I sat up in an oak tree on a high branch, throwing knife after knife into the tree across from me. I underestimated his skill, I thought to myself. How could I be so ignorant?! I was going to go easy on him, but he is years ahead of my skill level. He may have well be a survey corps veteran in disguise. The little brat!
I hear the crunching of dead leaves underfoot from the ground of some nearby trees. I immediately threw one of my knifes in that direction.
"You realize you could have just killed me," Gunther shouted up in my direction as he pulled out the knife inches from his face in the nearby pine tree.
"You realize my aim is too good for that," I smirked back.
"Come down. Let's talk!" Oh, Gunther, he's always looked out for me like an older brother. He can always tell when I'm stressed, and is the only one who can get me to show my true colors, which scares the shit out of me.
"Hmmmm, honestly would rather stay up here. Not gonna lie." I threw another knife whizzing just above his head through his up-styled black hair. He didn't even flinch.
"Well if you don't want to talk, why don't we spar, just for kicks?"
"If you haven't noticed, I think I've had enough sparring for today."
"Come on, won't handing me my own ass make you feel better? Besides I need someone to train with."
"Don't you have somewhere to be, Gunther?"
"One match?"
"Fine, if you'll leave me in peace." I swing down off the branch falling a solid twenty feet to the ground before doing a tuck and roll landing, springing up to my feet. "Come at me, whenever you're ready," I tell him. He charges at me, and throws his first punch. I block the blow with my forearm, and pull back for a return swing when suddenly, I see Levi. Gunther is gone, and in his place is the shorty that beat me earlier today. I falter for a second, and Gunther uses this to his advantage as he brings his knee up into my stomach. Why? I ask myself. What has this kid done to me? He's getting to me. He's changing me. I can't… I can't… I attempt to throw back another return punch, but it flops down to the ground. I fall to my knees, feeling my eyes burn with tears.
Gunther stood over me and whispered, "Remember, you don't have to be the best. Use Levi to your advantage. Make yourself better." Without letting me say anything in return, he started walking back to camp, leaving me alone in the woods in tears.