Kaz had heard through his old contacts in the rune knights that troubled still plagued the people of the land after the attacks by the demons. He set out to see what it was he could do and it was not long before he found something.

He had been contemplating his time and after his epiphany at the pier he felt more at balance with himself. Even if his future was still clouded.

As he turned down the winding streets of Astera he heard   voice cry out and the sound of glass shattering. Rushing over to check, there were two men with bats in hand standing in front of a a broken window to a store. A man sat on the  ground holding his hands over his head. One hand extended to lessen a blow headed for him.

"Drop the bats," The urge he once had to proclaim himself a rune knight was gone. All that mattered now was finishing the job.

The two men aimed their bats at Kazimir. The wind mage sighed and slashed upwards with both his hands. Wind blades shot out and sliced the bats in half and cut into their shoulders.

The men collapsed to the ground shocked and scooted back to their feet before running off. "He's a mage! Get outta here!" they quickly darted down a nearby alley.

Kaz began to chase them when he felt a small hand grab his. A young boy looked up at him. His father raced over and scooped him up. He was the man that had been cowering, moments ago.

"You all alright," Kaz asked as he looked over the broken window and checked for any blood with a glance.

"Can you...can you teach us to fight,"the father asked. "There are so many of us that are in danger here."

more heads began to pop out of businesses. "It would be easier for me to just take care of your..."An explosion erupted from the man's store. The blast causing Kaz to shield his eyes. Fire and debris scattered from the explosion and filled the air. The man and his son were knocked to the ground. The flames reaching out to them.

Kaz thrust his hands forward blowing the fire backwards. The man and his son were nearly taken by it.

wc 350

The fire raged upwards into the sky. The man scurried behind kaz and hastily patted out the cinders on his pants.

Kaz squinted his eyes in thought for a moment. He conjured wind that whirled around the fire and pulled it up into the air as a flaming tornado and let it dissipate into nothingness.

"You all okay," He knelt beside the father and son. They nodded back and the father just looked at his store in shambles now.

"Tell me...What's going on here." The man then unraveled the tale about a group of people that were in a state of unrest. They just normal citizens at first but they were beginning to rally together behind someone.They had been gathering together to self police the area. But they have been hurting any who don't join them.

"And that's why we need you to teach us how to fight. PLEASE," the man was on his knees still and grabbed Kaz's shirt.

"Alright, but this is going deeper than that. First lesson. Try to stay as calm as you can. Panic will only get in your way."

He took the man's hands and stood him up. "First, lets clean up your shop and then we can begin."

Others nearby stepped forward slowly. Kaz walked into the building with the owner and they swept up pieces of what remained. Soon the others stepped inside and took out the trash and gathered loose bits of wood and charred product that was once for sale. Nearly unidentifiable now.

The space was large now that the few aisles had been taken out. The floor was mostly clean. Dark burn marks left shadows cast into the floor and on the walls. There was no sign of what caused the devastation. Kaz stood with his hand on his chin until the owner approached him.

"We can finish cleaning the rest."

"No that's okay. I'll stay. This place will serve as a good place to begin training. We start now." The people exchanged looks back and forth and a tear formed in the owners eye. "Th...thank you."

"Line up and stand like this,"

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They followed his instructions and all lined up. There right hand back and their left hand forward, mimicking how he stood. Both hands were open and close to each other. He began to bounce back and forth, shifting his weight from front to back. They all followed with some on in step and others shifting their weight to much one way or the other.

"It's all about keeping your distance. Staying at a range that you want,"Kaz began to pivot on his front foot around an invisible opponent every so often thrusting one or both hands forward.

"Shouldn't we be learning how to punch," one of the men stopped.

"Punching is dangerous if you don't practice it daily. You could break your wrist or thumb with improper placement. You all need something you can use now. Open hands are safer. In time you will punch."

He paired them off and faced them towards each other. One moved in to attack while the other pushed in forward with both hands to put them off balance or moving their opponents arms to step around them to their side.

"Good and when you get inside or to the side, wrap around the hips. Control the hips control the body." Kaz stepped in and pushed into one of them who made a wide attack. He wrapped their hips and and squeezed. Their back arched backwards and he set them on the ground gently.

"Just like that, now you do it,"They began to practice. Slowly some of them got it. A basic technique move around their body or into. Tackle the hips or legs and take them down.

They passed the evening learning a series of quick grabs and palm strikes to the head with elbows to the body. tactics Kaz remembered from the water clan. He showed them how to keep distance and walked them through finding their own range of safety. The owner caught on the fastest and began helping the other students catch on.

They trained long into the night and their movements began slow down, but zeal was still in their eyes. "alright. That's enough for today," Kaz clapped his hands. "We'll meet back here tomorrow morning."

