Chapter 36 - The Devil's Soupbowl

I turned to stare at my reflection in the full length mirror. The body armor, or what little there was of it, made my willowy figure look like I had curves in all the right places. Wearing it might not be so bad after all.

But I refused to admit it out loud.

"Do something with your hair," Serenity called over her shoulder. "I'm going to go change and then I'll meet you at the car."

She'd assumed, of course, that I had the ability to find my way through the maze she called a house.

Tired of being told what to do, I ignored my hair as usual. Leaning in to the mirror, I decided something was definitely missing. Fishing through stacks and stacks of make-up, I scored charcoal colored eyeshadow and thick black eyeliner – which I layered on extra, extra dark in case it pissed Serenity off as much as my mom.

Satisfied with the raccoon look, I pulled my hair over my face. Nothing seemed to irritate adults more than teenagers wearing heavy makeup and hair covering their faces.

I glanced in the mirror one more time at the creature staring back at me with the evil grin. I looked horrible. Horribly perfect, that is.

It took a few exasperated tries, but eventually I figured the way out of the house. Just as she'd promised, Serenity patiently waited for me beside the Jaguar. Wearing yet another floor length purple dress, she had a billowy black velvet cape draped over her shoulders with the hood pulled up.

I tried not to laugh. "Are you serious with that thing?"

She shrugged, turning around to face me. "So? I like capes."

When her eyes landed on mine, she frowned. No, scratch that. Not a frown exactly...more like an epic scowl.

Point for me.

I watched as she wrapped a long purple scarf around her neck. What is it with her and the color purple? I shook my head and prepared to start the engine.

There was just one tiny problem.

Without being angry or scared, I had absolutely no idea how to turn on the power. I just ended up waving my hands at it like some kind of crazed lunatic.

"What are you doing?" Serenity finally asked, lifting a brow.

"Trying to start the car. What does it look like I'm doing – knitting a sweater?"

She laughed. "Why don't you use the key?"

"Duh!" I rolled my eyes at her. "I would if I had one."

"Did you check the visor?" she asked calmly.

All I could do was glare at her. "Do you have any idea what kind of car this is? It's a Jaguar. Trust me, no one's going to be stupid enough to hide the keys in the..." Before I knew what was happening, Serenity reached inside and tossed me the keys. Never taking my eyes off hers, I caught them with one hand. "Visor," I finished.

She smiled. "Can we go now?"

I threw the keys back at her. "You drive. I don't know where I'm going." Before she had a chance to argue, I hopped in the passenger seat.

"Nice ride, by the way," she said, closing the door and removing her hood. Turning the key, she put the car in drive and took off squealing the tires.

I turned around and saw a thick cloud of smoke. "Um, how about we don't call attention to ourselves in a stolen vehicle?"

"Don't worry. The police won't bother us."

I looked at her confused. "How can you be so sure?" I glanced at the speedometer. She was going 100 mph down Westnedge Avenue. "What if they catch us speeding and give you a ticket in a stolen car?"

She shrugged. "I can get out of it."

Narrowing my eyes, I said, "How?"

She grinned proudly. "Simple. Powers of persuasion."

"For real?" I blinked at her in surprise. "You can do that?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"It's simple. I compel the officer and he doesn't remember why he pulled me over."

"That's cool. What else can you do?"

She gave me a devilish grin. "That, and a whole lot more."

I felt a ping of jealousy. "Will you show me?"

"Of course. Where do you think we're going?"

I shrugged. "How should I know. I'm not the one driving."

Serenity pulled onto on Highway 131 and headed North. Pressing the accelerator all the way to the floor, the Jag took off like a rocket. Less than thirty minutes later we took the exit heading back toward Hastings. Once again I found myself on twisty-turny country roads, white-knuckling it as she sped around Gun Lake and followed the signs to Yankee Springs Recreation Park.

Now I knew where we were. What I didn't know was why.

Parking the car in a deserted lot, Serenity turned off the engine and hopped out. I climbed out next and attempted to follower her, until she disappeared along a dense hiking path that cut through a heavily wooded area. The further I walked the more tall, creaky branches of maple trees embraced overhead, almost entirely blocking out the sky to form a creepy tunnel as if trying to draw me in from which there was no escape.

I gasped out loud when an owl screeched ominously above my head, making me sprint just to catch up to Serenity. "What are we doing here?"

"Where's your sense of adventure?" she proclaimed, eyes sparkling in the early morning twilight.

I frowned. "I left it in the car. You didn't tell me to bring it."

Serenity headed up a steep hill, moving effortlessly along the hiking trail freshly carpeted with brightly colored leaves. With her hood off and her long raven hair captured by a sudden crisp breeze, the ends of the scarf tied around her neck fluttered out behind her like delicate purple wings.

