Chapter 5

The next morning Chazz goes to wake Jennifer up for training bright and early.  Kairi had fallen asleep in her room as well cuddled up to her big sister sleeping soundly.

Chazz: (Knocks on Jennifer’s door).

Jennifer: (Throws a pillow at the door and groans turning over to sleep again).

Chazz: (Knocks once again).

Jennifer: Go away… I am asleep….  (Puts a pillow over her head).

Chazz: If you are asleep then you could not talk.

Jennifer: (Says nothing keeping her head under the pillow as she face palms).

Chazz: (Knocks a third time).

Jennifer: Five more minutes….

Chazz: Fine.

Jennifer: Yay….  (Closes her eyes to try and sleep again).

Chazz: (Walks to get Hiki still in his room and then walks back to the room knocking once again).

Jennifer: One more minute….

Chazz: It has already been ten minutes.

Jennifer: But I do not want to get up… Mornings stink….

Chazz: That may be true, but you need to get up.

Jennifer: (Groans).  Go away.  (Throws a stuffed animal but her arm hits something looking seeing her sister is there sleeping beside her).  How did you get here?

Chazz: Hiki would you kindly.

Hiki: (Enters the room happily with a nod).

Jennifer: (Still is looking at her sister confused trying to remember how she got there but is slowly remembering through her sleepy mind).

Hiki: She fell asleep in your bed last night after talking to you plus we are trying to wake you this early because we are going to train on how to control your power better.

Jennifer: (Looks over at Hiki a bit confused).  Hi umm… Why you are here?  (Rubs her eyes).

Hiki: To get you up like I just said.

Jennifer: Oh well I am up I think… I will go.  (Says rather grumpily).

Hiki: Good, that saves us the trouble of getting Tori.

Jennifer: Wait… What were you planning?

Hiki: To jump on you!

Jennifer: Please do not.  (Points at her sister being a little nervous now).

Hiki: (Jumps on Jennifer anyways).

Jennifer: (Is pushed down into the pillows being taken off guard but fully awake as a result).  Gah!

Kairi: (Wakes up alert as well).  Sis!

Jennifer: (Pushes Hiki off her and onto some stuffed animals on the bed and helps Kairi sit up).  Are you alright?

Kairi: Who is that person…?  Who is that with Chazz?

Jennifer: Umm she is umm.

Chazz: She is Hiki.  She is our newest maid who wished to serve Mis Jennifer, so I decided to train her.  I had asked her to jump on her and this gentleman next to me is a close friend of mine, Tori who wished to visit for a little while since he is passing through town.

Jennifer: (Looks in shock at Chazz but then glares).  You told her to jump, I was already up.

Chazz: Well, I needed you to get up though this would be more fun for her being her suggestion.

Kairi: (Shrugs then gets a mischievous smile on her face once getting an idea).

Jennifer: So, will you let me get ready for today then?

Chazz: Of course, come Hiki let us leave the ladies to their business.

Hiki: (Giggles a little bit).  yes sir!

Kairi: Hey Chazz?

Chazz: Yes, young madam?

Kairi: Have you kissed Jenny yet?

Jennifer: (Stumbles back in shock blushing madly).  What!

Chazz: No, I have not and believe me I would remember such an event.

Hiki and Tori: (Both stare at Jennifer instantly).

Jennifer: (Hides her face blushing in the blankets).  No… He had not.

Hiki: (continues staring and giggles more).

Jennifer: (Slowly hides under blankets more).

Chazz: Well young madam, is there anything else you need of me?

Jennifer: No… No just leave me here forever….

Chazz: Forever?

Jennifer: Yes forever… Now go.

Chazz: Umm as you wish madam.  (Leaves with Hiki and Tori following behind him).

Jennifer: (Blushes under the blankets still).

Kairi: (Gets up and looks at Jennifer pulling the blankets off her).  What did you do?

Jennifer: forget about it!

Kairi: Aww come on tell me please?  (Continues teasing Jennifer about whatever had happened as they get ready but eventually leaves to her own room).

