Chapter 107: Friends [2]
We eventually reach one of the training areas near the edge of Fort Mythos.
A few people are already here practicing with swords while others are using wooden weapons.
Nobody seems interested in what Niko is doing yet, but that will probably change once he starts messing with the armor.
Niko turns towards me.
"Go get changed."
"You're really eager about this."
"I spent time working on it."
"That doesn't make me feel better."
"It should."
Laz laughs.
"It definitely shouldn't."
Niko looks towards him.
"Whose side are you on?" He asks.
"Whichever one is funnier."
"Of course."
I shake my head before heading over towards a small changing area nearby.
The box with the armor was brought over by one of the workers while we were walking here.
I open it again.
The pieces are still mostly black, with a few darker silver sections around the edges.
There isn't anything too heavy.
A chest piece, shoulder guards, smaller pieces for my arms, and protection around the legs.
It looks like Onyx actually considered the way I fight.
Heavy armor would've probably gotten in my way.
I start putting everything on.
The straps are easier to deal with than I expected.
Niko probably did something to them.
After a few minutes I walk back outside.
Laz looks towards me.
"Well, look at you."
"What?"
"You finally look like someone who doesn't want to die."
"I didn't look that bad before."
Niko walks closer and looks over the armor.
"Move your arms."
I lift both of them.
"Any resistance?"
"No."
"Try drawing your sword."
I reach for the weapon.
SHING!
The sword comes free without the shoulder piece getting in the way.
"Again."
I put it back.
Then draw it once more.
SHING!
Still nothing.
Niko nods.
"Good."
"You sound surprised."
"I'm not."
"You definitely sound surprised," Laz says.
Niko looks at him.
"You've been around Kain too long."
"Maybe."
I move my shoulder around.
The armor is definitely heavier than what I'm used to, but it isn't unbearable. Then again, I have never really worn armor.
It feels pretty good though.
But I did expect it to restrict me more.
"It isn't bad."
Niko places a hand over his chest.
"That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
"I said the armor isn't bad."
"Exactly."
Laz laughs again.
I swear they both enjoy annoying me far too much.
"What now?"
Niko looks towards the center of the training area.
"Now we see how well you can move in it."
"That's it?"
"For now."
That last part definitely feels weird to me.
I start walking towards the open area.
Laz follows.
"Want to spar?"
"With you?"
"Unless you're scared."
"You already tried that earlier."
"And it worked."
He's right.
I draw my sword.
Laz reaches for his own.
"Don't go too hard," Niko says.
Laz looks towards him.
"You're telling me that?"
"I'm telling both of you."
I lower myself slightly.
The added weight feels strange.
Not enough to throw me off completely, but enough that I notice it immediately.
I can't believe this is what slayers wear consistently. It is so odd to me.
Laz takes his stance across from me.
"You ready?"
"Yeah."
"Go."
DASH!
Laz comes towards me first and immediately his sword swings towards my side.
CLANG!
I block it and the impact begins to travel through my arms.
My footing shifts slightly.
The armor changes my balance more than I expected.
Laz notices, then he steps forward again.
SLASH!
I move backwards and avoid the next swing.
That was slower. A little to slow, but I'm starting to notice it more.
~Your movement is slightly delayed.
Yeah. That is definitely something I need to work on. It'll take me a good while to get used to wearing armor like this.
~You will adapt.
That I will. It'll just take me longer than I want to admit.
Laz attacks again.
This time I don't move away.
CLANG!
I block, then push his sword aside and step around him.
My own blade stops near his side.
"Got you."
He looks down.
"Yeah, yeah."
I move the sword away and Laz turns.
"Again."
I nod.
We reset, but this time he doesn't rush immediately.
Instead, he watches me.
He is doing the same thing as me now which is quite interesting to see. Laz also seems to be capable of observing mid fight.
The armor still feels different... I need to stop fighting like I'm not wearing it.
That is probably the whole point of this. I can't be fighting like this or else I'll never get used to having armor on.
I shift my feet and quickly go into the Valtor Stance.
Not completely, but it is enough to settle my balance.
Laz smiles.
"There we go."
He comes forward.
CLANG!
CLANG!
Our swords meet twice.
He goes for my shoulder.
I turn instead of stepping back and his weapon hits the armor.
CLANK!
The force still hurts, but nowhere near as much as it would've without it.
I glance towards the shoulder piece.
Laz takes advantage.
THUD!
His hand hits my chest and pushes me backwards.
"Don't admire the armor during the fight."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
I tighten my grip.
"Again."
He laughs.
"That's more like it."
We continue.
The more we move, the more comfortable I get.
The weight becomes easier to predict and I start changing the way I step.
Slightly wider, less unnecessary movement.
When Laz swings high, I duck under it and quickly move towards his side.
He turns quickly.
CLANG!
My sword meets his before he pushes back.
I shift with it instead of fighting the force directly.
Redirect and timing.
The same thing I've been trying to improve for the last year.
I step around his blade.
Then tap the flat of my sword against his chest.
"Again."
Laz looks down.
"You've gotten annoying."
"How?"
"You learn too fast."
"I thought we established that."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it."
Niko claps from the side.
"Beautiful."
We both look towards him.
"What?" I ask.
"The armor didn't break."
"Why would it break?"
"It shouldn't."
"That isn't an answer."
Laz points towards Niko.
"I'm starting to understand why Kain doesn't trust your equipment."
"You people are dramatic."
Niko walks closer.
"How does it feel?"
"Heavier."
"Obviously."
"But manageable."
"Anything catching?"
"No."
"Any pressure around the ribs?"
I move slightly.
"No."
"Good."
He taps the chest piece.
"Then it fits."
I look down at the armor.
I didn't really think I needed something like this.