“So, we should begin.” Ulfuric rumbled, and beside me, Motoko and Natsumi were radiatiement.

  “I have been waiting for this. We have not been idle during your absence, have we Natsumi?” Motoko said fondly, clutg the replica of her precious heirloom spear, Gurenyari, that our craftsmen had whipped up for her.

  “No we haven’t.” Natsumi agreed with a bright smile. She had a crafted copy of the Tsumura Arts katana, Utsuroihebi, as well as a version of the bow Hebihikoukiba over her shoulders. “We have missed you, but we didn’t want to remain idle. So we’ve been putting in the effort.”

  “Tsumura Arts, you told us they were designed for moderher-starved battlefields. Though modern is clearly a retive term.” Motoko’s smile matched Natsumi’s. “Sword, bow and spear are clearly unsuited for modern warfare. Or at least they were. Perhaps a sword will never match a gun, but we still have no wish to let our Arts fade into obscurity.”

  “The bow will never be entirely obsolete, no-no.” Shaeraggo said then perhaps reassuring them. “These guns that Ixitt is creating, they are effective yes, though they ck-ance.” His expression twisted into a sneer, fangs showing. “They will work wainst trash, but they ck League.”

  “Yes, I cur. However, they are a greatly valuable tool in our arsenal. I would rather like to equip the Way-Wardens with such, but that is a matter I eddle in.” Ulfuric agreed. “It is not merely strength and toughhat decides one’s survival, but the League of one’s being.” He lectured us seriously. Shaeu, who obviously knew some of this, was merely nodding beside us, carrying a hastily crafted training sword simir in style to her Mortal Fragarach.

  “A feeble goblin of the Wild Hunt may be a threat to the average Fae, but against those with firm Leagues, evehey armed with such firearms they would fail to be a challehe purest form of League is expressed with one’s body aher, produg maximum effect. Then, wielding ons that are aension of one’s body still produce a great effect. Swords, axes, spears, maces… they transmit most of one’s League.”

  “Bows are a little less effit.” Shaeraggo admitted. “But as a ely using one’s own-own strength and grace, they are still imbued with one’s might, and are the most suitable on for hunters and crafty warriors. Your sister knows this, no?”

  Aiko, huh? I nodded. “She does like your bow. She brags about it a lot.”

  “Of course. It is an excellent on.” He agreed. “Now, I have heard of your human crossbows. These strip away the rgest need for one’s own strengths. The league they transmit is poor-poor. But these guns, they take away almost all of this. Merely aim and pull a trigger. So the League they unicate is paltry.”

  “However, they make up for that by being terribly strong, do they not-not, my brother?” Shaeu interjected, and he sighed.

  “Yes, that is true. These bullets are far-far more damaging than an average arrow. So you see, they most definitely have their uses.” Shaeraggo tinued. “Against the average oppo, these guns are peerless, much-much as I hate to cede. They require far less training than to master the bow, and will e and outpace all but the most skilled archers. Even against detly powerful foes, weight of firepower will accumute damage and bring them down. But against foes such as our father, or the fell Fomorians, the League will be too low, they will be quite-quite useless.”

  “I am not-not certain that is true, brother.” Shaeu turo us. “League is important, most definitely. But power also matters. Stronger ons such as missiles and bombs, huge-huge, powerful explosives, and more… yes, League would mitigate these effects strongly, as they would carry almost no-no League within them, but their sheer power would still make them a threat. There will be a pce for them itlefield. But not-not just them…” she looked at the girls and her siblings happily. “… no-no, bining the mortal ways with the ways of us Fae will yield the best results. So we train.” As she finished she let out a squeal as Shaeranna swept her into a crushing hug, her face melting with happy emotions.

  “Oh, my U, you have grown so much, a great deal!” As she squeezed, Shaeu started tapping her arms frantically. “I am so happy to see it, greatly overjoyed. Yes, it pleases me you have finally shown an i in such matters. Together we train under master Ulfuric, just as a child of our father should!”

  “Sure, but let her go now, I think you’re sm her.” I ughed, and as Shaeranna sheepishly released Shaeu, we burst into ughter at the red-faced expression she bore.

