The mountains were high.. really high. It took about half of a day to climb it completely, but there it was. The temple of souls..well, it's one would call. It was actually a famous peak for pilgrims to go and for meditation but because of many earthquakes and destructions on this mountain it became impossible for mere human to climb.

But not impossible for a trained warrior. They were said that the person many claymores went that path to gain experience and neccesary skills. Upon black coats approval, they were allowed to take their time to climb it, being excused for a while from their responsibilities as yoma-hunters for two weeks.

Of course only if they teacher would agree on that. Rabant was there, without his usual clothing but just claymore trousers, the one which all male fighters had. He was in bud ha pose, with his closed eyes. He felt the approaching warriors and they knew he did.

He opened his eyes slowly, like he was out of some kind of trance and simply said

"Sit here if you wish to train with me, otherwise scram"

Mara and Alerian appeared before Rabant, a person they knew and who was to teach them to become better hunters.

OCC:
This all happens after the main mission, don't mention your ranks

State what you want to learn - better skill in using sword, using different weapon, increase of dexternity, acrobatics or improved sensing

All posts from here on will be really detailed about movements of each arm, leg, head and sword

.:Mara:.

She stood motionless for a moment. The sun would not reach its zenith for awhile yet but the air seemed completely still at this point in time. She then moved to the left and sat down, mimicking the pose of her superior. In the aftermath of many of her assignments, Mara had reported to Rabant but she still felt the same kind of silent respect that she did on day one and was determined not to disappoint.

In her previous assignments she had been too reliant on her natural agility and ability to avoid blows to win combats, and this was far from certain. "I came here to better myself, to improve my skill with the blade", she murmured.

- Mara -

"Your blade is your life, but that also goes the other way - Your life is your blade" says Rabant, looking deeply at Mara. His breathing is calm and all his muscles are relaxed. With narrowed eyes he looks deeply at Mara eyes without blinking once.

"I can teach you both swift moves of a claymore sword or the moves of a short sword, or scabbards. I can even ask organization to get you a pair, the same as I acquired."

Rabant breathing is the same, no matter how many words and how quickly he tells them, he always makes a little pause to breath in the same distance of time. Still looking at Mara, he continues his talk.

"I want to know what kind of blade you are - what kind of life you put into your sword" continues the warrior, still sitting in the buddha like position.

"Answer this" says Rabant and closes his eyes "Your answer will not reach anyone else ears"

"Your friend was made to fight with you, if he wins he will need to work for the ones he hates, yet he will survive - if he loses to you, it will mean his death and you will be taking his job which you never wished to take upon. If he wins with you, it will mean your death. What will you choose ?"

.:Mara:.

The question hit her with the force of a thunderbolt. It was something that Mara had never considered before, forced to choose between three equally unpleasant choices. But she was a born survivor, the fact that she had lived through repeated yoma attacks and had clung to her life even on death's door seemed proof enough, so the third choice was out. This made the choice much simpler - choosing between the death of a friend or her own. Could she cut down a friend if she was forced to fight? The burden of choice was never an easy one to bear.

"Sometimes", she managed to force the words from her mouth, "death is needed to spare people from suffering. I would cut him down without a moment's thought.

.:Alerian:.

He reached the top of the high mountain and the sun is already high. Alerian hope that he was not late for his apointment with the one who is going to train him. To his surprise the one who will train him was Rabant well he was already acustomed to the high-rankers old-man attituted anyway.

"Alerian reporting. I wish to further enhance and polish my skills with the sword Sir Rabant." he saluted and said.

- Rabant -

Rabant nodded to both Alerian and Mara. He first turned to Mara

"Yes, if you die, your journey will end and you will make no difference. I like your answer, if you chose death then there would be no point in studying here"

Then Rabant looked at Alerian, keeping his perfectly synchronized breathing.

"As you seek also seek expertise of a sword, in your case I would suggest reaching the perfection of balance, to never fall or never lose calmness against any enemy" says the warrior and continues "But before that, you need to answer a question"

Rabant looks deeply into Alerian eyes.

"Your fighting with incredible monster and none of your team is able to fight him. It's either you risk everything even at cost of awakening or you will try to use your friends to survive"

(OOC: Because Kolox told me to.)

.:Mara:.