Jennifer: (Tries to calm down he flustered composer before leaving her room).

Chazz: (Waits outside Jennifer’s room in the hall with Hiki and Tori who go back into their sword form).

Jennifer: (Gets changed into a simple shirt and pants and grabs her bow lastly).  I can hear you outside, come in.

Chazz: Milady let us begin your weapon training out in the forest, shall we?

Jennifer: Very well.  (Opens window to jump out of it but before she does, she sees Chazz had not followed her).  Are you coming?

Chazz: (Sighs).  Milady there are people looking at you now.

Jennifer: … very well (closes window and blushes being embarrassed seeing a few people outside giving them a small wave like nothing had happened).

Chazz: We will head out the front door.

Jennifer: Very well….  (Leaves with Chazz heading to the forest).  So, I have wanted to ask this but how do you talk to your swords and how do they turn into people?

Chazz: Well in a way I guess I always could because they work like my conscience, my yin and yang.  They were always there so I was able to talk to them.  I could not fully until the head butler taught me how.

Jennifer: Huh… I wonder if my bow can talk to me….  (Looks down at her bow).  Could you show me how?

Chazz: That is why we are here today.

Jennifer: Ohh so how are you going to teach me?  (Looks at Chazz even more eager now).

Chazz: (Once entering deep in the forest).  First let me separate the outside area from this area.  Tori if you would?

Tori: Yes sir.  (A shadowed dome shaped barrier surrounds the area).

Jennifer: (Looks around amazed).  Whoa… Hiki, Tori I learn another of your powers every day.  It is fascinating.

Chazz: Well, it takes time to discover them and long amounts of training though this dome limits me to only use Hiki since Tori is upholding it.

Jennifer: I see… What do I do now then, do we fight?

Chazz: No, no we do not fight.

Jennifer: (Gives a rather confused look).  Then what do I do?

Chazz: Try to think.  Has there ever been a second voice in your head?  Since I have both light and dark, I have to two spirits.

Jennifer: I am not sure… When I listen, I listen to many animals at a time…. Wait it is true… I have my bow but when I call out its name, I also have two swords…. I remember every time I would use my power and my emotions start losing control a voice pops into my head giving advice….

Chazz: Well since you have one entity at first but two spirits in both of my swords should allow the powers, I have to be divided but having one spirit is just as powerful so we will see if we can embrace your spirit to fully awaken

Hiki: (Goes into her human form).  Just focus on the voice and embrace their existence.

Jennifer: I’m not sure, it’s like whoever it is doesn’t want to come out.  I do not know why but it is like they are forcing themselves to stay away.

Hiki: Well then force them out the good old-fashioned way.  Enter your own mind and create a space for you and the spirit to enter.

Jennifer: Or maybe I can bring them out here?

Chazz: I would not, it would cost you a lot of energy for a first time.

Jennifer: Alright I will do my best.  Now do I start by meditating?

Chazz: Yes, that is why we are in the forest.  It should be easier.

Jennifer: Oh, a question before I start what ever happened to the head butler?  He hasn’t been around recently and now that I look back, he was really good with these types of things.

Chazz: He is serving your parents at a different location right now.

Jennifer: I always wondered why he left without saying goodbye… I remember having my last lesson with him and that is when I learned my powers to where they are now….

Chazz: Because he wanted you to learn and discover more of them on your own.  I am just telling you the same things he told me.

Jennifer: Very well then… Here goes nothing.  (Sits down to get comfortable).  Shizen….  (Glows and her clothes and eyes becoming greener).  This may help.

Chazz: A little bit.

Jennifer: (Closes eyes taking a few deep breaths).

Chazz: (Stands with Hiki and waits).

Jennifer: (Entering her mind opening her eyes to a completely dark room she tries to navigate through).  where am I?  Hello is anyone there…?  Hello?

??????: (She hears a woman’s voice sounds strong and a bit mature yet somehow maternal).  You shouldn’t have come here.  Go back to your body where it’s safe, go now.

