Move Like Smoke

Having returned to scaling the mountain, this time using rocks on the opposite side to those he first used to reach the lower tier, it isn’t long before Ru climbs as high as he can and then is forced to depart the sheer rock face for a second time.

In doing so he finds himself in yet another open area. But unlike the last the foliage here is far less developed. He assumes that is what comes from being, what he would guess, is roughly half way up the seven thousand metre tall mountain.

Because of that lack of vegetation Ru has decided to keep to the rocks above rather than risk being spotted at ground level. If there is anyone to spot him, which he doubts there is because dummies are his targets, yet feels it only right to continue as if his potential foes could see him.

Soon he discovers, unsurprisingly, that Master Ento has indeed got ‘targets’ positioned in this area. He expected nothing less and yet the Red Kangaroo is confident he can conquer this arena with ease. Still, he keeps his distance and does nothing but observe. Though, after almost five minutes of no movement, not that he expected any, Ru feels it only right that he delay no longer, and so begins to make his way from towering rock to ledge to small alcove. In doing so he manages to get close, very close in fact; until he is overhead.

It strikes the trainee while up above that he could circumvent this ‘fight’ and simply press on higher up the mountain. However, that is not how he feels this test was designed. He can’t be sure of course because only his mentor, the old turtle, knows exactly how this was intended to be tackled, and yet from the years of training under him Ru feels engaging is the avenue which his Master would expect. That is why the young Kangaroo pulls his training blade from the loop, while keeping his eyes trained on the cluster of ‘targets’ below for good measure.

Alas, for reasons he cannot give something does not feel right somehow. It’s why he hesitates and does not drop down into the centre of the group. Rather, he concludes it too risky of a strategy.

“Why is it too risky a strategy?” He mutters to himself at barely a whisper. His volume too low for anyone, if they are present, to have chance of hearing him; and yet there is no one.

This is paranoia, a false sense of danger when there is none. He soon concludes.

Are you sure? Is the utterance which is spat back in response.

Conflicted, the pupil considers the words that have been spoken as well as his training. Both suggest that any reticence should first be understood before any action is taken. Why? Because that is the way; how survival is achieved.

These thoughts are part of a series of drills and instructions that were bashed into him, not literally, until he understood that the body does, at times, register things that the mind cannot see nor understand.

Performing a visual sweep of the area again, Ru has to admit that he continues to see nothing out of the ordinary. The only movements his own, and they, he feels, can barely be called that either. Yet, his decision is made. He will not drop into the fray. Rather, he will backtrack a sort ways. He’s even picked out a ground route he believes will be a better choice, though without context as to how and why he believes such.

It does not matter. He exclaims before forcing feelings and thoughts aside, save for those which serve his aims, his goal.

Following that Ru deftly leaps back part of the way he has come and then picks his way down a stretch of rocks which are new to him but offer no complications.

Once back on ground a few minutes later he drops into a low crouch; his sword back in hand.

He only drew the ‘weapon’ because a feeling suggested to him it would be best if he were armed during the approach rather than once it has been made. He did not disagree.

Acting on instinct and training he weaves his way, silently, from small rock formation, barely large enough for him to conceal himself behind, to stunted bush sickly and lacking the plentiful berries found on examples back the way he has come.

His eyes, like a hawk, watch the figures all the time. He still gets the distinct feeling something is wrong, off. Perhaps his Master has done something, to this area, to illicit such a response in him. What, the trainee cannot fathom for he has never seen his mentor use magic’s of any kind.

Snap out of it. You need to keep your focus. Remember your training. Steady your hand and…

Ru moves from cover and sidles up behind the nearest dummy. He goes to deliver a swift flurry of strikes when out of nowhere the dummy stabs their blade backward toward his gut. Mid-swing Ru leaps back barely avoiding the tip of the wooden training weapon. However, he does manage to easily alter the original trajectory of his sword and instead bring it to slap the enemy one aimed at him to ensure no further thrusting is made. Then right after, before the attacker can react, he brings the weapon to the targets neck. Doing so ends the confrontation and sees the fighter go stiff, as if they were always a dummy.

Blinking in shock the Red Kangaroo feels it prudent to quickly dispatch the other targets.

In the process he learned that another two were real people, ninjas like he could be if he overcomes this test. Unlike the first they get no chance to begin a strike, let alone conclude one.

Sneaky tactics, the trainee thinks slinking off into a crevasse which, not illuminated by the rays of day, gives him ample cover as he scales back up to return to his off-ground view of the land below in this area. Yet, once achieved Ru does not linger and instead swiftly clears this section, with no other ‘targets,’ real or otherwise, to speak of.