As they walked into the training room, Jasmine had so many thoughts running through her mind and so are the others. She had thought in her heart, about what kind of training Stella wanted to give them and if that is what they needed right now. To her, shouldn't they be finding a way to bring the vampire queen back or finding a way to get the great book of the witches when it finally shows up?
Every one of them had different thoughts running through their minds but the same vision and reasons for thinking. To Ariana, getting the book before it gets to the hand of any other person should be their priority. Isn't that the reason they are here in the first place?
Jamal had thoughts of going to see Rachael. They should be on their way to see Rachael who will be helping them know where the book will appear and what to do when it finally appears.
Jabal wanted to know where the book will be found when it finally appear and the main reason behind the abduction of the vampire queen.
Kelvin also had the same thoughts in mind too. He was also curious to know why the vampire queen was abducted and why they had to suspect his mother. He wanted to know what the book entails to have drawn so many people's attention.
Ryan was curious to know what harm comes with the great book of the witches. He had a rumor that the book had the will to control whosoever holds it. He heard he harmful it will be to the holder. He was told that the book can only be kept by the white witch. And the only white witch he knows is Jasmine. He was worried something might happen to her. He doesn't want her to lose herself like she did when she learned too many spells.
Stella knew what was in the minds of the kids. How troubled their heart is. She did not bring them to the training room because she wanted them to train. She had brought them here because she wanted them to clear their minds of their troubles.
"Pick up your sword," she said to the confused kids. They obeyed and each of them picked a sword.
"Jasmine and Ryan will face each other. Ariana and Jabal. Kelvin and Jamal. Jasmine over there. Ariana, you should be by the side, and Kelvin, you stand here" she pointed to the point she wanted them to be.
Every one of them took their spot. "Greet," she said and they bowed. "Take your position," she said. "Now listen. Do not see the person in front of you as your enemy. You are not attacking your opponent directly. You are to attack their fear. Find out what their fear is and then attack"
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "How is that possible. How can we see their fear and attack it"
Stella smiled. "That is yours to find out. Mine is to prepare your mind. You need to be ready to go over to Alaska Arias"
"Is that the name for the spirit world of Alaska?" Jamal asked and Stella nodded.
"Your mind must be free from all your pain, your fear, and your sorrow," Stella said
"How will we know when we are ready?"
Stella walked to the only available couch in the room and sat down. "You will feel it. Now get to work. We have to drop by at a place before heading to Alaska Arias"
They took their position ready to attack.
**
They had been fighting for over thirty minutes but they are yet to find their fears and fight them. They had been going easy on each other. Stella had paired them up that way because she knew how difficult it will be for them to let go and fight each other.
Knowing that a time would come when they would be faced with situations like this and they would need to make a decision.
She knew that decision would be difficult for them and their ability to learn how to let go now will help them in the future. She wanted to teach them how to let go when necessary now so they won't have to make nasty and hasty decisions in the future. She stood up.
"How long are you going to keep holding on?. Remember the person in front of you is not your enemy. Your fears are. Fight them off now that you've got the time or they will weigh you down and become a barrier to you. Fight!!! Harder"
They reposition themselves and began to fight again. "The longer it takes you to fight your fears, the stronger and greater they become. Fight! Fight off your fears"
They knew how difficult the decision would be for them. Even though Stella had told them not to see their opponent as the enemy but as their fear, they still could not attack so well.
To Ryan and Jabal, they could see the one they love and not their fear, and hurting the ones they love will break them. The same goes for Jasmine and Ariana. Hurting Ryan and Jabal is like hurting themselves.
Kelvin's fear was not to fight with Jamal, but seeing Ryan and Jasmine together weakens his heart. He felt so hurt he could not fight well with Jamal.
Jamal could not fight Kelvin well because he fears he might hurt Jasmine's mate. His love for his sister is what prevents him from fighting Kelvin.
Stella had paired them together in the perfect way. She was beginning to worry they will not see past their love for one another and do the needful. She was afraid they will keep holding on and not let go and they should. She sighed. If they don't pass this test, there is nothing else they can do.
As they fight, they began to see their fears. It was like their eyes were opened to reality. But how are they expected to fight their fears? they thought.
"I should not see him as the one I love but the one who can hurt me," Jasmine thought.
"This isn't Jasmine standing right in front of me but my greatest fear that I need to right", was Ryan thought.
With this, they both charge at each other with great effort.
"Standing right in front of me is not my mate but my fear of losing her. She is stronger than I think her to be and will take care of herself" Jabal thought.
