Training

Ariana jumped into her bed while the Lumas decided to lay in the chairs and ottoman. 'Master you did good.' Vasu said as he snuggling into the ottoman with Davita. "Vasu, do you see me as a cruel woman?" Ariana asked as she pulled the covers under her chin, trying her best not to tremble. 'No Master. I believe in you.' He answered as he closed his eyes. "Thank you." Ariana mumbled before she started to close her own eyes.

It was finally morning and Deagan had left before anyone woke up. Lady Zula, Zachary and the Countess had just finished with breakfast as Ariana ran down the stairs with the Lumas flying spontaneously behind her.

Roland scooped Ariana into his arms the moment she walked into the kitchen. He then carried her over to the counter, sat her down and started to visually inspected her as he leaned into different angles. He was so happy to see her unharmed and in good health that he blew her a quick kiss and ran off to report to his wife. Completely forgetting to serve her and the Lumas any breakfast.

As the Lumas ate Ariana made herself an omelet. The Countess quietly watched as she worked while Lady Zula excused herself, she was leaving with Zachary to make the appointment for their meeting with the High Council. As Ariana plated her food she felt a sharp pain go through her body causing her to drop to her knees. Tillie, Roderick, Leigh and James had just walked in as the Countess rushed to Ariana's side.

She broke out into a cold sweat and paled as the seconds went by. "Young Miss!" They called as the Countess held her in her arms. "I don't think we have to wait too long to see when I get my period." She laughed weakly but the Countess looked horrified. "If you came a day later... James take Ariana to the bunker." The Countess ordered.

James quickly moved and scooped Ariana up in a princess carry. "Yes Madam." was all he said before he started to run off with Ariana. "Wait Lidia! Why would you send the child to the bunker?! Isn't this too cruel?!" Roland shouted while Tillie and Zula quickly chased after James.

"It's the only thing I can think of Roland. I don't know where else to keep her safe until this passes!" The Countess explained quickly. Roland shook his head in confusion while Roderick and Leigh watched in silence. "Look, I know I need to tell everyone something but I thought I would have more time! We'll need to let everyone know that they will have to be on high alert for - oh Lord I don't know! Let's say four days!" The Countess said causing everyone's jaws dropped.

"Lidia what is going on?! You're more organized then this! You can't make everyone carry weapons and stay on high alert for so long! The tension will suffocate your children and worse Ariana!" Roland protested.

The Countess started pacing feverishly as she placed her hand under her chin. "No Roland, it's the church, if they find out Ariana is already going through her transformation now... I don't know if they will be daring enough to attack the estate to get to her."

"We also need to stop Ariana from leaving... I have no idea how strong that child will become but this stays with us... Tillie and James are also included. I need you to tell the staff that we were tipped that the church will attack within these four days they don't need to know more than that." The Countess ordered.

"Lidia you're not making sense! Why would the church want to attack us?! My G*d Lidia! You control this Kingdom's army!" Roland shouted. The Countess stopped pacing and looked at Roland. "They know she's the jewel eyed priestess' daughter." The Countess replied flatly. Roland paled as he took a step back. "I will inform the staff now." He said as he ran out of the kitchen.

"Sir Gregory, good morning!" He shouted from the hallway, letting everyone in the kitchen know they were being spied on. "Gregory!" The Countess shouted and Gregory walked in as if it was any regular day. "How much did you hear?!" The Countess asked between her gritted teeth.

"Honestly auntie Lidia, you already said you would forgive me for the past events as my favour. Do you really think I would do anything now?" Gregory asked as he grabbed the extra plate of food Ariana left on the counter.

The temperature in the room dropped to below freezing, Roderick and Leigh did their best to not tremble but Gregory brushed off the pressure. "Don't worry, I swear I am not on the church's side and they would never believe me since I double crossed them. Beside I have a stake with that girl and I would rather not like to lose her... if I can." Gregory said nonchalantly.

The Countess watched as Gregory took a bite of omelet. His arrogant face quickly turned to delight as he enjoyed his food. The Countess eased up, she crossed her arms over her chest and pleasantly watched Gregory eat. "Roland out did himself with these eggs." Gregory said as he shoved the last bite into his mouth.

"Roland didn't make that." The Countess smirked. "Gregory your such a picky eater, I honestly never thought you would eat something made by someone else." The Countess said with a dark laugh. Gregory swallowed the food in his mouth and stared at the Countess with indifference but his eyes betrayed him. They allowed a small flash of worry to surface for a split second.

