I parry his blow, making him trip and stumble. I think he can't take any more when he stands back up, tripping me on his way. I know that I am at a disadvantage because of my short height and weight, but also at an advantage for the same reasons. However I start to doubt if I may win this fight. I quickly stand back up and spin sideways beneath his arm, attempting a throw from behind. He counters my throw and I find myself with my back against the wall, unable to move around him. My heart races as I realize once again, how close I am to becoming overpowered.

"I'm still not ready for this. This is just too much to take in all at once," I finally say, out of breath.

"Amy, you have to learn to be prepared to better defend yourself," I hear for the thousandth time.

"But why? You're always so quick to jump in and protect me-"

"But one day I might not be there to protect you," he retorts, pulling away.

"You're not serious, are you? You're forgetting that neither of us are human. We are already at an advantage because of that," I remind him.

"You're right. But what if you are attacked by something that isn't human? Then that statement is no longer fact," Raphael points out. He takes me by surprise when he darts behind me, attacking me from behind. I feel his rapier against the side of my neck as he holds me tightly by the arms with one hand. "What would you do in a situation like this?"

I hang my head in shame and sigh. "I... don't know," I answer and he pushes me away. I stumble trying to regain my balance, embarassed.

"We shall take a break. Meet back here in thirty minutes for more training," he says before walking away, tossing his rapier to the side. I stand here alone now, upset with myself.

"Stupid," I call myself. I sit down with my back against the wall, wondering what I would have done if I had actually been attacked. I scold myself for not focusing like I should, and begin pulling on the creases of my dress until Raphael returns.

"Stand up," he instructs, approaching me, and with all the strength in my legs I slide my back up the wall and push myself away. He looks at the rapier in my hand. "Drop it. I need to teach you hand-to-hand combat." I drop my rapier where I stand. "If your enemy disarms you, what would you do?"

He knocks me to the ground where I lay on my back, facing him. His rapier slides down my stomach as he looks at me, waiting for me to act. I quickly and instinctively extend my arms to the handle of his blade and shove it away from my body, but I am too weak.

"You need to act faster, Amy. I am not your father, I am your enemy and I am only moments away from slicing you open with my blade. Do not be afraid to fight me. This is for your own good," he tells me as I lie helpless on the ground before him. Risking the mistake of my move backfiring. but determined to prove myself, I stiffen my arm and make a swift movement from behind his feet and trip him. I quickly jump up and grab onto the handle of his rapier, aiming the end of it back at his chest as I face him with the bottom of my boot presses against his neck, my other leg bent across his torso.

"That was better," he tells me, "but not good enough." He knocks the weapon away from his neck and instructs me to stand back up.

"Why are we even doing this?" I wonder aloud, irritated with my inability to focus and succeed.

He stands before me now, staring me up and down. He nears me, stroking my pigtail.

"You are too beautiful, Amy," he tells me, making me shy away. His fingers run down my shoulder as he continues. "I just want you to be safe. You are young and beautiful, but not strong enough to overcome a grown man. I don't want anyone laying a finger on you." His fingers run down my side and near my back before resting his hand on my hip. I blush, and he pulls away.

"You need more training."