Formless Like Water Ⅱ
Continued from here!
Koto was very eager to practice, tracing the movements with the guidance of Sojin. The first technique was simple enough for him to grasp, attacking with spins and circular motions. They used a nearby tree as a simulated foe for Koto to practice on, Koto hoping to refine his movements quickly in order to move like Sojin did.
It was harder than he thought though, as he was not used to being this....this poised with his sword. He had a rough style of combat, namely being to stab the enemy before they could stab you first and it worked for him, but this was far more difficult than he first imagined. His body was not used to such movements and it felt awkward to the viper as he curved and slashed, spun and struck against the tree.
Sojin was watching intently to see where Koto would need the most work. He gave ample instruction, guiding Koto's movements to foster healthy growth with the technique. "Focus Koto" he demanded, swatting at the nobleman with the sheath of his sword, Koto hissing from it.
"What do you think I'm trying to do Sojin, this isn't as easy for me as you think." he hissed back with a sigh. Sojin shook his head then pulled Koto back into the openness of the clearing. Sitting down he laid his sword across his lap and motioned for Koto to do the same.
"You are too rigid and thinking too hard about being good at the technique on your first try. You need to surrender to the element you are trying to emulate within your sword strokes." he noted, stilling his breathing. Koto looked at him as he joined Sojin, matching how he sat, his blade laid across his lap as well.
Sojin was a little unsure of how to handle this task he had undertaken. On one hand, he was not certain if Koto could handle his training, as he was somewhat of an impulsive child in nature. A warrior like Koto would eventually lead to a reckless death and he knew that hence the reason he was but in Sojin's care in the first place. That wasn't something Sojin could allow to happen, so he felt compelled to help build him up.
On the other hand, Sojin couldnt help but find his rash and almost aggressive demeanor amusing, plus he was the son of the man that save Sojin from a life of depravity, and that just made the warrior's decision easier. That being said he wouldn't let his guard down, keeping his flamming orbs trained on the terrain as they were out in the middle of nowhere.
He looked to Kotoru who had been patiently waiting for Sojin yo speak. He had an idea of what he wanted to do, or at least try to do as far as the nobleman's training, but he wasn't sure if Koto could handle it as it would be out of his comfort zone. He wasn't sure how receptive the little viper would be to it but he would give it a try.
Koto knew Sojin was not a teacher, and he knew that whatever was to come next he would do his best to achieve results, but he was good at demonstrating. He would do his best to ensure some good came of this endeavor. "This way of the sword will not be an easy one I can guarantee you that. But if you manage to overcome your own hindrances you will be better off in the battle to come." he teased, his tone playful and yet stern and serious.
"If you are going to master this way of the sword, you must release this impulsive nature behind, and embrace what it means to be Formless like Water. Until you are able to do so, you will never master this art." he informed, the words slicing deep into Koto's pride and soul. His head hung low for a bit, but he knew he was right.
"I know but I am willing to learn. If this will make me a better warrior then I will do what I must in order to achieve greatness." Koto noted, bowing endearingly to Sojin, hoping he could see the genuine want to change and learn. With a chuckle, Sojin nodded.
"Empty your mind, and become like the water. Still and calm like the unbroken surface of the ocean." he instructed, watching Koto as he began to enter a meditative trance. It was like summoning an archetype. It was different this time though, as he entered that place, the water was clear and crystal blue.
It extended far beyond what he could see, and it was loud and crashing, waves splashing around him in violent fashion. "Calm yourself, you should feel the waters of your consciousness wax and wane before subsiding into stillness. You won't be able to fight with this style till this can be achieved, so concentrate."
Sojin words weren't helping his frustration, as he was trying his best to take control of his turbulent consciousness. He found himself being taken by the current of the crashing waves around him, becoming trapped in the turbulence of it all. He couldn't believe he was failing at something so simple as this.
Then that's when he heard the voice of his mother. "Relax my little serpent prince, it's not as complicated as you are making it. Remember how it feels to bask in the ebb and flow of the waters back home. basking in the cool embrace as they rock you into a state of peace."
Her words rang true, allowing himself to let go of control and allow the flow to overtake him. It was like a storm had passed as the raging rapids of the waters of his mind soon soothed into a calming ripple, the cool embrace of the liquid overtaking him. He could feel the water on his fingertips and how the ripples danced across them.
