|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SteveIsMyPronoun Vice Captain
|
 Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 10:05 am
I have spent a lot of my free time on this book of mine. While there are still many spelling and grammatical errors, I believe I have gotten it to work. I post it here in the hopes that you will give me constructive criticism.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:06 am
The soft pitter patter of rain sounded throughout the Doma forests. It had been a constant downfall of water for the past week, only letting up for this one day, at least that is what many hoped. Many blamed the Dark Goddess Cetana for all the evil and short comings of the world. The storm came as an omen of bad tidings to those who believed such things and remained to uphold those feelings of dread.
Damian Navitas, a young hunter of seventeen years, sat in his perch, high up in an oak tree. The cool fall breeze bit at his cheeks, and the rain did not help him stay warm. His short, black hair was drenched from the rain, and so too was his spirit. He had been up there so long that his clothes, blue jeans and a white t-shirt, appeared to be black with the rain and the sinister clouds over head. His boots were muddy from trecking through the forest, and the only thing keeping him safe from the elements was a brown leather jacket.
The only reason he stayed in his miserable position was because he could not go home without killing on large animal. Since he was a child, Damian's brother Derek took care of him and his mother since their father disappeared. His brother always struggled to keep them happy, and now that Damian could help, he wanted to return the favor. Hunting was something that could put food on the table and quite a bit of money in their pockets, especially now that winter was approaching. It seemed that pelts and meat went up in prices when the snow season came in. The young hunter always took advantage of this and always turned a profit. Hopefully he could do that on this stormy day.
Praising the gods, Damian's dull gray eyes followed the body of a three tailed large horn deer. It was fully grown, which meant it was worth much more, and its horns were great for making medicines. He removed his simple bow from his back and followed it, waiting for it to come close. With any luck, he could kill it with one shot and not ruin the pelt. Bows were not his weapon of choice, but it was easier to hunt with a bow.
With an arrow notched, he watched the deer as it came closer. It was relaxed, never expecting anything from above to attack it. Why would it worry when it had never known an aeriel predator?
With his eye on his target, Damian wondered what its life was like. Was it a lone deer surfing without a mate, or was it a mother looking for food to feed is young? He thought about his own mother and how devastating it would be if he lost her. For a moment the hunter wanted to let the poor deer go, but that was not an option. With the deer in range, Damian released the arrow, aiming for its heart. The projectile split the air with a whistle, aiming for the creatures heart.
There was a heartbreaking cry as the arrow made its mark. The innocent passing creature fell to the ground, limp, never to enjoy another breath. It was a successful kill, one that could feed his family for a week, as well as give him some extra coin. He almost felt bad for taking its life... almost. It was either the deer died, or he came home empty handed. His family would not be happy with the latter.
Muddied black boots hit the forest floor with a cushioned thud. With the bow slung over his shoulder, Damian approached the deer and ripped the arrow from its corpse. It was a beautiful creature, but much to heavy for him. With a high pitched whistle he called to his horse. If did not take long for it to come towing a cart behind it.
"Hey girl, " he whispered softly to the horse, stroking its neck. "This is all for today. We will get it to the market as soon as we can. Give me a minute."
While Damian was not large man, not even considered an adult yet, picking up the deer was an easy task. Once it was on the cart, all his heavy lifting and work was practically done. Setting the bow and quiver beside the deer's body, the young hunter picked up a wooden staff from the cart. The staff was his weapon of choice. While it could not kill, it could inflict a fair amount of damage to a target. But he didn't use it for violence, only as a means for defending himself.
With the deer in the cart and all his great situated, Damian was ready to leave. Just add he was about to set off however, a thought came to him. Damian had a friend named Sara, more of a sister to him than anything, who adored strawberries. Recently they had hit a bump in their relationship and we're not speaking to one another. It pained him to know she was angry at him. Wanting to patch things up, he knew just what to get her. Over some time, Damian learned the location of a few things in the forest. One of those things was a strawberry bush. It wasn't far off so he told his horse to stay and ran off towards the bush, though not without promising a treat in return for waiting.
The bush was perfectly ripe, lucky for him, so he happily threw the berries into a bag, taking as many as he could while also stuffing a few into his mouth. They were juicy and a nice treat after spending nearly half a day in that tree.
