"Samantha, wake up."
I moaned, and opened one of my eyes. "Training time." Hutser whispered. I got out of my warm bed and stretched before following him outside, still rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"Today, you're sparring partner will be Demitri, who has graciously volunteered."
"I did not! You ordered me. I simply had no choice." Demitri cut in just before he phased.
"The most important area of your education is fighting. It's fairly simple. On the ground, your main objective is to get your opponent to surrender. But, seeing as this is training, you just have to pin him down." Hutser sat on a nearby chair and watched. I phased and waited for Hutser's order to start, my eyes searching for Demitri's weakness.
Alright. Remember: the point of this exercise is to pin me down until I surrender. Demitri reminded me, shuffling his feet until he took on a good stance for both attacking and defending, rolling his shoulders and crouching a little as he waited.
I understand. I replied, copying his position.
"Begin!!!" Hutser yelled and I lunged at Demitri's shoulders, landing perfectly. Demitri bucked in an attempt to throw me off, but I dug in my claws and held on tight when his efforts increased in rage and pain. He bucked like a wild stallion with a rider on his back, threatening to send me soaring through the sky. When I realized I had nothing to do to weaken him, I jumped clear and went for the direct approach. I reared up onto my hind legs, an instinctive snarl escaping my jaws, as I raked my claws through the air, trying to push him to the ground. But, he knew what was coming. He reared, and shoved me to the ground instead. He rushed at me, but I rolled onto my paws and head butted him in the chest. His breath whooshed out in an explosive stream of flame. I jumped clear of the blaze and took advantage of his moment of weakness by slamming my wing against his paws, knocking him off balance and slamming him to the ground. I jumped and placed my paws on his chest, my teeth inches from his throat. I paused, our breathing rapid and heavy. We stared at each other in shocked silence and we slowly became aware of our surroundings once again.
Hutser was clapping madly and congratulating us on our spectacular fight.
You did well, young one. Very well indeed.
Thank you, Demitri. You weren't so bad yourself.
He chuckled and Hutser called a five minute break. I dephased and sat beside Hutser, studying Demitri's human form.
He was well-built with strong, muscular arms, long legs, a strong torso, black hair, gold eyes and a face that was cute but very rarely saw a smile. He also had this cruel and harsh look in his eye that spoke of danger and a quick temper. Indeed, he was handsome to the extremes, but I was not interested in anything beyond friendship. I had finally learned my lesson about romance.
Demitri came to sit beside me, crossing his legs and looking into my eyes. He cocked his head first to one side, then the other, studying me.
"What?" I asked, self-conscious.
"Just trying to figure you out. You fought like an advanced apprentice, but this is your first day of training."
"I just did what was instinct."
"That's well and good, but it's not going to help you much against a Scylla."
"I realize that. By the way, how many are there? Derek found one down in the Great Caves, but you're talking as if there are more."
"No one knows how many there are." Hutser answered before turning back to his tea.
"And why's that?" I asked, my curiosity pricked.