Standing on the surface of the water, he extended his hand as a sword made of crystal blue water formed in it. He could see several humanoid figures as they appeared out of the water, one by one charging at him. Calm and collected, he deflected the first strike, flowing with the momentum of the strike, and moving around them and slashing then in a circular arc down the back.
The next one came, leaping to deliver an ariel strike, Koto blocking that one allowing its momentum to fuel Koto's circular turn into a slash across the neck of the warrior. The last and final enemy came rushing him, and their aquatic blades clashed, circular strikes singing against each other.
it was beautiful, a true dance of the blade as Koto spun and flowed, riding the momentum of his opponent's strikes, countering his own. As the two collides in battle, the water around them splashed and waves as if in tune with their attacks. The dance was short though, as Koto was able to land a slash across the enemy's torso with a circular spin.
As the final enemy fell, he found himself opening his eyes, the water subsiding and pulling back into reality. It seemed his trance was reenacted within the clearing, sides of his fight clear as day on the trees around him. A big smile was plastered on his face, Sojin chuckling as he patted Koto on the shoulder.
"I think I got the hang of it now, once I was able to really focus and become like water. I can't believe I did this, this is so cool. Thank you for this Sojin." he said with an excited sigh.
Now came the fun part, relaxing as his body was throbbing from their earlier sparring. Under the pain and throbbing of his body collapsed onto the cool of the grassy floor looking up to the sky as the sun of the season warmed his azure scales and skin. His half-naked body sprawled out as the pain covered him like a blanket. "That.....shit......hurt!" he said in sprained breathes. "I...dont....see....how...you...do.....this?" he said, chuckling as Sojin came to rest next to him.
"Its the price one pays for being an effective warrior, you will come to get used to the pain, it will make you stronger trust me." he said laying down next to Koto. It was really a good day for Koto, sparring with Sojin, learning a new sword style. That thought alone, that was the silver lining for him.
Eyes struggling to stay open, he saw as Sojin came to lay next to him. He was in no condition to refuse the other from crowding his space. Nestling his head into the soft grass he began to drift into sleep. "Thanks for today" he whispered, tapping Sojin on the chest as he began falling deep into a much need rest.
Sojin chuckled, knowing that this was a good start to mellowing out the little viper, which would make things a whole lot easier in the days to come.
"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Sojin Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
Searing 8th, Year 120, A.o.S
Continued from here!
Koto was very eager to practice, tracing the movements with the guidance of Sojin. The first technique was simple enough for him to grasp, attacking with spins and circular motions. They used a nearby tree as a simulated foe for Koto to practice on, Koto hoping to refine his movements quickly in order to move like Sojin did.
It was harder than he thought though, as he was not used to being this....this poised with his sword. He had a rough style of combat, namely being to stab the enemy before they could stab you first and it worked for him, but this was far more difficult than he first imagined. His body was not used to such movements and it felt awkward to the viper as he curved and slashed, spun and struck against the tree.
Sojin was watching intently to see where Koto would need the most work. He gave ample instruction, guiding Koto's movements to foster healthy growth with the technique. "Focus Koto" he demanded, swatting at the nobleman with the sheath of his sword, Koto hissing from it.
"What do you think I'm trying to do Sojin, this isn't as easy for me as you think." he hissed back with a sigh. Sojin shook his head then pulled Koto back into the openness of the clearing. Sitting down he laid his sword across his lap and motioned for Koto to do the same.
"You are too rigid and thinking too hard about being good at the technique on your first try. You need to surrender to the element you are trying to emulate within your sword strokes." he noted, stilling his breathing. Koto looked at him as he joined Sojin, matching how he sat, his blade laid across his lap as well.
Sojin was a little unsure of how to handle this task he had undertaken. On one hand, he was not certain if Koto could handle his training, as he was somewhat of an impulsive child in nature. A warrior like Koto would eventually lead to a reckless death and he knew that hence the reason he was but in Sojin's care in the first place. That wasn't something Sojin could allow to happen, so he felt compelled to help build him up.
On the other hand, Sojin couldnt help but find his rash and almost aggressive demeanor amusing, plus he was the son of the man that save Sojin from a life of depravity, and that just made the warrior's decision easier. That being said he wouldn't let his guard down, keeping his flamming orbs trained on the terrain as they were out in the middle of nowhere.
He looked to Kotoru who had been patiently waiting for Sojin yo speak. He had an idea of what he wanted to do, or at least try to do as far as the nobleman's training, but he wasn't sure if Koto could handle it as it would be out of his comfort zone. He wasn't sure how receptive the little viper would be to it but he would give it a try.
