Vikram Era: 14 Shraavana, 1637 (August 8, 1570), En Route to Prayagraj
The night air was cool and crisp, the stars twinkling brightly in the clear sky. Siddharth, unable to sleep, decided to practice with various weapons he had collected. The convoy had settled for the night, and he found a secluded spot away from the campfire's glow to test his new strength. He picked up a training sword, feeling its weight in his hand, and began his exercises.
He swung the sword with renewed vigor, feeling the power coursing through his veins. However, his form was sloppy, his lines of attack poorly defined. He struggled to control the enhanced strength, and it showed in his uncoordinated movements. Despite his determination and endless enthusiasm, it was clear he lacked proper training and technique.
Unbeknownst to him, Aicha had also discovered this opening and since couldn't sleep had come here, she had been observing from a distance. She watched as Siddharth's sword sliced through the air with more enthusiasm than skill, cringing at each misstep. Unable to bear it any longer, she approached him silently, her steps barely making a sound on the soft ground.
" Please Stop!" she commanded, her voice firm and authoritative.
Startled, Siddharth halted mid-swing, nearly dropping the sword. He turned to see Aicha standing there, her expression stern and disapproving.
"Aisha?" he asked, confused. "What are you doing here?"
She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "I could ask you the same thing. What are you trying to accomplish with that pathetic display?"
Siddharth bristled at her tone but couldn't deny the truth in her words. "What?,
I'm practicing," he replied defensively.
"Practicing?" Aicha scoffed. "You call that practicing????? , Your stance is all wrong, your grip is sloppy, and your lines of attack are a mess. You're more likely to hurt yourself than anyone else. At this rate."
Her harsh critique stung, but Siddharth knew she was right. He lowered the sword, feeling embarrassed. "I just... I thought I could figure it out on my own."
Aicha shook her head. "Martial arts aren't something you can just 'figure out.' They require discipline, training, and proper guidance. Doing this without supervision is not only foolish but dangerous."
Siddharth nodded, feeling chastened. "So, what should I do?"
Aicha's expression softened slightly, and she sighed. "First, you need to learn the basics. Let me show you."
She took the sword from his hand and demonstrated a proper stance, adjusting her grip on the hilt. "Watch closely," she instructed, her tone more patient now. "Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Hold the sword firmly but not too tight. You need to find a balance between control and flexibility."
Siddharth watched intently, absorbing every detail. He mimicked her stance, feeling the difference immediately. It felt more stable, more controlled.
"Good," Aicha said, nodding in approval. "Now, your lines of attack. When you strike, imagine a straight line from your shoulder to the tip of the sword. Each swing should follow that line, try to concentrate on that."
She demonstrated a few strikes, her movements fluid and practiced. Siddharth imitated her, focusing on maintaining the correct form.
"Better," Aicha said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "But you need to keep practicing. Repetition is key. Also remember, always be aware of your surroundings. In a real fight, situational awareness can be the difference between life and death."
Siddharth nodded again, his determination renewed. He practiced under Aicha's watchful eye, her corrections and guidance helping him improve steadily. Her fierce demeanor softened as she saw his dedication and eagerness to learn.
As the hours passed, they fell into a rhythm, Aicha demonstrating and Siddharth following suit. He found himself appreciating her knowledge and expertise, and her initial harshness gave way to mutual respect.
"You have some potential," Aicha admitted grudgingly as they took a break. "But that potential means nothing without hard work."
Siddharth smiled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Thank you, Aisha. appreciate your help."
She nodded, a glint of approval in her eyes. "Just remember, this is only the beginning. There's a long way to go."
A campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. Siddharth and Aicha sat nearby, the night air cool and filled with the distant sounds of the forest. After hours of practice, they had settled down to rest, their conversation turning to the weapons laid out before them.
Aicha picked up a talwar, its curved blade glinting in the firelight. "This," she began, " A talwar. It's an excellent weapon for slashing and cutting. The curved blade allows for powerful, sweeping attacks."
