[ The Bronze Woods ]Indefatigable Fists

by **Holland Rolandus** on March 4th, 2015, 4:22 am

19th of Spring, 515AV

The day was rather young, and brightly lit Birds began to sing beautiful songs;Despite the fact that the sound of chirping Birds irritated Holland. That distinct sound that most people would find absolutely lovely; Was nothing, but annoying in Hollands eyes. He'd just now arisen from his tent after having taken a quick three bell nap. Now that he was rather well rested, and not half as angry at the sound of those damned birds; He would begin preparing to unleash his stresses. Just recently he purchased a bit of equipment and couldn't wait to break it in. A punching bag, and a pair of boxing gloves that he couldn't wait to try out. The man who sold them to him said that they worked great when trying to train, and or unleash stress. Which was precisely what Holland intended to do today; He'd had quite a bit of compiled stress and anger. Never once did he even bother to question why he was angry, but today he was in a particularly foul mood.

Bewildered by the sheer appearance of the Boxing Gloves he simply observed them. Looking at the hole that was evidently for putting ones fists inside, and noticing how on the glove there were no fingers. Just a large oval shaped section. Although the Gloves were rather soft to the touch; Would they provide some sort of cushion? If only Holland knew anything about how to properly maneuver himself in combat. Immediately Holland extends his arms and coils them about the circumference of the bag. Uplifting it and hanging it up on a near by Tree. Hopefully it would hold on the branch that it'd hung from, and maybe just maybe he could get a few punches in. Now he walks back over to the location where he dropped the boxing gloves prior to hanging up the Bag.

Once more, Holland looks at the gloves in an odd fashion. Why in the world were they shaped like this? Although; He figured that it could be to protect the fingers. Now he proceeds to shove one of his hands into the Glove; Immediately he notices the soft feeling on the innards of the Glove. Before he slips in his opposing hand into the remaining glove. Clenching his fists together so that he might attempt to figure out why they felt like this. Yet, he'd not even once managed to come up with a conclusion to the problem at hand. Oh well; Holland figures as he approaches the Bag. Attempting to take up a stance, Yet the stance was incredibly improper. Hollands knees were only slightly bent and his feet remained close together at his sides. It wasn't like wielding a sword where in most cases he would be forced to take up a wider stance.

by **Holland Rolandus** on March 4th, 2015, 4:32 am

Looking at the Bag, Holland decides to throw his first swing. Although it would be incredibly inaccurate; Why was that? Because Holland knew absolutely nothing about throwing proper punches. For now all He could think of was to simply hit it. Therefore; that would be precisely what he would do in order to begin his training. Holland starts by throwing out a straight forward thrust with his right hand. With about all of the power he could generate with such a singular punch. Immediately as his hand shot forth into the Bag he thought that he'd missed. Although with the very first strike he threw he didn't miss; Yet, perhaps that is because the bag wasn't a moving target.

Yet, when the punch landed the sound of the impact was rather loud. Why was the sound so loud; When the bag didn't even seem to have moved an inch? Holland grew upset at the thought; Therefore he tries again and repeats the same motion. Using the exact same hand, with all of the resolve that he could find in his body. This time he stepped forward into the strike and planted his left foot whilst throwing the punch. Was the strike even worth it; Would the step forward even make a difference in power? The answer to that question was given immediately.

No, it wasn't at all any different due to the fact that Holland lacked control. He wasn't even bothering to breathe properly, nor control his attacks. Due to the fact that he still wasn't very well aware of what it is he was doing. Yet, he did notice that when he stepped inward; He felt as if mobility helped in terms of striking power. Which he slowly but steadily begun to realize as he'd continued to throw more and more strikes. Will Holland ever truly figure out what the key to punching is? Or will he simply continuously strike this bag and look like a fool; Making himself feel more weak? Never in his lifetime has he felt as if he couldn't even move a simplistic bag with a strike. As per usual he proved himself wrong again; Overestimating what it was he would be capable of. Had this been an opponent he would've been on the ground already.

by **Holland Rolandus** on March 4th, 2015, 4:42 am

Holland begun to think and attempt to concentrate upon the target more. Perhaps if he were to strike the center of the Bag directly with less force he would make it budge. Therefore he decides upon attempting something new; It felt incredibly strange as well. He began to bounce upon his feet whilst gathering up a stance. Attempting to be more agile with his strikes in an acrobatic fashion. Although he wasn't very well balanced just yet, and he noticed that fact quickly; Because with each and every jump he slid about the ground. He now focuses on being mobile with the punch in order to see if that would work any better. He even began to think about the fact that even in sword duels he'd gotten into; Flexing your muscles made it strike harder.