  “Do not-not treat me like a child, Anna. Not-not in front of Akio and the others.” Shaeu pouted, before brushing her armoured Brigandine down. “Now, my point is, just-just as I also have my pinwheels, you two should master other ons as well.” She addressed Motoko and Natsumi. “It will not-not hurt for you to learn guns as well.”

  “I agree. And it isn’t even as though such ons aren’t cssi Japan. The Shogunate used them in wars.”

  At my words the two exged gnces, and they hey then revealed they each had a pair of ons, a long, sleek rifle and a smaller pistol.

  “Ixitt made these for us. They are the new prototypes, much closer in fun to modern ons, though they are desigo utilise elemental energies like the previous ones.” Motoko said, and Natsumi added her own ents.

  “Yes, we love Tsumura Arts, but we also want to be useful. If we have to add to the Arts, they are still the Arts passed down to Motoko and then on to me. We won’t let pride make us liabilities. We know what you fought in Kyoto, in London.”

  “Well said!” I approved, giving them both a brief hug. After that tact, when we separated, Ulfuric cleared his throat.

  “Very well. We shall finish the lecture now. Tsumura Arts are clearly a systematic style honed over many long years, but a skilled warrior see the fws. They are not uhe bat arts of the Seelie, yet they have been rearranged multiple times over passing of time.”

  “Indeed, o ointed out to us, we could clearly see it. After all, they are to fit a ck of aether, are they not?” Motoko agreed. “So those who took up their ons would be physically weaker, slower and uo ma elements and abilities. Therefore pure physical ditioning aitive training would be o cover for such deficies. But it would also not be necessary to fight against such abilities too, so certain branches of skill would atrophy, unneeded and untrained.”

  “That is correct. Well done.” Ulfuric praised her. “But what was redone and lost be repaired and relearhe Tsumura Style has issues when used with your current abilities. It is too ged, and therefore ot take advantage of yreater options.” Ulfuric looked at me then, before smiling, which was a fairly terrifying sight. Damn, Ulfuric is still intimidating. I feel I probably out-match him in stats by a det margin, but I’m not fident I’d beat him in a battle. Skill is a big gap te. “Shaeranna, if you would spar with Akio here? I want you to demonstrate the fws in being too adapted to a situation.”

  “Of course, master Ulfuric!” Shaeranna grabbed her spear, taking up a stance. She then grinned wolfishly at me. “There is nothing personal, it is not my pleasure. This is simply a demonstration. And a way to make you more suitable for my U. She needs a strong man, powerful husband.”

  “Yeah sure, I get it.” I said dryly, remembering the drubbing she had dished out to me before. I retrieved a training spear, took a few test swings to ascertain the bance, and then took a stance. Immediately Shaeranna thrust towards me, and I realised I could now fidently match her speed, even without Body Enha. Her spear moved rapidly, despite her feet remaining perfectly positioned and statiiving her a firm base for a strike, and I reacted by instinct, the training Ulfuric had beaten into me by repetition ing to my mind. From the speed of that and the ahe best option would be to strike down to the left, as it’s the fastest ter I do and minimises risk… Even as I moved my feet, spear darting out, Shaeranna’s triumphant grin and Ulfuric’s wry expression warned me I was making a mistake. Yes, being too predictable is a definite weakness…

  Shaeranna’s feet shifted, and her spear picked up speed. I dodged, redireg my own strike, and the spear shafts shuddered as they made tact. Shaeranna flihe shoumbing her hands, and I relied on pure speed to dodge her thrust. Two best options from here. I could stab her leg, it looks vulnerable, o for a thrust to the throat and finish it…

  Shaeranna suddenly moved in a pletely ued way, making a move that a spear-wielder of such skill should never have made. She released her spear and twisted aside, my thrust missing her leg, though I pulled it back so it was aimed at her stomach, a swift move I could make with minimum effort. As I struck, her hand caught the shaft of my spear, and her muscles locked. I decided the best thing to do was to break her bance, and my leg swung out, only to be met by a punch from her free hand. She let out a yelp of pain, but then her head swung at me. I dipped my own head so her blow struck bone, and she cried out, but even with that I was stunned for a moment.

  “Enough!” Ulfuric ordered, and with that we both pulled back. Shaeranna was rubbing at her head, tears in her eyes, and so I reached out, her Ether Healing. She paused for a sed, before letting me heal her pain.