WC 350
Total WC 1050

The next morning had come and Kaz walked down the street with his bag in hand. It was hard to believe he had gone back to helping people after shedding so much blood. He remembered their screams as he looked at his hand. The image of blood still dripping from it.

He shook his head and turned down the alley way until he saw the busted windows of the store that had become a training hall. Already there were people standing in a circle around the front of the building. Most of them wearing sweat pants and loose shirts instead of suits and aprons.

The other shops they owned were being run by grandparents and children. The adults of an age for fighting all decided to train and let the family take over for the time being.

"Ah, mister..." the owner of the training hall stopped realizing they had never exchanged names. "I'm Bart, its a pleasure." He extended his hand to shake Kaz's

"Kazimir of the Seiryu clan," he replied and accepted the handshake. "let's move in and begin." Kaz entered first and the area was cleaner than it was the night before. They had come in the night to finish it for today

Everyone piled in and paired off. Already knowing the drill. some of the local children sat in the open windows and laid in the corner on the floor to watch the training. A few even stood ready to act it out for themselves.

"Alright, today we will learn knees, take-downs, and blocks." It was finally time for them to learn how to punch and take a punch. They needed it if they were going to learn how to block.

He demonstrated a jab and a cross. Pivoting on his back foot and extending each arm almost to its fullest. They mimicked the move as he walked around them, adjusting posture and straightening their punches. "Remember, punch through a target, strike with the first two knuckles. Don't let it linger in the air. Pull it back fast."

He paired them off and showed them the block, "Both hands stay in front. Keep them open. Turn your forearms together. Let them hit your arms not your face. Keep your hands up. Hide behind your arms." he demonstrated tucking behind his arms to block strikes from the front and the sides.

WC 400
Total WC 1450

Soon they transitioned to drills. Their feet were stamping on the ground and shuffled across the wooden floor. Heavy breaths with every movement as the minutes ticked by.

Kaz moved them into how to throw a proper knee at close ranger. leading with the hips and driving through. Effective tactics and ones that he hadn't used much of since getting his magic stronger.

They caught on well. Bart was the fastest learner. teaching the others to help them stay with the class. He had the most motivation after all it was his store hit first.

"Now then, drive the knee in. When you block cross both arms. Absorb the impact," it was dangerous to train without pads but they found a way. Their were no pads when it matter in life anyway.

The day passed by with bruises and bumps. The people performed quick take downs but placed each other softly on the ground as they were taught. No use in risking injury in here, but it would have been better for them to feel the impact.

"Bart can I talk to you," Kaz pulled him aside.

"yes sir."

"When this is all done, i think you should fit this place as a gym and begin teaching it yourself. I'll make sure you are ready."

Bart stood speechless. He was among the remnants of a store that was now filled with enthusiastic learners. Ones that had a drive to be better and carry themselves with less fear. They also began to look up to Bart's helpful guidance.

"Are you sure about that Kazimir?"

"I'm positive. Think on it for now and we can tlak again later. But I think we both know this is what you are meant to be doing." He gave Bart a pat on the back and walked off to continue helping the students Bart stood for a moment and took it all in.

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Total WC 1750

The sun began to set once more and Kaz found Bart, "Can you lead them through the next drill I need to check on something outside."

Bart nodded back and gathered the classes attention. he held out his hands and called a student forward. Bart ducked down and charged forward scooping the man's legs and set him on the ground. He stood over him with open hands and showed them some strikes.

Kaz opened the front door. It creaked from the damage and was only held up by the hastily thrown together screws they found. The wood splintered a bit each time it swung open.

The wind mage grabbed his bag and walked by the open window. Bart was standing in the center of the circle, fixing their technique and adjusting their movements. They caught each other's eye briefly. Kaz smiled and gave a simple wave.

Bart's mouth hung open for a second but when he heard the call of a student asking for help, he smiled at the ex-knight and waved back. Bart quickly turned to help the others.

The night was creeping towards a time for sleep. Kaz made his way to a small hotel he had managed to find for a couple nights rest. He kicked back and was ready to see them again the next day.

Morning shined through the window and the wind mage was up and out the door. It swung shut on its own as he hurried to the store or rather a training hall now.

Just like yesterday, they were all gathered in a circle around the store. But their faces were less eager. Wide eyed, and with frowns. Some shaking their heads and others sat with their face in their palms leaned against the building.

"What's going on here?"

Bart walked forward. bruises on the sides of his hands and a black eye. "Sorry. They took them in the night. We only learned this morning. They showed up to pressure us again and there was a fight."

Kaz set his bag down, "Who is they? And who was taken? What happened with the fight?" Bart's words only created more questions.

