To Be Even Stronger..!

Although Tahl had only finished training inside of the barracks some time ago, he couldn't help but find himself going there again and again. Whenever he was cooped up in his hotel room or roaming around the marketplace, he was inside training. While he was there, the few men that often thought he was a weakling had grown to admire him as they spared with him. Tahl's many sparring matches in the ring earned him the admiration of all of those who often partook in them or watched him. He almost felt like one of them.

Tahl pushed opened the door as he would any other day. He was dressed in an open black vest and dark purple pants with his feet uncovered.
"Hey look!,"He heard someone shout,"It's Tahl! Come back for some more training, huh?" The Halfling turned and waved, laughing some.
"Well of course! Who else would beat you down?,"He teased with a laugh. The others roared into laughter as they went back to training; working the different equipment. Tahl walked over to the boxing equipment and tied on the boxing gloves. He slammed them together and nodded to himself before beginning.

He hung close to the ring as he started his shadowboxing; dodging and blocking imaginary blows. He punched here and there, taking in any blows he thought he hit him. As he did so, a muscular male loomed over him, watching. The male grinned at the sight, recognising it from long ago.
"You boy!,"He shouted at Tahl,"Are you the son of a man named Tahl?" Tahl stopped mid-swing and turned his head, panting heavy. He nodded and turned around fully to the man, smiling as best as he could.
"Yes, that was my father,"He responded,"Who are you?"

The male laughed and crossed his arms against his chest. He stood only a few inches higher than the young halfling. His body was rich in scars and bruises; his clothes consisting of an armored chestplate and shin guards covering a basic black jumpsuit. His hair was long and a crimson red and his left eye was covered with a eyepatch.
"I can't believe your father has never told you about me!,"He managed out after his laughter subsided,"He never told you of the time he came here, begging to train in the coliseum?" Tahl blinked and soon his eyes widened at the man. He recognised him as one of the men his father trained with.
He stuttered out,"Y-you're someone my dad trained with?!"

[425/1000]

The male, who introduced himself as Avon, and Tahl stepped to the resting area of the barracks. There, he was told of what his father had done while training. He spoke of how he begged for a place inside. At the same time, Avon had just started being a warrior within the coliseum. He admired his efforts as much as everyone else did, but found himself disinterested after a few days. A week had gone past but his father continued to be in the barracks to train. Finally, Avon had enough and asked for his permission himself. He asked that the two spar at the end of it and that they both learn the same combat style. Approved by the community of the barracks, Tahl's father was accepted. There, the two both learned how to box although different styles.

After another week, the time finally arrived and the two went at it. Both were weak, feeble, and bruised when it was all over. Avon gained one of his first wounds in the fight; a hook that blinded him on his left side of his face which rendered him wearing the eyepatch. He admired the courage and bravery Tahl's father had; which lead to him leaving the coliseum with him; and joining the caravan. The two were with each other for years until Avon decided to return back to the coliseum. While the fun of adventure and traveling was great for him, he missed the dream of becoming a gladiator. When the caravan went back into Reim, Avon stayed and rejoined the colisuem, coming back to be one of the proud fighters.

Tahl took a large gulp of water and nodded,"Wow..that's amazing..." Avon nodded with a smirk, taking a sip of his water as well.
"Mhmm. My days with your father were the best, but it'll never beat being here,"He responded. He eyed over Tahl as he watched the ring with eagerness. The sight of people swinging and blocking; attacking and being attacked; it was something he loved because it was the only precious thing he had from his father.
Avon cleared his throat some and nudged the boy,"How is your father doing? Still kicking around?" Tahl looked up at his father's old friend, but slowly shook his head.
"He's...well...,"He started.

Without trying to cry, Tahl found himself explaining what happened with his father and mother. How he was born. The attack from the slavers. Seeing his father being captured to be sold. He gripped the cup so hard it shattered, breaking him from the thoughts. Avon rubbed his chin and eyed the boy, smiling some.
"Well, allow me to teach you something your father learned while he was here,"He said, patting the boy's shoulder,"It was what he used to beat me."

[894/1000]

Tahl bobbed and weaved under the long ropes that Avon set up. He twisted and turn every step he took, trying his best to bring himself closer to the target. Once he was close enough, he swung his fist but stopped halfway, feeling the twinge in his hips. He groaned and collapsed to the side, gripping at his side. Avon scowled and shook his head, walking over to the Halfling.
"No, no! It has to be tighter and more dynamic!,"He shouted for the third time. The tired male could only look up towards the older one before hanging his head down.
He responded at a bare whisper,"You keep saying it but..I can't! It's too much on my sides!" The halfling gripped at his sides again and slowly staggered up. He couldn't believe his father could do something like this.

Stepping towards the starting line again, he glared at the post that stood at the end. He took a deep breath and exhaled, getting himself into fighting position. The thought of dodging and attacking at the same time seemed almost unheard of for him. Yet somehow, someway, his father managed to combine the two. Tahl closed his eyes and thought over the steps but stopped; thinking was too much for him. He could only do what he spent the entire day practicing.

Stomping down and pushing his feet forward, he began to go through the steps. He dodged under the rope, keeping his eyes focused on the "body" of his opponent. He narrowly brushed against the rub, burning his cheek from the intense speed he was moving. Finally reaching in close, he stretched his right arm out and struck at the post again. Yelling out, he turned his body and struck again.
"I...got it...,"He shouted to himself, feeling content.

He struck at the dummy twice more before stopping, feeling exhausted. He turned to Avon and raised a fist, smiling big. The older gladiator grinned and nodded, feeling himself become overwhelmed with nostalgia.
"That's it..,"He thought to himself,"The same attack your father used to beat my ass. Now it's your turn to continue that legacy. Keep improving and someday..you'll come out great!"

After showering and filling himself, Tahl found himself at the exit of the barracks. He turned to see Avon watching him, waving with a smile. The halfling smirked and waved back before leaving out of the coliseum barracks. With his new skill, he could only wonder what other possibilities he could learn if he were to ever return with the help of Avon.

[1000+/1000]

Training Complete! New Ability Gained

Spoiler: