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Tornado leaned against the fence enclosing the fighting ring. The topics from the previous night’s discussion occupied his mind. He was early for practice and the training grounds were silent except for the early sounds of nature waking around him. Birds twittered as they woke searching for a meal. It was during times like these that life seemed peaceful again. Footsteps interrupted his silent contemplation.

“Morning,” came the voice as it strained to sound casual. Charizo stood beside Tornado at the fence avoiding eye contact.

“What are you doing here so early?”

“I couldn’t sleep well,” he struggled to find his voice, “I was thinking too much.”

“Don’t strain yourself,” Tornado told his standing, “We’re going to review basics today. Want to come?”

“I-I don’t- I mean-”

Tornado shook his head. “We’re just training. We weren’t planning on making you join up with us.”

“But I’ll only be in your way. You’re training for something much more serious than rank testing. I’ll only be holding you back.”

“You aren’t holding any of us back. If anything you are helping us fine tune our skills. We can’t improve without constantly reviewing. You don’t have to come if you feel uncomfortable but we are going to continue as we have either way.”

“O-okay, I’ll come,” Charizo told him happily.

“Good,” Tornado told him, “The others will be happy to hear that. They’ve grown pretty used to you.”

The army training went by quickly as Tornado occupied the time by exercising his ability over the darkness. Even as the midday sun shone over the grounds he could feel the shadowy connection between all of the soldiers and nature. It flowed like a river in the ground. He was quickly able to familiarize himself with each individual’s darkness within the grounds.

The Dark Lord can do this, too, Tornado thought gravely, That’s why he had me meet with his when I first arrived. What else can he do?

When practice ended Tornado waited within the grounds. He followed the trails of the soldiers leaving. As the minutes passed he felt groups joining together in the forests around the grounds. Group by group the ties of darkness would fade away as barriers were formed around them.

“Are you coming, Tornado?” Pye called from where he waited with the others.

“Yeah,” he told them as he opened his eyes, “It’s safe to use the barrier. Most all of the other groups do.”

The sudden beating of wings sounded as the messenger landed beside them. He walked up to Tornado.

“Message for you from the Dark Lord.”

“Right away?” Tornado asked opening the letter.

“Yes. I don’t believe it’s about anything bad.”

“Alright, I’ll head over there now,” Tornado told him as the messenger launched himself into the air. He turned back to the group. “Umbro, lead the training while I’m gone.”

“We’ll wait for you to get back before we set up the barrier,” he answered and turned to the group, “Let’s head out.”

Tornado flew into the lobby landing smoothly before the guards. They nodded without even questioning his arrival. The doors opened revealing the Dark Lord sitting up on his throne. He smiled beckoning Tornado over.

“You summoned me?” Tornado asked as he walked over.

“Yes, I have learned you brought a new participant to your training group.”

“We have. He’s a Destu, Charizo.”

“I’ve once met a soldier by that name. Is he very talented?”

“He has potential,” Tornado explained, “We’re helping him find the initiative to reach it.”

“Is helping him going to hold you back? You also are very promising.”

“I’ll be fine. I can train on my own time, besides I don’t like the idea of leaving a friend behind,” Tornado told him.

The Dark Lord laughed. “You are too kind Tornado. Worrying about a Destu.”

“I should get back to the group. They’re waiting for me.”

“Torando,” the Dark Lord stopped him as he left, “Have you ever tried to transport during battle?”

“Transport? The darkness would stay open too long. The person you are fighting would just follow you through.”

“You’d just have to close it faster,” he laughed.

Tornado left the fortress completely bewildered. Every time he spoke with the Dark Lord confused him more.

What does he want from me? Is he trying to help me or use me? Just what is he planning!

He flew over the forest feeling the cool wind flow over him. The air did nothing this clear the fogginess of his mind. Leaning slightly he circled over the rebel training grounds before landing. The members looked at his puzzled face with concern.

“Did something bad happen?” Ember asked, “You seem kind of out of it.”

