Krystal

67

"Needless to say you are far more skilled at hand to hand combat then you are with those swords" he tells me the following morning after training.

That was almost a compliment, I think?

"So who trained you then?" I ask breathlessly while holding my ribs.

"I learned mainly through observation. My father only took an interest in my brother's training, whereas my mother compensated for his lack of affection by teaching me the art of magic".

"Your mother sounds nice".

"She was" his expression changes to one that's masking sadness.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you".

"You know, you would be able to fight far more efficiently if you were to dispense the magic throughout your entire body, opposed to concentrating it entirely into your fists".

He's obviously trying to change the subject and I'll happily let him.

"I'd never really thought of doing that?"

I give it a go and it seems to work because I feel the sensation of energy coursing through me, and I notice that I'm feeling far less exhausted all of a sudden.

"Would you like to try again?" he asks.

"Let's do this".

We throw punches at each other. Not only was I stronger now, but I also seemed to be faster and more agile than I was before so he struggles to land any blows.

Carelessly, I allow him to back me into a corner which causes me to panic. While I'm distracted by this, he manages to kick me in the chest before I hit the wall behind me.

"Better" he admits as he walks away.

"Is that all you've got?" I ask once recover.

"You wanted more?" he seems confused and yet amused.

"I took a stronger kick than that from Captain America" I lie sarcastically to antagonise him.

"You sparred with that patriotic oaf?"

"We did a lot more than that" I laugh jokingly, thinking nothing of it.

He conjures two daggers and prepares to fight me again, knowing full well that I don't even have any weapons of my own to hand.

"Seriously? You're going to attack me with those when I'm unarmed?"

He swiftly throws one of his daggers in my direction and it impales the wall right next to my head.

"Use that" he instructs me with what I think is anger in his voice.

He comes at me again with way to much rage and it's making his technique sloppy. This time I get the upper hand by kneeing him in the groin once he's close enough, causing him to fall down to his knees.

"So anger is your weakness, huh? Good to know".

"No. That would be annoying little witches" he groans as he gets up off the floor.

"I take it I used to annoy you before?"

"Very much so".

"Well I'm happy to find out that I can still get under your skin, even now. Lunch will be ready in an hour" I smile and exit the gym.