Fray Episode 19: One Year Later
"Attack," Aradol commanded from his perch at the side of the fighting ring.
Fray felt her muscles tighten and her body moved, almost quicker than the human eye could catch. The three muscled fighters on the other side of the ring made moves towards her. Fray quickly blocked them all, slamming her open palm into one of the men and sending him across the training grounds and into a wall. She blocked a punch that another one of the fighters sent towards her. She caught his arm as it came up to attack and then she flipped him over her shoulder. He landed with a heavy thud onto the mat.
The third attacker leapt forward, his feet leaving the mat. He slammed into Fray and she took a few quick steps backwards to keep her balance. Before he could regain his footing, Fray slammed the side of her foot into the man's chest. He flew out of the ring and into the wall, leaving a dent in the heavy wood. Some of the members of the Brotherhood standing around the fighting ring applauded as Fray turned and bowed to Aradol.
Her trainer smiled and bowed back. "Wonderful work," he said.
Fray smiled back. "What now?" she asked, her body thirsting for more knowledge.
In the past year Aradol had taught her to use her skills. She could now work with fire and light magicks, she was trained in many forms of weapons, and she was faster, stronger, better than she had ever been. As the pair walked across the training ground, Fray caused three small balls of red light to appear in the air. She juggled them lightly until Aradol cleared his throat and shook his head. He never liked it when she played with her magicks unless they were in private. He didn't want to make it seem like he was too relaxed with her.
Fray sighed and caused the balls to disappear with a wave of her hand. "You never let me have any fun," Fray joked.
"We'll see what you say after tonight."
"What's tonight?"
"You're up for the final test before the gauntlet. If you defeat the Master of the Brotherhood tonight, you will be allowed to run the gauntlet in one week's time."
Fray smiled. Even though she knew that when she arrived back in New Sunnydale only a week would have passed, she still missed her friends. Aradol was great but it was easier to talk to Dawn or Kennedy about boys and girl stuff.
A slight twinge hit Fray's heart as she thought about boys. Hunter, she though. She missed him even now. She would wake up in the night, tears streaming down her face. He was her one distraction in the world and she still missed him even though a year had passed. Fray suddenly noticed that Aradol was looking at her."
"What?" Fray asked.
"You're thinking about Hunter again aren't you?"
Fray nodded and Aradol smiled. "I know that you loved him and you felt for him but you have to clear your mind of all of that. When you beat the Master you will be one step closer to retrieving the Scythe and returning to your home. I know that you do not want to return empty handed."
"You're right," Fray said, nodding her head. "I need to clear my mind but I don't know how. Every time I fight, he's right there with me. Every time I think and I act he's pushing me forward, telling me to keep fighting."
Aradol smiled. "It is possible to leave the body, but not to be dead. The body is a vessel, nothing more than a shell. The only reason it means something is because we make it that way. But memories, words, love; these are the things that make life. As long as you remember him and love him, he will never really be dead."
Fray smiled at Aradol. "Thanks for the advice."
Aradol smiled back. "Since you have the fight tonight I suggest you get some rest. Eat something and meditate for a while. As long as you clear your mind your body will act without hesitation. I have no doubts in my mind that you can beat our Master. And I am not even supposed to say that."
Fray laughed. "I will do my best Aradol. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't. Now, I have to leave, I am not allowed to talk to you again until after the fight tonight. I have taught you everything that I know and you have expanded upon it. You are a better warrior than I will ever be. Just remember what you are fighting for. Not the prize, but the people."
Fray nodded. "I will Aradol. See you after the fight."
Aradol patted Fray on the shoulder and turned to walk away. Fray took a deep breath and turned towards her quarters. They were on the top level of a four story wooden building. A small balcony ran around the top floor of the building. Fray stood for a moment, leaning against the railing. Her cool green eyes looked out over the training grounds and into the city. She had gone into the city twice with Aradol and was amazed by its mass. It was even more technologically advanced than the time that she came from. The sheer size dwarfed even the biggest city on Earth.