  “So, what did we learn?” Ulfuric asked Motoko, Natsumi and Shaeu.

  “I see the simirities between some of those stances and Tsumura Arts.” Motoko said first. “It makes sense, as there are only a finite amount of moves avaible before they are simply variations.”

  “Akio is certainly making the most effit moves, just like he did in the fight against David Reckless.” Natsumi mused. “But there’s more to bat than being effit and direct. The basics are important, but…”

  “Akio, he is leveraging his great-great strength and speed.” Shaeu finished. “It makes up for his deficies. He does not-not ck skill, if anything it is quite the opposite, but…”

  “But the solid fuals are just that. Fuals, basics.” Shaeranna snorted, pig up her spear. She waved it at Motoko. “Now we shall repeat it. Have no fear, I shall restrain myself, hold back to your speed.”

  “I appreciate it.” Motoko bowed in martial arts fashion. “So, we will follow the same sequenoves? Without the headbutt, my skull is not as solid as Akio’s.“

  “Yes. It shall be an object lesson.” Ulfuric agreed, and they quickly began. It was a brief exge, but seeing it from an outside perfective was iing. Shaeranna thrust, Motoko moved to ter, Shaeranna’s footwork ged her strike, and after a few more moves, mixing in strikes from their bodies, the fight was over. As Motoko bowed again, and said that it was a good lesson, Shaeranna scratched her idly, looking a little wry.

  “I hought I would be sparring, do training with a mortal. Fate is a fickle thing.”

  “I dd not see my destiny this way either.” Motoko agreed. “But now I am living through it, I look ba how dull, how lifeless my life was before.” As Natsumi echoed her, Ulfuric turo me.

  “They shall go again, but this time…” he looked at the two women, one a mortal, one a weaselkin. “… you may improvise, to show a trast. That will be the best lesson here.”

  “Motoko, do your best!” Natsumi called, and Shaeu also offered her encement, though she was equally gracious to her sister as well. I noticed several Kamaitachi were watg us, including some of the newer arrivals given by Urakaze. It was iing seeing just how I fought, from an outside perspective. I uand it, of course I do, but Ulfuric is right, experieng it this way is helpful.

  “Yes, Motoko, I’m watg.” I said, and she turned, giving me a brilliant smile, before takiahis time, it was Motoko who moved first, ae her being many times slower than me, her rapid thrusts had more elegance, despite my supposed perfe.

  Not to be outdone, Shaeranna was gracefully dodging and defleg, the shaft of her spear used as a parrying tool. Her strikes, limited to be a speed Motoko could perceive and ter, were ruthless, and I noticed that certainly a number of them were the moves I would have made, but not all of them.

  “If I predict, I pre-empt.” Ulfuric said, watg them. Beside him, Shaeraggo nodded.

  “A true hunter must predict the moves of the prey-prey. An arrow may be faster than many foes, but the stro easily evade. Strike where they will be. Battle is outsmarting the foe. Skill is vitally important, but battle sense…”

  “You ck battle sense. Now do not mistake me, you are brave, if somewhat reckless at times, and pared to when we first met you have greatly improved, but you still rely entirely on the fual principles.”

  “Tsumura Arts are not too dissimir to the training you give, Master Ulfuriatsumi said, her brown eyes sparkling as she watched Motoko and Shaeranna csh spears, each seeking to nd a dominating blow. I could tell Shaeranna was going easy on Motoko, but even so, silvery sweat was flying from my fiancée’s skin, and her muscles were trembling, as she gave it her all. “In fact, your own skills lean heavily on the moves you have taught Akio.”

  “Of course. They are the fuals. There are a limited number of possibilities, so any training will approach mastery of them iime. However…” Ulfuric seemed to be waiting for something, his eyes on the fight.

  “Too slow. But not a bad effort, a good try.” Shaeranna said, her spear snaking towards her oppo as Motoko went for a powerful thrust, but the distance was just too great, even for the length of her long spear. As the weaselkin hopped backwards, Motoko’s smile ged, and her hands slid on her spear.

  Is she going to throw it? No, from the stance she’s in, throwing it would ck power and speed, Shaeranna would ha easily, and unarmed, Motoko would be helpless.

  “… one’s style is taking the perfect basid rearranging them, so that they are both as perfect as possible, while having a multitude of options that the fual training does nnise.”

