17 The basics and preparation

While laying down focusing on recovering my wounds I started to get hungry. Using my souls energy to heal my body is exhausting and requires me to redirect nutrients and proteins to wounds in order to rebuild the damaged tissue.

Staring at my weapon bag at the foot of my bed I tried to move towards it to get the cave bear meat I left inside. After failing to move due to nearly reopening the wound on my chest I let my head hit the pillow. I need the meat to heal, but to get the meat I'll need to reopen my wounds.

'Sigh'

If only I could still move things with my mind like I could when I was a soul. "Wait! Why did I assume I couldn't do that? It's not like I tried even once since I woke up here." Focusing my mind towards my bag I tried to lift it towards me.

The bag hovered in the air a moment. 'AAAAHHHHH'

"Holy shit! What was that?"

Holding my aching forehead I felt a slight drop of blood fall from my nose. Wiping it off with my thumb I tried to concentrate once more. This time on the bags latch. It only shook slightly. Focusing harder. A bead of sweat formed above my eyebrows and slide to the tip of my nose.

'Click' "Finally I managed to flip it open."

'Whew' Exhaling deeply I wiped the sweat from my brow. "That was more tiring than I expected."

It seems my soul still retained the skills ans strength it had honed over the millennia. My telekinesis is still working just fine. The only problem is the strain is too much for my mind to handle. If I want to reach the same heights as I did while dead I'll have to train myself all over again. But this time I have to be carful not too over do it. The brain is a complex structure after all.

After spending all my minds effort I barely managed to pull the left over bear meat towards myself. Eating slowly while I used the energy to aid the healing process. Meat is much better for this than most other foods. Though certain vegetables and fruits do work faster the energy from meat tends to last longer.

After another hour practicing with my mind while trying to heal myself simultaneously I collapsed from the effort.

Waking up and finishing the bear meat I slowly tried to sit up. It was painful, but doable. It seems my bones didn't break quite like I thought they did. And whoever set them while I was out cold did a fairly good job. Though my bandages were poorly wrapped.

"How strange."

Once I was sitting upright I became to train my mind again. Lifting the spoon from the empty bowl next to me I began to spin in through the air as I slowly moved it farther away from me. When it reached the end of the bed it dropped.

I focused on it and inched it toward me before I could finally make it float again. "It seems my reach is only 2-3 meters at most. Any more than that and I strain my mind."

After spending several hours passing out and then practicing again Stephen and Mikayla came back into the room with more food and bandages.

I heard them coming so I moved the spoon from above my head over to the bowl before they saw it floating.

"Glad your up. We need to change those bandages." Said Stephen as he tried to helped me sit on the edge of the bed. I waved him off, but thanked him thought.

Mikayla then jumped onto the bed like a cat and walked up to me from behind. Sitting down she stuck her hand out towards Stephen. He sighed and handed her the bandages.

"Uh not that I'm complaining, but is there a particular reason my bones are properly set but my wounds aren't wrapped properly?" I asked while unwrapping my injuries.

Mikayla blushed. "I-its because I've never bandaged someone else before." She said shyly.

Stephen had just finished undressing my wounds before Mikayla started relaying the new wrapping.

"I called in a favour with an old boxing doctor to have your bones set, but he didn't care much for our lack of money and left before bandaging you. He was fuming after finding out we couldn't pay. I would have done it, but the kid insisted that I go back to the kitchen and she could handle it. Plus the kids got much steadier hands than I do."

"Mikayla! MI-KAY-LA. Don't call me a kid. I have a name." Mikayla said angrily.

"Right sorry." Stephen put his hands out as if she was going to jump on him and he was making a wall to stop her.

"Anyway." I said cutting in and suppressing a chuckles. "Thank you both. I should be fine on my own after another day or two. But until then I'll be in your care."

They both smiled.

"Oh that reminds me. You said you wanted me to train you right. Well I said I won't teach you and I stand by it, but if you go into my bag and pick a weapon I'll advise you on your form once in-awhile. It's the least I can do." I said as I lay back in bed, Mikayla had jumped down the moment she finished. I looked down and was impressed at how much better she had done this time around. She learns quick.

"Thank you, but are you sure?" Stephen asked.

