"Failure"

Ieh'son hit the ground in a heap, the small crystals he had tried to form as a shield falling to the ground and shattering. He sat up slowly and groaned, rubbing the back of his head for what seemed to be the hundredth time today. The young Monk looked up to see Maldath frowning. The mage picked up a small cup from a wooden bench and took a sip of the dark tea that he preferred. After setting it down, Maldath scanned his small workshop and remembered the various trinkets and minor artifacts he had collected over the years. There was the Staff of Sime, whose wielder could instantly conjure two or more images of himself, and the Rogue Amulet, who allowed the wearer to make small objects lighter than air. His favorite had to have been the One Stone, a small and insignificant looking pebble. This little rock allowed one to channel Magicks through it but change the elemental flow mid-flight. He always loved that trick to beat the Ice Mages from long ago.

Finally, his eyes settled again on Ieh'son, struggling to stand across the cleared space in his workshop. Maldath shook his head in disgust. So much potential, so much power seemingly locked away behind those blue eyes and beneath that blue shock of hair.

"Failure, again." the old Mage said, disgust clearly in his voice. Those blue eyes sparked cold rage at him again.

"I'd like to wipe that frown off your face with my fists or feet." Ieh'son nearly shouted at him. Maldath leaned his head forward and sneered.

"You are welcome to, if you can reach me." In a blink of an eye, Ieh'son was across the room again, flying at the Mage with fists ready to punch. Maldath was ready, as always, with a Push to force Ieh'son back. The surprise on Maldath's face made Ieh'son smile when his Push impacted a shield of ice and immediately dissipated. Before the Mage could react, Ieh'son's fist was an inch from his face.

"So you can learn," Maldath said, his sneer becoming a small smile.

"If I have to fail a thousand times," Ieh'son said, turning his back on Maldath and walking back to the other side of the room, "I will succeed where no one else has."