Three Hundred And Eighty-Six

Three Hundred And Eighty-Six

“So, we should begin.” Ulfuric rumbled, and beside me, Motoko and Natsumi were radiating excitement.

“I have been waiting for this. We have not been idle during your absence, have we Natsumi?” Motoko said fondly, clutching the replica of her precious heirloom spear, Gurenyari, that our craftsmen had whipped up for her.

“No we haven’t.” Natsumi agreed with a bright smile. She had a crafted copy of the Tsumura Arts katana, Utsuroihebi, as well as a version of the bow Hebihikoukiba over her shoulders. “We have missed you, but we didn’t want to remain idle. So we’ve been putting in the effort.”

“Tsumura Arts, you told us they were designed for modern, ether-starved battlefields. Though modern is clearly a relative term.” Motoko’s smile matched Natsumi’s. “Sword, bow and spear are clearly unsuited for modern warfare. Or at least they were. Perhaps a sword will never match a gun, but we still have no wish to let our Arts fade into obscurity.”

“The bow will never be entirely obsolete, no-no.” Shaeraggo said then perhaps reassuring them. “These guns that Ixitt is creating, they are effective yes, though they lack-lack romance.” His expression twisted into a sneer, fangs showing. “They will work wonders against trash, but they lack League.”

“Yes, I concur. However, they are a greatly valuable tool in our arsenal. I would rather like to equip the Way-Wardens with such, but that is a matter I cannot meddle in.” Ulfuric agreed. “It is not merely strength and toughness that decides one’s survival, but the League of one’s being.” He lectured us seriously. Shaeula, who obviously knew some of this, was merely nodding beside us, carrying a hastily crafted training sword similar in style to her Mortal Fragarach.

“A feeble goblin of the Wild Hunt may be a threat to the average Fae, but against those with firm Leagues, even were they armed with such firearms they would fail to be a challenge. The purest form of League is expressed with one’s body and aether, producing maximum effect. Then, wielding weapons that are an extension of one’s body still produce a great effect. Swords, axes, spears, maces... they transmit most of one’s League.”

“Bows are a little less efficient.” Shaeraggo admitted. “But as a weapon largely using one’s own-own strength and grace, they are still imbued with one’s might, and are the most suitable weapon for hunters and crafty warriors. Your sister knows this, no?”

Aiko, huh? I nodded. “She does like your bow. She brags about it a lot.”

“Of course. It is an excellent weapon.” He agreed. “Now, I have heard of your human crossbows. These strip away the largest need for one’s own strengths. The league they transmit is poor-poor. But these guns, they take away almost all of this. Merely aim and pull a trigger. So the League they communicate is paltry.”

“However, they make up for that by being terribly strong, do they not-not, my brother?” Shaeula interjected, and he sighed.

“Yes, that is true. These bullets are far-far more damaging than an average arrow. So you see, they most definitely have their uses.” Shaeraggo continued. “Against the average opponent, these guns are peerless, much-much as I hate to concede. They require far less training than to master the bow, and will outrange and outpace all but the most skilled archers. Even against decently powerful foes, weight of firepower will accumulate damage and bring them down. But against foes such as our father, or the fell Fomorians, the League will be too low, they will be quite-quite useless.”

“I am not-not certain that is true, brother.” Shaeula turned to us. “League is important, most definitely. But power also matters. Stronger weapons such as missiles and bombs, huge-huge, powerful explosives, and more... yes, League would mitigate these effects strongly, as they would carry almost no-no League within them, but their sheer power would still make them a threat. There will be a place for them in the battlefield. But not-not just them...” she looked at the girls and her siblings happily. “... no-no, combining the mortal ways with the ways of us Fae will yield the best results. So we train.” As she finished she let out a squeal as Shaeranna swept her into a crushing hug, her face melting with happy emotions.

“Oh, my Ula, you have grown so much, a great deal!” As she squeezed, Shaeula started tapping her arms frantically. “I am so happy to see it, greatly overjoyed. Yes, it pleases me you have finally shown an interest in such matters. Together we can train under master Ulfuric, just as a child of our father should!”

“Sure, but let her go now, I think you’re smothering her.” I laughed, and as Shaeranna sheepishly released Shaeula, we burst into laughter at the red-faced expression she bore.

“Do not-not treat me like a child, Anna. Not-not in front of Akio and the others.” Shaeula pouted, before brushing her armoured Brigandine down. “Now, my point is, just-just as I also have my pinwheels, you two should master other weapons as well.” She addressed Motoko and Natsumi. “It will not-not hurt for you to learn guns as well.”

