My history is boring, but hers … now that sounds like something I definitely want to dive into.
Five yearsago
“Faster!”my sensei barks while I swoop my stick around and knock the dummy off balance.
Sweat drips down my forehead as I fling the katana around and around, trying my best to be as fast as he is.
“C’mon, Blaine. You gotta put more effort into this if you want to get as good as I am,” he grits.
I know I need to perform better than my best. There’s no other option. No other choice.
I owe it to Ares to be the strongest I can be so I can fight for him when he needs it to repay the debt.
SLICE!
With a quick slash, I cut through the dummy’s head and knock it off.
“There you go,” my sensei says, clapping his hands. “See? You can do it if you put your mind to it.”
But his appreciation isn’t the only reason I want to get strong.
I need to become someone no one can ever beat, no matter the cost.
I have nothing left in my life to give to the guy who saved me, so the only gift I can give him is my life itself.
My sensei snaps his fingers. “Again.”
When my training is done, I head to the showers and rinse off the sweat and hard work.
The door squeaks. “I see you had your daily bout of fun again.”
“Is there anything you need, Ares?” I ask, lathering myself with soap.
He always comes to watch during my training at the dojo, but never this late.
“I’m just wondering why you refuse to use a gun instead of such a clunky weapon,” he murmurs while looking at my katana lying on top of my clothes.
“I’m proud of what I do,” I reply.
“A gun would kill so much faster,” he responds.
So I tilt my head as I look him straight in the eyes and say, “But a gun wouldn’t allow me to taste my victim’s blood on my tongue like a savage killer, now would it?”
He snorts, and we exchange vicious smiles.
“Dad’s asked if you can accompany us tonight. He’s striking a deal with a new party in town. Don’t know if they’re trustworthy. We need the extra defense.”
I wash off the soap and turn off the shower.
“Your father asked for me?”
He nods. “I guess it’s finally time to put those skills of yours to the test.”
A grin slowly spreads on my cheeks as I wrap my towel around my waist. “Cutting into wood is exciting but not half as thrilling as cutting into flesh.”
He flashes a gun behind his back. “Want to count bodies?”
Present