"...ake...p...wa...u...." A dull voice spoke, a voice attempting to speak to him from his dreams.
"...ke...up...." The voice spoke again, in a slightly elevated tone.
A sudden crash forced Tokita up, as a torrent of air surged into the room from his door. As he adjusted his vision, he saw a very angry Aila with her foot raised, and a large dent in his door.
"I said, wake your ass up!" Aila shouted, wearing her signature leotard that showed off her defined muscles. Her hair hadn't been combed or seemingly touched, implying she had woken not much earlier. "God, I hate repeating myself." She muttered to herself as she walked away from his room in a hurry.
He spoke out a modest "Sorry!" Before shifting his weight and stepping out of bed.
As he sat up, he noticed the room was filled with gray light, indicating that it was still early morning. The air felt thick and heavy, and he felt as though he was being weighed down by an invisible force. He struggled to shake off the feeling as he stumbled out of bed and made his way to the door.
Hearing Aila's steps echo through the hallway, he stepped out and saw Ian's head poking through the door to his left.
"Man, she really has it out for you, she didn't even bother knocking on my door," Ian said with a plain expression.
"I guess it did the job of waking both of us up," Tokita said as he grunted and yawned, the effects of the early morning still hitting him.
Tokita stretched his arms, trying to shake off the drowsiness that still clung to him. "I'm assuming we need to meet up with everyone else."
"Probably, I wouldn't want to be late to our first day of training," Ian stated while beginning to walk down the hallway, with Tokita following.
As Tokita and Ian stepped out of the hideout, they were greeted with the sight of the other members of the Silver Steel Knights engaging in some peculiar activities.
Mitsugi was perched on Leo's back, looking as if she had just woken up from a deep sleep. Her eyes drooped and her hair was a mess, but she seemed content clinging onto Leo's broad shoulders like a koala bear.
Meanwhile, Aila was sitting on the ground with her head hung low, and Grensvall stood towering above her, his arms crossed as he reprimanded her like a stern father scolding a misbehaving child. Despite his authoritative stance, there was a hint of tenderness in his voice that made it clear he wasn't truly angry.
As they stepped out Ian and Tokita simply shared glances at each other, the both of them speechless at what they were looking at.
Soon Grensvall noticed them and stepped over to where they were. "Good that you two managed to get here on time. We've split ourselves into two groups to assist each of you with your individual training." He said, insinuating the two teams of Aila and himself, and Leo and Mitsugi.
"If I may ask...Why's Aila so...down?" Tokita asked, looking at Aila who sat on the floor, a mix of anger and sadness on her face.
"Frankly, she wanted to be a part of your training group. I believe she was going to use it as an excuse to attack you even more." Grensvall stated with a small hearty chuckle. "I told her she would be with me in training Hawkwalker, and that placed her in her current state."
"Ah...thank you for that. Seriously." Tokita said as he bowed his head sincerely. He turned his head to Ian and patted him on the back. "Best of luck." As he walked over to Leo and Mitsugi.
"Morning, Leo," Tokita said as he approached, waving over to him.
"Ah, morning Tokita!" Leo said with a grin on his face. He shifted his weight slightly to make Mitsugi shake slightly.
Mitsugi began to stir and opened her eyes, rubbing them in an attempt to wake herself up after Leo's shaking.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." Leo chuckled as Mitsugi lifted her head up from his back, her hair splayed out over his shoulders.
"Morning, Leo. Sorry for using you as a pillow." She said sheepishly, raising her head and seeing Tokita in front of her. "Oh, good morning to you as well." She said before plopping her chin on Leo's shoulder to support her head.
"Welp, we have a long day ahead of us, might as well get going now," Leo said, turning around and tilting his head, signifying for Tokita to follow him.
"Right, no use standing around here and wasting daylight," Tokita replied with a nod, following Leo's lead.
Leo led him to a wide and open area in the surrounding forest, an area that appeared to be the remnants of some kind of ancient ruin. There was a large, 300ft wide circle at the center, an area perfect for training.
As they approached the circle, Tokita couldn't help but take in the details of the area around them. The forest was dense and alive, with massive trees reaching up to the sky, their branches interweaving to create a green canopy. Birds chirped and sang in the background, adding to the peaceful ambiance of the area.
Leo walked forward until he reached the remains of a set of stairs and lightly took Mitsugi off his back, placing her on the steps and patting her head. He turned around and walked to the center circle.
Once they reached the center of the circle, Leo turned to face him, his eyes glimmering with excitement. "Alright, first things first," he said as he unsheathed his sword. "I need to see where you're currently at, to see what we need to work on."
Leo turned to face Tokita, his eyes piercing through him. The intensity of his gaze was almost palpable, as if the air itself was electric. The morning light glinted off his eyes, making them appear even brighter and more intense. His eyes were like diamonds, hard and unyielding, yet also possessing a rare beauty.
Leo's expression was unreadable, his face set in a stoic mask. Tokita couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he stood before him, feeling as if he was being scrutinized, judged.
