As the leaves would rustle without being detected behind someone watching you in both the sun-drenched training grounds and the squinting fading sun in the sky.
Currently, Riku stood in front of Kaito. Kaito happened to be Riku's new mentor. After all that terrifying experience of Zarok and Lina, Riku had this passion to grow, to learn all the techniques possible so that he could help his friends when they needed it the most. Kaito had sensed that spark of determination, and he had agreed to have private training sessions without distractions from the village.
"Today, we are going to work on mastering five new techniques," Kaito proclaimed steadily in a commanding voice. "These moves will build up your combat power and give you the advantage in battle. The first technique is named The Elemental Gale. It allows the user to take his affinity for wind together with the flame and water to form an incredibly offensive move."
The excitement clearly shone in Riku's excited eyes. "How does it work?" he asked expectantly.
"Here, Goto-a-clear place," Kaito indicated for Riku to follow him into a clearing surrounded by unaging trees. "Elemental Gale requires one to combine all three at once. Thus, you create a swirling vortex of wind with flames and droplets of water, which can overwhelm your opponents and provide opportunities for subsequent attacks."
Riku promptly focused his eyes toward the task. He took a breath to center himself while he felt energy pulsing through him. He imagined the wind swirling around him, igniting fire to his soul, and the water flowing through him, balancing his will and spirit. With that, he summoned forth a great gust of wind, feeling the rush of plenty of air swirl around him. "Now, channel the fire and water!" Kaito, encouraged.
Riku concentrated on his objectives- visioning the flames flickering within a movement of wind and droplets of water adding to its force. He felt a surge of his flow, and with a growling shout, he threw the wind in front of him. The result was a spectacular explosion of elemental energies that sent rubble into the air and left Riku breathless. "Did it!" he exclaimed, a broad smile on his face.
"Good," Kaito replied, pride hinted in his voice. "But remember, it is in precision and control that the true power of the Elemental Gale manifests. Now, we move to the second technique: the Elemental Clone technique."
Riku grew more interested after Kaito's explanation. "This technique allows you to create clones of yourself made from elemental energy. Just think: the elemental suppresses the limit of normal clones, actually extending the capabilities of that clone in battle."
Kaito demonstrated this by forming several clones flickering with wind, fire, and water, each then performing some elemental attack independent of one another. "Now you try," Kaito prompted.
Riku focused, imaging it indeed into more clones. There was that feeling of energy thrumming when he created three clones, each one made of a different element. "Let's see what you can do!" Kaito egged. Riku and his clones flew into formation for an ultimately unified attack, combining their elementally compounded, scintillating forces. The clones moved fluidly, sending Riku a tidal wave of confidence upon him as he realized he could see the potential in this technique.
"Good job," Kaito said. "Let's continue with the third technique: Elemental Replacement Technique. You replace yourself with any element, be it wind or water; thus, the opponent has to be terribly fast in trying to predict your movement."
Kaito did it aside from being invisible with his surrounding wind as he avoided an oncoming attack. Riku gazed in awe, anxious to try. "Focus on what you want to use to replace yourself," said Kaito. "Picture yourself joining with it."
Riku took a deep breath and concentrated. As an attack came towards him, he turned into a yelling burst of wind and evaded the strike, finding himself behind Kaito. "Now that was impressive!" Kaito exclaimed. "You are picking this up fast." "Thanks Sensei!" Riku replied, his excitement visible. "What's next?"
"The fourth technique is The Elemental Surge," said Kaito. "This technique is about bringing all your elemental energy into one, single, huge strike. It's a summation of everything you've learned so far."
Riku felt all the raw force of the energy pouring down within him when Kaito executed the Elemental Surge: a wild wind-fire-water combination flashed through with a single, heavy, bold thrust out onto the training area. "Now you need to master it." He then concentrated on channeling his elements; he could feel them swirling inside him with fury, until finally, with a shout full of fire and conviction, he unleashed the Elemental Surge. Sure, it was a strong outpouring, but still, Riku had noticed much more remained to be done to achieve perfection.
