Work Text:
A little incentive.
Content warnings
Violence, some blood, fantasy cursing.
Urta stood assembled with the other Emerald Dawn members on the blue plush floor of the gym. She impatiently tapped their feet on the ground, testing the soft rebound of the mat. Katherine was running late which meant that everyone was standing around waiting. “How much longer is this going to take? We’ve got a sitter watching the kids and we pay by the hour.” Urta grumbled to no one in particular. “The Sage Master said she would be arriving shortly. Have patience Urta, Our duty is important.” Yukari responded. They were clad in a form fitting purple cloth robe, their typical training attire. Before more words could be exchanged Katherine rushed into the room with her attendant Sera following close behind her. With her arrival the Sages fixed their gazes upon her. “Sorry for the wait. Now before we get assigned our first sparring partner for today I want to say some words. Recently I’ve noticed that this is being treated as more of a social event than a training exercise. While we are all friends it is imperative to keep our martial prowess in top condition. Our oath stipulates that we must be able to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. As such I’ve taken it upon myself to organize a little contest. Whoever can go undefeated across their three partners today will win a prize.” Katherine explained gesturing to a series of bottles Sera was setting up on a folding table. They were a rainbow shade of colors, ranging from blue to clear to brown. Many had extravagant labels and stoppers, with one even having a small polished stone set into the cork. “I have taken the liberty of buying various rare spirits and liquors. A bottle will be given out to those who go undefeated.” Yukari’s hand shot up. “What if we do not partake in Alcohol. Is there another Incentive for us?” They asked, folding their arms across their chest. Katherine finished setting out the bottles with Sera. She nodded her head at Yukari’s question. “There will be another reward if you choose it. I can offer some jewelry or a small art piece I made in exchange. Now, let’s begin with the first round of selections!” A large screen on the wall began to flicker to life. It displayed the names of each assembled member. Urta searched for their first partner, eager to begin the first match. She let out a groan upon seeing who it was. Urta was matched with Nyx for the first bout. While Nyx was not the partner she wanted, It would certainly make for an interesting start.
Urta made her way to the assigned gym room. The massive gym was split into several smaller private rooms for sparring. This ensured that no one got in each other's way. Urta looked in through the large glass window to see Nyxos reading a book. She was levitating in the center of the room, turning a page every now and then. Urta opened the door and called out “Hey Nyx! Do you mind if I do some shadow fencing to warm up?” Nyx didn’t look up from her book and instead waved her hand. The door closed at her movement and with it she closed her book. “I would prefer it if we warmed up, yes. I will do some casting practice.” Nyx stated dryly. Urta grabbed a training Halberd from a rack in the corner of the room. It was fashioned from wood to be a replica of their real weapon. Urta began practicing their swings, placing themselves in front of a cloth dummy. The Halberd sailed through the air as each strike connected with the dummy, rebounding with a resounding thud. Urta practiced striking with the axe head, the spearhead, and all parts of her weapon. With each swing she felt the familiar rhythms of battle take over. Rushing headlong into a pattern of strikes Urta yelled out with enthusiasm. Pausing a moment to catch their breath she glanced over at Nyx. Nyx was chanting and waving her arms, a series of small brightly colored bullets whizzed out from her hands. Urta stared at the colorful display admiring the skill that was on display. As if sensing the gaze on her Nyx stopped casting, letting the last of her bullets fizzle out. “I take it you’ve warmed up enough and are ready to begin?” Nyx inquired while positioning herself across from Urta. The fox morph nodded, gripping her halberd tight. “On three. One, two, Three!” Urta shouted. They barely avoided a magical lance cast by Nyx. Nyx began by firing volley after volley of magical bullets, prompting Urta to dodge in a circle. Running around the room, they were barely keeping ahead of the line of missiles. One stray shot impacted on Urta’s shoulder causing them to wince. A large board on the wall of a room flickered to life. It displayed the names of the two sages. A talley had been added underneath Nyx’s name. ‘Need to figure out some way to get out of this! I can't run forever.’ Urta thought. Acting quickly they jumped into the air and dove at Nyx, spear point out. Nyx dashed away as Urta hurtled into the ground. Wasting no time they swung their Halberd around and connected with Nyx’s left arm, just barely in reach. Cursing Nyxos teleported across the room and began to chant. “Estra. Hess Lada malator, lux am pilo!” Urta ran forward frantically hoping to get a swing in before her adversary finished. Nyx held out her palms and a bright beam of blue light shot out from her hands at Urta. The fox morph dropped to the ground to narrowly avoid getting hit. As the beam dissipated Urta sprang up to face Nyx. Nyx was already preparing another spell, her chanting reaching a fever pitch. Urta took aim and threw her Halberd at the slender Equanid. Nyx was too focused on her spell to dodge out of the way and the Halberd impacted chest, knocking the wind out of her. Without skipping a beat Urta leaped forward and thrust out her fist. ‘Just gotta make contact with her! Then I’ll win!’ Urta thought. Nyx scrambled to dodge but was just barely grazed by their knuckles. A loud buzzer sounded in the arena and Nyx groaned.
