Today Proff. Long began my training in Death Fist. When I wallked into the room at fifth hour, the fist thing I noticed was that Prof. Long wasn't wearing a shirt. I also noticed that the weapon racks and dummies that usually stood at the outside of the room were now dispersed across the floor.
"What's new today, Proffessor?"
"Today, Bellerophon, you will begin your journey in the Death Fist."
I was shocked. I knew that my prowess in martial arts was growing rapidly, but I had no idea that I was ready for Death Fist.
"Sir, I don't understand. I thought I wouldn't be starting Death Fist until second semester"
"The Death Fist doesn't meet in this room fifth hour until second hour. Your training begins as soon as you are ready."
"So I'm ready?"
"After observing your abilities and natural style, not only are you extremely proficient at martial arts as a whole, your natural fighting form is Death Fist."
"Oh. So... what is Death Fist?"
"Death Fist is an ancient martial art that uses your oppenents body against him. By pressing certain pressure points in the body, almost every body activity can be stopped, changed, or started. It also has many useful applications in healing and medicine. But the single most important aspect of Death Fist is being fluid. Your movements, actions, reactions, all must be fluid. And so today, you will learn to bend and twist like water in a stream."
And so I learned. I had to stretch and move and flex in ways that I didn't know were possible. Becoming quite sore, I was glad when Proffessor Long told me to stop with twenty minutes left in the period. I was suprised, however, when Prof. Long motion me over to a small table. On th e table was a brush, a bottle of ink, and a needle. I looked to Prof. Long, unsure of why I was getting a tattoo. He told me to sit down, and painted a hand with splayed fingers on my forearm near the elbow, facing outward. As he picked up the needle, he spoke to me.
"This ink can only be removed by the person who tattoos you, and cannot be expelled by the normal means. This tattoo signifies that you are a trainee in the Death Fist, and seperates you from the other students at this school."
"Why is the hand open if I'm entering the Death Fist?"
"When you have completed your training and are a full member of Death Fist, this tattoo will be removed and replaced with a closed fist."

The tattoo didn't hurt as much as I thought it would, but it still hurt a lot. And since it hurt even more to cover it, it was exposed for everyone to see as I went to supper. I got a few weird looks on my way to the Mess Hall, but that was nothing compared to the reaction I got from my friends. Greta almost slapped me for getting a tattoo, Zoe wanted to touch it, and my upperclassmen friends were astonished.
"You're in Death Fist?"
"Yes, Dvarek, I am."
"What's it like?"
"Hard, Dvarek, very hard."