Ch15- Abilities

It's been a week since Ryien had been guiding Casey to train his fire ability. Originally Casey thought he could only breathe fire, but he soon learned that the power flowed throughout his body and he could mobilize it in unique ways.

On this day Casey had finally gotten a decent grip on controlling the shape of the firepower in his hand. Ryien watched him on the side with a pensive face. Seeing that Casey could control his power in such a fine way he decided it was time to try the ability test again.

So once more he sat Casey down in front of him and started to guide Casey to mobilize his spirit. As Casey mobilized his spirit, four striking orbs slowly floated in front of his body. As Ryien watched this unfold he was a bit surprised, most people only have one power/talent and gifted people had two, however it was rare to see a creature that had four spiritual roots in the body.

The first spiritual orb was red and orange and looked like a blazing flame; Symbolizing Casey's fire ability. Ryien was surprised when he saw the second orb it was transparent, shimmering, and light but lovely periwinkle color; representing what should be an ice power.

Ryien felt numb looking at it, as the fire and ice are opposing powers and would normally never coincide within an individual. Ryien took a deep breath before analyzing the last two powers, one orb was as blinding as the sun while the other was pitch black as night.

"Casey, what kind of a monster are you?".

Ryien stared blankly for a moment and began to explain what his spiritual orbs represent.

"Starting from the left you have fire ability, ice ability, light ability, and I'm assuming the last one is a space power, but honestly I'm not entirely sure. The space power hasn't appeared in over a thousand years, but based on book descriptions that should be what this orb represents".

For the first time in his life Ryien felt overwhelmed, he knew Casey had amazing potential. However, he didn't expect him to have such unusual, opposite, and rare powers. He didn't know how to go about training him.

Ryien heaved a heavy sigh and stared straight at Casey. "I've never heard of anyone with powers like you, and it's humbling to see honestly. You're very unique Casey, you have four powers and you could honestly pair them as two pairs of opposing forces. But it's gonna be hard for you to train them and I honestly won't have all the answers you need Casey. I will try my best to guide you, but some of this you will have to figure out on your own".

Casey had been watching Ryien nervously ever since the orbs appeared and as he listened his eyes grew wide; in excitement.

Originally Casey thought of himself as a spiritual waste in his last life and this life. Yet now he realized maybe he was too gifted and no one could see it. When he heard Ryien explain his four powers Casey delved into deep thought and remembered the book he and Rose had read. It stated in one chapter that creatures who innately had multiple powers had a much harder time being recognized and the growth and advancement of such individuals were normally much slower.

Casey started to wonder if maybe the powers were connected to the soul and his abilities just weren't recognized in his last life because of his specialness. The thought alone made Casey's heart beat fast; he was never a waste, just no one recognized his hidden potential. Casey sat in a daze dreaming about the past and after a few minutes of reminiscing Ryien slowly called him back to reality.

"Ah". Casey's eyes started to shine. "So what's next Rye?". Taking in Casey's eager eyes Ryien felt a bit complicated. "Let's focus on your ice power next, then the light power after you have complete control over both fire and ice. For your space power, however; I won't be able to teach you. At most I can offer points and vague guidance but you'll have to discover that power on your own".

Casey felt a bit discouraged hearing that but he cheered himself on internally and geared up for their lessons. As Casey and Ryien trained time flew by and by the time Casey finally gained solid control of his fire and ice powers a whole month had passed.

This one month was chaotic for the whole Shera tribe, because of Casey's large spiritual power when he started to focus on training another power his spiritual power lost control once in the village. Which resulted in half the village being covered in a layer of thick ice.

After such a big incident Casey didn't want to train his powers in the village anymore; Casey remembered the big cave he originally stayed in and suggested going there by himself to train. Of course, this was instantly rejected by Mac and Ryien; but Casey was persistent and wouldn't back down.

"If I stay in the tribe maybe my fire ability will spread out of control next and burn down the village. I can't practice nearby, it's better to be in the wilderness". Listening to Casey's words both Mac and Ryien had to agree. After a lot of debate Mac, Ryien, and Casey left the tribe to stay in that cave.

Originally Casey planned to go alone since it'd be uncomfortable for the others and he didn't want to burden them; then Casey changed to allowing Ryien to come with him since he was his teacher; Mac however shot that down in a heartbeat.

"Since the two of you will be busy training I can help prepare firewood, water, and food. It's not too far from the village so I can run back and forth during the day".

So like this, the three ended up having an extended camping trip; and this proved to be the best choice. Casey had lost control of his powers several times and the area around the cave was completely charred and black.

Since the two powers are opposite Casey struggled to learn how to balance the powers and use them intermittently. For Casey, learning to control his powers took a lot of effort and he normally tired out very fast while practicing.

"Well Casey I think you're good to go. Let's move back to the village now and take a long break before training your next power". Ryien felt rather proud of his student and he rubbed Casey's head vigorously while showing Casey a big grin.

Over the time he's spent with Ryien Casey felt he really was like a big dog and he enjoyed being in this odd sort of family of three. He started to wish that Rye would never leave and that him and Mac would stay by his side as long as possible.

So with Ryiens approval, the three made their way back to the tribe. The first they did was go to their rooms to get cleaned up, Mac picked up Casey and carried him to the bathroom.

