Deicide

Precarious training

Artist: Korwies on Pixiv

Ursus, Village of Iziaslav

1084, January 7

Pov Third Person

Talulah: "Agh!"

The fighter clutches her abdomen, having been struck by the hilt of the serpents weapon. Madeline Morozova narrows her eyes, looking down on the draco.

Madeline: "Is that all? Stand up."

One quick breath, then she briskly dashes towards Madeline.

Madeline: "Your movements are predictable as they are sloppy."

The combat instructor leisurely side steps, swiping Talulahs' legs with the swift of her tail. Directing her worn blade to Talulah.

Madeline: "That bravado you've had earlier. What became of it?"

Talulah: "Hmph!"

A psycho and deer observe the training. Cross that, this is a beat down. Talulah rises time after time. Sweep off her feet, a fist smashed into her ribcage, kneed to the nose.

Regulus: "Yessh!"

Alina watches with dissatisfaction. Her friend assured it was 'coaching'. Howbiet, Alina viewed this as a vicious scuffle.

Alina: "Em.........Regulus..."

The erratic entity eyes Alina. Grinning, himself knowing the elafia's thought process.

Regulus: "Tried stopping Tal two days ago. She commanded me not to interfer unless she stated."

Alina: "Look!"

Talulah breathes frantically. Her opponent was by no means ordinary. Facing a long-lived phidia with plenty of tales ranging from clashes with Kazimierz to serving the previous Tsar, Vladimir Ivanovich.

Alina: "Tell me this isn't just some twisted torture! Are you sure Talulah wanted this!?"

Regulus ponders, not for long, though.

Regulus: "Yup. You missed the first time they started training! Waaaaaaaay tamer now."

Alina sways her head side to side. Finding this all nonsensical.

Talulah: "Oof!"

Their training began three days prior. First, the instructor gauged Talulah's strength, then after came exercising regiments and proper sword handling. Today was sparring.

Not once did Talulah's blade land any hits to Madeline. Madeline, however, kept her unrelenting blows.

Talulah: "Ack!"

The draco slid across the snowy plains. Madeline sheaves her trusted metal.

Madeline: "That's it for today."

Talulah: "That.....cannot...be.."

A flash of imperceptible movement, soldiers fist was centimeters from demolishing the dragons facial structure.

Madeline: "That's. It."

The phidia backs off, leaving the stupefied fighter, heading to cool off in her tent.

Talulah: "............."

She laid there, covered in the lands icy white pellets. Not fully grasping, she was stomped over. Soreness was a common sensation she'd have.

Alina: "Talulah!"

Every time she's knocked with no breath remaining, Alina always comes to her side.

Alina: "That was reckless, you idiot!"