It didn't take long to do our homework, so Reverenth decided to start his training before dinner. He decided to begin with the unorthodox fighting techniques. And he put me through the wringer. Reverenth had us fighting in a partial transformation, and he showed me how to use our wings and tails in a fight.
"Use your tail to help you maintain your balance. Just like you would in a full transformation." Reverenth instructed as he knocked me down yet again.
"I'm trying." I yelled as I got up yet again.
"You need to try harder. The war will start in roughly ten months. That's not a lot of time to learn everything necessary to limit the number of casualties that will occur." My new instructor stated.
"Do you really think that I don't know that? I'm only 14 and a half years old, yet I'm expected to be a King of two species. Not to mention the fact that I'm expected to lead three species into war. I'm trying my best considering that this hasn't been a part of my extra education until now." My frustration had reached its peak when Reverenth threw a punch at my face. Subconsciously, I grabbed his arm with my tail. Then I twisted it before throwing a punch of my own.
Hearing the satisfying sound of his nose breaking, I shifted back into a human before going inside. Miranda was sitting in the living room watching TV with my brothers. She started to get up once she saw me, but Josh held her back.
"Let him take a shower and calm down first. He's beyond frustrated right now, and it'll be easy for him to take it out on others." Josh quietly explained. I hated that he was right, but I was also glad that he helped explain it to Miranda. The last thing I wanted was to hurt her. After my shower, I went downstairs in time for dinner.
"That was a good punch, Andrew. Turns out, you learn quickly when your angry."Reverenth commented as we sat down at the table.
"And I would appreciate it if you didn't punch me to that point again." I replied flatly.
"Unfortunately for you, I will do it again. I heard about your anger issues. Consider this as dual training. Training your fighting techniques and helping you to keep your cool. That way you can still fight to your best while angry." Reverenth said, stating his intentions plainly.
"May I ask something? Why are you pushing Andrew so far?" Miranda asked before taking a bite of her meatloaf.
"Because he needs to know what I'm teaching him. And he doesn't have that long to learn it." Was the response that he gave. I knew that I needed him to prepare me for what was coming, but he didn't have to be an ass about it.
"Oh, Andrew. Before I forget, Alex will be picking you up after school tomorrow. Your therapy session is at 4 o'clock." My mom said after she swallowed her bite of mashed potatoes.
"Okay" I said, taking a sip of water.
"Why are you in therapy?" Reverenth asked, confusion on his face.
"Because I have PTSD and anger issues." I said in a 'duh' tone.
"You don't need therapy. Honestly, you just need to vent your anger. It can also help you work through your trauma." Reverenth said, telling us his opinion on therapy.
"And that's another reason why you're not my parent." I grumbled in response. This man was constantly testing my restraints on my anger.
"So, what did he start teaching you today?" Jacob asked, speaking for the first time since dinner started.
"His definition of unorthodox fighting. He had us sparing in a partial transformation." I said, my frustration returning.
"You can be frustrated at me all you want. However, my family, the Blacksteel's, were the ones to teach the original King how to fight. Since Magnis can reincarnate, his fighting knowledge is still there. It's just buried because he hadn't had to use it for hundreds of years. My job is to bring it back to the surface." That was the first bit of information that Reverenth gave us about himself. If you think about it, then he had a reason to be an arrogant ass; but it didn't make it any easier to deal with him.
"Oh, Reverenth. Just so you know, Saturdays are training free days. My brothers, Jacob, and I are in a band. Saturdays are when we have to be at the Recording Studio. This is non-negotiable." I stated plainly. He can torture me every day of the week, but I'm not giving him my Saturdays.
"That's fine. I was going to give you the weekends off anyway. Too much training will cause you to burnout."Reverenth said, easily agreeing to free weekends. He might be insufferable, but at least he can be reasoned with.
After dinner, Miranda, Jacob, and Amber left to go home. As I walked Miranda to her car, she paused and turned to me. By the look on her face, I could tell that something was really bothering her.
"What's up, babe?" I asked, using a nickname that she liked.
"I'm worried that he's going to turn you into something that's not you. He's already said that he plans to push you until your anger explodes. You losing control is a fear that I have." She explained, leaning against my chest as she spoke. I understood her worries. It was a fear that I had as well.
"No matter what happens, I will always be me. I won't let someone change me into something that I'm not. And I'm not going to let my anger issues control me. That's another thing that I refuse to let happen." I replied with conviction.
"Promise?"Miranda asked softly, eyes watery with unshed tears.
"Promise." I said firmly while kissing her forehead. Miranda and I might have been dating for three days, but it feels like I've known her for years. Her safety is something that I hold on the same level as my family. It's something that I will ensure before my own.
I stayed outside until Miranda's car was out of sight, then I went back inside. My parents, godfathers, and Reverenth were still at the dining room table, but my brothers were gone. Hearing me re-enter the house, my dad called out to me.
"Andrew, can you please come here? We would like to talk to you." Dad said, calling me back into the room.
"What's up, dad?" I asked as I sat down.
"We need to talk to you about your plans for the thrones and this upcoming war." An unknown and disembodied voice said.
"Who's that?" I said, raising my guard.
"I'm sorry for surprising you. That was not my intention. Let us introduce ourselves. My name is Bruce. I'm a Bear Ayakashi as well as the temporary King until you decide to reclaim the throne." The voice said.
"And my name is Drew. I'm a Fire Dragon as well as the temporary King until you decide to reclaim this throne as well." A second voice said over the phone that was on the table.
"You already know me, but it's good to talk to you again." Alpha Jacobson said.
"We called Reverenth a few minutes ago on a conference call, because we had some questions to ask you." Bruce said, explaining the reason for the late call.
"Alright, what would you like to know?" I asked, sitting back in my chair.
"The first question is simple. What do you plan to do about the thrones?" Drew asked, sounding reluctant to hear the answer.
"That's simple. I'll be reclaiming both thrones next month." My response made Bruce and Drew gasp in shock. I guess they weren't expecting me to reclaim them so soon.
"Alright, now the second question. What do you plan on doing about this war?" Bruce asked once his shock had eased a bit.
"Well, I have to wait until I've reclaimed the thrones to see how many fighters will be willing to fight with me. I know I have the support of the Werewolves, and my Uncle Bartholomew will be in charge of the Human soldiers. However, we can't make an effective plan until we know our full numbers." I said calmly.
"That's fair enough. Do you have any questions or concerns that we might be able to help with?" Bruce asked as the call was coming to an end.
"Yes, I do. I don't want my family caught in this war. My mom and brothers can't fight and I don't want them to be used against me." I simply stated the biggest concern that I had.
"We have safe houses all around Picantia. If you would like, we'll separate them into two houses. That way, they won't be easily tracked." Drew offered in a polite tone.
"I would greatly appreciate that. That's something that can be done closer to when the fighting will break out. Now, do you have any more questions for me? If not, then good night. It's a school night and I need to get some sleep." I said, then waited patiently for a response.
"A school night? How old are you exactly, and what grade are you in?" Bruce asked, shocked.
"I'm 14 and a half years old, and I'm in the 9th grade. You don't have to worry, though. I've already gone through the Inheritance Process." I said before getting up. "Good night." This was the last thing I said before going to bed.