“I agree. And it isn’t even as though such weapons aren’t classic in Japan. The Shogunate used them in wars.”

At my words the two exchanged glances, and they nodded. They then revealed they each had a pair of weapons, a long, sleek rifle and a smaller pistol.

“Ixitt made these for us. They are the new prototypes, much closer in function to modern weapons, though they are designed to utilise elemental energies like the previous ones.” Motoko said, and Natsumi added her own comments.

“Yes, we love Tsumura Arts, but we also want to be useful. If we have to add to the Arts, they are still the Arts passed down to Motoko and then on to me. We won’t let pride make us liabilities. We know what you fought in Kyoto, in London.”

“Well said!” I approved, giving them both a brief hug. After that contact, when we separated, Ulfuric cleared his throat.

“Very well. We shall finish the lecture now. Tsumura Arts are clearly a systematic style honed over many long years, but a skilled warrior can see the flaws. They are not unlike the combat arts of the Seelie, yet they have been rearranged multiple times over passing of time.”

“Indeed, once it was pointed out to us, we could clearly see it. After all, they are to fit a lack of aether, are they not?” Motoko agreed. “So those who took up their weapons would be physically weaker, slower and unable to manifest elements and abilities. Therefore pure physical conditioning and repetitive training would be needed to cover for such deficiencies. But it would also not be necessary to fight against such abilities too, so certain branches of skill would atrophy, unneeded and untrained.”

“That is correct. Well done.” Ulfuric praised her. “But what was redone and lost can be repaired and relearned. The Tsumura Style has issues when used with your current abilities. It is too changed, and therefore cannot take advantage of your greater options.” Ulfuric looked at me then, before smiling, which was a fairly terrifying sight. Damn, Ulfuric is still intimidating. I can feel I probably out-match him in stats by a decent margin, but I’m not confident I’d beat him in a battle. Skill is a big gap to bridge. “Shaeranna, if you would spar with Akio here? I want you to demonstrate the flaws in being too adapted to a situation.”

“Of course, master Ulfuric!” Shaeranna grabbed her spear, taking up a stance. She then grinned wolfishly at me. “There is nothing personal, it is not my pleasure. This is simply a demonstration. And a way to make you more suitable for my Ula. She needs a strong man, powerful husband.”

“Yeah sure, I get it.” I said dryly, remembering the drubbing she had dished out to me before. I retrieved a training spear, took a few test swings to ascertain the balance, and then took a stance. Immediately Shaeranna thrust towards me, and I realised I could now confidently match her speed, even without Body Enhancement. Her spear moved rapidly, despite her feet remaining perfectly positioned and stationary, giving her a firm base for a strike, and I reacted by instinct, the training Ulfuric had beaten into me by repetition coming to my mind. From the speed of that and the angle, the best option would be to strike down to the left, as it’s the fastest counter I can do and minimises risk... Even as I moved my feet, spear darting out, Shaeranna’s triumphant grin and Ulfuric’s wry expression warned me I was making a mistake. Yes, being too predictable is a definite weakness...

Shaeranna’s feet shifted, and her spear picked up speed. I dodged, redirecting my own strike, and the spear shafts shuddered as they made contact. Shaeranna flinched, the shock numbing her hands, and I relied on pure speed to dodge her thrust. Two best options from here. I could stab her leg, it looks vulnerable, or go for a thrust to the throat and finish it...

Shaeranna suddenly moved in a completely unexpected way, making a move that a spear-wielder of such skill should never have made. She released her spear and twisted aside, my thrust missing her leg, though I pulled it back so it was aimed at her stomach, a swift move I could make with minimum effort. As I struck, her hand caught the shaft of my spear, and her muscles locked. I decided the best thing to do was to break her balance, and my leg swung out, only to be met by a punch from her free hand. She let out a yelp of pain, but then her head swung at me. I dipped my own head so her blow struck bone, and she cried out, but even with that I was stunned for a moment.

“Enough!” Ulfuric ordered, and with that we both pulled back. Shaeranna was rubbing at her head, tears in her eyes, and so I reached out, offering her Ether Healing. She paused for a second, before letting me heal her pain.

“So, what did we learn?” Ulfuric asked Motoko, Natsumi and Shaeula.

“I see the similarities between some of those stances and Tsumura Arts.” Motoko said first. “It makes sense, as there are only a finite amount of moves available before they are simply variations.”

“Akio is certainly making the most efficient moves, just like he did in the fight against David Reckless.” Natsumi mused. “But there’s more to combat than being efficient and direct. The basics are important, but...”

