to get in the water and began a closer approach.

"Wrath!!!" he cupped his hand and hollered.

No reaction, not even a flinch. Her body looked so relaxed. Her image was mirrored and unbothered underneath her body. Lust continued to pester her by nudging her leg with a stick he had brought with him. It miraculously did not seem to make a dent on her skin. He pushed the branch more aggressively and to his shock, it broke in his hand. Not a scratch on her.

He became more impatient and offended. His own friend managed to show him how it should have been done. Her composure was impenetrable. Lust ditched the stick and dove underwater. Wrath was directly above him. The hands were still where they were before. He reached up to her thigh and tried with all his might to pull her body into the lake. But it was to no avail.

Lust resurfaced to take a breath, "This is impossible!"

He went back under and dove deep enough to muster enough strength. After locking his target, he launched himself at her; hoping she would move or got tipped over. Upon contact with her leg, he felt his body being grabbed and chucked away. He opened his eyes and found himself meters away from her.

"Alright, you're really testing me, aren't you?" he gasped for air.