Chapter 45 - Enlightenment
A/N: Sorry I wasn't able to upload these past days. I just got caught up with something personal. Enjoy the chapter
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Days passed by quickly. Noah just kept on practicing his training every single day. His proficiency sharply rose and his body became much more stronger. His senses increased to a terrifying level; smell, hearing, taste and sense of touch due to always being blindfolded. His battle experience became rich. Aside from this, he also got acquainted with Elektra sharing laughter and companionship over time.
--
Three months has passed since he started to train in this camp. He didn't noticed it because because honestly, he was enjoying his training. He got fond of the people here making him forget the pain he has been through specially Elektra and Stick. However, he didn't forget his promise of revenge.
In the three months of training his hand to hand combat and his adaptability of being in the dark (blind), he became so proficient that Stick wasn't able to detect him 2 meters away from his body. He can reduced his presence to the bare minimum blending perfectly in the shadows. Aside from Stick, he can now sneak up to anyone in the camp including Elektra without being detected. Because of this, he always pull a prank on everybody in the camp specially Stick.
So Stick decided leveled up his training once more.
One morning, he suddenly told to Noah, "The next thing I'm going go teach you is weapon mastery. Follow me."
Stick stood up from sitting and left the room going into another room. Noah just followed through and when they entered their destination, he was amazed by what he saw.
On the right side of the wall displayed various types of weapons. Spear, Knives, Swords, Clubs, Morning Star etc.
"It's important to a martial artist in knowing how to use a variety of weapons. Once you know how they can be operated, you'll know how to deal with them when your enemy use them to you."
Then Stick stopped in the center of the room and Noah could swear it looked like a dojo.
"I will teach you how to use each one of them but you'll have to only master one weapon. As for the weapon of your choice, it'll be up to you. You'll feel it when you hold the weapon destined for you. Now, put on your blindfold and so we can start the lesson."
But before they start, Noah went to the side and set up his camera recorder to film. He aim the shot at the center so he can have a wider angle.
"In case of mistakes, I can watch them later." Noah explained.
Stick grunted but didn't say anything. He went to the weapon rack and grabbed a Staff.
"We'll start with this, get ready!" Then Stick threw a Staff to Noah which he successfully catched.
Stick then proceeded to explain to Noah the fundementals of the staff. At first, he wasn't able to defend and was hit frequently. Gradually he was able to adapt to the rythm.
--
Tak tak tak tak
The sound of wooden weapon clashing echoing throughout the room. It was already the fifth month since he's here. He already knew how to use, spear, sword, staff, daggers, mace, nunchaku etc. But the most he was fond of is the blade.
"So have you decided which weapon you'll spend your life with?" Stick asked.
Noah was amused with the question as if he's deciding the girl he's going to marry.
"Yeah, I wanted to master a blade. A katana to be precise. It fits my attacking preference. Swift and Sharp."
"Very well, then we'll focus more on kendo and kenjutsu."
They switched their weapon to a wooden katana and started to spar again.
'This kid is really something. He was already at this stage in just a few months? What a monster.' Stick thought but he quickly shook the feeling and focus his attention to the training.
"Say, you can easily master the moves kid, I can feel that. It's as if you memorize them like a routine. But you lack two things and they are the most important concept in battle that can decide outcome." Stick said as he felt his movements.
Noah stopped and asked "You can tell? I also think something is missing."
Stick immediately stopped the training and said, "Meditate for now and try think about it more, who knows, you might be able to land a hit on me once you figure it out because I'm not going to tell you. You need to find the answer on your own."
Noah nodded and agreed. Then he returned to his room and sat down in meditation. Unfortunately, no matter how he tried, the answer remains elusive. It came to the point where he wasn't able to get some sleep because of it.
--
Next morning at the training ground.
Smack!
"Argh!"
Smack!
"Ouch".
"What's wrong boy? You seem to be out of the damn place. Hmmm let me guess, it seems that you still can't figure out what you lack."
"Uhh, kind of? Sigh...I don't wanna think about it but I can't help myself. It keeps nagging inside my head."
"Heh, are you sure it's not a mental disorder? The way I see it, it's because you are forcing it, Kid. Sometimes, forcing some things may bring you to the opposite result. Give it time. I'll give you another three days of rest. We'll resume our training three days later. You can go camping in the wild, maybe you'll get an inspiration."
Eventually, Noah followed Stick's suggestion and went to the woods for camping the next day trying to free his mind from anything.