"It wasn't poisoned, relax but after trying that food I'm wondering if you're willing to try anything else she makes? I mean, you didn't even go to the cafe, not once! But then again I would have never let you go in the first place. Not a glutton like yourself." The Countess said with a smile but it didn't touch her eyes.

"Aunt Lidia are you trying to say that, 'that girl' made this?!" He hissed with such contempt that it caused the Countess to laugh whole heartedly while Roderick and Leigh looked at the empty plate with envious eyes. "I don't need to worry then. Roderick please bring the carriage it's time I get to work." Roderick gave Gregory a bitter look before he bowed and then left the room.

"Aunt Lidia, what do you mean you don't have to worry!" Gregory demand but the Countess started to walk away as she waved at his anger. "You called her 'that girl' instead of thing." She said with a laugh. "If anything happens I guess 'that girl' will owe you one." She continued.

It was nightfall before Ariana's fever broke. She finally found the strength to open her eyes. She attempted to sit up when she felt a cold hand rest on top of her forehead. "You're probably thirsty, here." A gently voice whispered as they slipped their hand behind her back and helped her sit up. Ariana winced and hugged her abdomen.

"You know your mother always had the worst periods. She would be bed ridden for the first three days, with fevers and she would cry from the pain. The spirits would always come into the room to comfort her until it passed." Ariana looked up at Lady Zula and gave her a shaky smile. "Unfortunately the spirits don't like me as much as my .... Evangeline." She said as the glass of water was passed to her.

"I guess not but then again your mother was never blessed by the main elementals either." Lady Zula replied flatly. Ariana nearly choked on her water. "Easy, easy we have all the time in the world to talk about your mother." Lady Zula said softly and patted her back. Ariana shook her head. "No, it's just I'm surprised to hear the elementals never blessed her.... they loved her so much." Lady Zula stayed silent until Ariana finished off her glass of water.

Lady Zula then took the cup and placed it on the bed side table. "My guess is they loved her too much and never wanted her to walk down the path the Queen... The Goddess, has set out for you." Lady Zula admitted. Ariana wanted to say something but another wave of pain struck her hard.

"Ahhh! Mom you need to leave!" Ariana shouted as she curled up. "I'll get your grandmother! I'll be right back! I'm not leaving your side!" Lady Zula shouted as she ran to the door. "Mother!" She screamed just beyond the door.

"The Godde-Ahhhhhhh!" Ariana shouted as she her nails grew and fangs sprouted. "Nooooo! Stay away!" Ariana growled as she started to rip into her own skin. The Countess, James, Roland, Gregory and Lady Zula rushed into the room. "Staaaaay awaaaay!" She roared as her shredded clothes lay on the floor, armour had already formed on her skin and her wings started to stretch out the skin in her back, in attempt to break free.

"Ariana, sweet heart... it's mom... do you see me?" Lady Zula asked as she slowly approached Ariana. Her wings finally popped out and Ariana jumped off the bed, making a loud thud sound as she landed. She stood tall as her heavy breathing started to subside,. She contracted her wings and allowed them to rest on top of her back. She looked at the woman before her, harmless extending a hand in peace.

"M-other..." She called out as she stretched out her claw towards Lady Zula. "Yes! Sweetie it's me!" She answered as tears brimmed her eyes but Gregory rushed up and pulled Lady Zula back. "What the f*ck do you think you're doing?!" He shouted.

The sudden movement caused Ariana to extend her wings, she crouched downwards, her left hand touching the concrete floor. She sensed danger and bared her fangs as she hissed at Gregory. A moment later she regained her senses. She realized she shocked everyone. "S-s-sorry.... I... am still... in here." Ariana said as she started to straighten up.

"Ariana... are you in control?" The Countess asked as she walked up with her hands raised in defense. "Ugh! Grandmother... yes I'm still... in control... I feel so... strange." She said as she open and closed her claws. "Alright, why don't we go into the other room. There's more space for you to test out your... abilities." The Countess suggested as she pointed to the door. Ariana nodded her head and looked past the Countess.

James turned and opened the door to reveal darkness. Everyone walked out of the room first, leaving Ariana and her Lumas to silently follow them. Ariana took her first step forward and felt like her legs were rather light compared to how heavy they looked.

Once she walked out the door and down the hall, she was instantly shocked with what she saw. It look like an arena built for gladiator battles. She walked towards the handrail and looked down. "You're welcome to use the arena. It was made for training.... and entertainment. If something were ever to happen outside, I wanted the citizens to have a safe place to find refuge but at the same time I can not allow them to grow weak." The Countess continued.

