🐲 Dragon and Phoenix (Path of Light and Fire Book #2) (Completed) 🐲

NSP 2: Adapt

One cycle ago.

Kaita felt the ground vibrate, as the greataxe pierced where her head had been moments ago.

She rolled into a crouch and swung her branch in a semicircle. It was a trick to create space and put eyes on her assailant, Aegis. A cloud of winter's breath escaped her lips as her fingers trailed along the cold, hard ground.

"Good," the stocky man replied. His right arm gripped the banded brown shaft of the weapon, which led to two crescent-shaped blades. His left hand smoothed his thick mustache. "Your reaction time is..."

Kaita roared and sprang from her crouch, ignoring the words that followed. Both hands on the branch, she rushed Aegis, closing the distance between the two. Aegis tried to bring up his blade, but Kaita swung hard and her weapon crashed against his knuckles. She heard a crunch as the thing snapped in two from the impact and splinters flew towards her face. She didn't care. Kaita flung away the useless piece of wood and jumped at Aegis, arms stretched out and headed for his throat.

His eyes narrowed as she gripped his neck and squeezed. Yet, his movements were swift and calm. Aegis grabbed her spindly arms with his callused hands and pulled her off of his throat.

"Kaita, you place yourself..."

She swung her foot up as hard as she could, connecting with Aegis's crotch. He flung her away with minimal effort, yet she twisted in midair and landed to her feet.

Aegis clutched himself and grimaced.

She felt at her waist for the hunting knife Aegis had given her a Cycle ago. She pulled it from its sheath and lunged for Aegis's chest.

Kaita found her body suspended in mid-flight. Threads of shadow wrapped around her arms and legs. No matter how much she struggled, Aegis's thing wouldn't let her free.

She growled.

Aegis dropped to one knee and coughed loudly a few times, hands on his groin. After a few moments, he pushed to his feet and put his hands on his waist.

"We were training on how to fight an ugar, girl! I taught you that move to use when fighting a man. The ugar do not have cocks. You cannot kick them there and expect an advantage."

"You almost killed me!"

Aegis shook his head. "Get used to it."

As each second passed, Kaita felt like a puppet who had lost her master. Aegis had every right to be angry, yet he seemed more amused than anything else.

He jogged in place and then shook out each leg. "If you want me to train you, you will respect the process. Next time you pull something like that, I'll drag you back to Okkai and Yitta kicking and screaming. Do I make myself clear?"

Kaita lowered her eyes. "Yes, sensei."

"Good."

Kaita expected Aegis to continue with his scolding, so she kept her head lowered and waited. Instead, she felt herself lurch forward as the thing released her from its grip. She sheathed the hunting knife and looked up to see Aegis smiling.

"Well done, Kaita. Adapting to your foe is the best way to stay alive."

"You just said..."

"And I meant it." Aegis placed his hand on her shoulder. "This experience has shown me that you are beyond role play." He released her and walked over to his greataxe. "Where are the ugar most weak?"

"Behind the knee, just above the small of the back, the eyes and the inside of the throat."

"Excellent." Aegis lifted the greataxe with a grunt, a puff of fog leaving his lips. The weapon made a screeching sound as it slid into Aegis's back holster. "We are not far away from home, a few days' walk at most. The Rwabu will test you mentally as well as physically. Engage in this type of behavior and I will not be able to protect you when we arrive."