As he was walking, he suddenly came into a clearing with a small lake in the center. Around the lake were a patch of beautiful flowers swaying in the wind. He couldn't help but stare at the mesmerizing scene of nature bringing some freshness in his mind. With this kind of view, he suddenly decided to have his lunch here while watching the bio-diversity flickering to life.
He ate his lunch slowly as he watch the gorgeous environment. Suddenly, while he was lost in thought, he caught a glimpse of a strange phenomenon.
Two dragonflies was chasing each other erratically with no pattern or whatsoever. They look like they were playing but fighting at the same time.
A thought suddenly surfaced his mind. As he continued to watch, an ethereal door seems to open up in the back of his mind. At that moment, his mind and eyes became bright and clear. He now understand the meaning and the answer to the question that keeps bugging him.
Excitedly, he jumped up and frantically run towards the camp. But in the next moment, he suddenly thought of something and came back to bow to the lake, to the dragonflies and to the nature thanking them for giving him the answer he seek.
He rush back to the camp in large strides while running which garner him a shorter time to reach it. After half an hour, he was already in the dojo panting heavily like a dog.
"Stick! Hey old man! I'm here, I got the answer." Noah shouted while running inside.
"Don't shout you dumb brat! I'm not deaf." Stick chided irritably.
"I know the answer, hahaha I'm so happy. I'm a fucking genius." Noah dance happily infront of Stick.
Smack!!
Stick lashed out his cane to hit his butt in order to calm him down.
"Crap! That hurts! Can you just let me be happy for a while? Geez!" Noah winced.
"Sit down and tell me before I throw you out of this place." Stick grunted.
Noah obeyed and calm himself down a little.
"So tell me, what's the answer dumb kid. I've already given you hint this whole time but you still can't get it. You overthink simple things and when people do, they overlook something infront of their eyes."
"But I don't remember you giving me a hint. You're just playing mysterious and you said last time you won't give me the answer, right?" Noah replied in confusion.
"See, I told you people overlook something simple and ordinary when their emotions are high. Now shut up and just tell me." Stick retorted.
Then Noah started to explain his enlightenment.
"Well, I discovered my attacks seems to be always in pattern that's why it is easy to read. The things I lack are variation and dynamics. If my attacks are irregular and unpredictable, then it can indeed decide the outcome of the battle."
"Finally! But you are just half correct! You were always easy to read indeed during the spar that's why you can't land even a single hit. I already know your attacking pattern so I can easily counter or block them. On the other hand, you forgot something essential that's why I said it's only half correct. Let me give you a hint dumbass."
Then Stick continued "You see, I can't seem to recall calling you by your name right? What did I always call you? Tell me."
"Punk? A Kid?"
"Yes, a kid. You are always looking too far ahead but you subconsciously ignore some details."
"But what's that got to do with this?"
"What does kids always do?"
"Uh they play?"
"Yes, correct again. The answer is play. See, I'm always giving you a hint by calling you a kid, Uhuh don't look at me like that."
'Why does it sound more like an excuse?' Noah stared at him suspiciously.
Stick continued "When you fight, you are like a programmed computer. Doing the same set of moves over and over again. You forgot to play with your weapon and act as if it was another limb. You got to always remember that your weapon is an extension of your body. If you can do it, the variations and unpredictableness will follow. Your opponent won't be able to read your moves because they don't know your pattern. They call it 'swordplay' for a reason after all. Having fun while fighting."
"I understand, thanks for your guidance."
"Don't thank me yet, hehehe. Go grab your practice sword, we're going to have a spar and see if you can apply what you've learn today."
"Can you stop doing that ominous smile? Besides, I think I forgot something back in the woods. So.." He replied nervously.
"Shut up and grab your practice sword or I'll drag you here myself."
--
Noah dedicated himself to the training and he was far more different than what he used to be.
He was living a life of a hermit, cut off from the outside world all for the sake of his revenge.
His senses grew because Stick strictly kept him blindfolded even when he goes to the bathroom. He became sharp as a hawk even though he can't see anything. He gradually got used to in the dark. He can now walk fast blindedfolded without bumping into anything and he do it with no sound like a cat.
Additionally, he can now dodge the stones in his throw-a-stone training with minimum movement and he can even catch them with his bare hands.
When the two of them play the gamelike tagging, the scene looks like a shoot out and someone watching will be surprised to see that what they are throwing is just ordinary stones. Silent, deadly and like a shadow.