PART I - EXPERT MARTIALISTS
“You’re not a Martialist, so where did you learn of this?” Arkan Pelidri asked Callie, his tone simply curious, rather than demanding.
Callie returned a shrug. “I don’t know. I just remembered how to do it. I find it settles my brain before the day gets going.”
“As I mentioned, she has memory loss of most things before arriving here,” Thorn reminded the Arkan. “She occasionally remembers something, but it’s only fragments.”
“Her morning classes have grown in popularity,” Xera said, “and not just among the recruits, as you can see.” They swept their arm over the field where most of the recruits were retreating down the hill to wait for breakfast, as were a few of the camp’s soldier personnel.”
“Xera, it’s quite apparent that this is staged, judging by that poor Ogre falling, what, at least three times,” Pelidri chided, giving the Commandant a knowing look. It had been fairly obvious that at least half the attendees had never participated in Callie's morning sessions. A few had the grace and temperament, but just as many of the new faces quickly got frustrated, either at the slow pace or how awkward the motions were.
“Are we that transparent?” Thorn asked, rubbing the back of his head.
“I’m afraid so. Still, I appreciate the sentiment, all the same. It was … unique.”
“I do usually have about twenty people most days,” Callie interjected, also coming clean, but trying to defend her morning gatherings, too. “It’s really not something for everyone, as you could see. Sorry.”
Pelidri held up a hand, “Please, no need to apologize. I found it quite enlightening and your instruction was very good, Little One. I will certainly explore your ‘moving meditation’ more on my own.”
Callie’s eyes went wide as she beamed with the compliment, looking over at Pixyl, who was waiting off to the side for her to finish. The Pixie also sported a huge grin in support.
“What is even more impressive, Arkan,” Thorn began, “when I ranked up to Topaz, I received a melded perk that seems based, in part, on what Recruit Callie has been teaching.”
“Really? That’s fascinating! How effective is it?”
Thorn frowned. “I haven’t been able to explore it, as there are no Martialists to spar with properly here, and I haven’t really had the time, anyway. I was quite surprised when I even started receiving points, but I have Recruit Callie and her strange meditations to thank for that, I believe.”
“Well,” Pelidri said, glancing around the field, “why don’t we try it out now. We have time, I believe, for a quick sparring session.”
“What? Right now?”
“Why not? We’re up here, after all, and dressed lightly.”
Thorn was unsure what to say, but then immediately realized what he had to say, and it definitely wasn’t ‘no’. This match was pointless, though. Pelidri was Emerald Tier! Even factoring in his age, there was no way Thorn would be a challenge, let alone able to beat him. The Master Trainer inwardly groaned as he wondered why he had opened his big mouth. This was all Reynard’s fault and he’d have to find a way to make him pay. He looked at Xera, who simply wore a stupid grin on their face, essentially laughing at Thorn’s sudden predicament. Nope! There was no way he was getting out of this.
“This should be fun,” Sergeant-Major Natala chuckled. She’d been largely quiet all morning and looked exhausted, having been up far later than she would have liked with the Arkan’s retinue. Still, she had managed to make it up the hill all the same, despite the early hour. Seeing her friend get his ass kicked would make it all worth it.
“Come!” Pelidri said loudly, putting an arm around Thorn’s shoulder. “I believe I saw a spot over here where others can observe.”
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By the time the two Martialists arrived in front of the bleachers, word had somehow spread that there was going to be a high-level fight. This once again proved that gossip was the fastest form of communication in existence, as even those that had already walked down the hill were making a u-turn to come see the fight.
As it was before breakfast, neither Thorn nor Pelidri had put on their casual working armor, and were simply dressed in lightweight clothing. The Arkan did manage to look perfectly prim and proper despite the lack of anything resembling a uniform, all the same. Both took a minute or two to stretch a bit more and get centered as the flow of recruits, as well as what looked like a gaggle of kitchen Goblins, all took their seats, eager to see the promised contest.
“How long has it been since you sparred with another Martialist?” Pelidri asked.
“Two terms ago,” Thorn replied. “We had a pair of martialist recruits.” He then added, almost defensively, “They both left here at Gold Tier.”
“A testament to your tutelage, I’m sure.”