“I need to test something for a bit,” he told the group as he distractedly walked to the other side of the clearing, “Could someone set up the barrier.”

“I will,” Pye offered while the other resumed practice.

Tornado summoned up a circle of darkness at his feet. He sunk through and reappeared a few feet away. The portal stayed open between the two circles shrinking slowly.

“There’s no way,” Tornado mumbled as he tried to close off the connection.

“What are you trying to do now?” Umbro called from where they practiced watching curiously out of the corner of their eyes.

“The Dark Lord mentioned transporting during a fight. He must have been trying to fool me,” Tornado replied in an annoyed tone, “There’s no way to close the connection before the enemy can come through.”

Umbro walked over. “Keep trying. If he suggested it then it must be a talent of the black wings. Let’s try it.”

“Why would he suggest anything to me? I pose a threat to him.”

“Maybe he feels like he has control over you,” he offered, “Come, let’s test this power.”

They walked into the center of the clearing while the others watched from the side. Umbro unsheathed his sword crouching low as he held it before him. Tornado matched his stance holding a kama in each hand. Umbro launched himself towards Torando who stepped back into a portal reappearing across the clearing. Umbro followed through and met him in combat.

“I told you it wouldn’t work,” Tornado grumbled in annoyance as he pushed Umbro’s sword away.

“Again!” Umbro commanded as he struck against the kamas.

Tornado dodged the strike running into another portal. Umbro followed stepping through at the last minute.

“That time was better,” Umbro coached as the metals stuck once more, “Try it again.”

Tornado pushed away gathering the power to create another portal. The shadows formed a puddle-like circle a few feet away. It dispersed as he ran over it. He turned suddenly facing Umbro who had gained on him.

“It’s no use,” Tornado told him holding the sword between his crossed kamas, “I’ve lost my energy.”

“I see,” Umbro answered disappointed, “I think we should continue working on that for now.”

Tornado nodded as Umbro pulled away his sword. They walked back to join the group.

“How are you feeling?” Pye asked noticing Tornado’s distracted stare.

“I’m fine,” he told him, “I’m just thinking about what the Dark Lord said.”

“Don’t worry about it so much. Just keep working with your darkness,” Umbro instructed, “As long as you keep practicing I’m sure some good will come of it.”

A cool wind rustled through the changing autumn leaves. The recent rains left standing puddles on the soggy earth. The trees swayed in the gales of wind. Despite the days of practice Tornado hadn’t gotten any farther in his training. He stood discouraged over the portal of darkness.

Across the clearing the group was deciding how to split for practice. The wind howled through the trees, shaking rain droplets from the leaves. A large oak tree swayed at the edge of the clearing at a dangerous angle. Tornado only noticed in time to see the base ripped from the earth. He ran towards the others desperately shouting for them to move, but there wasn’t time. The large branches covered too much space and it was falling at an alarming rate. Suddenly Tornado could see only black. When he could see again he stood amidst his friends. The trunk fell ever closer as he sent a wave of darkness around them. The large trunk fell to the side and the branches bent unnaturally to leave a space around them. As the darkness receded black feathers fell about the group.

Pye looked up from where he crouched over Ember. He lowered his wings watching the feathers fall.

“What just happened?” Durza asked from where she crouched. In the few seconds it took for the tree to fall she had hardly been able to pull the earth to protect herself.

“Transport?” Umbro questioned in awe as he looked at the damage inflicted on the tree.

“I think so,” Tornado answered breathlessly.

“Why are there feathers everywhere?” Charizo asked from where he crouched.

Tornado examined his wings for missing feathers.

“I’m not sure,” he suggested, “Maybe we should end here for today. It’s a little too dangerous.”

The group agreed and left the clearing together. Tornado glanced back to the black feathers and saw them fading into darkness.

Is this what the Dark Lord was talking about?

He looked into the darkness towards the fortress. He felt a jolt of power as he saw a strong bond connecting the Lord to himself. The bond of the Black Wings was stronger than anything he’d felt before.