The night passed slowly in the land of no gods, but morning was coming. And with it, the training that would break him down and build him back up again.
Daniel woke up to a pain in his shin.
WHACK!
Gideon stood over him, holding his wooden staff. "Up," the old man rasped.
"The sun waits for no man, and death waits for everyone." Daniel groaned and rolled onto his feet. His body felt stiff.
Every bruise from the fight with the scavengers ached. He was thirsty, and his stomach was empty, but Gideon did not offer him food.
"First, we learn to stand," Gideon said. He poked Daniel in the chest with the staff. "You stand like a tree that has no roots. If I push you, you fall." Daniel tried to stand firm.
He widened his feet. He tensed his muscles. Gideon swung the staff. He didn't hit hard, but he hit a specific spot behind Daniel's knee.
Daniel's stumbled, and he fell into the dust.
