Chapter 15: Fight Like a Dance
The ground is hard, the sky is blue and my body is hurting so much right now.
...
...
Why do I feel like I've been here before?
"How are you feeling sweet heart?"
Oh right. Training.
"I've been through worse."
"Well get up we are not done training yet."
Sigh... It has been a good four months ever since I made Saltatio Favillae. In those four months of training, they have been rough on me. For starters, I can't get a better grip on my fighting style with my weapon. Weird how back then it was easy when I had the katana and sheath, but now I feel like it's all wrong. When it's in range mode I feel like I do better. But when it comes to splitting them apart that's where it all falls apart.
My swordsmanship skill is good, hell I'll even say it's better than most thanks to Mom, school, and Saltatio(Sword), but the moment I try to involve Favillae(Shotgun) it all turns bad in an Instant. Mom said something about 'have them flow with each other and soon they would work together'. I had no idea what she meant by that but I soon realize she might not be the best person to talk about weapons since she doesn't even have one.
I get back up and get into a fighting stance. Hell, even my stance was all wrong from what I can tell.
Sigh...' Did I make a mistake on weapons?'
"Ok, Seth try to attack me any way you can."
I just nod and rush her.
After another failed attempt at fighting her, I am once again on the ground.
"So you wanna tell me what you did wrong that time?"
"I couldn't block your attacks with my left arm." I tell her while I try to catch my breath.
"Yes. And do you know why?"
"... Cause that's my weak side right now."
"More than that. It's because you are trying to swing your shotgun like it's a club. Seth, your right arm is fast because you are using your sword for strikes and blocks. But you are leaving yourself open with your other arm. Have you tried switching your weapons hands?"
"I have, but my left arm is stronger than my right arm. Also, it will probably be the same problem if I switch hands."
"Hmm. I think I know what you need to do."
"Really what is it?"
"I'm not going to tell you. You just need to figure it out by yourself."
"Mom please don't be cryptic on this."
"I'll give you a hint then."
...
...
...
"Tonfa." With that, she starts to leave.
...
...
...
"What the hell does that mean?!"
"So you leave next week?"
"Yes. I'll be heading to Mistral for the tournament."
"Damn, I can't believe it's been a year since we both participated in that tournament. Still is gonna suck not having you around for a week."
"Oh...Umm. If you like you can always come with us."
"I would love to. However, I don't think I would be allowed to go any were near that place without getting ideas to participate again."
"I can always stop you."
"Yea, but I like my freedom better."
We both just laugh.
"But hey it's only a week. This will give me time to train with Mom."
"You are still having trouble with your weapon?"
I just look at her and throw a fake smile. But seeing her narrow her eyes. I guess I have been caught.
Sigh..."Yea, I still can't find the right way to fight with them. Even when I use them one at a time. I do way better, but once I try both... Nothing, It's way different from what I did last year with the katana and the sheath. Sure the weight is different and the fact that it's a gun also is a risk but I can't seem to find how to make them work well. How do you do it Pyrrha?"
She thinks to herself before giving an answer.
"I just find a balance."
...
...
"Hmm, what?"
She heads to a bench where she decides to sit down. I just follow her and sit down next to her.
"I find a balance of offense and defense Seth. Take how I fight, Sure I can use both of my weapons in an offensive way, but I always know that's not their only purpose. They both protect me not only Akoúo̱ but Miló as well. So what I'm trying to say is, Find a balance between both protecting and defending." With that, she just smiles.
'Find a balance.'
"I feel like Mom also told me something like that, but she wasn't really direct with her wording. She told me something like, 'Tonfa' and that was all she said to me. Do you have any ideas of what that could mean?"
"Tonfa... I think that's a weapon. Maybe she is giving you a hint."
A hint. Yea, she did say it was a hint. But how does that help with my weapon?
"Ugh, I feel like this is going to give me a headache."
"Hey don't worry, if anything we still got a long time before we become huntsman and huntresses."
"Yea, but then we have to worry about getting accepted into our academy of choice. Oh well, that's future us problems. But now how about we get some food before we head home." I tell her as I stand up.
"Yes lets." She also stands up and we head out of the park.
Hmm, Fine the perfect balance.
'Find a balance between both protecting and defending. Wait, doesn't that mean the same thing, now that I think about it?'
Damn it Pyrrha. And here I thought you were on to something.
"Seth! Pyrrha is about to fight!"
I get up from my chair in my room and start to head to the living room. There I see my mom on the sofa looking at the TV.
"Sweet heart just in time. Pyrrha is about to fight, and a lot of people seem to be cheering for her."
I just take a seat next to her and start to watch.
For the most part, seeing her fight was really something. It's almost like she is just following the flow of her opponent and the way she handles her weapons. You know it almost looks like she is dancing.
...
...
...
A dance.
...
...
...
"Hey Mom, you think dancing and fighting are the same thing?"
