Shadow Slave: Arcadius of the Forgotten

Sunny frowned, clearly displeased at the announcement that weapons were not going be a part of the training. Cade observed the reaction, suppressing a smile. He'll have plenty of time and better teachers for that, Cade mused.

Of course, Cade could have chosen to train Sunny in the way of the sword anyway. Yet, he understood the significance of Sunny's training with Nephis on the Forgotten Shore.

That experience had been a turning point, shaping Sunny's growth not just as a warrior, but as a person. The bond he'd formed with Changing Star during those lessons had left a lasting imprint on him— one that later played a pivotal role in his life.

Not to mention that Sunny's future battle-style was destined to be built around the foundation laid by Changing Star's teachings— a style he had further honed through rigorous training with Saint and the intricate mastery of Shadow Dance.

Cade had no intentions of interfering with that progression. Disrupting Sunny's natural evolution as a swordsman might do more harm than good.

Finally, Sunny raised an eyebrow at Cade, his tone dripping with skepticism. "You expect me to grapple with Nightmare Creatures without a weapon? Why the Spell would I need to know how to throw a punch or a kick? What am I, a middle-schooler?"

Cade smirked, holding up a finger like a teacher delivering a lesson. "Tell me, Sunny— being as paranoid as you are— do you really think Nightmare Creatures are the only things that you'll be facing in the future?"

"And besides," Cade added, "do you even have a weapon-type Memory in your arsenal?"

Sunny's expression soured. "No," he admitted curtly. "And no."

Cade widened his grin, pressing further. "How, then, do you expect to fight your very first nemesis in the Dream Realm? Surely, you have a plan. Don't tell me you're banking on a weapon-type Memory just magically materializing in your Soul Sea right when you need it the most?"

Sunny tensed slightly, clearly realizing that Cade had a point. And since he didn't have a definitive answer, his Flaw didn't force him to speak.

"See?" Cade continued, his tone patient but firm. "There are plenty of advantages to knowing how to move in a fight— weapon or no weapon. Some people have Aspects that grant them insane physical enhancements. What are you going to do if you come up against one of those guys and you don't know the first thing about hand-to-hand combat? Flail around and hope for the best?"

Cade was obviously thinking about Harus, Bright Lord Gunlaug's sadistic slave and executioner. That hunchbacked monstrosity of a Sleeper had forced Sunny into a brutal fistfight— a fight Sunny had only managed to win thanks to the Moonlight Shard. It had been a narrow victory, teetering on the edge of disaster. Having an advantage in situations like that wouldn't hurt.

Sunny's expression shifted as he nodded, finally convinced and a bit more thoughtful. "Alright, I get it," he admitted reluctantly. "So... how do we proceed?"

Cade smiled. "We proceed with patience," he said, the edges of his smile relaxing. He motioned for Sunny to step closer. "The first step is foundation. Go on— feet apart and shoulders relaxed. Ground yourself."

Cade effortlessly fell into a stance, mirroring the position that he was guiding Sunny into.

Despite keeping a neutral expression, Cade couldn't deny his own surprise at how naturally the unfamiliar posture came to him. It was as though he'd fought countless battles using this very stance, refining it with each clash. The Battle Master Attribute was simply... amazing.

Sunny groaned audibly but followed the instructions, planting his feet and mimicking Cade's stance with exaggerated movements. "This feels ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, an annoyed grimace settling across his face.

Cade observed him carefully for a moment, then broke away from his stance and stepped forward to make adjustments.

With the toe of his boot, he nudged Sunny's left foot back slightly. "Your footing is your anchor. Without it, you'll be swept away before you even know it." He tapped Sunny's knee with a careless flick of his hand. "Bend here. Balance is the key. Think of yourself as a tree."

Sunny snorted, incredulous. "And how am I supposed to move if I'm a tree?"

"An excellent question." Cade stepped back, slipping effortlessly into his own stance once more, fluid and natural. "Trees do not move, but they bend in the wind. They adapt to storms, droughts, floods. A warrior has to be the same— rooted, yet flexible." His gaze met Sunny's steadily. "Try again."

Sunny mirrored his posture, this time with a bit more care, though his expression remained unimpressed. "Still feels stupid," he muttered under his breath.

