The Awakening

Chapter Seven

"Hey! Wake up! Leila rise and shine will you? You really have to start waking up before the day's over."

I opened my eyes. James was standing in my room. All the lights were on.

"What are you doing in here?!" I asked in shock.

"Waking you up...? Did I like.... Not make that clear?" He replied. 

"Get out of my room!" I exclaimed. "Please!" 

"Alright, sheesh!" He said. "Let's eat, then we've got to head to the meadow again. I'm training you today!" Oh... Great. This guy made me nervous. I glanced at the clock. It was just past seven. I usually went back to sleep pretty soon after this at my house. I guess this time I'd be training. I grabbed something to eat, following James outside. He led me to a space that was fairly large and open. "Well I'm apparently the one who has to teach you basic fighting skills. Please don't make my head explode." He said.

"O-ok..." I replied, not really sure how to respond.

"Hey, I know you've only been in the real world a little while, but that's a little something we call "Humor." James said, dragging the word out. I rolled my eyes, smiling a little. "Hey look, she does smile. Seriously though, be careful, don't blow anything up. Ok! I figured I teach you a few things today, more later. There are takedowns, combination moves, basic slaps, punches and dodging, and finally death strikes." I gasped.

"Death strikes?!" I exclaimed. 

"You gotta get it into your head that in a kill or get killed situation you have to strike first. It's just how it works." James said. I sighed. He sighed back heavily, mocking me. "Hooooookkayyyyyy, let's begiiiiiiin....." He sighed, acting sullen. "Alright, takedowns. They're very effective in both offensive and defensive positions. You know, you saw it. Sam did it to be yesterday when he tackled me. It's what we'll be practicing today. I know you practiced a lot of balance with Lita, now you have to practice trying to get your opponent off balance."

"How do you know what I did yesterday?" I asked. This is a big reason why he made me nervous. 

"I know everything." He said with a smile. I stared at him. "What? Don't you remember my power? Seeing past present and future? I saw it."

"James! That's like stalking!" I exclaimed.

"Well when you say it like that you make me sound creepy." He said. "I have to know what you've learned, and it's faster than having to ask, and communicate like a normal person. Here, I believe in visual learning, so I'll show you a takedown."

"Wait wha..." I didn't finish before he grabbed my leg, pulling me to the ground. I landed on my back, hitting my head hard on the floor. "Ow! What was that for?!" 

"That would be the first type of takedown." He replied, looking down at me with a smug smile. I glared at him. Swinging my leg around I kicked him in the ankle as hard as I could. His mocking face turned to complete shock as he toppled over to the ground. I stood back up.

"That would be the second type." I said with a smirk. 

"Wow... Actually yes it is." James said. Really? Wow I didn't realize I actually might be right... "How'd you know that?"

"I guess I just know everything." I replied. He smiled.

"You learned fast." He said.

"Fighting?" I asked.

"No, humor." He replied teasingly, kicking me in the knee. I tumbled to the floor again. Come on! "Ok, as you and I have clearly demonstrated by now the legs are the best place to get someone off balance. What I'm mostly talking about here would be the ankle and the knee. There are tendons there, which if you kick have a good chance of causing a problem with your opponents muscle, knocking him off balance."