“You would not have won if I had been able to cast proper spells!”
“Oh can it, A win is a win Nyx. You know we can’t do that, we’re supposed to be training here not killing each other’
“That’s besides the point! This match would have been over the minute my bullet grazed you in battle. And why did you throw your weapon at me? We’re supposed to be practicing for combat, not winning this fight?” Nyx chided, crossing her arms. Urta ignored her and picked up the Halberd that lay on the ground. “In real combat I’d have my collection of Javelins with me. Nyx this is just meant for us to keep our skills sharp. This isn’t the practice drills we run. This is purely for the mechanics of how we fight. Are you hurt? I did kinda get you good in the chest there?” Urta asked, checking her own injured shoulder. There was a bit of torn fur and a bruise was starting to form. Training was not without its lumps. “I’m fine. The robe is padded and armored despite not being metal. Thank you for checking though, let's go get our next partners yes?” Nyx suggested walking out of the room. Urta followed suit and the pair walked the short distance to the central part of the gym.
“Man… I’m glad that it’s getting warmer. I really don’t like having to bundle up too much.” Urta griped while walking alongside Nyx.
‘I don’t mind the cold. I just wish it wouldn’t freeze. Rockjaw is holding his annual Oddessa celebration soon. Can I expect you to attend?”
“We see Erydyn’s folks on that day. I’d love to join the party but it's important we see them, I've never met them before.”
“Suit yourself. I expect it to be even bigger than last year. Rockjaw is paying for a private theater troupe.”
“Damn, I would love to see that. Rockjaw really loves to put on a show doesn't he?”
“Sometimes. I think he understands how important the legacy of House Oddessa is to people.” Nyx offered. The pair made it back to the central meeting room. The other Sages were assembled in the room. Urta looked up to glance at the others' scores. As expected Palutena, Katherine and Yukari had won their matches. To their surprise, Royoma had won his first match. There was light chatter among the Sages that was silenced by Katherine holding up a hand. “Next partners will be chosen shortly. Hopefully you all win your next match.” Katherine informed, taking a sip from a large water bottle. The larger screen flickered again and displayed the new matched partners. Urta was now paired with Royoma. Hoping she could grab some water off him, Urta walked over to him. He nodded his head at them in acknowledgement though he did not look up from his writing in a journal. “Hello Urta. I am happy that we were matched today. You have an interesting fighting style and I enjoy sparring with you.” Royoma greeted warmly, his pen scratching wildly at the paper’s surface. “Hey, Could I trouble you for some water? I left my thermos on the kitchen counter back home.” Urta smiled sheepishly. “You know that isn’t going to tire me out. That and I don't enjoy becoming a watering fountain for everyone just because I can control it. You have magic, create some water yourself.” Royoma huffed, closing his notebook and tucking the pen into the spiral bound loops. Urta hissed and began casting a simple spell. A trickle of clear water flowed from the center of their palm. She suckled on their fingers, feeling the cool and restoring taste of the water. Royoma gawked at the scene unfolding before him as Urta finished drinking with a satisfied sigh. “What… You told me to make my own water and I did? What’s wrong with that?” Urta questioned, drying off their hand on their pants. Royoma shook his head and started walking over to their assigned training room. Urta followed close behind, swinging her halberd loosely behind them. Upon arriving outside the training room Urta paused for a moment to take it in. The blue cushioned floor stretched inside the room. Large glass windows adorned the walls, with simple white paneling separating them. Royoma cleared his throat impatiently and Urta made her way into the room after him.