"Hmm. Well, you can say it's kind of the same. However, it all depends on your opponent. If your opponent takes the lead in the fight, you will have to follow his flow on how fast or slow he is. But if you can find a way to take control in the fight then you are the one who is leading him. You can also say it's the same with your weapons. When they are put together they are one person, but when you split them apart then they are two and you need to find the balance on how they react to each other."
...
...
The two need to find a balance with each other. huh? Maybe she is right. Now that I think about it, I have been trying to use the shotgun part more like a club rather than use it as a gun. Maybe I should start trying to fire it more now. But then again the way I'm holding it I can't find the perfect angle on it. Thanks to the pistol grip, I have been only able to hold it from that.
...
...
...
'I need to get some air.' I stand up from my seat and start to head towards the door.
"Where are you going?"
"I need some air, I'll be back."
With that, I headed toward the door but soon stopped.
"..."
'Should I or should I not?'
Fuck it YOLT.
I head towards my room and pick up Saltatio Favillae, and place it on my back, I also take the training bag that was on my chair with me. And with that, I leave the house.
It's been almost two hours now and the sun was beginning to set. And right now I am laying next to a tree resting.
For the past two hours, I've been training by myself. I needed to know how this was going to work.
Sigh..."Come on, what do I need to do for these two to work together?!"
Looking at both weapons on the ground next to me, wondering if they were going to speak to me. I just look at them. Saltatio(sword) was something that reminded me of a place I liked back then. So I feel like I knew this one the best.
I go and pick it up and start to stand.
I look around the area just to make sure I was alone.
'I need to try something out, This could be stupid but I want to be sure.'
I start to swing the sword around. Practicing slicing, stabbings, blocking, and parrying. Everything that I have been taught up until now. It's hard to do it alone but I was able to manage it with the help of the trees around me.
'Ok, Well at least I still got it.' I place Saltatio(sword) on the floor and start to pick up Favillae(Shotgun). I asked myself why this designed, well to tell you the truth I have seen this type of shotgun help a lot of people, especially that one agent. I wonder if he still suplexes people.
Oh well. For the most part, the kick when I fire it is not as bad as it should be. Sure there is a little pushback when I hold it with one arm but I feel like it's to be expected. Reloading was pain if I'm being honest, my shotgun can only carry ten shells before I need to reload, but to do that I need to keep a distance and use both hands to do it. So I try to minimize firing it when I fight.
'Ok, now let's try them both together.'
I hold Favillae in my left hand and grab Saltatio with my right.
"Ok just like I did."
I start to swing my sword around but my balance was off, each swing of the sword made me tilt a little, and each swing with my shotgun it made me go in the direction of the swing.
'Find the balance. Find the balance'.
This goes on for five minutes but eventually, I fall to the ground exhausted.
...
...
...
"FUCK!"
That's it let out all of that pent-up frustration that you have and let it go.
I sit back up and see the weapons on the ground again. I narrow my eyes.
...
...
"..."
"Wait... What if I." I grab Favillae by the pistol grip and flip it.
...
...
...
"So this was what my Mom was telling me about."
The moment I flip the shotgun I felt the weight of it go downwards. Moving my arm up and down, I feel like it's less of a bother. And by grabbing it like this.
It looks like a Tonfa.
The pistol grip feels way better in my hand now that I'm not grabbing it awkwardly. Also grabbing it like this, the barrel of the gun protects my left arm.
"Okay let's try this one more time. But this time let's try it with music."
I get back up and tap my heart.
"Dance of Aphros!"
Dance of Aphros (Eula's Theme)
I bob my head to the sound of the music and tap my feet on the ground.
'Find the balance. Of both offensive and defensive.'
I swing my sword toward a tree hitting a mark and turn toward another striking it with my shotgun. To my surprise, I don't feel any weight shift from both blows.
I keep moving around the tree line striking any tree that gets in my way both offensively with my sword and hitting it with my shotgun, acting like I was blocking attacks.
'Now let's see how this will work if I want to shoot.'
I flip the shotgun toward a tree and took aim.
BANG!
The kick of the shot sends the left side of my body a little bit backward.
'Wait I have an Idea.'
I take aim again and shoot again.
BANG!
But this time I let the kick of the shot push my body all the way around. Almost like I did a spin. Once my body face the other direction from where I was looking I swung at a tree in front of me, while I flip the shotgun back into a Tonfa form.
As I continue to go around the forest I start to notice I am moving in sync with the beat of the song almost like I'm dancing around following the rhythm. This goes on for another five minutes and in the end. I'm still standing.
I tap at my heart to stop the music.
...
...
...
"I FUCKEN DID IT!"
I throw my hands in the air cheering at the night sky.
I grab both weapons and put them together.
"No... We did it. Partner." I look at my weapon and smile.
...
...
"Man, I am so thankful I'm alone here right now."
...
...
...
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
I turn around and see.
"Mom! What are you... When did you... Umm, How long have you been here?"
I see her walk toward me smiling.