Jennifer: Are you Shizen?  Please I just want to learn from you.

Shizen: I am but I must stay away from you.  I cannot go out in your world again I am not sure if it is for you to handle quite yet.

Jennifer: How am I not safe?

Shizen: It is for your safety now leave before you repeat history with such a wild power you have yet to tame.  Do not come any closer.

Jennifer: What happened that was so bad?  (Walks forward anyways).

Shizen: No stay back!

Jennifer: But I want to learn to protect the ones I care about.

Shizen: I said stay back.  You cannot control my energy for certain and do not send me out there.  I will not be able to guarantee I will be able to stop you again if you are not ready.

Jennifer: Why are you so afraid?  (Reaches out and touches something and a green glow shines and reveals a giant grey wolf with green eyes with vines and leaves covering it).

Shizen: Don’t come any closer!  You will lose control of the wild once again.

Jennifer: (Looks into Shizen’s eyes).  Again?

Shizen: Listen to me carefully… Do not look behind yourself no matter what for that is where your fears are shone….

Chazz: (Notices Jennifer looks like she is getting uncomfortable watching her meditate).

Jennifer: (Looks behind her curiously).  What?

Shizen: (Sighs).  I suppose you have a problem listening… Very well if you think you are ready then so be it… It will be a difficult test to pass.

(Her sister Kairi appears though fogged and blurred).

Jennifer: Sis… Why are you here?

(Her sister runs towards her and a figure pushes her away).

Jennifer: No do not touch her!

Shizen: I must get out of her mind before she loses it in outside her mind.  (Fades from Jennifer’s mind a bright green light blinding Chazz as a giant grey furred wolf with green eyes like emeralds appears in physical form meanwhile Jennifer grits her teeth still meditating wolf fangs forming in her mouth as if anger is boiling up). Now who are you?

Chazz: I am Chazz; I am the butler of this young lady here.

Shizen: I see… You need to leave.

Chazz: But I cannot do that.

Shizen: If you do not you may die.  Why are you here anyway?

Chazz: I am here to help milady become in tune with you.

Shizen: Do you realize what you are doing?

Chazz: Yes, I do.

Shizen: I advise you to run now.  This is your last chance to.

Jennifer: (Starts fidgeting a little bit as if a nightmare).

Chazz: Hiki light barrier now around milady.

Shizen: You have spirits… I see.  Good how skilled are you?

Chazz: Well, you will find out.

Shizen: If you wish to stay fine then.  (Looks towards Jennifer).  Beware if her eyes glow red, she won’t be in control or hear you through such a wild energy… Perhaps she is ready to best it this time.

Chazz: Well then, I am prepared for the worst.  I did not tell her this on purpose.

Shizen: (Sighs).  Very well, I just hope she is strong enough.

Jennifer: (Starts to glow green with her eyes still closed).

Chazz: We will see.

Shizen: And do not worry about if she strikes me, I will not die this time.  I will go back into her mind though that will make it easier or harder depending.

Jennifer: (Glows even more, making it hard to look her way).

Shizen: Do not let your fear get the best of you Child.  (Stands back by Chazz watching Jennifer carefully).

Chazz: (Watches as the glowing intensifies in the barrier).

Jennifer: (Stands up, her eyes still closed and looking down).

Chazz: Hiki take the barrier down.

Jennifer: (Her face remains emotionless as she lifts her head up walking forward a few steps).

Chazz: Milady?

Jennifer: (Walks forward more, Shizen backing up as she moves closer.  Shizen starts circling as she grips her bow tighter and opens her eyes which are red).

Chazz: I see then, Tori come back.  Lock her down.  (A shadow zero in on Jennifer’s body and forces her to the ground becoming restrained).

Jennifer: (Remains emotionless as she pushes her hands upward to get up slowly able to sit up then stands).

Shizen: Be careful.  (She growls).

Chazz: Hiki rejoin with Tori for a second.