"Yeah their just for training anyway. Most have been replaced more than once. Just don't touch my hammer or spear and you can have anything else in the bag. You too Mikayla, you can choose something too. See if there's anything you like."

They both hesitated a moment before Mikayla ran over and picked up my bag. Looking through it she grabbed the hilt of my dagger and pulled it out. Sliding it from its sheath she seemed entranced by the blade. 'Click' she snapped it shut and attached it to her waist on the opposite side of her hunting knife. Then picked up my short sword and strapped it to her back. Turning. smiling broadly, her sharp teeth clearly visible, she thanked me. Then turned and ran down the hall.

"Where does she go all the time?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, but I know she's been following you into the forest." Came Stephen's reply as he eyed my weapons bag.

"Really?" I was shocked. She didn't look like she could survive in the forest. But thinking back to the way she eyed the shorts word and dagger, it's entirely possible I've been underestimating her.

"Yeah. I tried once, but was almost eaten. I've barely been able to stay a few days. She goes in and stays almost as long as you do." He didn't even look at me this time. His eyes glued to the bag.

He was more much reserved than Mikayla, but clearly still interested. It took a bit of coaxing until he finally picked up Dex's rifle. It was then he noticed something and went back into the bag.

"Can I have these as well?" Stephen asked, holding up Joes spiked knuckles.

"Heh, no problem. You can show me your form while your here."

Taking a second to stare at Joes gloves before putting them in his back pocket, he started to shadow box around the small room. From the way he moved I could practically see Stephens opponent. He clearly had a good understanding of Joe's fighting style. Enough to perfectly visualize and create a mental image of him to spar against.

I watched him shadow box until he tired, occasionally commenting, eventually I told him to stop. He could have definitely taken down my bodies former owner, but he's a long way from Joe's level. Especially strength wise. Though he seems to share Joe's bad habit of telegraphing his moves.

After he left I continued to train my mind and heal my wounds. After a few days of rest I started to feel much better. During this time I was constantly telling Stephen what he was doing wrong, what he had right, and how to improve both. I was also meditating on my passed battles and honing my mental abilities. During my time in bed I asked Mikayla to bring me the stones in my bag so I could continue to strengthen my grip.

This continued until my body was strong enough to train again. It only took 3 and half days after waking up because of my souls energy doing the brunt of the healing, but I also suspect that wounds naturally heal faster in this world to begin with.

When I was finally healed enough and could do a complete set of Yogi Pathik's sacred poses, I went to Baona's bar to stuffed my face till I couldn't even think about food. That excess energy was enough to boost the healing process and get me closer to my peak.

After relaxing and digesting my meal while using the great gurus nutrient absorbing method I eyed the bounty wall.

Looking at the bounty posters I read them slowly and after carful selection chose two targets. One was 1.4 million, the other 2.3 million. "I'll hunt cave bears on the side and use these two as practice. That way I'll be perfectly prepared to handle Ruben in our rematch." With that thought in mind I went to find my first target. A Rapier specialist named Vandanna Sha.

Ruben has many things above me, but if there's something I have that he doesn't its my speed and reaction time. Sure he's fast for his size, but if I play my cards right he won't even be able to hit me.

Though right now their both not much higher than Rubens own. And I won't be able to close the strength gap anytime soon, so I'll have to use this chance to double down and use my greatest strength to pierce his weakest link.

Martial arts wasn't created to compete strength against strength. No, it was made for someone weak to overcome someone strong through technique and skill alone. I forgot that most basic ideology and tried to face strength with strength.

I know I can get close to him if I train my reaction time and increase my natural speed. I'll also need to keep working on my grip strength if I want to use a rope to cut off his air supply.

Bending over and picking up 2 rocks I started squeezing them as I walked. I won't be going for Quintin just yet. I'll be heading back to hunt bears first and ensure I'm in peak condition before I face him.

...

Cooking the bear over the fire I started to meditate on the battle. Using a spear to fell the beast was much easier than using a hammer and trying to choke it. Getting up to stretch my muscles in the sacred posses of Yogi Pathik, while I used my own version of the gurus technique to move the energy in my body.

It's been 5 days since I left Stephen and Mikayla. And I'm finally back to 100%. Bear meat and the forests mushrooms and nuts are perfect for healing tired body. I've been training my body and weaponry at a lesser pace than before, but I took that time to work on my dashing and dodging while running through the mountains gripping rocks and carrying my weapons bag on my back. By the end of the month, once I've caught my next 2 bounties, if I continue this training method, I should be fast enough to avoid even Ruben's greatest swing.