This was an easier question by far, given Mara's attitude towards her comrades.

"People who can't survive on their own...cannot be relied on", she said almost to herself, "If they can all live and report back to the Organisation then we will all be stronger for it. No one will benefit from a meaningless sacrifice."

.:Alerian:.

The young warrior scratches his chin then thinks for awhile to answer the question.

"Hmmmm option 1 is not my thing anyway I won't do that self-sacrificing act as fighting a monster 1 on 1 even the cost of awakening. Well using your companions as means of surviving and completing the task at hand is much more of my thing thing even if it cost me a limb just to make an opening against the opponent. There is a saying there is no I in the word team so it is better to think of a plan to bring your opponent down."

- Alerian and Mara -

"Your answers are reasonable, but remember that people who decide that will die in fight have no place to train with me. I assume you understand that well says Rabant while stopping his breathing. Silence is broken only by strong gust of wind

"Final question to you both : You were given an order to kill your friend who was accused of being near awakening. Yet your friend tells it was some kind of mistake and that he would now if he reached the limit. What will you do"

.:Alerian:.

Alerian became silent for a moment before answering the question presented to him. "Hmm thats a hard one. Can't say that I won't be bothered by the fact that the orders are to kill a friend who is suspecting of almost near awakening but orders are order and one can't disobey them what ever the reasons. I can only give him a quick and painless death." the young warrior replied without hesitation and a serious look in the eyes.

.:Mara:.

This time she answered quickly and without hesitation, "Everyone can lie. They can mislead and betray. Even friends. If I was given the order I would cut him down without a moment's thought-" Mara was slightly surprised that she herself felt that way, though she did not think much of it. The response at least was true.

- Rabant -

"Yes, your answers are right, you passed. Go with me" said Rabant while standing up and going towards the road on the mountain going more up.

The air become less dense and then faced Mara and Alerian.

"From here I will go with Alerian only, I will return to you soon"

- Alerian -

While climbing, Rabant was talking to Alerian not looking into his eyes

"Your answers were most hesistant, for improving your abilities, you need to find balance"

Rabant and Alerian were climbing and he continued his monologue, the climbing was hard yet Rabant breathing had not changed.

All battles are about emotions. We all fight for the reason, even if most of us haven't got a choice but to battle. Yet those emotions, as they can be used to aid us, can be used against us. If one decides that his emotions hinder him more than aid him, he may simply throw them away

The proper way is concentration. There is you, your surrounding and your enemy. Don't forget what is around you. Don't forget about yourself and don't forget about your comrades. That is a false way of concentration whethever you only think about one thing. Abandon thinking of one, think about the 'whole'. There is no past for you and no far future. The concentration is about present and outcome of the present. You must understand what is important and what's not

Everything when touched gives an reaction, everything gives a response - a chain of accidents. It is through experience and clear mind that we can see them. Our perspective is greater, our moves are precise and they are not hidered by doubt - it's like you repeated that process thousand of times and already know the outcome, so why stop now

Yet to gain true concentration, one need to ask himself : Why ? If there is no reason to concentrate on goal, then you won't be able to concentrate at all

Rabant approaches Alerian and says "Here there is a small cave. I will lock you there for 5 days. You are not allowed to move in any way but just think. After 5 days, you will give me the answer to this question : Why do you fight ?"

Alerian went inside the cave, there was..nothing to see. The cave was probably small, no ventilation, no water.

The entrance was closed. He could hear Rabant last words "Remember what I did when you saw me here for the first time"

- Mara -

Rabant returned. He approached Rabant and said "We will have a quick sparring session, I want to see what kind of balance and concentration you can bring out when put in real combat.

Mara and Rabant went to the dense forest beneth the mountain. Their claymore swords were laying next to the trees. Rabant gave Mara two scabbards and he hold identical scabbards in his hands.

"Before you will reach expertise in using claymore sword, you need to control your strenght when using lighter weapons"

Then Rabant looked deeply into Mara eyes and started his long monologue. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, while talking.