  Even as he was saying that, Motoko’s hahe shaft of the spear. She grabbed the tassel that dangled from the eending the reach of the thrust while maintaining power and accuracy.

  “Pierce! Toipiasu!” Motoko cried, and Shaeranna looked a little impressed, before spinning her own spear, defleg the blow, using her haft to strike Motoko’s spear down, her foot trapping it. Motoko, realising she had lost, bowed, face flushed with sweat aement.

  Beside me, Natsumi ping, so I joined in. Ulfuric’s point was made, so I listeo the exge between Motoko and Shaeranna.

  “That was an iing strike.” Shaeranna said, and Motoko nodded.

  “Toipiasu, or the distant pierg, is a way to catch out our oppos, by fusing their sense of distand striking beyond what is possible, ideally without losing strength. I never could mao before, but as, it seems I am still too inexperienced. Even with my enharength, I ot keep the strike as strong and poised as it should be.”

  “Yes, it is clever, but fwed. From a mortal perspective. Give it here…” She held out her hand, and Motoko passed over her spear. Shaeranna took a few practice swings and stabs as we watched, before she took up a stance.

  “It is like this, I think, I believe?” She moved her feet as Motoko had, and her hand slid down the shaft, holding the tassel. Her thrust was far faster than Motoko’s had been, and it kept ruthlessly straight.

  “I see. This is educational.” Motoko said. “So, it was simply designed freater strength than is possible for humans ordinarily? I had feared…” her expression faltered for a bit, before she ba. “… that I could not do it simply because as a woman, I had less muscle strength than a man. I am gd to see it is not that. No, it’s one of the Arts modified from aimes.”

  “You are both wrong and right, I would say, I admit.” Shaeranna disagreed. “Yes, the strike requires great strength, or…” a jade wind blew around her, and she repeated the motion, this time the spear moved with greater fluidity, despite her putting less power into holding it than Motoko had. “… a deft, skilful touch. Use what you to win, to triumph.”

  “I see.” Natsumi said, rushing over. “Motoko, we know the Arts were supposed to be used with elemental abilities, these Arts go back more than fifteen hundred years, before there even was a Tsumura house. I learhat from you. I?” She took the spear from Shaeraned. Taking up her stance, she let a little wind energy out.

  “Toipiasu!” she cried, arike was faster than Motoko’s, if still a bit off-tre. Pausing, she tried again, and again, and after a dozen or so strikes, she had mao replicate Shaeranna’s thrusts. Passing the spear to Motoko, she started advising her, and soon Motoko was doing it successfully too.

  “You see?” Ulfuric asked me, and I nodded.

  “How could I not? It’s like programming. There are many Languages, and Libraries certainly be used to make things simpler. Anyone, using these building blocks, bee a det coder, make apps and programs, if they put in the effort. But really… there’s no end of the ways you create solutions to a problem. Sure, some are optimised, and might be objectively better, but occasionally an abomination of spaghetti code make something inspired. Especially if you add in… outside elements.” I looked at the thrilled Motoko and Natsumi as they were moving into several other spear forms, wind element glowing, being advised by Shaeranna.

  “I do not uand your example, but from the text, I feel you have grasped the crux of it.” Ulfuried, nodding. “It is as we have discussed. Anyone bee a skilled warrior, if they train enough, assemble the basito a whole. But for those who wish to be a true warrior, it is about inspiration, creatihods that ot exist withiandard methods, going beyond.”

  “I get it. Like you said earlier, being skilled is no good if you are predictable. So…” I watched Motoko and Natsumi fondly. “… I see the point you were trying to make. It’s like programming again. ging the code, adding new methods…” As Motoko thrust, starting to tire, her wind energy feeble pared to mine, I imagined myself doing simir. I’ve used a lot of wind attacks with my own spear and sword. I think I see other areas where it be used. And not just wind…

  ********

  “Arashisaisentan!” Natsumi decred, her practise sword swinging at me. It was a move that I would have made, again, aremely effit oriking from the shortest dista the most vital point, but that meant I could predict it. However… There was a brief surge of emerald winds, and the bde twisted, moving away from the expected target area, making movements that would be impossible just from her muscles and reflexes, iance she was currently in.

