One of the Men

[Thor]

Thor followed the instructor to the fields. He shouted for everyone to partner up. Thor looked around. Everyone near him seemed to partner up rather quickly. Thor walked toward each of the lone recruits who seemed to almost magically find a sparing partner as soon as they saw him approaching. It was because of this Thor that found himself standing in front of the scrawny Alex. "Well this is unfortunate."

Alex looked up at Thor. "What? You going to beat me up like the rest of them?" Thor could see the burning in his eyes.

"Yes." Thor looked Alex in the eye. "Those that are strong beat those that are weak. Become stronger or learn to like the pain of defeat." 
 
Alex eyes flared. "I knew you were just like Brick and his cronies. Well, do it!" 

Thor shook his head. "You have ten seconds before I end this fight. Use them well."

Thor began walking toward the little man. One. Alex looked around a little confused. Two. Alex charged Thor slamming into him with his full body weight. Three. Thor Pushed him to the ground. Four. Thor shouted for him to stand. Five. Alex scrambled to his feet and rushed Thor again. Six. Thor took the punches and brought his own hand down on the smaller man's head, much like he would a hammer. Seven. Alex buckled but did not fall. Eight. Thor slammed his hand down once more on the smaller man's cranium. Nine. Alex fell to the ground. Ten.

Thor waited a moment, staring at Alex's crumpled form. It was important that he remember this feeling of helplessness. It was that feeling that drove men to seek strength. The moment passed and Thor lifted Alex from the ground. "Why did you lose?"

Alex stared up at him. There was that simmering hate again. "Because you're to strong."

Across the field Thor heard Red's voice. He saw his companion challenge The brute that seemed to be the king bully among the recruits. Thor looked at Alex. "You did not lose because I was strong. Watch this fight. You may learn from it."

Thor watched as Red began to toy with his prey as Thor himself had. He even let the brute get a hit in. Then he ended it with three  well aimed strikes. He never had a chance. As Red passed Alex he passed on the wisdom in words that Thor had been hopping watching the fight would show the young recruit. 

Thor looked at Red. "Ready for a real fight?" Thor smiled as he popped his back. "Because I think my muscles grow soft from the lack of worthy combat!"