The claymore sword is what was decided by organization, the best weapon against yoma and awakened being. Yet that does not mean that we will never use any other weapon. In case of usefulness, short swords and scabbards come in second when it comes to usefulness for a warrior like us

You need to forget all your habits when you used the claymore sword - using too much strength will make your attack inaccurate and will you make too many useless moves that in the end will leave you wide open for attack. It's not about the muscles you should concentrate, but about stability of joints and moves of your shoulders

The short swords and scabbards can break far easier than claymore sword, so the speed, although can be achieved a lot greater than using a claymore sword, most be moderate so the force in impact won't break them. A control of your wrist and concentration of your eye-hand control is required to understand what is the moderate speed you should use when swinging your sword. But for each opponent, it differs

While you use a claymore sword, your body weight is greater. Especially if you use two hands at time. When using a short sword, loosing a balance is much easier. Footwork should be about spreading your weights to two points, back and forth, right and left. Your arms must be spread more and shoulders higher - as the weapon isn't heavy, it shouldn't be a problem to keep your arms like that. With this, you will maximize the range of attack and control your balance in most difficult fights

The grip on the short sword is something that is far more important that when you grip a long sword. The vibration every time you hit something is faster and makes your fingers and wrists more tired. Remember, the short swords aren't just about the muscles. It's about your joints. Concentrate your power on those

Rabant opened his eyes. He put his left leg a little forward, put his both arms near his sides, making them parallel to each other and took his chest a little to the back, his head at front.

"Show me your stance and prepare to fight" said Rabant.

.:Alerian:.

The young warrior followed his instructors order and went inside the cave where he sat into a meditating position. There he closed his eyes for him to talk deeply with his own conscience trying no to hear or feel anything inside the cave only focusing on concentrating to find his reason for fighting.

Deep in his thoughts Alerian trying to communicate with the the deepest part of his soul thinking "Why do I fight? What am I fighting for? Why did I took up the path of being a warrior?".

- Alerian -

Alerian felt right now that there was a smell that he couldn't feel at beginning and only when he concentrated, he could feel it..

...
..
...


Alerian woke up on the grass, it was very peaceful and cloudless summer day. Someone was running towards him, a posture of a little child that came to him, but reminded of his mother Sophia. The little girl stood in front of suprised Alerian.

"Dumb brother said his sister Ellisime, who was in her small dress "Didn't father told us it's dangerous to go outside the city by ourselves ? Were you training with sword again ? You should study more more reading or you will end up stupid" she said in her high voice.

Alerian noticed that he indeed woke up next to the little shortsword out of copper near him in a sheath on a string. His muscles hurt, he was trying whole day.

.:Alerian:.

Alerian was very surprised to see that the cave suddenly became a field of grass on a summer day. Due to the shock he just sat there staring blankly into the air then what made him more confused and surprised is to see his twin sister Ellisime talking to him, Her feature is like a child, No to put it correctly they are back to their childhood days.

He saw that he had a copper sword near him, His muscles feels painful and tired. Alerian just can let out a silent word "How....." while leaving his mouth open staring at his sister.

- Alerian -

"God, your slow, I don't want to get into trouble because of you" said the girl in little blue dress, with ornaments - not expensive nor plain. She took his hand and started to pull him up. Her little hand was warm and soft..and so was his, except it was a bit dirty from ground. "Come on she said after succesfully pulling Alerian up. They were the same height.

Wind was blowing, his hair wasn't so long..

.:Alerian:.

When his sister took his hand and pulled him Alerian stood up to follow her then he felt the winds blow to see that his hair wasn't so long. Still surprised at is what is happening yet Alerian felt an ease inside his heart to see that he is back to those good old days he was spending with his family together.

"Oh you're always a worry wart you know and I won't go that far away from the city what do you think of you're older brother. We'll I'm training with my sword to become as good as father someday. I know why you are worried because mother might find out that I have ran away from my studies. Why is reading those thing boring." he said to her in a teasing manner.

- Alerian -

"Because Mom would prefer if you got a safe job instead of lousy paid that involves risking your life" she said when they were slowly returning home.

Same town, same people. But something strange was about behaviour of the people. They were all scared of one person. A tall woman in silver get-up and silver sword on her back was going through the city, scanning with her eyes all folks.

"A claymore" whispered one man. Alerian and his sister were just looking curiously..

His sister looked kinda..bad.

.:Alerian:.

"But those kind of jobs are boring and you won't look great like father." he replied to her.

