The morning sun filtered through the treetops, scattering golden patterns across the clearing. Birds chirped, a soft breeze rustled the leaves, and the faint smell of damp earth mingled with the warmth of the sun. Hunnt stretched his small frame, cracking his knuckles with a grin, while Pyro padded quietly beside him, tail flicking in anticipation.
Hunnt tilted his head, curiosity sparkling in his gaze. "Pyro… if you could pick any weapon in the world, what would it be?"
Pyro froze, ears twitching. His tail lowered slightly, eyes darkening with a shadow of old grief. "Nyaah… Sword and Shield," he whispered, voice almost small, almost fragile. "Like… my father."
Hunnt crouched beside him, placing a hand gently on the little Felyne's shoulder. It's okay, Pyro… your parents are still watching over you, even if they're not here, he thought. "It's okay, Pyro… I'll teach you. Your father would be proud, I promise."
Pyro blinked, a small glimmer of relief crossing his golden eyes. His tail flicked ever so slightly, a tiny signal of comfort. "Nyaah…" he murmured softly, as if testing the sound of his own voice.
Hunnt grinned, the familiar mischievous spark lighting his eyes. "Sword and Shield, huh? Good choice. But I have to warn you — keeping up with me isn't going to be easy!"
Pyro's whiskers twitched indignantly, tail lashing with restrained irritation. "Nyaah! I… I can handle it! Don't underestimate me, nyaah!"
Hunnt chuckled, ruffling Pyro's head lightly. "Oh, I know you're stubborn… just like me," he teased. "Perfect. That means we'll get along just fine."
The little Felyne's tail flicked once more, golden eyes glinting with determination. "Alright… Sword and Shield, nyaah! I'll do my best!"
"Step one," Hunnt said, clapping his hands together. "We make your weapon an extension of your body. Not just a tool, not just something to hold. It's part of you. One strike, one block, one move at a time."
He handed Pyro a small, makeshift sword and shield. Pyro's paws gripped them tightly, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and determination. The weight was just enough to be challenging, not so heavy that he couldn't manage it.
"First lesson," Hunnt continued, pacing around the little Felyne. "Balance. Control. Your feet, your tail, your claws — everything has to work together. Don't just swing wildly!"
Pyro nodded, tail flicking. "Nyaah… I'll be careful… nyaah!"
The first attempts were awkward, each swing slightly off, each block misaligned. Pyro stumbled once, tail tangling in the strap of the shield. "Nyaah! Stupid tail!" he hissed, jumping upright, eyes narrowed in determination.
Hunnt laughed, crouching low. "Careful! That tail is part of your balance, remember? Use it, don't fight it."
Pyro took a deep breath, adjusting his stance. His tail flicked purposefully, shield held high, sword angled forward. Swing. Block. Step. Pivot. The motions were hesitant at first, but gradually, the flow emerged. Step by step, Pyro began to understand the rhythm of the weapon, how it could anticipate his movements and respond as naturally as his own claws.
"Good!" Hunnt called, clapping. "Yes, just like that! Feel it in your paws, feel it in your legs — don't just think about it!"
By midday, both were drenched in sweat. Pyro's chest heaved, paws gripping sword and shield tightly, but his eyes shone with pride. "Nyaah… I'm… I'm getting it," he panted.
Hunnt knelt beside him, grinning. "Exactly. Foundation training wasn't just about making you strong. This — weapon mastery — is about making your body, your mind, and your instincts work as one. And you're doing amazing."
Pyro's tail twitched, ears perking. "Nyaah… I won't let anyone… take this away from me… or anyone else… nyaah…"
Hunnt smiled, placing a hand on the little Felyne's shoulder. "And you won't. Not with me by your side. We'll train every day until you don't even think about swinging — you feel it."
Pyro's eyes narrowed, determination burning brighter. He adjusted his grip, shield raised, stance ready. "Nyaah… then let's begin. Again!"
And so they continued — sword and shield in paw, fists and claws aligned, each movement a tiny dance of precision, strength, and trust. Every swing was corrected, every block refined, every step measured.
By sunset, Pyro was exhausted but unbroken, sweat dripping from his fur, tail flicking in satisfaction, and eyes gleaming with resolve. Hunnt sat beside him, chest heaving, smile wide. "Perfect. Foundation training is behind you, but this — this is the start of something incredible."
Pyro licked the water Hunnt offered, tail curling with quiet pride. I'll make my father proud… I'll protect what's important… and I'll get stronger every single day, nyaah.
Together, the boy and the little Felyne sat in the fading light, the sword and shield resting across Pyro's lap. Shadows stretched across the village, but in the clearing, hope and determination burned brighter than the sun. One swing, one block, one laugh at a time, their journey continued — stronger, faster, and united.