Royoma had already taken a position along the far wall from them. He held his wooden sword in both hands, its curved edge parallel to the ground. Urta readied her halberd and pointed its head at Royoma. “Shall we begin?” Royoma poised, more statement than question. Urta nodded and before she could react, Royoma dashed forward the point of his sword connected with Urta’s lower chest. Urta yelped in surprise and crouched down, swinging out with their halberd. Royoma flipped backwards, sailing over their strike. He swung his sword wide, hoping to catch Urta with the point again. Urta blocked the strike with the haft of her weapon and chanted a quick spell. A hail of small sharp rocks hurtled towards Royoma. They impacted off his armor and did little to slow down him from readying another strike. Urta hopped slightly backwards, thrusting her halberd out. The speartip hit Royoma just below his calf. His armor deflected the blow but it still counted as another hit. Urta stepped backwards, wanting to keep her distance as she had the longer weapon. Royoma did not take the bait, Instead casting a spell that made the edges of his form shimmer and twist. The warriors clashed for a while, Royoma attacking with fearsome aggression. Urta blocked his strikes over and over, not having a chance to respond. They stood panting under the exertion. Their heart felt like it was going to explode. Royoma showed no signs of exhaustion instead he seemed to be quite limber. “Tired out already? Do you admit defeat Urta?” He gloated a deep smile forming on his wavy features. Urta growled in response, launching herself forward into a strike. Their weapon went wide, passing through Royoma’s shimmering form. Urta cursed at the event, preparing herself for his counter. It came fast and hard from a direction she did not expect, giving her a solid bonk on the head. She gasped in surprise at this attack seeing stars in her vision. Royoma brought his sword around for another strike. Dazed from their injury the fox morph struggled to turn their weapon around. Thinking quickly she rammed the haft of their weapon square into Royoma’s chest. It connected with a solid thunk, the force causing him to stumble backwards. “Damn that's it then. Good match Urta. Are you alright? Did I hit you too hard with that head blow?” Royoma asked, dropping his sword to the ground. Urta’s world still spun, things felt shaky and fuzzy but she managed to squeak out a response. “I think so.” Shaking her head vigorously made things fit back together. “You need to not aim for the head in the future. There's a reason the Sage Master has forbidden it. We’re not in actual combat, this is just to keep our skills and bodies limber and in shape. When we run combat drills then you go all out.” Urta explained rubbing her sore noggin. Royoma looked downcast, avoiding making eye contact with his sparring partner. She got up to get out of the room and he followed a short distance behind her. The pair did not speak for a moment until Urta prompted. “You know people generally say sorry at some point? Like I’m not mad at you but fuck I thought I was going to pass out.” Urta whined
“I’m sorry, I just got focused on the mechanics of it all. Like I see you as an enemy on the battlefield and I just go into how I’m used to fighting.”
“That’s not… good. Like I get being in a routine, trust me I’m the damn Sage of routines. That kinda thing isn't helpful Royo… If I got seriously hurt during training that would not be good. If you wonder why Kath wears her helmet during sparring that's why. I’m going to push to make that a new rule.”
“Thank you Urta… I am just having trouble adjusting to… being a Sage. I suppose you know how it is though.”
“Look, I went through a lot of shit with the watch, and my dad and with fucking my home in general. You need to keep your head on straight Royoma. It’s gonna be alright. I accept your apology.” Royoma pulled Urta into an impromptu hug. Urta returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around his chest and squeezing once before letting go. “If you ever need help, tell me you big lug. We are here for each other in all times peace, war, and whatever lies in between. I am proud to call you my fellow sage.” Urta beamed.