Then they entered the town seeing the same building, ways and people but there is a strange feel in the atmosphere all the towns folk where looking in a strange yet beautiful tall woman with carrying a big silver sword at her back one would say they were afraid of her. Alerian was curious about what is that kind of woman doing here and how could a she use a sword like then he heard someone said a claymore.

Then he ask his sister "Hey Ellisime why is that woman called a claymore? but when he looked at her Alerian saw the she was in a bad shape then he became worried. "Ellisime what happened to you? You don't look so good hey what wrongs?" Alerian ask her in a very worried tone.

- Alerian -

"Nothing..no, I just got a little weak. While you were goofing off, I spent whole studying" said his sister. The claymore then stood next to them and look at them..and then she passed. The chill of cold run through Alerian, he didn't knew why but those eyes weren't normal.

His sister sweated a little and then said "This is no place for us to stay, come on, let's go home" and with that she slowly went to the direction of their house.

.:Alerian:.

When the strange woman stared at the he could only feel cold chill running down to his spine. Why are her eyes not normal then his sister said that they should not be here and hurriedly run home. Alerian followed her quickly being scared of the mysterious woman then said "Wait for me, don't leave me behind" and he tried to look back to see if the strange woman is still looking at them.

.:Mara:.

Mara had been thrown for a loop in this, she was a complete stranger to fighting with two weapons and certainly had a dominant arm. She wasn't sure what to do. What about the joints was so important? She was vaguely confused but projected the same air of cold indifference as she levelled her paired swords. On a reflex, she found herself going into a different stance not matching Rabant's but more defensive in nature. She put her right leg forward, her head bent low while still keeping her eyes on her superior, with the rest of her body facing sideways to present a lesser profile. Her dominant arm held one sword farther forward for parrying while she kept her left arm closer to her midsection and ready to attack.

Fast on defense, slow on attack. It was something her teachers had taught her once. Maybe they had known all along that she was a defensive type, though she had never once spoken to them about it. How could they have known?

Still she waited for the inevitable attack.

- Rabant and Mara -

"Passable" said Rabant and made his first move. He made a quick step on his right foot and twisted his body on this one foot when it hit the ground, the spin was well balanced by right arm near his chest and left arm straight aiming at Mara neck. The first attack had not all the strenght Rabant had, it was surely blockable. His back was straight yet his legs were a little bended, trying to match height of Mara while bending.

- Alerian -

The strange woman dissapeared but the crowd movement indicated that she went towards the central of the town. Alerian remembered that there was nothing interesting there except for mayor house.

Alerian and his sister arrived to their house where a smell of freshly made dinner was awaiting..

..Alerian concentration was broken. He could not remember..the smell of fresh food and taste of it. It was funny, it's not like he never ate anything since he became what he was, it just that joy of eating and feeling of hunger, awaiting..it dissapeared.

Alerian felt that his body was incredibly warm riht now. He still couldn't see anything and there was no glimps of light nor wind.

He felt that he could repeat the seans, that he could look deeper inside himself, but the question occured - did he want to and what did he want to see ?

.:Mara:.

As the attack came, Mara used the opportunity to acquaint herself with this new style of fighting. As Rabant's arm came around for the attack, she threw her right arm up to intercept it as it came for her neck. At the same time she began to step forward with her left leg, shifting her weight forward and fading before the strike for a rapid jab with her left hand at Rabant's upper right leg. It was a slow attack, not designed to inflict wounds but to test his defenses and see what manner of attack he would use as a follow-up.

.:Alerian:.

Alerian was confused when he could not see anything, the smell of fresh food and the taste of it. Alerian focused more to see that scene.... That scene which made his heart felt happiness..... That scene which he longed to ones more even if it just a glimse of it.... That peaceful and happy scene which all of his family are together eating their supper. He wanted to see his father, mother and sister's happy faces once more.

- Mara -

... Rabant remained now silent, his attack was blocked as it was expected yet the strenght brought by the turn-swing made Mara get a little concious that her balance with two weaker swords was not the same as with sturdy and heavy claymore sword. She proceeded with her plan with a jabbing motion but it was pushed aside by Rabant right arm, the motion of the sword was like upper swing that pushed now Mara scabbard closer to her chest. The struggle of two swords, a fight of stamina. Mara felt that her left arm, not accustomed to it, was starting to wear off. But it didn't see like Rabant's did...

