Swordsman's Strength Training

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

Following his training with Doran, Zasalamir was both excited and anxious to put what he learned into practice. He would need to grow in this talent if he was to defend himself, be it the only reasons why he wanted to perfect it. Nestled in the forest clearing he used for this archery training, Zasa got comfortable, which meant practicing and training in the nude. He couldnt help it, it allowed him to relax better if he wasnt constrained by clothing or anything restricting. Now that he was comfortable, he calmed his mind so that nothing could hinder him in his training. The first exercise he began with was the "Power Strike", an exercise that develop and build the strength in his legs, butt, back, shoulders, & arms. Holding his sword in front of his hips and it pointing downward, he placed his right hand on the sword’s hilt ridge and left hand just above it. Lunging forward with his right foot and turn left toes out. He inhaled as he raised his arms overhead, bending elbows so that his sword was parallel to his back. Exhaling he rotated his torso to the left and extended his arms, striking the sword down to the left. Raising it back to the starting position, he repeated the process but this time rotating to the right, to complete 1 rep. He would continue this for 5 sets of 20 reps for a total of 100 reps, switching his leg position halfway after each set.

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

After the first exercise was over he could already feel his muscles ache and tense from the foreign movements. He had to endure this however, as it would all pay off for his good in the long run. After a few minutes of rest and water, he stretched and went into another exercise. This one was known as the "Half-cut" and seemed pretty easy to preform. Grabbing his sword once again with both hands, palms facing each other, he had to separate his grip by four inches. He had his right hand at the top of the blades hilt, and taking an athletic stance he would place his feet together. Keeping both of his arms bent, he lifted the weapon over his head so the sword could point directly at the flood of trees behind him. Taking a short step forward with his left foot and simultaneously slice downward, the sword ends up in front of him with his bottom hand at waist level. Once in the he got the range of motion down packed, he repeated the process. Even it meant burning himself out, he would give it his all in each set of 20 reps. After finishing the total 100 he then switched his grip so that his left hand was above his right. Now stepping forward with the alternate foot, he pushed out another 5 sets of 20 reps. In truth after this workout he would need a trials worth of rest for sure. He couldnt see how swordsman did this on a regular bases, but if it meant being able to fight better than he'd gladly endure it.

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

Exhausted he plopped onto the cool grass of the clearing looking into the sky. This training, especially him trying to crank it all out at once was pushing his body to its peak. He knew he was tired, but he didnt want to stop now, no he had to continue on. As he laid there he allowed the heat of his body to cool against the refreshing crisp of the breeze and comfort of the grassy bed he was on. Closing his eyes he melted into his surrounding, allowing his body to truly calm and relax, as it was so unnatural for it to move the way it was. He was working muscles and body parts that even he had no idea existed. Stretching out every inch of his body across the grass Zasalamir basked in the songs of birds chirping, the whistling of the small brook nearby, and was calm, nothing being able to break or disrupt his peace and the utter bliss it brought to him. But nothing ever went as planned for him, he knew this from a young age, and was more than willing to accept the hand dealt to him. Sitting up he looked at his hands, blisters starting to form from his training. It was a small aesthetic price to pay, but it was nothing compared to the alternative for him. Taking much long in this rest than he liked he got to his feet, and picked up his sword ready to resume his swordsman workout.

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

Staring at the tree in front of him, Zasa was practicing his techniques by using the tree trunk to simulate the human body. With each strike it was helping strengthen his forearms and biceps along with his triceps. This free form training allowed him to put his own spin on sword slashes as well as technique, so that it wasnt as predictable and cookie cutter as one trained. He figured that some versatility would do him some good, and it would be easier on his body as well. Though they ached, the range of motions were easier to handle as the burn wasnt as bad as when doing the other sword exercises. Somehow though, he couldnt shake the feeling like something was off. He felt very on edge and knew for a fact this clearing was far enough away from the public path that no one could find him. So what was making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end? It was starting to make him paranoid and then, as if riding the breeze that blew by like a horse, he heard it. It was a reminiscent of laughter. It echoed around the clearing as the breezed dance along as free as it always did. Clearing the blowing golden locks of his from his face Zasa looked around, trying to pin point the source of the cackling, and when he found it his heart sank, and chills ran up his spine. Fa......Father? Why are you here?! was all he could force from his mouth, his face broken by his own disbelief of what he was seeing.

