[Training] the beginning, we were winning

HENRY

The clack of wood against stone echoed throughout the ruins, the noise inconsistently consistent. Henry ducked and dodged around imaginary enemies, placed upon the rigid, fallen structures. He'd been applying Aisha's lesson to his practices, even if they it was crude at best. He was less so worrying about the quality of his weapon as he was worrying about his form, about his strikes, about how, if perhaps the opponent was real, if he stood a chance against them at all. With the last lesson he'd had, he was feeling more confident and he struck with more vigor than before. The hesitation from him was gone, replaced by that knowing confidence.

If Anden was searching for him, he might've been directed all over the place. If he asked people around the settlement, they'd tell him to check the farm. If he checked the farm, they'd tell him Henry was out at the ruins. If Henry had only known to expect Anden, he might've had an easier time of it.

So, when Henry paused long enough to hear the crunch of footsteps from somewhere nearby, he lifted his head to see that it was a friendly face. "Anden!" he called, almost out of breath. He panted for a moment, leaning an elbow onto the sturdy stack of stones beside him. "I haven't seen you in a while. What brings you here?" he asked, straighening up with some effort.

No color left but black and white, soon will all turn gray
may these shadows rise to walk again With lessons learnt