Singularity

Kira ran but couldn’t get it out of her mind. She managed to locate the showers hoping the water would help. She had been in Michalei’s mind. She saw what he saw, felt what he felt, and when she realized it, she yanked herself away from it. She had no idea it would send him crashing to the floor. But worst of all, he covered for her. She felt frightened and relieved if not a bit confused.

After the shower, Kira went back to her room and hid. Although she managed to sleep a little she was not able to stay asleep. She was up dressed and waiting for Michalei to come for her. She could feel him as he walked closer and pulled open the door just as he was ready to open it.

“What took you so long?” She smiled.

“Very funny,” He replied sarcastically. “I take it you know the routine now?”

“Yep,” She replied as she made her way out into the hall.

“Good,” He said. “Get to it then.”

“Wait, you’re not coming?” She asked surprised.

“Nope, you’re on your own.” He smiled. “I’m sure you can handle it.”

He turned to walk away when she added, “Hey, about last night.”

“Don’t mention it.” He grumbled and kept walking.

“Shit,” She hung her head realizing that she wasn’t going to get an answer.

Kira took off down the hall. She would already have to skip breakfast. She didn’t feel much like eating anyways. All she wanted to do was hit something. She invaded his mind, fine, but that was no reason to treat her so harshly. He must have said something that got her out of trouble and him into it. That was the only logical reason she could come up with.

Kira took her frustration out on her classmates. She jabbed and struck her opponent until the girl lay on the floor defeated. She then made her way across the room to the wall and hung up her practice staff.

“You are ready.” The master stated forcing her to bow.

“Thank you master.” She replied although she had no idea what the woman meant.

“When you clean today choose your weapon. Your training will begin upon your return.” The master stated.

“Return master? From where?” Kira asked head still bowed.

“Tonight you may go home. Tomorrow night you return to new training.” The master stated.

“Thank you master!” She exclaimed.

“You earned it.” The master replied. “Dismissed.”

Kira didn’t hesitate. She quickly walked down the hall to the weapons room completely forgetting everything else. She wanted her weapon and she wanted to go home. She was overwhelmed with excitement. As she cleaned she looked around trying to figure out what felt right in her hands.

Kira tried swords, daggers, staffs, and even a mace. They were all either too bulky or too heavy. She didn’t like any of them. The sword staffs, daggers, and war-scythe felt the same way, uncomfortable to grip and impossible to maneuver. She was about to give up when a leather harness covered in dust caught her attention. She didn’t recall seeing it before when she was cleaning. She lifted it off the rack, dusted it off, and slipped it on buckling the clip in the front.

The first thing Kira noticed was that it held two swords one on each hip. The sheaths were thin near the handle and made of a flexible material she had never seen before. The handles were shaped strangely in the form of an ‘L’. When she pulled the blades free of the sheath they snapped out and formed a wave of flame like curves.

It was like a sword and shield in one deadly combination. Kira twirled them around playfully amused by how light and swift they were. The reversible handle allowed the edge of the blade to protect her forearm in one motion, and in the other she could lash outward, striking with ease. She felt like they belonged to her, an extension of her own arms. She sheathed them and made her way down the hall for lunch.

Kira ate quickly. She was in a hurry to catch up with Michalei in training. Maybe she could beat better answers out of him than he gave her that morning. She strolled into class early with a smile on her face. The rest of the class was right behind her and he showed up late.

“Good afternoon.” He grumbled.

“Good afternoon elder Michalei.” They bowed.

“We’re going to do something different today. I like to call it last man standing.” He smiled.

“This is how it’s going to go. Three of you in a group. The first one to go down sits the rest of the time out. From there I will direct who is left standing into different groups.” He explained.

“You son of a bitch.” Kira muttered.

“Now that you know the rules, let’s go.” He stated.

As the class divided into their groups Kira realized that Michalei just might be avoiding her. She became furious at the thought. With her first punch she dropped her opponent to the floor. The boy scampered over to the wall as the next girl stepped up to take his place. The girl was quick catching Kira in the ribcage with a well placed kick.

Michalei thought for sure Kira was going down. The girl she was up against mercilessly pounded her with one punch after another. Kira stumbled, took a step back, and blocked the next kick that was intended for her knee. She grabbed the girls’ foot and kicked the other leg out from under her. The girl hit the floor hard. Kira stood over her drenched in sweat and blood, breathing heavily.

“Next,” Michalei barked.

Kira found herself up against a large boy. She muttered a few curses as he back handed her splitting open her cheek just under her eye. He went to grab her but she ducked up under his arm and got behind him. She kicked the back of his knee before he could spin around on her causing him to drop on it. She ended him with a drop kick to his shoulder blades sending him face first into the floor.

Kira could feel the next one breathing down her neck. She spun around, fist in the air, and eyes wild. Michalei grabbed her hand before it had a chance to connect.

“Enough Kira.” He said. “You did it. You’re the last one standing.

Breathless, Kira looked around and saw that everyone else was done. It surprised her more than it should have as her frustration and rage melted away. She let her hand fall to her side as she took a deep breath to regain her composure.

“Well done class dismissed.” He said as he released her other hand.

As the room cleared out he said, “Dear goddess Kira you’re bleeding.”

“I’m fine.” She replied trying to shake it off and appear tough.

“No, you’re not. Come with me.” He said nearly dragging her down the hall.

Michalei took Kira further into the complex than she had ever been. She looked around as the room opened up into a large cavern. She could hear rushing water. The entrance was lit by torches as she made her way past them she could see the large tree in the center of the room. It grew out of a solid rock that was in the center of the river. A cool breeze blew the river into ripples as she kneeled before it.

Michalei was frightened when the torches flared up and then went out. Kira reached into the water and splashed it onto her face. When she stood again the torches lit back up. She turned and smiled.

“Thank you,” She said. “What is this place?”

“It’s the courtyard.” He replied as he marveled at the change.

“There’s not a mark on you.” He commented.

“That’s the whole point of healing isn’t it?” She asked with a giggle.

“Look, I’ve got to go. Thank you again.” She said as she headed for the hall.

“You’re welcome. I heard you get to go home.” He commented. “I’ll walk you to the portal.”

“It’s alright. I can find my way out. You’ve been kind enough to me already.” She replied and walked away before he had a chance to say another word.