Therefore he throws yet another strike with his right hand. This time he rotates his hips a slight; Whilst bouncing about remaining mobile beginning to circle the Bag. He began to notice how much easier the punches felt when delivered this way. They felt much more smooth, and now mid-motion he flexes his bicep. Attempting to strike both faster and harder simultaneously; Using the snapping motion of his hips with the punch as well. Striking the center point of the Bag immediately now. Yet, the moment he'd thrown the strike evidently he did something wrong.

Because the moment the strike impacted the bag; The Bag did indeed move quite a large amount. Although when the strike did land; He simultaneously fell backward. Being that he failed to maintain balance and landed right on his rump. He would sit there for a moment and attempt to think about what it is he'd done wrong. Although he quickly came to the realization that if he moved too much while striking; He would off-balance himself and his opponent alike. Failure, was one thing that made Holland quite angry in this case. The moment he finally managed to move the bag; He fell backwards like a disgraced fool?! How dare he allow himself to do such a thing, Immediately he stands back up and attempts once again.

by **Holland Rolandus** on March 4th, 2015, 4:53 am

Several chimes have passed now and Hollands muscles began to burn and sting. It became rather painful for him to even carry on like this; knowing how limited his endurance was. Throwing multiple punches and being absolutely reckless was unlike him. Although in this case it didn't too much matter to him anymore. All he wanted to do for now would be to break this stupid Bag and get it over with. Yet, with the gloves on he was incapable; Now he began to realize how much of a stress reliever training really was. Yet, he stopped suddenly and bent over immediately. His stomach begun to turn due to how much physical exhaustion he was putting himself through. Holland immediately proceeds to wipe his forehead using his sleeve. Only to discover how heavily he was truly sweating, multiple beads of sweat begun to pour down his visage. Although he only managed to remain this cool due to the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt.

Breathing, was important and he'd only just now come to realize it. The more heavily he breathed the faster he grew tired. Yet, if he slowed down and controlled his breathing the less tired he became. Now he slowly inhales allowing his lungs to be filled by the warm air. Before exhaling incredibly slowly; Now he could no longer practically hear his own heart beat. He could feel the dramatic change as his heart rate slowed down. So long as he could control his breathing he would be capable of continuing to battle. This might've come in handy in his past fights, and yet he has only just now realized it. Holland began to feel more and more foolish by the passing moment. Therefore he continues to practice his breathing for several chimes. Taking a rest from having to punch the bag so often.

Although still pouring sweat he would now stand erect once more. Removing his Glove-covered hands from his knees. Proceeding to uplift his hands simultaneously all over again. Attempting to take up a much more basic and easy stance for himself to understand. After having fallen on his rump like that he realized something. That more movement meant that he would be more likely to not control his attacks. Yet, if he kept the movement subtle and controlled he would be able to accomplish more. Therefore he begins to lightly bounce on his toes in place, whilst never allowing his feet to leave the ground for too long. Throwing out his hand this time in a more curved fashion, bending his arm. Aiming to punch the side of the Bag with his right hand, snapping his hips into the strike.

by **Holland Rolandus** on March 4th, 2015, 5:17 am

The strike has hit once more, and this time it budged but only a slight amount. It seems like if he puts too much effort into striking the bag then it will not move. Yet, when he concentrates and tries to focus on a singular focal point on the Bag; He succeeds in his striking power. Perhaps unarmed fighting required much more skill then he initially thought that it did. Despite the fact that some men fought using brute strength and still won the battle in the end. Now he figures that brute strength is quite a bad idea. Due to the fact that it requires absolutely no strategy. Therefore he now knows what he should do when entering battle next time. Don't simply be foolish; Strategies are the smartest route to take.

Now he ceases training, and proceeds to take a seat. He'd had enough training for a while. His muscles stung so much that it hurt to even bother attempting to pick up the pace; To punch again would be bloody murder. Holland knew now that he would be incredibly sore for the next few days. Being that he just pushed himself to his limit again.

by **Orin Fenix** on March 30th, 2015, 4:45 pm

Grades are Served

Holland Rolandus

Skill	XP
Observation	2
Unarmed Combat	3
Boxing	3
Endurance	1

Lores

Boxing: Using Gloves
Boxing: Throwing a Punch
Boxing: Stress Reliever

Extras :

Don't forget to edit or delete your grade request in the grade request thread.

If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message.

Solo [ The Bronze Woods ]Indefatigable Fists