Siddharth nodded, examining the talwar closely. " what about its weaknesses? I wonder how effective would it be against armored opponents". Remembering about the famous plated knights of Europe he has seen romanticised all across literature and films in his previous world
Aicha smiled slightly. "Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses. Of course, The talwar is less effective for thrusting. Its curved design makes it difficult to penetrate armor or deliver precise stabs."
She set the talwar down and picked up a spear. "the spear is one of the most versatile weapons. It gives you reach and can be used for both thrusting and striking. In formation, spears are nearly unbeatable."
"But ,in a one-on-one fight?" Siddharth asked.
Aicha considered this. "In a duel, the spear's length can become a disadvantage. If your opponent gets inside your guard, you're at a serious disadvantage. You need space to wield it effectively."
Next, she lifted a mace, its heavy head designed to crush armor and bones alike. "The mace is a brutal weapon. It's excellent against armored opponents. You don't need to worry about cutting through armor or finding gaps when you can simply smash it."
Siddharth hefted the mace, feeling its weight. "But it's not very dexterous , is it?"
"Exactly," Aicha replied. "The mace is heavy and requires significant strength to use effectively. It's not a weapon for someone who relies on speed and agility."
She moved on to the halberd, a combination of spear and axe. "The halberd is an incredibly versatile weapon. Commonly issued to garrison troops in cities, It has the reach of a spear and the cutting power of an axe. You can hook enemies, trip them, or pull them off balance. It's a nightmare for cavalry to fight amassed."
"But it's also heavy, and short" Siddharth noted. "Wouldn't it tire you out quickly in a long fight?"
"Yes," Aicha admitted. "The halberd requires strength and endurance. It's not as nimble as other weapons, but in skilled hands, it can be devastating. But it isn't without its faults", she continued,"it is a jack of all trades, but master of none, it does not have the mass of a mace, the reach of a spear or cutting or cleaving power of a sword. "
She then picked up a pair of shorter butterfly swords. "These are butterfly swords. They're short, fast, and perfect for close combat. They're ideal for quick, precise strikes."
Siddharth tried a few swings with the butterfly swords. "They feel light and fast. But their range would be limited. Right ?"
"Correct," Aicha agreed. "You need to get close to your opponent to use them effectively. They're excellent for agile fighters who can dodge and weave."
Finally, she took up a hook sword, its unique design allowing for both cutting and grappling. "The hook sword is a specialized weapon. It can be used to disarm opponents, hook their weapons, or pull them off balance."
Siddharth watched as she demonstrated a few moves with the hook sword. "It looks tricky to use."
"It is," Aicha said. "The hook sword requires a lot of skill and practice.its a hard tool to learn and even harder to master, But in the hands of a learned master, it's incredibly versatile."
She set the weapons down and looked at Siddharth. "The key is to find a weapon that suits your style and strengths. Trying to master all of these will only make you mediocre with each. Specializing in one weapon allows you to become truly proficient."
Siddharth nodded thoughtfully. "So, how do I choose?"
Aicha smiled. "Think about your strengths. Are you strong and durable? Quick and agile? Do you prefer reach or close combat? Your weapon should complement your natural abilities."
Siddharth considered her words carefully. "I think I understand.it seems, I need to find a weapon that feels like an extension of myself."
"Exactly," Aicha said. "Once you find that weapon, dedicate yourself to mastering it. Rather than try and learn everything as you were doing just now ,Practice, refine your technique, and make it your own."
Siddharth picked up the talwar again, feeling its weight and balance. "I think I like the butterfly swords. It feels right in my hand. And are agile enough to adapt,"he also remembered that his new gained strength would complement a faster paced fight as well as the fact that the chance of him having to actually fight , are pretty slim.so he only needs to hold off long enough for help.
Aicha nodded approvingly. "Then start with that. I'll help you train,because you seem to lack a master but remember, mastery takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if progress is slow."
Siddharth smiled, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Thank you, aisha. I appreciate your guidance."
Aicha's expression softened. "You're welcome, Siddharth. Now, let's get some rest."
As they settled down for the night, Siddharth felt a sense of clarity. He had a goal, a path to follow, and a mentor to guide him. Life is good