Chapter 111 The Thought That Counts

The wind blew strongly as Kali spoke, "there's something I need to tell you, and it's a secret between us."

"What is it?" Lucas asked, "I promise I won't repeat anything you say."

"I will be gone for a while," Kali sighed, "the person who trains me, wants me to meet the other dragons."

"But, aren't you scared?" Lucas asked, "you know that they're all much bigger than you, and stronger too."

"I guess I am a little bit," Kali admitted, "but I want to see them anyway."

Lucas took a deep breath. He noticed that his heartbeat was beating faster than usual.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.

"Yes," Kali said, "I think it's time I met the other dragons."

She stood up and began walking away.

"Bu-but Kali, when are you coming back?" His voice stuttered for a moment.

"I don't know," Kali replied, "when the time comes I will come straight back here." She paused and looked at Lucas, "thanks for being there for me, I know you will miss me."

Her words struck Lucas, and he felt an empty feeling inside. He wanted Kali to stay forever, but he knew that she was needed elsewhere. They both came here together and he thought that they will stay together until the end of the game, but no matter how hard he tried he could not change anything.

"It's okay," Lucas smiled, "I'll always be here waiting for you to return."

Kali nodded and smiled sadly, "Goodbye Lucas."

He stood up and watch her leave, then he took a deep breath, 'when you will come back, I will be stronger than now. I promise.' His gritted teeth were silent as his mind raced through the possibilities.

As the sun began to set, Lucas sat on top of a cliff to watch the sky turn red.

"I've got to start studying soon," Lucas muttered, "maybe I should practise casting."

Various thoughts were on his mind, right now. He knew what he needed to do, but the empty abyss he felt inside his chest was hurting him, 'what if something happens to her?' This thought couldn't leave him alone.

The reason why he wanted to become stronger was part of protecting Kali, so she wouldn't need to get hurt. Until this day, Lucas felt the guilt in his heart after their very first fight in the Goblin village. He didn't want to look weak ever again, he promised to become someone better to protect her.

But what to protect now if she's gone? What about the others, are they leaving too? He needed to get the answers immediately.

Lucas climbed down from the cliff and sprinted towards the dorms where he was staying to question master Luu.

"Master Luu," Lucas asked, "are they all going to leave me here?" Anxiety grew in his stomach, "am I alone?"

Luu was looking into Lucas' eyes, "they are not leaving," he answered, "but they are far away."

"Far away?" Lucas repeated, "why?"

"Because," Luu continued, "everyone needs to find their flaws before continuing their journey with you. It's not only you that needs to become stronger, but they too."

"You mean, everyone has to go away and train more?" Lucas asked, "then I'm still alone."

"You're not alone," Luu laughed, "we are together, remember that, and you have Peri."

"Peri?" Lucas asked confused.

"He's your friend, no?" Luu leaned his head to the side, "if the avatar is not your friend, then who is he to you?"

"I don't understand," Lucas admitted, "I was told that Peri is my friend, but he's not."

"Well, maybe you're wrong," Luu said, "he is your friend, and you can trust him."

"How can I trust someone that's so dangerous?" Lucas asked, "how long had we known each other?"

"Long enough," Luu shrugged, "now, let's stop talking, and show you some exercises."

****

Lucas followed Luu's instructions, and he was able to discover the true meaning behind these techniques. Every single one of them was focused on boosting the power of his body, and he started to feel his muscles burn after each of them.

When he finished his training, he was tired out completely, but he felt rejuvenated.

"That was great," Lucas panted, "thank you for everything."

"My pleasure," Luu smiled, "but now I've got something else to teach."

Lucas perked up, "yes, please."

"Okay," Luu chuckled, "this might seem like a useless exercise, but it actually helps you to control yourself and focus on your breathing."

Lucas nodded, "okay."

"First," Luu explained, "you need to sit down in a comfortable position."

Lucas did as instructed.

"Now," Luu said, "try to relax your entire body."

Lucas kept his eyes closed and concentrated on relaxing.

"Good," Luu praised.

The source of this content is nov/el/bin[./]net'

Then he opened his eyes and saw that Luu was standing in front of him. He took a deep breath and felt his body getting warmer, and then Lucas heard the sound of water splashing  into the air.

"What is happening?" Lucas asked.

"Just try to calm down," Luu advised, "keep breathing slowly."

Lucas listened to his mentor's advice, and he felt his body becoming warm all over. Then he felt a wave of heat enter his whole body, and he realised that he was starting to sweat.

"Good," Luu grinned, "keep doing that."

Lucas breathed in and out, focusing on his breathing as he felt the warmth spread throughout his body. After a few minutes, he heard a splash of water again.

"More?" Lucas asked.

"Yes," Luu nodded, "more."

Lucas took another deep breath, and he felt his body getting hotter. He tried to hold back the feeling of the sweat running down his face, and he felt his body temperature rising.

"Good," Luu praised.

Lucas felt his forehead starting to get warmer, and he felt his heart rate increase.

"Keep doing that," Luu encouraged, "do you feel your body burning?"

Lucas nodded, and he felt his heart beating faster.

"That's good," Luu continued, "your body is trying to adapt to the high temperatures."

Lucas felt his heart pounding louder, and he was sweating even harder.

"Don't worry," Luu reassured, "you'll be able to handle it."

Lucas kept focusing on his breathing, and he felt his body becoming hotter and hotter.