Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

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--|Nuemia Crosswinds|--

--|Chapter 2: Preparations|--

Page 8

After a short silence Court Jester prompted Alex again, "Take both your hands and shape them as though you are holding an invisible sphere."

Alex followed the instructions.

"Now concentrate your energy into the invisible sphere. Oh, and don't be afraid of the tingling sensation. You'll get accustomed to it after a while. I once found the sensation irritating, but now, I rather enjoy the warm, fuzzy sensation of powerful energy pulsing through my appendages."

Alex looked at Court Jester again with confused discomfort. Court Jester just smiled back at Alex with a pleased and hopeful look. "Show me what you can do."

"Do what?"

"Hit me with your energy! Unleash the power within!"

Alex, still not understanding Court Jester's training method threw his hands toward Court Jester, joining them at the wrists. He stood there with his arms stretched toward Court Jester for some time in total silence. Alex was overcome with suspenseful confusion. "Is there something I need to do?"

"Release it! Throw it at me! You have to let your energy go if you want it to hit me!"

Alex attempted to push energy out of his hands. Nothing happened. "I'm not sure I had any energy gathered to begin with."

"Well then, try again."

Alex continued to attempt the energy techniques that Court Jester was trying to teach him. Time and again, he experimented with all sorts of hand and body positions in attempts to determine how to concentrate his energy. Alex tried twisting, tensing, sitting, screaming (which nearly awoke the entire population of Neopolis), swinging, jumping, kicking, stretching, and tumbling just about everything in every direction. Court Jester all the while coached Alex in hopes of accomplishing some sort of progress.

Finally, Alex was so exhausted from all his attempts that he fell face-first on the ground. All he could hear was Ruby's riotous laughter. "Alex! Do the one that looks like you're punching yourself in the stomach again!" she mocked.

Alex was upset and distraught, and Ruby's laughter made him almost feel sick. He slowly began sobbing into his arm. "I can't do it," he cried.

"Well, I did not think you could," Court Jester sighed. "Some are not so gifted as to utilize the powers within them." This only made Alex cry louder. Ruby stopped laughing.

"Oh, stop being such a basket case!" Court Jester scolded.

Ruby looked at Court Jester curiously. "How did Alex become a basket? He looks the same to me."

"No, it just means that he's unnecessarily preoccupied with his own shortcomings."

"Huh?"

"He's sad 'cause he sucks."

"Oh." Ruby said, turning to Alex. "Don't worry, basket, you have you own special abilities. I saw you handle the katana quite well in battle. Perhaps Zero will let you use it again."

"But I'm so horrible," Alex sobbed, "I have no power of my own."

"Dammit, stop being such a child!" Ruby yelled, and she slapped Alex on the head.