by J. C. Fiske
“As I said before, this will be a personal journey for each of you to get a glimpse of your purpose before you set out with your class masters and Boons by your side. I am merely a guide for this journey; I take you to the gate, for in the end it is only you who must open it and choose the path most suited for you. Now, I hate to disappoint, but you will not be unleashing your essence today. You must show me your proficiency in the areas of combat and learn control before I dare thrust a weapon in your hand and tell you to ignite. Flarians: I can’t stress enough to mind your tempers. You will soon learn what an important role emotions play in the ways of Elekai’ and how dangerous you can be if not in total control. You must learn control!” Perry said. It was as if everybody in the class thought of Gisbo as eyes shifted his way once more. Gisbo cocked a perturbed grimace and growled.
“About time we got started. Gentlemen, ladies?” Perry finished. Gisbo hadn't even noticed the bags strewn across the grounds when he arrived. Perry made his way over, opened them, and strewed the contents across the grounds. When he was finished, he stood at ease once more and began speaking.
“As you can see behind me, I have set various weapons across the grounds. These are REAL weapons. Respect them and be careful. All of you today will practice with every one of these weapons to get a feel for them. I have also set up a variety of wooden dummies to practice on. I don’t want you to strain yourselves just yet: relax, let the weapon become an extension of self. Some will feel more comfortable then others; I want you to discover which one feels right in your hands. Just like your Boons, a weapon is also a reflection of self. You will know which one is for you the moment you try it, but keep this knowledge to yourself 'til the end. All right! Split up, one at a time, and go try out them out!” Perry said. The Renegas went about their tasks in silence, unable to hide the excitement stamped on their faces. Gisbo decided he would take his time, no rush, and went over to a dummy at the far right.
Leaning against the wooden dummy, that looked very much like a scarecrow carved out of a thick log, was a long whip-like weapon. Gisbo saw a name tag that read, “The Sorwhip.” The handle was long and metallic, sporting a thin yet sturdy whip about double the length of Gisbo's body with a small spiked ball at the end. He took a few steps back and decided to give it a crack.
“Hey, Whip! Guess what! There’s a whip!” Gisbo yelled over to his friend. Whip shook his head at the asinine comment.
“Oh hey! You’re a real funny guy . . . idiot,” Whip muttered as he trailed off.
Gisbo laughed to himself as he reared back for a test swing. He soon wished he hadn’t as the spiked ball rapidly slammed into his tailbone, sending a shutter through his body. Gisbo gave a yelp of pain and hoped nobody else noticed. Luckily, nobody did. Gisbo decided to be a little more careful with it, made sure the ball was well behind him, and thrust his arm straightforward. The ball struck the dummy right in the chest, dead center. This time somebody was watching; Perry, who nodded with a smile.
“Nicely done, Gisbo, right foot forward and bend the knees a little next time you strike. It helps you to aim a little better,” Perry instructed as he walked along to see how others were doing. Falcon always told him that if Perry never gave you any critique it meant he didn't think much of you. In his previous class, Gisbo couldn't recall Perry ever saying a word to him, and now, on the first day no less, he offered Gisbo a compliment as well as a critique. Gisbo smiled as he thrust out his foot and gave the whip another crack. Within a few minutes of practice, Gisbo found he could easily hit any portion of the body on the first try about eighty percent of the time. He simply guessed the statistic, as he had never really understood the logistics of percentages. Just knowing what they were was good enough for him.
The class then split up and Gisbo moved on to something called a “Kai-pull.” It was a sort of crossbow that sat atop a glove and had a sharp protrusion towards the top to allow for quick, close quarter fighting when the bow was folded down. The detailed description explained that bursts of Elekai’ could be charged, then shot with extreme accuracy. For now, it contained a short arrow. Gisbo found that he didn’t have the eyesight required for long range shooting, as the targets blurred with each step back. He found he preferred folding the bow downward and using the sharp end much better, as he hacked away at the dummy, leaving thick scars across its wooden surface.
