Chapter 10 – Learning to Survive

-Xyphora , Volaris System, Sector 7-42D-

 -Scavenger Clan Training Grounds – Underground Base-

Rei stood in the middle of a makeshift training yard, gripping the short energy blade Seyra had given him.

The room was dimly lit, the walls lined with salvaged weapons, training dummies made from scrap metal and scavenged armor, and a small sparring ring in the center.

Around him, scavengers moved through their routines—sharpening their weapons, testing firearms, and practicing hand-to-hand combat.

Rei was about to start his first real lesson in survival.

And he had a feeling it was going to be hell.

Garek, standing with his arms crossed, looked Rei up and down with skepticism.

"You ever held a real weapon before?" he asked.

Rei hesitated, glancing down at the energy blade in his hand. "I mean… I've played games, watched some action movies…"

Garek groaned, rubbing his temples. "Great. A civilian."

Seyra smirked from the sidelines. "This is going to be fun to watch."

Rei scowled. "Gee, thanks for the support."

Garek sighed. "Alright, listen up. You're on Xyphora now. Out there, if you hesitate, you die. I don't care if you don't know how to fight. You're going to learn."

He turned and gestured toward a weapon rack.

"Pick something," he ordered. "We'll start simple."

Rei glanced at the options—plasma knives, short swords, blunt weapons, old projectile guns, salvaged energy rifles.

His fingers hovered over a small, compact firearm, but before he could grab it—

Seyra snorted. "Not that one."

Rei frowned. "Why not?"

"You barely know how to stand properly," she said. "You'll just end up shooting yourself."

Rei sighed and instead reached for a basic energy baton—a weapon similar to a short sword, but lighter, with a crackling blue energy edge that activated with a flick of the wrist.

Garek nodded. "That'll do."

Then, without warning, he lunged forward.

Rei barely had time to react before Garek's fist slammed into his gut.

Pain exploded in his stomach, and he stumbled back, gasping for air.

"Rule number one," Garek said, stepping back, "never let your guard down."

Rei cursed under his breath, trying to straighten up. "I wasn't ready!"

Garek smirked. "An enemy isn't going to wait for you to be ready, kid."

Seyra chuckled from the sidelines. "This is fun to watch."

Rei gritted his teeth.

Fine. You want me to fight? I'll fight.

He tightened his grip on the energy baton and charged forward.

Rei swung wildly—too slow, too predictable.

Garek sidestepped effortlessly, then swept Rei's legs out from under him.

Rei hit the ground hard.

Pain shot through his back, but before he could recover—

CRACK!

Garek's boot pressed against his chest, pinning him down.

"Dead," Garek said simply.

Rei groaned. "This sucks."

Garek smirked. "This is survival."

Seyra crossed her arms. "I've seen street rats fight better than this."

Rei scowled. "Yeah, well, maybe I'd do better if someone actually taught me instead of beating me up!"

Garek considered that for a moment.

Then he stepped back and extended a hand.

Rei hesitated, then took it, letting Garek pull him up.

"Alright," Garek said. "Let's do this properly."

For the next few hours, Rei was pushed to his limits.

Lesson One: Stance & Footwork.Garek corrected his posture, balance, and movement, forcing him to practice basic footwork over and over again.

Lesson Two: Basic Strikes & Parries.Rei learned how to swing, block, and counter—though more often than not, he failed miserably.

Lesson Three: Reacting Under Pressure.Garek had Seyra randomly attack him while he had to dodge. Rei got hit a lot.

By the time they were done, Rei was drenched in sweat, his muscles aching.

He collapsed onto a supply crate, groaning.

"I hate this," he muttered.

Seyra smirked. "You're not dead, so that's progress."

Rei glared at her. "Glad someone's enjoying this."

Garek leaned against a nearby pillar. "You're slow, sloppy, and weak."

Rei groaned. "Gee, thanks."

"But," Garek continued, "you've got one thing going for you."

Rei blinked. "What?"

Garek smirked.

"You don't give up."

Rei paused, taking in those words.

It wasn't much.

But it was something.

Later that evening, after the training session was over, Rei sat near the common area, staring at his hands.

Seyra walked up beside him. "You thinking about quitting already?"

Rei shook his head.

"No. I just…" He sighed. "I didn't think surviving would be this hard."

Seyra smirked. "Welcome to Xyphora."

Rei exhaled.

I need to get stronger.

He tightened his fists.

"I'll keep training," he muttered. "No matter how much it sucks."

Seyra nodded approvingly. "Good. Because it's only going to get harder from here."

Rei chuckled. "Why am I not surprised?"

Seyra smirked. "Get used to it, Stray."

Rei let out a breath, feeling the ache in his muscles.

He wasn't a warrior. Not yet.

But if he wanted to survive, he'd have to become one.