{"id":5634,"date":"2020-02-20T21:48:51","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T13:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.benjamincheah.com\/?p=5634"},"modified":"2020-02-20T21:48:51","modified_gmt":"2020-02-20T13:48:51","slug":"bayani-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/?p=5634","title":{"rendered":"Bayani Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Kerala,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In steel they saw the truth. For now, wooden sticks were a reasonable approximation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRACK-CRACK-CRACK.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani jumped back, raising his baston<\/em> to the guard. Rizal retreated too. Behind Rizal, Bayani saw\na shadowed figure nod. A sheathed sword hung from the man\u2019s loincloth. That had\nto be Maestro Alejandro. In the Circle, he was the only one allowed to carry a\nweapon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweat rolled down Bayani\u2019s forehead. Flickering\ntorches threw shadows across the Circle. Drums beat and men chanted, but in\nthis moment he heard only a wall of sound. Bayani\u2019s wrist was sore, his palm\nraw, and he was losing sensation in his thumb. Before the Trial they trained\nfor hours, and Bayani was sure his arm would soon give way. But Rizal had put\nall of himself into his strikes, and to respond with anything less than full\nstrength was to court disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Bayani?\u201d Rizal yelled. \u201cToo scared to\nfight?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was. Rizal was a beast with the sticks. Solo baston<\/em> was his specialty, and Rizal\u2019s\nweapon traced fluid, deceptive patterns faster than Bayani could track. Rizal\ncircled to the right, and Bayani mirrored him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course not!\u201d Bayani replied, finally. \u201cJust giving\nyou a chance to show off!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the Circle, the men laughed. Even the healers\nat the side chuckled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHow about this, then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal leapt in, stick arcing down. Bayani covered up\nand sidestepped, deflecting the strike, and swung his baston<\/em> at Rizal\u2019s\nhead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missed. Barely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They danced again, jockeying for a superior position. Once more Rizal leapt in, swinging at Bayani’s shoulder. Bayani drew his stick in, blocking the blow. Rizal’s stick ricocheted off the Bayani’s and swung around to his other side. Bayani flinched away, his weapon arcing around into a rising diagonal strike, going for Rizal’s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CLACK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Missed!<\/em> Missed by a finger!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani’s desperate counter had left him off-balance. He shifted his weight, re-grounding himself, holding out his arm for a moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long enough for Rizal to crash in and catch Bayani’s wrist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a counter to this, but in the heat of the moment Bayani\u2019s mind blanked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal regained the initiative, kicking out. His foot\ntouched Bayani\u2019s thigh, just enough to shock Bayani out of his fugue. Bayani\njumped away, twisting his wrist to break the hold, just as Rizal\u2019s stick whizzed\nthrough where his head used to be. Bayani charged in, stick raised\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And doubled over, the air rushing out of him in a\npained ooof.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal must have hit him with a thrust. Bayani backed\naway, rubbing his sore gut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne to Rizal,\u201d the Maestro called. \u201cFootwork, Bayani,\nfootwork! Have you learned nothing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chastised, Bayani breathed through the pain and\nstraightened. Rizal stopped his stick dance, using a moment to catch his\nbreath. But as Bayani brought his guard up, Rizal jumped in with an overhead\nstrike. Bayani stepped away, swinging for his hand\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And missed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal lunged forward. Bayani flung himself back,\ndeflecting the stick with his own. Once more they circled, this time\ncounterclockwise, Bayani trying to go for Rizal\u2019s left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a long way to go, Bayani,\u201d Rizal called.\n\u201cYou can\u2019t touch me. You\u2019re too young for the Trial!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe in you, Bayani!\u201d a girl replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was Perla. Apprenticing with the healers, she was\nhere to watch the Trial. To watch him<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNeed a girl to fight for you?\u201d Rizal taunted. \u201cYou\ncan\u2019t fight for yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani drew a deep breath. \u201cSince you insist\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He charged, stick tracing a figure-eight. Not as fluid\nas Rizal, but it would serve as his sword and shield and he closed the\ndistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani accelerated, but too late he realized Rizal was\njust studying his patterns. Rizal closed in, going for Bayani\u2019s centerline.\nBayani brought the stick down on a new trajectory. Then Rizal stepped out<\/em>, smacking Bayani\u2019s stick arm back\ntowards his chest with his live hand, and whipped his stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THUD.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pain exploded down Bayani\u2019s arm. His hand sprung open,\nand his stick fell from his grasp. Rizal followed through, spinning around,\nwrenching Bayani into an armlock. Bayani cursed as a sharper pain needled his\nshoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo for Rizal!\u201d Alejandro called. \u201cBayani, I don\u2019t\nsee you fighting!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alejandro released Bayani. \u201cI thought you were ready.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani massaged his wounded arm and picked up his baston<\/em>. All the strength had fled his\nmuscle and bone. His grip was weak. Almost nonexistent. One more blow and he\nwould lose his weapon again. That would not do. Bayani winced, and transferred\nthe baston<\/em> to his left hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal snickered. \u201cLost your arm? That\u2019s okay, we can\ndo this again next year!