Jorish narrowed his eyes, peering at Anise. If he had learned something through his endless fights in the trial, that would be attention to detail. He took note of her relaxed stance. She has grown stronger too. He noted. No longer were her intentions and moves so pronounced.

Jorish wasn’t sure if refusing Cail’s help was a good idea. But he wanted to really know how strong he was right now. Using a crutch or a boost would feel like cheating. Thought Jorish as he focused on his fight.

He knew that he was in for a difficult fight, he took a wide stance, gripping his staff with both his hands like a spear. Here she comes. She flashed through his vision reaching him almost instantly.

Jorish lips lifted upwards as he threw himself back as the fight started, as she threatened to move. He lifted his spear up, bracing it on the ground. Less than a moment later his arms should as he felt the impact on his staff. He swung his staff, lifting her upwards, over him.

Anise tumbled as she fell before regaining her balance, looking surprised at Jorish. Old Anise would’ve charged me again already. That would’ve been easier to deal with. Reminisced Jorish as he remembered his fights in the temple. Big and dumb opponents seemed the hardest at first, but as he got better, he appreciated their simplicity.

Jorish lifted his staff preparing to face Anise’s second charge. The last move would not work again. He knew. Her foot pushed off the ground as she approached him again, he tried to stab her with his staff at the last moment before they collided. She sidestepped it just as he stabbed in, slowing down. At that moment, Jorish switched from a stab into a swipe heading for her head.

Anise reacted, slowing down even further, covering her head with her left hand. As his staff connected, Jorish used the impact to push off and gain some distance. He stepped back as he panted. I don’t have the endurance for this. Thought Jorish as he decided on his next actions.

As Anise attacked again, he rushed in as well. She punched with her left hand, he ducked as he thrust his spear towards her head. Quickly reacting, Anise blocked the staff as she braced to chase Jorish before he could escape again.

Anise’s face was colored in surprise as Jorish didn’t try to back off, instead, he focused on pushing his assault. He was weaker and slower than her, but he was burning himself down to gain the initiative. It doesn’t matter if you were stronger if all you could do is be reactive. Thought Jorish as he remembered his earlier fights. He was beaten by those weaker opponents in the trial because he didn’t control the initiative.

Jorish kept pushing forward, jabbing with his staff over and over. It was not a spear but it still hurt significantly, forcing Anise to block it. As Anise started to regain her tempo, Jorish switched his jab into a wide swing.

He could see her smile as she thought he messed up. She parried his strike with her club, breaking his guard open. As she prepared to strike him down, her eyes widened as the world turned around her.

Jorish had used his staff as a distraction, tripping her with his foot. He regained control of his staff before Anise could recover. As he swung his staff, he saw her eyes turn golden as her body started moving inhumanly fast. Her fist whistled in mid-air, blocking his strike and sending him back a few meters.

Jorish took a moment to look at Anise as he recovered, her skin now webbed with lines of grey and her eyes golden. She does look close to a dragon like that. He thought before jolting back to his senses, ready to continue fighting.

Jorish was at his wits’ end as Anise appeared in front of him, swiping at him with her club. He blocked the strike as he tried to make some distance, yet he found her in his face pushing him all the same. He kept moving back as she kept moving in. Finally, he saw his chance.

As Anise rushed in, he suddenly stopped falling back. After all the training he had with Cail, he could control a very slight amount of energy, which was almost useless in a fight. Almost. As Anise punched out, her eyes widened as Jorish took action. He dropped his staff, reinforcing his left arm with every last bit of energy he had as he used to parry her arm outwards.

He pushed his body inwards as he made contact with her. Holding her right arm, he made use of her momentum as he threw her, pushing his foot in front of hers while he turned his body. Anise lost her balance as she flew into the air before smashing into the ground. Jorish took his chance as he got her arm locked, trying to force her to submit.

Anise tried to struggle as he tightened his grip, using his whole weight to bend her arm. I got her now. He thought as he used everything he had to not let go. Anise seemed to be in pain as she was about to submit.

Suddenly, Anise roared as the golden glow in her eyes brightened. She stood and slowly moved her arm, lifting. Jorish, breaking his lock. She shook her arm causing him to fall, before punching with her free hand. Moments later her punch stopped a short distance from Jorish’s head. Who sat, now too exhausted and beaten up to move.

As they sat in silence for a few moments. Anise relaxed her fist as she extended her palm towards Jorish. Jorish took her hand as she helped him stand up as he grunted. “Ouch, ouch! Calm down. Do you have any idea how much parrying that punch hurt?”

“Ay, boy. I was surprised ya tried to parry that. More surprised ya didn’t break ya arm pulling that out.” Spoke Anise.

Behind them, they could hear clapping as Traves walked towards them, smiling.

- - - - -

Traves watched Anise and Jorish’s exchange as he felt more surprised as it went on. That temple wasn’t a scam huh. He smiled as the fight went on.

As he looked at Jorish, he remembered what his mentor told him back in the day. Only he who saw hell could reach the heavens. At Traves snickered thinking. Well, I did cause him to be literally set on fire... Oh well! Traves thought about how Jorish grew ever since he met him.

Jorish had always been willful, and he tried to innovate in fights since the beginning. But it didn’t help him much when he lacked the basics. You can only innovate if you have the knowledge and experience to do so. He gained enough to start truly learning. Thought Traves as he started planning his training further for Jorish.

Anise had both the strength and some experience. Man bloodlines can be such a cheat. Remarked Traves as he shook his head. After the temple, she fought much more calmly. Yet, she was still young and predictable. Even Jorish who was equally as inexperienced could predict many of her moves. Most importantly he could feel that she was finally at peace with herself.

What truly surprised Traves were her eyes. She had awakened her bloodline already huh. The moment her bloodline was active, Jorish had no chance to win as he was now. Yet He didn’t disappoint him as he took her down near the end. Too bad the strength difference was too massive. For now.

Traves went to console Jorish. He fought well. After so much training, losing like that must hurt. Traves' steps slowed down as he stared forward.

Jorish stood as he stared into space, his fist clenched as his eyes radiated fighting spirit. Traves smiled, changing his mind as he said. “If they are stronger and faster?”

Jorish’s smile widened as he laughed “You improvise!”

Traves stood for a moment, thinking, before exclaiming loudly. “Kids! It’s time to take a visit to the capital!”

Jorish’s body stiffened, while a hint of anger flashed in Anise’s eyes. Traves smiled as he walked forward. Hiding the rage in his eyes as they headed towards Slenham, Capital of the sun-touched cities.

Home of the Sovereign of the Sands. The Tyrant.

Maketh.