Boxing with Bare Hands

A chilly breeze swept through Bamor, bringing with it the rich aroma of damp earth and frost-covered grass. The winter morning wrapped the small village in silent stillness, interrupted only by the gentle rustling of bare branches and the faint crow of a solitary rooster.

With dawn's first light, the sky above the village blossomed into hues of soft pink and orange, casting elongated shadows over snow-covered cottages and narrow cobblestone streets. Icicles dangling from eaves shimmered like crystalline daggers, mirroring the rising sunlight.

At the center of Bamor, the church stood as a humble sentinel, its stone walls softly illuminated by the glow of lanterns flickering against the growing darkness. The courtyard lay adorned with morning dew, each blade of grass sparkling with tiny droplets that caught the light, forming a glittering display.

Amidst this peaceful awakening, Asdras moved silently through the village. He watched as the animals stirred from their sleep — cows stretching their limbs in the crisp air, chickens fluffing their feathers while pecking at the ground, and a lone dog yawning before trotting to greet its master.

Farmers, wrapped in thick cloaks, started their daily journey to the fields. They moved with determination, their footsteps crunching on the frosted paths as they set out to care for their livestock and crops.

As he walked on, Asdras made sure to remain unnoticed. Shadows danced around him, seamlessly blending with the village's morning colors. The humble cottages surrounding the church were simple yet solid, their thatched roofs gently sloping under the weight of accumulated snow.

Inside one of these cottages, Brian awaited him — his friend, an energetic fourteen-year-old with a mischievous grin and eyes sparkling with youthful exuberance.

"Sleeping more than ever, Asdras?" Brian teased, giving him a playful nudge and signaling him to crouch and stay hidden.

Asdras chuckled softly, his gaze flicking around the courtyard. "Needed to catch some sheep after all our late-night schemes." He glanced at the shadowed lines across the ground — traps he knew were set with precision, even if he couldn't remember exactly how he knew.

Inside the courtyard, morning dew adorned the scene like countless tiny diamonds. Brian and Asdras stood near the old tunnel entrance, a place steeped in local myths and whispered fears. Legends spoke of hidden dangers lurking within, tales meant to keep the villagers vigilant during the long, dark nights.

'Wow, it's been, like, a year and a half since they found me lost...,' Asdras mused.

Brian shattered the reflective silence. "Today's trap is goin' to be a breeze," he said, shoulder-to-shoulder with Asdras.

Asdras grinned at his friend's constant optimism. 'He's always been the jokester compared to my awkward silences. We've pulled off so many pranks, dodging the old priest's punishment... but today feels different, like something's brewing...'

"Hey," Brian called out to him.

From the edge of the courtyard, the old priest approached. Bald and frail, yet his posture remained firm, Joe moved with calculated steps. His humming of a faint melody from an old sermon filled the air as he glanced around, his eyes sharp yet weary. The priest paused briefly, surveying the subtle corners and gaps among the barrels and the weapon rack.

Joe smoothed his worn robe with a pinch of his fingers, starting a quiet prayer with a twinkle in his eye. "Let's ask for a bit of protection and wisdom, shall we?" he mused, eyes crinkling with warmth. "And let's kindly disarm these traps before anyone ends up bouncing about like a loose ball."

Before Asdras and Brian could decide their next move, their friends emerged, whispering excitedly about the Deliverer rumored to visit today. Fragments of their conversations floated in the air — one eager to hear old stories, another a girl dreaming of new cosmetics.

Amidst the priest's admonitions, a chubby boy named Luca ran ahead, weaving through the group. As Joe shouted for him to stop, Asdras and Brian exchanged a knowing glance. Before Luca could react, a trap snapped shut, catching his foot and hurling him into the air. He crashed to the ground, and a bucket attached to a line swung into action, dumping a foul-smelling liquid over him.

Laughter erupted from the group, quickly turning into giggles and then into nauseous coughs as the stench took hold. A boy cracked a dark joke, "Looks like Luca just got baptized in misery," while a girl cursed, "May your sheep droppings never dry, Luca!"

Asdras sighed, torn between amusement and concern when he felt Brian touch his shoulder. Luca struggled to rise, his face contorted in horror. "Who?!"

The scene settled as Asdras and Brian revealed their own amusement. "No hard feelings, Luca," Brian said with a sheepish smile, coughing softly.

Luca, overcome with fury, tried to advance but slipped on the mixture of snow and liquid, crashing face-first into the muddy ground once more.

Joe shook his head, signing a prayer with a hint of playful exasperation. "Ah, what a shame, what a shame. Luca, off to the river with you for a quick splash, eh?" His gaze turned steely, though not unkind, towards Asdras and Brian. "As for you two rascals, it's mop duty after training — and I think breakfast might have to wait a little longer. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," both boys replied in unison, nodding respectfully.

With a slight gesture, Joe helped Luca to his feet, while Asdras felt a soft hand on his shoulder. Turning, he saw Sheepy — a girl around his age with brown hair and freckles — standing beside him.

"Hi, Little Sheepy," Asdras greeted, smiling warmly.

Sheepy leaned forward, her cheeks dimpling as she pointed a finger at Brian, "Ain't you gone an' brewed up that yellow herb again, boy? Smells like a skunk has rolled in a meadow."

"Who, me? Nah, it was all him!" Brian feigned innocence, pointing back at Asdras.

"We all know whose idea it was!" The group erupted in laughter, even the priest couldn't help but chuckle at their antics.

