Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 11: The Officials (Part 1)

"Let us start. Go straight,"Dusk said, the sound of his footsteps audible once more. Green started to take slow steps that were cautious and purposeful. He raised his hands up tentatively, as if trying to feel the air around him. His feet shifted against the hilly ground, and his hearing strained to attempt to hear Dusk's movements.

Without a warning, Dusk's voice rang out, a quick and sharp response. "Go left."

Green jerked up his head, processing the command before it was too late; his hesitation had cost him slamming into a towering rock formation. He stumbled backward and landed hard on the ground, groaning quietly as he pushed himself up. He tugged at the edges of the blindfold, trying to steal a glance for Dusk. But before he could process everything, Dusk was already looming over his side. He stood quietly with his hands clasped behind his back as Green stood up. Dusk sighed audibly in his mind, disappointment evident in his otherwise unreadable expression.

"What have I told you about second-guessing? Let's start over,"Dusk groaned, heading to the edge of the area. Green reluctantly followed after him, the session already seeming too hard for him from the start.

In a clear area, Yellow and Lemon stood only a few steps apart, yet their setting seemed to be more relaxed than the other Officials' training sessions. Lemon was relaxed and patient, whereas her trainee Yellow was gnawed at by his anxiety.

"Okay, Yellow," Lemon's voice rang out in his mind, with a soothing ring in her tone that sounded like a song. "Your anxiety claws at you, and it holds you from your true potential. Distress can be a weakness in life and in battle. Let's cover some things about strength and control to ease your tension, shall we? I'll go ahead and give you the first strike. Show how much experience you really have to me."

Yellow hesitated at first, fidgeting with his hands, unsure about even hurting anybody at all. But from Lemon's patience, that eased Yellow's resistance, and he softened his shoulders as he shifted to position. He spread his feet apart, crouching in a smooth motion.

Lemon straightened her stance, breaking apart her clasped hands from her back. "Now, let it all out—don't hold back."

Suddenly, Yellow darted forward, and with a volley of punches, he struck Lemon with his attacks, stronger than the last. Yellow's attacks weren't coordinated or organized, but instead it was a release of his nervous energy. Lemon blocked his attacks with her arms, diverting each of his blows.

Lemon nodded at Yellow, with a hint of approval in her expression. "Impressive form," she remarked. "Such imposing strength. But there is one thing missing..."

Before Yellow could tilt his head in his confusion, Lemon swept her leg below Yellow's feet, knocking him onto the ground. With a thud, he clutched his head wearily.

"Your entire focus is fueling your attacks," Lemon commented, offering a hand at him to help Yellow up, her voice with a tone of comfort. "Defense is just as important. Focusing on offense and defense at the same time will make you competent in battle."

Yellow hesitantly accepted her help, grabbing onto her hand as she pulled him up. He brushed the imaginary dust off his cloak, and her expression softened further as she watched him. "Although you have much more to learn, there is no shame in that. Progress takes time to grow, am I not wrong?"

Yellow slowly nodded at her, the nervousness slowly disintegrating. Suddenly, Mountain Mist appeared from behind Lemon and Yellow, her strict voice chiming in their minds. "Yellow, Lemon, no loitering. We have no time to lose." Mountain Mist gave Lemon a quick stare before turning her head at Yellow, which her icy gaze froze him in place. Without another word, she wandered away, investigating another session.

Lemon turned back to Yellow, her expression hardening after Mountain Mist disappeared. "Don't listen to her," Lemon murmured. "Though she's the head of the Officials, even she won't understand the burdens you're going through. Relax, and the training will run smoothly and be finished before you know it."

Yellow relaxed his muscles. Despite Lemon's position as an Official, Yellow couldn't deny that she was the kindest and understanding. Her guidance felt more like a gift than a challenge, and Yellow felt grateful for having a trainer like Lemon—though the feeling of appreciation still felt foreign to him.

Despite that, the Color Gang's training still felt ruthless and tiresome. But they couldn't tell if this was for the greater good for the Codeborn, or even for themselves.