The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 40: Your attention please. (Part 1)

Chapter 40: Your attention please.

1 year 11 months after the Fall:

"Good morning Greg," I greeted the Oni as I entered the training room. "You're nice and early like usual."

"Same to you Captain," he spoke stoic and calm but smiled.

"How about me?" Vanter followed behind me.

"You..., you are an enigma."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Vanter laughed. It was rare for him to wake up early to train. "Hey Greg, question for you. Those forms you practice every morning, I've never seen them before. They an Oni thing?"

Greg eyed him and straightened his back, reaching his full height over 8 feet tall, "It is an Oni thing."

"Care to explain it?" I asked hopefully. "I'm curious. The techniques you use in combat are pretty interesting."

The Oni eyed me. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking but then he nodded, "We Oni are a secretive and secluded people. It is not to be taught to others."

"That's a shame. Don't worry ab-."

"But," Greg interrupted me, "these are exceptional times. I will teach you but be warned, it is not a technique I believe is useful for you."

I smiled warmly, "Well I'm still open to learning it. What about you Vanter?"

"Sure," he answered with a yawn, stretching his body.

Greg nodded and took a stance, "We Oni are hierarchical. When we are born, we take the caste of our parents. Through achievements we rise or fall. To know this technique, to master it, each stage is a level." He began to slowly move his body. Though large in body, he moved gracefully, perfectly stretching his muscles to work through the different stances. "We call it Flow. To direct the energy of our own and our opponents. Join me, replicate how I move."

I immediately began to try follow his movements quickly realising how hard it was to stay steady while moving so slowly. I was much more used to the fast movements of Zen's style. We worked through the stances several times before Greg stopped and approached us.

"Next is to weave your energy in your movements. Flow allows the energy of an enemy into your body, controlling it with your own and then expelling it. Deviation will result in failure."

Vanter stopped immediately, "Whoa, that's basically suicide, isn't it?" I had to side with Vanter. To purposefully allow someone's energy within you was just asking for trouble.

Greg chuckled, "It is a foolish technique, but mastered it is powerful. Do you still want to learn? I will need to insert my energy inside you."

"I trust you," I put out my hand.

Vanter looked at me as if I was crazy, sighed and also put out his hand, "In for a penny."

Greg looked at us again stoically, "You trust me?"

"Of course," I answered honestly.

"I was exiled. No longer a part of any caste," he spoke bluntly, an echo of shame in his eyes. "My name was cut."

"And I think your new name is fine. Greg. It's simple." I again put out my hand, "This is your home now."

Greg paused and smiled, "I am indeed blessed to have come here." He took my hand and I felt his energy begin to seep into my body. "I will teach you."