My next target was a women with an Arabian complexion named Vadanna Sha. worth 1.4 million. She was a trained and skilled fencer. So she obviously wielded a rapier. I swallowed in anticipation. I hadn't fought a true duel with rapier's since I was a kid re-enacting the cliffside fight from the princess bride. Though that doesn't count since I didn't have a real opponent. Or a sword.

Walking out of the forest with a rapier in its stheath, it was one of the 10 weapons I originally purchased, one of the 3 types of swords I bought. A katana, a short sword and rapier.

Walking into town with the sword at my waist, on the belt hidden by my suit jacket, I began to ask around for Sha's location. It wasn't difficult as she was always challenging people to duels.

After a day of walking. I found her in the midst of a duel. I watched her spectacular form easily deal with her opponent within seconds. She was tall with short flat red hair. Her muscles were well toned like that of an Olympic gymnasts. Her brown skin made her stand out from the crowd. She was darker than Lenora, but had the same air of sophistication around her as she sheathed her blade.

"I was worried you'd be tired after your duel, but since you finished so quickly, would you care to take me on." I said as I drew my rapier with my left hand. A simple blade with a metal inlaid, wooden hilt.

She looked thrilled. "Of course I'll take you on. It's been too long since someone challenged me. It's always me going after them. Don't disappoint me now." She said smiling as she tossed a glance at her last opponent.

"I'll try." I said trying not to show my excitement.

She drew her weapon. A long thin piece of beautifully forged steel for the blade, a jewelled hilt and leather grip. Compared to mine it was like a diamond next to a rock.

I raised my sword in front of me till the blade was pointing up right between my eyes. Then I swung it out to my right. Before getting into a stance with my body turned sideways, my left leg bent and my right foot in front.

She seemed confused at my gesture but mimicked it nonetheless.

And then she struck. Like lightning released from a bottle I barely had time to react. I parried the blow aimed for my head and struck towards her neck. Every thrust of hers aimed for a weakness in my form, every parry showed my lack of skill compared to hers. I was outclassed on every level. And I loved it.

As the battle continued I was able to correct many of my faults. She seemed impressed and continued her relentless barrage as we crossed blades. I wasn't able to deal with every strike though and my wounds were piling up. I hadn't even scratched her yet. But I was about to change that.

Countering my strike she lunged to disarm me inn the same manner she used to finish her last duel. I was waiting for this. I took my chance and parried at an angle while aiming for her wrist with a follow up jab. It worked, but only barley. She was bleeding, but not enough to hinder her swordsmanship.

"I'll admit your good. No one has injured me in awhile. This has been a true test of skill. But now the test is over. Time for the game to end." She said as the air around her seems to change, I could tell she was finally serious.

After another brief exchange I marvelled at her speed and timing. Unable to keep up she returned my strike to her wrist three fold. It was literally three times larger and three times deeper. I had to focus my souls energy into the wound to stop from bleeding out.

"This duel is over. I did enjoy our time together, but all good things must come to an end." She said with a grin. Her voice was like a bell, clear and beautiful.

Looking into her pale green eyes I smiled "I'll admit that your better than I am. But I know something you don't"

"Yeah? What's that?" Rolling her eyes as she lunged forward attempting to disarm me.

"I am not left handed." And I tossed my rapier into my right hand and leapt to meet her charge.

Our blades crossed, our eyes stayed locked and we continued our fierce exchange. The duel went on for what seemed like hours. We were at a stalemate. And our wounds slowly piled up, covering both our bodies. I thrusted and she paried, where she went to cut I countered. We threw in feints and responded with ever increasing speed. As our bout continued and we aimed for each others weaknesses more and more, we began to involuntarily improve the others style as neither could gain an edge over the other for long.

After an equal share of blood and sweat we almost simultaneously separated. She sheathed her sword as I sheathed mine. We would both die at this rate. And we both got what we wanted, so there was no point continuing the fight.

I got to train my reaction speed and she got to fight a duel with a skilled opponent that could test her limits. Neither of us wanted to kill the other after such a display. Besides I came for the expirence not the just bounty, that would have only been icing on the cake.

