10/06/16

Woo! Finally! I get to share with you all another Xenoblade Chronicles X fanfic, this one exploded to being about 13000 words (probably more now since I've added more words to scenes/otherwise improved it) and the whole time writing it has been a joy.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this! And yo, Hurricane Matthew don't you dare knock out my power. I need to submit this. I've been way too excited, don't literally rain on my parade asshole!

Onward.


Sparring

It's been a short while since New LA formed its alliance with the Wrothians, and Kruse saw now as the best time to train himself up and see if he could study under one of the Wrothian masters. Ultimately he hoped to prove himself enough to receive training from Ga Jiarg himself. He was immensely impressed by the Wrothian Prince's technique that completely overwhelmed him during their encounter in Sylvalum.

As he went through his movements he kept thinking of that fight. Kruse made a mental note that at the time he was not at his best. The Wrothians had them completely surrounded and Elma offered herself up in place of the rest of the team. Suffice it to say, he was terrified. He had faith in Elma and the team as a whole of course but during the battle his fears only grew.

Closing his eyes he began recalling some of Ga Jiarg's moves and began working on some theoretical counters. Theorizing wasn't the best but it was all he could do for now.

Shaking his head he sighed "No…he has far more strength than I do. If I try to counter any of his attacks he'll probably just wind up pushing me back…or worse."

His movements came to a halt and he ran the Sylvalum battle back through his head again, this time focusing on the other opponent: Ga Buidhe. Not to be outdone, she was also a fascinating and immensely skilled opponent. Throughout the battle Kruse did his best to get in close and stay close but she was fast and her weapon was everywhere. He decided to keep to ranged weapons to deal with her as approaching was obviously not the way to go.

He then chuckled "Unless you're Elma."

He remembered her in that battle. He wondered if she felt the desperation that he did, or if she saw the clear goal. Ever on point she went up against Buidhe and never backed down.

"I thought I might find you out here…"

Kruse turned to see Elma approaching. "…and you didn't invite me."

"Well, the last time we trained together I went back to the barracks sore everywhere. I'd rather be able to walk today."

Elma shook her head "Come now. You can't grow if you fail to establish a training pattern. If you really want to improve you need someone with you."

"I suppose so, though honestly I'm starting to think you just like knocking me on my ass."

Elma just smiled at that as Kruse chuckled.

Taking a deep breath he brought up his weapon "So…ready?"

Elma wordlessly drew her blades and nodded before shooting right at his as fast as she always does. Much like every session before, Kruse finds himself facing an incredible onslaught. All he found himself capable of doing was block the attacks he could see and brace himself following the ones that made contact.

Finding an opening is next to impossible but he had to figure out a way to get through her attacks. Deciding to give himself some breathing room he broke off and leapt away only for her to pursue immediately. Instead of stopping her blades with his he instead opted to dodge and weave out of the way. Keeping a closer eye on her movements. Finally he brought out his weapon and spun around, feeling the sting of one of Elma's blades across his back. With as much force as he could muster he brought his weapon in and struck Elma across the side.

This pushed her a few inches away and gave her pause which was all he needed. Seizing the opportunity he gripped his blade tighter and closed in. Weapon flashing he struck as quickly as he could, Elma was now facing his assault and blocking his attacks.

With a glancing blow he struck one of her blades, pushing it back and causing her to reel for a few moments, giving him time to spin and strike her again. Gritting her teeth, she struck back hard, both blades colliding with his chest and pushing him back.

Skidding to a halt his eyes caught her as she stood where she was. The two were breathing heavily, watching each other, waiting.

"Oh no."

Kruse got a good look at Elma, the battle had caused them both to sweat, with the way her hair fell over her face and the intense focus of her eyes, staring him down, he could only think one thing.

"Not now."

He shook his head trying to regain his focus only to give her an opening. Taking it she charged in and sent him crashing to the ground, knocking the wind out of him.

Coughing and struggling to speak he managed to get out "I give! I give!"

He continued to cough as Elma let out a sigh and put her weapons away "Kruse. You were doing so well, what happened?"

She leaned down and held her hand out, Kruse took it, allowing her to help him up. He looked at her, before he could speak he noted a wince in her eye.

"Are you alright?"

She nodded "Of course." A hand came to her side "You really got me good a few times. This is a good thing, Kruse."

He let out a heavy sigh as she crossed her arms "So, what did you do wrong this time?"

"I uh…I got distracted."

Elma nodded "Very distracted. Kruse, you can't let that happen in battle, okay? Even sparring."

"Yeah. I know…no worries, won't happen again."

"I hope."

Kruse sat down in the field and gestured for Elma to join him. After a short silence Kruse decided to get a few things off his mind.

"Elma. What was going through your head in Sylvalum?"

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him "What?"

"When the Wrothians surrounded us."

"…why do you ask?"

Kruse sighed "Because I was terrified. We weren't getting out of there. I was convinced deep down that that would be the end of us. We were completely outmanned in every respect."

"…"

"Elma?"

He looked at her as she let out her own sigh "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned."

"You sure didn't show it."

"Well it is important to not show fear in front of the enemy…but as you said, we weren't in a good place. I tried to do the best I could to make sure that you and Lin got out of there. You were my primary focus."

Kruse closed his eyes and shook his head "Elma."

She watched him as he mulled over some thoughts before opening his eyes and looking at her "Can you promise me something."

She remained silent allowing him to continue "Never do that again. Never try to give yourself up for us. Please. We need you."

Elma saw the sincerity in Kruse's "We may be important to you but you have to know that you are just as if not more important to us."

Smiling she nodded "Very well…I promise…"

Following that Elma stood up and stretched "Sylvalum was a rough patch but we won't be taken off guard again. Not if we continue to train and improve."

Kruse nodded, standing up as she continued "So with that I take it we're ready for another go, right?"

"What?"

"What, what? Did you think we were done?"

He shook his head and chuckled "No, of course not."

Elma took up her position a few feet away as Kruse did a few stretches "So Kruse, do you know what distracted you?"

Drawing his weapon he nodded "Yeah."

"Don't let it happen again."

She smiled and winked before drawing her weapons.

Kruse groaned internally.

"This would be so much easier if it wasn't you who was distracting me."