Anger Management [Solo]
Jun 11, 2017 2:50:32 GMT -6
Post by Gar on Jun 11, 2017 2:50:32 GMT -6
Gar entered his training session, alone. Well it was him and June. Xigshaw now, That was going to take some getting used to. The room was dim. Broken practice weapons laid strewn around the stone floor. Swords, lances even a torn up tome or two. Some mage must’ve gotten frustrated. Gar could relate, he also had a tendency to get upset when he wasn’t growing at a proper rate. But that was why he was here right?
Gar set up a number of training dummies around the wide room. He equipped some of them with different pieces of weapons and armor to signify different types of fighters. He wanted to practice movement through the battlefield while also working combinations with his new weapon. The moves with the winged axe he had grown accustomed to, they didn’t quite translate to this giant axe club. Gar took off his coat and laid it in a pile against a wall. He also placed a water skin and a rag nearby.
Time to get started. Gar pulled some of June’s power out of old habit. The glowing weapon did not boost his morale, but instead left a lingering block of hard light. Lux not Luce. Gar was immediately annoyed as the unexpected magical output. He kicked at the block of light, shattering it into specks of light which, in turn, faded away. He switched the weapon’s power over to strength boost.
Now then, about that training. Gar hefted the weapon onto his shoulder and leaned forward. [Celerity] Gar exploded out of his stance, approaching his first target with speed amplified once by his skill and once again by his weapon’s boost. Gar held the weapon at his hip, stomped his foot down hard in front of the training dummy and lifted the weapon into the dummy’s chest. Call that one Rising tide, killshot. The dummy flew upward, crashing into the ceiling. Gar’s momentum carried him a couple of steps too far before he darted off toward the next target.
Gar was on the next dummy before the first one even hit the floor. This time he went for a falling strike, leaving his feet and dropping the weapon on the dummy’s head. He landed and gave the dummy a swift kick while he withdrew his weapon. His speed skill was wearing down. Didn’t matter, he could probably make it to a third target before it fully left him, especially since he was still using the strength boost.
As he made it to the third target, Gar switched up the game. His weapon pulsed, he swung it in an arc at the dummies side. The weapon’s Lux magic left a solid wall at his side. A wall that Gar used to place a foot on, lift his body upward and twist. The heavy weapon came around his body, crashing into the dummy’s back, knocking it to the floor. Gar landed on one foot, one knee and one hand with a sharp breath.
He turned and ducked around the lingering Lux magic for cover from the imaginary weapons. The would be light shield faded as he was still behind it. Sooner than Gar had anticipated. He made sure to note that as he switched back to strength and dove forward, transferring into a shoulder roll, closing the distance upon a fourth training dummy.
The berserker rolled up onto his feet, took two heavy steps and practiced a combination on the newest dummy. A lance user. He and his axe were mobile, checking the lance to the side before smacking the dummy’s gut. This was followed with a shoulder drive forward, knocking the enemy to the floor. Gar used his weapon to knock the training doll’s head clean off. His breath was heightened at this point as his wide open eyes fell upon a fifth target.
Gar was breaking a sweat, he took off to the side. He ignored the fifth target for now, engaging with the sixth instead. Gar allowed his axe strike to fall wide of the target, imagining a dodge. He jumped to the side, imagining a counterstrike. He delivered a strong punch to the dummy’s windbox. He grabbed the back of the dummy’s head and shoved it into the ground. He switched to Lux again and waved the weapon between himself and the fifth target. In his mind, a fireball connected against the barrier, giving him a moment to close the distance between himself and the mage. Fire doesn’t take too long to cast, so Gar made a couple of side stepping motions to simulate avoiding the projectiles. Once he got to the squishy, a horizontal cut was enough to split the dummy in two.
A deep breath to regain strength. His eyes trailed a circle in his immediate area. None of these combatants were charging at him right now. But there was a pair of axe users who seemed to be conspiring. Gar ran and crashed upon the duo like a wave. He grabbed one axe with his off hand while he cut the arm off the other. Gar ripped the iron axe away from number seven, turning and burying it into number eight’s face. As for seven himself, Gar dipped down and delivered a cut aimed for the lower body. A cut which sent it tumbling across the ground.
