Shroud Arcanum

Chapter 19: Chapter 19 - Practice

After enjoying their meal and taking a small break, Irys stood up and stretched, signaling the start of their training session. "Ready for a crash course?" she quipped, glancing over at Liam.

Aric, unable to resist one last tease, called after them with a sarcastic grin, "Good luck on your date, you two!" Both Irys and Liam turned to shoot him sharp glances, causing him to laugh even harder. Ignoring his playful teasing, the two made their way toward a more open area.

As they found a suitable spot, Irys paused, taking a moment to gauge her surroundings. "Alright," she began, her voice firm yet patient, "let's start with the foundation. "First, your stance. It's the foundation of everything. A strong stance will help you maintain balance and control."

She demonstrated a stance, her feet spaced apart for balance, her posture poised yet relaxed. "This is a basic stance. Grounded, balanced, and ready to respond."

Liam, trying to mimic her, felt a little awkward initially. Noticing his struggle, Irys approached and made minor adjustments to his position, guiding his foot placement and adjusting his shoulders.

"Now," Irys commanded, "summon your weapon."

The shimmering form of Talonstrike materialized in his grasp. The sleek weapon reflected the fractured light from the surrounding crystal remnants.

Seeing Liam gripping the weapon, Irys assessed the weapons Liam had with him. "Your staff technique isn't too bad, but your dual-wielding? It leaves much to be desired. We only have a short time, so let's focus on improving that. Change it to the dual sword."

Liam's hands swiftly maneuvered Talonstrike, twisting it at the midpoint and seamlessly transforming it into a pair of sleek dual swords.

Irys watched with an intrigued expression, "The dual sword approach is more versatile in close combat, so it's worth mastering," she explained. "Now, I want you to attack me. I won't be using a weapon. Just begin when you're ready."

Liam hesitated for just a moment before dashing forward, slashing with both swords. Irys easily sidestepped his initial assault. As she evaded, she threw in critiques, her voice sharp but instructive. "Your slash needs more power! Your posture is all wrong!"

Without breaking her flow, Irys lashed out with a swift kick at Liam's leg. Liam sensed and tried to evade the attack; reacting on instinct, he barely managed to evade it while simultaneously attempting to counter, slashing with his other blade.

Irys deftly ducked beneath the swing and, with a swift upward movement, landed a solid punch to Liam's stomach. The forceful impact knocked the wind out of him, causing his face to contort with surprise and pain, taking on a bluish tinge.

"You can't rest on a single dodge," Irys chided, maintaining her stance. "Just as you can counterattack after evading, so can your opponent. Always be on guard." "Again!"

As the stinging sensation of the pain began to dissipate, he launched himself forward, his swords slashing horizontally. Irys, with her impeccable reflexes, managed to dodge his attack.

Seizing the opportunity to catch her off guard, Liam used his leg in an attempt to sweep Irys off her feet. Irys, however, was ready for this. She blocked his leg with a swift motion and took a quick step back to regain her footing. But before Liam could start his next attack, Irys literally beat him to the punch. She landed a solid punch on Liam's face.

The impact caused Liam's eyes, which were already a stunning shade of blue, to appear even more vivid against the emerging bruises. They now radiated a surreal hue, encircled by a blue-tinged aura due to the force of the blow.

Irys, unable to contain her amusement, laughed as she looked at Liam's face. Her laughter was joined by Trik's playful, teasing voice inside Liam's mind, "Oh my, Liam, your blue eyes have never been bluer! They contrast beautifully with that new shade you've added to your cheeks," Trik remarked with his usual antics. Liam's eye twitched in annoyance.

Irys' laughter died down as she looked at him more seriously, "Remember, Liam, it's not just about attacking or defending. It's about understanding your opponent, predicting their moves, and reacting accordingly. Let's try again, and this time, try to read my movements. Watch my eyes, my body language. Everything is a clue."

Liam, drawing a deep breath, charged forward once more. This time, he attentively observed every minute detail – the glint in Irys's eyes, the subtle shift in her stance, and even the faintest twitch of her muscles. As he lunged, attempting a swift stab, Irys fluidly sidestepped her movements into a dance of precision.

They sparred for hours, the sounds of fighting echoing throughout the training ground. Liam's dual blades, meant to be an extension of himself, gradually synced with his intent. Yet every lapse in concentration or movement didn't escape Irys's keen eye.

After a particularly close miss, Irys halted and remarked, "Using two blades means doubling your chances, Liam. But remember, it's not about brute force; it's about synchronization. If you can't merge their rhythm, you might as well stick to one."

Liam panting heavily and visibly wearied from the exhaustive training, looked up at Irys with a combination of gratitude and determination."I appreciate your training, Irys," Liam replied, trying to catch his breath. "I understand the importance. It's just... harder than it looks."

Irys's gaze is distant for a moment, memories of her past training sessions with her master briefly flooding her mind. Shaking herself from her reverie, she said, "I know it's difficult, but if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Remember to practice striking with both blades simultaneously, and if you can, spar with someone regularly to get a feel for real combat."

Liam nodded, appreciating her words. "Thank you"

With a brief nod of acknowledgment, Irys added, "Once you're more comfortable, focus on integrating the other forms of your weapon into your technique. Eventually, you should blend the styles fluidly in combat. Until then, I recommend finding a suitable combat style, and sparring partner to further hone your skills."