Finally Fray turned and walked into her room. Like the rest of the buildings on the Brotherhood training grounds the room was very Spartan. There was a low bed on one wall, a small bookshelf, and a table and chair. A large array of books was spread over both the table and the floor. Fray spent most of her free time studying history, magicks, fighting techniques. Fray picked up a book off the top of a pile and settled down on her bed to read. After a few moments though, she tossed the book to the side and lay back on her bed. Closing her eyes she allowed her mind to drift back to New Sunnydale and her friends. Finally, Fray fell into a dreamless sleep.
Kennedy sat in the chair in the middle of the apartment's living room. Dawn and Andrew were sitting next to her. Buffy was still pacing in the kitchen. "She should be back by now. It's been a full week."
"You heard what Willow said," Kennedy said. "A week here is like a year there. She's probably been accepted for training."
"Yeah," Buffy said, collapsing onto the sofa next to Dawn. "I can't help worrying. I mean she didn't even have a chance to mourn for Hunter. She's in an unknown place with no one she knows. It must be really scary for her."
Dawn smiled. "It wouldn't be the first time."
Suddenly Willow came bursting out of the bedroom, a wide smile on her face. "She's almost there," the Wicca said.
"What?" Dawn and Kennedy asked in unison.
"Fray," Willow said. "She's almost there."
Buffy tilted her head, a sign to her friend that she had no idea what the other girl was talking about. "Alright," Willow sighed, sitting down on the arm of Kennedy's chair. "I've got like a connection with the group that trains the Slayers in this world. I didn't have one until now because of the fact that we didn't have anyone training. Anyway, they just sent word that Fray's getting ready to fight the Master of their Brotherhood and if she wins she gets to run the gauntlet."
"And if she doesn't win?" Andrew asked.
"She gets kicked out and sent here.
"Damn," Kennedy muttered. "That's harsh."
Willow nodded and took her girlfriend's hand. "You know she can win. You've seen how she fights."
Kennedy nodded and squeezed Willow's hand. "I know, but I still fear for my girl."
Willow smiled at the younger woman and kissed her lightly on the head. "I'll keep you posted. I should know as soon as she wins."
"Good," Dawn said.
"But you know what will happen as soon as she comes back with the Scythe."
"Yeah," Dawn said.
"She'll have to leave," Kennedy supplied.
The others nodded and the mood of the room darkened, not knowing whether it was better for the Fader to come back without the Scythe or with it.
Fray felt the heat of the flame pouring out of the wall length fire. Her shirt stuck to her back and chest, soaked already with sweat. The Master stood across the room, his shaved head shining in the flickering light of the room. Fray felt the knife at her waist and ran her finger across the sharpened blade. As the edge dug into her skin she jolted out of her daydream and found herself back in the battle room. A gigantic room in the basement of one of the wooden buildings, the floor was covered with padding. There was a giant fireplace along one whole wall that could easily accommodate a whole tree.
Five massive logs were cracking and popping inside now as the temperature of the room rose. Fray wiped a hand across her forehead and wiped the sweat away. Aradol was sitting in the balcony that stretched the length of the room. Most of the Brotherhood was there. There was no one on the floor. There was too much of a chance that someone would be hurt. Fray suddenly caught a flicker from the balcony and realized that someone had shielded the spectators. Magick would be used during the battle.
Fray focused her thoughts and shivered as a wave of icy air flowed across her body. As she opened her palm a small layer of frost chipped off them and fell to the ground, melting instantly. The Master bowed low to Fray and Fray repeated the custom, her hair sweeping the mat. "Ready," Aradol's booming voice echoed through the room. "Fight!"
Fray instantly dove to the side as a bolt of lighting flew from her opponents hand and slammed into the mat where she had been standing just moments before. Before she even landed, Fray opened her palms and two glowing balls of pale green light flew out towards the Master. He flipped backwards but was thrown back slightly as the balls exploded in the air. Fray quickly attacked again, a burst of ice flowing through the air. It melted slightly before it got to him but it still slammed into his chest. The Master coughed as the breath was forced out of his lungs.
Fray took the opportunity to move forward, diving towards the man is if gravity had no meaning, she covered fifteen feet in a single dive. She drove a hard punch towards the man's chest but he countered, grabbing her hand and twisting it behind her back. The glint in his eyes let Fray know that he was angry that she had hit him, and that he intended on not letting it happen again.
