Chapter 21 - Training (2/2)
”Fine but, this also includes rights to this box.” Lydis pointed the box she was on top of. It was another rations crate that hadn't been opened yet. Full to the brim and filled with a variety of steaming goodies.
”You drive a hard bargain but deal. Within one hour if you are not able to land one hit on me then you'll never be able to disobey any orders coming from me. Executing them without hesitation or question. No matter how harsh or cruel it may seem.” At this last sentence Blair let out a little bit of killing intent towards Lydis. Lydis in turn raised her middle finger. Blair's mouth was half open before Lydis interrupted her.
”Sure. But, since you added more I also want my weapons back.” Lydis had gotten another bundle from the other crate and was standing near the doorway.
*sigh* ”That will depend on the captain's orders but if the chance ever does arise I'll put in a good word for you.” Seemingly pleased with that Lydis nodded and tore off the wrapper to her silver bundle. It's savory aroma mixed in with the other smells. She took one bite and placed it on the crate she had woken up on.
”Alright, let's go.” Lydis stretched her arms upward and headed for the door before stopping to turn around to look at Blair who hadn't moved yet.
”It'll get cold y'know?” Blair pointed at Lydis's bundle and the open one she taken from Lydis next to it.
”Oh, we won't be gone that long!” Lydis's cheeky smile caused Blair's face to twitch in anger.
”Little brat, seems like you don't know how high the sky is.” Blair was about to explode on a rant when Lydis disappeared through the flaps of the door. ”Calm down Blair, she is just a child who doesn't know any better. She has amnesia. She's the adopted daughter of the captain.” After a quick pep talk Blair took a couple of deep breaths before following after Lydis.
On the makeshift training grounds Blair had chosen a reasonably clear area as the starting place and had removed trees to make the area bigger. Lydis was just arriving with Blair a few paces behind her.
”So, how will this go?” Lydis had her hands behind her head, lazily scanning and assessing what could be used and what couldn't.
”We'll treat this like you've just encountered me in the middle of a battlefield. Anything is allowed but I won't go for your vitals. If you need a break just say so and I'll postpone the one-hour timer.” Blair was smirking slightly as she watched Lydis survey the surroundings. In her mind a child who's only eight and with no experience in any kind of combat wouldn't be able to last even the whole hour without a rest.
”Like I said. I won't need it.” Lydis was near the edge of the clearing and had a handful of dirt. With her back turned to Blair she stuffed it into her pockets.
”There's a thirty-meter circle barrier set up from that pole in the ground over there.” Blair pointed to a long black metal pole sticking out from the ground. It had four metal plates hovering around it. Lydis could see a faint blue mist collecting at the tip. ”The only rule is you can't run outside of it. The point of this is to fight, not run away. We'll cover that later. For now I just need to test your abilities. So, the hour starts… Now!” As soon as she said 'now' a small timer popped out from her pocket and landed on the floor, a blue screen popped up displaying the time left, 00:59:47.
”Hmm.” Lydis was already by the edge of the clearing so as soon as Blair said 'now' she ran into the trees quickly disappearing into the heavy shadows of the trees and shrubs.
”Didn't I say the whole purpose was to fight?” Blair called after Lydis but got no response. ”Come on, if you wanted to play tag you should've just said so.” In the next moment Blair disappeared from the clearing, a little cloud of dust falling where she had just been.
Lydis had already reached the barrier. It was only about ten meters from the edge of the clearing, so she was running along it. Behind her she could hear Blair coming. In the next second Blair was crouching in front of her, her left arm stretched out to clothesline Lydis in the gut. Instinct had told Lydis that Blair would aim for her abdomen since it was easiest to hit. Lydis was prepared for Blair's attack. She had been running low to the ground as soon as she entered the forest so she slipped right under Blair's arm, her red hair catching Blair in the face. The whip-like lash from Lydis's hair stung Blair's face while causing her to lose a moment of visibility. Lydis took this chance to pivot sharply on her heels and grab onto Blair's neck with her left arm. Using her momentum Lydis pulled Blair backwards towards the ground. As soon as she felt her body moving backwards Blair stretched her legs, springing up, her other hand reaching for Lydis's arm around her neck. Lydis was quick too, as she felt herself getting lifted off the ground she quickly let go and dashed away. Blair rubbed her face and neck slightly.
”Damn, what was that? Wasn't she supposed to be an eight-year old with no training whatsoever?” Although, no one had said that Lydis didn't know how to fight a little. Blair patted her legs off and stretched her arms upwards. ”Looks like I'll have to try a bit more.” She got in a running stance and half a second later she was next to Lydis in midair. She was diving with her hand aimed for Lydis's leg. Lydis wasn't fast enough to avoid the grab so she reached into her pockets for the dirt as she felt herself getting lifted from her feet. Blair dangled Lydis upside down by her left leg. Lydis kicked out with her right, her foot colliding with Blair's face. Even though she had just been kicked Blair didn't even flinch, more like she couldn't feel it.
”Is that all?” Blair shook Lydis slightly and in the next moment she was blinded by dirt in her eyes. In her shock she dropped Lydis and midair Lydis kicked off Blair's chest, propelling her towards a nearby tree. As she flipped in the air she landed on the side of the tree for a moment before pushing off of it towards Blair, carrying her momentum with her. Blair had just brushed off most of the dirt when she suddenly flicked her head to the right, dodging Lydis's kick but what she didn't count for was that Lydis also had her elbow aimed for her face. In the next second Blair's face collided with Lydis's elbow. The impact broke Blair's nose and a gush of blood poured down her face. Lydis had also injured her elbow by tearing her tendons a bit and dislocating her elbow. Lydis landed behind Blair, dust rising from her feet scraping against the ground in an attempt to slow her momentum. Blair pinched her nose and turned around to face Lydis's back, a grin on her face.