Chapter 25: Don's Lesson

Dust filled Pheo's lungs as he stuggled for air. 

"You've been at it for longer than usual" Don remarked. 

He shifted his sword and struck a heavy blow to his ribs. Pheo was barely able to stay standing, his sword was being used like a third leg to keep him from falling.

"Does this mean I've improved?" Pheo asked before running to Don.

He went in to strike him in the chest, but Don swiftly dodged and struck Pheo's back.

He fell over. Pheo tried to get back up, but failed.

"True strength does not stem from one aspect, but from a cumulation of them" Don told Pheo.

He went to Pheo and started poking him with his stick. "You may have one of them, but definitely lack the others"

His words provoked him, it made him angry enough to try again.

"So what was the purpose of this then?" He asked as he got back up, "Was it just some pastime activity for you?"

Pheo went low and went to struck Don's feet, but he jumped up.

Chaining the attack, he spun around to pierce him while he was airborne, but Don struck the hand that held his weapon down with his foot.

"Agh!" Pheo shouted out from the pain, but Don continued from there.

He punched Pheo deep in his stomach, then went for another punch in the same area with his other hand.

"You need to realize the arrogance you display when you fight. When one path is blocked, do you ram it open?"

As if it was that easy

There were many things different for him compared to when he would read from books. The stress, pain, anxiety, and exhaustion was hindering him from thinking straight.

"All these riddles, even you get tired of them eventually right?" Pheo said before swinging at Don again, this time he didn't even have to move to dodge it.

"You have all the pieces, now you just have to solve the puzzle"

Don pushed Pheo, it felt more like he was being hit though. "What made you decide to train?"

The question weirded Pheo out, but it was also gave him time to recover. 

"To be strong, like Ryu is?"

"Like Ryu?" Don questioned him. "You should know what we're doing can only help you so much in being like Ryu"

"What you must pursue is a path of your own, not someone else's"

Don shifted his legs to a more comfortable position where he crossed his legs together. 

"You asked me earlier on what the purpose of this was"

"Experience"

"I've heard of this over and over again" Pheo said as he rolled his eyes, "But I'm sure that with enough knowledge, there wouldn't be a need for any experience"

His comment made Don laugh, "Soon, you'll find out that after endless defeat comes constant victory"

His words sounded true and wise but Pheo just sighed, "I don't need it later though, I need it now"

"What use is there for strength when it's too late to use it?"

"You'll know when it's too late" Don gently rubbed Pheo's head, "For how, you must remain patient"

He grabbed out two pendants and handed them to Pheo. They were identical, having the design of a necklace with the translucent blue mineral in the middle of it.

"Remember this?"

Pheo wore one of them and store the other in a pocket. "I didn't think you'd return it honestly"

He lifted it up again its translucency captivating him once again.

"Make sure you don't lose it" Don said as he went back up. 

"Hey, why are you doing all this?" Pheo stopped him, "Making us mine and all that" 

The question sparked Don's eyes a bit. "To find a vein of gold, it's about time for me to retire"

Pheo would've believed it before, but not after what he's seen.

"No, there was a mineral that seemed to be worth a lot before" He brought out the necklace, "Warhound's strike couldn't even scratch it but you decided to hand it over to us"

"It's for doing such a good job" Don commended him, "You and Ryu mine way more than the rest do"

His reasons were valid, but Pheo didn't look like he was content with the answers.

"There has to be something else, you and Warhound just aren't the type of people"

Pheo got up and was about to argue more but Don flashed his eyes with a purple glow.

"Remember, you are still a slave"

The words silenced Pheo. 

Don fixed himself, dusting off the dirt from his clothes.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

The caverns rattled, pebbles shook as the ground vibrated. Don and Pheo both instinctually lowered themselves.

"What was that?" Pheo asked Don, but he already knew the answer.

Don looked at Pheo, ran towards him and shoved him away.

They both tumbled, Pheo saw that a huge rock landed at where he just was.

"This is no time to be startled" Don told him.

"Tell me, in unexpected times like these, what comes to your mind?" He asked, making Pheo instantly think of someone.

"Ryu"

Don shoved him forward, "Go and help him then!" He said before running away into a different direction.

Pheo's body sprinted before his brain could react, he ran towards Ryu.

It made him glad, not only because he found a way to buy enough time but also because he was able to meet up with Jim earlier than he thought he would.

Your turn

He thought as he ran. He carefully and quickly ran across the caverns as rock fell from the ceiling.