Vayu stands at the training ground, a variety of daggers spread before him on a wooden rack. Each one is different in design and weight curved, straight edged, lightweight, heavyweight, single-edged, and dual-edged. His mentor, an older guard named Kael, watched him closely.
Kael steps forward, picking up a dagger, its curved edge gleaming faintly."Pick it up," Kael said.
"Feel its weight, move with it, a blade isn't just a weapon it's an extension of you, i it feels wrong, it is wrong."
Vayu lifted the same dagger, its hilt cold and foreign in his grip. He swinged it experimentally, but his movements feel clumsy, unbalanced. The blade feels too light for him. He put it back and picks up the heavier Straight edged dagger. Its weight feels steadier, more grounded in his hand.
"Better," Kael remarks, nodding approvingly. "Now, attack."
Vayu moves into the basic forms slashes, thrusts, spins but as he progresses, he begins to realize something deeper. Each blade demands a unique rhythm, a different balance of strength and finesse. His mind starts to shift this isn't just about mastering techniques, it's about understanding himself.
Dagger Techniques
1) Swift Fang: A basic quick thrust, focused on speed and precision.
2)Shadow Step: A movement-based technique to close the gap between an opponent silently.
3) Ember Slash: A horizontal strike with power and intent, meant to disarm or stagger.
4)Gale Spiral: A spinning maneuver to fend off multiple attackers, which Vayu is learning.
5)Serpent Strike: A deceptive feint followed by a rapid counter, also in Vayu's current focus.
6)Phantom Edge:
7)Iron Bloom:
8)Lunar Fang:
9)Void Rend:
Vayu is allowed to learn 5 as of now.
1)Swift Fang
Swift Fang is the most basic dagger technique. It focuses on delivering a quick, precise thrust aimed at vulnerable points of an opponent's body, such as neck or abdomen. This technique relies on speed and accuracy over brute force, by holding the dagger in a standard grip with the blade pointing forward.
Take a light step forward to transfer momentum, ensuring your body weight shifts with the thrust. Extend your arm fully while keeping your wrist stable, directing the blade straight toward the target and retract the blade to return to a defensive stance. This is the most basic technique which uses body momentum, agility, flexibility and stability. This technique enhance your body and let you get familiar with the dagger.
2)Shadow Step
Shadow Step is a mobility-based technique designed to close the gap between the user and their opponent silently. It emphasizes stealth and fluid movement, making it a preferred approach for ambushes. To minimize noise and keep your body balanced, Use short, quick steps, maintaining contact with the ground to avoid making sound. Blend into shadows or terrain features to obscure your approach, as you reach the enemy, shift your weight onto your back foot and prepare the dagger for a follow-up strike. It is useful for surprise attacks or escaping close combat. This technique trains footwork, balance, and the ability to read an opponent's position. But it requires precise timing and terrain awareness. Misjudging the distance or overcommitting can leave the user vulnerable.
3)Ember Slash
Ember Slash is a powerful horizontal strike meant to disarm or stagger an opponent. It sacrifices speed for force, making it a risky yet rewarding technique when executed correctly. Grip the dagger firmly, preferably using a heavier blade for added momentum. Take a wide stance to stabilize your body and shift your weight into the strike. Swing the blade horizontally across the opponent's midsection or weapon hand, aiming to break their stance or disarm them, as their posture breaks you rush in to execute a good strike at vital points. A missed Ember Slash leaves the user open to counterattacks because it leaves you wide open for attacks before you stabilize yourself.
4)Gale Spiral
Gale Spiral is an advanced technique designed to fend off multiple attackers. It involves spinning , where the user's dagger becomes a whirlwind of slashes.
By positioning your feet firmly and gripping daggers in both hands and initiating the spin by twisting your torso and shifting your weight to one foot.
As you rotate, swing the daggers in wide arcs, maintaining controlled movements to avoid overextending taking defensive stance at the end of the spin. Used when surrounded or under attack from multiple directions. It trains awareness, balance, and stamina. Maintaining precision and energy during the spin can be difficult. It requires careful judgment of spacing, as poorly timed rotations can waste energy or expose blind spots.
