"I think I'm getting stronger," Glen said, his voice full of pride, as he helped Kai pack their belongings into the travel bag. The sky was dimming into a soft orange as dusk settled over the Wildlands. The day had been spent traveling through dense forest, and they had found a small clearing to rest for the night.
Kai glanced up from where he was tying the bag, his brow furrowing as he studied the boy. Glen's face was still youthful, his body small and light, but there was a determination in his eyes that hadn't been there when they first met. The Wildlands had changed him, just as it had changed Kai.
"You have grown stronger," Kai acknowledged, wiping the sweat from his brow. "But strength isn't just about how much you can lift or how fast you can run. It's about how well you can defend yourself—and how you use that strength when it matters."
Glen's eyes widened. "You mean like how you use the Spirit Blade?"
Kai nodded, letting out a soft chuckle. "The Spirit Blade is special. Not everyone has a blade like it. But the lessons I teach you will help you whether you have a blade or not."
"What kind of lessons?"
Kai straightened, looking around at the empty space in the clearing. "Well, first things first, we need to work on your hands and feet. The basics of hand-to-hand combat."
Glen's face lit up. "Hand-to-hand combat! Like real fighting?"
"Exactly," Kai said, moving toward a long, sturdy stick that was lying on the ground nearby. "Sometimes you'll be caught in a situation where your weapon isn't close by, or you can't use it for some reason. That's when knowing how to fight with your hands and feet can save your life."
He handed the stick to Glen, who accepted it with both hands. "Alright. First, we start with stance. You want to keep your body balanced. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and your weight evenly distributed. If you're off balance, it'll be much easier for your opponent to knock you down."
Glen mimicked Kai's stance, his face furrowed in concentration. "Like this?"
"Not bad, but move your feet just a little wider," Kai said, adjusting his own stance. "You want to be ready to move in any direction. If your feet are too close together, you'll have trouble dodging attacks."
Glen took a few steps back, adjusting himself again, and Kai nodded in approval. "Better. Now, let's move on to the basics of defense."
Kai demonstrated, holding his stick at an angle, ready to block an imaginary strike. "When you block, don't just try to push the attack away. Let the momentum of the strike flow into you, then redirect it. You want to use your opponent's energy to your advantage."
Glen watched carefully, then stepped forward and attempted to replicate the movement. His block was a little stiff, but it wasn't bad for a first attempt.
"You're getting it," Kai said, stepping back to allow Glen to try again. "Now, let's work on a few basic strikes. The first one is called a jab. Hold your stick like this—" Kai demonstrated by holding the stick in one hand, then thrusting it forward with a sharp motion. "The goal is to strike fast and keep your balance. It's not about power—it's about speed and precision."
Glen watched closely, then mimicked the motion. His jab was a little shaky, but it hit the air with force.
"Good. Now, let's add a little movement," Kai said. "Try moving to the left, then jabbing, then to the right. Get used to shifting your weight while keeping your guard up."
The two spent the next few hours practicing, moving through stances, blocking and striking, shifting and dodging. Kai could see the determination in Glen's eyes as he began to pick up the basics. It wasn't going to be easy—Glen was still young, and his body wasn't quite used to the demands of hand-to-hand combat. But Kai could see potential, and that was enough for now.
After some time, they decided to take a break, both exhausted from the intense training. The night was closing in, and the campfire they had built flickered warmly in the clearing. Glen sat down by the fire, rubbing his sore arms. "That was tougher than I thought."
Kai sat across from him, stirring a pot of water over the fire. "The Wildlands will test you in ways you can't even imagine, Glen. You have to be ready for anything."
Glen nodded, though he was still catching his breath. "I know. I'm glad you're teaching me."
Kai smiled faintly. "I don't have a choice. I'm not leaving you alone out here."
A comfortable silence fell between them as they sat by the fire. Kai poked the logs to keep the flames steady, while Glen stared into the fire, lost in thought. Kai didn't mind the silence—it was a rare moment of peace in a world that seemed to constantly demand their attention.
After a while, Kai stood and moved to the edge of the clearing where he had stored the meat of the giant snake they had killed a few days prior. The meat was wrapped carefully in cloth, kept fresh by the cool air and the way they had stored it high in the trees, away from scavengers.
"Alright, let's get something to eat," Kai said, unwrapping the meat and placing it on a flat rock near the fire. He began preparing the snake meat, careful to slice it into smaller pieces.
Glen joined him, watching as Kai seasoned the meat with a few herbs and spices they had gathered earlier in the day. "It smells amazing," Glen said, licking his lips. "I never thought snake would taste this good."
Kai gave him a half-smile. "Out here, you learn to appreciate what you can find."
He skewered the meat on a long stick and held it over the fire, turning it slowly as it began to roast. The sizzling sound filled the quiet night, and the aroma of the cooking meat seemed to fill the entire clearing. Glen's stomach growled loudly, making both of them laugh.
"It's going to taste better than it smells, I promise," Kai said, eyeing the meat carefully. He didn't need to rush—the Wildlands had taught him the importance of patience. Sometimes, you had to wait for the right moment.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the meat was ready. Kai handed Glen a piece of the roasted snake, the skin crispy on the outside but tender inside. Glen eagerly bit into it, his eyes lighting up with surprise.
"This is so good!" Glen exclaimed, chewing the meat with relish. "I can't believe it's snake."
Kai chuckled, taking a bite of his own portion. "You'd be surprised at what you can eat in the Wildlands. There's always something that will surprise you."
As they ate, Kai's mind wandered back to their training. It wasn't enough to teach Glen how to fight—he had to teach him how to survive, how to think quickly, and how to trust in himself. Kai had learned these lessons the hard way, through trial and error, but he couldn't afford to let Glen make the same mistakes.
They finished the meal in comfortable silence, the fire crackling softly as the night stretched on. The stars above were distant and cold, but Kai felt a flicker of warmth as he watched Glen wipe his mouth with the back of his hand.
"You're getting stronger, Glen. But remember—strength isn't just about fighting. It's about knowing when to fight, when to hold back, and when to trust your instincts."
Glen looked up at him, his face serious. "I won't forget, Kai. I promise."
Kai nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we keep moving."
As they lay down beneath the stars, Kai's thoughts turned toward the future. The Wildlands were vast, and their journey was far from over. But with each day, they were growing stronger, together.
And that—Kai realized—was the most important lesson of all.
The fire crackled quietly beside them, the night settling into a peaceful silence. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new lessons, and new dangers—but for now, there was only the comfort of their shared silence, and the knowledge that, for the moment, they were safe.