Chapter 5: Raven’s Dance of Blades

Raven paced back and forth, her twin swords strapped to her waist, and the weight of her decision hanging heavily on her mind. She had spent so much time honing her skills as a Beastmaster, learning to control animals and fight with her companions, but something always tugged at her. Dual-wielding had always felt like her true calling, and she had finally mustered up the courage to ask for specialized training.

Now, as she waited for her trainer to arrive, the doubts began to creep in.

Was she making the right choice? Could she handle the intensity of this path?

Before she could spiral further into her thoughts, her trainer, Master Kael, arrived. He was a seasoned warrior, his body honed by years of battle, and his eyes carried the sharpness of someone who had seen countless wars. Kael was not one for unnecessary words; his reputation as one of the finest sword masters preceded him, and Raven had sought him out specifically because of it.

“You wanted to talk?” Kael asked, his voice gruff but not unkind as he leaned against the training post.

Raven nodded, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I need your help. I know I have the Beastmaster class, but that’s not what I want to focus on. I want to become the damage dealer of the group. Spartan is the tank—he can take the hits. Eve and Skye will cover us from a distance. I want to be the one who gets in close, does the real damage, and then gets out without being touched.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed, appraising her. “So you want to forgo one of the greatest benefits of your class? Why?"

"Right now, I don't have any other beasts to capture. My snake, Capone, has been growing well but I haven't seen another creature that I would like to tame."

"Ah, I see. Since you can't increase your offense power through your beasts right now you want to do it on your own"

"I don't want to do all the damage on my own but I do want to do my part. I want to do it without getting hurt badly. I have had that happen before. A hobgoblin hit and it felt like he broke all the bones in my upper body. Luckily, we had a healer in the group."

"I can understand all of that. Do you want to deal damage, but without getting hit? What weapon do you use so I can better determine how to train you?”

Raven nodded again, more firmly this time. “Yes. I want to do damage while being highly mobile to avoid getting hurt badly. Currently, I fight with two blades, and I want to learn how to avoid attacks while landing my own so I can help Spartan take down more difficult enemies. I need to be quick, precise, and... untouchable.”

Kael was silent for a moment, his gaze intense as he studied her. Then, he pushed off the post and crossed his arms. “Dual-wielding isn’t just about holding two swords and swinging them around. It’s about balance, precision, and using both hands with equal skill. You want to fight up close, but to do that effectively, you need to learn control. And I don’t just mean with your main hand—I mean with your off-hand, too. You can’t afford to have a weakness there.”

Raven’s heart raced as she listened. This was exactly what she had been waiting for, the next step in her journey. She didn’t want to be average; she wanted to master the art of dual-wielding and become the most dangerous fighter in close combat.

“What do I need to do?” she asked, her voice resolute.

Kael nodded approvingly. “Good. You’re ready to listen. We’re going to start by building your foundations. You need to train your off-hand to be just as strong as your dominant one. But that’s not all. To be a true damage dealer, you need to learn how to fight without being touched. You need to be evasive—fast, unpredictable. I’ll teach you a martial art that will help with that. It’s called Silat.”

Raven raised an eyebrow, the unfamiliar word catching her attention. “Silat?”

Kael gave a rare smile, his face softening for just a moment. “It’s a martial art from a distant land, one developed by warriors who needed to fight in close quarters and often against multiple enemies. Silat is about using fluid movements, evasion, and precise strikes to take down opponents quickly. It’s perfect for someone who wants to be in and out of a fight before the enemy knows what hit them.”

Raven’s excitement grew as she imagined herself moving like a shadow, her twin blades cutting through the air with deadly accuracy.

“Silat isn’t just about attacking,” Kael continued, walking over to a nearby rack of training weapons and pulling out two short swords. “It’s about controlling your body, your movements, and your surroundings. You’ll learn how to evade attacks by using angles and footwork. You’ll learn how to strike quickly and efficiently. And most importantly, you’ll learn how to read your opponent.”

He tossed one of the swords to Raven, who caught it easily, though she felt the weight of it in her off-hand.

“Let’s begin with the basics,” Kael said, taking a stance and motioning for her to do the same. “We’ll work on strengthening your off-hand first. Dual-wielding isn’t effective if one side is weak. You need to be able to attack and defend equally with both hands.”

Raven adjusted her stance, holding the sword in her left hand. It felt awkward, the weight and balance foreign to her, but she forced herself to focus.

Kael stepped in front of her, demonstrating a simple strike with his right hand, followed immediately by a follow-up strike with his left. “When you fight with two blades, you need to think of your attacks as one continuous motion. One hand strikes and the other follows. There’s no pause. Try it.”

Raven mimicked his movements, swinging her right sword forward before bringing her left one across in a follow-up strike. It was clumsy, and she could feel her left hand struggling to keep up.

“Again,” Kael instructed, his voice steady.

She tried again, focusing on the fluidity of the motion. Her right hand moved easily, but her left hand lagged, the strike weaker and less controlled.

