A Demon's Venom - Chapter 6 – Crash course
Having new powers was a strange feeling for Ebony, but she'll get used to it some day. Saizo had
promised her to train her, so she wouldn't need him to protect her. Training would start in the early
morning, before sunrise. So Ebony went to sleep earlier than usual.
Ebony could barely open her eyes in the morning. But it didn't take long for her to figure out, that
Saizo was gone already. Nonetheless she was still very tired.
''Ugh... It's so early...'' she slowly got up and quickly realized ''Wait! I'm going to be late!''
The small shock gave her enough energy to run out of the cave. Saizo was already outside.
His expression was serious, there was no joking around, Ebony knew that.
''You're late.'' he said, shaking his head.
''I'm sorry. I'll do my best, I promise!'' Ebony replied.
''I know. Just try to get used to getting up early.'' he turned around ''Anyways, let's begin.''
She watched in excitement as he walked towards an obstacle course.
''I've prepared a course for you. This will test your speed and reflexes and help you train them.'' he started to explain
''You'll need it to get out of some situations or to have an advantage''
Ebony started to study the course. There were cut logs, placed on the ground, to either jump or crouch to pass them.
There was a stone wall, rough enough to climb. Several bushes have been placed in the next part of the course,
but she wasn't sure what they were for. And then there was a small pond. Ebony was surprised, how did Saizo do that?
She continued. More logs, this time standing, have been placed as well. Probably to jump over them. And finally,
there were some small rocks, scattered tightly over a hilly terrain. It seemed quite hard to dodge these, if she had to
run through. At her speed... it might hurt.
''I see you're studying the terrain. Very well. Is everything clear to you?'' Saizo asked.
''Actually, how did you make this pond? It wasn't here before.''
''I had some water types help me fill the hole.''
''And, what about those bushes, what should I do there?''
''You hide.'' he said, as Ebony looked at him puzzled.
''Hide? Why would I do that?''
''Because you might stumble upon stronger foes, you can't beat in battle.''
''And I can't just run away?''
''You could, but that way your opponent will follow. Also, you can do a surprise attack.''
''But... How do I train hiding? You'd spot me immediately.''
''Yes, but that's because I'm watching your movement. I can tell you if it's good or not.''
Saizo pointed towards the course ''Get ready. And start on my signal.''
Ebony quickly got into position, waiting for the signal to run.
''Go!'' as soon as he shouted it, Ebony instantly started running through the course. He smiled.
The last days were exhausting. Ebony became faster and more agile every day. But the training
sessions became more intense too. Sometimes Saizo threw sticks like knives. She also learned
to dodge these, no matter how sudden they appeared. But this evening, she was too tired to think.
So she quickly fell asleep.
The next morning Ebony headed outside, Saizo wasn't around. The obstacle course was gone
as well. It was raining and even thunder filled the sky. This had to mean something. Suddenly a
stick flew towards her quickly. She dodged. He was in the bushes, but she couldn't see him.
Then another stick, from a different direction. She dodged again, but it was totally impossible to
predict. How could he possibly move that fast without getting spotted? Then another stick came from above.
She was unprepared. ''Ouch!'' It hit her head.
''No, no no... Not like that Ebony...'' Saizo jumped from the tree he was on.
''Where did you hide? And where did the obstacles go?''
''I didn't hide, I silently moved from spot to spot. A good tactic to ambush someone, who's not prepared.
Just like you... Also, the obstacle course is gone, cause we're doing combat training now. You're swift enough,
so it's time to use it in battle.''
Ebony rubbed her head ''But... shouldn't it still be here? You know, terrain disadvantages?''
''First you've got to learn how to fight, afterwards it'll return and combine with fight training.''
''Ok... I see. Ok, I'm ready.''
''It's about time... you learn how to use these...'' Saizo handed a few wooden Kunai to Ebony.
''K-knives?!'' Ebony looked at the weapons, not sure, if she should take them or not.
''Specialized throwing knives. They're known as Kunai.''
''I'm not sure... If I still want this anymore...'' Ebony said.
''I understand, but you might need them later, so please, let's continue. These won't hurt you.''
''O-Ok...'' Ebony took them with her mouth.
Saizo showed her how to use them and after a few attempts, Ebony tried as well.
Afterwards they started to fight each other, Saizo holding back to let Ebony improve, instead
of just beating her. And with every day they trained, Ebony became better, until she was
ready to use real Kunai. He had to adjust his battlestyle to match her's. She was learning fast.
Faster than he would have expected. Yet there was still a lot for her to learn.