"It's been a while, how about we bathe together?". Mac gave Casey a slight smile, he had been dissatisfied for a while. Casey normally still curled up with him at night this past month but he had been relying on Ryien a lot more. Mac really didn't like having to share his dragon with that hateful guy; so now he wanted to make his presence strongly known to Casey.

Casey recalled the last bath the two took together and flushed a little bit; he looked up and saw Mac's expectant eyes and found it hard to refuse. "Okay, but I'll wash myself this time" Casey softly whispered. Mac gave a sly look hearing those words and happily agreed.

Casey stared at the bottom of the tub not daring to raise his head, Mac saw his behavior and felt like teasing him. "Ah!". Casey looked toward Mac anxiously after hearing him call out and froze. Mac was naked, not like last time when he still had a towel around his waist. Today he was completely exposed in front of Casey, instantly Casey's body flushed red from his horns to his toes. Casey whipped his head away but the image he saw had already been imprinted in his mind.

Mac smirked as he saw his reaction and chuckled, Casey who heard it turned back a glared at him; realizing he had been purposely teased. In retaliation, Casey stared straight at Mac and didn't flinch away from his sight. Mac felt a bit surprised seeing Casey stare at him so boldly.

Mac walked to Casey and patted his head, He slowly lowered himself into the bath and gazed at Casey before moving close to Casey's ear. He blew a breath of hot air and whispered in a husky voice "I'm sorry".

Casey felt as if his whole dragon was bad, he was a bit sluggish as he replied "I'm fine".Mac still kept a smirk on his face "I think you mean "it's fine". Mac laughed again; Casey kept his mouth shut and finished his bath in record-breaking time before flying to the bed and hiding.

Casey desperately wanted to stop his out-of-control thoughts, so he tried to call out the light power he had yet to train. As he focused his silver scales slowly started to shine. When Mac opened the bathroom door he was blinded by the light emanating from Casey. The light flashed and illuminated the whole house for a split moment before completely going out.

Ryien rushed into their room "did you just use your light power?!". Ryien was a bit excited and he turned his eyes and then caught sight of a naked Mac and his expression twisted instantly. He rushed over to Casey and covered his eyes "go put on some clothes before you make Casey go blind". Mac was a bit mad hearing Ryiens rude words but as he recalled the bath his mood improved and he in good nature said nothing and put on some simple clothes.

Seeing the nudist dressed Ryien turned back to Casey to question him about his light ability only to see that Casey had already passed out; presumably from overdrawing his spiritual power. Ryien sighed at the sight and turned to Mac showing a face full of aggression "come out with me for a bit".

Mac followed Ryien and the two sat at the table. "I think a civil talk between the two of us has been put off for too long, don't you think?". Ryien spoke in a pleasant, tone however his eyes showed blatant threat and hostility to Mac. Mac could obviously see this and he showed a brilliant smile in return. "You're right we have been putting it off, so please allow me to start. Now that Casey can control when to use or not use his spiritual power when do you plan to leave? The danger period has passed, I figure once you teach him control over his light power it should be about time for you to leave".

Ryiens hands clenched into fists; he had no intention to leave, if he could he had the mind to raise Casey as his bride. He held back his frustration and spoke slowly, "I plan to stay until he has a full grasp of the space power, as that's the most worrisome of his powers. Although I can't directly instruct him on how to use it, I don't feel comfortable leaving until Casey can control it. Now I want to ask you clearly; what are your intentions for Casey?".

"He seems to treat you as a brother, do you treat him the same, or are you hoping for a different relationship?". Mac felt a bit confused hearing Ryiens questioning, "what do you mean another relationship? I treat Casey as my family and nothing else". Ryien sneered, "maybe you don't realize that some of your actions are a bit intimate for a family member; especially one that holds no blood relation".

Mac felt he had gone stupid for a moment listening to these words. "I just take care of him as a younger brother, your words are a bit out of line. Why do you care so much anyway?".

Ryien stared at Mac with a deep look, "well if that's the case that's good, more than likely after learning to control his abilities Casey will go through his growth phase and become human. After that happens I plan to pursue him".

Mac felt he must have misheard, "pursue who?".

"Casey of course". Ryiens words lit Mac like a fuse. "How can you pursue a child?!". Ryien looked at Mac like he was stupid, "do you not know? The dragon race growth is unique, after his initial growth, he'll directly be a young adult. Dragons can marry as soon as they go through their initial growth phase, by the standards of the race he won't be a child anymore".

"Forget it, I won't allow an uncouth wild dog like you to chase after him. Even if he is considered an adult his mind is still young like a child".

Ryien sighed, "your people may be the only ones who think so, dragons have inherited memories. Their mental fortitude is strong from birth, although he acts childish after his growth phase he'll quickly mature. You're just holding him back thinking this way".

For the first time, Ryien left Mac completely speechless and he really didn't know what to say. Ryien grinned seeing Mac's lost expression, "so if you understand please back off so Casey has a chance to get close to others. Dragons are a race that stands at the top and should have ultimate freedom, don't try to restrain him with your narrow thoughts and hypocritical family play". Ryien left this sentence before standing up and going to his room.

Mac sat at the table in a daze for a long time, eventually, he slowly got up and went to his room. He stood next to the bed and stared at the small dragon that had curled into a ball at a loss. Mac stayed awake in bed and brewed in his thoughts until late in the night; before he eventually, subconsciously pulled Casey into his arms and drifted off to sleep in a daze.