Running a hand through his hair, Damian turned to return to his cart, but stopped. There was a flash of white from the corner of hours eye that made him cautious. Setting the bag down, he removed his staff from his back, grasping it with both hands.
"Just what I need, a dammed monster this late," he spat.
His eyes frantically searched for the beast, trying to catch it before it caught him off guard. But he did not have to. Stopped between two trees was a wolf. Cold blue eyes watched the young male, testing his will. The wolf raked its claws against the ground, and from where he was, Damian could see they were made of ice, as were its barred fangs. Frost Wolves were common very far too the North, almost never spotted outside of a snowy biome.
The wolf dashed forward, its claws and fangs ready to treat him apart. Damian ducked behind a tree and let the wolf run past. But it didn't. The beast had stopped sooner than expected and lashed out at the boy. Its frozen claws cut through his pant leg and tore his leg open. By instinct, Damian's good leg kicked out, striking the wolf in the jaw. It yelped and widened its distance between it and the boy who ignored the gash in his leg. With his staff being six feet in length, Damian thrust it, unable to swing because of the trees. The staff struck the wolf in the ribs and as it yelped once more, it widened the gap between them. Damian should have known better. With such a wide distance between them, the wolf had the advantage. Its back arched and its hairs stood on their ends. There was a deep growl that came from deep within it as it prepared to attack.
The wolf letting out a sharp bark and from its mouth shot shards of ice. The shards were fast and sharp and tore through Damian's clothes with ease. Using his staff, he tried to block the attack but was unable to fully protect himself. The attack ended soon but the wolf was already charging up, and the young hunter could not run.
"Shiva, enough!"
The command seemed to come from nowhere, as did the man who gave it. He wore a black robe with his hood down. He was quite elderly, a long gray beard falling to his stomach. He had no hair on top his head though. Piercing eyes starred down the canine who coward in fear of this man.
"Shiva, did I not tell you all those years back that this boy was to be left alone?" He turned to Damian now with caring eyes. "My dear boy are you alright? You're injured!"
It was true. His clothes had been torn through where they were hit and there were quite a few cuts and bruises, the most noticeable being his leg. But he did not want this man's help, nor did he need it.
"Do not worry sir, I am quite a fast healer. See?" He showed his leg and just under the blood was his skin seeming to stich itself back together. It took very little time to heal. "It's been like this for as long as I can remember. It still hurts but at least it isn't bleeding anymore."
The man was impressed. "That truly is a gift from the gods. Are you a Mage, boy? They say that those of the nature element have healing abilities."
Damian's face sank. He looked up to the odd man and shook his head. "No sir. If I were a Mage I wouldn't be hunting for my food. I guess I am just blessed by the gods."
The old man sighed, almost disappointed. He didn't let his disappointment show though. Instead, he gave the boy a smile and a nod. "Good. I'm glad Shiva did not harm you. We had heard of a Mage here in these woods and are hunting for them. They wield the power of nature so I only assumed..." He looked the boy over once more and shook his head. "No matter. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ignis. I am a fire master from the southern deserts. I am here at the Doma Kingdom to not only hunt for this rogue Mage, but to also see a dear friend, the king." He held out a hand to the boy who reluctantly shook it.
"Name's Damian." The boy looked at the Mage curiously. "You told your post that you said not to attack me all those years back, what does that mean?"
"Oh, that. It is a long story. Let me just say that, I was around during your birth. Shiva thought you were a mage back then but you showed no signs of it soi told her to let you be," he explained.
Still unsatisfied, Damian cocked his head to the side. "If you saw that I wasn't a Mage as a child, why did you ask me now, and why were you at my birth?"
"You are a curious child aren't you? As much as I would like to answer all of your questions, I do have to be going. Farewell Damian. I hope the next time we meet that Shiva will be much more pleasant." Ignis threw on his hood and commanded Shiva to follow. While the wolf flawed its owners orders, it did growl at the injured boy before it left.
When he returned to his horse, Damian let out a long with. "That was only the worst thing to happen in my life. Look at my clothes, they're torn to hell. Looks like my extra money has been spent already. Come on, let's just get this day over with." His horse seemed to agree with him and followed suit behind him.