WC 350
Total WC 2100

Bart steadied himself, "They took Emily, the bread store owner's daughter. It is a group that have a building in the next neighborhood. The ones that have been trying to force their law on us. They came by this morning to blackmail us but things turned bad and we fought them off. That's how I learned where they were."

Behind the crowd now, Kaz could see the three wounded thugs they had stopped. The group of thugs were laid against the wall out of the way and tied up with rope from the supply store across the street.

Kaz pointed to his bag, "Can you watch that for me. You all stay here. You've done well. But I'll handle the rest from here." He walked through the group. None of them speaking a word other than a soft thank you. None of them sure about what was going to happen next. A small group of them and Bart started to follow.

"If you're going to come, just watch. No need for you to get hurt."

"We can help, we are ready."

Kaz looked over his shoulder at them, "You have trained well. But if you step into the building, you'd only be getting in my way. My magic is unforgiving to those around me." he flared up the wind around him and they stepped back now seeing how serious the situation really was. But they weren't going to just wait her.

The group followed Kaz to the eight story building that towered over all the rest in the area. It was an apartment complex turned into the haven for citizens twisted justice. Two guards were at the door. more dotted their head out of the windows to see who approached.

"My name Is Kazimir..."

"You came here and taught them how to revolt against me. You're the reason I have this girl. leave and I'll give her back and tell them to pay attention to the new law in town," A man yelled from the top of the building. He held the little girl half over the side. A cigar in his mouth and a brown vest on with his chest exposed. He wore a large hat that concealed his face under its shadow.

WC 350
Total WC 2450

Kaz just let out a sigh at the absurdity of the situation. With everything going on in the world, there were people like this who still took advantage of people's weakness. Abused the positions of prominence they were given within a community and gathered around fanatics.

The building was packed with people. All of who glared out of windows and look on with scrunched faces and crinkled noses. Kaz stepped closer and the two guards approached him with their hands out stretched. Before they reached him he sent two blades of wind cutting into their bodies. The flew backward against the doorway, rolling in pain.

"I don't have the patience for this. Give me the girl...Or I'll tear down your entire building." A radical statement given he didn't know if there were innocents inside. Part of it was a bluff but his eyes were like steel. A small piece of him wouldn't have hesitated to bring it down to rubble.

"Oh is that so. Well then let me save you the trouble," the man exclaimed as he let the girl go. His hands drifting away from her shirt as she began to fall from the ledge. A moment linger in the air. She was too afraid to even gasp, seeing the ground so far below her. The concrete would be merciless.

The group that followed Kaz ran to his side, "Save her! You have a plan right!" They were frantic but their trust him him was still there. Kaz rushed to the wall of the building and concentrated wind in his heels. With a stomp he sent himself hurling upwards ten meters. His foot touched a windowsill and a thug fell on their butt, startled by his sudden appearance.  

Kaz jumped to another one. The girl's body spiraled towards him, her hair blown back by the wind and screaming now. The leader put his hands in the air and a magic circle appeared around him. "No you don't!" He smacked his hands on the building and bright lines zig-zagged down the walls. The next instance they erupted. Giant boulder sizes chunks or the building were hurled into the air and around Kaz and the girl.

Debris and dust scoured the air. Kaz threw his hand in an arc clearing the particles with a small squall. His vibration sense wouldn't help him with all that was happening around him, but he could still hear her scream. A large piece of wall fell in his path. He sliced trough it with his wind blades and kicked off the air, spinning between the two severed pieces.

"Got you," he said finally seeing her right above him. They reached for each other and Kaz kicked of the piece of the wall and propelled himself upwards, and wrapped her in his arms. No point in going down and the man still watched from above and spit to the side.

Kaz darted through the debris and with his free hand he sent a tornado rushing upwards. It ripped through the pieces of the building that cascaded toward them. The leader leaped backward as the tornado whooshed by him. The wind stirring up his clothes and air. His cigar cut off at the tip from a narrow dodge.

Kaz followed and landed on the roof. The tornado still twisting above him. Manipulated by his outstretched hand. "I suggest you end this now." The man's eyes narrowed. his fingers twitched. he brought both hands back and clapped them together. A magic circle formed around him. Kaz waved his hand down at the man, sending the raging wind to engulf him as soon as his hands clapped. The force tore a hole through the roof.

The man laid unconscious on the ground. Kaz grabbed him and with the girl at his side and their leader gone, they made their way safely back to the streets. More rune knights began to show up.

"I'll give them a written report. You all just tell them what happened here," he said as he grabbed his bag and walked away before he got into any real mix-ups with the knights.

WC700
Total WC 3150