"I can't keep holding unto Jabal if I need to let go. If we are meant to be, he will return. Jabal will not want me to keep holding unto him if it's a must that I let go of him" Ariana thought.
They had both found out what their fears are and were ready to face them.
"I know from the start that Jasmine is in love with Ryan. But she is my mate and will always belong to me. Our mate bond will get stronger and draw her closer to me. I should patiently until then and while I wait, I should not let her love for Ryan distract me" Kelvin thought.
"I am not fighting with Jasmine's mate but with my fear. I need to conquer my fear to be able to keep loving her" Jamal thought.
They also have been able to see what their real fears were and were ready to attack them. Stella watched in awe as they fought one another with passion. They were smarter than they thought them to be.
One after the other they pierced their opponent with their knives and they fell to the ground. They were startled to see their opponent dead on the floor, yet standing right in front of them.
"H-how is this possible?" Jasmine asked, stuttering.
Stella smiled. "I told you they weren't your opponent but your fears. You just killed your fears. Congratulations" Stella said and they wondered in awe. Did they just pass a test they thought they would never pass?
They hugged themselves, one after the other, congratulating themselves on a job well done.
"Can we go to Alaska Arias now?" Ariana asked.
"No. Like I told you before, we need to visit a place before leaving for Alaska Arias"
Jasmine groaned. She had thought they would be going to Alaska Arias already. She couldn't wait to see what that place looks like. She had read in books how beautiful that place was. "Do we have to visit a place first?"
Stella nodded. "We need to get a pass to Alaska Arias first"
"A pass?" Jasmine asked furrowing her brows.
Stella nodded. "Yes. It is the only way to Alaska Arias"
"And what if we can't get the pass?" Jabal suddenly asked and everyone nodded. They had not thought about that but saying Jabal say it, made them reasoned it.
Stella folded her arms. "Anyone who doesn't get the pass won't be able to visit Alaska Arias with us. And..."
They furrowed their brows. "And what?" They asked in unison.
"And will miss going to Alaska. He or she will not be able to experience what it feels like to be there"
"What are we supposed to do when we get there?. I mean the place we are supposed to get a pass from?" Ariana asked
"Yes. Are we supposed to get prepared or something? Maybe prepare for a test?"
Stella smiled. "As you all grow older, you get more curious I can see"
"Just tell us already. I am as curious as the girls" Jabal said.
"I'm curious too," Ryan said.
Stella smiled. "If you are that curious, how about you go get ready for the trip. Pick as many things as you think you will need. It's a long journey and we will not be returning until after we visit Alaska"
They returned to the cafe to get their things. After they had gotten the things they felt they needed, they joined Stella and they began their journey.
**
They had walked for a while amidst bushes with no houses in sight. There was silence except for the chirping of the birds and the rustling of leaves.
"Do you think we are getting very soon?" Jasmine whispered to Ariana.
"I have no idea" Ariana answered.
"I can't see any house or village close by" Jabal whispered to Jamal who nodded in agreement.
"I don't think we are getting anywhere closer" Jamal whispered back.
Kelvin who had been watching how the rest related to each other decided to have a word with Ryan. He was the one walking closer to him and since he was bored and needed someone to talk to, he decided to say something to him.
"How long have you known them? I mean Jasmine, Ariana..."
"I understand what you mean" Ryan answered and Kelvin muttered an oh.
"Why are you suddenly interested in knowing how long I have known them?" Ryan asked instead.
"I am only trying to start a conversation. But it seems you are not interested" Kelvin answers, adjusting his bag.
Ryan muttered some words and there was silence.
"Do you think..." Kelvin made to ask Ryan some questions but the look on his face made him stop.
He wondered why Ryan is acting this way to him. Unlike the rest who seems to like him, Ryan could not hide his disliking him.
"Maybe he doesn't like me because of Jasmine," he thought. He was sure that was the reason. There had never met before so Ryan has no reason to dislike him. He can only do that because he happens to be his rival.
Jasmine turned to look at Ryan. She moved closer to him and handed him a bottle of water. "You look dehydrated. I add some glucose to it. You should drink up"
Ryan took the bottle of water from her and smiled. "Thanks"
Kelvin who had been watching, could not hide his jealousy. She should be doing this to him and not Ryan. Though he tried as much as he can, not to get jealous, the mate bond made it difficult.
"We are here" Stella announced and their jaw dropped.
Right in front of them were waterfalls of different colors. There was a star in the middle of each waterfall that separates the up part of the water from the down part.
The place where the waterfalls were, was brighter than the rest of the surroundings.
"What sort of place is this?" Ariana asked in awe
Stella smiled. "You are about to find out"