Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2016 17:23:31 GMT -5
-Ten Years Old-
There was a change in Cineza that Hwa-Jae only noticed during training sessions with Elder Sister Pyya. While it had been two years since the death of Elder Sister Vatra, training under Pyya for those two years proved to be difficult, especially for Cineza whom Pyya seemed to push extra hard. Many sisters stopped their progress in their Kasai Guardian lessons, citing Pyya's harsh methods and extreme regimens to be the reason. Some, like Sister Smoulde, never really had their hearts in training to be Guardians and quickly found a place elsewhere like the archives or the kitchens. There was a place of any sister beyond the Guardians, but it was that prestigious order within the Kasai that many aspired to.
Hwa-Jae wanted to become a Kasai Guardian to protect people. She remembered the pain of losing her parents to fire and how Fuega said only a Guardian would be able to face the one who caused it. Hwa-Jae wanted to be a defender of the earth and use the Living Flame to protect the planet that she called her home. It was a simple path though a hard one, yet one Hwa-Jae walked with pride. She took to the lessons given to her by Vatra then by Pyya as well as those provided by Old Master Fuega as a student keen on learning should.
Cineza was a different matter. Hwa-Jae never learned why her best friend wanted to become a Guardian. As much as they got along, Hwa-Jae did notice that Cineza held a much darker attitude. She was far more aggressive than the other girls and far more focused on training and putting that training into practice by any means possible. This often led to impromptu sparring sessions not just with Hwa-Jae, bit with other trainees and even some of the full fledged Guardians. Because of her aggressive tendencies, Cineza was often punished with menial tasks. When Vatra led the guardians as Elder Sister, she was forgiving of Cineza's ambition and passion. She called it "youthful enthusiasm."
Pyya did not share the deceased Vatra's sentiments. Whenever Cineza acted up, Pyya was there to dole out punishment. Whether it was a chastising speech or a long, arduous chore, Pyya kept trying to instil some measure of discipline into Cineza. She kept pushing back though, only getting more aggressive with every passing punishment. After such sessions, Cineza would return to their shared dorm and be silent, though her frown and furrowed brow revealed her great anger.
Tonight was one of those nights. As Hwa-Jae tied up her long red hair before bed, Cineza slumped on her lower bunk and stared up at the top bunk. Hwa-Jae shook her head as she slipped into her sleeping gown. "You're face is going to stay like that if you keeping making it," she said as she climbed up to her bed. With a flick of her wrist, she used a small force of ki to take out the candle light. Cineza merely harrumphed.
Hwa-Jae shifted into her bed, putting her down on her pillow but still remained wide awake. "What did you do this time?" she said in a flat tone. Cineza shifted in her bed and let out a deep breath.
"She's holding me back, Hwa-Jae," Cineza said at last, "Pyya knows I'm stronger than any other novice. I should be be moving onward to the advanced lessons. I already know how to throw the hinotama and control the Sukinbaningu but she won't show me the Iyashino-en. You need all three to become a Guardian. I think Pyya is scared of my power."
Hwa-Jae hated when Cineza talked like this, focusing on power for power's sake rather than putting that strength to good use. It was not the way of the Kasai to seek power just to have it. They used their power to help people. For as long as Hwa-Jae could tell though, Cineza never once considered using her skills or training for the benefit of all, but for the benefit of herself. Try as she might, Hwa-Jae could not seem to get through to Cineza the importance of using one's strength for the benefit of the community. There were days were Cineza did not seem to care for the Kasai at all, at least outside Hwa-Jae.
Cineza sighed. "Tomorrow Pyya is going to run us through speed training drills," she explained, "I'm going to show her my speed and she'll have no choice but to train me in the advanced lessons of the Kasai. Then I can move forward and become even stronger."
"You shouldn't push yourself," Hwa-Jae said, "Elder Sister Pyya just wants us to train carefully. You know how dangerous the Kasai can be to the untrained hand."
"Are you doubting I can control my own power?" Cineza's words held an edge to them that Hwa-Jae never heard used to her before. She quickly back peddled her words.
"I'm not doubting you!" She said, hoping not to have offended Cineza, "I just think Pyya is trying to help in her own way. If you show her what she wants to see, maybe she'll relent a little bit."
"I'll do more than that," Cineza huffed, "I'll show her that I'm faster than even the most experienced Guardians. You'll be there to cheer me on, right Hwa-Jae?"
Hwa-Jae nodded. "Of course I will, Cineza. I'll always be by your side."
This was the best chance she had to ask Cineza her intentions. "Why are you training to be a Kasai Guardian, though? You never told me the reason."