This was until his eyes blanked, and his face became more cartoonish, upon realizing Tokita didn't have a sword.
"That's right, you were just using a sword the guards gave you," Leo said, closing his eyes as he pondered. He turned to Mitsugi as he spoke softly. "Mimi, can Tokita use your Katana for now?"
Mitsugi stirred from her half-sleeping state and blinked a few times before mumbling, "..Sure, take it.." She didn't seem to be fully aware of what was going on, but she was willing to lend her weapon nonetheless.
He stepped over to her and grabbed her Katana, before gently tossing it through the air as Tokita caught it.
Tokita unsheathed the Katana, an angelic light shining from the high-grade steel as it was fully unleashed, cutting through the air.
He marveled at the intricate design of the hilt, its white wrapping in perfect harmony with the pale blue gem that adorned the pommel. As he gripped the sword, he felt a sense of belonging, as if holding a blade had become second nature to him at this point.
He turned to Leo, who nodded approvingly, and then to Mitsugi, who was still sound asleep. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy at her ability to doze off so easily, but he didn't let it distract him from the task at hand.
Tokita took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the sword in his hand, and then swung it in a wide arc, testing its weight and balance. The blade sliced through the air with ease, leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake.
"I'm ready," Tokita said, staring into Leo's eyes with pure determination.
"Ooh, I like that look," Leo said, turning to Mitsugi. "Mimi, do you mind timing us? Let's do...two minutes." He said, deciding the number.
Mitsugi groaned, rubbing her eyes as she sat up. "Fine, but can you guys try to be a bit quieter?" she said, stifling a yawn.
Leo nodded in agreement and turned back to Tokita. "Alright, let's get started."
Tokita stood in a wide stance, pointing his blade directly at Leo, his nerves going into overdrive as he focused on him clearly.
Though, Tokita could put 120% of his power into focusing on him, it still wouldn't have changed the outcome.
Without warning, Leo vanished from Tokita's line of sight, leaving him disoriented and bewildered. The forest around him seemed to close in on him, the rustling of leaves amplified as his heart raced in his chest. Suddenly, a sharp pain exploded in his side, forcing the air out of his lungs as he was propelled backward, his back hitting the ground with a loud thud.
Groggy and disoriented, he slowly lifted his head, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Through blurry eyes, he saw Leo standing, his leg extended outwards, his face still stoic, his diamond eyes piercing through Tokita's very soul.
As the haze lifted, Tokita realized that Leo had kicked him with incredible force, sending him flying several feet away. He groaned, the pain in his side intensifying with every breath. Leo didn't move or say a word, his eyes fixated on Tokita as if he was a predator stalking his prey.
"S-Shit! That hit was different than Aila's! His had less power, but it was far more concentrated and precise!" Tokita thought to himself as he barely forced himself on his feet, panting heavily with long and heavy breaths.
"Are you done, after just a single kick?" Leo stated, his eyes blank of emotion. A stark contrast to the cheerful version of himself Tokita had been accustomed to.
Tokita's mind raced as he tried to come up with a response, but all he could manage was a labored breath. His whole body throbbed with pain, his senses dulled by the force of Leo's attack.
Leo's gaze bored into him, unflinching, unrelenting. There was no hint of amusement or malice, just a cold assessment of Tokita's abilities
Tokita grunted, pushing through the pain and entering a hanging right sword stance, his Katana high up near his head. "Not done just yet." He said, a small smile on his face as he had a slightly crazed look in his eye.
"Good," Leo stated frankly.
Tokita dashed, swinging overhead. Leo brought his blade up, effortlessly parrying away Tokita's strike.
The sound of clashing steel echoed through the clearing as the two warriors engaged in a fierce sword fight. Tokita's movements were inexperienced and quick, while Leo's were precise and calculated, each movement carefully planned and executed. The sweat was starting to drip down Tokita's forehead as he continued to push himself harder and harder, trying to find an opening in Leo's defense.
With each strike, Tokita's blade met Leo's, and each time, Leo parried with ease. Tokita was quickly becoming exhausted, his muscles burning as he tried to keep up with Leo's movements.
Leo moved with such fluidity that it was as if he was dancing with Tokita, effortlessly dodging and parrying every attack. As Tokita swung his blade, Leo swiftly sidestepped, spinning around and kicking Tokita in the back. Tokita was sent flying, crashing into a nearby tree, the air knocked out of his lungs.
"This...this is just as bad as Aila...No...this might even be worse..." Tokita murmured to himself, using the tree as a support as he could feel the blood rushing down the side of his face. He raised his hand a touched it, looking at the crimson oozing from his head. "Is this really...how much of a difference there is...?" He said, a pit of despair entrapping his soul as he slowly lost grasp of the Katana.
If he were to guess, a minute had passed. He had one more minute to prove himself to Leo.
Tokita's mind raced as he tried to come up with a plan, a way to even the playing field between them. But he knew deep down that he was outmatched in every way.