Thorn almost grumbled something he shouldn’t. Pelidri was turning this into a spectacle for the entire camp, and the Ratkin wasn’t sure if it was simply curiosity about his new Five Animal Form perk, or if the Arkan’s intent was to simply humiliate him. He quickly looked inward, reviewing the new perk, trying to develop some kind of a plan.
“Shall we begin, Colonel? You come at me first,” Pelidri ordered, dropping into a fighting stance. “Show me your new Topaz Tier.”
“Don’t worry, Thorn, we’ve got all kinds of healers here for when you finally need them,” Natala called out completely inappropriately.
“It’s too early in the morning for heckling, Sergeant-Major,” Thorn growled as he also fell into his stance.
“Aww! You’re no fun.” There was a ripple of laughter through the stands at the banter.
Two things were immediately obvious as the fight began. First, Thorn was good, really, really good. He came at the Arkan with almost blurring speed, executing a series of fast jabs followed by an attempt to hook the Arkan’s feet. Callie hadn’t really ever watched a lot of traditional martial arts movies, but she’d seen a few American ones that at least had well choreographed scenes of action, and had also seen clips of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan at some point. Thorn made them all look like beginners. He not only had speed though, but there was power in his attacks; you could almost feel it radiating off of him.
The second thing that was immediately obvious was that Pelidri was better. Much, much better, in fact. Thorn’s strikes were a blur, and the Arkan’s blocks were faster. If he couldn’t block with a hand, he’d use his foot, or almost casually step over the attack if it was low. In all that, he never moved from his spot, essentially becoming an impenetrable wall countering Thorn.
“Impressive,” Pelidri called out, his eyebrows actually raising, possibly in surprise, or maybe even in admiration. “Your new tier shows!”
“Thank you,” Thorn called out at the same time he brought a knee up, which was effortlessly slapped aside. He danced a step back to reset.
Pelidri immediately came for Thorn, throwing a series of fast strikes similar to what the Ratkin had opened with, but even faster. He moved with a dizzying speed, Thorn doing all he could to block or weave his body out of the way. The Arkan next made an attempt at a quick kick, but it was a feint. Thorn moved to block, and Pelidri redirected, hooking Thorn’s arm with his leg. The move pulled Thorn off balance for the briefest of moments, but that was enough, and he was jabbed hard on the side of his body by Pelidri’s stiffened fingertips..
“Gargh!” Thorn grunted as he danced back, instinctively rubbing where he’d been struck. Pelidri waggled his eyebrows mockingly, before moving back a few meters and returning to a ready stance. They both knew that hit had been pulled, quite a bit in fact. If he’d wanted, Pelidri could have easily snapped multiple ribs with that strike. With enough force and a non-martialist opponent, his fist could have even come out the other side.
A chorus of ‘ooooo’ sounds went up from the audience in sympathy, and several people reached for their own sides, as if they’d been hit as well.
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“Come for me again. Try to get creative.”
Still nursing his side, Thorn took a deep breath to get recentered. Obviously the direct attack wasn’t going to work, so, in true Callie style he decided to try getting a little tricky. He couldn’t come at Pelidri from the front, but maybe he could get at him from behind. He feigned he was walking the hit off to get a bit of running distance.
“Let him have it, sir,” someone called out, and Pelidri turned incredulously towards the audience, instantly zeroing in on whoever had yelled while raising an eyebrow. Several people quickly moved away from the cheering recruit, revealing one of the Berserker Dwarves now caught in the Arkan’s gaze. The poor Dwarf almost peed himself as he realized he’d been so easily found out and was now under the Arkan’s glare.
Still, this was an opening and Thorn took it, He charged. As he did, he called forth his Cloud Dancing skill, running up into the air as it hardened under his feet, each footfall causing ripples of light to flow out from it. He raced over the Arkan’s head and then executed a twisting flip. His intent was to drop down and sweep the Arkan’s legs from behind.
It was a good plan, and between the distraction in the stands and the unexpected nature of the charge, it could have even worked. Except … no. Pelidri simply danced over the sweeping leg as Thorn spun. The Master Trainer was now out of position from missing the sweep, and before he could get a block up or move away, the Elf had turned and drilled him with another jab to his other side. The Arkan was so unbelievably fast and Thorn fell back on his butt, his face wincing.
“Excellent attempt, Colonel!” Arkan Peligri called out as he lent Thorn a hand, pulling the grimacing Ratkin to his feet. “I forgot you had that skill. It’s quite impressive. What is it called again?”