There was a silence that lingered in the air for a good while and Cineza did not give an immediate answer to Hwa-Jae's question. Finally, she said, "Because I have to get stronger. I need to get stronger. One day you'll understand why. For now, just get some sleep. We'll need all our strength for tomorrow."
With that as the final point to their conversation, Hwa-Jae shifted in her bed so she could get some sleep. It did not come easily as her nerves kept her wide awake. Tomorrow was going to a rough day.
***
Hwa-Jae, Cineza, and several others who managed to last this far in their training stood at attention as they waited for Elder Sister Pyya to begin the lesson. Pyya held her hands behind her back as she inspected her charges. Nearby, several full fledged Guardians stood with their arms crossed, as if waiting for something. The mentors remained ramrod straight until they were addressed by their mentor. Once satisfied, Pyya raised her voice so that all could hear her.
"I have focused my entire adult life on the practice of the defensive arts," Pyya said as she paced in front of her youthful students. "It is a core of my personal belief that a good offence is a good defence. For when the opponent cannot bring you harm, you can move yourself into a stronger position. While many of you will go on to develop styles of your own, I am going to teach you the basics of defending yourselves. Today, we will work on speed training, for if you move faster than your enemy, they will have no hope in striking you."
Pyya then motioned to the other Guardian sisters. "These four I have brought with me are to assist in your training. They will throw hintotamas at each other as an obstacle. Only by increasing your speed with your ki and showing precision timing will allow you to pass unharmed. I have instructed them to not hold too much back in their attacks. If they were weak, you would not push yourselves further to avoid pain. Now, we shall begin. Hwa-Jae, I want you to cross the gauntlet first."
Hwa-Jae took a deep breath and stepped up for her turn at the flaming gauntlet. As she approached, the other Guardians opened their palms and created orbs of flaming ki. They launched the fireballs at one another with one hand and caught them in the other, increasing in speed until the fireballs moved like a blur. This was not going to be a simple exercise. She bowed to Pyya and the other sisters as was respectful, then moved into a ready position.
She trained hard for a test like this. Unlike training to suppress her ki, Hwa-Jae was much better and expressing and projecting it. Hwa-Jae surrounded her body in a membrane of ki energy, one that would enhance her already considerable athletic abilities. While some would say she moved like a blur, to Hwa-Jae, time appeared to slow down. She saw the fireballs move slowly and was able to decipher how best to past them.
Pushing off with her boots, Hwa-Jae ran towards the first set of fireballs. Their pattern was easy enough to decipher as they crossed paths with simple timing. Hwa-Jae saw the gap they produced and easily slid by the two fireballs. She could feel the heat from the hinotamas as she past them, but was pleased that she avoided the first set.
There was still the second set though. She saw that the first hinotama was easy enough to slip by, but the second followed behind it from the opposite direction and quickly. Even as time slowed for her, she knew getting by this would take timing. Stopping was not an option, so Hwa-Jae simply bolted towards the fireballs.
As expected, she passed by the first hinotama easily enough but she kept an eye on the second. It roared towards her and she could feel the heat from the flames on her cheek. Just before it neared her, Hwa-Jae bent her body over backward to narrowly avoid the hinotama. The fire singed the tips of her hair, but she was able to get past easily enough.
She stopped her movement on the other side of the gauntlet, taking a deep breath as she emerged from the other side. That took a lot more out of her than she realized. Still, Hwa-Jae managed to pass the test of Pyya's. Her training was really starting to pay dividends. Maybe it would be her who moved on to the next level of Kasai training.
"Very good, Hwa-Jae," Pyya said with a nod. "Excellent projection of your ki to surround yourself. You managed to show good dexterity as well. You're training is progressing nicely."
"Cineza!" Pyya barked, "You're up next. I know you have been training hard, so show me the result of such!"
Cineza stepped forward and stared down the fireballs that the Guardians threw at each other. She did not bow, but shot a look of contempt at Pyya. The two met eyes and Hwa-Jae was worried they would come to blows right then and there. She hoped the two would come to some kind of understanding, but Cineza seemed to hate Pyya.
With a wicked smirk, Cineza simply vanished leaving only a series of lines to show where she was. Before Hwa-Jae could know what happened, she saw Cineza leaning on her side. "Good job, Hwa-Jae," Cineza said, "But still not on my level. Now watch this."
