William was left alone in a part of the forest he didn’t know. That last bit had cut him worse than any blade ever could have. A coward? He had never considered himself to be a coward but then again, he never considered himself to be a true danger to those around him either. The words that Ares spoke sunk deep and imprinted themselves on his mind. Is that really what I’m doing, giving up? He had never given up on anything before. He didn’t want to hurt anybody, but he wasn’t a quitter, or a coward. His over developed sense of honor and duty may have driven him to see no other alternative than death.
He reached up and wiped away the moisture from his face. He had no idea what he was doing here or how he was going to do what was expected of him. But he knew that he wasn’t going to quit, not without a fight. He felt around with his thoughts and felt the knot of instincts that was his other. He poked at it and it grumbled softly. Sleep while you can, you’re not going to beat me. The thought was met immediately with a ripple that was sent out over his brain. William smiled to himself and nodded. So it begins. With a renewed heart and conviction in his mind he ran off after where Ares had disappeared into the forest.
Ares wasn’t walking very fast and at a run William caught up to him pretty fast. Ares didn’t turn or acknowledge William’s appearance at all.
William said, “I’m ready to learn.”
Ares looked sideways at William, “I don’t teach cowards.”
“I’m not a coward.”
“Really?” Ares stopped and faced William. “Then what do you call those tears you were shedding a moment ago? You have been wasting my time from the beginning and I don’t like it when anybody wastes my time.” Ares turned and continued to stalk into the forest.
William ran after Ares and when he was close enough he jumped up and landed a two leg kick to Ares back.
The massive werewolf stumbled forward with a grunt. He whipped back around and faced the idiot who had dared to attack him. William was standing, ready for the fight of his life. Ares jumped into a flying tackle and threw William to the ground. William had felt this kind of thing before and with the added strength of his werewolf form he was able to twist on the ground and force Ares off him.
Ares went with the momentum and rolled over the ground, springing back to his feet. William didn’t give him the chance to recover. He bowled Ares over from behind and started pummeling the back of Ares’ head with a barrage of punches and elbow blows.
Even though William was a lot heavier as a werewolf Ares had no trouble lifting both of them off the ground and shaking William from on top of him. William also rolled with the throw and instead of springing back to his feet; he extended the roll into a cartwheel that landed him on his feet facing Ares.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Ares had disappeared. William looked all around him. He panicked at the thought of not knowing where Ares was going to strike. He looked around himself then as if a bell had sounded in his brain. Have you learned nothing from today? That thing that sits over your mouth isn’t for decoration. He closed his eyes and put his nose in the air and inhaled deeply. The smell of the forest was thick, but he had no trouble picking out the musky scent of his teacher. It was close but… he opened his eyes just in time to see Ares come falling through the air right where he was standing.
William threw himself to the side and Ares landed hard on the forest floor. William was on his back but he rolled over onto his stomach and in one motion he thrust his body in the air and kicked out at Ares. The blind kick caught Ares right in the abdomen and William felt the satisfying shock wave resonate up his legs. He got to his feet and swung at Ares as he was bent over from the pain of the blow.
Ares caught the fist in one claw. In desperation William threw another punch with his other fist. Ares caught that one as well. “Are you finished, pup?”
“I’ll only be finished if you’re still my teacher.”
Ares looked at the young pup standing in front of him. He gripped William’s fists in his own claws. “You have to convince me that you won’t give up again. No matter what happens I want your word that you will fight with everything you’ve got, and then fight some more to control yourself and to protect your pack when you are placed in one.”
William nodded.
“SAY IT!”
“I won’t quit on you again, Ares… or myself”
Ares let go of William’s hands and they dropped of their own will back to his sides. “If you quit again, I will kill you myself.” Ares started to turn away but turned back and leaned in closer to William. “If you ever attack me again, I will beat you to within an inch of your life.” Ares smiled at William and walked off into the forest again.
William wasn’t sure what was creepier, that Ares had said that with a smile, or the fact that he knew Ares wasn’t joking, at all. William stood there for a moment looking at the retreating back of his teacher. A ripple flowed out across his brain. I will beat you; I just need to figure out how.
“Are you coming, pup?” Ares called out over his shoulder.
William took a look down at his scar that he had given himself. I can’t believe that I forgot about my promise. Never again. He nodded to himself and ran after Ares.
He caught up with him and strode next to his teacher for a good while. Ares didn’t say anything, nor did he look at William at all. Ares strode through the forest not seeming to have a true destination in mind. William should have known better.
Ares led William to another clearing in the forest. William was shocked to see that the ground had been chewed up by something, or many some things. The ground was tinged red with who knows what. There was nothing growing inside the clearing. This place was as desolate as the Roman coliseum in its prime. William looked around and wondered what exactly this place was used for. He had an idea but that possibility was too barbaric to entertain.
“This is the proving grounds.” The name alone was menacing. “You have challenged me, William. I know you don’t know what that means but challenges do not go unanswered here. As you are right now, I could kill you without effort so I will call another to fight in my place.” William couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His eyes must have been as big as saucers because Ares laughed out into the stillness of the forest. Somehow the laughter didn’t do anything to calm his nerves. “William, we do not fight to the death.” Ares let out a howl that echoed through the forest.