Everybody regrouped a few more times and Gisbo tried many other weapons, including a pole-arm, which he found he was too clumsy with; various daggers, including the knuck-knives which he fumbled and cut his wrist with; two heavy balls with handles known as “Stugs” that he could barely lift; and the oddest weapon Gisbo had yet seen, known as a “Conundrum,” which looked like a giant dinner plate with a toothed edge at the top. You slid your forearm behind the shield in a loose strap and could throw the shield like a Frisbee. It would return to you with Elekai’ if thrown or you could hold on to it to block attacks and strike close at hand with the sharp edge.
So far Gisbo enjoyed the Sorwhip, the Conundrum, and another weapon known as “Fisticuffs” that resembled spiked brass knuckles with a protective plate that extended up your forearms to block and parry sharp weapons. He quickly put it down however at the realization that this was also Ranto’s preferred weapon. At last he was nearing the end of the morning and he had arrived at the final weapon, the one he was waiting for above all. Gisbo read the nametag entitled “The Talon Sword,” rubbed his hands together and picked it up. It felt good, really good. Perry was right. You did know the moment you picked up 'your' weapon. The sword was beautiful; the blade was shaped like the talon of a bird and, despite its size, it wasn’t really as heavy as it appeared and only felt weighty when he swung it.
Gisbo quickly began to decimate the wooden dummy with the deepest cuts of all; grasping the talon sword with both hands, he swung it about wildly as the dummy took on the image of Ranto in his mind. He never felt freer than when he swung this weapon, laughing with joy at how good it felt and enjoying the wonderful sounds it made when it broke the air.
Perry finished his rounds and ordered them all to gather. One by one he told them all to rally off what their weapon of choice was.
“The Stugs for sure,” Grandfield said alone. “Kai-pull for me,” Shaved and Glinda both agreed. “Knuck-knives, hands down,” Niffin and Rake said together. “Pole-arm, definitely,” Rolce and Crass said. “Sorwhip here,” Whip and Kennis said. “Fisticuffs,” Anakah said. “Conundrum for us,” Kinny and Knob said. “Talon sword!” Gisbo and Ashlin finished. Perry smiled at all these answers and Gisbo couldn’t help himself from snickering at Whip’s choice of the Sorwhip.
“Funny how all of you picked weapons that pertain to your classes. This only signifies the importance and correctness of your pre-determined paths. Berserkers chose heavy swinging weapons, Shininjas chose precise weapons and Nazarites chose technique intensive weapons. Very good, I am pleased by your results, so now comes the twist,” Perry said, causing his class to look at him askance.
“What do you mean 'twist'?” Crass asked aloud.
“Well, it is quite simple. You will NOT pick up these weapons again,” Perry said with a cryptic grin.
“Whattttt?” Grandfield moaned.
“No, not again, at least, not until you become proficient in every other weapon here! It is never certain that you will be able to use your preferred weapons, thus you will display proficiency with every other weapon before you master your favorite, especially hand to hand. Those who trust their lives to weapons alone are fools; these are tools and can fail you: remember this lesson above all. We will begin training with one weapon at a time through the remaining weeks, saving hand-to-hand combat for last. Now, to stick with Purah's curriculum, I believe it is right to say I should let you all out early on your first day. So off you go! All of you! 'Til tomorrow!” Perry said with a smile, as the boys and girls began to walk off in groups, chatting about the unexpected turn of events.
“Man, I was horrible with t
hose Knuck-knives! I had no control over them, what if I don’t pass? All that studying for nothing if I don’t get the third band! I refuse to eat until I master those silly things! You hear?” Kinny shouted.
“Kinny, you can’t pull that again, just calm down. You’ve made it this far and you nearly passed out preparing for Perry’s final. I preferred the knuck-knives, remember? I’ll help you out,” Niffin said as she put her hand on Kinny’s shoulder.
“Still, it's nice Perry’s sticking to Purah’s plans, even letting us go early with no books attached. Color me happy for a change. I can’t wait to use that pole-arm again, eh, Rolce?” Crass commented, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
“Well, look at you, Crass! Being positive? I never thought I’d see it,” Rolce joked.
“Say what you want; I’m excited. Don’t ruin a good thing, Rolce,” Crass said.
