Mountain Ridge and Finn headed back to the orc, returning to find him surrounded by a diverse group of assistants—different masters from across the multiverse.
"Today," the orc announced, "we will be learning how to fight. Choose a partner from your race who matches your size. You have two minutes."
Finn scanned the crowd and spotted a Chinese teenager with a fit, athletic build. The boy had short, jet-black hair and sharp, perceptive eyes that seemed to miss nothing. His movements were fluid and confident, like a dancer or martial artist.
"I'm Finn," he introduced himself.
The Chinese teenager nodded. "Xiao."
They eyed each other, recognizing the spark of determination in one another.
"You know how to fight," Xiao observed, his voice calm but firm.
Finn grinned. "You do too, don't you?"
They shared a moment of camaraderie, both ready for what was to come.
The orc commanded them to isten, which they did.
"I'll whip you if I feel you're not trying, and other times simply because I feel like it," the orc growled, brandishing his whip.
This is a spar but I expect you to hit your opponent, but no crippling or killing your partner, or you will be punished.
Finn still remembered the spear the orc had thrown.
For the next few hours, the orc instructed them in a basic fighting art developed in his clan, focusing on simple yet lethal moves designed to kill swiftly. The training was grueling, each move emphasizing precision and efficiency.
First, the orc demonstrated a series of strikes aimed at vulnerable points on the body. These included quick jabs to the throat, powerful punches to the solar plexus, and precise kicks to the knees. Each strike was designed to incapacitate an opponent swiftly.
Next, he taught them how to block and counterattack. The orc showed them how to deflect a punch with a twist of the wrist, followed by a rapid elbow strike to the attacker's face. He also demonstrated how to use an opponent's momentum against them, redirecting a charge into a crippling joint lock or throw.
The training then moved on to grappling techniques. The orc explained how to take an opponent to the ground and maintain control. He demonstrated chokeholds, arm bars, and leg locks, emphasizing the importance of applying just the right area to cripple your opponent
Finn and Xiao challenged each other relentlessly. While Xiao was flexible and fluid, moving with a dancer's grace, Finn countered with intuition and raw strength. Their sparring sessions were intense, each testing the other's limits and pushing them further, both sported bruised and bloodied noses as the hours dragged by.
Sweat poured down their faces, muscles screamed in protest, but neither of them backed down. The orc's whip cracked through the air frequently, a sharp reminder of the consequences of slacking. Yet, despite the pain, Finn felt a strange exhilaration. Each strike, each block, each maneuver brought a sense of accomplishment, a step closer to mastery.
Xiao's agile movements kept Finn on his toes, forcing him to adapt quickly. In return, Finn's strength and instinctive reactions pushed Xiao to refine his technique. They were a well-matched pair, their skills complementing each other in a way that made their practice sessions both challenging and rewarding.
The masters accompanying the orc roamed the training ground, offering advice and corrections. The price for their guidance? A lash from the orc's whip. Finn and Xiao both received half a dozen lashes this way, but each piece of advice led to noticeable improvement. Despite the pain, Finn realized he was becoming a better martial artist. Xiao too showed significant progress, their friendly rivalry driving them to excel.
Every three hours, they were given a brief reprieve to hydrate and eat a simple meal. These breaks were brief but necessary, allowing them to replenish their energy before diving back into the intense training.
The orc continued to introduce more advanced techniques. He showed them how to disarm an opponent wielding a weapon, using quick, decisive movements to knock a knife or club out of an attacker's hand. He also demonstrated how to transition seamlessly between striking and grappling, ensuring that they could maintain control of a fight in any situation.
The training lasted for nine grueling hours. Some people collapsed from exhaustion, and the orc let them lay on the ground, focusing on those who continued to train. However, if someone tried to fake exhaustion, the orc or assistant master would walk over and beat them ruthlessly with a whip before they were transported to the infirmary.
As the sun dipped low in the sky, signaling the end of their session, Finn and Xiao stood panting but satisfied. Their bodies were battered, yet they felt a newfound respect for one another.
The orc looked around, his stern expression barely hiding a hint of approval. "Good. Remember, each move you learn here could mean the difference between life and death."
Finn looked at Xiao, both of them drenched in sweat, but there was a sense of accomplishment in their eyes. They had pushed through the pain and fatigue, emerging stronger and more skilled. This was just the beginning, and they were ready to face whatever came next, together.
"Before you go," the orc said, his voice cutting through the moment of respite, "time to exercise."
The next hour consisted of sprints, push-ups, squats, and drills designed to enhance agility. It was an intense session, pushing them to their physical limits. Only a few out of all the people there were actually standing by the end of it, Finn, Xiao, and Mountain Ridge among the few.
Finn's back was cut open again, as was everyone else's. The lashes from the orc's whip had reopened the wounds from earlier, adding to the agony.
Finn gritted his teeth, pushing through the pain. The physical exhaustion was overwhelming, but he refused to give in. He glanced at Xiao, who was equally determined, matching him stride for stride.
The orc finally called an end to the session. Finn stood panting, their bodies screaming in protest, but there was a sense of grim satisfaction. They had survived another grueling day, and despite the pain and exhaustion.
They were dismissed and expected to be back in four hours.
Servants appeared and were instructed by the orc to carry those who had fallen over in exhaustion unable to continue to their rooms and toss them into their baths at the cost of a full grade of medicinal strength.
The orc made the same offer to everyone else still standing. But the few people who were still standing refused the offer; the people who had endured the training were not normal individuals.
At this point, Finn found he could barely stand. His shirt was in shambles and had long fallen off; he definitely needed new clothes but he was too tired to care.
Getting back to his room was torture. Mountain Ridge was in as much pain as he was. They actually supported each other getting to the pagoda. When they got to the room, Lyrian and Zorak were already in their baths.
Finn removed his clothes and and fell into his bath, the coldness assaulting him immediately. The pain was becoming his sweet, sweet friend.
The cold hit him like a thousand needles, piercing his skin and digging into his bones. The sensation was both surreal and painful. The cold penetrated deep into his muscles and bones, but he gritted his teeth and focused on the benefits he would gain.