True Nature

The True King 3

The next day...

Shuo Gang opened his eyes. Surprised that he had sleep well. He didn't even have nightmares like he usually did. Looking up, he caught the apple that was thrown at him. He looked at Yan Da questioningly, biting into the apple.

"Get up. We're going somewhere." She then said. Shuo Gang followed her, getting more fruits on the way. By and by, they were on a wide field.

Shuo Gang looked at it in amazement. It's beautiful.

"From now on, you and I will start training in here." Yan Da said facing him.

"From you?" he said unsurely. He grew up with the thought that women are weaker than men. So, what she could she possibly teach him?

Yan Da smiled, knowing the thoughts running on his mind. She's not surprised. She then moved, quickly drawing her sword and putting it close to his neck. His eyes widened, dropping the fruits he had been holding.

"Lesson number one, never underestimate anyone. Erase the thought that someone is inferior because of their gender and status because that can be your down fall. Understand?"

"Y-yes."

Yan Da smiled, retracting her sword. "Eat first. We'll start training when you're done."

~~~

"She's amazing." Ken said, admiring the fire princess. The others chuckled at her antics. However, most of them thought the same the fire princess is indeed something.

Shuo Gang and Flame looked at each other, thinking. They never really thought about that before. Yan Da's words echoed in their minds, planting itself in there.

~~~

"Put your hands a little higher," Yan Da instructed him. Shuo Gang followed. "Good."

"Why are you doing this?" He asked. Curious at her intentions. She could have just left him instead she stayed and took care of him. Now, she's training him. Why?

"Training you?"

"No. I mean yes but also the things you've done for me before this."

"Let's just say, I couldn't stand it." She answered, confusing him.

"W-what?"

She chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Maybe someday I'll tell you why. But now, focus on your training. Become stronger..."

"For revenge," he said, swinging his sword. He let it go though, feeling the hard smack on his head.

"Aw, what was that for!?" he asked, looking at Yan Da. Her stern gaze made him quiet.

"I told you erase those kind of thoughts."

"B-but..."

"Shuo Gang, catch." She said, giving him her sword. The boy stumbled. The sword was really heavy.

"W-why is this so heavy when it's the same as the one I'm using?" he gasped, sitting down. Unable to lift the sword any longer.

Yan Da smiled sadly, picking the sword up. "It's because it took innocent lives. I grew up in a very competitive tribe. Where only the strongest survive. In my younger years, I only thought of being on top because my brothers always bullied me."

"What's wrong with that?"

"It blinded me. Little by little I was slowly losing myself. Unknowingly, following the path that I hated so much."

The boy looked at the sword again. "I... I don't want to lose myself and I don't want to be like him – Phoenix."

Yan Da crouched down, meeting his eyes. "Then don't let your hate and anger consume you. I understand why you want revenge but if that is your trail of thought. You won't go far and you'll lose yourself completely."

"But it's a sword ...used to kill people..."

She smiled, picking up the weapon. "Wrong." She told him, doing some stances. She then pointed it at him. "It's a sword used to protect people. Your. People."

"To protect my people." Shuo Gang repeated. Eyes glinting in determination.

"Yes." She then reversed the sword, giving him the handle. "Now, stand up and continue. You still have a long way to go before becoming king."