  “ry.” I deflected the strike, though it did require far higher rea speed and agility than Natsumi was able to dispy. Seeing that, I grinned. I think I improve on that. “My turn! Arashisaisentan triple!” My own practise sword swung out, but in addition to moving the bde with wind to suddenly atta exposed area, two more rippling bdes of wind mirr the initial strike appeared. Obviously I made sure the winds were blunted, not using vibration, but Natsumi’s eyes widened. She mao parry the first bde by using her own wind to turn her sword, but the actual practise sword and the sed wind bde struck her gently.

  “I lose.” Natsumi decred, rubbing at the slight bruises she had suffered, l her sword. “It was good, but wouldn’t it be easier just to bombard me with wind if you are using the element that way?”

  “I see-see.” Shaeu said, realising what I was doing. “Perhaps, yes, but it does remind me of some of our earlier battles, does it not-not?” Shaeu ractising with her own replica sword, sparring with several Kamaitachi, their jade sickle-bdes used as their ons. “It certainly is easier to strike with bdes of wind…” she demonstrated, a volley s out, ripping furrows in the floor of the training grounds. “… but a petent foe-foe would deflect them. Whereas as a feint…” this time she unleashed her bdes, but mashes ripped through the floor, far away from the verdant energies.

  “That’s right. They are a feint, setting up for a fatal strike.” I agreed. As Motoko watched, Natsumi took up her sword, and I slowly performed the move, limiting my speed. Natsumi parried all three strikes, only to stumble as her legs were struck by an attack she couldn’t see. As she fell to her knees I helped her up, usiher Healing on her fresh bruises.

  “It looked to me like you were struck by an invisible impact.” Motoko observed. “ I fae?” she asked, hefting her spear. With a nod, I created a simir attack, five visible bdes of green moving slowly, and several with the glow suppressed. Motoko fought off what she could see, and then her eyes widened. She ducked, but was still stru one shoulder ahigh. As she rubbed at her own new bruises I healed her too.

  “I felt it, the air moving. But by then it was too te to dodge.” Motoko observed.

  “That’s right. It takes a lot of practise and more elemental energy to suppress the natural glow, but it’s possible.” I expined. “Wind element definitely has a lot of applications with Tsumura style bat. With both spear and sword you favour fast, uable attacks.”

  “The downside is, we ck power.” Motoko admitted. “Breaking strong defences such as heavy armour, we rely on shifting attacks to strike at joints and other oints.”

  “That’s right.” Natsumi agreed. “I don’t know if it’s because the need for our skills ged over the years and our culture. Japanese armour differs from the heavier Western armour, with maps withies, relying on their manoeuvrability rather than durability.”

  “I think so.” Motoko agreed. “The fuals never ge, but with the ck of aether and elements, as well as cultural shifts and different oppos, Tsumura Arts have shifted.” She looked at Natsumi, who nodded. “But what has shifted be shifted back. Even if it is not what it was before, it will still be Tsumura Arts, our Tsumura Arts.”

  “That’s right!” Natsumi agreed. “Even though we don’t know everything, and so much has been lost, we have many experts here. We build something special, together.”

  “That is correct.” Ulfuric agreed. “Knowing what you are defit in and being willing and able to ge it is important. Tsumura Arts are indeed reliant on speed and precision, as well as feints. That is the way of wind element. But the foundation is sure.” Now it was Ulfuric’s turn to demonstrate some forms, drawing on the ruby light of earth element to increase the weight and cutting power of his swings. Motoko and Natsumi watched greedily, as did I.

  “Let me try that. Arashisaisentan triple crush!” I ighe snigger from Shaeu, knowing I wasn’t great at naming moves. This time I used both earth element to add signifit weight to the swing momentarily, as well as the bdes of wind. Ohe debris had settled, I nodded.

  “So yeah, I think there might well be other elements better for strengthening a swing, but earth would be a good oo add to your repertoire. Though learning it will be a pain, as it’ll csh with the wind you already know.” I pointed out. “For now though, we’ll work on using wind properly.”

  “Do not fet archery.” Shaeraggo said. “I would not-not like you to it.”

  Motoko ughed. “Very well, Natsumi, tih the sword. I shall use the bow for now. Adding wind to our shots… I think I see how it works. Just like Arashisaisentan, divert and strike a vulnerable spot.”