He pushed himself off the tree, sucking in a deep breath as he readied his blade once more. Leo shifted his weight forward, dashing at Tokita. Tokita rolled to the side, Leo's slash cutting into the tree behind him, causing it to fall.
The sound of the tree trunk cracking filled the air, as the massive plant tilted and toppled over with a resounding thud. Tokita rolled onto his back, avoiding the falling debris by mere inches.
Gritting his teeth, Tokita pushed himself back up, clutching the Katana with trembling hands. He could feel the weight of the weapon as it slipped in his grasp, the pain in his body threatening to overwhelm him. Despite this, he knew he had to push on. "Come on!" He screamed to himself, forcing his body to move.
Leo stood a few feet away, his eyes scanning Tokita as if he were nothing more than an insect. "Is that all you have?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.
Tokita didn't respond. Instead, he lunged forward with a yell, the Katana held high above his head.
Leo watched as Tokita charged towards him, his eyes showing his determination and drive to prove himself. He waited until the last possible moment before sidestepping, avoiding the strike with ease.
Leo stepped forward, his sword at the ready. Tokita could feel the intensity in the air, as if the very atmosphere was crackling with energy. He knew he had only seconds left to prove himself.
With a primal yell, Tokita surged forward, his katana gleaming in the sunlight. He struck out with lightning-fast slashes and thrusts, each one delivered with a ferocity that belied his exhaustion. Leo parried each attack with effortless grace, his movements fluid and precise. "Come on!" Tokita screamed, giving it his all.
Refusing to back down, Tokita continued to press forward, every muscle in his body aching with exertion as he unleashed an onslaught of strikes. The two combatants engaged in a furious exchange of blows, the sharp clang of metal ringing out through the clearing.
Despite his best efforts, Tokita ultimately fell to Leo's superior skill. In a swift motion, Leo disarmed him, knocking the blade into the air, right above Tokita.
Few seconds remained. He needed to do something fast.
Jumping slightly, Tokita caught the Katana in his mouth at its hilt. Using the last bit of energy he had, he launched a surprise attack that caught Leo off guard. He swung the blade down from his mouth, an attack Leo didn't expect.
As the katana descended, Tokita's muscles coiled, ready to unleash the full power of his attack. His senses sharpened, he could hear the rustling of leaves in the wind and the thumping of his own heart. Leo's movements slowed down, his eyes widened in surprise. Tokita's blade connected with Leo's, sending sparks flying and echoing across the training grounds.
Leo raised his guard to defend, but because of its unexpectedness, the strike pushed him back, ever so slightly.
But it was not enough. Despite the initial success, Leo quickly recovered and pushed back, sending Tokita flying backward with a powerful kick. Tokita hit the ground hard, his vision blurring as he struggled to get back up.
"Time..." Mitsugi said softly, as Leo's expression reset to the relaxed expression he had before the fight.
"Okay!" He said cheerfully to Mitsugi.
Tokita's eyes narrowed, his focus returning. With a deep breath, he slowly got back up, his muscles screaming in protest.
Leo stepped forward, studying Tokita intently. The young man's eyes were ablaze with a fierce intensity, the kind that burned with an unquenchable fire. It was a look that Leo had seen before, in himself when he was younger.
Tokita's body was battered and bruised, his breathing ragged and labored, yet he refused to give up. He stood there, his katana held in a white-knuckled grip, his eyes locked on Leo's. There was a raw, unbridled determination in his stance, a defiance that dared Leo to strike him down.
For a moment, Leo stood there, silent and unmoving. He could feel the weight of the moment, the tension that hung thick in the air.
"Such bright determination in his eyes," Leo said quietly to himself. He knew that this was a pivotal moment, one that could define the course of Tokita's journey as a warrior.
Without a word, Leo raised his sword, his eyes locked onto Tokita's. He knew that the young man had potential, that he had the drive and the determination to become a truly great warrior. And in that moment, he saw something else, something that went beyond mere potential. He saw a kind of raw, unbridled power, the kind that only came from the depths of the soul.
"I believe I can make something of you, Tokita," Leo said, a smile on his face. Not one of evil or malice, one of belief. He shouted out, calling out to the gods. "Do not wallow in weakness, you can be strong!"
Tokita's eyes widened, the information that entered his brain overflowing his senses. "I...can be strong...?" Tokita murmured to himself. "I can be strong!?" He repeated, shouting it out to Leo.
Leo smiled, as the morning sun shined over him. It's light overpowering, a semblance of possibility flooding over Tokita.
As the rays of the sun shone down on them, Tokita felt a newfound sense of hope wash over him. This world had resulted in him feeling lost and alone, but now, that might change. With a fierce determination burning in his heart, Tokita looked up at Leo and smiled. "Thank you, Leo. I won't let you down."
"Now, let's continue!" Leo shouted out to the heavens.
As the two warriors faced each other once more, a new sense of purpose filled the air. The sun rose higher in the sky, casting its light over the ancient ruins, as the sounds of clashing swords echoed through the forest.