The ground tilted and swayed as I stumbled through the dense forest. Dry, brittle pine cones and prickly pine needles made crackling noises under my feet as I managed to trip over every fallen tree limb and rock in the path. Good thing I had boots on, but the stupid high heels didn't help my balance much.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled the cool air that smelled both earthy and piney. I might have even enjoyed the brisk walk if the gentle breeze hadn't turned into a dreadful wailing wind that moaned through the trees like ghostly voices of tortured souls. Nearly naked limbs shook over head, rattling like bones from the cold wintry touch.

I broke out in goosebumps and raced up a hill where I found Serenity waiting for me at the top.

"Where are we?"

Extending out an arm, she proudly announced, "This is called the Devil's Soupbowl."

The sun finally decided to peek out over the horizon, magically turning night into day. I stared in awe at the formidable pit that was over nine hundred feet wide and filled to the top with brooding water as black as oil.

Instinctively, I stepped away from the edge.

"My mom used to bring me out here when I was a kid, as did her mother before her," Serenity explained. "Ancient rituals performed here by witches for centuries have given the Devil's Soupbowl special healing properties. After you have successfully defeated Vycandor, I will bring you back here and attempt to heal you."

I eyed her curiously. "Why not heal me now?"

"Because I don't know how long it will take, and you still need to be trained. Besides, I have a feeling the sooner you return to the castle to save your friends, the better."

She still hadn't explained how she expected me to do that.

"Come, there is much more to see," she insisted, taking off on yet another trail through the forest.

If possible, the hike became more challenging as the rocky paths narrowed and the hills became even steeper. I started breaking out in a sweat, grateful for the cold air that brushed my cheeks like windblown kisses.

Before long, the ground beneath my feet leveled out again when we came to the top of of a scenic vista – overlooking a magnificent canopy of woods that stretched out as far as the eye could see.

Serenity's enchanting face beamed in the morning light. "This is Graves Hill."

I blew out my breath in a huff. "I get that nature is beautiful and all, but why bring me all the way up here?"

She flashed a reassuring smile. "Training."

Doubt flickered in my mind. I stared at the clearing spread out on top of the hill and pointed. "Here?"

Serenity nodded. "We need room to work on your powers without being seen. This site is located in the middle of over 5,000 acres of forest. Trust me, we need the space. I also think it's a good idea for you to be trained on a highly elevated area so you don't send an energy blast through someone's home."

My eyebrows shot up in alarm. "I can do that?"

"Yes, you can. Although your powers are still in their infancy, your potential is unlimited."

"Okay, I'm ready," I said, heart racing with excitement.

"Not so fast. Before we begin, take a few deep cleansing breaths in order to concentrate on calming your mind."

"I need my violin to do that," I argued.

Serenity tossed me that look of hers that said she wasn't messing around.

I closed my eyes. Taking in a deep breath, I blew it out slowly – feeling myself relax. Repeating the process a few times, I actually felt my heart begin to beat normally again.

"Cool!"

"Good." She smiled proudly. "The mistake you have been making is that you let the power control you. You must be the one who controls the power."

"So, that's why I accidentally blew up my room?"

Serenity smiled again. "Precisely. You were not in control. All you have to do is remember three things. First, thought is a form of energy. Second, everything in the Universe is composed of energy that never dies, although it can and does change form. Third, energy can move other energy."

I nodded my head in agreement to show her I was paying attention for once.

"Think of the your mind's energy as thought waves flowing from your brain in a circular stream. As you manifest your power, see it connecting with what you want to move."

Serenity walked about twenty feet away and then turned around to face me. "Begin with me."

I gasped. "What if I hurt you?"

"You won't," she insisted. "Take a deep breath, then continue to concentrate on your breathing. This time, keep your eyes open and focus on me. As you continue breathing, you will find your body's own unique rhythm. Once you have found it, hold onto it. This is called your center." She paused to point at me. "That's why the middle of the armor is missing. To make sure it doesn't block your energy."

"So that's why I'm half naked," I groaned.

Ignoring me, she pointed at my feet next. "Immerse yourself in your center and ground by imagining that your legs are the roots of an ancient tree. When you feel you are ready, you can then turn your focus outward."

I nodded, although I wasn't entirely sure what she meant. My legs are trees?

"Your doubt shackles your abilities, Chaos," Serenity warned, voice severe. "Open yourself up to the possibilities of infinite power. You manufacture your own fears."

I thought about Beastie and Grim. "Oh, trust me. I had help manufacturing them."

A tight frown drew down the corners of her mouth. She had a strange way of appearing wisely sophisticated, yet extremely deadly.

"Do not break your concentration," she hissed. "Vycandor will surely seek out your weaknesses and use them against you. He will try to force your hand and make you feel vulnerable. If you let him...if you loose your focus...then he will make you his prisoner. Forever!" She shouted the last word as if nothing she'd said before scared me.

She was wrong.