Jennifer: (Draws swords instead of her bow and with a blink of an eye slashes at Shizen.  Shizen grabs the sword in her jaw making her move away then slashes at Chazz).

Chazz: (Blocks with his normal sword of HikiTori).

Jennifer: (continues slashing at blinding speeds to a normal person).

Chazz: (Blocks with ease).

Jennifer: (Picks up speed and power as she fights).

Chazz: (His swords turn both colors to keep up with Jennifer’s movements).

Jennifer: (Backs up switching to using her bow at the same speed, Shizen pushing her from behind knocking her forward not even on the ground for a second as she fires at both with her bow).

Shizen: (Stands in front of Chazz blocking the shots).  Save your energy.

Hiki and Tori: (Leaves their swords fully ready for battle).

Shizen: (Looks back being taken off guard by a realization).  You have light and dark spirits?  (Howls in pain, as an arrow hits her leg from that moment of looking away and seeming shocked when seeing Hiki and Tori).

Chazz: Yes, this is Hiki.

Hiki: Nice to meet you!

Chazz: And this is Tori.

Tori: Yo.

Chazz: Hiki you are support of healing since you are faster at that, Tori you and I are front lines.

Shizen: You may be able to help her with this her after all….  I have to go back soon so I will trust you can stop her.  (Still being shot at acting as a shield for them).

Chazz: (Chazz Hiki and Tori get in the front lines and block the shots while Hiki heals).

Hiki: No spirit left behind!

Shizen: Thank you but if I can help in this, I may be able to stop her through her mind.  It is not much but I can at least guide her through taming this wild energy.  The only problem is there is no guarantee she will listen and me being there may make her more powerful.  Do you think you can handle it?

Chazz: Do what you can in what you trust.

Shizen: I will do my best, now be careful.  (Fades away Jennifer’s arrows stopping as Shizen disappears).

Chazz: It is up to you.  Do you trust your master enough and do you also believe in what I can do for?  I am only a butler.  I fight for milady.  If she strays off the path, I will help guide her like you should too.  (Waits to see what happens).

Jennifer: (Glows again lifting her bow but disappearing and reappearing behind Chazz with blades instead but Chazz vanishes as well then sees Hiki and Tori charging at them, but they as well vanish.  Looks around then uses nature around her to look for them and finds one firing her bow again).

Chazz: (Charges forward in a direct assault).

Jennifer: (Shoots an arrow and disappears from sight and reappearing next to Hiki bow aimed to her head.  The bow shakes as it is drawn with a slight of hesitation).

Hiki: (Stares at Jennifer).

Chazz: (Stands next to Hiki with Tori and grabs the bow).

Jennifer: (Does not let go of it, still drawn towards Hiki but tears form slightly but suddenly goes back to how they were before hopping away).

Chazz: (Chases after her with Hiki and Tori).

Jennifer: (Starts to glow more and stops, yelling ragefully as vines come up and grab all three of them).

Chazz: (All three of them struggle to rip through the vines being taken off guard).

Jennifer: (More vines come up growing faster the more they cut.  She then she drops to her knees the vines slowing down as it looks like she is trying to stop).

Chazz: (Feels the pressure is loosening and then the vines fall).

Hiki: (She is able to cut her way out of the vines and their hold.  She runs to Jennifer as she lands and holds her).

Jennifer: (Tries to get away, her head lowered so no one can see her face).

Hiki: (Catches her not letting go).

Jennifer: (Grabs her sword almost hitting Hiki but stops like before with hand shaking like something is holding it back).

Hiki: (Puts Jennifer’s hand down as Chazz and Tori stand by her as she is beginning to cry a little bit).

Jennifer: (Her other hand tries to punch but the same thing happens again only thing is a figure can slightly be seen holding the fist back with all its strength).

Hiki: Please be calm… Stop scaring everyone… Go back to being the nice girl that you are… Please….

Jennifer: (Tears form in her eyes which still glow red but other than that she remains emotionless.  The figure holding the fist to stop it becomes a little clearer but still like a green shadow).