"If one of your arms can't keep up, balance the yoki to the needs".

Mara could feel it, there was more yoki in Rabant right arm than in his left arm. He started to push both Mara swords, probably hoping to get her arms cross each other, that way it would be harder to defend.

- Alerian -

...
..
..
"Son, where were you again today" said his father while cutting the ham and giving it first to his mother who was next to his left and to his sister who was at his right. His father was sitting at front, it was always the place of house head. His mother thanked politely his father and started to elegantly cut the meat into small pieces, his sister was looking closely at their mother and started to mimic every her move and gesture.

"I know the literature studying can be boring, but one day you will surely thank us for it" said his father before Alerian could grasp situation and answer to the previous question. His father was the same like he was before, now, like they used to, putting a piece of ham on his plate, freshly baked by his mother. A feeling mint and some berries could be felt from the souce that the meat was wearing and near him was a plate of potatoes with some fat decorating it and pieces of garlic. His mother took the potatoes and tried to give Elliadne some but she refused..apparently the smell wasn't for her tastes.

.:Alerian:.

"Ah um ah............ I was outside training with my sword again today hehehe. I know that studying is important but it makes me bored and sleepy and I really want to be good at the just like you father." then he eats some of the ham on his plate and enjoys it like always having a smile along his face.

"Delicious. Mother can I have some of those baked potatoes." while smiling then say something to Ellisime. "Ellisime you shouldn’t be picky on food that’s why you’re body is waek sometimes."

- Alerian -

Ellisime glared at his brother trying to say "Mind your own business". His father made serious face to both him and his sister.

"Training is fine and playing around is fine but for now, you should be staying at home, there is a rumour that a yoma might be in a city but the claymore was already haired..don't fool around with her, we don't know what those half-breeds can do, no one ever saw a Claymore eating anything..maybe they aren't so different from us".

But his mother interrupted "Don't scare children like that, eat quickly and take your seconds and then go to sleep" and then she smiled the way only she could.

.:Mara:.

Balance...it was all about balance. Mara began to concentrate, attempting to distribute the flow of yoki evenly between her two arms in order to help synchronise them properly. Her arms were on either side of her, being pushed into a cross that had to be broken so that she could resume the attack. Sending the yoki flowing through both of her arms in a sudden burst, she pushed back in an attempt to break the lock before launching a double-thrust low towards Rabant's legs.

.:Alerian:.

Before Alerian could respond to his sister he was cut short by his father and said something about yoma then claymore. Their mothers interrupted by saying don’t scare the children and ordered them to eat quickly and finish their meal quickly then go to sleep.

"Oh you mean that strange and scary yet beautiful woman we saw in the town earlier father." Then Alerian ate the second servings of his meal so that they could sleep quickly.

- Mara -

Rabant had understood the motives of Mara and before she pushed him he released the lock and distanced from Mara. Yeah, Mara understood the fault, her ability to send yoki was not so fast as sigle digit and Rabant, although being just number 20, had an ability to read movements of such. Even so, Rabant did not attack, which was strange for Mara as he had great opportunity.

"Hmm, that's one way but I wonder what you will do now" then he hid one of his arm at back and took the other at front, one leg at front and another at back.

Mara immediately recognised. As much as riddicolous it could look, Rabant took "Fencing" position, in "Strike" or "Riposta" stance, hard to tell as he balanced his body and faked whatever he was about to attack or to counter.

Mara felt how he sent the yoki to his legs and then he moved the right leg which was way behind and made a thrusting hit with his right arm at Mara chest with the short sword.

- Alerian -

"You are not to associate with those things, do it for your own good" said his father and made a face which was saying "And no 'but'!". They continued the dinner, his father started to talk about few happening at his work, at his past. Everyone listened, sometimes laughed, sometimes were amazed.

After the dinner, Alerian and Ellisime went to their room. The candles at home were slowly dimming..

Alerian head started to spin..something started to happen..no. He kept forgetting. What happened next ? He again woke up in the cave, trying to remind what happened after that. Those precious memories...no, those bad memories were about to appear and Alerian automatically shut his mind from them..

.:Alerian:.

