Chapter 13
Thirteen
After checking on Lenny, who was in much better spirits than yesterday, Orion led me to a boutique where a kind Celestial took my measurements to design my wardrobe for training and the trials personally.
We had lunch at a cafe, where servers wait on you.
There aren’t any meal tickets; rather, you order whatever you want and pay with silver coins that are earned as a reward for hard work.
My reaction to the new experience amused Orion.
Then, after some light begging, he agreed to a stroll across the bridge I had been admiring from my apartment.
He informed me he only agreed because the bridge was along the way to the training grounds, but I like to think that I’m growing on him.
Orb lights reflect across the crystal structure.
Combined with the sweet fragrance wafting from the flowers, the entire scene feels like a dream.
“Tell me about your magic?”
Orion strolls by my side with his hands in his pockets, lost in thought.
“Hmm?” He casts a glance in my direction, maintaining his walk.
“Oh, our powers? All Astrals can summon a star and star-shoot. I’m able to heal quickly and help others.
We can also sense and influence emotions.
” I stop walking, giving him a dead stare.
Has he been reading my emotions? Worse, has he been manipulating how I feel?
“Don’t look at me like that; I haven’t influenced you at all. You’re sassy all on your own. We also receive the power of our star sign. I’m an Aries, meaning I can use fire.”
Woah.
I bite my cheek as I process his words. “And the Celestials?”
“They’re at a lower level, so they have fewer powers.
They can’t star-shoot, but they can heal, physically and emotionally.
” That explains the calming energy from my healer when I first arrived.
“They receive their star power, too. When you win, this is what you’d receive as well.
And before you ask, the Kosmos can do everything I just mentioned, but they also hold the power of every astrological sign. ”
“Sounds like an absurd amount of power.”
Tone clipped, he responds, “Not out here.” Noted.
“Will you show me your fire?”
“If you ask nicely.” His grin is wicked—such an ass. “That will have to wait.” He tilts his chin towards the field beyond. “Now I get to see what you can do.”
“I’ve completed nothing like this in all my existence.
” My hands are poised on my hips as I take in the utterly obnoxious obstacle course sprawled before me on the training field.
The grounds are expansive. A running track is further back on the right side with a sparring ring directly across.
There are weight racks, benches, and open areas for bodyweight workouts.
The looming obstacle course overshadows the training grounds.
A shorter version of the running track is set in front of varying levels of ramps, hanging rings and bars, and more beyond that I cannot make out from my viewpoint on the ground.
I’ve considered myself physically fit, but this?
This is an entirely new level of fitness.
And in this outfit? “Seriously, Orion. How am I supposed to complete this?”
“Well, Sunshine, take your shoes off for starters. Then you’re going to run really fucking fast for a lap and launch yourself up onto those dangling rings. Then you’re going to pull yourself up, pick a weapon of your choice, and dismantle the target. Simple.”
Yes, so simple. Couldn’t we do a puzzle instead? I remove my shoes and hair clip before wiping my palms on my thighs. “I’m not sure I can do this.” Best-case scenario? Orion will be entertained.
Hands on my shoulders pull me back to the present. His hazel eyes bore into mine. Linen and lotus wash over me, and I breathe it in deeply, unashamed. With such assurance, he says, “Today, you will.”
My heart squeezes with his confidence in me. I give a slight nod in return. “Today, I will.”
“Swift and strong, Zellie.” He pulls a timer out of his pocket. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I exhale loudly, steadying my mind. Three, two, one… Go!
My feet slap against the synthetic rubber as I attempt to control my pacing.
I don’t want to burn out too quickly, but I’m also not a runner.
I will do this. My hair whips wildly in front of my line of vision.
Three-quarters of the way through the lap, an ache develops in my side.
I need to push only a bit more; I can see the ramp leading up to the rings.
They sway in the air, teasing their ease. Come on, Zellie.
Pumping my arms, I increase my speed and run up the ramp.
I jump just before the ending, my body propelling upwards and forwards with my arms outstretched.
Got them! I close my fingers around the rings and swing back and forth from the momentum.
I attempt to pull myself up, but I’m lacking in upper-body strength.
My palms are slick with sweat, and I adjust my grip, trying once more to no avail.
The ground below threatens to swallow me whole.
“Damn it!” I cry, my frustration apparent.
This will not work. Hanging from the rings, I eye the platform I need to reach and blow a loose strand from my face.
Maybe if I swing my body, I can jump and haul myself up.
Fuck it, it’s worth a try. Kicking my legs in front of me, shoulders screaming, I pump my lower body back and forth.
As my body carries me forward, I jump and latch onto the side of the platform with my hands.
In what I’m sure is the most graceful way possible, I gain purchase.
First with my elbows, then up to my stomach, until I’ve rolled my entire body over and I’m staring at the galaxy orbiting above.
My body heaves with the effort and pain that experience entailed.
“Not done yet, Princess!” Fuck off, Riri.
I slowly get up and examine the rack of weapons available.
This is a joke, right? I’ve never held more than a butcher’s knife.
An unmoving mannequin top taunts me about fifty yards away.
A bow and arrow can’t be too hard. Wrong.
I can’t get the arrow to sit; instead, I watch it fall to the ground every time I try to get the bow situated.
Deciding to give the spear a go, I underestimate how heavy the weapon is and the aerodynamics at play.
While I manage to toss it, the spear wobbles and falls almost instantly.
My frustration is bubbling to the surface, threatening to spill.
Wanting to get this stupid assessment over with, I snatch a dagger up, surprised at how light the weapon is in my grip.
I wind my hand and flick my wrist forward, propelling the dagger towards the mannequin.
Lo and behold, the target is struck—and not too far from the center of the target—much to my surprise.
I laugh in bewilderment, peering down at Orion. “Did you see that?”
“Sure did, Sunshine! You’re a natural!” I climb down the set of stairs on the opposite side of the platform and meet Orion below. “You did great, Zellie. This is an excellent starting point for us.”
Not good enough. “I need to work on my physical strength.”
“We will, but you have a solid base. Your quick thinking with the rings and that platform? Genius. I can’t believe how well you did with the daggers!
We’re going to practice more with those, too.
” He’s giddy, and the excitement is contagious.
He pulls me in for a side hug. “I’m proud of you. ” I’m proud of myself, too.