“Your left hand is too slow,” Kael said, stepping behind her and adjusting her grip. “It’s not just about strength—it’s about coordination. Your left-hand needs to mirror your right. Try it slower. Focus on the timing.”

Raven took a deep breath and tried again, this time slowing down her strikes. She concentrated on the movement, making sure her left hand followed the same path as her right.

“Better,” Kael said. “Now, we’re going to add footwork.”

He demonstrated, stepping to the side as he swung both swords, his movements fluid and graceful. “Silat is all about using your footwork to evade and attack at the same time. You don’t just stand still and swing. You need to move, to flow.”

Raven watched him, mesmerized by the way he moved. It was like a dance, each step and strike perfectly timed.

“Your turn,” Kael said, stepping back.

Raven nodded and took a deep breath. She raised her swords and focused on her footwork as she struck with her right hand, then her left, stepping to the side as she did so. It wasn’t as smooth as Kael’s movements, but she could feel the potential in the technique.

“Good,” Kael said, nodding. “Now, let’s talk about Silat.”

He sheathed his swords and motioned for Raven to sit down. She followed suit, sitting cross-legged on the training mat, her swords resting in her lap.

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“Silat is more than just a fighting style,” Kael began. “It’s a philosophy. It was developed by warriors who needed to defend themselves in close quarters, often against multiple enemies. They couldn’t afford to get hit, so they focused on evasion—on reading their opponents’ movements and reacting before the attack even landed.”

Raven listened intently, hanging on his every word.

“Silat teaches you to use your opponent’s strength against them,” Kael continued. “You learn to move with their attacks, to deflect and redirect their energy. And when you strike, you strike with precision. You don’t waste energy on unnecessary movements. Every strike is calculated, every step intentional.”

He stood up and demonstrated a series of Silat movements, his body flowing effortlessly from one position to the next. His swords flashed through the air, each strike controlled and precise.

Raven watched in awe, her mind racing with the possibilities. This was exactly what she needed—a way to fight up close without being overwhelmed by stronger or faster opponents.

“Silat is perfect for someone like you,” Kael said, sheathing his swords and turning back to her. “You want to be the damage dealer, to strike hard and fast without getting hit. But to do that, you need to learn control. You need to learn how to move, how to read your opponent, and how to strike with precision.”

Raven stood up, her determination renewed. “Teach me.”

Kael smiled, a rare expression for him. “We’ll start with the basics.”

He walked over to the training dummies and motioned for Raven to follow. “We’re going to work on your footwork first. Silat is all about movement. You can’t just stand still and swing your swords—you need to be constantly moving, evading, and positioning yourself for the perfect strike.”

Raven nodded, her focus sharp as she followed Kael’s instructions.

“Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart,” Kael said, demonstrating the stance. “Your knees should be slightly bent, and your weight should be evenly distributed between your feet. This is your neutral stance—the position you return to after every movement.”

Raven mimicked his stance, feeling the strength and balance in the position.

“Now, step to the side,” Kael instructed, moving his foot to the right in a smooth, gliding motion. “Keep your body low and your movements fluid. You’re not jumping—you’re sliding.”

Raven followed his lead, stepping to the side and maintaining her stance.

“Good,” Kael said. “Now, step back.”

She did as he instructed, her movements becoming more natural with each repetition.

“Now, we’ll add the strikes,” Kael said, drawing his swords again. “When you step, you strike. Your footwork should carry your attack. The movement of your legs drives the power, not just your arms.”

Kael stood in his neutral stance, swords poised. Then, with a smooth glide to the right, he swung his right sword in a precise arc. His body flowed effortlessly as if his feet and arms were connected by the same rhythm. He demonstrated again, this time stepping to the left and using his left sword for a follow-up strike. His movements were so fluid that Raven could barely see the shift between defense and attack.

"Notice how my legs control the distance," Kael said, pausing in the middle of his sequence. "The attack isn't just about swinging hard, but about positioning yourself where the opponent can’t easily counter. Silat teaches you to step just out of reach, and in the same breath, bring your blade into play. It’s fluid, continuous."

Raven watched, her eyes narrowing as she mentally cataloged every detail. Kael made it look effortless, his body moving like water between steps, each sword stroke a whisper of steel. It wasn’t flashy—there were no wild swings or dramatic lunges—but that was precisely why it was deadly.

“Now you try,” Kael instructed, stepping aside and gesturing for Raven to take his place in front of the dummy.

Raven stepped forward, assuming the neutral stance Kael had shown her. Her swords felt heavier in her hands now, as if the weight of the training had sunk into her muscles. She exhaled slowly and took a step to the right, swinging her right sword in a similar arc. It wasn’t as smooth as Kael’s, but it was a start.

“Again,” Kael said, his voice patient but firm.

Raven repeated the movement, focusing on her footwork this time. She stepped to the right and swung, then immediately stepped to the left and brought her left sword across in a follow-up strike. The motion was clumsy at first—her feet lagged behind her arms, and her balance faltered as she shifted from one side to the other.