Cineza then vanished again, appearing on the other side as well next to Pyya. The other Guardians stopped their hinotamas and simply watched as Pyya crossed her arms and stared into the gaze of Cineza. The two were vastly different in height and age, but Cineza was clearly the challenging aggressor. Yet neither would budge, their stubborn personalities too strong for either to back down.
"What do you think of me now, Pyya?" Cineza said in a combative tone. "I think I've earned a chance to be trained like a Kasai Guardian, have I not? I already surpass all of my peers in speed and strength. None can control the power like I can. So give me what I deserve."
"You don't understand, Cineza," Pyya replied, her scowl deep. "To be a Kasai Guardian is to be more than strong and fast. You must know our ideals and live them to the fullest. You do not do either. You lack discipline and devotion to the Kasai. Until you learn those things, you will never learn the secrets of the Guardians. Now return to the other side with Hwa-Jae and wait for the others to finish the exercise."
Cineza ground her teeth and balled her fists in fury. "Still you deny me what is mine!" she shouted, "Maybe I should show you my power right now?! How about that!?"
She began to shout and the ground began to shake as a golden aura surrounded Cineza. Pyya continued to stare down Cineza as the latter began to power up. Even in the face of such rage, Hwa-Jae could not bear to simply stand by and wait for Cineza to do something foolish. As Cineza leapt to take a swing at Pyya, Hwa-Jae moved with her rapid speed to intercept it.
"Cineza, stop!" she cried out, taking a hold of Cineza's arm and pushing it aside. Still in the throes of her rage, Cineza reared her fist and slammed it right into Hwa-Jae's left cheek. The blow was enough to knock Hwa-Jae to her side but while it stung, it did not hurt as much as what the blow represented. Cineza chose rage over her friend. Hwa-Jae held her cheek and could feel her tears forming. The sight seemed to make Cineza snap out of her fury, only for Pyya to snatch Cineza's wrist from the air.
"That is enough!" Pyya shouted, "Training is over. Hwa-Jae, seek the healers. Cineza, you are coming with me to see the Old Master. You have gone too far this time!"
As Pyya hauled Cineza off under guard of the other Guardians, she looked back on Hwa-Jae, her face stone cold. Hwa-Jae kept her hand on her cheek as she watched her friend being escorted away. As she felt the other Guardian hopefuls usher her back to the temple, Hwa-Jae wondered if something broke in their relationship irrevocably.
***
WC: 2339
Learned ST-1 Rapid Movement!
There was a change in Cineza that Hwa-Jae only noticed during training sessions with Elder Sister Pyya. While it had been two years since the death of Elder Sister Vatra, training under Pyya for those two years proved to be difficult, especially for Cineza whom Pyya seemed to push extra hard. Many sisters stopped their progress in their Kasai Guardian lessons, citing Pyya's harsh methods and extreme regimens to be the reason. Some, like Sister Smoulde, never really had their hearts in training to be Guardians and quickly found a place elsewhere like the archives or the kitchens. There was a place of any sister beyond the Guardians, but it was that prestigious order within the Kasai that many aspired to.
Hwa-Jae wanted to become a Kasai Guardian to protect people. She remembered the pain of losing her parents to fire and how Fuega said only a Guardian would be able to face the one who caused it. Hwa-Jae wanted to be a defender of the earth and use the Living Flame to protect the planet that she called her home. It was a simple path though a hard one, yet one Hwa-Jae walked with pride. She took to the lessons given to her by Vatra then by Pyya as well as those provided by Old Master Fuega as a student keen on learning should.
Cineza was a different matter. Hwa-Jae never learned why her best friend wanted to become a Guardian. As much as they got along, Hwa-Jae did notice that Cineza held a much darker attitude. She was far more aggressive than the other girls and far more focused on training and putting that training into practice by any means possible. This often led to impromptu sparring sessions not just with Hwa-Jae, bit with other trainees and even some of the full fledged Guardians. Because of her aggressive tendencies, Cineza was often punished with menial tasks. When Vatra led the guardians as Elder Sister, she was forgiving of Cineza's ambition and passion. She called it "youthful enthusiasm."
Pyya did not share the deceased Vatra's sentiments. Whenever Cineza acted up, Pyya was there to dole out punishment. Whether it was a chastising speech or a long, arduous chore, Pyya kept trying to instil some measure of discipline into Cineza. She kept pushing back though, only getting more aggressive with every passing punishment. After such sessions, Cineza would return to their shared dorm and be silent, though her frown and furrowed brow revealed her great anger.
