The solstice festival had been eye-opening, for sure. She had met with Asterion and he had agreed to spar her so she could hopefully prove her worth to Isra. She wanted to show Denocte that she could protect them. In order to do that, she need to gain experience in more ways than one. So this spar was just the thing to get her started in the right direction.
Because of this, just as soon as the sun peaked up over the horizon, Katniss was awake and ready to start her day. Finnick, unsure of exactly why Katniss was up at this hour, simply watched her fumble around the stone room from the comfort of his perch. The bird was healing, though not at all up to full capacity. His injuries would take time to heal but thankfully, he was well enough to fly short distances.
By the time Katniss arrives on the battlefield, she is dressed to the nines in her battle armor - probably the only thing that could protect her against Asterion’s experience and magic. The armor is lightweight, but strong. It’s new and shiny and Katniss knows that soon, this armor will be dented and tarnished with dirt and blood. But that does not deter her. Eyes look forward from beneath the protection of the headpiece, the “helmet” of sorts protecting the crown of her head and the bridge of her nose. Along her neck are two sides of plated armor, one along her mane, the other protecting her throat. And finally, plated armor along her back and over her rump. Despite her weak areas being her legs, ribs and underbelly, Katniss feels prepared. This is what she has trained for, the moment she has been waiting for.
Thunder rumbles in the distance and Katniss looks up at the darkened sky. No doubt that would pose a challenge should the ground grow slick with rainwater. Finnick rides atop his bonded’s back, anchored to her armor. As Katniss comes to stand before Asterion, she nods her head in his direction in greeting. “Ready. Do not go easy on me.” Although her skin is hot beneath the armor, sweat pooling in areas, she is ready. She was born ready. Finnick takes off first, his wings taking him and planting him in a branch of a barren tree. He will know when he is needed. For now, he waits patiently, eyes trained on Asterion.
It is moments like these where Katniss wishes she had her magic - her increased speed, strength, and ability to breathe beneath the water. But here, she has none of those safety nets. Here, she stands on unequal ground against Asterion’s magic. But she trusts him. Eyes look to the hot sun for a moment, her thoughts gathering and her courage building.
And then, she takes off at a gallop, a charge towards Asterion.
But as she comes nearer to him, she begins to circle him, her pace slowing just enough so she can keep a tight circle around him. She hopes to keep his eyes moving, to keep him so focused on trying to track her that he loses focus. After a moment, she abruptly halts, forcing her body into a quick position change. Rump faces his right side and she kicks back with powerful legs. She harnesses all her momentum into this kick, hoping to land square in his rib cage. Many times she has heard the sound of ribs cracking. She knows that a broken rib can severely effect the ability to fight at ones best - and so that is what Katniss hopes to accomplish.
Following her kick, contact with flesh or not, Katniss keeps close to Asterion. For two bodies so close in contact, only so much force can be exerted on her. The less force he can exert on her, the better.
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