Dad, is that you?
Right as I ask that, he hit me in my hands, with the old one, two.
"Focus!"
Damn that stings but yeah that's you. Still as strong as I remember too. I didn't even see you coming, until I was already on the ground. I could of swore I was in the middle of a fight. Do we have do this now? Can't this wait till tonight?
Pulling his hand back and lowering it with a dip, dad thrusts his wooden blade forward, striking me two times in my legs. Spinning around as he pauses his blade right over my head. Looking at me in the eyes as he says "Focus son, get out of your head. If I were your enemy, staring around would have gotten you dead."
Damn that hurt! Is this his idea of holding back? But he's right! I'm lucky this is training, I need to fight back!
But with planes overflowing with grass and wind blowing through the trees. It all looks so peaceful to me, especially this sky. It makes me want to take a deep breath and let it all in. This world is beautiful. Is taking a moment to enjoying it such a bad thing?
Looking back into his eyes, I know what he meant. But after all that's happened my animus's spent. I'm tired, how can I even win?
Animus is the essence of the mind, body, and soul. It exist across all worlds, reacting to the spirit that dwells within all who are conscious, manifesting in its own way within them as it is drawn in.
I know he does this to protect me but I don't want to fight. I wish we could just go home and call it a night. I know your a warrior and it keeps you alive but I never wanted to fight — I just do it to survive. I'm not brave like you, I just wanna to stay alive.
He must of saw the conflict in my eyes because he knew just what to do, like he knew what I said. He threw his sword to the ground and put his hands on my face. Looking at me with that same look in the back of his eyes. But it's grown colder like that part of him is dying slow.
Telling me with his eyes that if nothing else, nobody knows that feeling more than me. I could only imagine what he's been through, maybe one day I'll see. I would of never guessed dad struggled the same as me. He's does it because he has to — that's why he's training me.
"I'll grow strong dad. So at least you won't have to worry about me."
He puts his forehead to mine as his closes his eye.
"You must never accept defeat son, not even in your head. Those who gives up early in battle, already sees themselves dead."
Letting go of my head and stand tall once again, my father grabbed his blade and held it firm in his hand. Aiming it at to the ground as his thumb wiped a tear from his eye.
"Come son, get back on your feet. You must focus and keep a level head. In battle he who loses his temper first, often ends up dead. Control your emotion-"
Taking a stance with one hand over his blade, he began to dimly glow and glimmer, bursting with vibrant animus flowing from through his hair and over his skin.
"Don't let them cloud your head. Let's go one more time then we'll call it a day. This time your goal is to hit three times without getting blown away. Go all out. It's the last fight of the day."
Right as he says that, I lunge in right away. But I couldn't even bring my blade down before he smacked it out of my hand and stabbed his own in the ground. Releasing a powerful burst of animus briefly, creating a small crater in the ground.
Rushing straight at me without making a sound. Oh come on! Your just showing off now. But I made him a promise, I'm not backing down now! I only need three hits. Until then I'm holding my ground!
Aiming my left hand high, I narrowly miss his head dragging my fist down to strike his body instead. Meeting interrupted by his right hand digging in my chest, knocking the wind out of me while he twist my left hand then proceeds to pummel me with his own. Striking me three time in my side, before pulling back. DAMN! His hands are as hard as a rock. I don't even know if I can block the next attack but the only way forward is to advance! I can't let him push me back!
Matching my hands to his own, I strike his right fist as it's coming in to attack. Pushing forward as I throw throw my left leg at the same time, striking his arm as he backs away.
"Good! Your almost there. Your in control but you must use your emotions to boost your power instead. Remember, if you want to make a difference in a battle, it's all about how you use your mind."
Effortlessly blocking me as he talks like that, he's not even trying to hide that he's holding back. I'll listen up then seize my opportunity to attack. Just how power is he though if he hits this hard and he's holding back?
"It'll become one of your most powerful ability as you continue to grow and if you use it right it has limitless potential just like you."
Gotcha! I'll catch him off guard by throwing the sword then I'll go in for the final attack. Checkmate! Let's see how you dodge that.
lunging forward with a goofy scream and a hopeful look in his eyes. Iramo slides down grabbing the swords throwing them at him as he leaps into the air, coming down with his hand. Ready to strike with his left as he shouts "Star man, say goodbye! This is my finishing attack." Gathering all his strength, he looks his father in the eyes as his fist collides with his hand. Screaming "Storm Of The Night!" Strikes faster over and over again. Aiming for his openings as he loses sight of him, falling face first into the ground. He appears behind him, picking up Iramo as he let out a laugh.
"You would of had a better chance if you didn't call out your final attack. But not bad! You had some real power behind that."
I'm glad I made him proud. He's even smiling now. He won't have to worry about me, I'll keep getting stronger from now.
"You did great today so how about now we have some fun. We'll race home and loser has to prank call your mom on the phone."
WHAT! That's like three nights worth of whopping's. But it's fine, I won't be last. He may be strong but I know, I'm fast.
"Your on! And when I win dad, you'll sing me a victory song."
"I love the confidence son, it suits you well. I'll sing if you win. So lets see if your confidence matches your skill."
Lining up alongside me, dad bends down resting his arm on a knee. Eagerly smiling as he's waiting on me.
"Only the best man can win but we'll both enjoy the thrill. So don't be mad when I win son, It's just for fun."
He thinks I'll just accept defeat? Think again dad. I'm all ready to go. I don't care how fast you are, we'll go toe to toe. Since he's underestimating me, I got a chance, lets go!
"Dad, aren't you the one who said don't quit to fast? No matter what happens in this race, I know I am fast."
Smiling as I turns to look into my fathers eyes, he surprised me with that confident look in his eyes. Like he knows he'll win but loves that I'll try.
Dad your really an amazing guy.
"Since your so confident I won't let you go past. Get ready to run, I'll show you fast."
Both of them looking forward at the forest's expanded, wait patiently for the autumn leaves dance. Waiting for the flowers to fall as they got slower and slower as if they were in a trance.
The last one slowly touching the floor as they both shout "Let's dance!" Dashing thorough the big, green forest, weaving through the trees. Matching each others gaze as they both leaped over bees. Letting out a series of kaka's and ke's.
"You are fast son but not faster than me."
"Oh yeah? Then let's go all out! I'll show you just how fast I really am!"
radiating purple sparks from his legs, Iramo began to use a power he only kept in his head. Zipping through the forest in an instance, leaving a trail of lighting in his stead.
Blinded by a bright, light as his father passed him going far ahead. Iramo looked at him in the distance as he shouted to him while cockily shaking his head.
"Your fast alright but your slow in my eyes!"
Turning to address his son, he gets a rather serious look in his eyes as his face begins to appear.
"You'll grow strong son, keep your eyes on the prize. If you remember the basics and go beyond them, you have no limit. Forget about the sky. Your skills along will take you twice as high."
He's shining so bright. Man … my dad's an awesome guy. I hope I can see him again soon.
"I missed you a lot dad, I hope we can train again soon."
With each memory he gains, a piece of his heart begins to grow. Slowly putting the pieces together as he find a way home. Slowing learning from the past and the present day. Dedicated to survive, no matter what he faces on his own.
Opening his eyes as he enters, The Zone. A place deep within the mind as still as stone. Solidifying the connection between the body and mind. Bringing out their full potential for a set amount of time. Ignoring all limits for as long as it takes … so long as your focus — never breaks.
Iramo showed a wicked smile, bearing his teeth as turned to look at the sky.
"I understand now Dad … I finally see why."
The wicked Wind of Tetra, has escaped it's cage and taken over the sky.