Artemis, apparently bored with just standing around, introduces herself to the group with a wagging tail and blue eyes widened for effect, that effect being, of course, to receive some vigorous pets!

And for the next while, as Belina and I grab a meal, the trainees have some quality canine therapy time.

While I don’t see them recovering too quickly from their ordeal, with many likely to bear scars, both inside and out, for the rest of their lives; this is a good first step, a new beginning for them to build upon.

But, before their enthusiasm can grow too much, Alex brings them back down to earth, “Wait! Today is when the exception the Clan head purchased for the Settlement to keep the Beast swarm from happening is set to expire!” his words drawing panic and downcast looks amongst his fellows once more.

“Well, you did seem excited to level…” I say leadingly with a small, friendly smirk gracing my lips.

“But how can we handle that many Beasts on our own?!” the previously emotional speaker asks, tears now drying in the face of a sober reality.

“Well, you won’t be on your own, at least for today. As for the future, you will need to grow strong together and cooperate to survive but I also wager that your Clan here had some quality items, armor and even weapons stored around somewhere, I doubt they dragged it all to their battle with us.” I state confidently.

Light dawns in several of the youngsters’ eyes as they appear to remember some such storage or hiding places.

“That could work… but the swarm is barely hours away! We have to hurry!” Alex says frantically, directing different members of his group to different longhouses and some to scout the area the Beasts attack from.

“How about you tag along with them, girl?” I suggest to Artemis, who lopes off after them, tail wagging as they give a little cheer at her uplifting presence amongst them.

‘Keep an eye on ‘em?’ I ask Horus mentally, receiving a psychic nod in return as he swoops off into the blue sky.

That done, I turn to Belina, who is watching the remaining teens with a scrutinizing gaze, and ask, “Want to take any interested in your specialty and see about getting them some affordable shields to use and put them through their paces?”

“Sure, probably at least get them familiar with a formation and staying together. You going to take the rest?” she replies.

“Yes, figured I would just have them get used to moving with their weapons and handling me at speeds faster than their own if not quite up to my full speed. Should get them more comfortable handling any higher leveled Beasts that are likely to crop up, especially if they form some cohesive battle groups.”

“Alright, give me a shout when its go-time?” she asks as we begin walking over to the mingling kids.

I reply with a nod as she yells out for any who want to be shield-based fighters to follow her, about half breaking off and hurrying after, leaving me with 4 remaining including Alex, all looking at me expectantly.

“So, I suppose you lot are mostly the Spellcasters or solely weapon users?” I ask first, my evaluating gaze traveling over each individual as I pace slowly in front of them.

Receiving nods in return, I continue, “Likely, none of you have had much experience with the level of combat to come, I intend to remedy that with what time we have. Are you ready?” I ask, my eyes piercing in their intensity.

All of them, their trials a crucible for their will as the only way for them to survive. Now, my words spur their own motivation: to advance and to grow, as they have never been able to before.

They fall in behind me as I gesture for them to follow, leading them back out through the village and outside the gate to an open area a few hundred yards from Belina’s students. All of her ragtag group are lined up with new shields raised as she walks along and bashes her shield at random spots along the line.

“Well, first of all, let’s hear your names and your Spells or weapons of choice. I’ll start, then you Alex. I’m Nova, my specialty is really damage per second with both ranged and close-range Spells, as well as pretty solid proficiency with my hatchet.” I state, looking expectantly to Alex to go next.

“Alex, I’m specialized in Spell based close combat, fire being my element of choice, so far anyway.” He states, thoughtfulness appearing on his face as his last words make him realize he doesn’t need to focus on just fire if his Clan is no longer here to have him conform to their path.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

With an encouraging smile, I look to the person to his left, a young girl of slight build and blonde hair, who says in a soft, bell-like voice, “I’m Alauna, specialized in the bow with some Spells I cast on my arrows.”

Which makes sense, given the basic bow hung over her shoulder.

And then, the final two:

“Darien, specialized in pure Spellcasting with a focus on fire as well, although my go-to choice is an area of effect Flame Ring that can do widespread damage.” Says the only boy besides Alex, his over six feet tall and stocky figure somewhat incongruous with his specialty but to each their own.

“Hi! I’m Ella! I’m focused on Spellcasting as well but more specifically on buffs and some basic healing also, with 2 debuffs that can slow or weaken.” Chirps the last of my trainees, her bubbly voice and specialty something of a contrast to her deeply tanned skin, rough features, broad shoulders and page-boy haircut.

