Sharp, and loud, the broomstick hits the concrete before Ellise reels it back into the air. He’d studied the warrior's battle practices for ages and now seemed to be the perfect time to perfect them. Actual, of age, trainees practiced on the other side of the plaza, where being taught and corrected on the other side of the plaza. A smile crossed his face as one them was scolded for sloppy footing, his was perfect.

“Ellise.” a sharp voice snapped his attention back down, off the step and onto his friend who now stood rigid beside him. “We have work to be done.” Malic, his only friend, glared with narrowed eyes before swiping his broom across the stone.

“As always.” a small pin tugged his spirits down but as the trainees tried another stance he readied his balance and fixed his attention on the sensei. “Just watch Malic, I'm gonna be ready and be the best warrior.” h boasted with a proud smile.

Malic rolled his eyes and kept sweeping, glancing up only to smile at his sister in the window. Ellise dove to one knee and flipped his broomstick katana across the step, a move to throw an enemy off balance, before he settled the wood on his shoulders. “See?” he too glanced up at Rana, who shook her head with a smile.

“By the time you too get down sweeping the plaza the war will be over.” she chuffed and turned to grab something from inside.

“And if you want to fight in it Ellise you’d better focus on sweeping.” Malic chuckled and ignored the man slowly approaching them.

Ellise glanced up, a warrior, he had real katanas, real armor. A large smile crossed the boys face as his heart thumped rapidly against his chest. “Hello.” he dipped his head though his eyes never left his new idol.

The warrior dipped his head in return.