Training

What sounded like sonic booms echoed round the training room.

It had been emptied, of course, for the Archknights. This time, it’s only two though.
But for Empress of Flarunium, every-one cleared out; well, her and her “favourite”.
The other Archknights are jealous, but they are too noble, too in love with the idea of being flawless Archknights for their leader, to show it; not publically, at least.
And the words on their foolish and loose lips? Who do they gossip about in the corners?

Talos Javik.

Saved from his burning home planet, raised and tutored by their fearless Admiral herself.
And they have every right to be jealous, who wouldn’t want to be taught by this strong female? Training every-day, her body taught and powerful; her biotics are about the same as an Ardat-Yakshi, and the men (as men would) say she’s just as alluring....
And she’s intelligent, eloquent, and has royal blood in her veins.

And Talos?

He’s a no-body.

He was a crazed brat who had some decent biotics.

She calls him Javik.....she threatens to kill him daily but -though she would never show any favouritism in front of the others- she gives the closest to a smile they have ever seen to him.
But perhaps that’s just what the men imagine as they watch her suspiciously, because her lips don’t move.....they think they see a gleam in her eye.

They think a lot of things.

Javik is older now, much older. He is taken on most missions, due to his extensive abilities.

He had grown, advanced, sharpened.

Still not enough to dodge the winding round-house to the side that sent him staggering, mind you.

And that was all the gap the Admiral needed.
Panting lightly she smiled; this was her break, and she followed it up by aiming a kick to the thigh that could severely injure.

This was the fighting they weren’t meant to use as Archknights, but they were realistic. You use whatever tactics you can to get ahead in war. Because when it’s you, or them, there’s no nobility anymore. No mercy or questions or morals. Because one of you will die and it will not be you.
Javik just about blocked it, knocking her leg aside sloppily, still winded.
The Admiral could see him recovering, if she wanted to end this, she had to now.    
Javik knew this too and moved away from her, making distance, knowing that she would likely use biotics whilst he was weakened to finish quick. Vahana was both annoyed and approved of his tactics.....not that this would hold her off for very long.

But it was enough for Javik to recover, he steadied himself, swapped stance from defence, which was simply being broken down, punch by punch, to a more versatile offense, though it was risky as it was open, but allowed his weight to be distributed more evenly so he could dodge quicker.

They paused, shifting from foot to foot to keep up the momentum.

Four bright eyes that looked like they were pools of glistening blood fixed on near glowing topaz ones.
Vahana blinked.
They moved at the same time.
Biotics flared into life like a second skin around their powerful bodies as they ran head-long at each other; boths jaws were set though their eyes were alive with the moment, the adrenaline, the rush.

They clashed and the biotic’s sparked off each other, pressure pushing them back as well as each other’s raw strength as they both blocked an incoming punch.
They had had the same idea, both did the same block, they stood seemingly immobile as they simply tried to push each other, muscle-power against muscle-power.
“.....you....have......grown st-trong.....Javik......” Vahana ground her teeth as she put all the energy into pushing her apprentice back.
“I d-don’t.....think I’ve.....grown much.....stroooonger.......y-your Majesty.” A polite way to say she was weaker. Javik had grown use to subtly hit back, though he did it sparingly and never in front of others. But his respect for her was endless......he had seen her do virtually the impossible; fight impossible odds, deal with impossible people, and survive impossible wounds once too.

She was his idol, he knew.

Didn’t mean he wouldn’t beat her though.

It was something she had always done for him since she had given him special biotic training as a child. She had made him stronger, every cracked bone she had given him, every time he had to rest up, was worth it.
Because every time he knew exactly what he had done wrong, and had experienced enough pain to make sure that he would never make it again.
And as a child, he had wanted to win just one of their one-on-one spars.

Just once.

And he still wanted to, though now the size difference wasn’t so much of a problem.
He saw biotic light flow near her head......oh f-
Biotic head-smash.

Time slowed as he looked at his options in milliseconds.

He tried to move away but she held on.

She had planned this.

Face-to-face and unable to move, he had little choice.

He mirrored her and their heads collided with enough force to send both parties staggering back.

Vahana gripped her head and wobbled; Javik fell to his knees briefly before standing again.
Never show weakness.
Why had he tried to match her on her signature move?!
Urgh.....that was going to leave such a head-ache.

The two smiled at each other doggedly and slowly started to laugh a little manically, slow chuckles echoing throughout the room until they doubled over laughing almost hysterically.

Perhaps it has then they realised they liked each other more than they initially thought.