Fray just smiled lightly. If you attack out of anger, a loss is not far behind. Aradol's words echoed in her head.
The Master pushed her arm farther up but Fray flipped and spun in the air, breaking his grasp and turning her to face him. The Master glared at her and began a tireless barrage of attacks. Fists and feet flew as the man drove Fray towards the outer wall of the ring. Fray was being driven back but the Master didn't land a single blow. Every attack that he attempted was blocked by Fray. Her arms and legs were bruised, sweat was pouring off her face, but Fray continued to fight. Finally she saw her opening. When the Master went to raise his right leg for a deadly side kick to Fray's chest, the young girl dropped to the ground, sliding under the Master's legs. She jumped up behind him and slammed her elbow into the back of his neck.
The man yelled in pain and turned towards her. Now it was Fray's turn. She punched twice at the same time, her left fist slamming into his stomach, her right, into his chest. The Master flew back a couple of feet and landed, face first, on the mats. He coughed twice and jumped back up, a bolt of lightning flew out of his hand, followed quickly by a burst of air. Fray was able to escape the lightning but the air slammed into her chest and drove her into a wall. "Damn," Fray said. "This guy's tough."
The Master smiled and walked closer to her. Fray raised her hands and threw a pair of fire balls towards him. The Master had to duck the attack, giving Fray enough time to flip over the man's head and land behind him. She heard him grunt as her foot slammed into his back. The kick had been executed perfectly and the Master slammed into the far wall and slid to the ground, unconscious.
A cheer went up from the balcony, Aradol's voice louder than all the others. "Next," he yelled, "the Gauntlet."
Fray smiled and turned towards her teacher. She bowed slightly, the smile still plastered on her face.
Back in New Sunnydale an identical smile crossed Willow's face. "She did it," she said, looking at Kennedy, Buffy, Dawn, and Andrew. "She got past the Master."
"As if there was any doubt," Kennedy joked.
"Now she has to face the Gauntlet."
Willow swallowed. "What?" Andrew asked.
Willow smiled sheepishly. "It looks a little bit tougher than I first though."
"Attack," Aradol commanded from his perch at the side of the fighting ring.
Fray felt her muscles tighten and her body moved, almost quicker than the human eye could catch. The three muscled fighters on the other side of the ring made moves towards her. Fray quickly blocked them all, slamming her open palm into one of the men and sending him across the training grounds and into a wall. She blocked a punch that another one of the fighters sent towards her. She caught his arm as it came up to attack and then she flipped him over her shoulder. He landed with a heavy thud onto the mat.
The third attacker leapt forward, his feet leaving the mat. He slammed into Fray and she took a few quick steps backwards to keep her balance. Before he could regain his footing, Fray slammed the side of her foot into the man's chest. He flew out of the ring and into the wall, leaving a dent in the heavy wood. Some of the members of the Brotherhood standing around the fighting ring applauded as Fray turned and bowed to Aradol.
Her trainer smiled and bowed back. "Wonderful work," he said.
Fray smiled back. "What now?" she asked, her body thirsting for more knowledge.
In the past year Aradol had taught her to use her skills. She could now work with fire and light magicks, she was trained in many forms of weapons, and she was faster, stronger, better than she had ever been. As the pair walked across the training ground, Fray caused three small balls of red light to appear in the air. She juggled them lightly until Aradol cleared his throat and shook his head. He never liked it when she played with her magicks unless they were in private. He didn't want to make it seem like he was too relaxed with her.
Fray sighed and caused the balls to disappear with a wave of her hand. "You never let me have any fun," Fray joked.
"We'll see what you say after tonight."
"What's tonight?"
"You're up for the final test before the gauntlet. If you defeat the Master of the Brotherhood tonight, you will be allowed to run the gauntlet in one week's time."
Fray smiled. Even though she knew that when she arrived back in New Sunnydale only a week would have passed, she still missed her friends. Aradol was great but it was easier to talk to Dawn or Kennedy about boys and girl stuff.
A slight twinge hit Fray's heart as she thought about boys. Hunter, she though. She missed him even now. She would wake up in the night, tears streaming down her face. He was her one distraction in the world and she still missed him even though a year had passed. Fray suddenly noticed that Aradol was looking at her."
