"you're obviously not listening to a word I'm saying, you're not punching them, you have to punch through them!" Adara cries in exasperation.
When Lucas asked her to teach him to fight she was hoping that he would at least have some foundation, but know, there was pretty much nothing there.
"For the last time I don't understand what that means," Lucas shot back, "maybe you're just a bad teacher?"
"I'm an excellent teacher! You're just a terrible student," Adara sighed, trying to find a way to explain the concept to Lucas. "It's about channeling your energy and force through the target, not just hitting its surface. It's like... breaking through a barrier."
Lucas frowned, still perplexed. "Barrier? What kind of metaphor is that?"
"It's not a metaphor; it's an analogy," Adara corrected. "Imagine your target as a wall. You don't just hit the surface; you break through it, reaching the other side. The same goes for your opponent. Punch through them, not just at them."
Adara observed Lucas's stance and posture, offering more guidance. "Remember to align your body properly. Your strength comes from your legs and core. Shift your weight forward when you punch and rotate your hips. It's all about generating power from your entire body, not just your arm."
Lucas nodded, attempting to adjust his stance as Adara demonstrated the proper movements. "Good. Now, focus on your breathing. Inhale as you prepare, and exhale sharply with the punch. It helps with control and power."
Adara demonstrated the breathing rhythm, hoping Lucas would follow suit. "And one more thing," she added, "keep your guard up. Protect yourself, especially when you're in close quarters. You never know when your opponent might strike back."
Lucas flopped over onto the ground, a dramatic sigh escaping him. "I can't do any more of this. It's too much. I thought learning to fight would be more... I don't know, exciting?"
Adara raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. "Learning to fight isn't about excitement; it's about discipline, technique, and survival. If you want to improve, you'll have to push through the challenges."
Lucas groaned, still lying on the ground. "Can't we take a break or something? Maybe fight another day?"
Adara sighed, relenting a bit. "Fine, we can take a short break. But remember, becoming proficient in combat takes persistence and effort. It's not something you master in a single session."
Adara moved away from Lucas, leaving him by the campfire, as she began to set up a warding circle around their camp. The soft glow of magical runes shimmered in the air as she traced intricate patterns with her fingertips.
As she worked, her thoughts wandered to Hypnos, the enigmatic lord she served.
"Hypnos, my lord," she whispered to the night air. "Your power is immense, your commands shape reality itself. But I can't help but question the morality of it all."
She pondered the consequences of his actions and the impact on the world. The sleeping city behind them, the battles they left in their wake – all influenced by Hypnos's will.
"He's a god, above our understanding," she mused, but a doubt lingered. Adara couldn't shake the feeling that something about his methods was inherently unsettling.
Finishing the warding circle, she returned to the campfire, sitting beside Lucas. The night continued its silent watch, leaving Adara to wrestle with her thoughts under the distant gaze of the moon.