“Alright, well I think first, I will have you all attack me at once. Then, depending on how it goes, we will work on what needs attention from there, sound good?” I ask, swinging my arms to limber up and then cracking my neck audibly to the wincing reaction of more than one of my fresh meat—I mean students…

After giving them a second to prepare their own weapons or Spells, I count down.

3…

2…

1…

GO!

At the first escaping of the ‘G’ syllable from my lips, they are off!

I merely stand at the ready as they move to surround me, Ella casting her debuffs on me as I feel a slight heaviness settle upon my form like a heavy cloak, slowing me slightly and requiring me to exert more force to achieve the usual effect from my movements.

Taking note of her finished casting, they attack!

Alex comes rushing in on one of my flanks, Aluana looks down the side of her bow, arrow at the ready and alight with ghostly flames while Darien has two fires the size of softballs floating above either shoulder.

I allow myself a small smile that they are as competent as they are but, as Burgess did for us, now I too must do to them.

Namely, to show them what they can be, and how far they have to go to get there.

Although, I suppose I should try not to enjoy it too much…

Covering myself in my earthen armor to block any flames, I leap away from the approaching Alex in a blur, the debuffs not nearly effective enough to lower my boosted stats to anything approaching their level.

I land already sprinting toward the archer, her arrow halfway to my previous position and moving fairly slowly to my enhanced self as I pass right by it towards its sender!

Alauna’s eyes have time to widen but before her body can fully react, I backhand her torso with carefully controlled force, knocking her 5 feet down onto her back and out of the fight as her head lolls in a daze.

All of a sudden, a warm tingle shoots up my back, which I look over my shoulder to see is a small fire dying out on my armor.

Looking back up, I see a panicked Darien in the process of throwing his remaining fireball but I toss a rock of my own, courtesy of Eco-Missile that I have hit him relatively gently between the eyes, sending him to the dirt with stars filling his vision.

Alex, nearly catching back up to me, his fists enshrouded by a conflagration of red and orange flames, leaps toward my position, desperate to prove himself, I expect.

Instead of dealing with him as he lands, I head to the remaining trainee, Ella, as she casts the last of the buffs her Mana allows on Alex before hurriedly drawing a small dagger as I blur towards her.

She slashes at me as I draw near, the knife skittering off the stone greave of an upraised arm while my other arm comes in for a gentle (for me) punch to the stomach that sends the air whooshing from her lungs and drops her to her knees as she tries to catch the oxygen that just ran away from her.

Then, there was one…

I turn calmly to Alex, his eyes widened incredulously at the ease with which I have handled his peers, the flames on his hands flickering in and out along with his growing doubt.

“Do not let your fears rule you.” I tell him faux sagely, watching his brows furrow as he concentrates and the flames soon solidify once more.

Smiling, I gesture for him to come at me with a palm raised and fingers curling towards me, much like many schlocky martial arts movies.

“AHHH!” he roars his battle cry, right fist poised behind him to strike as he rushes me once more.

I drop into a ready stance, one hand wrapped in a gauntlet of rock held casually behind my back, the other hanging at my side.

He draws near and launches his flaming fist at me with fury!

I let it approach before swinging a stone encased fist of my own right back at him.

The two strikes, of equal power by my own design, hit each other at the apex of both of our swings, flame versus stone.

Well, regardless of our levels, flame is going to have a tough time in a matchup like this.

As evidenced by the cracking of at least one bone and the guttering out of the flames as Alex sinks to his knees while cradling his hand with a barely stifled gasp of pain.

I lower my fist, letting my armor fade as I consider the dejected expressions and pained movements of my students.

Breaking the silence, I tell them, “Why do you look so depressed? You were never going to win, this was about evaluating you and letting you see how I move, fight, defend. Always look for ways to improve, don’t just focus on what you cannot change. My advancement, my Path, is not yours, I am merely here to give you experience, support, and guidance. The rest, well…that is entirely on you. Whether you fall or rise, the only person you can truly blame is yourself.”

I look to the slowly recovering group, watching my words sink in as their expressions turn from dejection to consideration, each going over their actions, their choices, in the spar and what they can do better.

I allow them a few moments of this reflection, proud of their steadfast attentiveness, before putting my Burgess mask on again.

“So, which is it? Fall? Or rise?” I ask, my eyes and voice a challenge.

So, they choose.

And as one, my new pupils rise.