"Oh, I want to say the moment you yelled out 'Fuck' into the sky."
"How did you know I was here."
"Well, I had a feeling that you were out here once I saw you take your weapon with you also your training equipment. So I let you be out here for a little while. But when I saw the sun start to set I decided to come and find you."
Huh... Yea, I have been gone for a good few hours now. I look at the sky and see that it now turn dark.
"Seth you are lucky we are close to the Argus walls but don't keep out too late."
"Right... I'm sorry I just wanted to figure this out by myself and I-".
"I know sweet heart... I'm proud of you." She places a hand on my head and ruffles my hair.
I just smile at that.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Now let's go home. I feel like you are tired and hungry from all of that dancing." She tells me with a little giggle.
...
...
Sigh..."This will stay with me for a long time huh?"
"It sure will."
Great.
Well, at least now I can start to train more this way. If anything I feel that now, everything will be going my way.
It starts
With the unexpected loss
Of something dear
...
...
Huh. What was that?
The warmth
That comforted and cradled
Just disappears
"Sweet heart is this one of your songs?"
"Yea, it is. But I didn't tap my heart just now."
Why is it playing now? I tap my heart but it didn't go away.
And in its place there's nothing
Just an endless empty hole
The light that showed the way is gone
And darkness takes control
What is going on? I didn't tap my heart to play this, so why is this song playing right now?
Bitterness and anger
Are quick to fill the void
The path to isolation
Grrrr.
We both turn and see a pack of Grimm, start to come out of the forest
"What are Grimm doing this close to the city?"
"I don't know Seth. Stay behind me and get ready. This is serious."
I see my mom get into a fighting stance and see the wind start to pick up. With no other option, I reload and Aim Saltatio Favillae at the pack.
Is littered with the dreams that lay destroyed
ROOAAR!
The pack starts to rush us.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The cold
Seems to grow in my soul
It's consuming me
Confused
And I'm losing myself
In the storm
As the pack got close to us, I feel the wind around us pick up and see my Mom throw a few 'Air slashes' towards the Grimm pack.
Growing jaded
Being pushed being pulled
I'm unraveling
Can't find myself when I'm
Constantly forced to conform
A few of them get past the slashes and rush toward us. At that moment I just knew, this was our life on the line.
Enemies surround me but
The worst appear as friends
I split Saltatio Favillae and got ready for them to get close.
Liars and pretenders
Only seek to reach their ends
Everything is breaking
Right before my eyes
Looking in the mirror
I see someone that I don't recognize
I see one of the Grimm jump at us. So we both dodge the attack. But with that, we are now separated from each other.
"Ok... Let's Dance!"
The joy
That my heart used to know
Is eluding me
Removed
And the one thing I feel is alone
The moment one of the Grimm got close to me and swung his claws at me, I dodge the attack and strike it on his neck, killing it.
Smile's faded
And I'm spinning and sinking
I'm weakening
Frozen in solitude
Loneliness chills to the bone
When I turn around to face the next one I see two more rush me, with no time I raise Favillae to block one of the Grimm's attacks and Stab the other one in the chest. While that one began to disappear I raise Saltation to block another attack while flipping Favillae and Aiming it at the Grimm's face.
BANG!
Memories escaping
As my heart begins to drain
Scars that cover wounds
Can't hide the self-inflicted pain
Looking around I see more Grimm rushing my mom while her back is turned. I quickly put my weapons together and took Aim.
BANG! BANG!
Everything my mind wants
In conflict with my heart
Fighting back surrender
But every day I'm falling more apart
I turn and see that almost all of the Grimm were now gone just a few more left and everything wi-
OOF!
I fall to the ground and see a Grimm on top of me ready to bite my head off. So I raise Saltatio Favaillae to stop the attack.
Mirror what's this thing I see?
Who is staring back at me?
A stranger to my heart has filled my mind
Mirror
Help me
Who am I?
I struggle trying to get this thing off me, but at this angle, I can't reach the button on my sword. Shit, this is bad I can't-.
BANG!
The loud sound is heard and the Grimm on top of me started to disappear. I raise my head and see my Mom holding what looks to be a Rifle.
I see her rushing toward me. "Are you hurt?" She asks worriedly.
...
...
"No... No I'm fine. Thanks. What about you?"
"Everything is good now. Thankfully that was the last one. We need to leave now and warn the guards about the sudden Grimm close to the City."
I nod my head and get up, picking up Saltatio Favillae, and start to walk in the direction of Argus.
'What the hell was that, Why were there Grimm close to the city and why did they appear out of nowhere? And why did that song play just now, I didn't even tap my heart but it just started playing by itself.'
What the hell is going on?
A/N: For real what was all of that? (...Really?) Ok, we both know what it is, but hey at least he got his weapon. (Yes...but why that name?) What can I say I love the OST from everything, but that one, is one that I love. (ehh. fair enough) Anyway, thank you for reading this new chapter, Same time next week take care all. (Bye!)