I was scared. Terrified in fact. Her words – full of warning – had a corrosive effect on my nerves. Debilitating fear grabbed hold of me, threatening to never let go.

As if reading my mind, she said, "Chaos, stop worrying. I'm here to help you. When you open your mind, you eliminate your fears. Have faith in yourself and trust in your power."

I walked around in circles to get control of my nerves and regroup. When I recovered, I met her gaze confidently. "Okay, I'm ready."

Serenity smiled at me reassuringly. "Now take a deep breath and remember to control your breathing. Find your center, ground yourself, and remember to relax."

I did what she said and felt a weird kind of electric shiver roll through my body like a wave. I couldn't help but grin like an idiot.

Standing motionless in the distance, she held out both arms. "Good, now try to push me."

I concentrated on the wave of energy, seeing it as if it were a blue flame in my head. Using my mind, I watched as the flame spread out toward her. Energy rippled from my center, down to my fingers. I pulled back, feeling the heat burn inside of me. Unable to hold onto it a second longer, I let go and watched the flame rocket toward her at lighting speed – striking her directly in the chest.

At first, Serenity only stared at me in stunned silence. I watched her expression slowly melt into pleasure, making me light up inside.

She grinned. "Very impressive."

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Now I want you to try it again. Only this time, aim for that rock." She pointed to a medium size boulder on the top of the hill. It made a nice sized target. "Just see if you can move it."

I inhaled deeply and held it. Concentrating on the rock, I blew my breath out slowly until I found my center. This time it came easier. Next, I ground myself and turned my focus outward. No longer worried about hurting Serenity, I decided to increase my energy. This time electricity mixed with something close to fire sizzled through my veins, turning the deep blue flames a bright orangey-red.

I held the power inside as long as possible. Carefully extending an arm, I shot the energy directly into the rock. Instead of moving, I watch it explode sending large chunks sailing into the air, while others careened down the side of the hill sounding like a rocky avalanche.

I glanced up at Serenity sheepishly. "Oops, my bad."

She smiled. "I think you're starting to get the hang of it."

I picked an even bigger boulder and repeated the process. This time when I released the energy, nothing happened.

Serenity shrugged. "Maybe you missed."

All of a sudden the earth started to shake and the boulder exploded. We both hit the ground, covering our heads with our arms as pieces of rock rained down upon us. Once it was over, we both stood up and stared in awe at the destruction.

"Now, that is what I call a delayed reaction," I proclaimed with a huge grin on my face. Blowing stuff up felt wonderful.

"Do you think you can do that to me?" Serenity asked suddenly.

"What?" I choked, shaking my head. "Blow you up? I don't think so." How the hell could she even ask me that?

"Don't worry. One of my many abilities is power absorption. Trust me, you can't hurt me." Serenity walked over to stand where the enormous rock had been only moments ago. "As you become stronger, I must gauge your strength in order to identify what needs improvement."

I looked at her doubtfully. I couldn't bring myself to do it. "What if I hurt you?"

She seemed irritated. "How will I know if you are strong enough to defeat Vycandor unless you show me?"

"I can't do it," I choked, attempting to swallow a huge lump in my throat and failing miserably.

"Do you want me to send you to battle Vycandor experienced and confident in your abilities, or not?" she asked insistently.

I rolled my eyes at her. "Duh."

"Then show me how powerful you are. And don't hold back."

I heaved a sigh. Who was I to question her methods? Even if they did seem a bit drastic.

Here goes nothing.

I took a deep breath and concentrated while I calmly allowed the power to rise up inside me. Drawing the energy deep inside, the flames becoming hotter and hotter, I held onto the intense energy until it scorched my soul. When I thought my body was going to explode from the heat, I scrunched my eyes closed and released the blazing energy directly at Serenity. I couldn't bare to watch it hit her.

When nothing happened, I opened one eye and peeked. Serenity stared back at me blankly, but she hadn't moved. Not even an inch.

Maybe I'd missed.

I was just about to ask her what was wrong when she stumbled backwards, and fell. The instant her bony ass hit the ground, colorful sparks shot out of her chest like fireworks. Her face frozen in a stunned expression, I held my breath waiting for a sign that she was okay before I went into full panic mode.

Second after agonizing second passed before her lips finally curled approvingly.

I blew out my breath relieved. "I didn't hold back like you told me. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she admitted, getting to her feet. "I have to admit, you're a fast learner. When we first started out, I was sure you were going to be a certified disaster."

"Thanks...I think." I tilted my head to the side. "Do you think I'm strong enough to destroy Vycandor?"

She raised an eyebrow at that. "Is there anything you could have done to increase your power?"

I thought about it for a moment and shook my head. "No. Otherwise I would've totally lost control."

I knew without quite knowing how that if I didn't get rid of the energy when I did, the power would've leaked out without me to guide it. I had an innate understanding that if that happened, it wouldn't just be bad. It would be super bad.