When I Met Myself

Training

Victory, they say, is the worst thing that can happen to you. It makes you arrogant... complacent.. lazy and boastful and it creates a sense of pride within you. Pride's dangerous. After all, it was one of your people who once said, "Whom the gods wish to destroy they first call promising."

Inversely, defeat is a powerful weapon, it's an asset. It hammers in the realisation that improvement is crucial, complacence deadly and you are not perfect. It sharpens the mind, hones the senses and forces you to do something about the current state of affairs, rather than simply putting up with it. 

It was, therefore, obvious that my defeat at the hands of the newest member of our Quad would jar me, and remind me that I wasn't yet invincible, that I still had a long way to go. And so I began to look for a teacher who would help me hone my abilities, become stronger and ensure I didn't lose to X-58 next time I faced off against him. The obvious option, that occurred to me at once, of course, was...

Emperor Anax.

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"So," said Anax, sipping his tea, "I am to understand that you want me to train you. I, the Emperor of the Magna Galaxy, with innumerable commitments and demands upon my time, am to set aside a certain amount of that time so that I can make a better warrior of you."

"Not exactly, Emperor," I said, smiling, "I want you to fight me in a one-on-one combat when you would have been having tea with me. In other words, once a week."

The Emperor raised his eyebrows. "Are you sure, Melsur? I hope you aren't forgetting who I am, and exactly what my capabilities are."

I laughed, and said "Believe me, Emperor, it is because I know your capabilities that I wish to duel you."

"Very well then," he said, putting his tea down and getting up along with me, "I suppose I can oblige this little request of yours. Would you like to duel today, or do you wish to practice till next week?"

"If it's all the same to you, Emperor, I'd rather we begun right away."

He sighed. "At arms, then?"

I got into the stance, saying "En garde."

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3 minutes later, I was lying on the floor with two broken arms, a half-slashed face and a black eye. I grinned at the Emperor as he pulled me up with his one hand, who was shaking his head regretfully.

"Hey, don't be like that! I asked for this. We're still on for next week, I hope?"

"Melsur, are you sure you want to do this? I mean, look at you! You're a wreck."

"Ah, but I'm a stronger wreck now," I smiled, "and who knows? Maybe next time I'll last four minutes!"

The Emperor shook his head, smiled and then broke into laughter. "You're ridiculous, you know that? Alright, I'll be there next week, but take care of yourself in the meantime."

"Your wish is my command, Emperor," I said, giving an exaggerated bow and winking at him.

"Stop that!" he said, laughing.

I smiled once more, and teleported back to my room at the Quentalorion.

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"I'm back, people!"

Morfus took one look at me, let out a long whistle and said, "What in the name of Lord Aiofeus happened to you?"

"Training."