“Akio, he is leveraging his great-great strength and speed.” Shaeula finished. “It makes up for his deficiencies. He does not-not lack skill, if anything it is quite the opposite, but...”

“Arashisaisentan!” Natsumi declared, her practise sword swinging at me. It was a move that I would have made, again, an extremely efficient one, striking from the shortest distance at the most vital point, but that meant I could predict it. However... There was a brief surge of emerald winds, and the blade twisted, moving away from the expected target area, making movements that would be impossible just from her muscles and reflexes, in the stance she was currently in.

“Nice try.” I deflected the strike, though it did require far higher reaction speed and agility than Natsumi was able to display. Seeing that, I grinned. I think I can improve on that. “My turn! Arashisaisentan triple!” My own practise sword swung out, but in addition to moving the blade with wind to suddenly attack an exposed area, two more rippling blades of wind mirroring the initial strike appeared. Obviously I made sure the winds were blunted, not using vibration, but Natsumi’s eyes widened. She managed to parry the first blade by using her own wind to turn her sword, but the actual practise sword and the second wind blade struck her gently.

“I lose.” Natsumi declared, rubbing at the slight bruises she had suffered, lowering her sword. “It was good, but wouldn’t it be easier just to bombard me with wind if you are using the element that way?”

“I see-see.” Shaeula said, realising what I was doing. “Perhaps, yes, but it does remind me of some of our earlier battles, does it not-not?” Shaeula was practising with her own replica sword, sparring with several Kamaitachi, their jade sickle-blades used as their weapons. “It certainly is easier to strike with blades of wind...” she demonstrated, a volley soaring out, ripping furrows in the floor of the training grounds. “... but a competent foe-foe would deflect them. Whereas as a feint...” this time she unleashed her blades, but more gashes ripped through the floor, far away from the verdant energies.

“That’s right. They are a feint, setting up for a fatal strike.” I agreed. As Motoko watched, Natsumi took up her sword, and I slowly performed the move, limiting my speed. Natsumi parried all three strikes, only to stumble as her legs were struck by an attack she couldn’t see. As she fell to her knees I helped her up, using Ether Healing on her fresh bruises.

“It looked to me like you were struck by an invisible impact.” Motoko observed. “Can I face one?” she asked, hefting her spear. With a nod, I created a similar attack, five visible blades of green moving slowly, and several with the glow suppressed. Motoko fought off what she could see, and then her eyes widened. She ducked, but was still struck on one shoulder and her thigh. As she rubbed at her own new bruises I healed her too.

“I felt it, the air moving. But by then it was too late to dodge.” Motoko observed.

“That’s right. It takes a lot of practise and more elemental energy to suppress the natural glow, but it’s possible.” I explained. “Wind element definitely has a lot of applications with Tsumura style combat. With both spear and sword you favour fast, unpredictable attacks.”

“The downside is, we lack power.” Motoko admitted. “Breaking strong defences such as heavy armour, we rely on shifting attacks to strike at joints and other weak points.”

“That’s right.” Natsumi agreed. “I don’t know if it’s because the need for our skills changed over the years and our culture. Japanese armour differs from the heavier Western armour, with more gaps within the plates, relying on their manoeuvrability rather than durability.”

“I think so.” Motoko agreed. “The fundamentals never change, but with the lack of aether and elements, as well as cultural shifts and different opponents, Tsumura Arts have shifted.” She looked at Natsumi, who nodded. “But what has shifted can be shifted back. Even if it is not what it was before, it will still be Tsumura Arts, our Tsumura Arts.”

“That’s right!” Natsumi agreed. “Even though we don’t know everything, and so much has been lost, we have many experts here. We can build something special, together.”

“That is correct.” Ulfuric agreed. “Knowing what you are deficient in and being willing and able to change it is important. Tsumura Arts are indeed reliant on speed and precision, as well as feints. That is the way of wind element. But the foundation is sure.” Now it was Ulfuric’s turn to demonstrate some forms, drawing on the ruby light of earth element to increase the weight and cutting power of his swings. Motoko and Natsumi watched greedily, as did I.

“Let me try that. Arashisaisentan triple crush!” I ignored the snigger from Shaeula, knowing I wasn’t great at naming moves. This time I used both earth element to add significant weight to the swing momentarily, as well as the blades of wind. Once the debris had settled, I nodded.

“So yeah, I think there might well be other elements better for strengthening a swing, but earth would be a good one to add to your repertoire. Though learning it will be a pain, as it’ll clash with the wind you already know.” I pointed out. “For now though, we’ll work on using wind properly.”