Nine was a sword carrier. Gar would’ve let it come to him, but that clearly wasn’t going to happen. So he closed the distance carefully, some of those sword users can pick you apart from just one opening. The sword user came at him with a stabbing motion. Gar pivoted to allow the sword to pass by him harmlessly. The sword shifted and slashed at Gar’s right side. Gar checked the weapon with his own. He took the chance to cut at the sword user’s frame. A grazing strike, but not enough to call the fight done. The berserker hopped back to buy himself a quick moment. Gar stabbed a cone of hardlight into existence and bashed the back of it with the flat of his axe. The light cone flew into the dummy’s chest before dissipating. Gar noted that move. He’d probably have to name it sometime.
Gar wasn’t quite finished yet. He strolled upon a tenth target, armored knight, his favorite. Gar ran forward side stepped a thrust and kicked the knight’s kneecap in. Gar lifted the heavy axe above his head and brought it down on the target’s helmet. Then again. Then again. Then again. He repeated the act until he was fully out of breath.
Gar’s anger didn’t stop there. Something inside him thought it would, but he was still striving for more exertion. He drew upon the weapon’s strength, not much came. Clearly June was drained. He laid the weapon down and pounded his fists together with a grunt. He approached number eleven with a careful circle.
He knocked on the dummy’s arm, checking the swing of the axe before it started. Then a straight jab from his left toward the foe’s nose. A cross to the chin, followed by another circle, keeping his eye on the axe. Gar hopped out then back in. Stomping down on the dummy’s foot, holding it in place. He twisted, cocking a huge haymaker which he unleashed on the enemy’s jaw. That was enough for eleven.
He started another careful approach on twelve. He boxed this one in a similar fashion. This one was a lance user so once he was inside the lance’s effective range he hooked an arm around the shaft of the weapon. Gar flex his back muscles, using the lance to lift the dummy into the air. He noted a dummy was significantly lighter than an armored opponent. This move probably wouldn’t work in real combat. Perhaps this wasn’t simply training anymore. Maybe he was blowing off steam. Either way he kicked a foot forward as the dummy fell. The enemy dropped onto its face. Gar stomped onto the back of the dummy’s neck.
Thirteen was another sword user. If he was thinking clearly he probably wouldn’t engage here. But when is Gar ever thinking clearly? He moved in, expecting to take a hit. So long as he managed to avoid a vital blow he could take advantage. He threw a quick throat punch, staggering the imaginary opponent. He followed up with a double leg take down. Following the dummy to the ground, Gar straddled the dummy. Then it just the good old ground and pound. Except here it was ground, pound, pound, pound and pound. By the time he was finished, he was essentially punching nothing but the stone floor. His knuckles were bloodied and his hands were sore, possibly broken.
Gar didn’t care. Just another obstacle. He engaged a fourteenth dummy without a weapon and without his hands. It didn’t matter, Gar’s legs were comprised of some of the strongest muscles in his body. Gar assumed the hopping stance of a kickboxer. He almost never trained this way, but he knew a bit of what he was doing. Gar shifted and delivered a hard kick to the dummy’s ribcage. The dummy skid across the stone floor without tumbling over. Gar jumped off his planted foot, switching legs in the air and delivering a scissor kick to the training dummy’s chin. It toppled, hitting the floor hard and Gar placed both his feet on the ground.
Training kicks was much more tiresome than punches. But hell, may as well make it an even fifteen targets taken down. He approached the last target with speed. He feigned a blow one direction and pivoted. Spinning around, he gave a roundhouse kick to the windbox. The dummy fell.
Gar was panting, exhausted in his training room. He took a swig of water and placed his damp back against a wall. Gar wiped his brow with the rag, moving the wet hair from his forehead. Gar recovered the weapon he had placed down. Junzentaru’s new form was still foreign to the berserker. Xigshaw. Then name was foreign in his mind. He needed to get stronger with the weapon. He needed to continue to familiarize himself with the weight, balance and most importantly, the capabilities. Gar was still not content with his progress, but he was tired. He sucked his teeth as he noticed June’s light didn’t even pulse in the same fashion as before.
Gar’s anger at this sight allowed him to rise from the wall. He charged and practiced a wild combination on a trio of metal training dummies. A whirlwind of potentially killing blows spilled from Gar’s arms. Switching grips from two handed to one handed and back. Switching from strength boost to Lux Aeterna and back. Gar left hard light at a few spots to protect his vitals from potential blows. If he didn’t need to worry so much about parrying, he could focus on the head chopping cuts he had the potential to give. This system of combat suited the berserker. Using Lux to leave temporary shields then switching to strength for harsh offensive strikes. He just had to master it. A few more deliberate blows knocked the three dummy’s to the floor.
