Origins

1 week later, At their training loft
(part 3 of The Way of the Warrior)


“OW!”

“Why did you do that?!” Scarlet looked at Daikar with a fury in her voice and surprise on her face.

“So you will perform better.” Daikar, in turn, was stoic and calm.

Kathryn rubbed on both thighs which were reddening from the impact of Daikar’s hands. She was extremely irate and it showed on her face. “How would inflicting pain do that?!” Her voice revealed no sign of calming down.

“Are you angry?”

“YES! Of course I am, what did you expect?”

Turning his back to her, ”Then prove you can do better and the consequences will improve. Anger will turn to joy, focus will sharpen, and most important, there will be no pain.”

“Pft. Sounds like abuse to me.” As she spoke, Kathryn entered her combat stance.  

“It’s only abuse if the cause does not warrant the effect or judgment is not justified. A parent should not hit a child because the child is hungry.”

Kathryn rolled her eye at the obviousness of the comment. “Can’t I be angry at you for hurting me?”

“What do you mean?”

Sighing heavy, Kathryn relaxed. “You don’t have to cause pain for me to learn, but you can cause me to be angry. Isn’t anger enough motivation?”

“Hmm.” Daikar turned back to Kathryn. “Why be upset over what I have done?”

“Oh, I don’t know, because you hit me when I don’t think I deserved it!”

“What do you think your anger is supposed to do?”

“Force me to show you I can do better … aw, damn it.”

Daikar could only grin broadly, her answer justified his efforts.

Kathryn tilted her head and pointed a finger reviewing the lesson she just received. “So you inflict pain, which cause anger, in an attempt to get me to improve. Strange thinking Daikar.”

“Possibly, but what’s the danger?”

Extending her arms to make a point, “The danger is that anger can turn into a hatred that becomes a cycle which feeds upon itself.”

Daikar waved a hand to deflect the argument. “You and I both know that hate is counter-productive because glory from positive action will be tarnished.”

“Does glory really matter here, especially during this exercise?” Kathryn crossed both arms to defend her position in the discussion.

“Consider this: do we remember ancient Greece for its accomplishments or its failure? Or the results of the French Revolution versus the failures of the King, which eventually lead to the Revolution? Is Las Vegas known for its casinos or the debauchery rampant within?”

Grinning devilishly, Kathryn replied, “depends on who you ask.’

“Exactly!” Daikar suddenly became animated. “You have the chance to be known by everybody for what you do. It’s more rewarding now and forever, for the good deeds versus the bad actions!”

“But-“

“No ‘buts’. During your new life, you will experience pain and anger. More than you would ever have dreamed or imagined in your other life. You must embrace them as a sign to change yourself to a better way of living. Whether it’s tactically during a fight or the eventuality of a broken heart, the causes are always different. But the effect of pain and anger are always real. Never let them fester and ruin your soul.” He clenched his fist. “Use them to your advantage and you will see that pain is a motivator to improve and survive. Not just for now, at this moment, but for today, tomorrow and forever!”