First Lesson

Emiko's breathing was still faltering, her frail body after the fight. Her golden flames once raging around her now consisted of withering sparks. Her legs shook beneath her, but she stood firm, unwilling to display weakness.

The warrior towered over her, his silver eyes inscrutable.

You are my student now," he told her, his tone firm but level. "From this day forward, I will drive you to your limits. You will either become strong—" his eyes glinted hard, "---or you will break."

Emiko swallowed, but she didn't flinch.

"Then I'll be strong."

A flicker of approval passed across his face. "Good. Then let's start."

He stepped forward unannounced.

One moment, he was stiff. The next, he was towered over her.

A fist shot out—fast, solid.

Emiko never stood a chance to flee before a crunching impact slapped into her stomach.

She wheezed as air was pushed from her chest. Her body doubled over from the force and before she could rise up on straight legs once more, a second blow struck onto her shoulder and she fell to the floor.

Dust swirled up into the air around her.

Pain coursed through her body.

But she balled her fists, straining to her feet.

She had not even made a single knee when he struck again.

A kick hit her in the ribs, and she glided across the stone.

She coughed hard, trying to catch her breath.

"What are you doing?" the warrior's voice snapped off, as cold as a knife. "You think an enemy will wait for you to get your wind back? Stand up."

Emiko gritted her teeth.

Her fingers trembled as she pushed herself up again to her feet.

No sooner had she stood up than he charged.

This time, she evaded only by inches. His fist brushed along her cheek, but the shock alone created a burning pain on her face.

She hit back, punching out at his ribcage.

He parried with ease.

Her fist cracked into his forearm, but it was like punching stone.

He did not even flinch, before she yanked her wrist back.

Then, in one movement—

He hefted her over his shoulder.

She landed on the ground with a thud.

Hit her bones hard.

Struggled to breathe, but before she could get to her feet, his foot pressed down on her chest, holding her in place.

Emiko glared up at him, her teeth clenched.

He wasn't even trying.

She was on the losing end.

"Is this all you have?" he challenged.

Her fists clenched.

Her pride howled at her to strike back.

Her golden fires danced to life once more, but no sooner had they than—

The warrior lifted his hand.

A burst of dark power extinguished them in an instant.

Emiko was paralyzed.

Her flames—extinguished?

This had never occurred before.

Her pulse thundered in her ears.

"Depending on brute force," the warrior warned, retreating, "will be your death."

She stood up gradually, her muscles throbbed, her head spinning.

"I thought—" she swallowed hard, trying to make sense of it. "I thought my fire was my strength."

"They are," he said. "But strength without control is nothing."

She looked at her hands, her mind spinning.

She had always fought with instinct—struck out, charging forward, trusting the golden flame inside her to drive her on.

But that was not enough anymore.

"I'll ask you again," said the warrior, folding his arms. "Do you want to be strong?"

Emiko stood her ground.

No hesitation this time.

"Yes."

The warrior nodded. "Then let us start your proper training."

He moved back, away from her room to get out of the way.

"Stand," he commanded.

Emiko strained to stand up, her muscles still sore.

"First lesson," he announced. "Control."

She breathed in deeply, trying to steady herself.

"How do I do that?"

The warrior nodded at the space between them. "Summon your fire."

Emiko's eyes flew shut and she nodded. She concentrated.

The ember within her waited, burning low against her skin.

She called to it, reaching deep inside and calling it back to her fingertips.

Golden fire danced across her fingertips at first—flaring, bursting all around her in warm light.

The heat convulsed inside of her.

It felt good. Handy.

But it was lost before she could quite indulge in it. The warrior shifted.

A hand slapped her wrist, destroying the energy.

The fire danced, then vanished.

Emiko's eyes flew open. "What—?"

He gazed at her. "Again."

She gritted her teeth but obeyed.

She called forth the fire—

A blow.

Gone.

Again.

Another destruction of the energy.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Each time, he destroyed her energy. Each time, she lost control.

Droplets of sweat poured down her forehead as anger surged in her.

"Stop," she gasped. "Let me—"

A quick punch to her stomach sent her stumbling.

She coughed, regarding him. "What the hell?"

"If I were an enemy, you'd be dead ten times over."

Her hands trembled.

Her flames—her power—why did she not keep them?

The warrior's face remained unchanging.

"Again," he told her.

She clenched her teeth.

Fine.

She called up her flames—

And this time, when he launched himself at her—

She did not let go.

She kept her grip.

The shock ran through her frame, but the golden flames stayed.

The warrior looked at her raised eyebrow.

For the first time, she'd been in charge.

A momentary smile curved over his lips.

"Better."

The training went on for hours.

Strike. Call. Interfere. Hold.

Repetition, until the actions were etched into her muscles.

Until the fire was a second nature to her, not some force called to her will.

The sun was dipping, a deep orange hue sweeping across the wasteland.

Emiko was spent, her body dripping with sweat, her muscles aching.

But the flame of fire inside her burned brighter than ever before.

She glanced at the warrior, determination clear in her eyes.

"What's next?"

He gazed at her for a second, then smiled.

"Now, we teach you how to be an actual warrior."