"What?" Fray asked.
"You're thinking about Hunter again aren't you?"
Fray nodded and Aradol smiled. "I know that you loved him and you felt for him but you have to clear your mind of all of that. When you beat the Master you will be one step closer to retrieving the Scythe and returning to your home. I know that you do not want to return empty handed."
"You're right," Fray said, nodding her head. "I need to clear my mind but I don't know how. Every time I fight, he's right there with me. Every time I think and I act he's pushing me forward, telling me to keep fighting."
Aradol smiled. "It is possible to leave the body, but not to be dead. The body is a vessel, nothing more than a shell. The only reason it means something is because we make it that way. But memories, words, love; these are the things that make life. As long as you remember him and love him, he will never really be dead."
Fray smiled at Aradol. "Thanks for the advice."
Aradol smiled back. "Since you have the fight tonight I suggest you get some rest. Eat something and meditate for a while. As long as you clear your mind your body will act without hesitation. I have no doubts in my mind that you can beat our Master. And I am not even supposed to say that."
Fray laughed. "I will do my best Aradol. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't. Now, I have to leave, I am not allowed to talk to you again until after the fight tonight. I have taught you everything that I know and you have expanded upon it. You are a better warrior than I will ever be. Just remember what you are fighting for. Not the prize, but the people."
Fray nodded. "I will Aradol. See you after the fight."
Aradol patted Fray on the shoulder and turned to walk away. Fray took a deep breath and turned towards her quarters. They were on the top level of a four story wooden building. A small balcony ran around the top floor of the building. Fray stood for a moment, leaning against the railing. Her cool green eyes looked out over the training grounds and into the city. She had gone into the city twice with Aradol and was amazed by its mass. It was even more technologically advanced than the time that she came from. The sheer size dwarfed even the biggest city on Earth.
Finally Fray turned and walked into her room. Like the rest of the buildings on the Brotherhood training grounds the room was very Spartan. There was a low bed on one wall, a small bookshelf, and a table and chair. A large array of books was spread over both the table and the floor. Fray spent most of her free time studying history, magicks, fighting techniques. Fray picked up a book off the top of a pile and settled down on her bed to read. After a few moments though, she tossed the book to the side and lay back on her bed. Closing her eyes she allowed her mind to drift back to New Sunnydale and her friends. Finally, Fray fell into a dreamless sleep.
Kennedy sat in the chair in the middle of the apartment's living room. Dawn and Andrew were sitting next to her. Buffy was still pacing in the kitchen. "She should be back by now. It's been a full week."
"You heard what Willow said," Kennedy said. "A week here is like a year there. She's probably been accepted for training."
"Yeah," Buffy said, collapsing onto the sofa next to Dawn. "I can't help worrying. I mean she didn't even have a chance to mourn for Hunter. She's in an unknown place with no one she knows. It must be really scary for her."
Dawn smiled. "It wouldn't be the first time."
Suddenly Willow came bursting out of the bedroom, a wide smile on her face. "She's almost there," the Wicca said.
"What?" Dawn and Kennedy asked in unison.
"Fray," Willow said. "She's almost there."
Buffy tilted her head, a sign to her friend that she had no idea what the other girl was talking about. "Alright," Willow sighed, sitting down on the arm of Kennedy's chair. "I've got like a connection with the group that trains the Slayers in this world. I didn't have one until now because of the fact that we didn't have anyone training. Anyway, they just sent word that Fray's getting ready to fight the Master of their Brotherhood and if she wins she gets to run the gauntlet."
"And if she doesn't win?" Andrew asked.
"She gets kicked out and sent here.
"Damn," Kennedy muttered. "That's harsh."
Willow nodded and took her girlfriend's hand. "You know she can win. You've seen how she fights."
Kennedy nodded and squeezed Willow's hand. "I know, but I still fear for my girl."
Willow smiled at the younger woman and kissed her lightly on the head. "I'll keep you posted. I should know as soon as she wins."
"Good," Dawn said.
"But you know what will happen as soon as she comes back with the Scythe."
"Yeah," Dawn said.