On the main path to the Doma Kingdom, there were no other carts going towards or leaving the city. As strange as it was, Damian did not care. He was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep. Of course he still needed to take the deer to be cut and all that fun stuff. By the time that would all be done, it would be too late to get any sleep. At least the rain seemed to stop.
Not long into his walk, Damian thought about his encounter with the Mage. The man seemed confident that he was the one he was looking for, as was the stupid wolf. But if Damian did have magic powers, that wolf would be dead.
Mages were the rulers of the world. In the early years of man, the gods gave some individuals the power of magic. These people didn't use their powers selfishly, until many years after they got their gift. Cetana, the Dark Goddess, fed dark thoughts into the most corruptable mages until they forced people into believing they had divine right to rule. Life under those dark Mages was horrible. The uncorrupted mages tried to stop them, which started The Mage War. While both armies were made of ninety percent non-mages, Mages and their power are what ultimately decided the fate of the battles that took place. The war devastated the land and in the end little had changed. The Dark Mages still ruled, but now all Mages not aligned with the Kings and Queens of the world were enemies and were to be killed on the spot. Had Damian been a Mage, Ignis would have killed him then and there. But Damian wasn't a Mage. He despised them, hated them with a passion. The only person he told that to was Sara, which is what started the fight between them.
The forest opened up to a clearing where many huts and fires could be seen. This was the poor district of Doma, where the poorest of citizens dwelled. Here they begged and pleaded worth anyone who came through the city. Always Damian had to kick some away as many would pull a blade on him for his food. None seemed to come near him though. The blood and rags he wore turned them all away despite him having a full grown deer with him.
The grand some walls of the city towered over Damian. It was a familiar grand sight that never seemed to get old. But that wasn't where Damian's eyes were. Standing at the gate was a man in iron armor. He had similar gray eyes and short black hair, but his face was much more rugged and there was a scar across his eye. Worried eyes meet with Damian's.
"Are you alright? Mom was worried, she had me come look for you. You look like hell."
"Hey Derek," Damian said to his brother. "I'm alright, I just had a run in with a wolf. Besides that, I got a beautiful deer."
The Elder of the two looked into the cart and nodded. "Fine thing it is. I'm just trying to figure out how a wolf did that kind of damage to you. You're always great about not getting injured in a fight." He chuckled a little as if he had told a joke but saw his younger brother was not amused.
"The wolf was elemental. The only reason I am alive is because the wolf's owner came and called it off." Even though he was exhausted, Damian smiled at his brother, but it seemed that their moods had exchanged.
The elder of the two's face turned sour. "What was this owner's name? Was it Ignis?" Damian nodded, shocked at his brother's seriousness. Derek stroked his chin, thinking for a moment. "Hey Damian, why don't you had home for the night? I can take care of the deer and money."
"Is something wrong?" Damian asked his brother, handing him the reins to the horse.
Derek shook his head but couldn't hide the concerned look on his face. "I'm fine kid. Just go home and let mom know you're alright. I'll see you later alright?"
Damian sighed but nodded. "Alright. I just have to stop by Sara's."
The two entered the city together but each went separate ways, the eldest to the market, the other to the noble district.
The city was separated into three zones by the Elrin River which passed through it. The first and largest half was the commoner district. This is were Damian lived with his mother and brother. The commoner district was composed of many different types of people, from builders, to hunters, even to Knights. While not poor, commoners do have to work hard to make a living. They make up the majority of the city but are treated with little respect. The commoner district also had the market near the center. The noble district was the second of the districts. Much smaller than the commoner district, the noble district is less than half the size of the commoners but holds the most authority. Nobles, in Damian's eyes, are the worst excuse for human beings. Nearly all are snobs who look down on everything that breaths. The highest of Knights live there and treat everyone like rats. The only noble that he could stand was Sara. Then there was the third district, the Kings district. There were only two things in the district. You had the castle, a grand estate that towered over the town, and the coliseum, the Knight training grounds. The only reason Damian ever went to the third district was to train to become a knight.