“Yeah, I loved that pole-arm, felt really good in my hands! You guys feel the same way?” Rolce asked to nobody specific.
“Heh, heh, you just said a pole felt good in your hands . . .” Knob teased.
“Shut up, Knob!” said several female voices together as the boys laughed. Knob cringed at the yelling.
“Never any love for ol’ Knob? Screw you guys!” Knob said, shaking his head.
“I felt pretty good when I grabbed the fisticuffs and the conundrum, the whip too, believe it or not, but when I held that talon sword, man, I felt alive,” Gisbo said, clenching both fists and smiling.
“See, I knew Glinda was wrong! You’re all right in my book. I finally felt like a berserker!” Ashlin agreed, winking at Gisbo.
“Eh, it was all right; the conundrum really did it for this berserker. Soon I’ll be able to hit Knob from a distance. It will save me a few steps when he tries to say something stupid or asks me out. Good thing he’s got, like, three on the side,” Kinny said, imitating Knob's voice to perfection and causing the rest of the Renegas to laugh yet again at Knob's expense.
By now the joyous group had made their way to the commons, said their goodbyes and were off to lunch. Gisbo went to join his usual buddies when a sweet voice spoke from behind him.
“So, where would you like to take me today?” Anakah said, color filling her cheeks. Gisbo spun around as gooseflesh tore across his body, sweat erupted from his pores and his throat throbbed. He had totally forgotten about his outburst and not only that . . . what in Thera was wrong with him? Why did this girl cause this sudden . . .
Disease was the only word that came to his mind. Whatever it was, it stretched across his entire being. Even worse, Anakah seemed to enjoy it, as she giggled.
“Well, what do you like to do?” Anakah asked. Gisbo was amazed at this girl's courage. She seemed so quiet and shy before, but there was definitely more beneath the surface. Even so, this question put Gisbo at ease and caused his throat to loosen a bit, which might have been the purpose the entire time.
“Um, I, I always do fishing . . . haven’t done since last fall,” Gisbo said. Even his brain had succumbed to the disease. That wasn’t even a sentence! Gisbo thought to himself. Even so, Anakah took his quivering hands.
“Sounds perfect, we can go after you're done working for Dave and Ernie. Sound good?” Anakah suggested, very soft, with a smile that caused another symptom: dancing butterflies in Gisbo's stomach…
“Sure, yeah! I mean, yeah, sure! Wait, DAMN IT! Sorry! I didn’t mean you, I meant I . . .” Gisbo stalled, feeling stupid. No matter, this only caused Anakah to smile all the more.
“Good! See you around four!” Anakah said as she let go of Gisbo’s hands and skipped away, turning once to flash another “Gisbo melt” smile and wave. Gisbo stood where he was, afraid to move.
“Sure, yeah, Gisbo! I do fishing too!” Crass said, as he leaned on Gisbo’s left shoulder.
“Yeah, sure, Gisbo! I done fishing yesterday!” Grandfield said, leaning on Gisbo’s right shoulder, causing him to almost cave under Grandfield's weight. He didn’t even take offense to his friend’s teasing for he was still entranced and confused.
“I, what the hell was that? I don’t even know what happened! The hell is wrong with me?” Gisbo said as he gripped the hair on his head forcefully, hoping the pain would bring him back down from whatever cloud he had floated off to.
“Awhhh, seems our wittle Gisbo has discovered women; quite a late bloomer at that,” Knob said joining Grandfield and Crass. Knob’s comment was just what the doctor ordered. It put Gisbo back to his old self at the fastest speed imaginable.
“You! If you weren’t such an ass, none of this would’ve happened!” Gisbo said, taking on Rolce’s famous pointing habit, as he broke free.
“Me? I already told you I didn’t know she was your . . .” Knob was interrupted.
“Forget it! Moving on! Gah!” Gisbo said with anguish as they all ate a quick lunch and were off to work. For once, he wished work would last all night. Gisbo had fought the Black Wolf Pack, a real wolf pack and been held hostage by a dagger-wielding Strife. Not once did he shake with anything other than excitement, but now he was truly afraid of going on his first date. Gisbo silently promised himself he wouldn’t put his foot in his mouth again. Psh, yeah right . . . you idiot. Gisbo thought to himself.
