The Day They Died

Fight!

I drop to the floor trying to avoid the blade. She easily anticipates that and changes the direction of her sword till its inches from my face. This might be how I die. She stops it just in time and sighs, "We have a lot of work to do"

She drops her sword and walks off. What is she thinking?! I stare at her as she goes behind a fighting dummy to get another set of armor. "This should fit you, put it on"

I go and take it from her, still stunned, but ask her a question anyways.

 "You can transform into any animal so why the trying to kill me with swords and stuff?"

She looks back at me as I struggle to put on the armor, "Us halfs are not as powerful as full Pali so its more difficult for us. Even then when it comes to war any method of fighting an asset, especially sword fighting. There are several swords over there," she points to the corner, "go choose one that best suites you"

Finally I manage to get the stupid armor on and begin walking over to where she was pointing. There was every weapon imaginable over here. Some were sharp and pointy and others were blunt and brutal objects of destruction. I scan the weapons before I see an elegant silver long sword. I pick it up and it seems pretty light, a bit uncomfortable in the hand, but I like it all the while.

I walk back to the lady and show her the sword, "Who are you anyways?"

She looks up, eyes my sword, before talking, "Just call me Mila and as for the sword, good choice if I might say. Very traditional"

Mila gets in a ready stance and points her sword again.

"Now we fight"

She lunges at me with the sword and I clumsily block it with mine. I back up trying to get some distance but she quickly closes the space. "Don't act so clumsy. Have all your movements be smooth. Watch what I do"

Smooth and quick, yeah I can do that. I calm myself and watch her movements. All her muscles seemed at the ready, poised. In between clumsily blocking her I can see her studying my moves and analyzing them in order to make another attack. 

I try another attack making it more "smooth". Again she avoids and readies another attack at me.

Whenever I attempted to strike a blow she anticipates it. So lets try something different. I move my stance the same as I did before, appearing to attack. Again she easily avoids and goes for an attack. At that moment I dive past her and get behind her, pointing my sword at her back.

"Got you"

I hear a laugh before she easily turns around and disarms me with her own sword. She swipes her leg and I hit the ground hard. I open my eyes to see the sword point right at my face again. 

"Got you" 

And with another laugh from her we begin training again.

______

When I finally got home I was sore all over. I collapse to my bed and think about Mila. She is crazy skilled and works me like crazy. But she seems nice too I guess. Gosh I never thought I would meet so many people here. They are all so nice and willing to help me. 

I don't wanna disappoint them. I sit up and look at the table nearby. 

A box.

I open it up and find a bracelet and a note. after putting on the bracelet I read the letter.

          Ve,

Actaeon told me to give you a bracelet of your own. It will give you access to the training area and that's about it. Its not special like my bracelet (Mine absorbs my power and brings it out into the world to use isn't that cool?!) but it does have some of my power stored in it so you'll be able open the door for a while. I'll help you out it it stops working so don't worry. Hope training wasn't too hard. 

                                               -Bitro

That dork. I'm glad to have a friend like him to watch my back. I glance at the bracelet on my hand. Seems pretty much the same as Bitro's but its obviously less special. Maybe I can get some more practice in, I need to test out the bracelet anyways. I doubt that I'd even be able to sleep too.

I walk out of the apartment and head over to the training door. I grab the charm from my bracelet and trace the dirt with it. After some time I hear the familiar pop and the door opens. It really works.

I trail through halls before finding a training room like before. There was dummies and weapons just like the last one. I grab the armor and and another long sword and began practicing at the fighting dummy. 

I practiced for so long that my muscles felt like collapsing from exhaustion. But I can't stop now. I can't sleep and I don't have anything better to do other than make sure that I am strong enough to never let someone get hurt because of me. Jab after jab, attack after attack,  just to make sure I I won't hurt someone else.

Pathetic. 

______

Morning came quickly and by the time I got home it was already light out. I never knew I could be as tired as I am right now. I'll could rest my eyes for a couple minutes, no where near enough time to dream but that's what I want. The dreams I have been having lately have been freaking me out. 

Running from some unknown creature in the woods wasn't that bad. Seeing my parents though was the real nightmare. I mean dreaming about them should make me happy. Should. But something is off the reacquiring dream and I don't like it. 

Either way I have had nightmares almost my whole life and so I don't like sleeping. Since I'm accustomed to it I only need about an hour or two of sleep each day at most.

I sigh laying on the couch nearby. The minute I hit the cushions I was out like a rock.