The noble district always seemed to have a party going on somewhere. While walking through the streets the boy walked past at least four. They had the audacity to party when there were starving people. He would help but his family had to come first. Still, would it kill them to lend a hand or a loaf of bread? It seemed so. Every person he passed looked at him in disgust, some even spat in his direction. Whatever drove people to be so cruel was beyond him.
Unlike all the other houses, Sara's was not lit up with some obnoxious party. There was only a gentle voice coming from her back yard. As he looked back there, he could see the girl, plain as day, sitting under a tree singing to herself. She must have just finished her sword practice because she was still wearing her uniform, a leather suit that gave her little protection but allowed her to move quite freely, while also showing off her frame. Her golden hair was tired into a neat ponytail that reached to her lower back and her blue eyes shinedin the night. Rather than interrupt her, Damian watched her sing, enjoying her sweet voice.
Once she finished, Sara seemed lost, like she didn't know where she was. when she saw Damian though, that lost look changed into one of joy at the sight of her dear friend. She stood a smile brightening her face. "Hey you,"she said. At her side was a rapier, her choice of sword.
Before he could answer Sara's arms were around his neck. Rather than question it, he wrapped his arms around her waist and the stayed like that for a few minutes, neither speaking. When it seemed like it had been long enough, Damian let her go and stood back smiling.
Before he could say anything, she beat him to the punch, just then noticing his clothes. "What happened to you? I told you to stay out of trouble!"
It was just like her to want to talk all day. Before she could though, Damian held a finger to her lips. When he lowered his finger he laughed at his friend. "You're going to talk me to death Sara! Look, I got attacked while hunting today, but I am fine. I just stopped by to bring you something, and to apologize for the fight we had..."
"Forget about that! Look, we are entitled to our own opinions. I blew a fuse and I am sorry about that. It's been too long since we have seen each other and I don't want to ruin it just because a little fight... I mean, it has been three years...
Three years. He forgot it had been so long. So occupied with hunting and knight training, he forgot that it had been so long. But she remembered. It was in her eyes, a certain pain that he couldn't put his finger on. She looked like someone who lost a person dear to them, her eyes almost like a lost puppy's.
Not wanting to see her upset, Damian stuck out his tongue. "Alright Ms. Sad Face, close your eyes, I have a surprise for you."
Her face instantly brightened up. "Ooh what is it?" she asked, covering her eyes.
Reaching into his bag, Damian pulled out a strawberry and held it in front of her face. "Open your mouth Sara." She did without question and he popped the red fruit into her mouth. She squealed in delight as she bit into the fruit, opening her eyes wide from the fresh taste.
"Damian where did you find these!? All the shops were sold out when I checked! The taste so fresh.
He held his back out to her. "I spend a lot of time in the forest. I tend to find a lot of things because of this. I figured you would like them. I guess I was right huh?" She nodded and stuffed another berry into her mouth, making him laugh.
They spent the next few minutes talking about what they had been doing for the past three years. While Damian's agenda was simple, Sara's was all over the place. There were proposals from rich men she turned down, her sword training, traveling to different towns with her father, and she was also a knight so she had that going for her. She seemed so busy and high up in the world and he felt so low. He didn't tell her that though so he just kept smiling.
Then they started talking about their childhood when their mothers would converse so they would always see each other. They talked about playing at the park together, running through the grass and playing in the river. It was nice to remember the days when they didn't have a care in the world. But now they were practically adults and had different lives and agendas. It seemed like they were two different people.
"I should get going. My mother is probably worried sick," he said stepping away from his friend.
"So soon?" she pouted.
He nodded. "Afraid so. I have been out since four this morning. Don't worry, I will visit again sometime. I will make sure it isn't three years though." He laughed and started to walk away but was stopped by Sara who blocked his path.
"I haven't said thanks for the strawberries! Close your eyes."
He chuckled, closing his eyes at her request. There was a pause and then a soft peck on his cheek. He couldn't see her blushing, but he could almost feel her warmth. It was adorable. When he opened his eyes, she was no longer there.
The walk home was a cold one. A light drizzle started, hitting Damian's burning skin with a cool sensation. That was the most eventful day he had ever had in a long time, and it was tiring, but exciting. All he had left to deal with was his mother. The thought of her freaking out was priceless in his mind.
