Sonhu's back slammed against the bamboo platform. He gritted his teeth as his opponent leaned in. Sonhu wrapped his legs around him, holding him in a close guard. His opponent tried to press through, his arm against Sonhu's throat. Sonhu pulled it away, panting heavily. His body ached sore from the hours of drilling. His opponent was out of breath too, but each time Sonhu tried to reposition or press an advantage, he held him there. All Sonhu could do was hold his guard.

  His opponent was much larger than Sonhu. His yellow eyes intense, concentrated. His ears flat, a deep growl rumbled in his throat and through his gritted teeth as he used his strength power through Sonhu's guard. His fur matted from sweat. A streak of blood ran down his forehead, staining his white fur.

  Taeyong pushed further into Sonhu's guard, his weight unbearable. The strength Sonhu used to keep him there was fleeting. A single slip was all it took, and he pushed past the control of Sonhu's legs. Now in a mount on Sonhu's chest, his hands wrapped around Sonhu's throat. Sonhu squirmed frantically.

  "Enough!" A powerful voice commanded from beyond the training platform.

  Taeyong's hands retracted, and Sonhu gasped for air. The weight lifted from his chest. Taeyong knelt beside him, hands on his knees, head lowered.

  "Sonhu, up." The voice growled.

  Sonhu stumbled as he got into the same position as Taeyong. Panting, Sonhu watched as the owner of the voice approached the platform. He took off his sandals at the steps as he transitioned from the snowy jungle floor to the bamboo platform.

  He was big, not as big as Taeyong, but still maybe half a foot taller than Sonhu and still muscular despite his age. He had white fur like Sonhu and Taeyong, but his black stripes showed signs of graying. His back was a little hunched, but he still held a commanding presence in his stride. He wore a gray jeogori shirt and loose black baji pants.

  Baekjeong approached the two younger Talmari with a scowl.

  "Taeyong, your aggression is commendable, but your technique is still lacking." He said as he passed Taeyong. "You cannot always expect to win a battle based on strength alone."

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  "Yes, father," Taeyong said, his head held a little lower.

  "Sonhu…" Baekjeong began as he approached, "Where do you think you went wrong?"

  "I let him break my guard."

  "You let him?" Baekjeong repeated back, exasperated.

  "He managed to break my guard." Sonhu corrected.

  "And how did he manage to do that?"

  Sonhu looked up at his father,

  "Because he is stronger than me." He said, frustrated.

  "Stronger, or bigger?"

  "Both." He replied flatly.

  Baekjeong pursed his lips, then said,

  "It's not fair, is it?"

  "No, it's not," Sonhu said indignantly.

  "And yet you had him in your guard." Baekjeong pointed out, "You had control, and then you gave up."

  "I didn't give up! I couldn't press the advantage. There is nothing I can do with an opponent like that!"

  Baekjeong scoffed,

  "That is just weakness of mind. If you can out-think and out-maneuver an opponent, you can be stronger than them, even if they are bigger." Baekjeong said angrily. He turned away, "That is enough for today. Clean up the training area."

  As Baekjeong walked away, Sonhu and Taeyong stood up and walked to the two jeogori shirts that lay folded neatly next to one another. Taeyong put on the bigger one. As Sonhu was putting on his, Taeyong said,

  "You shouldn't disrespect father like that."

  Sonhu scoffed,

  "That's easy for you to say."

  "He's just trying to help you," Taeyong retorted, "He also corrects me."

  "He's never as hard on the great Taeyong as he is on me."

  Sonhu felt the kick with brutal force. He tumbled off the platform and onto the snowy ground. His side burning.

  "Shibal!" Sonhu shouted, "What is wrong with you?"

  "Who gave you such a tongue!" Taeyong yelled back, "Just go. I'll clean the training area alone."

  Sonhu stood up, his jeogori still only half on. He growled and walked away from the platform, grabbing at his side. The burning pain slowly faded into just comfortable warmth. When Sonhu opened his eyes, Ketra's piercing purple eyes greeted him.