"Great attempt, Riku," Kaito said, nodding. "Now, for the last technique: Elemental Teleportation Technique. Short distances use elemental energy to teleport. You will speed up stamina-consuming movements a lot by this technique,
and evade attacks, thus making it even harder for his enemies to keep up with you."
Riku's eyes widened at the idea of such a technique. "How does it work?" he asked, his interest piqued.
Kaito explained, "The Elemental Teleportation Technique works by first marking the area you want to teleport to with a tiny elemental marker. Any of the elements you control-wind, fire, or water-can be used to formulate this marker. When the marker has been established, you channel energy into the marker and instantly teleport into that location."
"Sounds awesome!" Riku exclaimed, the potential for such an ability running through his mind. "Let's try it out!"
With a nod, Kaito led Riku to a nearby tree. "First, create a marker with your wind element. Concentrate on the spot you will teleport to and visualize the energy forming a connection between you and that location."
Riku inhaled deeply, calming himself again. He focused on the wind spiraling about him, feeling its energy directed toward the very base of the tree. With a flick of his wrist, he formed a tiny whirlwind that converged into a beautiful shimmer at the base of the tree. "I think I did it!" he said, bubbling with excitement.
"Now, to teleport, focus on the marker you just made," Kaito instructed. "Picture yourself merging with that wind and going into that spot."
Riku shut his eyes, concentrating on the marker. He felt the winds develop into a rambunctious beast around him, charged with energy from his concentration. Then with an obvious focus, he screamed with all his energy to teleport himself. A brief moment passed, and he felt a rush of air; now, upon opening his eye, he was standing at the base of the very tree; thus, a broad smile spread across his face. "I made it! I really did!" he said, exhilarated.
"Very well!" Kaito exclaimed, his eyes glittering with approval. "Now comes the combining of it all: I want you to string five techniques together for a single training session, using the Elemental Gale to attack, creating Elemental Clones to assist you, using the Elemental Replacement Technique to evade, unleashing the Elemental Surge for a great hit, and teleport to reposition as you need."
Riku nodded, the determination rising in him. He felt ready to put his skills to the test. He took a moment to focus and visualize the sequence in his mind. "Here goes nothing," he declared.
He began the attack with an Elemental Gale, creating a vortex of wind, fire, and water directed toward an object far off. Energy shattered into the air with an explosion that sent debris flying, to which Riku quickly followed with creating Elemental Clones who mirrored him and were each ready to send their own elemental attacks.
While the clones charged ahead, Riku prepared for tortoiseshelling. He focused on the following attacks from the training dummies through the Elemental Replacement Technique to evade them. He turned into a gust of wind, traveling past the attacks, and reappeared behind the dummies.
With an almighty yell, Riku blasted forth with Elemental Surge, focusing every bit of energy into one single compressed shot that ripped through the training dummies with those after-effects sending them flying. It had taken him a second to recover from this haunting blow, yet he knew he would summon energy for the next push.
Then, as the dust settled, Riku quietly created a wind-element marker at another safe location. He focused and felt energy trickling in, followed by teleporting to the marker while repositioning for the next attack.
Kaito, truly proud, was watching the growing confidence with which Riku executed all the combinations involved. "This is awesome, man! Keep on going!"
Riku felt energy bursting into him as he kept going from one technique into another. He was no longer just an initiate; he was now turning into a true Elemental Adept. With each technique he successfully executed, he felt the bond between himself and the elements become stronger, knowing that he was closer and closer to that dream of being the protector he wanted to be.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, turning the training ground into a place drenched in gold, Riku finally collapsed to rest, panting with joy. He looked up and saw Kaito walking towards him, pride radiating from him. "You have really progressed today, Riku. Remember, it will take time and practice to master these techniques, but you have the potential to become a great warrior."
"Thank you, Sensei," Riku said, his heart brimming with thankfulness. "I couldn't have made it without you."
"Now just rest for now. We will continue your training tomorrow," Kaito said, placing his hand on Riku's shoulder in a friendly manner. "The road that awaits is rocky but with your determination and the skills you've built, I believe you'll shine."
Walking back to the village, Riku felt he could take on anyone.