Tonight was one of those nights. As Hwa-Jae tied up her long red hair before bed, Cineza slumped on her lower bunk and stared up at the top bunk. Hwa-Jae shook her head as she slipped into her sleeping gown. "You're face is going to stay like that if you keeping making it," she said as she climbed up to her bed. With a flick of her wrist, she used a small force of ki to take out the candle light. Cineza merely harrumphed.
Hwa-Jae shifted into her bed, putting her down on her pillow but still remained wide awake. "What did you do this time?" she said in a flat tone. Cineza shifted in her bed and let out a deep breath.
"She's holding me back, Hwa-Jae," Cineza said at last, "Pyya knows I'm stronger than any other novice. I should be be moving onward to the advanced lessons. I already know how to throw the hinotama and control the Sukinbaningu but she won't show me the Iyashino-en. You need all three to become a Guardian. I think Pyya is scared of my power."
Hwa-Jae hated when Cineza talked like this, focusing on power for power's sake rather than putting that strength to good use. It was not the way of the Kasai to seek power just to have it. They used their power to help people. For as long as Hwa-Jae could tell though, Cineza never once considered using her skills or training for the benefit of all, but for the benefit of herself. Try as she might, Hwa-Jae could not seem to get through to Cineza the importance of using one's strength for the benefit of the community. There were days were Cineza did not seem to care for the Kasai at all, at least outside Hwa-Jae.
Cineza sighed. "Tomorrow Pyya is going to run us through speed training drills," she explained, "I'm going to show her my speed and she'll have no choice but to train me in the advanced lessons of the Kasai. Then I can move forward and become even stronger."
"You shouldn't push yourself," Hwa-Jae said, "Elder Sister Pyya just wants us to train carefully. You know how dangerous the Kasai can be to the untrained hand."
"Are you doubting I can control my own power?" Cineza's words held an edge to them that Hwa-Jae never heard used to her before. She quickly back peddled her words.
"I'm not doubting you!" She said, hoping not to have offended Cineza, "I just think Pyya is trying to help in her own way. If you show her what she wants to see, maybe she'll relent a little bit."
"I'll do more than that," Cineza huffed, "I'll show her that I'm faster than even the most experienced Guardians. You'll be there to cheer me on, right Hwa-Jae?"
Hwa-Jae nodded. "Of course I will, Cineza. I'll always be by your side."
This was the best chance she had to ask Cineza her intentions. "Why are you training to be a Kasai Guardian, though? You never told me the reason."
There was a silence that lingered in the air for a good while and Cineza did not give an immediate answer to Hwa-Jae's question. Finally, she said, "Because I have to get stronger. I need to get stronger. One day you'll understand why. For now, just get some sleep. We'll need all our strength for tomorrow."
With that as the final point to their conversation, Hwa-Jae shifted in her bed so she could get some sleep. It did not come easily as her nerves kept her wide awake. Tomorrow was going to a rough day.
***
Hwa-Jae, Cineza, and several others who managed to last this far in their training stood at attention as they waited for Elder Sister Pyya to begin the lesson. Pyya held her hands behind her back as she inspected her charges. Nearby, several full fledged Guardians stood with their arms crossed, as if waiting for something. The mentors remained ramrod straight until they were addressed by their mentor. Once satisfied, Pyya raised her voice so that all could hear her.
"I have focused my entire adult life on the practice of the defensive arts," Pyya said as she paced in front of her youthful students. "It is a core of my personal belief that a good offence is a good defence. For when the opponent cannot bring you harm, you can move yourself into a stronger position. While many of you will go on to develop styles of your own, I am going to teach you the basics of defending yourselves. Today, we will work on speed training, for if you move faster than your enemy, they will have no hope in striking you."
Pyya then motioned to the other Guardian sisters. "These four I have brought with me are to assist in your training. They will throw hintotamas at each other as an obstacle. Only by increasing your speed with your ki and showing precision timing will allow you to pass unharmed. I have instructed them to not hold too much back in their attacks. If they were weak, you would not push yourselves further to avoid pain. Now, we shall begin. Hwa-Jae, I want you to cross the gauntlet first."
Hwa-Jae took a deep breath and stepped up for her turn at the flaming gauntlet. As she approached, the other Guardians opened their palms and created orbs of flaming ki. They launched the fireballs at one another with one hand and caught them in the other, increasing in speed until the fireballs moved like a blur. This was not going to be a simple exercise. She bowed to Pyya and the other sisters as was respectful, then moved into a ready position.
She trained hard for a test like this. Unlike training to suppress her ki, Hwa-Jae was much better and expressing and projecting it. Hwa-Jae surrounded her body in a membrane of ki energy, one that would enhance her already considerable athletic abilities. While some would say she moved like a blur, to Hwa-Jae, time appeared to slow down. She saw the fireballs move slowly and was able to decipher how best to past them.