Damian's house was a one story building in the heart of the commoner district. There wasn't anything special about it other than the grassy area for the horse. Looking over at the grass patch, he noticed that the horse and cart were not there. That meant Derek wasn't home.
The front door opened with a loud, obnoxious creak. He cringed forgetting that he was supposed to put oil on it before he left. From the kitchen his mother could be heard cleaning. It was when he closed the door that she heard him.
"Damian, is that you?" she called.
Cursing under his breath, Damian called back to her. "Yes ma, it's me!" He wanted a chance to change his clothes before she could see the rags he was wearing, but it was to late. As she walked out, Damian's mother witnessed her son in body rags. But she didn't freak out.
"What mess did you get into this time?" was all she asked.
Surprised, Damian took a step forward into his living room. She looked like she was forcing a smile and it became very clear why. The white wolf in the corner of the room gave it away. When Ignis exited from Derek's room, the young man could feel his blood boiling.
"It was so great seeing you again Madam Navitas. I thank you for the warm meal and for allowing me into your fine home." He caught sight of Damian. "Ah, the young lad from the forest has finally returned. Say, do you know where your brother has ran off to? I would like to speak with him but he seems to have vanished."
The boy's fists tightened and his blood continued to boil. "No I haven't seen him since he took the cart from me. What is it you need from him exactly?"
The Mage shook his head and whistled for his pretty to follow him. "Nothing young Navitas. Just a business proposition. Well I must be off now. Goodnight to the born of you. Have a great night." As he passed Damian, the wolf went to growl at the boy it had attacked but he growled first, confusing it.
The second they were gone his mother let out a sigh of relief. From what Ignis said earlier, his mother must have remembered the fire mage's presence at his birth. He wondered why she disliked him so much. He wouldn't get a chance to ask though because she threw her arms around him.
"Gods damn you! You had me worried sick over nothing. I thought you were dead! Oh my, you're clothes are torn, you seem to be running a fever, there is blood all over your leg, so many bruises, the bags under your-"
"Ma, relax!" He interrupted, prying her off of him. He laughed at how worried she was even though he was seventeen. "I am fine. You know I'm a fast healer. What was he doing here anyway."
"I don't know. He just said he was looking for Derek. Something business related about this forest Mage that is running around. He asked me if Derek ever mentioned the this message but I can't recall a time when he brought them up. Look, just clean up and come eat. You must be starving from hunting all day and night."
She was right. After being out for so long, his hunger was catching up with him. He quickly went to his room, throwing his staff onto his bed and stepping from his rags. His body was very bruised but there were no cuts any longer. He looked where the wolf cut his leg and winced in pain. Damn thing would get what was coming to it. For now though, that matter would have to wait.
Dinner was venison, the usual since he hunted it often. He ate in silence, his mother in bed and his brother not yet home. It was strange for Derek not to come home but Damian was too tired to question it. He enjoyed his meal in peace.
"There is no where to run Mage!" Derek shouted to a young woman in a bright green dress. His armor was scratched and his left eye was cut. But he stood tall with his sword out. Ignis was with him, panting, his cloak also slashedslashed through. The girl was uninjured.
The girl's white eyes stared at the two men, a grin across her face. She was backed up to a stone wall covered in vines. She played with them in her hands thinking not about escaping, but more about what she was going to do once she did escape. These men were not going to capture her and it seemed the armored one knew that.
Ignis stepped forward and threw girl threw out her hand. The vines lashed of and struck him in the abdomen launching him back into a tree. The vines seemed to act like snakes at the command of this girl. She wrapped Ignis in them and held him in the air upside down Derek tried to cut him down but his sword arm was caught in a vine.
With Ignis unable to move, he could not cast his magic. There was only one option he had left. With his free hand, Derek cut through the vines around his arm with an open hand. It wasn't his hand that cut it though. With the movement of his hand he commanded a nearby puddle and sliced through the magical vines. With both hands free, he fought the vegetation with water like whips, but the girl was at the top of the cliff.