Koto knew Sojin was not a teacher, and he knew that whatever was to come next he would do his best to achieve results, but he was good at demonstrating. He would do his best to ensure some good came of this endeavor. "This way of the sword will not be an easy one I can guarantee you that. But if you manage to overcome your own hindrances you will be better off in the battle to come." he teased, his tone playful and yet stern and serious.
"If you are going to master this way of the sword, you must release this impulsive nature behind, and embrace what it means to be Formless like Water. Until you are able to do so, you will never master this art." he informed, the words slicing deep into Koto's pride and soul. His head hung low for a bit, but he knew he was right.
"I know but I am willing to learn. If this will make me a better warrior then I will do what I must in order to achieve greatness." Koto noted, bowing endearingly to Sojin, hoping he could see the genuine want to change and learn. With a chuckle, Sojin nodded.
"Empty your mind, and become like the water. Still and calm like the unbroken surface of the ocean." he instructed, watching Koto as he began to enter a meditative trance. It was like summoning an archetype. It was different this time though, as he entered that place, the water was clear and crystal blue.
It extended far beyond what he could see, and it was loud and crashing, waves splashing around him in violent fashion. "Calm yourself, you should feel the waters of your consciousness wax and wane before subsiding into stillness. You won't be able to fight with this style till this can be achieved, so concentrate."
Sojin words weren't helping his frustration, as he was trying his best to take control of his turbulent consciousness. He found himself being taken by the current of the crashing waves around him, becoming trapped in the turbulence of it all. He couldn't believe he was failing at something so simple as this.
Then that's when he heard the voice of his mother. "Relax my little serpent prince, it's not as complicated as you are making it. Remember how it feels to bask in the ebb and flow of the waters back home. basking in the cool embrace as they rock you into a state of peace."
Her words rang true, allowing himself to let go of control and allow the flow to overtake him. It was like a storm had passed as the raging rapids of the waters of his mind soon soothed into a calming ripple, the cool embrace of the liquid overtaking him. He could feel the water on his fingertips and how the ripples danced across them.
Standing on the surface of the water, he extended his hand as a sword made of crystal blue water formed in it. He could see several humanoid figures as they appeared out of the water, one by one charging at him. Calm and collected, he deflected the first strike, flowing with the momentum of the strike, and moving around them and slashing then in a circular arc down the back.
The next one came, leaping to deliver an ariel strike, Koto blocking that one allowing its momentum to fuel Koto's circular turn into a slash across the neck of the warrior. The last and final enemy came rushing him, and their aquatic blades clashed, circular strikes singing against each other.
it was beautiful, a true dance of the blade as Koto spun and flowed, riding the momentum of his opponent's strikes, countering his own. As the two collides in battle, the water around them splashed and waves as if in tune with their attacks. The dance was short though, as Koto was able to land a slash across the enemy's torso with a circular spin.
As the final enemy fell, he found himself opening his eyes, the water subsiding and pulling back into reality. It seemed his trance was reenacted within the clearing, sides of his fight clear as day on the trees around him. A big smile was plastered on his face, Sojin chuckling as he patted Koto on the shoulder.
"I think I got the hang of it now, once I was able to really focus and become like water. I can't believe I did this, this is so cool. Thank you for this Sojin." he said with an excited sigh.
Now came the fun part, relaxing as his body was throbbing from their earlier sparring. Under the pain and throbbing of his body collapsed onto the cool of the grassy floor looking up to the sky as the sun of the season warmed his azure scales and skin. His half-naked body sprawled out as the pain covered him like a blanket. "That.....shit......hurt!" he said in sprained breathes. "I...dont....see....how...you...do.....this?" he said, chuckling as Sojin came to rest next to him.
"Its the price one pays for being an effective warrior, you will come to get used to the pain, it will make you stronger trust me." he said laying down next to Koto. It was really a good day for Koto, sparring with Sojin, learning a new sword style. That thought alone, that was the silver lining for him.
Eyes struggling to stay open, he saw as Sojin came to lay next to him. He was in no condition to refuse the other from crowding his space. Nestling his head into the soft grass he began to drift into sleep. "Thanks for today" he whispered, tapping Sojin on the chest as he began falling deep into a much need rest.
Sojin chuckled, knowing that this was a good start to mellowing out the little viper, which would make things a whole lot easier in the days to come.
"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Sojin Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
