"Today we have a new recruit, say hello to Kihearnis," our instructor, Santi, announced. The eyes of the other three rested on me. I gave a tight lipped smile at them, and Lylan smiled enthusiastically.
Santi looked at me before paneling his eyes at the others, "Today, we split. Naja, take the other two and work stealth with them. I shall take Kihearnis to work on the basics."
Naja held her head high, hands together behind her back, shoulders broad, and nodded before sharply turning to another part of our training arena. Lylan mouthed 'good luck'. May Kikamaeres have mercy on me.
"Today we work on the basics," he turned to me, putting down his weapon, "a house is nothing without a strong foundation."
We spent hours going over different strikes and blocks. He would punch at me, and I would block. Then I would return the favor, and he would block. We went back and forth. Drilling this moves into my mind. Only stopping for water and lunch.
Santi called the others over, "That's enough for today. Go wash up, eat, and rest. We will return here tomorrow."
Naja bowed her head and sharply turned 180 degrees and walked away. The man that joined Naja and Lylan walked up to me, "Hello there, I just wanted to properly introduce myself."
He held his hand out, but I did not understand. Why would he…?
"Oh, I forgot our customs are so different," he put his hand down, "anyways, um, my name is Bibe, may you have the day you deserve."
Bibe scurried away, and Lylan just smiled after him.
"In case you couldn't tell, Bibe is a shy lad," she explained.
I scoffed, "I think I understood that much."
She just laughed. We continued to walk inside, well, we both more limped than walked. Today was extraordinary, I can hardly believe I'm learning how to fight. Let alone that I've escaped Fusaemis.
"Do you wanna do somethin' fun?" Lylan cocked her head at me.
I shrugged, knowing no matter what I said she would drag me along, "Sure."
Now, looking back, this was a mistake. She had taken me to a tavern to drink, of which I have never done before. The toxins in the drinks were horrible, tasting like something straight out of Quijumas. Despite that, I kept drinking. I felt my head get heavy, my thoughts go blank, and my limbs feel tingly. This light feeling was addicting, I see why the clients would drink so much of it.
Most of it is a blur, but I vaguely saw three neon white men walking up to us as we attempted to leave. Lylan is more… aware than I am. She is doing all the talking, I pick up on some words, but before I know it, one of the three swings at Lylan.
"Godnabit!" She exclaims as she ducks out of the way. She grabs a thing of water and chucks it on me, "Muscle up, butter cup!"
One man hangs behind, and another takes a swing at me, I saw it coming, and tried to block his arm, but I was too slow.
His hit connects with my throat.
I see stars.
My eyes water.
I stagger back into a table, and he tries to grab my wrist. I threw myself out of the way. I am well aware what those men plan to do if they get either of us. I've seen and experienced it time and time again.
He stalks towards me, and in the corner of my eye I see Lylan fighting the other two. She's putting up a fight against two opponents, yet I'm barely surviving with one? To hell with that.
I may not have the fighting experience or expertise of Lylan, but I do have my wits.
Right as he was in arms reach, I grabbed a wooden mug of beer and smashed it into the side of his face. I kicked him square in the crotch, and stood there. Smiling. I watched as he crumpled like a piece of paper to the ground, trying to get the beer out of his eyes.
I shouldn't have stood there.
He tackled me to the ground, straddling me, he raised his fist and I tried to protect myself with my arms and-
Wham!
"Well hey there hun, no need to be layin' on that filthy floor," Lylan offered me a hand. I took it and she hoisted me off the floor.
"You're a lot stronger than you look," I mentioned as we walked out of the tavern.
She laughed, "Yeah, you could say that."
We chatted the rest of the way home, but I came to the realization of how weak I am. If Lylan wasn't there… I don't even want to think about what would have happened to me…
I must put everything I have into my training.