Alerian again woke up to find himself inside the cave why can't he remember what happened that night, No to be exact he is trying not to remember what happened his mind is blocking his memory.

Again Alerian closed his eyes and focused to remember what happened that night, what is it that his mind trying to block from him what actually happened. He wanted to know, he wanted to remember what is it that his mind trying so hard not to reveal to him.

- Alerian -

..
..

..His mother took both him and his mother. He heard his father yelling and some inhuman voiced upstairs. They just woke up from the sleep but were dragged to the closet on first floor.

"Don't go out and please, take care of yourself if anything would happen..I..I will try to come back to you as soon as possible" said his mother to him and his sister and she closed the door to the closet.

Both of them were to shaken by unexpected events to reply or even disobey. But Alerian..remembered what was going to happen.

Now he knew, now he knew what was about to happen..his mother run towards the stairs..upstairs..

.:Alerian:.

Alerian wanted to say to his mother, "Mother don't go! The yoma will kill you." but the words didn't come out since this is a memory of the past. All that his younger version could do is to keep quiet and hold on to his sister to keep her from screaming. They were both shaken and trembling because of fear in what is going on.

.:Mara:.

The duellist's pose. When learning of humans and the outside world Mara had heard stories of people who played at sword fighting and tried to make it into an art instead of the simple and direct application of force that it was. She had always found such things to be ridiculous but after seeing it up close, applied by a trained warrior, she could see the value in the stance and the style. It was not the same as using a Claymore but she chided herself for these thoughts, reminding herself that the point of this exercise was to train finesse and skill rather than argue over the merits of one fighting style over another. A warrior who only trained in one style of combat was unlikely to progress, unless they trained to the exclusion of everything else.

Not as much strength was required to divert a hit as it was to block one completely so Mara shifted the flow of yoki to her legs in an effort to match Rabant's poise and balance. Sending her left sword forward she attempted to parry the sword thrust, diverting its momentum to the left (her left) so that it would pass by harmlessly while slashing in from the side with her right arm at her opponent's throat. She didn't doubt for a second that Rabant would be able to survive even if he was hit so she swung without hesitation.

- Alerian -

What happened was what happened. That moment didn't go against Alerian memory. The scream, the agony of his parents. But after that happened something that Alerian didn't remember.

The yoma came down and then was slowly coming to the closet they were hidden.

"Your mom I have eaten is crying inside of me, whispering "Don't go to the closet, don't go to the closet". I wonder what present I will find in there" laughed the yoma, taking his sweet time approaching it.

That wasn't how Alerian remember it. The yoma never spoke to them before. The yoma never found them...

- Mara -

The concept was good yet Mara didn't realise that this fight was about speed now. Blocking the sword wasn't a feat, it's just that Rabant took his front leg to back and then the one at the back to the front and attacked the sword of Mara. The duel continued few times, Rabant attacked, retreated, attacked. The stance was something that Mara didn't knew yet, although Rabant seemeed to enjoy himself.

"Riposta" said Rabant and then his body started to change. There was no visible changes but she knew he was changing. So Mara mimicked him

The duel came faster. Mara wasn't now bothered by balance, the shift of yoki came easily for her.

Skill Acquired :

Sword Dancer : People with those skill can easily change their center of weight through minor shapeshifting and instant yoki placing. The user is completely immune to attack which purpose is to make the opponent lose balance. Sword Dancer skill also allows user to change his dominant side and limbs : From left to right, in instant.

Feat Acquired

Mastery of Swords : Shortswords, Scabbards, Claymore. Mara reached the peak of mastery in those weapons which is above average of any claymore.

The duel continued. Rabant changed the postions from fencing, to dueling, to two-hand fight, close combat, mid-range combat. Mara copied it all. The shortened their reach of the swords. Then they both simolateusly jumped off.

"I think your starting to understand it. For now, do some self study, train by yourself the way you find fitting. I will teach you more after I get your friend out of the cave

OCC : The self-study is important. Describe what Mara will put pressure on. In this moment, you can completely change the way the skill looks like if you attempt to develope it with different approach or simply master it the way it is.

.:Alerian:.

When he heard that the yoma was going to approach the closet Alerian was confused this didn't happened. The yoma didn't went to the closet what is going on. How can protect himself and his sister in his current state against the yoma.

