043 last dance

Character: Tobias

Tobias carefully moved around the mat, watching his opponent. He gripped the handle of his wooden sword tight, looking for any signs that his enemy would attack. Each step was precise, their movements patient and practiced. Tobias had only recently started training with a sword and he was finding it a bit harder than the hand-to-hand techniques that he'd already mastered.

"The dance of the sword is the most deadly dance there is. In the old eras, the warrior had to master this dance or it would be his last. Since man first made blades we have been living and dying by them. Those with honor have raised them to defend their homes and the weak, but still those without honor have hands." Tobias listened intently to his Sensei's words but didn't dare look at him. "Neither of you are ready yet for steel, but wood will do for now."

The man across from Tobias moved forward. He swung from the shoulder with as much force as he could. Tobias deflected it, but the force caused his sword to be knocked aside. Luckily his opponent had to recover from the strike as well, which gave Tobias enough time to get his are guard back up.

"This is a dance, Marcus, a graceful ballet, not a heavy-metal thrash party," their Sensei scolded. "Swift and graceful strikes like the tiger, not lumbering hits like an ox."

Marcus tried striking again, but his attacks were still forceful and a bit clumsy. Tobias blocked the first two but sidestepped the last. He jabbed forward with his wooden blade, but Marcus managed to just barely to get out of the way. Tobias smiled, thrilled at his small personal victory. Marcus scowled at him. "What are you smiling about?"

"Just excited that I got so close," Tobias answered truthfully. "I must have gotten lucky, 'cause I haven't been at this for that long. I have to say it felt good though."

"There is no luck," their Sensei corrected. "There is only skill in a fight. You learn the steps of the dance and it becomes a part of you. As your partner dances, the correct steps will come to you without thought." Tobias looked toward his teacher as the man spoke and Marcus took his chance. Tobias didn't notice soon enough and the wooden blade smacked his arm. "Enough." Tobias took a step back, his hand gripping his shoulder. Marcus lowered his weapon and relaxed. "Marcus, there is no honor in taking cheap shots during a duel. Tobias, always keep your guard up when in a fight."

"Yes, Sensei," they said at once.

"That will be all. Tomorrow we will work on being graceful." Their Sensei moved away, leaving the two men alone to clean up the gym.

Tobias moved over to the rack and put his sword away with the others. He was suddenly pushed forward and against the rack. Tobias' head slammed into the wood and he stumbled. He spun around and found Marcus swinging his wood sword with all of his might.

Tobias rolled to the side, dodging the hit, and springing to his feet. He instinctively took a defensive stance. "What's your problem?"

"What's my problem? You're my problem. Sensei has been teaching me the sword for a month, and you've only been at it for a week. How is it fair that you're better than me?" Marcus scowled at him and raised the wood sword again.

Tobias found the strike easy to dodge, as it was slow and his training had taught him to move quickly to avoid being hurt. "Sensei says I'm just a fast learner." His Sensei had told him many times that fighting seemed to be his destiny, what he was born to do. Tobias kept on the defensive, not wanting to get in a fight with Marcus. He took a few steps back, trying to put some distance between him and his enemy.

"That's a load of crap and you know it. There is no such thing as destiny, everything is decided by us, not some predetermined path ahead of us. No one has something they are meant to do, only what they choose to do," Marcus argued.

"That doesn't mean that a person can't have talent. Some people find music easier, or science. For me it's martial arts, and I'm not good with a sword. Your swings are just too slow. You fight like you can't imagine your sword has an edge. You act like it's a bat, a stick you're waving around, not an extension of your body like Sensei says." Tobias moved to the side, avoiding another strike.

"No horsing around," their Sensei chastised as they realized he had re-entered the room. Tobias realized that the old man was looking directly at him. "Finish and clean this mess up." And with that, he once more moved out of the room and left them alone.

The two men stayed still for a moment, looking at each other. Marcus suddenly moved forward and Tobias made his choice. He'd finish this fight. When Marcus swung Tobias ducked under the wood sword and moved to attack. He grabbed Marcus' wrist and twisted it back. The other man cried out in pain and dropped the sword. Tobias slammed his fist into Marcus' side, aiming for his kidney. Marcus doubled over and Tobias made one last strike. His leg swept Marcus off his feet and the other man fell to the ground.

Marcus lay on the ground and when Tobias was sure he wasn't going to get back up he picked up the wooden sword. Tobias moved over to the rack and put it away before moving to clean up the gym.