Hand to hand combat

Naz looked up in surprise.

'You want to learn hand to hand combat?' he asked incredulously. Most Espers disdained close combat fighting.

What was the point of learning that when they could just stand at a distance and blast enemies into oblivion?

To most Espers, hand to hand combat was a waste of time!

Why then did the new kid want to learn hand to hand combat?

Qana too was nearby, sharpening her curved scimitar. She raised her head and snorted. 'Hmph, the captain isn't the only Pugilist in the camp. I'm one too!'

Luther had learned that Qana was a member of the Quill race, a humanoid race with porcupine-like hair.

Their racial talent was their ability to raise their hair into spikes and fire them at will.

Apart from her racial talent, Qana was a Pugilist too and unlike the captain who preferred using his fists, she favored her sharp scimitar.

Naz though scoffed. 'I'm the strongest Pugilist here. Besides, I'm also the best close combat fighter here! Who else should he ask for pointers?'

Yoselin, who was sitting on the hood of the desert buggy, also spoke. 'I know a thing or two about close combat too!'

Simultaneously, Naz and Qana yelled, 'Shut up!'

Yoselin covered her mouth, hiding a smile. There was no way the two Pugilists in the squad were going to let her impose on their area of expertise.

After all, she was just an Esper with an earth related superpower.

Naz rose up from the rock he sat on and cracked his knuckles. 'Well kid, what would you like to know?'

'Basics please. Oh and self-defense too,' Luther replied.

Naz nodded and walked to an open area before assuming a basic boxing stance. 'Come here and do this too. This is a basic stance for beginners.

Tilt your body a bit… no, not like that. Yes, that's it.

Very good, now put your left foot forward and put your fists up. Your right fist should be about four inches from your jaw and your left fist diagonally underneath.

Good!

Make sure that only the side of your body faces your opponent.

In close combat, you want to prevent your enemy from having full access to your body. By being aligned to the side, it's easier for you to dodge.'

Luther followed Naz's instructions as Naz patiently corrected his stance.

'Kid, that's not how we make a fist. You'll break your fingers that way. Do it like this instead, here, let your thumb cross your index and middle finger.

Remember, you're hitting with your knuckles!

Good.

I'll show you a standard punching routine of seven moves. That will be more than enough for you.

As you're not a Pugilist, I can't teach you the rest.

I'll leave the kicking aspect to Qana.'

Naz took the boxing stance and exhaled deeply. Before each punch, he inhaled deeply and released the punch with a forceful exhale.

The desert air churned from the force of his punches, stirring up large billows of red sand.

'When you throw a punch, don't forget to guard your face! Always keep your hands up and your chin tucked to prevent your enemy from knocking your jaw off.'

Luther nodded and practiced the boxing routine Naz had taught him, throwing fluid and clear punches which sent gusts of wind and red sand.

Satisfied with how easy Luther had caught on, Naz retreated to the side and observed, offering occasional advice.

'Alright, end it here and conserve your strength. You shouldn't overtax your body,' Naz patted Luther on the shoulder firmly after an hour.

'Thanks captain,' Luther said gratefully.

'Can I take him through kicks now?' Qana asked excitedly but Naz shook his head.

'Knock it off. We'll be receiving a mission very soon so we have to be at our peak. All of you, get ready to move out.'

The squad rapidly disassembled the tents and equipment, then loaded it onto the desert buggy, ready to go.

…

Like Naz had predicted, a mission was soon received by the squad.

'We go again, squad. Our mission this time is simple. Some of our scouts have noticed unusual rebel activity down south, so command wants us to check it out,' Naz gave a briefing.

Luther glanced through the mission description displayed on his wrist comm.

There was more to the mission than just going to check what the rebels were doing; scouts had already done that, but were unable to glean anything meaningful.

Thus, the true mission of their squad was to show up and wreck whatever the rebels were up to.

The squad piled into the desert buggy and Yoselin floored the gas, sending red sand flying everywhere.

The ride this time wasn't as silent as the previous one.

Luther had finally been accepted by everyone in the squad which meant they weren't as restrained as before around him.

Noticing the mood was rather light, Luther decided to ask a question that had been bothering him ever since the first assault.

Even though this was a virtual world with everything being a bunch of codes and programming, he wanted to understand the reason they were at war with the rebels.

Even to the point of refusing to take prisoners!

'Why are we fighting with the rebels?'

It was as if the fun had been sucked out of the atmosphere. Everyone in the squad turned to look at Luther with solemn faces.

Luther gulped. Had he said something wrong?

'Didn't they give any reasons at the training camp, kid?' Naz grumbled.

Luther shook his head and replied, 'None that I can recall.'

Naz hummed as he briefly organized his thoughts. Just when Luther thought he was never going to speak, Naz began.

'You see, Luther, this war is very crucial for everyone on this planet, the planet of Trivasun. The war will determine if our planet survives!'

'How so?' Luther asked.

'Have you realized that of everyone you've met so far, including those rebels, none is at the Ascendant stage? Even those at the Energy Core Formation like me, are scarce!'