Knuckle Dusting

Knuckle Dusting(30)

[But in the end, the ends justify the means right?]

I don't know it depends on what the end is and how the means are done. Could be killing off an entire people and civilization to install "long-lasting peace" but was the killing of many regardless of involvement or not considered just in order to guarantee rebellion to be subjugated more efficiently?

[I guess it depends. It is a philosophical ethical and moral debate that took hundreds of years to be decided by many countries.]

"So does your father currently like supporting a group of people or just recruits?" I ask

"Well, to be honest, he doesn't tell me what he is doing often. He is off on various jobs across the country or the capital. I am guessing it is secret for a reason. My mother who is still an active Honor Guard tells me of some events but she is still bound by the nondisclosure order when joining. But she has some leeway in telling us a couple of things here or there." Gizzele finishes

Ah, secrecy I guess makes sense. Father might've not been in a military branch but he did have connections to government and corporate business dealings that I knew seemed shady.

[You mean like not knowing you had multiple enhancements implanted in you but never knew until now?]

Basically. But man, to think you were purposefully tricking my brain into thinking I was in pain when I was in none to begin with.

[As I said before, your father hoped these implants would've done something to help your KDD. Which failed and he knew if it was public he used his son for multiple prototype and experimental projects it would've severely sullied his name and endanger him to various forms of treatment and perhaps even corporate and government attempts to "acquire" him.]

Yeah, I know…But still. He always felt distant from me. Busy, as well as distant in personality to me. I wonder if my mother would've changed his perspective of things if alive. 

[Would it matter?]

She wouldn't have changed the fact I got KDD, but she could've been the glue that helped us together.

"Are you alright?" Gizzele asks

"What? Oh yeah! Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just thought about something."

"Well, cheer up. I am sure we might find something fun. Say, how old are you?"

[Wait she said "fun" and then proceeded to ask about your age. Could it be *sniffle* you might become a man today?]

*Sigh* You know, I sometimes wish I could flick your forehead when you say something stupid. 

"19" I respond

"Sweet, then we won't be responsible for what happens" she states gesturing for me to follow

What does she mean by "won't be responsible" in such a casual manner?

[Crime maybe?]

Guess we will see.

*A couple of minutes later*

I follow Gizzele to the further side of the gathering and see a bunch of people doing some javelin throws and weapon dueling. Are the blades real or dull?

"Wait, are you suggesting I try dueling someone? I never had a lot of combat experience"

"I am not suggesting it entirely, but I think seeing some real action would be entertaining and maybe get your mood up. At least that is how us beastmen deal with moody moments." Gizzele finishes with a spin away from me. She walks over to one of them and begins chatting about me using her thumb to gesture about me.

I mean, in my previous world athletics or exercise has had a positive effect on those in down moods. Don't remember much about science. I am not depressed, just a bit slightly moody.

"Hey, can you spare a moment to let me spar with someone?" Gizzele asks

The one whom she is asking is a Cloven male with light skin, buzzcut, and armor that seems to be fully grayed out. No insignia, nor details telling me of a distinct code of arms.

He nods and gestures to her the rack of various two-handed weapons and single-handed blades l. No knives, daggers, or ranged weapons seem to be in the rack, however. I still can't tell if they are dull or not.

{Examination-Lethal}

Okay, so they are real. But why not have them dull? Dueling with actual weapons is dangerous.

[Maybe that is why they are using them then. Lethality or extra danger means you can't think "Oh the weapons are not real". Does wonders to one approach]

She picks up a spear in one hand and a fairly large kite shield. With what seems to be a noticeable corner of the kite shield that is curved in on itself. 

I am going to guess, but the curved indent might be for placing the spear on as a way to maximize frontal defense and keep the opponent distant from the spearmen.

[So if there is a line of 20 people using these weapons and shields they can make a shield wall basically.]

Phalanx formation is one of the most formidable forms of defensive and even offensive warfare. Slow, but maximizes large dense units of soldiers for maximum defense. Especially since 20 spears are being pointed forward, at a group of disorganized soldiers, pretty much can be outnumbered force can hold its own.

"Hey Daniel try something!" Gizzele calls me feet away.

A couple of people turn to her, and then to me. But they seem to almost stare at me.

[Do it, don't wanna look like a small weakling in front of her and her large family]

*Sigh* True. Besides, I can try my hand at something. But I am a very pragmatic kind of person, but I am not experienced enough to use these.

[That is what the learning chip is for. Since this is sparing I don't think we need to cook your brain with over 100 forms of spear combat with 100 different countries over over 400 years.]

Yeah…but let me see the options.

As I get up to the rack, it is much bigger than I thought. The weapons look way bigger than the normal ones I've seen

[I can offer a basic solution to why. You see, beastmen as you know are physically stronger and are more dense in muscle and bones. Overall the weapons are also proportionally different. Cloven uses a large variety of two-handed weapons, and since they are also physically taller than most races, the weapon's weight and proportions should match the need. I saw in one of the books you read of Alistair's estate that a spear can be 15 feet long sometimes but those are for heavy cavalry.]

I guess I should use something more proportional to my size. My 5'11 I think is pretty good. But then again, everyone here is not human, and are at least 6 foot or taller.

