Little Dreams and Hollow Nightmares

Ph2 Ch3: Nailmaster Mato

Seven managed to reach the top of the cliff, and walked back through the tunnels. He had to admit, it felt nice having the Grimmchild with him. While they couldn't defend him or anything, it was nice to not be alone in this unknown area. Seven climbed back up to the Howling cliffs, and walked along, looking for the Nailmaster. He looked around, in caverns and caves, trying to find out where it could possibly be. He wandered down into a small cavern, and saw the corpses of dead bugs, and a few stray nails lying about.

"Maybe I should take one to defend myself," He said to himself.

He picked up a nail that was just about his size, and hung it around his back. He felt the Grimmchild nagging at his shoulder, so he turned around to face it. Once he turned, he saw a faint light coming from further into the cavern. We walked closer, and saw it was an actual open door where the light was coming from. Seven turned towards the Grimmchild. It looked at him, waiting for his gratitude. Seven smiled, and the Grimmchild chirped happily.

Seven walked inside, and found a bench, surrounded by white, glowing specks. He sat down, and rested. Climbing the cliffs sure was tiring, and it wore out his hands and feet to climb those rocks. He let the particles sink into him, relieving him of his pain. As he sat, the Grimmchild tucked its tentacles around it, and cuddled up under his feet at the side of the bench. Seven couldn't take it. The Grimmchild was a literal baby, and it really depended on him. That's why he needed to learn how to defend himself. So he could protect them.

All rested up, Seven got up from the bench, and the Grimmchild got up with him. They both wandered into the structure, and Seven saw an almost giant bug, sitting under a hole in the roof, where light was peeking through. Seven walked towards the bug, and it lifted its head up to look at him.

"Hm? Ah, well met! Yes I thought I could sense the aura of a fierce warrior approaching," The Bug said. "I'm impressed you found my sanctuary here at the top of the world. No doubt you've endured many trials and overcome many foes in your quest to find me."

"I have, but I'm no warrior," Seven said, leaning his head down. "I'm nothing but a weak child. I came here so that I could learn how to defend myself and my friends here-"

"No, don't speak another word," The bug said. "I, Nailmaster Mato, who was taught the Art of the Nail by the great Nailsage himself, hereby accept you as my pupil! Let us begin the lesson immediately!"

Mato stood up and roared.

"Now, draw your nail and I'll teach you how to use it!" He said.

Seven pulled out the nail, and Mato walked over.

"First, your attack position!" He said. "Keep your knees bent, it'll provide more balance. Hold your nail as if you are ready to strike! Use your remaining arm to guard, hold it in front of you to defend against an attacker."

Seven did as Mato said, and Mato nodded.

"Good, now lets go over basic defense and offense," He said, and he got over to the other side of the room. "Move your nail to block my attacks," He said, and held his nail out in front of him.

Mato swung his nail above his head, and Seven blocked, holding his own nail in front of him. Mato swung from the side, and Seven held his nail to the sides. Mato then swung his nail down, and Seven held his nail upside-down, and blocked the swings.

"Very good! You are a fast learner I see," Mato said. "Now, attack me in the ways I attacked you!"

Seven nodded, and swung his nail overhead, to the sides, and from below. Mato parried every blow, and then suddenly, thrust his own forward. Seven leaned out of the way, barely avoiding the thrust.

"You must always be ready, you never know when an enemy could strike!" Mato bellowed. "Now, attack me with all you've got!"

Seven nodded, and the two clashed nails. Seven blocked Mato's swings, and swung back with his own. Mato swung his nail overhead, and Seven jumped out of the way, as the nail slammed into the ground. Mato swung the nail from below, and Seven jumped over it. He then swung from below, while Mato was off-guard.

"Excellent!" Mato said. "Avoiding instead of blocking, using your size to your advantage, and attacking once the enemy has attacked! You are indeed a swift learner."

Mato and Seven rested their nails, and Mato began to speak once more.

"Now that you know the basics of the Art of the Nail, I shall teach you a Nail Art!" He bellowed.

"A Nail Art?" Seven asked.

"Yes! A special form of the nail, taught by the great Nailsage himself!" Mato said. "I shall teach you the Cyclone Slash!"

Mato demonstrated by soaking in some sort of energy, and then spinning around swiftly. Seven watched in awe.

"Now, getting the Art right is a little tricky. It took me a few years to get it perfect," Mato said. "What you need to do is focus all of your energy into the weight of your nail, and then release it by letting your nail pull you, while moving in a spiral."

"Okay, how do I focus my energy?" Seven asked.

"Calm your mind, let all of your thoughts slip away, and keep your focus on your nail," Mato explained.

Seven nodded, and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, and let his thoughts pass by. His questions, his reasons for doing this, and just focused on the nail in his hands. Ready, he spun, and found himself spinning along with his nail, as it swung around at a rapid pace. The Grimmchild cheered, and Mato stood there watching.

"Marvelous, absolutely marvelous!" He bellowed. " you've done it so well! It's almost like you knew from the start! You remind me of my first pupil. They were silent and focused, and did excellent at the lessons. Your focus reminds me clearly of them," Mato looked through the hole in the roof, at the sky. " I hope that they are doing well," he said.

"Thank you for teaching me master," Seven said, and the master and student bowed.

Seven walked out of the room, with the Grimmchild and knowledge of how to protect them both. He now felt confident, strong, and ready to take on the task that the Grimm Troupe asked of him, and more.

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I started this one yesterday, trying to perfect Mato's personality. He is a kind, yet strict Nailmaster, and always willing to teach others, separating him from his brothers. I definitely got his personality in this chapter, and I hope you all enjoyed!

See you next chapter ; )