Alex braced himself for the attack but nothing happened. Nothing emerged from the brush and the feeling of something moving stopped.

  “Very good, but we need to work on your defense,” Kelile said, breaking the silence.

  “That was you?” Alex asked, turning to look at Kelile.

  “Yes,” he replied simply.

  “But it felt like an animal, or something,” Alex said, confused.

  “You will learn to manipulate the earth to do that as well,” Kelile said. “Let’s continue with your testing.”

  “Okay, what do you want me to do?” Alex asked.

  “Let’s see, how about turning the ground to rock thirty meters out,” Kelile said.

  “Thirty meters?” Alex gulped. “I don't think I have ever gone that far.”

  “You should be able to do that in your sleep. I am telling you Alex. You are a lot stronger then you know,” Kelile replied.

  Alex furrowed his brow and nodded. “Alright.” Sitting back down he closed his eyes and placed his hands on the ground before him. Okay, I can do this, He thought to himself. Focus my will on what I want.

  Kelile watched as Alex’s hands began to glow brighter and brighter until they were almost a blinding light. Then suddenly, like a shockwave, the ground rippled outwards from his position changing to rock as it went. Kelile focused his kulsom to feel for the boundary of the rock that Alex pushed out and was surprised when he felt it stop.

  “Woah,” Alex said after taking a deep breath.

  “Indeed,” Kelile replied. “That is a bit more than thirty meters.”

  “Yeah, just a little,” Alex said, slightly stunned. “I have never pushed it that far before.”

  “Fiftytwo meters is pretty impressive for a pure will, but we can improve on that,” Kelile said. “Go ahead and return it.”

  Alex nodded and closed his eyes again. His hands flashed and the ground rippled once more, returning to his natural state.

  “Very good,” Kelile smiled. “We will work on your power stances. That will help to focus and strengthen your will.”

  “Power stances?” Alex asked as he stood and walked towards Kelile.

  “Yes, there are ways in which to move your body that help you connect with the earth, allowing your will or intentions to flow better,” Kelile said.

  “The things you did with your hands when I first met you?” Alex asked his memory, flashing back to the scene of Kelile opening his hands palms down then raising them skyward, as he did that a wall of hardened earth rose between them and the general’s men who were trying to capture Alex.

  “Yes, it is another thing that you would have been taught as a child,” he sighed. “I will, of course, instruct you on it now though.”

  “I really missed out on a lot from my childhood, huh?” Alex said softly.

  “I am sorry to say that had things not run the course they did you wouldn’t even be here right now,” Kelile replied. “I am sorry I could not stop the attack that took your parents. That started all of this.”

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  “Twenty two meters that way,” Alex said, pointing his finger.

  Kelile smiled, “Very good. Even when having conversations you should always be on alert. Now copy my movements.” Kelile stood straight up and put his hands in front of him, palms touching with one hand pointing up and the other pointing downwards.

  Alex did as he was told and mirrored his movements. Kelile then picked up one of his feet and extended it forwards with his toes touching the ground. Alex wobbled as he attempted to copy the practiced movements of Kelile. He then traced the ground in a half circle around him waiting on Alex to follow suit. Alex shakily mimicked his actions.

  “Hmm,” Kelile said, dropping the stance and watching Alex. “We may need to start you on some basic balancing.”

  Alex sighed, “I am a scientist. Exercise was not on my priority list.”

  “Clearly,” Kelile laughed.

  “Hey I am not that out of shape, just you know not ‘being a fugitive’ shape,” Alex grumbled.

  “Well we need to fix that. On top of training your abilities we need to train your body. You will also see that your body being in shape will help you with your abilities,” Kelile said. “Let’s continue.”

  Alex and Kelile trained until the sky grew dark. Sweating, Alex yawned and his stomach grumbled.

  Kelile laughed, “I suppose we should call it there. Let's head back and get some dinner.”

  “That sounds like a great idea,” Alex agreed, as he turned towards the cabin. It was a quiet walk back. The silence only broke when Alex would note disturbances in his kulsom range, and Kelile affirming his callouts. As they walked into the cabin they made their way straight to the kitchen. Alex grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

  “I can't believe how exhausting this is,” he said, chugging the water.

  “Well it hopefully wont be for long,” Kelile said leaning on the wall. “What would you like to eat?”

  “A roast with all the fixings,” Alex drooled.

  “Ah, yes that would be nice. However, I don't think we have that in the fridge,” Kelile replied, pushing off the wall and walking towards the fridge. “The best I can do is hamburgers and fries.”

  “That works,” Alex answered. “I do have to admit though, I sure miss the food from the campus. They had just about anything you wanted to eat.”

  “Sounds nice,” Kelile replied as he dug out the needed items for their meal.

  “Well especially for a guy like me. I can’t cook to save my life,” Alex laughed.

  “I did not cook when I lived in the capital. Granted I did not have time. Being on the run though, has forced my hand to learn some basic techniques,” Kelile said, twirling a frying pan before setting it down on the stove top.

  “Was there a big community kitchen or something in the capital?” Alex asked

  Kelile sighed, “The kitchens of the capital were like that. Anything you wanted they would make you.”

  “You must miss it, huh?” Alex asked.

  “Everyday,” Kelile answered, then turned to look at Alex, “But now that you are here we can get it back.”

  “You really think so? Is there anything left to get back?” Alex questioned.

  “Oh, the capital is still standing. It is just being occupied by our enemies,” Kelile spat. They chatted idly about what it was like in the capital before the attack while Kelile cooked. Once the food was done they ate and continued talking.

  “Oh man, that was really good,” Alex said, leaning back in his chair.

  “I think you were just hungry, your highness,” Kelile smirked.

  Alex rolled his eyes, “I told you not to call me that.”

  Kelile laughed, “You best get used to it, that is who you are.”

  Alex grumbled, “It just sounds so weird. Thanks though, for talking about the capital and stuff. I wish I could have seen it.”

  “Not to worry,” Kelile said as he stood and grabbed their dishes. “You will see it once we get you back on the throne where you belong.”

  “Right and that will happen once we find out who took it,” Alex sighed. “On that note I am going to wash up and head to bed. Thanks again for dinner.”

  “Of course,” Kelile replied as he cleaned up.

  After his shower Alex laid down and closed his eyes.

  “Alex,” whispered a voice.

  “Yes?” he answered.

  “Alllleeeexxxxxxx,” the voice called again.

  Alex sat up, placing his feet on the stone floor. “What the…?”