  “Akio, please tio spar with me!” Natsumi decred. “You’ve given me some ideas. I hope you’ve gained some too.”

  “I have.” I said, raising my practice sword. “bining the sword with martial arts…” I o her, and Natsumi bowed gracefully. We exged a storm of blows, Natsumi alternating strikes at my vitals with clever feints, often using wind. She was running dry, the effort exhausting her, but I found it educational. I see it. Just like programming, there’s multiple ways to get the desired result. What is the best way be improved upon by further enhas, and ges in the order of things… just like an If-Then type of loop. Paying attention to my footwork, I used my elbow to bloatsumi’s arm, a move that was ly optimal, but doing so was something she didn’t expect, and it opened up the opportunity for a number of potential finishing blows. I then chose to strike multiple blows at oh sword and wind bdes, and Natsumi was defeated.

  “That was clever.” She approved, dusting herself off again as I offered her my hand. I pulled her up once more, and she started replig my attacks. “I see. You stopped my movements, leaving me open. It is a little simir to some skills I’ve learned, but…” she looked at Ulfuric, who nodded.

  “Yes, that is the style of bat I favour. While I am the master of every on that the Fae uses, I am like most badgerkin. We like to tear our foes apart with our own hands.” He flexed his massive, burly fingers. “Wrestling and brawling is something I excel in. But to use it properly, against an oppo with a on… it is a challenge.”

  “Yes, there’s only so much you do against an oppo with greater reach.” I agreed. “But that’s not to say you ’t use your body to an advantage.”

  “Like this.” Natsumi swung her sword at me suddenly, and as I went to block it her leg snaked out, trying to trap me. I saw it ing though, and my own leg hooked hers, pulling her over. She fell into my embrace, dropping her swiggling happily. “Oh no, you defeated me.” She said, and Motoko, who was imbuing her unched arrows with wind element to both increase their speed, and also allow her to give them non-lirajectories, looked back with an exasperated expression.

  “Do try to focus, Natsumi. This time is precious.”

  “I know it is. That’s why I’m making the most of it.” She giggled, hugging me for a little while longer, before retrieving the fallen sword. “Well, shall we tinue?”

  ********

  “Not bad.” Ulfuric said, as Motoko grounded her spear, leaning on it, exhausted. “We should take a rest. Your stamina is far from limitless, and trying to learn too much at once is terproductive.”

  I nodded. “Yes, your stats are det, but there is a limit.” I agreed. We had been sparring and learning from Ulfuriany hours. Even with the flow of time as it was here again, Motoko and Natsumi would be going to school tomorrow with little rest. We had attracted quite the audience, and si was the first time we had all been together in the Boundary for a while, I let it slide. I suppose oe night won’t hurt. Everyone has at least some stat boosts after all…

  “You have sharpened your bat senses noticeably.” Ulfuric praised me, and I agreed.

  “Yes, it’s a slow process, you’re right, my talent for martial arts isn’t that high. But at least I learnt a little from watg videos oer before I started training with you, so I’m not a plete novice. I definitely uand what you and David were trying to tell me now. And…” I looked at Motoko and Natsumi, grinning triumphantly. “… I got Tsumura Arts at Rank one.”

  At that, their eyes went wide. “gratutions.” Shaeu said to them. “You rest-rest easy, knowing your chosen male truly embraces all you love.”

  Motoko nodded, her eyes misting up, while Natsumi quivered a little. I opened my mouth to say something soothing, when I turned, something flying at me at high speed. I turned and caught the projectile, whi fact was a rushing Hyath, in my arms. I opened my mouth, only for my words to fail me, as she looked at me triumphantly, her eyes shimmering violet, a broad smile on her face.

  “I have dooo! The mushrooms, they are now ohey are nooot pairs as I thought, but… e is the key! Hyath found that they are all ooone mushroom, despite being in many booodies!” she barely paused for breath. “The Ring Gate, it will nooow open! Hyath, she has done well, nooo?” As she nuzzled me, equal parts exhausted aatic, I nodded dumbly. That was fast. I expected it to take at least a few days. But now… If that Gate could open, then we could return to London, and put the part of our pn into operation, potentially the most critical one, if it worked as expected…

  ShipTeaser