Ascension of the Monster Queen

Riki was having second thoughts about continuing their training for the day because he knew it wouldn't be good for her if she overdid it and she was already tired.

"Lady Nessa, are you sure you want to continue?" Riki asked and she looked at him then smiled.

"Do I look tired now?" She asked.

"Yes, you do, you have been doing a lot to help everyone lately," He responded and she sighed before looking up at the sky.

"I know and I do feel myself getting tired, doesn't matter though, let's continue training if you don't mind," She said and he smiled after seeing how much more determined she was.

"All right, but I won't go too far," He replied and she smiled.

"Don't hold back, what do you want to do first though?" She asked and a smirk appeared on his face as she stared at him, wondering what he was up to.

"Close combat, you're already good at it from afar, try close, I'm sure it'll come in handy in the future," He responded, and she sighed.

"All right, let's go, I don't mind trying it," She said and he chuckled as his eyes glowed red and orange and she smirked.

"Come at me when you're ready," He said as she rushed towards him, and just as he was about to hit her, she flicked midair, spun around, and kicked him in the back, and he laughed as he looked at her after she landed back on her feet.

"You can balance your body fairly well; did Yanka teach you how to do it so quickly?" He inquired.

"Yes, but he also told me that it's quite easy to lose it, that it's something that comes and goes, and I'm sure he taught you the very same thing," She replied and he chuckled as his hands lit up in the black flames, and she smiled.

"Are you going to use that?" She asked and he sighed.

"I don't want to, to be honest, but I think this will help," He responded and her eyes glowed orange as her palms lit up in orange flames and he scoffed.

"It's okay, Riki, I told you not to hold back, we don't have to do everything today, we can take it slow if you want," She said, and he smiled as the flames on both of their hands vanished.

"How about we start with normal close combat and then use the flames later in the training?" He inquired, and she nodded.

"That's fine with me; shall we continue?" He nodded when she asked.

They continued training until it was night, and Nessa became even more exhausted than before, and when Riki noticed this, he smiled and patted her on the back while panting, and she chuckled.

"It's fine, there is no need to worry, I am okay, shall we head back? I am sleepy as well as very hungry right now," She said and he laughed.

"Yeah, let's go back now, I'm hungry as well, you have a lot of stamina, we're both alike in that form," He replied, and she nodded before they both left, heading back to the town.

After a bit of walking, they arrived back and saw Yanka sitting, talking with the others under the tent and Nessa along with Riki approached him.

"Now, where were you today?" Nessa asked and he smiled nervously as he turned back and saw them standing behind him with their eyes glowing.

"I have a perfectly good explanation," He responded and Dalia along with the others, burst out laughing and Nessa smiled before patting him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I had a good sparring partner today, and even you, Yanka, deserve a rest," She said, and Yanka smiled.

"Is he good enough lady Nessa?" Yanka asked as they sat down and Dalia handed her along with a glass of water, which they accepted and thanked her for.

"Yes, he is more than good enough Yanka, yes, he is a little harsh on himself during training, but that's what got him this far," She responded and Yanka sighed, feeling a bit relieved.

"That's good to hear coming from you, lady Nessa, I am glad he is not overdoing it, these kids are quite stubborn, by the way, that includes you," Yanka said and Nessa smiled at him.

"Yeah, I know how I am, I will get stronger no matter what though, so keep on looking out for us crazy kids," She replied and Yanka laughed.

"I'll keep an eye out for you guys, you're all great and have a lot of potential, you need to believe in yourself, all of you," Yanka said, and they all smiled.

"We know, but we're lucky to have you around; you'll be able to guide us properly," Riki replied.

"Oh, I am going to guide all of you alright, properly too," He said as they stared at him and a smirk appeared on his face.

"That smirk looks like one of an evil person, Yanka," Dalia said as she looked at him.

"She is right, it does, what are you up to old man?" Riki asked and Yanka chuckled.

"You guys will see sooner or later, what it is that I am really up to, don't worry, it's not bad," He responded.

"You expect us to believe that?" Riki asked and Yanka glanced at him then sighed.

"Of course I do, you don't have much of a choice than to believe it," He responded as Riki's eyes narrowed and Nessa smiled.

"Yanka can be quite scary at times, huh?" Nessa asked and Liya sighed.

"Yes, he can be but that's normal, don't you think?" Liya asked and Nessa smiled then nodded as she looked at them chatting then sighed in relief.

"All right, you two, that's enough, you guys sure have a lot of energy stored up within you, you can go on all night, like an old married couple," Nessa said and they sighed, then looked at her and she patted both of them on their shoulders.

"I am hungry now, talking to him made me hungrier, damn," Riki said and they all began laughing as Riki smiled.