Chapter 37
Savannah's POV
I had no idea what that dream was. I guess my mind has been so focused on this topic that I was even dreaming about it. I really needed to stop obsessing with this. I didn't say anything about my dream. Nobody needed to know this. It was nothing serious. When I woke up Gabriel was already gone. He left a note, saying he needed to train the scouts, but he let me sleep. After I ate breakfast I went to look for my dad and I found him in the castle after I asked multiple people.
“Good morning, darling! Is there anything?”
“Morning dad! Yes, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Was there any particular reason you chose to live in Jackson after you left me?”
“I guessed that this question would pop up sooner rather than later. Yes, we went there to protect the source of the dark magic. Your mother didn't trust the Snow family. For the 25 years we've been there nothing happened. Not a single soul entered the town with bad intentions. You're worried about the prophecy, right?”
“Yeah, I think Dalia might try something.”
“You can't stop her until it's time. You can't rush destiny.”
“I just want to be prepared for everything.”
“And you absolutely will be. I think you should join the training in the meantime. It'd be good for you.”
“But I'm not a scout.”
“You have magic and you might need to be trained physically too. You can't always rely on magic.”
“Okay, I'll check it out.”
“They started only an hour ago. There are still two more hours left. The training grounds are down this path.”
“Thanks, dad.”
I followed the path and soon the training grounds came into sight. There were at least 200 people training, following Gabriel's and Ezekiel's instructions. I just stood there and watched until Gabriel noticed me and came over.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, fine. I was just wondering if I could join the training.”
“Uhm, I don't think you're strong enough physically, but if you want you can when we start training with our powers. If you're serious, I can train you physically.”
“If you have time, sure. How long until you start training with magic?”
“About twenty more minutes. Until then you can observe.”
I nodded and Gabriel jogged back to his previous post. In the last five minutes they stretched their muscles. When everybody finished, they formed groups and waited.
“I have some news everybody! The Princess will join us for this part of the training. There will be a little variation to the grouping, I hope it's okay with you.” - everyone said yes.
“Which group am I joining?”
“It doesn't matter. The groups are mixed, stronger and weaker.”
“What about you? Our last encounter was unfair. I really want a rematch.”
“At the end of the training.”
“Perfect! I can't wait to get back at you.”
“You’re confident, but don't forget that I've been doing this longer than you.”
“Yet I almost won last time.”
“We'll see Princess, we'll see. Everybody listen up! After the training session ends you can stay and watch my duel with the Princess. She requested a rematch after last time. Now, you know what to do.”
I looked around and saw a group at the far end of the training ground. They sort of looked out of place. While the other members of the groups were talking among each other, they were silent. When I stepped forward, it was like someone pressed the mute button. They were curious about my decision. Some of them smiled at me, some were expressionless.
“Can I join you?”
“Sure thing Princess.”
“How is this supposed to go? I've never trained in a group.”
“For about thirty minutes we just warm up. One of us will attack and the others have to defend themselves. The catch is that the attacker won't tell who'll receive the blast. The point is to sharpen our reflexes. After the warm up there is the group battle. There are twenty groups. In the first round ten groups can enter the next round, then five, until there's only two left. The group which wins will get the honor to go on a weekly mission with General Gabriel and Lieutenant Ezekiel.”
“Oh, wow. That sounds amazing.”
“It must be for the one who actually wins. By the way, I'm Connor.”
“Nice to meet you all. What do you mean?”
“There are only three groups who have a chance. The others are only excited because they hope that a miracle will happen and they'll be the ones who'll win. Our group will never have that chance.”
“Don't be so pessimistic. What do you say about a trip to the human realm?”
“It'd be amazing.”
“Then let me grant you this wish. I'll make sure our group wins today.”
“You can try, but the chance for that is zero.”
“Can I ask why aren't you talking to each other like the other groups?”
“Princess, we're the weakest group here. There are no angels here with insane amount of magic. We're just ordinary. They wipe the floor with us.”
“Group No.20! Enough talking and get down to business.” - Gabriel shouted.
“All right! Let's start and show them that you're worthy too. You attack me too. Don't treat me like a Princess. As long as we're training I'm one without any ranks. Call me Savannah.”
I felt bad for them. There was nobody who was strong enough to encourage them. They had me now. I'll make sure they win. There was nothing wrong with their reflexes. They quickly defended themselves from the attacks. However, their shields were weak and could barely destroy the magic balls.
“Can I tell you guys something?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“I know the problem. You're not weak, because your magic balls have quite an energy in them. The problem is with your shields, it's not strong enough for a stronger attack. You need to strengthen them.”
“But it's solid.”
“I don't doubt that, but that doesn't mean it's strong enough.”
To test my theory I sent a stronger ball towards them and their shields popped and they ended up on the ground.
“See? This is the problem, not your strength. You strengthen your shields and you might end up in the best five.”
“How do we do that? The General hasn't pointed this out yet.”
“I don't know about angels, but from a witch's point of view it's all about imagination. When I put up a shield I imagine it as a bulletproof glass coated with inches of steel.”
“Same for us too. We have to imagine the shield to conjure it.”
“What material are you imagining?”
“Iron, why?”
“It's not strong enough material. You need to upgrade it in your mind fast. The group battles are starting soon. No matter how strong I am, I'll still need your help. Let's try again. I think we still have a few minutes.”
I gave them a minute to get themselves together then attacked. This time their shields were in place. They did it. I couldn't believe how Gabriel and Ezekiel missed this. After the training I needed to have a little chat with them.
“All right! Let the group battles begin. You know the drill. You have a minute for strategy. Use it wisely.”
“Any ideas, Savannah?”
“Yes, don't let them win. Use your shields, when you have the chance, attack. Nobody talks during the battle. I only want to hear warnings.”
Then with a whistle, a group stepped in front of us. They were our opponents. I could feel the excitement running through my veins. From our group nobody moved. The other group had enough and they attacked. I put up my shield and waited. From the first round of magic balls nobody got knocked out. I used their surprise to my advantage and threw a ball at them. Three of them weren't quick enough to put up their own shields and they went unconscious. Seven more to go. This encouraged the guys in my group and they attacked too. Two minutes later we won.
“I can't believe we did it. Thank you Savannah for helping.”
“It's nothing. Are you guys okay?”
“Yeah. This is the furthest we've ever got.”
“And it's not even the end.”
This has been going on until there were only two groups left. Ours and the ones who won about 60% of the time. Everybody was starstruck, even Gabriel and Ezekiel. We had a ten minute rest and we were instantly talking about strategy.
“This will be the toughest battle. You can't leave me alone. If you go down I'll surrender. The glory won't be mine. You'll have to fight for it. Am I clear?”
“We won't leave you alone.”