“Do not forget archery.” Shaeraggo said. “I would not-not like you to neglect it.”

Motoko laughed. “Very well, Natsumi, continue with the sword. I shall use the bow for now. Adding wind to our shots... I think I see how it works. Just like Arashisaisentan, divert and strike a vulnerable spot.”

“Akio, please continue to spar with me!” Natsumi declared. “You’ve given me some ideas. I hope you’ve gained some too.”

“I have.” I said, raising my practice sword. “Combining the sword with martial arts...” I nodded to her, and Natsumi bowed gracefully. We exchanged a storm of blows, Natsumi alternating strikes at my vitals with clever feints, often using wind. She was running dry, the effort exhausting her, but I found it educational. I see it. Just like programming, there’s multiple ways to get the desired result. What is the best way can be improved upon by further enhancements, and changes in the order of things... just like an If-Then type of loop. Paying attention to my footwork, I used my elbow to block Natsumi’s arm, a move that was not exactly optimal, but doing so was something she didn’t expect, and it opened up the opportunity for a number of potential finishing blows. I then chose to strike multiple blows at once with sword and wind blades, and Natsumi was defeated.

“That was clever.” She approved, dusting herself off again as I offered her my hand. I pulled her up once more, and she started replicating my attacks. “I see. You stopped my movements, leaving me open. It is a little similar to some skills I’ve learned, but...” she looked at Ulfuric, who nodded.

“Yes, that is the style of combat I favour. While I am the master of every weapon that the Fae uses, I am like most badgerkin. We like to tear our foes apart with our own hands.” He flexed his massive, burly fingers. “Wrestling and brawling is something I excel in. But to use it properly, against an opponent with a weapon... it is a challenge.”

“Yes, there’s only so much you can do against an opponent with greater reach.” I agreed. “But that’s not to say you can’t use your body to an advantage.”

“Like this.” Natsumi swung her sword at me suddenly, and as I went to block it her leg snaked out, trying to trap me. I saw it coming though, and my own leg hooked hers, pulling her over. She fell into my embrace, dropping her sword, giggling happily. “Oh no, you defeated me.” She said, and Motoko, who was imbuing her launched arrows with wind element to both increase their speed, and also allow her to give them non-linear trajectories, looked back with an exasperated expression.

“Do try to focus, Natsumi. This time is precious.”

“I know it is. That’s why I’m making the most of it.” She giggled, hugging me for a little while longer, before retrieving the fallen sword. “Well, shall we continue?”

********

“Not bad.” Ulfuric said, as Motoko grounded her spear, leaning on it, exhausted. “We should take a rest. Your stamina is far from limitless, and trying to learn too much at once is counterproductive.”

I nodded. “Yes, your stats are decent, but there is a limit.” I agreed. We had been sparring and learning from Ulfuric for many hours. Even with the flow of time as it was here again, Motoko and Natsumi would be going to school tomorrow with little rest. We had attracted quite the audience, and since it was the first time we had all been together in the Boundary for a while, I let it slide. I suppose one late night won’t hurt. Everyone has at least some stat boosts after all...

“You have sharpened your combat senses noticeably.” Ulfuric praised me, and I agreed.

“Yes, it’s a slow process, you’re right, my talent for martial arts isn’t that high. But at least I learnt a little from watching videos on the internet before I started training with you, so I’m not a complete novice. I definitely understand what you and David were trying to tell me now. And...” I looked at Motoko and Natsumi, grinning triumphantly. “... I got Tsumura Arts at Rank one.”

At that, their eyes went wide. “Congratulations.” Shaeula said to them. “You can rest-rest easy, knowing your chosen male truly embraces all you love.”

Motoko nodded, her eyes misting up, while Natsumi quivered a little. I opened my mouth to say something soothing, when I turned, something flying at me at high speed. I turned and caught the projectile, which in fact was a rushing Hyacinth, in my arms. I opened my mouth, only for my words to fail me, as she looked at me triumphantly, her eyes shimmering violet, a broad smile on her face.

“I have dooone it! The mushrooms, they are now one. They are nooot pairs as I thought, but... connection is the key! Hyacinth found that they are all ooone mushroom, despite being in many booodies!” she barely paused for breath. “The Ring Gate, it will nooow open! Hyacinth, she has done well, nooo?” As she nuzzled me, equal parts exhausted and ecstatic, I nodded dumbly. That was fast. I expected it to take at least a few days. But now... If that Gate could open, then we could return to London, and put the next part of our plan into operation, potentially the most critical one, if it worked as expected...