Chapter 7

I walk through the bamboo doors that hold the training hall. I see many people of different backgrounds training and conversing amongst themselves. I can instantly pick out the instructors and I walk over to them. "Hello, I'm Aaron Philan, I was told by Olivia Ortiz to report here." A tall, bald, and dark-skinned man approaches me with his hand extended I see at least 20 crosses on his arm alone.

"Welcome to Training Sanctuary: Spirit, I will be your instructor, Mr. Isaiah" He announces to me.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Isaiah." I return his greeting.

"Today you'll get familiar with hand-to-hand combat then once we've covered the basics you can decide what weapon you'd like to use. I nod my head in understanding.

We walk into a white mat, that has dried blood on it. I wrap my hands and feet.

"On the off chance you'll actually be fighting here are some basics." He tells me.

"But I joined the military?" I say in a confused tone.

"We can't have one you people learning how to fight, you'd rebel and try to take over Téleios." He states in a snicker.

"First is blocking!" He yells as he dashes towards me. He kicks in the stomach sideways, and I fall back and grip my sides in pain.

"Didn't you hear me?" He slides his foot face up directly hitting my face. I tumble and I quickly recover. Still holding my throbbing stomach. He rushes at me, and I hold my arms in front of my face as he releases a flurry of punches that knick the skin of my arms. I writhe in agony on the ground experiencing the worst pain I've felt in a long time.

"I heard you people were supposed to have above-average strength, I've never gotten the chance to tear one of you up, I'm glad I'm finally getting the chance." He continues his endless rampage. He sweeps my feet and kicks my stomach once more; I fly off of the mat. The entire gym that used to sound of clacking metals and punching bags came to an immediate stop. The silence was deafening. I could feel each pair of eyes burn the back of me and all around me. Before the embarrassment could get to me, I'm soon grabbed at the collar and thrown back into the mat.

"There's not out of bounds in a real fight." He declares jumping back onto the mat.

He stomps and I could feel a great force resonate from that foot.

"In this kingdom, these crosses aren't just for show or perfection status, they are our source of power!" He announces sending echoes throughout the entire building.

I start to feel the effects of his attacks it wears me down fast. My organs ache and I can't keep up with this guy. He rushes once more this time he takes off with great force the shockwaves gave him a boost. I put my hands out in front of me hoping to absorb a bit of impact. He makes contact and I hear a crack and my arm bends in a horrifying way. I scream so loud that it sends echoes through the training room.

"Stop that right now!" Oliva walks in with a great presence, and everyone stops and watches. With her bamboo sword drawn, she thrusts it in front of Isaiah. He slaps it away and attempts to attack Oliva. She twirls her blade around his body, knocking his fist to the side. She pounces upward and a flurry of sword attacks send wind punctures through certain parts of his body. He topples over and she jumps off just as he starts to collapse. The class is now in awe, she stands over his immobile body with a smirk-like grin.

"Don't you have a captain meeting to be getting to right about now?" Isaiah says in an aggravated tone.

"I had a feeling you'd try to do something to the new trainee, as soon as I heard the screaming, I knew it could only be you." She says as her face soon turns from a smirk to a disgusted look. She gives me a glance.

"Hey, you doing ok? I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner," she says in a friendly tone. "Yes, I'm fine thanks for the save, you're incredible with your sword!" She chuckles "I'm enough" her smile fades into a straight face. "Let's get you to the infirmary, not many can take attacks from him." I nod and we exit, she throws her blade on the ground upon leaving the room. The whole room is left in awe after the events of what happened.