“Too much weight on your front foot,” Kael corrected, walking up behind her. “Your stance needs to be lighter, more agile. You should be able to move in any direction at a moment’s notice. Try again, but keep your weight centered.”

Raven nodded, adjusting her stance. She took another step to the right, this time keeping her balance more centered, and swung her sword. The movement felt smoother now, and as she followed with a step to the left, the transition between strikes began to feel more natural.

“Better,” Kael said, nodding. “Now, don’t rush. Silat is about precision, not speed. The speed will come naturally once you have control.”

Raven swallowed her frustration, knowing that he was right. She had been trying to force the movements, to move faster than she was ready for. She took a deep breath and slowed down, focusing on each step, each strike. This time, when she moved, it felt like her body was working in unison, the swords moving as extensions of her arms, the steps guiding her balance.

“Good,” Kael said, stepping back to observe. “Now let’s talk about the blades.”

Raven paused, looking down at her twin swords. They were light and sharp, perfectly balanced for her, but she knew she still wasn’t using them to their full potential.

“Dual-wielding is not about swinging both swords wildly,” Kael said, taking up his blades again. “Each sword has a purpose. Your right hand, or your dominant hand, is for the primary strike. This is the one you put power behind. Your left hand—the off-hand—is for support. It blocks, it deflects, and it follows up with quick, precise strikes.”

He demonstrated again, striking with his right sword, then using his left to deflect an imaginary attack before bringing it in for a quick jab. “The key is to make both hands work together. You’re not fighting with two separate swords—you’re fighting with one continuous flow of motion. Every attack should feel like part of a larger sequence.”

Raven nodded, her eyes fixed on Kael’s movements. She could see the logic in it now, the way each strike and parry fed into the next. It wasn’t about raw power—it was about rhythm, about controlling the pace of the fight.

“Try it,” Kael said, stepping aside again.

Raven stepped up to the dummy, raising her swords. This time, she moved with more confidence, striking with her right hand before bringing her left sword in to deflect an imaginary counterattack. She felt the rhythm now, the way her movements connected, the balance between offense and defense. Her strikes were still slow, her footwork still rough, but there was progress.

“Good,” Kael said, nodding approvingly. “Now, let’s focus on something important for your role in the group: evasion.”

Raven looked up, her breath still heavy from the exertion. Evasion had been one of the key things she needed to master. If she was going to get in close and deal damage, she couldn’t afford to be hit.

“Silat’s footwork isn’t just for positioning,” Kael explained. “It’s also for dodging. You don’t want to block every attack—it wastes energy, and some attacks can’t be blocked. You need to learn how to evade, how to move in and out of the enemy’s range without getting hit.”

He demonstrated again, this time moving around the dummy with fluid grace. His feet shifted and glided, his body bending and twisting as if he were dodging invisible attacks. His swords moved only when necessary, deflecting blows that couldn’t be avoided, but otherwise, his focus was on movement, on staying out of harm’s way.

Raven watched, her mind racing. This was what she needed—this ability to move in and out of combat, to dance around her enemies while delivering lethal strikes.

“Now, try to mimic my movements,” Kael instructed, stepping back. “We’ll go slow at first. I want you to focus on your footwork, on keeping light and agile.”

Raven nodded and took a deep breath. She positioned herself in front of the dummy, her feet slightly apart, her knees bent. Kael moved beside her, his eyes sharp as he watched her every move.

“Step to the right, now left,” he said, guiding her through the motions. “Keep your knees bent, your weight balanced.”

Raven followed his instructions, stepping from side to side as if dodging an incoming attack. At first, her movements felt awkward, her feet stumbling over themselves as she tried to keep up. But Kael was patient, correcting her stance and guiding her through each motion until it began to feel more natural.

“Now add the strikes,” Kael said, his voice calm and steady. “When you dodge, follow up with a strike. Don’t just evade—counter.”

Raven nodded and brought her swords up again. She moved to the right, dodging an imaginary attack, then struck with her right sword. She stepped to the left, dodging again, and followed with her left sword. The movements were slow and deliberate, but they were beginning to feel more connected.

“Good,” Kael said. “Now faster.”

Raven picked up the pace, moving from side to side, her swords flashing through the air as she dodged and countered. Her muscles burned, her breath coming in ragged gasps, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. This was what she had been waiting for—this was her path.

Kael watched her for a few more moments, then nodded. “That’s enough for today.”

Raven lowered her sword, sweat dripping down her face. Her arms ached, and her legs felt like they might give out, but there was a sense of accomplishment burning in her chest.

“You did well,” Kael said, his tone surprisingly warm. “But remember, this is just the beginning. You’ve chosen a difficult path. Dual-wielding requires precision and discipline. You’ll need to practice every day if you want to master it.”

Raven nodded, her resolve stronger than ever. “I will.”

Kael smiled faintly, a rare sight. “Good. We’ll continue tomorrow.”

As Raven left the training grounds, her swords still hanging heavily at her sides, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose. She had found her role in the group. She would become the damage dealer, the one who could strike hard and fast without being touched.

And with Kael’s guidance, she would master the Dance of Blades.