Thorn groaned a bit as he rubbed his side, before forcing his body to ignore the pain. He’d have a gigantic bruise on both sides within a couple hours. “It’s called Cloud Dancing, Arkan. I received it as a melded skill at Gold.”
“I can see quite the potential. Now, get yourself set and I’ll come at you again.”
Thorn grudgingly nodded, moving to the opposite side of the ring. Not far away stood Natala, still grinning enthusiastically as she watched her friend and superior officer get his tail handed to him. Next to her, Xera also seemed to be quite enjoying the same. He’d hear no end of this for the rest of Midsummer, he was sure.
From the stands there came the sound of stamping feet and clapping, which quickly became rhythmic and repeating. Stomp, stomp, clap. Stomp, stomp, clap. Thorn looked, and everyone was rising, stomping and clapping in perfect unison just as they did during the Demon demonstrations when cheering Pixyl on. Apparently, it was time to ‘rock’ him, whatever that Callie-word meant.
Stomp, stomp, clap.
Thorn turned, allowing the excited energy from the stands to focus him, before he dropped into his ready stance. It was time to see what Callie-Chi could do, and if there was anything to this ‘Five Animal Form’.
Stomp, stomp, clap.
“It appears you have a cheering section,” Arkan Pelidri said, his face smirking just slightly as he teased Thorn, bright white teeth contrasting against his dark skin as he gestured towards the crowd. “Let’s see how well it helps!”
Almost before he’d finished speaking, he rushed Thorn, moving almost as if flash-stepping. The Master Trainer was ready, though. His new tier and his new perk showed him the moves, and the people in the stands encouraged him. He weaved slightly, avoiding a trio of strikes, and grabbed at Pelidri’s arm, intent on putting the meditative exercises into practice and using the Arkan’s momentum against him. It worked … sort of. Pelidri needed less than an instant to see the move being executed, and instead of being brought down, he simply rolled through, twisting and springing back to his feet while completely dodging the attempted follow-up return strike.
But Thorn wasn’t done, and he executed another skill, Blast of Force. For any normal person, it would have blown them right off their feet, if not a few meters back. Pelidri wasn’t normal though, and he crossed his arms, causing the magic to simply flow around him as if he was a boulder in a stream.
“Excell…” the Elf started to praise, but Thorn continued pressing forward, forcing Pelidri to intercept and then return with his own defensive strikes. Hands, paws, feet, knees, elbows, and maybe even a forehead, all flew faster than any eye could follow. Any eye except the four belonging to the Martialist masters in the ring. Strikes were blocked, kicks were turned aside, and any attempt to grapple or throw was nimbly squirmed out of or outright eluded.
In all the chaos, the Arkan’s motives became clear. The Arkan wasn’t trying to win. He was trying to make Thorn lose! It was a subtle, but important difference. At Emerald Tier, two above his Topaz, Pelidri was probably one of the top five Martialists in the three kingdoms, if not the top. If he wanted, he surely could casually outmatch Thorn and take him down. Instead, he was holding way, way back, waiting for Thorn to make a mistake that would justify a strike. It was a test, and he was probably failing it. Thorn realized they were now essentially in a stalemate, and the only way forward was to break it, and that could only happen by him making a mistake or by getting an upper hand, even if for an instant. As consolation, the Ratkin decided he only wanted to get one good strike in, and honestly, he would consider that victory enough.
‘What would Callie do?’ Thorn suddenly thought to himself for some reason, as the two masters continued to instinctively trade blows and blocks. ‘She’d do something unexpected,’ some part of his brain replied, ‘and then exploit it.’ Right! Maybe even multiple somethings. He could do that! Thorn’s mind raced through his skills, looking for something he could do that Pelidri couldn’t expect from him. Then he saw it, such a simple little skill, and only Iron Tier at that, but it was something Martialists didn’t normally get, and would certainly be unexpected. It had to be timed right, though.
Thorn rolled away from the fight, just trying to get a little distance to concentrate. He focused, calling forth another Blast of Force. As before, the irresistible force was soundly defeated by the immovable Arkan as the Elf crossed his arms to block the spell. But that was only the first step, and now it was time for the surprise.