When browsing I noticed some I had never seen before in person as practical. One of them had a spearhead on the bottom and an axe head on the top with another spear tip. Some of these just look like fantasy weapons.

[Which means fantasy kind of behavior makes sense in this world]

I keep looking and see 2 interesting ones that are a pair. Silver gauntlets that can go down the forearm with what seems to be two-foot-long blades coming out of the top of the hand. With clear black fabric holding the metal together. This reminds me of some kind of superhero from way back in some comics my grandfather gave me. Wolverine or something?

[Wolverine blades were adamantine blades that were in his forearm, that when extending pushed through his hand and skin and out of the knuckles. They seem to be very similar.]

Very interesting. So basically claw gauntlets.

"Hey Gizzele, why are these gauntlets the only thing with someone of human size?" I ask the Cloven by the weapons rack.

He gets off of his stool and is standing at a proud height of 6'2. He looks at the gauntlets, pulls them off the rack, and begins checking them out.

He then tosses them to me with the blades spinning in the air with reckless care.

"What the fu-" and then everything freezes.

What the? What just happened? Everything just slowed down. Or frozen? What the hell is going on?

[Simple, remember your brain has also undergone the implants along with many other aspects of your body. Your brain is working incredibly fast that even right now it might seem like I am saying a 30-second sentence. In real time it was barely even a single second.]

So right now my brain went into overdrive when the dude threw the gauntlets at me? 

[Exactly. Pretty much gives you plenty of "time" to react before it makes contact with you. Means you can grab them more carefully, while everyone else it seems like you have fast reflexes]

Let's give it a try then.

As I begin to move which to me seems like slow motion, I take both hands grabbing each of the gauntlets at the wrist without worry of getting injured.

And as quickly as things slowed down, everything seemed to go back to normal with the hearing of commotion being returned.

"Wow…first time a human didn't panic and either drop the weapon, get hurt, or flee and scream."

"Wait you do this to people?"

"I do it to simply test if they are worth my time. If they drop the weapon or panic then they have no place in trying to use the weapon or being here. So I will humor you, these weapons are from a far part of Khuzadan in the southern region. Use by beastmen of a feline like in appearances. They come in various sizes, but the felines have an odd attraction to claws and protruding blades that act like claws. Might be because they normally have sharp claws already in their arsenal. Natural weapons if you will." He finishes.

"Natural weapons?"

*Sigh* "Basically beastmen each have some kind of natural part of them giving them an advantage in hunting or fighting with others. With me being a Cloven we don't have a notable one. Except for our physical size and speed, we can do it. But our legs are so powerful that we can kill someone with a kick. Wolvens are their teeth. While Caimans have fangs or tails which act like an extra appendages for combat. Felines have teeth and notably, claws. Other races don't have other natural weapons. Unless you count magic.

"Ah, then I will try these since they are the only ones that I think are proportional to me"

"Alright then. Your funeral" he says slapping me forward into someone else.

"OOF!" I go face forward into the back of someone with brown fur and stumbled back a bit 

I look up a see it is a female who looks to be armored bikini armor, and looks down at me. She is 6'2 in height and stares at me.

"Uh, sorry. But is his fault." I gesture to the weapons rack manager. But as I turn around he isn't even there.

Well shit…

"Whatever kid, Gizzele is waiting for you on the turf." She moves out of the way and lets me pass through where there is an open dirt clearing which is about 20'20 feet in size. Plenty of space for people to duel.

As I get there I see Gizzele standing at the other end. With a spear and kite shield in hand. The kite shield is covered in what I

believe is a metal cover on the front, with a sphere centered on it. 

[So what's the plan? You don't have the most advantageous of weapons against someone using a shield and spear]

Well seeing as I already have boxing forms. I figured I might continue that route. Sort of like an "unarmed" build if you will.

I equip the gloves on both hands and strap them in firmly and begin trying to give a feel for them. A couple of jabs, strong hooks, and flourishes to get a rhythm. 

{Claw Gloves combat learned}

Oh…I did not expect that to appear. I guess my trying them out helps. But why does this act like a computer MMO or RPG?

{I don't know. I'm unsure as to where these are occurring as well. But I guess these are good for now. I would suggest downloading a martial context to Wolverine's style to help you. His style is very animated, aggressive, and inhuman. Luckily you already have an inhuman level of strength, healing, and even an indestructible skeleton to back that. You have everything handed to you already.]

You know, you have a point for once. Do it

{Downloading visual Wolverine martial references}

"Urgh…" I groan out feeling my headache for a brief moment.

"Damn, that is surprisingly a lot…"

[Well it is a lot of media to absorb. To reference. Both comic, animated, and live-action references for me to replicate. Over 50 years worth. Plus, you have the boy needed to replicate these moves. But try not to kill her.]

WHAT!? I wouldn't try to kill her!

[Just a warning. Wolverine combat methods are very lethal and easy to cause severe harm. So just don't push too much against her. It is a sparring match]

"Yeah yeah, MUM!"

"What?" Gizzele calls out on the other side of the field.

