Following Wake out the backdoor again I find myself in a completely different area than before. Instead of a doorway I walk through a large gate that slams shut behind me. Sandstone walls surround the large arena with seating going up several stories that could hold thousands of people, various other gates show the glowing eyes of various creatures and growls emanate from deep within their recesses. The whole arena reminds me of the old roman coliseums except larger and in much better condition. All of a sudden I hear another gate opening and watch as Wake walks out of it with a trident across his back. A black leather helmet covers his head with a metal meshwork across the face, black leather coats his chest and legs while his arms are covered in beautiful bracers with scales etched into it, silver shining across the surface with rainbow tinting in the sun.
As he approaches a vast array of weapons appear on racks along the walls ranging from the most basic of clubs to glittering blades of various types. Types of armor begin appearing on racks surrounding us as well and all of them are sized for my body.
"This is my training yard Noor. This is the type of arena I was trained in combat in and all of these weapons and armor are types that I've fought against or wielded in actual combat. My specialty is in Lances and polearms. I like having reach but I also can at least show you how each weapon should be wielded so your competent at the very least. Now I've seen you use a cane, sword, and club. The sword was a scimitar as well which has a unique fighting style. So we shall start there." Wake says seriously as all the weapons fade away until only copies of my usual weapons are left over on a single rack along with a single type of armor.
"This gear is what you have to work with outside of this place. There are no enchantments or special abilities though it is literally just a weapon and some armor. We shall start with that blade of yours. Equip yourself and lets begin." Says Wake calmly as he reaches for his trident and twirls it a few times in practice as I strap on the armor and grab the blade.
As soon as I turn around with the sword I jump backwards as three sharp points strike where my head was. As I swing my sword up to block the blunt end of the trident swings at my ankles and I can hear a crack as I tumble to the ground before the points flash forward in a viscous lunge and everything goes black.
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"Ok kid round two get your ass up." Wake yells as my eyes flash open in terror as I look around and start feeling my throat where I felt the attack. Looking around in fear I see wake leaning against his trident buffing his nails against his armor while waiting for me. Next to him I see a small pool of slowly disappearing blood and my sword.
"I see you've caught on Noor. In here you can't die but you will feel everything that happens. This is very real and the best training for you since by the end I'll have killed you so many times that your bad habits will be broken and mentally you'll be able to combat anyone. Now what went wrong there was easy. Never expect your opponent to wait for you, you should have been prepared as soon as I finished speaking to defend yourself. Next that sword is a scimitar so your block was awful. that weapon is for sweeping attacks not blocking like a straight edge sword. Always dodge with that type of blade and if you can't you block with an attack not an actual block. When you block try to hook the enemies weapon with your blade as you sweep it, you have a chance of disarming them as well as throwing off their aim which gives you an opening to attack inside their guard. Now again!" Wake says as he lunges towards me with a viscous grin on his face as his trident is held behind him.
This time I try to watch his attack and as his arm moves forward I roll under the trident and stumble before coming up in a clumsy run towards my blade. Right as I reach the blade I grab the handle before I feel a pain in my stomach, looking down I see three prongs poking through my belly from behind as I stumble forward before falling face first into the sand.
"Better but never show your back to the enemy. Even an idiot knows that much, any weapon can become airborne depending on who your fighting. Again!" Wake snaps as he wrenches the trident from my back and I hear the tearing of muscle and the cracking of my bones breaking before I wake up once again away from him but this time with my blade. I turn sideways with the blade held out in front of me and my legs spread for balance like the pirate I saw use a sword like this in a movie once. Before I know it everything goes dark again before I'm back with a stunned look on my face as I glance towards the new stain and see a small knife lying where I stood.
"Is this a fucking joke to you or are you actually going to take this seriously. Forget your worlds fancy plays and shows on the magic box, forget the animations and those picture books and their scenes. This is actual combat. You against your opponent and only one of us walks away. And if you don't start trying I'll start trying harder and make it so your suffer in your learning. Now AGAIN!" Wake says maliciously as he rushes towards me with his trident held in front of him as a cold flash crawls down my back in fear.