Chương 7: self-defence?
She frantically rubbed her hands against her dress, alarmed by the imagined presence of blood that felt vividly real but left no trace on her skin. Panic surged through her as she questioned the source of this delusion.
As the indistinct murmurs gradually subsided, she stood in a state of perplexity and fear, hesitant to touch the wall again but consumed by an insatiable curiosity about its inexplicable phenomena. Eventually, she retreated, meticulously restoring the thorns to their former place.
Her hand began to bleed anew, prompting her swift return to the house. Locking the door behind her, she sought refuge under the covers, finding solace in the warmth they offered.
She awoke to Will's persistent shaking, his concerned inquiry about the blood on her swollen hands prompting swift action with the first aid kit.
"What the hell happened?" he exclaimed as he tended to her wound, the hiss of the antiseptic causing her discomfort.
"You're such a handful," he remarked, securing the bandage on her hand, to which she managed a small smile.
"You're as peculiar as your mother," he chuckled, referencing an inner shock within her at the mention of 'mother.'
Struggling to hold the pen with her bandaged hand, she attempted to communicate, scribbling in her unique handwriting that only she could decipher.
"Your mom?" she wrote, perplexed, as Will struggled to comprehend.
"She's renowned in the village," he responded, sparking further surprise in her.
"I used to live in the village, left it 12 years ago," he revealed, leaving her astonished.
"Wait, you followed me despite not knowing anything about me?" she pondered, realizing the naivety in following strangers.
"Your mom was incredible, always prioritizing others," he concluded.
"She rescues people from their darkest moments, pulls them into the light," he murmured, his hand tenderly resting on Zia's head. "She's a hero to many, including me. That's why I'm here, to take care of you."
Zia's smile widened, eager to learn more about her mother.
"But enough stories for now. Get up and take a bath," he instructed, rising to his feet. As she caught the edge of his shirt, her pen and notebook swiftly appeared.
"Do you know my father too?" she wrote, surprising him.
He sighed softly, settling back down beside her. "Yes, I do know him."
Curious, she continued scribbling.
"How do you know him?" "What does he look like?" "What's he like?" "Is he handsome? Tall?"
Zia leaned forward, her eyes reflecting curiosity and confusion. Her pen moved swiftly across the page.
"Is he like my mom?"
"Slow down, take a breath. I don't have much information about him. Your mom loved him because he's a good person. As for his appearance, he's tall and has red eyes. It made him stand out, but beyond that, he's known as the most powerful magic user around here, even more so than your mom."
"My mom knew magic?" Zia wrote, bewildered.
"She used to, but..." Will's words trailed off, a hint of hesitation in his voice. He caught himself and looked at Zia. "She lost it. I don't know how, so don't ask me."
Zia's mind whirled with questions. "If my mom was the second most powerful magic user, how did she lose that power? She always behaved like a normal person." Her thoughts tumbled while she retreated into her contemplation.
In the midst of her introspection, Will's sudden clap brought her back. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked. Zia nodded, roused from her reverie, and rose from the bed.
The absence of any photographs of her father struck her. She'd never encountered or seen him, perpetually consumed by her curiosity to uncover more about him. Althea, however, had guarded this secret closely from her.
In the quiet recesses of his thoughts, Will grappled with the daunting reality. "She's got the potential for magic, but she can't wield it. How will she navigate this world and protect herself? I can't be with her forever." His mind raced, the weight of his enemies pressing down on him. "I've got foes who'd slit my throat if they caught a whiff of me. I can take them down without breaking a sweat, but having someone to protect shifts your focus. Should I train her to fight? Even if she can't take on a magic user, knowing some defense might give her a chance if things go awry, and I'm not around."
"I'll teach you some self-defense," Will declared while Zia busied herself washing the dishes. She looked up, puzzled. "Me?" kind of look on her face.
"It's never wrong to be strong," he replied, "especially with the possibility of encountering unsavory characters like Harper from that village. You should know how to throw a punch or maybe snap their necks if it comes to that."
Zia chuckled softly at the unexpected yet sincere guidance from Will. Nodding in understanding, she watched as he extended his palms toward her.
"Alright, punch my hands as hard as you can," he instructed.
She tightened her fists and threw a punch, but it lacked the force required.
"0/10 ...use some strength," Will encouraged her, adjusting his stance. "Focus the power into your hands. When you punch, channel all the strength into your wrist."
Despite her efforts, her punches still fell short.
Observing her slender frame, Will couldn't help but notice, "Her body is so thin. Her hands lack muscle. Even her legs tremble slightly just from throwing a few punches... She's like a skeleton with a small piece of meat."
"How much meat do you eat in a week?" he inquired. Zia shook her head, indicating 'none.'
"You've never eaten meat before in the village?" Will asked, and she confirmed it with another shake of her head.
"Alright, that changes tomorrow," he declared firmly. "You're going to eat meat three times a week, an egg every day, and we'll start a routine of five laps around the forest. Don't worry; I'll accompany you. We need to build your strength." The determination in Will's voice reflected his commitment to help Zia gain the physical strength needed for self-defense.
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