As Asdras watched Joe approach, he noticed Luca stumbling unsteadily, cursing Brian and vowing to exact revenge once he drifted back to sleep.

"Everyone, gather 'round to the open field over there," Joe piped up, throwing a last amused glance at the cluttered courtyard. "Today, kids, we're giving our muscles a little tune-up!"

The group moved towards the open field as the village came alive around them. People went about their morning duties, dogs trotting alongside their owners, and a cat nestled dutifully inside a barrel. The shepherd led the way, his sheep grazing peacefully as the boys followed. As they walked, Asdras pondered deeply about himself.

Asdras scratched his nose thoughtfully, lost in his reverie. 'Eruption, Awakening… What's that all about?' The term echoed in his mind, tied to the chaotic changes and the intensified efforts of the church and military to fortify the fairway communities. Chaos had plunged the region into violence, mistrust, and fear, forcing the church to dedicate more resources to the villages.

Memories of sermons lingered like lingering mist, recounting the downfall of isolated men devoured by famine and ravaged by marauders and nightmarish creatures. One tale haunted him — a farmer whose barren fields attracted insects bigger than pigs, his crops withering under their relentless assault. Desperation drove him to the bottle, his once gentle demeanor corroded by bitterness. His son, scarred by witnessing his father's decline, sought solace in destructive vices, ultimately betraying his blood in a violent outburst.

The farmer's desperation led him to drink more, souring his mood and making him intolerable at home. His son, witnessing the turmoil, developed addictions to drinking and smoking, eventually robbing his father and spiraling into violence.

Consumed by rage and fear, the farmer morphed into a grotesque figure, razing his neighbor's home in a frenzied attempt to obliterate his lineage. His path led him into the forsaken woods, where a shadow-clad cultist offered fleeting hope, concealing his true intentions with drugs. Rebirthed as a savage, the farmer embraced the law of non-law, his soul entwined with relentless anger rather than seeking redemption.

A soft touch on his left arm snapped Asdras back to the present as they arrived at the open field.

"Hey buddy, are you okay?" Brian asked, concern etched in his voice.

"U-hum," Asdras replied with a nod.

The field shimmered under the morning sun, dew glistening on the grass while distant mountains cast long shadows. As Joe walked toward a large stone in the center, he signaled everyone to form a circle around him.

"Right then," Joe began, his voice resonating with an air of gentle authority. "Today, we'll be honing our skills in the fine art of barehanded self-defense. Crucial knowledge for those times when life's adventures leave us with nothing but our own wits and strength."

"Last month, we tackled the cunning creatures of the wild, getting to know them inside out. This month, we're slipping into something a little more introspective — trusting these old bones of ours over any shiny weapon."

Brian turned to Asdras with a smirk. "Do you remember that creature — the green one with spikes and a corn-like smell? We killed it without his help!"

"Oh, that," Asdras nodded thoughtfully. "I do."

As Asdras watched Joe instruct the importance of using the body in combat, his thoughts wandered. Fighting felt both familiar and distant, a duality that resonated within him. While others struggled with basic movements, displaying their scars and broken bones, he moved with instinctual precision. Joe had told him, "You might be from a great city, Asdras. Your movements have purpose rather than being predictable."

'This month, I will go to Baurous… Perhaps…'

"You, come forth." Joe's voice snapped Asdras back to reality, revealing a rugged boy stepping forward.

"Alright, y'know," Joe chuckled, a twinkle in his eyes. "Self-defense isn't about brawn and bluster. It's a dance of balance and finesse — let's see if we can't discover your rhythm."

Joe demonstrated a poised stance, his feet firmly grounded in a horse stance. His movements were deliberate, each motion a graceful blend of control and finesse. He absorbed the boy's aimless punch, his immovable elbow deflecting the blow effortlessly. With a subtle rotation of his hips, Joe launched a swift counterattack, sending the boy stumbling backward with precise force.

"Remember, young ones," he advised, "combat's a tune of its own, playing with energy more than force. Your moves should reflect that inner melody."

"Now then," Joe directed with an encouraging nod. "Pair up, please! One starts as the clever fox, the other the wary rabbit. Can't decide? A little thumb-wrestle never hurt anyone!"

Brian couldn't contain his excitement. "Hey, buddy," he grinned, slapping Asdras on the back. "How 'bout we quit jawing and have a little spar, just for fun?"

"Sure," Asdras chuckled, giving his friend a playful shove. "But don't cry when you're nursing bruises."

The sparring began with Brian adopting an aggressive posture, his fists clenched and eyes gleaming with mischievous intent. Asdras took a balanced stance, his legs grounded yet flexible, allowing him to bob and weave effortlessly. With a sly glint in his eyes, Brian playfully kicked dust towards Asdras before launching a swift jab toward his friend's face.

Asdras smoothly sidestepped the punch, ducking under Brian's arm to lightly tap his back. "Too slow," he teased.

Undeterred, Brian responded with a rapid series of jabs that sliced through the air, narrowly missing Asdras's shoulder. "C'mon, are you a sheep or a wolf?" Asdras retorted, his eyes sparkling as he landed a solid kick on Brian's torso.

Seizing the moment, Asdras moved with seamless precision, gracefully maneuvering over Brian's outstretched body and steadying his hands. "Alright, alright, you win," Brian sighed heavily, brushing dirt off his trousers. "But if I die out here, tell the folks I went down fightin' — not from eating one of your burnt stews."

Asdras extended a hand to help his friend stand. "Again?"

"Again!" Brian replied eagerly.