Melodies in the Wind

Blades

Amara stood in the open courtyard, sunlight casting long shadows across the sand. Her heart thudded in her chest, both from excitement and nerves. Pearl, ever poised and sharp as a spear, stood opposite her, arms folded and a calculating gaze resting on Amara's axe, which was now planted firmly in the ground between them.

Pearl had suggested that she begin training Amara on combat. More specifically how to use her gem weapon. Immediately Amara agreed to it, wanting to be able to help on missions.

"An axe is a blunt weapon, unrefined," Pearl began, her voice cool. "It doesn't glide like a sword. It demands strength—yes—but also control, precision."

Amara nodded, summoning her axe to her hand with a flick of her wrist. Its weight grounded her, made her feel solid. She gave it a cautious spin, testing its balance, a shiver running down her spine. She was suddenly regretting what she had worn for this training. She didn't have training clothes, in fact she didn't have much clothes at all, so she had thrown on what she thought would work best, a black tank top and some brown jean shorts, but she hadn't realized they would be training on a floating temple in the sky.

"Good," Pearl remarked, observing her grip. "Let's see how you hold it."

Amara tightened her grip, positioning herself as Pearl had demonstrated minutes before. The axe felt heavy, almost too heavy, but she gritted her teeth and adjusted her stance.

"First," Pearl said, circling her, "footwork. A powerful weapon requires balance to wield effectively. If you're off even slightly, it'll throw you—and your aim—off as well."

With practiced elegance, Pearl stepped forward, her movements as smooth as silk. Amara tried to imitate her, only to feel the axe waver in her hands. Her steps were clunky, and she could sense Pearl's eyes on her every mistake.

"Relax, Amara," Pearl instructed, softening slightly. "If you're too tense, you'll never move fluidly. Let the weapon become an extension of you. Try again."

Amara closed her hazel eyes briefly, feeling the weight of the axe, grounding herself. Her long white hair was flowing behind her in a ponytail, pushed by the breeze. She took a breath and stepped forward, her body finding a rhythm with the weapon. It felt more natural this time, as if her movements began to flow with it.

Pearl gave a small nod, her lips curling upward in approval. "Much better. Now, let's work on blocking."

Amara took her stance again, pushing her bangs behind her ear and tightening her hold on the axe as Pearl summoned her spear, its tip gleaming. Pearl advanced, aiming precise thrusts at her, forcing Amara to bring her axe up to deflect each one. The clashes of metal echoed around them, the sound filling the courtyard. Amara's arms began to tire quickly, but she pushed through, determined not to let her fatigue show.

"Remember, Amara, each block should transition into your next movement," Pearl coached as she circled her. "Don't let your weapon become a burden—let it flow."

Amara began to see what Pearl meant. Each movement, each block, became a step in a larger pattern, almost like a dance. As she adjusted, she noticed Pearl's approving glances, though she offered little praise outright.

After what felt like hours, Pearl paused, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "You're learning quickly. But let's see if you can anticipate an opponent's next move. I'll come at you, and you counter. Be mindful, and don't hesitate."

Amara took a deep breath, squaring herself as Pearl lunged forward. The spear struck fast, forcing Amara to dodge. She swung her axe, aiming for Pearl's midsection, but Pearl sidestepped gracefully, countering with a swipe toward Amara's shoulder.

Amara twisted her body, narrowly evading the blow, her heart racing. Her axe felt like a part of her now, moving with a new ease. They fell into a rhythm, each strike and parry building into a steady cadence, a test of endurance and strategy.

Finally, Pearl called a halt, both of them panting slightly. "Not bad for a first lesson," she admitted, a rare hint of warmth in her voice. "You have potential, Amara. But don't rely solely on strength. Anticipation and adaptability will become your greatest assets."

Amara lowered her axe, nodding as she absorbed Pearl's words. She looked down at the weapon in her hands, feeling its weight and newfound familiarity. She knew she had a long way to go, but the spark within her felt stronger than ever.

As Pearl walked away, she turned back, her eyes gleaming. "Tomorrow, we'll start again, and I expect you to be ready. Now hurry up, you know you can't activate the warp pad yourself."

"Yeah, maybe you should teach me that next, huh?"

Amara ran up to beside Pearl, a small smile tugging at her lips. She felt tired but stronger. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.