Student and Master

[Michael Vellas]

Redacted time between the establishment of the Garden and present

"It is no use, Karim. Trust me, I have tried." Michael said in a tense voice.

The Iranian Rod of Dominion was not perturbed by his superior, unlike most. "Not even a scratch? You have seen it done enough, Commander. I can go slower." 

"Enough. As I said, I have tried. Healing eludes me. My talents lie in other areas. I believe that is the way of this Power. Some things a man can do without thinking. Others, they can practice their whole lives and not master." 

Karim al'Shadis, Rod of Dominion, inclined his head, conceding the point. "Perhaps you are right. I only did as you asked. Something new each week." 

Michael let himself smile a little. Of all the students he had, Karim was the only one he actually trusted. He kept weekly training sessions with the man, allowing himself to explore the Power without pretense. Of course, he never revealed the depths of his ignorance even to Karim either. He was tasked with training and controlling an army of men with superhuman powers. It necessitated he be stronger and smarter than all of them. At least until there were enough men he could trust to be loyal. Michael knew that unless he earned the respect of his students, fear would run thin, but he needed that fear to last until that time came. No wonder Nikolai gave the job to without much protest. 

"Embrace the Power, Karim. Let us continue our sparring sessions. This time, I shall be attacking." 

The Rod of Dominion obliged, and Michael did the same. He spun simple webs of Air and Fire. "Now." 

At his word, the webs split into half a dozen snake-like prongs of fire that came at the Rod from all sides. Karim spun a web of Spirit thicker than any of Michael's own and spun the scythe-like web, slicing through each of Michael's attacks, causing a jolt of jarring rebuff each time. 

"Again," Michael commanded. Using less power seemed to dampen the recoil of having them cut. He spun more webs, some of pure air, some mixing in Spirit that acted like a spider's web that would reinforce the web of power, making it harder to cut. Karim dealt with the webs thrown at him, although his response was slower every time a new wave began. 

Soon, the man was exhausted and sweat rose from Michael's pores. "You're getting better," Michael said as Karim sucked in deep breaths. "Faster. However, you should focus on minimizing the power you use. Using a hammer to swat a fly wastes energy." 

"It is not so easy to judge when that hammer is between you and a face full of fire," the man replied. 


"That's why we practice. Why *I* practice. You know as well as I, we are not gods, and not all may wish to join the Custody peacefully." 

"You have said as much many times before, Commander. I know you and the Ascendancy are correct. Can a man not complain without a lecture?" Karim smiled. 

Michael grunted. "Very well. No more talk. This time, you attack me. Hold nothing back. Fight like you want to kill me." 

He could not help but smile as a barrage of webs rained down upon him. As he honed his skill and precision he felt at home in the midst of combat. A small part of him relished the day he came up against someone who was trying to kill him, whether it be a jealous Rod like Petrovic or a rogue man who had the power.