Memory Shards (Book#1 of Malachi)

Chapter 8

"Never!" The voice rang loud.

The entire group of youngling's stood around a bout. It was Irvin facing off against Banri. They were outside on the beach, the warm Sun on them.

The instructors had been working on teaching the defense against the body of hardening.

Irvin had been exhausted, his opponent showing no sign of being tired.

"For the love of the ground..." Irvin breathed out heavily while on his knees. He put his hand down on the sand, his skin taking similar color and texture of it.
He stood up, his lower right arm now morphed into hard sand.

Banri stood a few feet away from, a look of boredom on his face.

Irvin charged again, Banri countering with a spinning leg kick to his arm, hitting a pressure point with his heel.
Irvin let out a yelp as his arm went numb, the morph reversing and the layer of sand falling off of his arm. His normal skin showed underneath.

All of a sudden, Banri swooped past his defense and palmed Irvin's stomach. Pain overrode Irvin's expression. Blood came out his mouth.
Banri ended it with an uppercut, lifting the now loser of the bout off of his feet.
Irvin landed on his back letting out a groan. Malachi stood behind most of the group, his arms crossed.

I still have no episodic memory from before my arrival on the island, he thought to himself. All I have is some semantic memory, but even that doesn't help me out with this current situation. It's as though I'm in a different world.

The main instructor for this course was a tall man. His green eyes seemed to glow, if only feint. His red hair was cut short, the waves still seen in the form. His tan skin bore many markings, scars.
His lip was in a tight line, his eyes set in a critic's stare.

"Both of you still have much to learn," the instructor said.

Banri's eyebrows lowered. "Instructor, Damian. What pray tell did I do wrong?"

The instructor took a step forward, the younglings moving out of his way to allow him into the circle.
Damian stopped five feet away from Banri. He raised a foot and stomped it forward into the ground.

Malachi raised a brow. What does he mean by his actions?

Damian simply dragged his foot backwards until it was well behind him, his other foot and body still stationary.

His foot had left a large, snake like track.

Malachi eyes widened at the next movement.

Sand from under Banri's feet pulled away from him towards Damian rapidly. Banri let out a surprised grunt as he fell on his bottom. His cheeks turned red. Clearly he had been made a spectacle.

"You saw his arm morph with the sand, yet you completely ignored the sand on his legs. I doubt he would have used it in the same manner as I just did, but he very well could have. You must never underestimate the ability of those you face. Give 110% in a spar and 200% in a real fight... enough for the both of you."

Banri stared down at the floor. He was upset that he'd been easily bested but he'd learn from it.

Damian stepped forward and offered his hand.

Banri lifted his head to see the Instructor's outstretched hand and grin. "Don't let it upset you, boy. Be glad instead. For your time will come to teach me one day."

Banri gave a laugh. "Should the skies fall, then will I believe that."

A laughter ensued within the youngling group. Even Irvin, who had lost miserably, joined in on the mirth.