FLASHBANG
This was one of the three new skills he’d received as an off-class Iron Tier when he’d ranked to Topaz. If Callie was right, his Symbiote apparently learned it from one of the Bladeweavers and thought it would be a good addition to his skill set for some reason.
Pelidri immediately staggered, hand instinctively going to his eyes, more in surprise than anything. That was his opening and Thorn charged in, intent on landing a blow, really any solid blow, on the superior Martialist. Yet, even momentarily blinded and with the disorientation from the concussive sound, the Arkan’s free hand intercepted all his strikes, and even Thorn’s attempts with his feet were easily deflected aside, the Arkan not even needing to see. Still Thorn pressed, rolling through a series of different fighting styles randomly, in the hope something might get through. Pelidri took a step back under the pressure, and then another, and then he was forced to spin backwards and to his left to avoid a fast roundhouse kick.
Jab. Jab. Lunge. Kick. Knee. Elbow. Jab. Thorn was relentless, pushing with some sort of growing primal focus that he’d never felt before. Then he got a hit in! Actually, it was really barely a brush, and not enough to be declared a strike. Still, he’d made it through Pelidri’s defense, proving that the ranking Elf wasn’t unbeatable. Thorn understood that truth now. A silent roar continued rising in him as the world seemed to slow, and he was seeing clearer than he had ever seen before. In the echoey distance, the stomping and clapping was now being augmented by almost primal howls and roars of the other Beastkin, the sounds of his people, somehow feeding him their energy.
Another step back; another forced retreat by Pelidri. The effect of the Flashbang spell was surely starting to wear off, and it was likely to be over for Thorn as soon as that happened, so he needed to do something. Thorn pressed the attack, seeking another opening that would let him land a real blow. Then, a truth hit him that, for some reason, he hadn’t properly considered. He was a Beastkin, and he needed to start to fully think that way!
The true power of his new Five Animal Form suddenly exploded through him. It wasn’t at all about Callie's silly little morning class! No, the power was instead built upon centuries of survival by those that came before him, perhaps simply given structure by what Callie had inspired. And then he saw it. Such a silly and simple solution; so simple he couldn’t understand how it hadn’t occurred to him until now. He had … a tail.
Pelidri was shaking off the last vestiges of the Flashbang attack, and Thorn pressed in for one last effort. Paws flew against the impenetrable before Thorn lined up another roundhouse kick. He knew it would be blocked, but that was the distraction. Pelidri’s hand came up to stop the kick, just as expected, but Thorn was already moving on to the next move. Sounding almost like one of Jesca’s whips, Thorn used the blocked kick to help spin, causing his tail to lash out, wrapping itself around the Arkan’s knees. Thorn pulled with his hips, and the Elf’s eyes went wide in surprise. As Pelidri stumbled to keep his balance, Thorn pulled with his tail again and the Arkan’s feet were pulled from under him, landing hard, flat on his back. In an instant, Thorn pounced, snarling and making a single sharp jab to the Arkan’s chest, the punch pulled enough to cause no serious injury, but possibly leaving a good bruise.
The stomping and clapping stopped. The howls and roars of encouragement stopped. Everyone gave one last cheer for their Master Trainer before beginning to sit. For the Beastkin, though, sitting was accompanied by half-dazed confusion and a sense of wonder overtaking them as they did. Dozens of stunned Beastkin observers stared in silence, first at Thorn, and then at each other. Something had happened. Something had happened to all of them. They’d become a pack, a tribe, a … something. It had only lasted thirty seconds at most, but it was powerful, powerful magic that had affected them.
“Point to you,” Arkan Pelidri said, a smile surprisingly coming to his face. He was still lying on the ground, rubbing gently at the spot where Thorn had struck him. He looked to the quickly-silencing stands, at the recruits and others that had been cheering the Ratkin on. “A most excellent round, indeed, Colonel.”
Thorn rose from crouching over the Elf, focusing inwards to try and slow his heart and clear his head. He offered the Arkan his paw, pulling him up. “I … I don’t know what happened, Arkan,” Thorn said, “but something strange just did.”
“A most-excellent round, indeed,” Pelidri repeated, the toothy grin on his face growing even larger, missing the growing confusion on Thorn’s face. “That was quite unexpec…”
A scream sounded from the seating.
“Jesca!” Callie yelled out. This was followed a moment later by, “Somebody help!”