Tori: (Helps the shadow push her away).

Jennifer: (Pushed back what looks like her shadow nodding to Tori leaning by Hiki giving her a hug).

Hiki: (Holds on tightly as she cries into its shoulder).

Jennifer: (The shadow stands up helping Hiki as well then goes towards Chazz and Tori nodding as a thank you.  She then turns to the other her rampaging as she stands drawing her own bow).

Tori: What the hell is going on!

Chazz: Milady is fighting herself….  Her fear, her shadow.  It is the same thing I did for you two.  It wasn’t fun or easy, but I won, and I believe milady can too.  Hiki you cannot interfere this is something only Jennifer can do.

Hiki: But, but-.

Chazz: That is an order Hiki unless we need to interfere, we will not.  Even if it hurts from watching it.

Jennifer: (Looks at herself as the bow fires blocking it with just her hand several times before her hand goes in a motion like drawing a bow.  The shape of a bow forms and glows green.  Each bow fires but hit each other’s arrows splitting both arrows in two each time the shadow switching to swords and rushing forward having dodged every arrow).

Hiki and Tori: (Both watch worriedly and impressed at the same time).

Jennifer: (Both have switch to swords going a blinding speed all of a sudden disappearing from sight.  The bad version of her appearing behind Chazz only to be blocked by the shadow appearing but one sword hits her arm everyone watching in shock.  The shadow loses a sword but keeps blocking struggling backwards Chazz blocking with her, but he is pushed away).

Chazz: Tori I believe I have been rejected by a shadow.  I do not know how to feel about this.

Tori: You get used to it.

Jennifer: (Shadow is brought further back blocking one sword but the other isn’t blocked bringing her arm up on instinct but the other sword cuts through the shadow of her arm disappearing but still blocks after that she backs away kneeling).

Hiki: Are you alright Jenny…?

Jennifer: (Gets back up revealing she only has one arm but gets ready to attack again.  Hiki and Tori insist on fighting but Chazz stops them.  The shadow reaches for the ground, vines covering where her arm were as she attacks back keeping up again but the vines weighing her down.  One of the swords hits the vines making them break away to reveal her other arm had grown back looking like nothing ever happened to it looking at it her shadowy appearance becomes more visible.  They continue fighting the shadow pushes the other back everyone able to see a basic shape of the things she has with her.  She starts to push the other her back getting a few cuts but the other one getting a few cuts in as well then look at everyone watching the bad her racing towards them to attack but her true self blocks her away becoming more visible now able to see her features better).

Chazz: You can do this Madam Jennifer.  I know that you are stronger than this thing.  You can win this now, believe in your own strength and fight to protect all the people that you care about the most.

Jennifer Looks back at Chazz smirking and dashes towards the other her this time she is attacking and the bad version of her blocking.  Becoming even more visible now everyone able to see she looks exactly like the other her only the good, true one has eyes that glow green and the bad one has red.  Suddenly, the bad her vanishes as she swings only leaving clothing to fly at her and looks around seeing a wolf come out of the shadows, eyes red and it pounces at her.  She does the same turning into a wolf.  Both fight at a speed impossible for normal wolves but the true one still pushes the other back.  Both get hits in and the good one fully visible.  Animals come to watch the fight and her sister sees the fight, but no one had noticed her presence follow them from the begging.  The other Jennifer bites down on her shoulder as the good one bites her back.  The bad one backs away each of them circling each other.

The good one attacks first pouncing as she overpowers the other her who keeps trying to get away the good ready to give the final blow.  She swipes her paw to finish the fight the bad version of herself vanishing like it had been the real shadow.  Once finished with the battle she stands in wolf form walking towards everyone looking beat up but still stands proudly as Chazz, Hiki and Tori clap.  She walks to Chazz limping a little bit but still standing proudly.

Chazz: Well, done milady.  I knew that you could do it.  (He says with a great proud smile).

Jennifer: (Smiles but then falls, passing out right in front of Chazz losing her form as Hiki drapes a cloak over her to cover her unclothed body).