Ariana griped the railing. "To hunt and survive." She whispered before she jumped down into the arena. Leaving a wide eyed Countess behind. "That's right...." She whispered before she came back to her senses. "Alright then, let's begin!" The Countess shouted with a broad smiled and nodded towards James who was standing beside a panel of levers.

He pulled the first lever upwards and out sprang multiple targets. All in different locations, angles, heights, some were moving while some were stationary and the last few looked to be blocked by obstacles.

"I normally would have archers, berserkers, lance users and spell casters do this kind of training but I want you to use your speed, agility and accuracy to hit these targets. Do not destroy anything but the targets. They have been enchanted to repair themselves every 15 minutes after they have been destroyed. You have that long to destroy all of them. If you run out of time you will have to start again. Now begin!" The Countess shouted as everyone watched in anticipation.

"Rahul!" Ariana growled and the red kitten floated towards her. 'Yes.' He purred as he laid on top of her head. "I need guidance." Ariana mumbled. The kitty rolled onto his back as he stretched out his stubby legs and paws.

'Destroy everything, just go berserk and it'll be over in two minutes, tops.' Rahul replied. Ariana looked at her claw hand, she closed the opened it and watched as her nails slowly extended upwards. "I need to control myself." Ariana said firmly.

Rahul let out a small laugh as he rolled back onto his stomach. 'Humans are lowly beings no better then trash... I say don't listen to their orders and destroy everything.'

"Rahul!" Ariana said with a low roar. Rahul curled up into a ball of her head and lazily watched her and the area with one opened eye. 'You surprise me.... very well, just listen to what your body is telling you and base it on your instincts for now. You won't know what you can do unless you try.' He said nonchalantly, then got up and floated away.

Ariana closed her eyes and started to takes deep breaths. She tried looking deep within herself and found the sparks from before but this time they looked different.

Instead of a twinkling star they now closely resembled flames sitting on top of pedestals. She walked up to the white flame and tried to reach out and grab it but it burst into a bigger, unruly, flame. She stepped back and the flame returned to its gentle state.

Ariana then tried the purple-pink flame, as she reached out the flames morphed into a snake and coiled around her wrist and slithered upwards. Ariana opened her eyes and felt a surge of power resonating in her right claw. She smirked to herself as she crouched herself down. Her tail started moving left and right, in anticipation then she leapt forward.

She moved with high speeds as she struck the first target, smashing it to pieces. She turned and looked at the others, her tail wouldn't stop twitching. She brought it up and saw that small spikes sprang outwards, along her tail. She expand her wings and flew up into the air, with a giant grin on her face she sliced the surrounding air with her tail and the spikes flew through the air.

Hitting each target's bull's eye before exploding into dust. She then looked at her right claw, contemplating on what she wanted to do. She then struck her own chest, a faint purple-pink glow surrounded her body as the lowercase delta symbol appeared on her collar. With an even bigger smile, she flashed her fangs and six, firey, shadow clones appeared around her.

Each one bowed to her and turned away. They saw the other targets and flew forward to each one. Condensing, shrinking, and slipping through all the obstacles. Each one stood infront of the targets, they raised their claws into the air and struck down each target with as much devastation as the original, reducing the targets to mere dust.

The Countess watched without blinking as she gripped the handrail. "Start up the target machine." She ordered without turning to James. He nodded and pushed another lever. "No, I want both going." She corrected and he quickly pulled a third lever.

Gears could be heard and out arose two, small domed guns with a canister right behind them. Ariana watched closely as they appeared and her clones turned towards her for orders. Soon a a bright orange, magic circle appeared on the domes and the guns came to life. Suddenly spiked disks were starting to spit out rapidly.

Ariana moved in bursts of speed as she tried to dodge and attack at the same time. The clones then turned to one another and sank into the ground, leaving only a black circle indicating their position. They moved to the center on the arena and combined.

To everyone's surprise black liquid bubbles started to form and gush upwards. A black blob with a glowing, purple-pink layer all over it finally took form. It opened its beadie eyes, making it look out of place as it blinked. The blob looked solid in a sense and resembled a child wearing a simple ghost but it's eyes were so cute and small that Ariana's body started to tremble with excitement.

The shadow golem stood tall, properly blocking Ariana from the attack from the guns but it's body did not damage the surrounding area. He blinked a few more times, then squinted as his body started to wiggle like gelatin. Suddenly, two thick arms pulled away from his body. He stretched out and placed a mitten looking hand overtop of the guns and absorbed the magic circles, ceasing the attack.

Ariana did an aerial flip and then jumped on top of his head, her body slightly sunk into his gelatinous form. "Madam, what would you like done now?" James said in awe as he stepped beside the Countess. "Something a little bit more fun."