Chapter Text
The weight of the mega lance felt strange in Vandham’s grip. It wasn’t heavy and Vandham could thrust and swing the weapon just fine, but the balance felt off. He felt his options were more limited while also in general just more at risk. Now he knew he felt this way just due to his lack of practice. Yew was a god damn artist with the bloody thing and Vandham had asked for a crash course in how to wield the weapon so he could at least pretend to be ready for the road, but still whenever it was in his hand it felt awkward.
While he was never the most mobile of fighters, Roc’s weapons and abilities had afforded the man that little bit of extra versatility that really made his more brawler style work. Up close and personal was where Vandham liked to be and having the wind at your back with a pair of weapons that asked you to be nearly point blank with your foe had just felt right. If someone expected a slash they usually got a fist to the jaw, a gut check could quickly become a life ending cut across the stomach, and a man twice as wide as most could just be fast enough to evade reprisal. Now that same man found himself having to work with his bulk and the new range he had to work with.
One of the first things he worked on was creating the space he needed to use that range. Dodging wasn’t going to be an option with this weapon so keeping control of the battlefield was going to be key. Luckily Vandham’s own size and strength could help with that. After getting a feel for how to wield the weapon, Vandham immediately practiced a combination shove and backstep. This afforded him space and if timed correctly could even topple someone who was off balance. Rex found out that later part during some training. Next came keeping the space. A shove and back step was all well and good, but sometimes you can’t retreat and if there were multiple enemies, he needed a way to keep them at bay. He wound up with a rather simple method of just taking the far end of the shaft in both hands and swinging it with full force in front of him. An inelegant move and fairly easy to see coming but it did the job and that’s all that mattered. Yew then showed him some simple attack patterns and explained the basics on where to strike foes for the most effect. Finally came to use an actual art.
Vandham spared a glance back at his new blade and had to admit he wasn’t sure what to expect. Through the connection the two shared he could feel the immense strength of the blade, but also its unwieldy nature. When awakened Wulfric had been loud and ferocious but then seemed to quickly calm down and now held an intense focus on the training at hand. After a few more practice swings, Vandham felt ready. “Wulfric, gonna give your power a whirl! Hope you’re ready!” All the confirmation given was deep and gravely “Yes.” With that Vanham began a basic string of strikes before suddenly adjusting his stance and hands to bring the lance into a heavy underswing. The tip of the spear left a gash along the torso of the training dummy before a massive spike of stone came crashing up from the earth, shattering the wooden post and skewering the dummy. That attack had come out far more powerfully than Vandham had wanted it to but he also couldn’t argue against how effective it looked. When he looked back to Wulfric, the blade looked the exact same. Vandham couldn't tell exactly how much of a toll multiple moves like that would take on the monstrous blade, but there was at least an easy way to find out. “Wulfric, how're you holding up?” “Good, excellent” The blade's tone was deep but even. “Alright then. How bout we try pushing our limits a bit if you’re up for it!” With a nod from Wulfric, Vandham began striking with blow after blow even though there was no longer a target. He visualized one of the dozens of battles he had fought, then another, and then another. Each one he went through what he would have done differently with his new weapon. While he would certainly need to practice more, this was at least a good start. He kept going and going until suddenly he was back in the coliseum fighting Torna. Fighting against the Aegis, against Malos.
There he was, cold sweat running down his face. Rex, Nia, everyone else down from the fight. Vandham charging in and desperately trading blows with one of the tools of the Architect himself. He can feel his body getting sluggish. It’s getting harder and harder to fight back. He tells Rex to go one more time as he prepares for the final slash and for his de- The ground shatters around him and a roar is heard. Vandham’s vision snaps back into focus as he sucks in a sharp breath of fresh air. Through the ringing in his ears he could hear a booming roar ahead of him. Wulfric is wielding his lance with such ferocity that the ground shook around him. Every move sent out a shock wave, every strike faster than the last. And then it was done. The lance disappeared from Wulfric’s hands and he returned to his position and concentrated pose. Others had come to check on Vandham but he waved them off. “I think that’s enough for now Wulfric, good work.” “It was not too much?” “Can’t really complain, especially when my own effort wasn’t up to snuff. Get some rest, we’ll practice more on the road.” With that Wulfric nodded and went off towards the massive tree behind the village.
Vandham grabbed a towel and began to cool off with some stretches. The sweat on his brow was from far more than just the training, but he didn’t really want to consider that right now. Like many times in his life, Vandham had a job to do and regardless of the stakes, he would push through. By the time he finished everything, night had overtaken the village. After a quick stop by the canteen for a drink and a post workout snack Vandham retired to his tent for the night. He prepped his gear for the long journey ahead before settling on the edge of his bed. He felt along his broad chest where Malos had struck him, but couldn’t feel anything, Nia had done a phenomenal job. And yet he couldn’t shake the feeling. He glanced at Roc’s core crystal and something deep in his gut twisted. Reliving the scene earlier, the pain followed by the quick feeling of fading away, the world growing dim. Vandham had died that day. The weight of that realization was heavy, but also sparked something in him. His sacrifice didn’t save anyone! All it did was drive Rex into more danger. No, that was unacceptable. His hand tightened into a fist before he thumped it against his chest. That boy was going to change the world, and Vandham needed to be there when he did. That meant he had to be ready, Roc always said they needed new moves anyway. Next time they faced Torna, Vandham would not be found lacking. With new resolve burning in his chest, Vandham settled into a restful sleep, eager for the coming adventure.