The Echoes

V

 "No fair!" Julia screamed, then sat down in a huff.

"Get up, girl," 0-1 said curtly.

It was late afternoon, the sun low over the horizon. 0-1 was training Julia and Clara in a small circle, about 1.5 meters in diameter, with two lines on either end. Julia and Clara started in the center, with their hands locked together; the objective was to push the other person across the line on their side. During the first round, after half a minute of protracted shoving, Clara had gotten the idea to use her telekinetic abilities to gain the upper hand, and the bouts steadily became more one-sided. This time around, Clara actually sent Julia staggering back with a particularly powerful telekinetic burst. Julia was clearly not pleased.

Evie and Mark watched nearby, silently observing the proceedings. Mark had given stance tips to both of the girls, to improve their resistance towards shoving, but telekinetic abilities completely voided any sort of stance one could make.

0-1 went down onto one knee, and cupped Julia's hand in his chin, forcing her bright blue eyes to gaze into his own deep, dark ones.

"Get up."

Julia swatted his hand, but he held it firm. Julia looked closer into 0-1's eyes. She found no pity or solace in them. Only annoyance.

"It's not fair!" she finally huffed, "She keeps pushing me back with her powers! I can't do that to her!"

"Combat is a struggle for survival, not a sport," 0-1 replied solemnly, "There is no fairness involved. Each party can and will use whatever they can to win."

0-1 removed his hand from Julia's chin, but she continued to hold his gaze. 0-1 continued, "When hunting anomalous entities, you will be outmatched in many areas. It is up to you to find what you can use to level the playing field."

"But what can I use?" Julia asked, her petulance replaced by genuine curiosity, "She can move things with her mind, and I can't. There's no way I can push her back!"

"There is always a way to accomplish something, girl. You just have to find it," 0-1 replied. Then he stood up. "Mark! Get in the circle."

Mark complied, and 0-1 entered to. "I am faster than Mark-" 0-1 began.

"Says who?" Mark replied, deadpan.

"I am faster than Mark," 0-1 replied, ignoring him, "But Mark is stronger. I cannot win a battle of raw strength with him."

To demonstrate, 0-1 locked hands with Mark, and began pushing. Mark pushed back, and for a few seconds they were locked together, churning up dirt with their feet. Then, inch by inch, Mark began to advance, until 0-1's foot crossed the line on his side. They then separated, breathing heavily.

"But," 0-1 said, "I can win other battles with him." He gestured to Mark and they returned to the circle, locking hands once more. This time, after only a second of pushing, 0-1 suddenly reversed his direction and took a step backward, causing Mark to stumble forward. 0-1 seized the opportunity instantly, unlinking their hands and springing forward, throwing his full body weight into Mark. Mark staggered backward, nearly going over his line, but he quickly regained his balance and sprang back with his own shove. 0-1 whirled out of the way, landing behind Mark. He planted his foot onto Mark's backside and pushed forcefully. Mark reacted instantly, rolling onto his back and springing back onto his feet, but 0-1 was prepared. He swept Mark's legs out from under him just as he was about to land, causing him to fall forward. 0-1 caught Mark and, with a massive heave, tossed him clear over his line on the other side. Mark landed on all fours and sprang back up onto his feet, but the exercise was over. Mark had lost.