Underworld

Part 4: Chapter 6

Selene and I were in the training area with Valga watching two of the recruits in a caged battle. I personally found no method in it. The said man tapped the metal bars of the cage before speaking. "My own invention." He leans against the bars. "One of the first things a death dealer must learn is to fight in a confined space."

I chuckled at the idiotic notion. "Of course the one thing this training session lacks is unpredictability," Selene tells him with a straight face. In my opinion, it lacked a lot of things, not just unpredictability. It lacked structure, flexibility, movement. A lycan may attack in a confined space but they are more intelligent than the council and even Selene will ever know. Though they have animal DNA and instincts they are still intelligent enough to know not to go for the obvious kill. Lucian knew that which is how he stayed hidden for so long. Marius will be the same way. He's patient but hyperactive at the same time. He will study every detail of the area where the battle or fight would take place and use the environment to his advantage.

I continued to watch the two vampires fight for dominance when Valga turned to me "And you, lady Iris? What do you think?" he asked me.

"Selene is right. It lacks unpredictability but also a great many other things." I told him, staring directly into his eyes.

He smiles softly at me before watching the two in the cage finish their fight. "Perhaps, you two are willing to indulge me and give my students, or shall I say your students, in combat's unpredictability as well as what you think it lacks." He offers. I was inclined to disagree but it would help them last longer. "It would not only honor us, but it would be invaluable to their training." Selene was about to disagree when he said "Please."

I sighed and gave a small nod. "Selene is the best fighter out of the two of us. I'm sure she will do just fine."

He gave me another smile before opening the cage. "That's enough" I stepped away from the pair and decided to stand next to the exit. "Gather around. We are going to school you in the true nature of the lycan warrior," he explained to his student before taking off his weapons belt. "For the sake of this lesson" Selene walked to a student handing over her weapons. "Our esteemed guest, Selene, will play the role of a death dealer bravely defending our fortress, I will take the role of the lycan villain here to destroy us." I scoffed at his speech before he continued. "While our lady, Iris, corrects us in what we are doing." He points to where I stood before gesturing for Selene to enter the cage. "Ladies first." I watched as Varga attacked Selene first which is something a lycan wouldn't do unless forced, at least not the ones Marius is using in his army. I watched every move they made until he was on his back. I laughed at how stunned he seemed. "Impressive" He chuckled out embarrassed before he leg swiped Selene. I have to admit I was impressed that he managed to even do that. They began to walk around in a circle after she got up. He taunted her with a "Come on" but she stood her ground. Their fight seemed to escalate not only in speed but in height. I was about to step in when I saw that Varga had sliced Selene with a knife. My eyes narrowed. This was supposed to be a no weapons match but I guess he had something up his sleeve.

"Open it now" I snapped at a recruit.

Once the cage was opened, Varga began to speak. "Tonight's lesson: Do not assume your opponent will fight with honor." He picked up the knife and circled my fallen sister. "They are lycan. They have none." I ran to help her when he hopped out of the cage and pinned me to it. "Careful, darling. It's a nightshade. Fatal if leached into a normal vampire's cells but for someone of your and your sister's strength, it is just pain followed by paralysis."

My eyes glowed in anger and I wrapped my legs around his arm and knocked the knife out of his hand before placing my own blade to his neck. "Here's another lesson. Lycans are a pack. Family. You hurt one, you get the wrath of all." I sensed someone coming up behind me. I quickly jumped out of the way of their attack and turned to see Samira. I laughed. "Once a snake whore, always a snake whore, huh Samira?"