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boys reset their position, and the dance\ncontinued. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani could not fighter harder. He had to fight\nsmarter. Rizal was older, taller, stronger, with a longer and heavier stick. He\nhad reach and skill, but he was paying the price for his theatrics. His was\npanting, his breaths coming in ragged spurts.  And the torches weren\u2019t evenly distributed\naround the ring. Maybe\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal engaged. Bayani parried and jumped out, using\nthe motion to wipe sweat from his forehead. Rizal closed again with a thrust.\nBayani sidestepped, swatting the stick aside, but Rizal disengaged before\nBayani could counterattack. Bayani circled to the right, Rizal followed, and\nwhen the torches were in Rizal\u2019s eyes, Bayani hunched down, using Rizal\u2019s body\nto partially block the firelight behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani charged in screaming, his stick raised high. Rizal snorted and answered with a thrust. At the last moment, Bayani diagonal-stepped away, the baston<\/em> brushing past his skin, and snapped his stick down with both hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CRACK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal dropped. Bayani blinked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damn.\nI didn\u2019t\u2014did I\u2014<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHealers!\u201d Alejandro yelled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two women rushed forward, Perla trailing them with\nbaskets of medicine. They laid Rizal out, and he moaned softly. Bayani exhaled,\nreleasing the tension in his chest. The women rustled around the baskets,\nproducing a bandage. They whispered instructions, and Perla wrapped Rizal\u2019s\nhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maestro materialized behind Bayani. \u201cLigaya, how\nis he?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ligaya was Perla\u2019s mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe took a bad blow to the temple. There\u2019s some bleeding, and he\u2019s out cold, but he\u2019ll live.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Perla tied off the bandage, Ligaya drew a poultice\nfrom a basket and applied it to Rizal\u2019s skull. The other healer opened a small\nvial of foul-smelling fluid, opening Rizal\u2019s mouth and pouring it down his\nthroat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rizal coughed. Groaned. His eyes fluttered, and he sat\nup. The healers gently lifted him to his feet and carried him away. Perla flashed\na smile at Bayani and joined her teachers. His heart skipped a beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe the rule was best three of five hits,\u201d\nAlejandro said lightly. \u201cThe idea is to demonstrate knowledge of technique, not\nto injure your partner. Or to impress Perla.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bayani blushed. \u201cSorry, Maestro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alejandro chuckled. \u201cRizal needed a smack anyway. I\ntold him to reserve his strength, not his skill. He mixed it up. That whack\nshould unscramble his brain. But no matter. Come with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maestro led the boy to the edge of the Circle. Addressing\nthe men, Alejandro said, \u201cI declare that Bayani Otogan has won the Trial of\nCombat. Who here agrees?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOPO!<\/em>\u201d the\nmen yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDoes anyone disagree?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWALA PO!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo be it! From this day forth, Bayani Otogan is a man\nand a warrior!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spectators cheered. Bayani grinned. The pain\nretreated from his arm, fading to a dull ache. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a warrior, he is entitled to and requires a weapon\nof his own.\u201d The Maestro smartly extracted the scabbarded sword from his\nloincloth, and faced the new warrior. \u201cBayani, this ginunting<\/em> belonged to your father. He died a warrior and a hero,\nprotecting our friends from pirates. You have proven yourself your father\u2019s\nson. You have earned the right to carry his sword.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Maestro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe blade is forged of sky-metal. It has tasted the\nblood of men and beast, and may not be used for a lesser purpose. Treat it\nwell, and it will serve you as it had served your father.\u201d The Maestro held out\nthe weapon in both hands. \u201cThis sword is now yours. Draw it only in wisdom and\nin defense of the innocent, or not at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Maestro.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a bow, Bayani accepted the sword. It was heavy,\nheavier than the rattan bastons<\/em> that\nhe had trained with his entire life, heavier than the baraw<\/em>, the knife, he was used to carrying. It was an unimpressive\nweapon. The scabbard was made of plain wood, the sword\u2019s curved grip worn\nsmooth. But it was his<\/em> now, and as he\nexamined it the ginunting<\/em> seemed to\nstare back into his soul. Bayani tucked the sword into his loincloth, carrying\nit at his hip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alejandro gripped Bayani\u2019s shoulder. \u201cNow your journey\ntruly begins. Are you ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGood man. For now, we celebrate!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The men erupted into cheers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Monsters, magic and martial arts in a world-spanning dungeon. Check out Dungeon Samurai here<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sign up on my mailing list here<\/a> to stay updated on my latest news and promotions!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In steel they saw the truth. For now, wooden sticks were a reasonable approximation. CRACK-CRACK-CRACK. Bayani jumped back, raising his baston to the guard. Rizal retreated too. Behind Rizal, Bayani saw a shadowed figure nod. A sheathed sword hung from the man\u2019s loincloth. That had to be Maestro Alejandro. In the Circle, he was the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[138,143,208,253,306,341],"class_list":["post-5634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction","tag-fiction","tag-free-story","tag-martial-arts","tag-pulprev","tag-steempulp","tag-writing"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5634"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5634"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5634\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kitsuncheah.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}