Chapter Eighteen: The First Date
The next few hours at work couldn’t have gone faster for Gisbo. Why was time so cruel? Why was it every time he wanted something to arrive quickly it trudged like Grandfield running uphill? And why was it every time he dreaded something, it sprinted like Grandfield to a freshly baked donut? Why was he using Grandfield as a metaphor? Why could he not stop thinking about her? Why was . . . Gisbo didn’t have time to think any more as the disease swept over him again. Time was up and Anakah was waiting for him outside the shop with two fishing poles in hand, smiling that smile that made Gisbo’s knees wobble. Ernie and Dave only made it worse as they eyed each other sheepishly, then winked at Gisbo. Even modest Shaved helped in the ritual taunting.
“So, ready to go?” Anakah said.
“Oh he’s ready, he’s been talking about you all day,” Ernie joked, elbowing Gisbo in the side. Gisbo gritted his teeth in anger, which subsided when Anakah took him by the hand and led him outside, leaving his friends and bosses snickering behind them as they walked.
“So, you’re the professional, you know a good spot to go? I’ll be honest, I’ve never done this before,” Anakah admitted as they stopped just before the forest edge.
“I know a pretty good spot,” Gisbo found himself saying. A few more responses to Anakah’s questions helped along the process and, before he knew it, Gisbo didn’t feel quite so nervous anymore. In fact, the disease nearly reversed itself. His gooseflesh turned to pleasant tingles, his throat felt loose and relaxed and he felt all around better than the first day he arrived at Heaven’s Shelter. Knowing he had conquered the sickness, Gisbo’s confidence returned to him and they arrived at the secret fishing spot. Hopefully Falcon wouldn’t be upset, he just wasn’t allowed to show Foxblade the location . . . he hoped.
“So you’ve never been fishing before?” Gisbo asked.
“Nope, never,” Anakah said.
“Well, you're one lucky girl because this is the most secret fishing spot around! Here, I’ll show you everything,” Gisbo said as he explained how the fish only stayed to one side because it was frozen on the other side of the barrier and how to cast and reel in the line. Before they knew it, both of them were casting and catching fish with delight.
“This is so much fun!” Anakah said.
“Told you. Now you got to promise not to show anybody this spot. I could be in trouble already…” Gisbo said.
“Oh I’m sorry! Well, don’t worry, your secret's safe with me. I wouldn’t want to come down here with anyone else, anyhow,” Anakah said. Gisbo didn’t know whether to take this as a good thing or bad thing. Either way, he felt fire rise in his cheeks.
“So, what made you ask me out like that?” Anakah wondered aloud.
<
br /> “Um, well, I really don’t know,” Gisbo said.
“You don’t know?” Anakah asked.
“Well, I do know, but,” Gisbo stammered.
“But what?” Anakah teased on.
“Alright, fine! I just couldn’t see you with that moron Knob and I knew you were uncomfortable and I really don’t like to see pretty girls uncomfortable and uh, yeah, that’s all,” Gisbo answered.
“Oh really? So that’s all then?” Anakah probed.
“Yeah, yeah, I guess so,” Gisbo replied.
“So you don’t really like me, not one little bit? You just did it because you thought Knob was . . . a moron?” Anakah asked.
“Ok, you done with this interrogation yet? I like you, ok! I thought you were pretty and I got a little perturbed when I saw Knob ask you out, ok?” Gisbo admitted. Had he really just said all that? Anakah broke out into a huge grin before responding.
“That’s all I wanted to know,” she rose to her feet before continuing. “Well, I better get going. Goodbye, Gisbo,” Anakah said as she leaned down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Gisbo thought the butterflies in his stomach had just exploded into fire when suddenly Anakah turned and skipped away back towards the commons, humming. Gisbo was confused beyond belief.
“Wait! That’s it? You 'got to go' just like that? Are we, are we going to see each other again?” Gisbo yelled. Anaka stopped and looked back with the same melt-your-knees smile.
“I guess that will be up to you, now won’t it? Good night, Gisbo, and sweet dreams!” Anakah said as she turned and continued to skip away.