For all his struggle with the new weapon, and all the frustration at using something that didn't come easily or naturally, Tal still found a proud grin interrupting his scowl at the praise he won from his teacher. It felt good after what had felt like hours on his own making no progress, and it energized the courier to straighten up and keep going.
Except the air-powered effigy was also disinclined to succumb to its wounds quite yet, and Tal stifled a yelp as it was prodded towards him in a rushing charge; thankfully unarmed, but no less intimidating for its lack of blades.
The General's words, calm and certain, spurred the courier to action as he backpedaled to make that distance happen. He thrust out in front of him as he did so, but it was clear he had no idea how to generate power while in retreat. Unless the dummy was kind enough to impale itself on the spear blade, Tal was in trouble. He struggled to stay out of its range until a misstep sent him sideways, and in his correction he found a moment's instinctive balance and momentum to pierce forward and into the dummy's onrushing momentum.
Except the air-powered effigy was also disinclined to succumb to its wounds quite yet, and Tal stifled a yelp as it was prodded towards him in a rushing charge; thankfully unarmed, but no less intimidating for its lack of blades.
The General's words, calm and certain, spurred the courier to action as he backpedaled to make that distance happen. He thrust out in front of him as he did so, but it was clear he had no idea how to generate power while in retreat. Unless the dummy was kind enough to impale itself on the spear blade, Tal was in trouble. He struggled to stay out of its range until a misstep sent him sideways, and in his correction he found a moment's instinctive balance and momentum to pierce forward and into the dummy's onrushing momentum.