The pair had made it back to the central meeting room. The energy in the room was palpable, Sages eager to get into the next fight. Urta bounced with nervous energy as the next partners were chosen. She knew who she wanted to fight against next. Upon seeing her partner she let out a short cheer. She was matched with Palutena, who was standing right next to her. Palutena turned to the fox morph, studying them. “You ready?” Palutena grunted, swiping the ground with her hammer. Her training hammer had a soft padded head that was covered in white cloth. Urta nodded, and their training companion briskly departed causing them to scramble to keep up. Palutena did not speak, the only sounds being the punctual steps of the two. The large dragon wrenched open the door and stood twirling her hammer in her hands. Urta walked into the door and took a combat stance. She knew that Palu was a fierce opponent and you needed to be on your toes. The two stared at each other, Urta unsure if Palutena wanted her to blink first. With a sudden yell Palutena attacked, swinging her hammer like a twig. Urta dodged each strike, worrying she should have gotten her helmet between matches. She got the first strike in by thrusting their weapon in through Palutena’s strike arc. The halberd clinked off the dragon's bright plate armor. Palutena did not react and delivered a strong strike to Urta’s side. Their armor deflected most of the blow but they howled in pain. “Palu! be careful” Urta warned, blocking another strike with their weapon haft. There was no response as Palutena intensified her strikes. Each blocked strike reverberated through Urta’s weapon, rattling their teeth. A sharp sudden crack announced the breaking of Urta’s training weapon. Unable to take the strain, it shattered into two large pieces and many small splinters. One long and thin splinter cut Urta’s cheek. Hot blood poured from the cut at a steady rate dripping down their chin, staining their fur a vivid red. Palutena thudded her hammer down next to the fox. Gripping Urta’s face in a gauntleted hand she muttered a few words and bright light flowed from her hand. The cut on Urta’s cheek closed up as if it were never there. “Fuck. Urta I'm really sorry about that. I know these things happen but still. Are you hurt anywhere else?” Palu asked
“Just a bit shaken up. It’s not like I've never seen you break a training weapon. Kinda… lost yourself there. you doing OK?”
“........ Nothing out of the ordinary”
“Palutena come on, I know you. Something is on your mind and I need you to tell me? I am your confidant and friend.”
“Petri and I had a fight… She got mad at me because I didn’t want her to help me. It's not like I don't want her to but I just cant. When I think about it I just feel this deep shame within me and I don't know why.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I don't know. I’m the goddamn Sage of Steel! I’m the strongest mother fucker alive you said so once! I…. I can handle any problem I face on my own.”
“No you can’t. We need others to help us when we cannot do it ourselves. Are you having trouble relying on people again?”
“............. Fuck! Why do you know me better than I know myself sometimes! You lived on the streets, you lived day by day! You have to know what its like to have no one you can rely on but yourself!”
“That did happen to me, yes. Do you remember how I got out of that? Erydyn gave me a spot in her home! She offered me a place to stay because I hadn't had a good meal in 4 days. You cannot rely on your muscles in matters or the mind. Sometimes we need help and that's OK Palu… doesn't make us bad, doesn't make us worse… makes us alive and people.” Palutena cried wet ugly tears as Urta patted her back.
“You’re right. I…. I need to trust her. I’m just worried I’m going to fuck it up… like i did with Minnie. I never told her and…”
“Hey Hey hey. Listen to me… you didn't fuck up back then. This world is a crazy mess of a place. Things happen that we can never predict… or be ready for. You need to try to move on. You learned some things about you and you learned some things about your girlfriend.”
“................ Do… you think she still loves me?”
“Yes she does. She called me earlier today to ask if I could talk to you here. She loves you Palu….. I think we’re done here, let's go back to the others.” Urta picked up her broken training weapon and walked out of the room. Palu followed shortly behind. The pair were the first ones back and so they waited for the others to arrive. “So… I guess I won the match? Weapon breaks mean that the person it happens to wins.” Urta suggested. Palutena grinned slightly “You’re so right! I forgot that's how it worked. Well enjoy your bottle of drink Urta. You’ve earned it.” Palu urged, picking up a large whisky bottle and handing it to Urta. The fox morph shook her head “Nah… I don't feel like drinking right now. I would like to share it with you. Why don’t you and Petri come over? We can have dinner.” Urta offered. Palutena nodded and patted her friend on the back. She was happy that for once even in the face of all her pain she felt whole.