"Does it?" Cade asked, his tone thoughtful, almost amused. "Tell me, Sunny, what do you think the essence of combat is?"

Sunny hesitated, clearly caught off guard by the sudden question. "I don't know... survival?"

"Partly right," Cade acknowledged with a nod, beginning to circle around him like a patient instructor. His voice was calm but carried a weight of certainty. "But there's a better answer— adaptability."

"Yeah?" Sunny asked, his eyes narrowing as he studied Cade. "How so?"

Cade's expression grew more serious, though his tone remained even. "You never know who you'll fight or under what circumstances. Sometimes, you'll fight simply to protect yourself. In that case, the essence of combat is indeed survival— the instinct to preserve your own life even when everything else is stripped away."

He let the words settle in the air, before continuing. "Other times, you may fight to protect something or someone precious to you. And in those moments, the essence of combat shifts— it's no longer just about survival, but tenacity, willpower, and unwavering determination. It's about fighting with everything you have to keep what you love safe."

Cade paused, the weight of his next words hanging in the air. His voice lowered, taking on a darker, more somber edge. "And sometimes, you fight to kill. To end the life of another. In that moment, the essence of combat is more than just survival or protection. It becomes murder— a cold and calculated choice."

Sunny's jaw tightened as he processed Cade's words. His initial irritation faded, replaced by a creeping sense of unease. "Well, that's... kind of grim," he muttered, his gaze drifting away, slightly uncomfortable.

Cade shrugged nonchalantly, his expression still relaxed, almost detached. "Of course, there are plenty of people who'll tell you differently. What I've shared is just my own perspective. I won't force it on you, Sunny. In fact, I'd like you to come up with your own answer for the question. But for the time being... you'll follow my teaching."

Sunny's eyes relaxed slightly, and he gave a slow nod, the irritation now replaced with something deeper. There was an earnestness in his demeanor, a growing understanding.

Cade's voice grew more serious as he saw the shift. "Combat is many things, Sunny. It is never just one thing. To master it, you have to be ready to adapt to all of its faces."

But before Sunny could react or voice his thoughts, Cade moved in a blur. His body coiled like a spring, and in an instant, he lunged forward. The speed was so blindingly fast that Sunny barely had time to process it before Cade's fist stopped, inches from the side of his head, the air displaced with the force of the motion.

"Hey!" Sunny stumbled backward, his heart racing. His eyes narrowed as he shot Cade an incredulous glare. "What in the Spell was that?"

Cade simply stood there, his stance firm and unyielding, the relaxed expression on his face unwavering.

"A demonstration," he replied, his tone casual. "Your thoughts are too localized, too focused on what's directly in front of you. You're the type of person who concentrates on thinking, on trying to figure out the situation, and forgetting to act. When you're in a fight, thinking alone is not enough. Now, again. Let's see if you can alter your mindset."

Sunny growled low, the sound of frustration rising from deep in his chest. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and without a moment's hesitation, he lunged forward, throwing a wild punch aimed straight at Cade's chest.

Cade, however, swayed to the side with effortless fluidity, his body moving like water in the wind, each motion smooth and precise. His gaze remained calm as he watched the punch sail past him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Too slow," he said quietly. "Your movements are loud and clumsy; much like a charging bull. You'll never hit a good opponent that way. Again."

With a growl of irritation, Sunny swung again, this time with more determination. His fist cut through the air, but Cade was already moving, his body shifting with grace as he dodged the strike once more. Each time Sunny attempted another punch, Cade easily sidestepped, evading the blows as if they were nothing more than a mild breeze. His serene smile never faltered.

Sunny's frustration mounted with each failed attempt. His punches grew more desperate, quicker, but no more precise. The harder he tried, the more futile it felt.

"Stop grinning, you bastard!" Sunny snapped, his voice sharp, his teeth gritted as his frustration reached a boiling point.

Cade, however, remained unfazed, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. "Why should I?" he asked casually, his tone light and teasing. "Combat isn't just about fury and blood. It can be... fun, too."

Sunny gritted his teeth, frustration turning to pure irritation. He swung even harder, putting all his anger into the punch, but Cade simply dodged with ease, effortlessly avoiding the blow once more.