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

No.....no, no no no no no! He said slapping his face hoping the apparition would dissipate from his view, but it wasn't working, his father's visage slipping from the shade the treeline canopy projected. Why, why was he seeing things, there was no way his father would come from Etzos all the way here just to find him. Finally realizing his father was no phantom, he set his gaze upon the man who was now inches away from him, so close he could touch Zasalamir. A devilish smirk on his face his father stroked his son's cheek, trailing it across his chest only for Zasa to smack his hand away. I see you have filled that slender frame out nicely my son, I've always found you much more tolerable when unclothed. He said, chuckling a bit, which only made Zasa angry, causing the blonde maned male to throw a fist, only for it to pass through. So you are a phantom! Zasa declared with a growling tone, only for his father's phantom to wring him in by his hair and hold Zasa close to himself as he whispered in the young man's ear. I'm as real as you allow me to be my dear son. This was not good in any way, shape, form, or fashion and Zasa knew it. Just feeling his father's skin upon his was unbearable, so much so to the point where he couldnt help but feel like that 18 arc old boy in such a foreign place so far from home. Tears soon would run down his face as he couldnt help but fall back into that mental state once again, reliving the torturous trials of his life in Etzos.

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

Caught in his father's grasp like a butterfly in a spiders web, Zasa melted into a fragile mess, his mind running rampant with memories of abuse and stifling rules and complete and utter submission. He felt as if he was drowning, sinking deeper into a mental abyss he would be unable to survive. Soon he felt his surroundings become dark, engulfed in never ending sorrow of his own past. The longer he dwelt in the past of his life, the deeper he sank and the darker it became. But then a blip in that darkness could be seen. It grew from a blip, to a spark, the an illuminating light. This light came in the form of Jon, and the care and love that man had for him. It was a warm light, and a comforting light which allowed for Zasa to swim its way out of that darkness. As he swam, he noticed that even in the darkness, there were countless shining lights forming around him, those of his affection with Jon, and the good times he spent with his mother. Emerging out of that dark and dank sea of sadness Zasa gripped his sword in his hand, his eyes shooting open. With a freeing yell and rapid turn he cleaved his father's phantom in two, burying the blade of his sword deep into the trunk of the tree behind the specter. Im done with you and your haunting ways, I'm not yours to do with as you please father! I will rid myself of you once and for all, on my word, you will be dealt with.He roared, his gaze burning into the bisected phantom.

[Zasalamir]

Saun 2nd 718, Late Midday, 11am

The phantom responded to Zasa's abrupt and sudden attack with laughter. It amused the specter that Zasa was fighting back. You wait for almost 10 arcs to finally fight back? To think you are of my loins. But whether you like it or not young man you will always belong to me. Have you forgotten? My blood runs deep within those veins of yours. No matter what you tell yourself, how you try to distance yourself from our name, you will always and forever be an Escolothe'! the phantom reminded, cackling as it was disintegrating before Zasalamirs very eyes. One last thing my son, sooner or later you will have to deal with the emotions you so neatly tuck away. Can you truly stand firm when it comes time to face your demons, will you have the heart and courage to do what is needed, even if it means staining your hands for the first time with blood? Or will you head the words of that Ymiden Priest you are so found of? I truly cant wait to see! It teased finally evaporating from sight. Still enraged and fueled from a sudden burst of adrenaline, wrenching his blade from the tree trunk he sliced into it, making sure each connection of the blade was as precise as a bulls-eye with an arrow. Zasalamir was running on adrenaline at this point, and when it wore off he fell to his knees. Calling it a day he forced himself to his feet, retrieved his clothing and semi-dressed himself. Taking a deep breath he could no longer help it. It was time to head home, and by the trial after next he would be on a boat back to Etzos. First however, he had to meet with this priest he met yesterday. For that he would need to rest.

[Oberan]

Review Rewards

Mr. Salami

Points awarded: 10

Knowledge:

Discipline: Practice makes perfect
Strength: Tensing your muscles during exercise is a good method of isolating muscles for working out
Strength: Putting your strength into a movement
Strength: Tearing free of a grip
Strength: Holding your arms above your head and working for a length of time builds muscles
Strength: Repetition of movement to build muscles


Magic: No magic exp

Other: N/A

Notes:
Hm. Zasa's father makes me uncomfortable. Still, this seems like a set-up for an overarching quest line Zasa must struggle through, which I very much like.

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