Gar’s anger carried on, but he was gassed. He returned to his spot against the wall. Junzentaru took this chance to speak. You have been overworking yourself. Soon, your body will start to break down. Gar let out an angry noise, a surprisingly animalistic ‘arrrgh.’ His more coherent response was in thought form. He snapped back at the righteous weapon.
I’m good. Maybe you should worry about your own damn body breaking down. A silence followed. It was long and terribly quiet. They both knew what he was referring to. Junzentaru’s previous vessel being smashed to pieces by a cyclops. Gar felt bad for saying it, but he didn’t apologize. They just stood there in their tense moment, the only sound being Gar’s recovering breath.
I understand how you feel you know. Gar rolled his eyes. He clearly didn’t think June did. My vessel’s destruction was a shot against your pride. Imagine what I thought. I’ve always been proud, only more so now that I am in this vessel.
Can you stop pretending like you know me so damn well? We aren’t the same ya know. June was a holy weapon sworn to do justice. Gar was a pirate, who just happened to be a nice guy. He did whatever he wanted, this just happened to line up with June’s heroics from time to time.
I’m entirely aware of our differences. Shall I list them? For clarification purposes of course.
“Shut it.” Gar growled. He had zero interest in hearing the reasons why June was a better being than he was.
June ignored the berserker and decided to continue. For one I am a spirit. You are a human. I think through my actions. You, not so much. I am a holy armament. You are a pirate, some would venture to call you a criminal.
Well maybe you should just find someone new. Someone more…. Gar closed his eyes and pinched the area above his eyebrow. He allowed his back to slide down the wall, into a seated position. …suitable. And it was quiet again.
So that is the reason for these draining practice sessions? You feel inadequate to handle my newfound power? Gar shook his head. The weapon had certainly gotten stronger, and at a pace the he couldn’t keep up with. True, Gar didn’t like that, but that wasn’t quite everything.
Gar elaborated. If I can’t get strong enough to keep you safe, then go find someone who can. I failed you against that cyclops. I can’t fail again. I can’t… lose you again.
Ahhh. That’s why you stopped moving against the cyclops. Understand me here. It has never been your physical strength that has made you a competent partner. It is your strength of will.
My will huh? Gar almost scoffed at the notion.
Correct. It’s how you carry yourself through life. If something gets in your way, you handle it. Nothing keeps you bound. It’s your fortitude. It’s why you can use Sacrifice to the extent that you do. Willpower alone allows light magic to thrive and you, Gar, are a near infinite reservoir of will.
Gar smiled a little at the flattery but he still wasn’t convinced. He shook his head. But don’t you remember? Nayru mentioned something even stronger that that cyclops, an arum? Or Nek-to draco or something like that. I’m… not sure if I can take that on. Willpower or not.
Have faith. We too will get stronger. Strong enough to face any foe.The weapon's confident side was showing.
Gar chuckled. Oh is it any foe now? Not only the evil or corrupt?
Let’s just say I’m starting to reconsider that stipulation. Something about this new form makes me… hungrier. But do let me convey one thing. If my vessel ever breaks again, just know, I am a spirit and I will persist. You however, you cannot allow yourself to be terminated as well. You do not have the same luxury or perhaps curse of persistence.
Gar actually understood, finally and completely. June, Aeos, Nayru too. There would come a time when he died and they survived. Hell, maybe they would even mourn the loss. Gar really considered that he mattered to a number of people, spirits, and dragons. With that came another weight on his shoulders. To them his time was terribly finite. Gar had to do right by them in his limited time.
Gar let out a long breath through his nostrils. He has been foolish with his recent time. He’s been hell-bent on revenge and taking down the three pirate lords that have enslaved him for so long. It has controlled every move he has made since he was first enslaved. Gar has been obsessed. He’s barely even spent time with Aeos since he washed up on shore.
Well, that was going to change. No more being bound to this hunt for Black Bart and that other third lord. He wasn’t going to forget his vendetta, but from here on out, he was going to do what he wanted to. Starting by taking his friend on a voyage to Bern. Apparently they’re having a festival of sorts. Gar had a feeling Aeos would like that.
I need to use my companions as my motivator. Not my anger.
So you do understand. I’m relieved. But for now, we have a couple more sets of training to do.
Aye-aye
[End Thread]