This time, however, Cade moved with lightning speed. He reached out, grabbed Sunny's wrist with a firm grip, and twisted it behind his back. The sudden movement left Sunny with no time to react. He was spun around, his back now to Cade.

"And sometimes," Cade whispered, his voice low in Sunny's ear, "it's about positioning."

Before Sunny could even try to free himself, Cade released his grip, stepping back with the same calm confidence he'd maintained throughout the entire lesson.

Sunny stumbled forward, his chest heaving as he tried to regain his balance. His face was a mixture of anger and disbelief, but after a few seconds, his lip curled into a smirk. "That was cheap, you know?" he muttered, still rubbing his wrist, but a sly grin soon spread across his face. "I liked it."

"Cheap?" Cade raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting into one of mild amusement. "No, Sunny. Not cheap. Effective." He spoke slowly, as if savoring the moment. "You see, your opponent won't play fair. They'll strike when you're unprepared, when you're tired, or when you least expect it."

As he spoke, Cade's foot shot out suddenly with precise, calculated force, sweeping Sunny's legs out from under him. The move was so quick and unexpected that Sunny had no time to brace himself. His body hit the ground with a loud thud, followed by a sharp grunt as the air was knocked from his lungs.

"Damnation!" Sunny cursed under his breath, his words punctuated by a frustrated exhale. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the ceiling in disbelief, his mind processing the sudden shift.

Cade stood above him, his grin widening into something almost devious. "But you knew all about that, didn't you, you treacherous bastard?" he teased, offering a hand to help Sunny up.

Sunny scowled at the outstretched hand, his eyes narrowing. He batted it aside, choosing instead to push himself up with a grunt, his glare fixed firmly on Cade.

"Of course, I did. I'm not an idiot!" he retorted, brushing off the dust from his clothes as he stood upright, clearly more annoyed than hurt.

"Don't hate me, Sunny," Cade said, his tone relaxing. His gaze remained steady, unwavering, as if to remind Sunny that this was all part of the process. "Every stumble teaches you balance. Every failure sharpens your instincts."

For a brief moment, there was a flicker of understanding in Sunny's eyes, though his frustration was still simmering just beneath the surface. He didn't respond, but there was a change in his posture— a subtle shift from resistance to reluctant acceptance.

"Come on, then," Cade said with a nod, "We'll go again."

Sunny hesitated for a moment, but after a long pause, he finally moved, pulling himself back into position. The tension in his body remained, but it was tempered now with an acknowledgment of Cade's words; the unspoken understanding that this was working.

The lesson continued, the rhythm of their movements punctuated by the sharp clash of focus and sweat. As the hours passed, the darkness of night gradually gave way to the light of dawn.

By the end of the lesson, Sunny lay sprawled on the floor, his body aching from the relentless pacing of their training. Cade, on the other hand, stood tall, though even he was clearly exhausted. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he wiped sweat from his brow.

"Gods, that was fun," Cade said, the words dripping with satisfaction. "How come I'm such an awesome teacher? I've never taught anyone a damn thing in my entire life."

Sunny, still gasping for air and groaning between each breath, shot him a glare. "You're a goddamn monster," he muttered, rolling onto his side to ease the strain on his body. "Why didn't you agree to fight that Changing Star? Honestly, I think you could've taken her."

"There was no point," Cade replied, shrugging casually. "Even though I placed at the top of the rankings, most Sleepers probably think that I somehow managed to fool the administrative officers. And with me not taking any combat classes, it just reinforces the idea that I'm all bark and no bite. And frankly, that works in my favor. I just didn't wanna shatter that illusion."

There was obviously the vicious nature of his Flaw, too. Actually, Cade wanted to gain some control over his newfound power as a Sleeper. This routine with an amateur fighter like Sunny would help him there as well.

He hadn't considered that when he had made the offer to Sunny, but now, he welcomed the opportunity— not just to get close to Sunny, but to be able to work on himself too.

Sunny scoffed, a small grin tugging at his lips as he got to his feet. "Gee... you actually get it," he remarked, dusting himself off. "I guess you're not as dumb as you look. Anyway, let's get out of here before someone sees us."

Cade smiled as Sunny rose from the ground. He nodded and, without another word, both of them made their quiet exit from the dojo, slipping into the shadows.