Both of us were pushed to our limits during this duel and we overcame them during the course of the battle. By the end we respected one another too much. So we parted with a smile, a nod and a promise to fight once more should we meet again.

The rapier is definitely one of my favourite duelling weapons. It's why I studied it so much after I died while on earth. I still have much to learn though.

Relishing at the thought of my improvement I went back to the mountains to train and solidify what I learnt and felt during my duel. After nearly a week I headed out to look for Lance wielder Quintin. My next target.

I found him at a dive bar in a village similar to Grassroots town on the other side of the forest I woke up in. The two towns and the military post, near the islands edge, made a deformed triangle on the map.

He was in a dive bar and seemed to be ready for a fight. He was dressing in a black over coat and had red sunglasses on. He was completely bald and had a long dimpled chin. And I mean really long. This guy looked like the Crimson chin. He was leaning back in a chair holding his lance in his right hand and sitting in a corner of the bar. Most people seemed to be avoided sitting near him. Though there were still a few.

"So? You want to do this in here or outside?" I said as I held up his wanted poster and walked into the bar and looking at him.

"Outside. If I thrash you in here the ba'keep won't let me drink no mo" He grumbled before getting up.

I backed out slowly and tossed my weapons bag to my right. I looked at the people around him. None seemed too keen to help. Oh well I prefer a one on one anyway.

Holding my spear firmly in one hand and my new shield in my left I readied myself.

The instant his left foot hit the dirt out side the bar he made his move. Like a hornet he lunged at me with his lance pointed straight at my throat.

I angled my shield and blocked the blow. Returning his thrust with a jab of my spear before turning it into a sweeping strike.

He pulled his lance back, tilted it to the side and parried by blow. And that's when it began. My greatest duel yet. With every move I felt my spine tingle as if every instinct I had was telling me to run. It took sheer strength of will to fight past the fear of death and his bullet like attacks.

Ruben was strong, but we were far from evenly match. Not like this.

Using my foot work to its fullest I avoided his blows and returned with my own. Parrying with my shield and responding with my spear. Over and over again. We danced like this for at least ten hours. My every muscle and nerve forced to its limits trying to respond in time. Cuts formed all over our bodies. And when I was forced to dodge or step back he was on me like paint. It was exhilarating. Even he seemed to enjoy the challenge. For awhile at least. Eventually he got frustrated as I started to get used to his moves and even started responding before he could react. Catching him off guard a few times. Then he started to get mad.

My soul sharpened my mind and adrenaline forced body to continue long after it had been exhausted.

When we both started to slow considerably, we backed off and readied one final assault. Charging towards one another like jousters, without horses, ready to strike. At the same moment we both unleashed everything we had left in one finally clash. Just before his blow ended my life I lifted my shield just enough to change the trajectory so it slid past my face and beside my eye. Leaving a long scar from my temple to the back of my head, just over my right ear. My blow hadn't found its mark either, his lances centre had tipped my spear into his shoulder instead of his heart as we collided.

I took a deep breath twisted, and pulled my spear head from under Quintins right collar bone. Before he could stand I bashed him in the face with my shield.

I was far too tired to continue and I'm not sure what he might have up his sleeve, so I knocked him out and ended it. Plus Unlike with Sha, whose bounty comes from her habit of challenging anyone with a sword to a duel and coming across the wrong person, Quintins bounty is from the people.

They gathered together their earnings to place a bounty on his head through the bounty hunters den. I didn't even think that was possible. And it's all because he likes to attack at random when drunk and happens to be ridiculously violent even when not.

I got no mercy for people like him, but if I gave him in dead the bounty falls by 30%. Seems the people who placed this on his head didn't just want him killed off. It usually only falls by 10%.

I then went back to Baona's bar, feasted then got my bounty and went back to the mountains to train. Meditating on my next move and how I could have fought better. Just as before, staying in the mountains for another week and constantly hunting six foot tall wild boar, 20 foot tall cave bears and even a 40 foot long rainbow scaled anaconda, anything strong enough to help me improve. All to prepare me to fight Ruben again.

Cracking my neck and picking up my weapons bag I looked into the sky as it started to rain.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be. If I put this off too long it'll defeat the purpose. It's time to face Ruben once more!"