david and goliath

Artorias offered her support, both physically and emotionally, while Lillith caught her breath and let her frustrations out. He didn't know the kind of struggle and strain she had gone through and was continuing to go through. He didn't know the self-doubts in her head or the lack of confidence in her heart. But he did know the look of frustration and defeat on her face. He had seen it on the faces of the wolves he trained with. He had seen it reflected back in his own mirror when his mother had been dying and he had been unable to save her. Never before had he felt so utterly useless and powerless. It was why he had vowed to never let another wolf feel that way again. He did this by training warriors, fighters to bite and claw and rage against their opposition. He might not be able to fight Lillith's demons for her, but he could at least give her the weapons to do it herself.

"I don't know why you'd be disappointed. You went toe to toe with a wolf with far more experience than you, and yet you did it without fear and you didn't get taken down." He shrugged his shoulders and glanced down at Lillith with a small, crooked smile. "Would you have felt better if you'd won? Sure. But would you be accusing me of going easy on you if you did? Maybe. You did well for a first time spar and you should take this as a learning opportunity and not a loss." Artorias placed a gentle paw on Lillith's back and rubbed her shoulders reassuringly. He didn't like to see any of his mentees beating themselves up for a lack of skill. Skill could be taught. Heart could not, and Lil had shown so much of that today.

"You've got a lot of spirit, Lil. That's what's gonna make you a great fighter," he said after a moment. Gentle amber eyes peered down to find her ruby ones again, flashing his teeth in a smile. "We've just gotta work your body up for longer fights. Maybe some light physical training, boost your stamina. Would you like that?" Artorias was trying his best to give Lillith a plan of action, something to help give her a routine and stability and a method of helping her get better. He would be more than happy to train her the same way he was training her brother. Lillith might need some work, but she would be worth all the time it took.

"Artorias Carpathius"