A Merged Timeline

Callum - Okay, now I have an explanation. Sort of.

Okay, so, today was a little weird in terms of, like...I dunno. I can't even get my words on a page properly, if that gives you any idea of what's going on. I guess I'll tell it from here.

I woke up at around 6:30, maybe, when "Solar" woke me for some kind of training session. I didn't really know what that meant, but I figured I'd do it anyway. He seems helpful and sympathetic, but he isn't exactly kind. Not mean, obviously, but he just don't give off much of a personality other than being some kind of mentor. I stood up, stepping out of my tent, and I followed him to the center of the arena-rink-field-thingy.

His unwavering stare was intimidating. He probably wasn't trying to scare or hurt me, but it definitely brought back a few bad memories. That, and because he gave off a weirdly cold aura. Not just strict, but actually..cold. Like, the temperature sort of dropped while around him, and it wasn't all that fun to instantly get cold when he was around. Before I could continue my thoughts, he spoke.

"Now, we begin. I'm assuming you understand hand-to-hand combat?" He tilted his head, and I slightly nodded. He seemed satisfied with the answer. "Well, I'm going to hope you know what this training is for."

I think he could tell I was nervous, because he added. "This is purely for self defense purposes, alright? I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to teach you how to fight. We'll be able to treat any injuries you have in case of..injury." He cleared his throat.

I nodded again, and looked around the place. I couldn't see anything like swords, or sparring gear, or..anything. He didn't mean it's just plain fighting, right? Luckily, I got my answer.
Well, maybe unluckily.

When I looked back at him, he was holding a glinting..fencing sword, I think? It was faced down at the ground, though his grip made me feel like it wouldn't stay like that. "..Do I get a weapon? Something to defend myself with?"

He seemed to consider this for a moment. "Well, I doubt a bo-staff would be able to defend well against a rapier..do you happen to have any signature weapons?"

I shook my head, even though I had an answer. Why exactly did he expect me to have one, though?

I heard another voice call out, and looked over. Melinda was leaning on one of the walls, carrying what seemed to be a classic one-handed medieval sword. She yelled over to us. "Hey, Leo, did you ever consider this kid isn't a fighter? He isn't going to instantly pick up your old methods, like you taught him."

"Who's-" I started, but was quietly interrupted by Solar.

"I don't expect Callum to be like him, no, nor do I hope so. However, I would like to test his self defense and confidence whilst in a duel."

Oh, so he was planning on fighting me. I began to walk over to where Mindy leaned, figuring she was offering it. She held it out, but when I took it, I almost fell. She chuckled a little, but it didn't seem like it was teasingly. "Bit heavy, hm? We're just trying out new things, don't worry. You aren't being graded or judged, we're simply seeing how well you can defend yourself."

Not with a sword like this, I thought to myself. I shrugged, and begrudgingly dragged it back over, standing in front of Solar again. His expression hadn't changed, but his voice was stricter as he spoke, "On the ready."

I lifted it up, feeling a bit less confident in myself as the sword seemed to drag me down. I grabbed the hilt with both hands, and I was sort of able to keep it steady. "Ready."

I shut my eyes and braced myself for the first hit, but it never seemed to come. I slowly opened my eyes, and looked over at Solar, lowering my sword. "What are you-?"

He calmly stepped forward, and with one swift strike, knocked the sword out of my hand. He didn't sound disappointed or triumphant, but simply firm. "Keep your guard up."

I was quiet for a moment, obviously, but knelt down and picked the weapon back up. I mumbled something that I probably shouldn't write down, and stood straight up again. Solar backed up into position as I readied my sword, trying to keep my arms from failing me.

"Okay, ready." I gripped the hilt tightly with both hands, and tried to rush up and attack. I somehow managed to swing it toward him, but he casually lifted his rapier and bluntly struck the flat edge. It clattered out of my hands.

"Again." He nodded down to the sword, and backed up. I sighed, kneeling down and grabbing it, standing back up. I held it tightly, and didn't bother saying anything as I lunged forward and barely swung it towards his sword.

With a simple flick of his wrist, he struck the edge again. Unfortunately, I was knocked off balance, and fell to the ground, the sword landing beside me again with a small chink in its side. "Again." Solar spoke, his tone indifferent.

I grumbled something else that I won't write, in case my parents find this journal, and carefully stood back up. I noticed there was a small cut in my palm, a bit of blood leaking out, but I didn't care to mention it. I snatched the hilt of the sword again, gripping it against my chest.

After a moment's hesitation, I tried striking again, this time aiming straight for his chest. He calmly sidestepped and knocked the sword to the side, sending me off course and making me drop it again. All that he had to say for himself was "Again."

I'm not going to describe what happened after that, but it was a good, y'know, 2 hours straight until I finally got tired of it. Both of fighting, and of him.

After the..what, 283rd time he parried my attack and disarmed me, I think I had enough. I didn't bother picking it up again, and I felt my blood boiling. My hands were covered in scratches, my jacket was patterned - not modestly - with tears and rips, and my whole face was covered with sweat. I was staring down at the frosty ground, on my hands and knees, and shut my eyes, trying to breath.

Training. That's what this was supposed to be. Training to defend myself against attackers. It didn't seem to be working as well as he hoped, but I think that his irritating calm tone was what got me annoyed. He didn't yell, he didn't sigh, and he didn't even give a hint of impatience after I fell for the eighth time in a row. I wish he would yell and give up, letting me actually feel justified anger towards him instead of making it up so I could feel better.

This didn't even make me feel better, actually.

I just hate it when people's voices get in my head, either messing with me or motivating me, it's annoying. I want to do my own thing, and I don't want my decisions to be chosen or judged by someone else, deciding it was a stupid mistake. Daft..

Daft. Daft did that. He did that to me when that whole thing in my mind happened. He insulted and ridiculed me, he threatened me and my family, he kept prompting me to proceed again, and again, and again, and...

Solar's voice quietly chimed in. "Cal-"

I honestly couldn't take it anymore, and lashed out. "I GET IT, I'LL DO IT AGAIN!" I glared up at him, and struggled to my feet. Finally, he showed more than just indifference; his face read confusion and shock. I scared him.

Good.

He eventually tried talking again after a moment. "I'm sorry if this is getting tiring, I understand if-"

"OH, REALLY, WISE GUY?! YOU'VE BEATEN ME UP FOR TWO HOURS STRAIGHT, AND NOW YOU GET IT?!" I was breathing quickly, and I could feel my head pounding. "I know, I know, I know! I'll do it again, just quit ordering me around, would you?!"

He was silent for a few seconds longer. "I was simply trying to help you with this, I don't entirely get where all of this is coming fro-"

I interrupted him again, and honestly, I couldn't care less. "Could you just shut UP?!" I shoved my hand into my pocket and whipped out my conductor's baton again. There were a few cracks in it, but it was useable. I pointed it directly at Solar, who quickly backed up, and yelled. "LANGLO-"

I didn't hear anyone else speak, but I definitely felt a sharp pain in my chest, and my "baton" flew out of my hand. It landed on the ground a few feet in front of me, rolling a bit as it landed. I winced in pain, and looked around to see what had happened; Solar looked just as surprised as I was.

"Well," Came Mindy's voice from a distance. "seems we've got another spell-caster." 

I could barely register what had happened before I passed out.