Chazz: Tori we are taking her home… And young madam I know you are there.

Kairi: (Ducks her head again in an attempt to hide).

Chazz: Get over here Kairi.

Kairi: (Timidly comes overlooking slightly afraid and curious).

Chazz: Now why are you here Miss?

Kairi: J-Jenny always disappears… And I wanted to know what you were doing….  (She stutters tearing up thinking she is in trouble).

Chazz: You are not in trouble.  I did not tell you because you would have gotten hurt.

Kairi: What was that… Was that really my sister doing that?

Chazz: In all due time I will explain this to you.

Kairi: Can I do that… And is the other one dead, did sis… Kill her or it?

Chazz: No, you can say she fought herself to see who would win and the true madam won.

Kairi: I see….  (Looks very disappointed).

Chazz: Why do you look sad?

Kairi: (Pouts).  I was hoping to find you two kissing but all I got was seeing this weird power stuff.

Chazz: (Sighs shaking his head).  Yes, yes sorry to disappoint.

Kairi: You could kiss her now.  (Hope is in her eye, putting a begging face on).

Chazz: I cannot do that.

Kairi: (Pouts again).  Why not?

Chazz: I cannot do it to her if she has not agreed.

Kairi: (Smiles).  So, you do like her then.  You said you would if she agreed then right?

Chazz: I never said I would though.

Kairi: … Would you?

Chazz: No, I would not.  As much as I care about milady, I could never bother her with those feeling.  I am only a butler; she is a lady of the family.  She deserves someone better than me.

Kairi: (Looks down sadly).  I do not understand….  Why does a noble have to be with another noble?  If she liked, you would you think about going out with her?

Chazz: No, no it is not a rule.  Certainly, there are people who have dated their masters, but it is up to them and their feelings, also I want to make sure she is happy, and I don’t think I can offer her that.

Kairi: I see… So, I take it Hiki and Tori are not normal people either?

Chazz: No, they are not.  You can say they are people of my mind in a way.  They are special to me.

Hiki: Nice to see you again!

Tori: How you doing?

Kairi: (Stares at Hiki and Tori with a mischievous smile).

Chazz: No, you are not using them for one of your dating plans.

Hiki: We must listen to him; he is our master.

Tori: What she said.

Kairi: (gets a giant innocent smile).  No, I was just wondering if you two were going out but thank you for the idea.

Chazz: No, you were not young madam.  I know how you think sometimes.

Kairi: (Pouts).  Aww.  (Hops over to Hiki and Tori with a bright and curious smile).  But are you going out?

Hiki and Tori: no!

Kairi: Aww no fun.  You look cute together.  Oh well….  So why are you not dating?

Chazz: They are practically the same person just different genders and a bit opposite in personality.

Kairi: So, they are like brother and sister?

Chazz: In a way they are like brother and sister I suppose.  Yes, in the simplest way that I can think of to explain it, that is it.

Kairi: Well can you teach me now how to fight like that!  I can do it!  I want my own power!

Chazz: Not yet but maybe someday in the future when something like this has awakened.  Then I can do my best to make sure that you know what will happen and what is happening.

Kairi: Why not?  I can try right now… Let’s see sis started by sitting in meditation so I will do that.  (Sit down looking determined and stubborn).

Chazz: not now, I will teach you one day.  Let us get milady back to the house.

Kairi: (Still sits there stubbornly closing her eyes).

Chazz: I will ask Miss Jennifer to help also it would be much better plus you would get your weapon training you wanted.

Kairi: (Her eyes open happily).  Really then when she wakes up tomorrow!  It’s getting late, I think.  (Yawns stretching her arms).

Chazz: We will see.  I cannot guarantee anything.

Kairi: (Ignores the last thing Chazz says and run away back to the mansion).  Alright it is a deal!

Chazz: Oh, this is going to be a problem….  (Picks up Jennifer who has her cloak draped over her like a blanket as she sleeps peacefully, he takes her to her room, Hiki tucking her in).