"If only I have the strength to protect myself and my sister. I don't want to die. I want to survive so that father and mother's death would not be in vain. Alerian said to himself.

- Alerian -

The dream.. consists of two things.

What we are scared of and what we wish for. Whatever it's a good dream or nightmare, depends on person life and character.

In his hands, a sword appeared. Like the sword of his father, but lighter, fitting for his hands. No his hands grew bigger...

.:Alerian:.

Alerian was surprised when he saw that his hand grew bigger and suddenly held a sword. He then looked at his sister and focused himself. He will face the yoma he doesn't want to die. He will survive this battle so that he could protect himself and his sister so that their parents death would not be in vain. Alerian will get out the closet so that he could confront the yoma and face his own fears and anxiety.

.:Mara:.

After Rabant had left she took a moment to reflect upon what she had learned during the fight. The purpose of using short swords was probably to make her shorten her reach, she had been relying a lot on the superior range that her claymore gave her because that was the only weapon she had ever used to fight and that was what she was accustomed to. On the other hand, if the enemy could get close enough to negate her striking power then the initiative was lost and thus, the battle was lost. At the same time she needed to control the flow of yoki about her body to the extent that she could be prepared for an attack from any angle and any direction, again, if someone could negate her striking power then she would be forced on the defensive and not in a position to attack. Even a defensive type such as herself needed to end the battle otherwise she would just die. In the same way she had to train the power that was all her own, the ability to conceal and confuse those who relied on being able to sense yoki in order to attack her. With proper application and against the proper opponent, Occultation could make her attacks unstoppable.

But first she would have to learn the skills to make that a reality.

After this period of self-reflection and constructive criticism, Mara left and followed the sound of rushing water. She came to a river and decided to begin her training there, immersing her legs in the rapidly flowing water. The river bed was particularly slippery and if she was not careful she would fall. There were all manner of raised stones above the river as well, giving her a place to stand on if she could keep her balance. But those would come later. Drawing her claymore, Mara began to practice some of the lessons she had been taught. She opened with an overhanded chop, flowing naturally into a rapid retreat to block an enemy that managed to get under her guard. The sword waved and danced through the air as Mara sent yoki coursing about her body, simultaneously attempting to release and conceal it at the same time in an application of Occultation. Each attack flowed into the next, creating a spinning wall of steel about her. Enemies with human weapons would find them deflected and enemies who attacked with natural ones would find their limbs severed as Mara moved to intercept them as they overextended themselves.

Yet for all of this the emphasis was on footwork, an opponent could knock her prone or leave her in an awkward position from which she might not be able to recover and one mistake could lead to her death, even with her enhanced half-yoma physiology. The running water and slippery river bed made an ideal practice site, and the water made it more difficult for her to move around. But move she did, always moving, attempting to outflank and put pressure on opponents that were not actually there, always deflecting their attacks at close, medium and long range in an attempt to draw them out and make them stumble. No two defensive types had the same style of fighting but their one defining attribute was the emphasis of efficiency over power. Offensive types could only hope that they ended the battle before they themselves were ended but those who thought more of protecting themselves could keep going for a long while. Mara attempted to improve her efficiency, to make her parries and swings more clean with practice as she harmonised them with her footwork in the water.

Eventually she leaped out of the river, somersaulting onto one of the rocks in the middle and continuing her routine of parries, defensive strikes, and ripostes. Always finish what you have started. Be thorough, never leave a job half done. She quickened the pace of her defense, working herself into a fury as she tried to balance on the large rock, which did not offer much space to stand and was made slippery by the rushing water. Eventually she felt it shifting and giving way, and so she leaped lightly onto another and continued her routine. Unceasingly she practiced, striving for that union of mind and body that so many warriors saw as perfection.

[Feat Acquired: Weapon Specialist (Passive) - Mara's proficiency with the claymore and paired short swords exceeds that of an average warrior of her rank.]

[Skill Acquired: Spiritus - Through manipulating the flow of yoki throughout her body and causing minor mutations on the spot, Mara's balance and footwork are enhanced. She cannot be knocked down or made flat-footed by enemy attacks. She can also shift her dominant arm between left and right instantly, though she is not ambidextrous.]