Dance Practice

Grunts and shouts spilled into the air as Talyss and Eva danced around each other in their sparring circle and exchanged blows. A handful of Avicii Raptors watch them from the trees above. Their eyes watched the two with rapt attention.

Eva, breaths hard and heavy, spun blade-first at Talyss’ throat. Determination was set deep in her eyes, even as sweat poured down all around her forehead.

In contrast to Eva’s wide, sweeping movements, Talyss was absolutely calm and moved just enough to get out of the way. Sometimes she would parry Eva’s strikes with her thin baton, but with such grace that it didn’t seem she used any power at all.

“One, two, three,” she said, “and press!”

With the same cadence as Talyss’ countdown, Eva stepped forward and spun into another aggressive slash.

“Now, half-moon steps… and parry!”