Page 44 of Lost and Stolen Gods
“Hand-to-hand combat is rare against the devouring force,” Pashim said. “You will be trained rigorously to fight with weapons, but a weapon can be taken from you, and if that happens, your only defense will be your body and the strength that lies within it. You will learn to channel that strength. But first you must learn its limits.” He tapped Joe on the shoulder. “Punch your sparring partner.”
Joes looked across at Sylvie in horror. “I can’t hit her. She’s a woman.”
Pashim’s chest heaved in a sigh. “Gender doesn’t matter on the battlefield, and you insult her by making it an issue here. Now hit her. As hard as you can.”
Sylvie squeaked, eyes snapping wide. “Please. Don’t.”
“You will stand firm,” her drohi called out. “Trust in me, Sylvie. You will not be harmed.”
She looked sceptical but nodded. “Fine. Do it. But not the face.”
Joe swallowed hard. “Okay.” He bounced from foot to foot but didn’t do anything.
“Today, please,” Pashim drawled.
Joe let out a bellow and punched Sylvie in the gut, sending her flying across the arena to land several meters away.
“Oh god! Sylvie!” He ran toward her, but she was up on her feet before he could reach her.
She hugged her abdomen, an expression of confusion on her face. “I…I’m fine.”
Joe pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”
“No, seriously. I’m fine.”
“How touching,” someone called from the platform above. “What was your world made of? Rainbows and sweet meats?”
Pashim glared up at the platform, clearly looking for the speaker, but it was my sparring partner Guru Chandra who responded. “Yes. Their world is one of relative peace, so do not judge them too harshly. It is your duty to aid them in transition and act as examples. Not to taunt them. They will soon be your comrades on the battlefield, responsible for watching your back just as you will be for them. Unity above all.”
“Unity above all,” they murmured, looking shamefaced.
“Now you,” Pashim instructed Sylvie. “It’s your turn.”
The next few minutes were spent watching everyone smack each other around. It looked like ourdemigod strength was in, more so for some than others. Dharma’s punch sent Priti all the way across the arena, and it took her a couple of minutes to shake it off.
And it was finally my turn. My stomach grew rock hard because everyone was now watching me. I hated being the center of attention, and according to Pashim, I had no clue how to throw a decent punch, even though I’d taken six months of self-defense classes. Granted, most of the time we were taught how toavoidgetting grappled or pinned, and told to run, but wehadbeen shown proper fist formation for a punch. I applied that now, making sure my thumb was tucked on the outside of my fist and not the inside.
“Go on,” Pashim said. “Strike him.”
Guru Chandra stood with his arms out, inviting me to do damage. His icy blue eyes were bright with anticipation against his brown skin as he waited for me to hit him.
Here went nothing. I took a deep breath and swung.
My fist contacted his torso, and a crackle filled my ears, then my feet left the ground as I was flung away from my target in a sweeping arch that introduced me to the sky.
Someone bellowed, several people screamed, and then my back slammed against something unyielding and rock hard. The world went dark.
“Mmmm…I’llhave a double expresso and a cinnamon swirl please.”
“Leela?”
Why did the barista have blue hair?
“Leela, can you hear me?”
I surfaced from the weird dream, peripherally registering my surroundings.
“Leela, look at me.”
