Singularity

Kira dressed and made her way down the hall. She ate a small breakfast and then headed to the training room. She was the first to arrive, excited about the chance to use her swords. She was instantly disappointed when she was paired up with a less motivated girl. She looked over her shoulder and watched the others spar for a moment then decided to draw her weapons.

“You ready?” Kira asked.

The girl nodded and drew her sword. Kira smiled, snapped her wrists and raised her hands. The open blades rested against her forearms as the girl looked at her. Kira could tell she was scared. As she took the first swing her hands trembled and the blade shook with it. Kira blocked the swing with her left arm and brought her right hand up swinging around the blade.

The sword cut through the girls arm. She let out a howl as her sword fell to the ground. Kira backed up thinking she should feel bad. But she didn’t. This was what she was here for, training and learning. The girl needed work and she needed a challenge. She looked around waiting to find out who she would be up against next.

Kira didn’t have to wait long. Her next partner strolled up to her with an arrogant grin on his face. The blond haired boy sported a scar under his right eye and held a katana that looked as if it were made for him. She gave him a big grin hoping he would put up a fight. The boy circled her for a moment assessing her movements as she stood ready to defend.

The boy wasn’t interested in attacking first. Kira decided that she needed to step up to the challenge or risk being circled until she was dizzy from it. She flipped her sword in her right hand and held the left in defense in front of her chest. She quickly lifted her right hand in an upward arc. The boy swung his katana downward locking it into the wave of her blade. He twisted and gave it a pull attempting to wretch it from her hand. She let the handle spin, catching it on the back causing his blade to slide free.

The boy was shocked. He thought for sure that it would have worked. He angrily brought his sword down hoping the sheer force would break past her blades. It failed as she crossed them around his sword and used the hooked shape to pull his sword from his hands. She then elbowed him square in his nose and giggled as his eyes watered.

“That’s enough for today.” She heard as the boy reached for his weapon.

“Your arrogance is going to be your downfall.” The boy grumbled as he walked away.

“Confidence, not arrogance, you prick.” She shot back as she put away her weapons.

Kira left the training room and went to do her cleaning. She liked the peace and quiet as she worked. It gave her time to think. A quick lunch and she was back in training. She knocked down five more people before they were dismissed for evening chores. Michalei didn’t even glance her way as she stormed off assuming that he still had issues. As she went back to cleaning she wondered how many more people she would have to floor before they let her go home again.

Kira didn’t expect to get an answer to her question. But as she sat down for supper she was surprised that Michalei joined her.

“We need to talk.” He said as he dropped his plate and sat down.

“About what?” She asked.

“Us,” He replied causing her to start laughing.

“There is no us Michalei.” She replied. “You made that clear days ago.”

“Look, I didn’t want you to think of me as harsh. I was ordered to leave you alone.” He stated.

“I’m glad you came clean with it Michalei. I really hope you feel better about it.” She muttered and stood.

“I’ve got other things going on though so I really didn’t notice.” She stated.

He looked wounded when he replied, “Ok then.”

“I’ll catch you later ok?” She said.

“Yeah, sure whatever.” He replied as she walked away.

Kira went back to her room. All she wanted was to be left alone. Did Michalei just admit to liking her? The thought left her with an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. She paced a bit trying to get her mind off it. Eventually she lay down and rested, just wanting to go home.

Kira got up late, dressed, and bypassed breakfast. She cut down five more opponents in sword training and then went and hid in the weapons room. She spent hours sharpening the blades and putting them back on shelves. She was approached by a master shortly before lunch. She bowed and waited for her to speak.

“You have earned the right to go home as you please. Well done Kira.” The master stated.

“Thank you master.” She replied with a smile.

Kira could hardly wait for free time. She ate lunch quickly and made her way back for more training. Michalei watched her take down the largest boy in the class. It took less than five minutes for her to drop him to his knees. She was unstoppable when she put her mind to it. He ignored the masters warning and paired up to spar with her.

Kira smiled, swung her fist, and connected with Michalei’s jaw. He took a step back surprised by her quickness.

“What’s got you all wound up today?” He asked as he kicked at her.

“I got permission to go home whenever I want.” She smiled dodged and kicked back.

He caught her foot, “Well that’s nice.” He said giving her a shove backwards.

Michalei back handed her across the face. “I suppose that’s worth fighting for.”

“Yeah, will be nice to see Ein again.” She replied wiping the blood from her lip.

“Who’s he?” Michalei asked as he swiped her legs out from under her.

She tumbled, recovered, and kicked him in the nose. “Just the stable boy back home.”

He took a step back as she made to kick at him again. She missed as he grabbed her foot, lifted her into the air, and slammed her into the floor. She lay there with the wind knocked out of her, him on top pinning her down.

“Good luck with it then.” He growled with a hurt look in his eyes.

“Enough!” The master called out.

Michalei released Kira and bowed. She stumbled to her knee and hung her head. She dared to gaze upward and caught the look of disappointment on the master’s face.

“Kira, your free time begins now, dismissed.” The master stated.

“Thank you master.” She replied and skittered off without looking back.

“I will not warn you again Michalei.” The master scolded.

“She grew arrogant master. I put her in her place, nothing more.” Michalei replied.

“Very well,” The master replied. “Be gone from me.” He stated and faded away.