5)Serpent Strike
Serpent Strike is a deceptive technique that relies on feints to confuse an opponent, followed by a rapid, precise counterattack. It mimics the unpredictable and swift attack of a snake. Begin by feinting an attack such as a false thrust or a sidestep to mislead the opponent into reacting defensively. As the opponent falls for your trap, rapidly adjust your position and strike from an unexpected angle, such as their exposed flank or back. Ensure the follow-up strike is fast and clean to exploit the opening. It trains anticipation, adaptability, and quick decision making. Success depends on reading the opponent's reactions accurately. A failed feint or counter can leave the user vulnerable to attacks.
After hours of practice, Vayu stood alone at the edge of the boundary today he was on guard duty again. The forest looms ahead, its shadows twisting and beckoning, calling him, pulling him towards the line.
His heart pounds as he takes a step forward, his dagger drawn. But as soon as he stepped beyond the boundary, the oppressive weight of fear crashes down on him. The trees seem to shift, their shapes warping into twisted faces. A chilling whisper echoes in his ears.
He stumbled back, his breathing ragged. "No… not again," he muttered, gripping his dagger tightly. But his fear didn't subsided it grew, stronger and more vivid than before.
When he finally retreated to safety, he collapsed to his knees, trembling. "I need to be stronger," he whispered to himself. "If I can't fight this… I can never leave this village", he came back to his post still felling dizzy and closed his eyes the next thing he remembered was that the was about to rise from the horizon.
The next day, Vayu redoubled his efforts in training, the memory of the hallucinations seared into his mind. His fear transformed into fuel, driving him to train harder, longer, and smarter.
Back at the training ground, Vayu decides to focus solely on the (Storm spike) dagger. Its weight and balance suit him, but the advanced techniques like Gale Spiral are still far beyond his skill.
As he attempted the spinning slash of the technique, he lost control of the dagger, its tip slamming into the ground. Frustration boils in his chest. He picked it up again, his grip tightening, he tried once more and failed again.
Kael approached, watching him silently for a moment before speaking. "You're too rigid, Vayu. Techniques are a starting point, not a finish line."
Vayu furrowed his brows, unsure of what Kael meant. But as the sun dips below the horizon, and his muscles burn with exhaustion, something clicks. Instead of forcing the Gale Spiral, he loosens his grip slightly, letting the dagger's weight guide his motion. This time, the technique flows naturally, the blade slicing through the air like it's alive, "Techniques are a starting point, not a finish line." he repeated the lines his teacher told him it was just a small line but holds a far greater meaning techniques are made to build basics foundation, but then you have to mold the technique best suited to yourself, now as he had understood that part he started practicing again with fluid movements getting better results.
One dagger might be perfect for sharp, precise strikes, while another feels ideal for fluid, sweeping motions. He realizes that a dagger's purpose isn't fixed it changes depending on the user.
His thoughts swirled as he recalled Kael's words "Move with it, a blade isn't just a weapon it's an extension of you ."
Vayu picked up the Phantom Edge a dual edged dagger he had avoided until now. It's sleek but unpredictable, requiring absolute control. He grips it lightly and starts experimenting with techniques, blending the fundamentals with his own improvised movements. The blade flows in his hands like never before, for the first time, he feels like he's creating something of his own.
1 Month later, stronger and more skilled, Vayu stands at the boundary once more. He has spent countless hours training, his movements sharper and more precise than ever.
But today he was not here to cross the boundary, he stayed there for sometime and turned back.
When he retreated to the safety of the village, he was more determined than ever. He spent the next few days obsessively practicing, perfecting every movement, every technique. He experimented with different grips, stances, and even footwork, determined to overcome his invisible enemy. Through his relentless practice, Vayu begin to surpass his peers in both skill and understanding. He discovered many new things in the techniques that others overlooked like how a slight shift in grip can change the trajectory of a slash, or how timing a spin perfectly can turn defense into offense, just by drawing out your weapon, different things can be done, like you can block the line of sight of the enemy or may use that moment for offence or defense.
More importantly, he realized that not every blade is meant for everyone. The Phantom Edge might suit him, but another guard might excel with the Shadow fang or Swift blade.
It's a personal journey.