Hunt

Chapter 65: Testing Loyalties

Training was more exhausting today than any other day so far. With my general lack of sleep coupled with the stress I was under from having to keep up my facade of ignorance I was rapidly losing energy. Today's training goal was to continue sparring and working on further refining technique. Julie and I had our hands completely full, being the only hunters that could make it today. It leads me to believe that Paul was getting the ball rolling rather quickly. Much to my relief. I don't know how long I can keep up the charade.

"Sloppy! Slow it down and try again..." I call out to a sparring group from across the clearing. I begin to approach. "Wait, hold on. C'mere you two."

The two of them approach me tentatively. I square up to the first one. "Okay, punch me. Don't hold back."

The girl in front of me nervously squares up and throws a punch. Her windup was predictable, wrist wasn't rigid, and she swung out to the side too much instead of throwing their fist straight forward. I slap the loose fist aside as I block the strike.

"Sloppy. Punch forward not out. Keep your fist rigid and try again." I order.

She squares up again and throw a jab forward. There was a little more confidence behind the attack, and her form was slightly better. However, it was still wildly predictable and telegraphed. I quickly intercept the punch and grip her wrist, using her forward momentum to duck in and flip her over my shoulder. I do try to let her down gently, but it's still a hard landing. The resounding thud kicking dust up into the hot afternoon air.

"Tighten up your stance a little more, you're televising your attack long before you can even strike..." I help the girl up and let the two of them get back to it. I notice Julie across the clearing doing similar instruction to another group. Most of them had picked up the basics a lot faster than I had anticipated, but many of them were much slower at refining their technique. A difference in preferred fighting methods was holding them back from fully embracing hand to hand combat.

Finding my way back to the edge of the clearing I lean against a tree, trying to ditch the feeling of paranoia that had been plaguing me since arriving in Silverlock territory today. I was restless, on edge. Every different sound sets my heart racing. Yet with how little sleep I had gotten this morning I can't stop myself from yawning.

"Was that show of force entirely necessary? You could've just said what was wrong without getting physical with them." Reyna's voice pipes up from behind me, startling me.

I turn quickly to face her as she leans against the tree I had been trying not to fall asleep on. I quickly cross my arms, closing myself off. "It's much faster this way. It's easier to be shown where you're going wrong rather than just being told about it. We're on a time crunch."

Reyna nods slowly, skeptically looking between me and the sparring groups. "Okay..."

Taking another glance around the multiple other sparring pairs I notice another group that was struggling. "Gotta go, duty calls..." I say as I begin to turn away.

"W-wait a second." Reyna interrupts, grabbing for my arm. "Kyle I can tell that something's wrong. You've been distant all day. You can hardly look at me. What's going on? Did I do something to upset you?"

I shrug out of Reyna's grip, reclaiming some space between us as I take a step back. "It's nothing, I'm just tired. I didn't sleep last night."

Julie had quickly crossed the clearing from the group she was working with, sliding up next to me as I take my step back away from Reyna. She must've noticed our interaction from across the clearing. She had her mask on again around the others which made her harder to read, but I could tell she was being just as paranoid as I was. Her gaze was cold and harsh under the cloth of the mask as she passes me a side eyed glance. "Everything good boss?" She asks.