Geode

Episode 1

     "Step lunge!" "Block!" "Counter!" "Opening!" "Step lunge!" "Block!" The words were exchanged quickly as Geode kept up with the moves as best as he could, announcing his own and moving to block each of Talc's.  It took almost all his energy to do so, and he often found himself  shaking and even stumbling every so often, while Talc's moves were precise and quick, her feet sturdy on the ground. He often found himself starting to struggle even more, Talc's moves becoming quicker and more complicated, even harder to block than they already were. 

      "Strike!" "Block!" "Defenders attack!" "Doge!" "Shoulder strike!" "Block!" "Lunge!" "Doge!" "Lunge!" "Strike!" Suddenly Geode felt a clang as the makeshift metal sword Talc held made contact with his chest, which meant he'd lost. Before he knew it she was under him, sweeping him off his feet and letting him fall flat on his back with a thump, knocking the wind out of him. He gasped and then rolled over on his side, shaking now with not just exhaustion but anger. He quickly got up, baring his teeth. 

      "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!?" he spat.

      "If you would of kept a solid stance and had only lifted your weapon a bit earlier you would have been able to block. In a real fight you would have had to retreat back to your gem, or worse, gotten shattered. We will be beginning another round immediately." Talc said, throwing his sword back to him.

      I wouldn't exactly call it a gem . Geode snarled, thinking of the miserable hunk of rock on his head, and letting the useless and dull piece of metal fall with a clang at his feet. "Why don't you MAKE ME!"

      Talc glared at him and took a step forward; and with it Geode shrunk back, but still stayed where he was, his fists clenched and shaking. He'd been having to train so hard lately, with no breaks at all whatsoever, and he hated it. Not only was he constantly exhausted, but also constantly in fear of what Talc would do to him if he didn't live up to her expectations. He'd been doing this tirelessly for two years now, and all he'd been able to do was memorize some basic useless sword techniques; though his strength had gradually increased through the months, going from needing the powers of a Carnelian to even lift his head to actually being able to support his own weight and actually practice some of the sword techniques Talc had made him memorize. But that didn't matter; he was still worthless.

      Geode smirked and raised his eyebrow, his words coated with cockiness. "What are you gonna do? Beat me?!" 

      Talc took up a threatening posture and opened her mouth to speak, but was suddenly interrupted by a shy crackle of a voice. 

      "H-hello?" 

      Geode immediately turned and glared at the gem who'd spoken. Oh great, her again. 

      "Greetings Geode. Did Talc send you over here?" Talc asked, taking on a less defensive stature and referring to the Talc who she was assigned, all while Geode watched, giving the Geode who'd interrupted them a malevolent glare. 

      She'd been the second defense gem to complete incubation, but, unlike him, actually came out knowing what she was supposed to, and had not a shred of rebelliousness in her. A normal Geode. 

      "She gave me a break, and suggested i come over here." she said sheepishly, in a similar voice to Geode's, one that Carnelian described as easily mistaken for an earth male, and actually didn't look that different from him, except for her bright yellow hair that was shorter and did a better job at cropping her face than his, while on the other hand Geode's black hair was longer and more ragged than clean cut, his eyes blazing an amber color, while her eyes were the same shade as her hair, bright yellow.

      "Am i interrupting..?" she asked, looking nervously at Geode, who bore his teeth.

      "No, actually. I could use your help in training Geode here."