"She'll have to leave," Kennedy supplied.
The others nodded and the mood of the room darkened, not knowing whether it was better for the Fader to come back without the Scythe or with it.
Fray felt the heat of the flame pouring out of the wall length fire. Her shirt stuck to her back and chest, soaked already with sweat. The Master stood across the room, his shaved head shining in the flickering light of the room. Fray felt the knife at her waist and ran her finger across the sharpened blade. As the edge dug into her skin she jolted out of her daydream and found herself back in the battle room. A gigantic room in the basement of one of the wooden buildings, the floor was covered with padding. There was a giant fireplace along one whole wall that could easily accommodate a whole tree.
Five massive logs were cracking and popping inside now as the temperature of the room rose. Fray wiped a hand across her forehead and wiped the sweat away. Aradol was sitting in the balcony that stretched the length of the room. Most of the Brotherhood was there. There was no one on the floor. There was too much of a chance that someone would be hurt. Fray suddenly caught a flicker from the balcony and realized that someone had shielded the spectators. Magick would be used during the battle.
Fray focused her thoughts and shivered as a wave of icy air flowed across her body. As she opened her palm a small layer of frost chipped off them and fell to the ground, melting instantly. The Master bowed low to Fray and Fray repeated the custom, her hair sweeping the mat. "Ready," Aradol's booming voice echoed through the room. "Fight!"
Fray instantly dove to the side as a bolt of lighting flew from her opponents hand and slammed into the mat where she had been standing just moments before. Before she even landed, Fray opened her palms and two glowing balls of pale green light flew out towards the Master. He flipped backwards but was thrown back slightly as the balls exploded in the air. Fray quickly attacked again, a burst of ice flowing through the air. It melted slightly before it got to him but it still slammed into his chest. The Master coughed as the breath was forced out of his lungs.
Fray took the opportunity to move forward, diving towards the man is if gravity had no meaning, she covered fifteen feet in a single dive. She drove a hard punch towards the man's chest but he countered, grabbing her hand and twisting it behind her back. The glint in his eyes let Fray know that he was angry that she had hit him, and that he intended on not letting it happen again.
Fray just smiled lightly. If you attack out of anger, a loss is not far behind. Aradol's words echoed in her head.
The Master pushed her arm farther up but Fray flipped and spun in the air, breaking his grasp and turning her to face him. The Master glared at her and began a tireless barrage of attacks. Fists and feet flew as the man drove Fray towards the outer wall of the ring. Fray was being driven back but the Master didn't land a single blow. Every attack that he attempted was blocked by Fray. Her arms and legs were bruised, sweat was pouring off her face, but Fray continued to fight. Finally she saw her opening. When the Master went to raise his right leg for a deadly side kick to Fray's chest, the young girl dropped to the ground, sliding under the Master's legs. She jumped up behind him and slammed her elbow into the back of his neck.
The man yelled in pain and turned towards her. Now it was Fray's turn. She punched twice at the same time, her left fist slamming into his stomach, her right, into his chest. The Master flew back a couple of feet and landed, face first, on the mats. He coughed twice and jumped back up, a bolt of lightning flew out of his hand, followed quickly by a burst of air. Fray was able to escape the lightning but the air slammed into her chest and drove her into a wall. "Damn," Fray said. "This guy's tough."
The Master smiled and walked closer to her. Fray raised her hands and threw a pair of fire balls towards him. The Master had to duck the attack, giving Fray enough time to flip over the man's head and land behind him. She heard him grunt as her foot slammed into his back. The kick had been executed perfectly and the Master slammed into the far wall and slid to the ground, unconscious.
A cheer went up from the balcony, Aradol's voice louder than all the others. "Next," he yelled, "the Gauntlet."
Fray smiled and turned towards her teacher. She bowed slightly, the smile still plastered on her face.
Back in New Sunnydale an identical smile crossed Willow's face. "She did it," she said, looking at Kennedy, Buffy, Dawn, and Andrew. "She got past the Master."
"As if there was any doubt," Kennedy joked.
"Now she has to face the Gauntlet."
Willow swallowed. "What?" Andrew asked.
Willow smiled sheepishly. "It looks a little bit tougher than I first though."