HOPE

Walking through an area in the region filled with rocks and crystals, Neal prepared his mind for the work to come.

Earlier on in the morning, Luke had come to his house, informing him they would be training together for the day. This rose a some questions in his mind.

Luke had the same Combat class as Marcus, this was information he knew he could use if it came to a fight. Aware of their capabilities, he believed that it would be easier handle him.

Even though Luke seemed like the twin to Maya, they had totally different personalities. On like Maya who was lively, he was introverted and rarely spoke.

Coming to a stop at a particular area, Neal noticed Luke who was sitting on a rock waiting.

"It's about time, Neal," he spoke in a rather intimidating tone.

In response, he rubbed his hair awkwardly, with a laugh of a similar nature. He should have been in the area long ago; however, exhaustion had gotten the better of him.

'Damn it, I overslept.'

A quick motion to his feet frightened Neal; however, he soon realized how dumb his reaction was. Stepping forward, Luke unsheathed his blades.

Acquainted to what happens next, Neal did the same before standing in an offensive stance. Luke's brown colored eyes seemed to stare into his soul. This only made him weary than he already was.

Bursting into a sprint, he attempted to put the knowledge he had into test. This failed however, as a result of an unknown variable. Up until now, Neal always charged at his opponents. This time his opponent seemed to do the same.

Not aware of how to handle the situation, he changed his footing before moving to the side. This did not do any good as he slowed down tremendously, giving way for a strike to the neck. Soon after, he fell to the ground in pain.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch," Neal muttered as be rubbed the back of his neck.

"That is for keeping me out here so long," Luke said with a slight smile on his face. "Now let's get to the real training."

"Wait, that wasn't part of the training!?"

"Yes I just told you, that was for keeping me out so long. Now follow me."

Getting up to his feet, Neal was pleased to find out that his teacher for the day could jest as least. But this made his curious about what they would actually be doing for the day. Following right behind him, he didn't say a word as he patiently awaited what was to come.

In the distance, he could see a practice dummy covered in something he couldn't quite tell. The light color it had as well as it's rough texture only intrigued him. Just then, he had a slight revelation about what they could be doing.

Upon reaching their destination, Luke charged at it, slashing on it hard. A cut mark revealed itself as a result of this.

"I want you to do that," Luke spoke as he walked over to him.

Still sort of oblivious to what they were supposed to be doing, Neal unsheathed his blades once again. Launching forward in a similar manner to his teacher, he struck the dummy with all of his strength.

Falling the ground, Neal's daggers shot out of his hand in separate directions. A quick stare at his palms revealed them to be shaking in pain. Whatever the dummy was covered with, he knew it was tough.

"Darn it, that kinda hurt," Neal voiced out as he got to his feet.

"That's all wrong. You weren't supposed to mirror the way I struck it," Luke corrected.

"Then what exactly should I do?"

"Your specialty is speed, right? Why don't you incorporate it into your strikes? If you did that, I am sure your attacks will become more powerful."

Opening his eyes in shock, Neal stared at the dummy as he finally came to an understanding why he wasn't damaging the Lizard men. After picking up his weapons, he stood in an offensive stance once again.

Whenever he fought monsters, he gave priority to avoiding their strikes, hence he never thought of incorporating such a factor to his arsenal. Taking a firm footing on the ground, Neal dashed towards the dummy at great speed.

Taking two separate strikes on the target, his daggers shot out of his hands again, resulting in his slamming the ground once again. The same sting from earlier filled his hands; however, this time he ignored it.

A few steps by Neal to the dummy afterwards revealed he had actually created a shallow cut on it. For him, that was a huge step from where he was previously.

"Do you know what I put over the dummy?" Luke asked what seemed to be a rhetorical question. "It is something I created from Lizard man skin. Though if I am being honest, it is tougher."

"That would mean I.."

"Yes Neal. You cut through a Lizard man's skin. Right now you aren't used to attacking like that; however, if you continue to practice, you will improve drastically."

The news he received made him all the more ecstatic. It was obvious from the glint he now had in his eyes. One of excitement and determination.

*****

Meanwhile, Evans had decided to meet up with Xavier to have a conversation. He had planned to do this sometime ago but hesitation clouded his judgement.

After seeing Neal working so hard though, he finally pushed himself to do so. Facing their leader, he mirrored his stoic expression as he spoke. "I am sure you are aware of the fact that we have been training Neal."

To this, Xavier would move a bit in his sit as he got an idea of what the conversation was about. Just then, the intimidating air he had around him, thickened all the more.

"Evans, get to the point."

After a bit of hesitation, Evans spoke once again. "I want you to help in training him as well. I am sure you have something in mind that can aid him in getting stronger."

"I am sure this has something to do with his similarities to Cody," Xavier said after a loud sigh, out of the blue.. "You don't realize that you are giving him hope that he shouldn't have. Hope that is most likely going to lead him to his death."

Evans who was hearing all of this could not help but be silent. It was obvious that words stemmed from something that happened in the past. Something that he himself knew all too well.

"I won't do it. I won't put an innocent man to death just because of something as outrageous as hope."