Pushing off with her boots, Hwa-Jae ran towards the first set of fireballs. Their pattern was easy enough to decipher as they crossed paths with simple timing. Hwa-Jae saw the gap they produced and easily slid by the two fireballs. She could feel the heat from the hinotamas as she past them, but was pleased that she avoided the first set.
There was still the second set though. She saw that the first hinotama was easy enough to slip by, but the second followed behind it from the opposite direction and quickly. Even as time slowed for her, she knew getting by this would take timing. Stopping was not an option, so Hwa-Jae simply bolted towards the fireballs.
As expected, she passed by the first hinotama easily enough but she kept an eye on the second. It roared towards her and she could feel the heat from the flames on her cheek. Just before it neared her, Hwa-Jae bent her body over backward to narrowly avoid the hinotama. The fire singed the tips of her hair, but she was able to get past easily enough.
She stopped her movement on the other side of the gauntlet, taking a deep breath as she emerged from the other side. That took a lot more out of her than she realized. Still, Hwa-Jae managed to pass the test of Pyya's. Her training was really starting to pay dividends. Maybe it would be her who moved on to the next level of Kasai training.
"Very good, Hwa-Jae," Pyya said with a nod. "Excellent projection of your ki to surround yourself. You managed to show good dexterity as well. You're training is progressing nicely."
"Cineza!" Pyya barked, "You're up next. I know you have been training hard, so show me the result of such!"
Cineza stepped forward and stared down the fireballs that the Guardians threw at each other. She did not bow, but shot a look of contempt at Pyya. The two met eyes and Hwa-Jae was worried they would come to blows right then and there. She hoped the two would come to some kind of understanding, but Cineza seemed to hate Pyya.
With a wicked smirk, Cineza simply vanished leaving only a series of lines to show where she was. Before Hwa-Jae could know what happened, she saw Cineza leaning on her side. "Good job, Hwa-Jae," Cineza said, "But still not on my level. Now watch this."
Cineza then vanished again, appearing on the other side as well next to Pyya. The other Guardians stopped their hinotamas and simply watched as Pyya crossed her arms and stared into the gaze of Cineza. The two were vastly different in height and age, but Cineza was clearly the challenging aggressor. Yet neither would budge, their stubborn personalities too strong for either to back down.
"What do you think of me now, Pyya?" Cineza said in a combative tone. "I think I've earned a chance to be trained like a Kasai Guardian, have I not? I already surpass all of my peers in speed and strength. None can control the power like I can. So give me what I deserve."
"You don't understand, Cineza," Pyya replied, her scowl deep. "To be a Kasai Guardian is to be more than strong and fast. You must know our ideals and live them to the fullest. You do not do either. You lack discipline and devotion to the Kasai. Until you learn those things, you will never learn the secrets of the Guardians. Now return to the other side with Hwa-Jae and wait for the others to finish the exercise."
Cineza ground her teeth and balled her fists in fury. "Still you deny me what is mine!" she shouted, "Maybe I should show you my power right now?! How about that!?"
She began to shout and the ground began to shake as a golden aura surrounded Cineza. Pyya continued to stare down Cineza as the latter began to power up. Even in the face of such rage, Hwa-Jae could not bear to simply stand by and wait for Cineza to do something foolish. As Cineza leapt to take a swing at Pyya, Hwa-Jae moved with her rapid speed to intercept it.
"Cineza, stop!" she cried out, taking a hold of Cineza's arm and pushing it aside. Still in the throes of her rage, Cineza reared her fist and slammed it right into Hwa-Jae's left cheek. The blow was enough to knock Hwa-Jae to her side but while it stung, it did not hurt as much as what the blow represented. Cineza chose rage over her friend. Hwa-Jae held her cheek and could feel her tears forming. The sight seemed to make Cineza snap out of her fury, only for Pyya to snatch Cineza's wrist from the air.
"That is enough!" Pyya shouted, "Training is over. Hwa-Jae, seek the healers. Cineza, you are coming with me to see the Old Master. You have gone too far this time!"
As Pyya hauled Cineza off under guard of the other Guardians, she looked back on Hwa-Jae, her face stone cold. Hwa-Jae kept her hand on her cheek as she watched her friend being escorted away. As she felt the other Guardian hopefuls usher her back to the temple, Hwa-Jae wondered if something broke in their relationship irrevocably.
***
WC: 2339
Learned ST-1 Rapid Movement!