"Huh? Oh uhm…er…NOTHING! I'm ready by the way."

I begin reading my hands in a small open palm to not be too tense. Boxing with a tight fist is not the best tactic in a fight. Being loose and prepared to tighten the body to release energy and power at a critical moment is when tighten my fist. Plus, I don't need to touch it, I can just grab the spear.

I begin slowly advancing to Gizzele, who keeping her spear resting on her raised shield. Head lowers purposefully with only her eyes and above exposed from the shield. I briefly look down at the bottom of her shield, and I can see her legs enough to tell her stance. At least moving I can tell if she may charge, pull back, or maneuver.

As we are now 13 feet from one another I stop keep my hands raised and begin circling her. He shielded, facing me with her spear. She is smart. Trying to strike me immediately as we approach would welcome a counterattack. 

These claws are only a foot long, and her shield would make it incredibly difficult to bypast. 

I notice a slight stop in Gizzele's movement and hear some dirt twist, then…

*FWOOOSH*

Time slows down, but only moments before the spear is within my reach. I respond with a head dodge to the right quickly with my right hand swiping her spear away. I lunge forward as counter attack, but get caught er a quick charge of the shield bashing me back, then followed up by the spear returning to her and another thrust.

I dodge this time using my left hand to redirect the spear to the ground with a quick jump in the air. She jeeps her shield raised high, with me unable to get through, I use both legs while in the air to drop-kick her.

*THUD*

Both of my legs hit her shield and she staggers back about 5 feet as I land with my arms and with a backward roll I stand back up hearing a rip.

"SSZZRRIIIIP*

"Uh…" I get briefly distracted but do not take my eyes off her

I feel a bit loose, however. My legs feel a bit more flexible and less restrictive. And my back feels more relaxed and opened up. 

[I think you tore your pants]

You don't say!

"Did the kid just rip his pants?" Someone comments.

Then in the corner of my eye, something walks from one side of the audience to behind me and yells out.

"HA! The kid ripped both his pants, and his uniform on the back."

And then some begin to laugh or chuckle. Humiliating, but then again I didn't intend to be sparring with someone in my uniform. 

I continue being light on my feet and with a quick twist of my foot, lunge forward. I can't attack her in the front, but her back and sides are her weaknesses. She can't use her spear to keep their distance if I am not facing where her spear is.

As I approach her within 9 feet of her, her spear thrusts with alarming accuracy to my head. I just narrowly tilt my head out of the blade's direction, and with a quick response, faint her to use her shield to bash me. With her shield lunging forward to me, I slow down time for my reaction and maneuver myself to her right where her spear hand is.

She falls for my faint with a shield bash, and her shield isn't close enough to protect her up close, and her spear isn't in the best striking position, and I am on her spear-holding side. If I had gone to her left, she could've simply used her arm to direct the spear to her left to discourage me from continuing. But she can't maneuver her wrist to counter me when on her right. She would have to turn her whole body 90 degrees to safely counter. 

But it is too late. I take my right fist and drive it up, catch her spear between my blades, and twist my hand locking it in place, and take my left right fist and turn my wrist, with the back of my hand facing Gizzele's face, and hold it in place.

I hold myself, and Gizzele freezes in place, her shield is extended too far to be pulled back in time, and her ideal spear range has been violated, and is locked between my gauntlet blades. I win.

I take a moment to breathe and realize my chest is pounding. I didn't expect this to be so…exhilarating. Maybe it is because I was more tactful, and the weapons are real.

Gizzele and I look at one another, still awkwardly locked in place, and breathing heavily. Her eyes are quite stunning. Deep brown, but yet I can see her eyes with every detail. Oh boy, I am feeling hot on my body and face.

But then her eyes widen and blink a couple of times and then looks down.

"Y-your…your left arm is pressing…pressing against my chest."

"Oh shoot, I didn't mean to like to do that, I just uhm…shit this is very awkward. Let me just uh-" I try to carefully remove my arms but I accidentally hook my blades against her shield and spear and pull her down onto me by accident. 

We both fall, with her falling on my chest against mine.

*THUD*

Her whole body pressed against my body, with my arms ipe. Wide to keep them from accidentally cutting her or myself.

"S-sorry! I fell on you" Gizzele says with a severely embarrassed and apologetic face. Her face says she is embarrassed all over.

"No, no! It is my fault I didn't communicate with you and as a result we…we fell on one another." I say clumsily

But for some reason, we just stay that way. Gizzele on top of me, our chests pressed up against one another, and I can feel her heartbeat even.

"AHEM!" A strong voice calls out.

Me and Gizzele look up or in my case tilt my head back and see a very tall silver armored woman wearing armor and realize, it is Gizzele's mother. Of all the people to get caught by, her mother is not ideal. God, I hope she doesn't try to drop-kick me with both of her legs for "violating" her daughter's honor. It was an accident!

[Nah, I hope she does. I am curious what a centaur kick is like]

You just want to see me get kicked, don't you…

[Oh look at the time! I need to sleep]

Wait, you can keep time?

[I can actually. I have an in-mind clock on standby since we've been in this world. It is 2:20 p.m. as of now.]

Wow…I will keep that in mind