They both stopped and stared at eachother before she ran off. But Derek would not have her escape so easily. Extending his hand to the top of the cliff, he drew it in quickly, bringing down the edge of the rock cliff, but she was already gone. He cursed himself for not getting her and turned back to Ignis.
When Ignis was free, he let out a cackle. "My, you have grown powerful child. You truly do take after your father unlike your brother."
"My brother is free from my curse Ignis. Being a Mage is a horrid thing, a power I do not want but am stuck with anyway," he panted. Magic tired of the user, especially if the Mage was capable of all the elements such as Derek.
"This power is far from a curse my boy. Next time we will get her and you will be free of our contact. But just to make sure you do not run, you will spend your time in the castle jail until she is captured. I will deliver your brother's money. That pour child will never know what it is like to wild the power we have. Now let us leave this terrible forest. Before that though..."
Ignis shot a ball of fire from his hands at the forest, igniting it. The wood was wet but still burned bright and fast under his magic. The less area she had to manipulate, the better. Derek disagreed with that though. He used his power to douse the fire.
"You cannot just burn down this forest! Animals live here."
"As does that forest rat. We fought her in her own territory and we lost because of that. I will leave this forest for now, but if you ever get in my way again, I will make sure you pay and that this forest is nothing but ash. Now come, we are leaving."
Derek nodded, still panting. He took one look at the cliff and saw the girl there, shaking her head as if disgusted by the man she saw almost burn down a forest. He didn't blame her. He was disgusted in Ignis as well. She vanished after that, and the two Mage men left the forest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SteveIsMyPronoun Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SteveIsMyPronoun Vice Captain
|
Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:30 am
The sun showed is face the next morning, warming the Doma Kingdom. Under this welcoming light the young Knights in training practiced, sparring with one another. Under the watchful eye of Captain Fairclough, the twelve trainees trained with their partners under the welcoming sun. The two that caught the captain's eye were Damian Navitas and Jack Slater, a lancer of equal skill to the boy. They were going back and forth, striking, blocking, moving around but neither making and ground on the other. Both were at the top of their class but they could never pass the other, or at least they never tried. It seemed they enjoyed fighting eachother much more than some contest.
Jack and Damian looked almost casual while they fought, lance and staff striking one another while the two made small talk like they weren't even fighting. They spoke about their days before this training, Jack very impressed with his sparring partner.
"You fought a Mage's wolf? My you are ballsy," he said thrusting worth his lance.
Damian blocked the large spear, laughing at his comment. "It attacked me so I defended myself, though it didn't really go well for me. Ruined an outfit and bruised the hell out of my body. I don't get what its problem with me is."
"You aren't an animal person. I mean you hunt them for a living. It is no wonder it hates you!" He ducked the staff, amused with his now.
The staff wielder nodded. "Yeah well those bruises still hurt,
"They hurt and still fighting as you do? You have my respect. Say which leg is bruised the most?"
"My left, why do you-" he winced in pain as the butt end of the lance struck the large bruise on his leg. Glaring at Jack who was laughing, their battle became fast paced. Some of the other trainees stopped to watch the two of them as they fought, some impressed, others not so much.
There was only one person who was not impressed, and his name was Nolan. A blond noble child with a passionate crush on Sara, he hated Damian because of his social class and because he was so close to the girl of his dreams. Any chance Nolan could get, he would be with Sara, but she always brought her best friend Damian up. Nolan was tired of it. He had a plan to get her to forget about him but there was never a chance. So he sat quietly by, watching, waiting, judging.
Captain Fairclough approached the two boys as they finished their battle. Both were sweaty and panting, though there was no clear winner of them. The Captain was impressed with them and wanted to let them know that.
"Gentlemen, very well done," he praised. "You two will make fine Knights. I cannot wait for tomorrow. Especially for you Damian. I remember when you were just a child."
Captain Fairclough was Sara's father as well as the right hand to the king. Damian remembered him well from his childhood. He was a large, strong and caring father to Sara. He also praised the boy quite often in training.
"That's right," Jack groaned. "Tomorrow is the knight's test. We become Knights tomorrow."
"That's only if you pass," Damian butted in. "A series of battles to see who is willing and able to be a knight. I'm not worried about it though. If you ask me, it should be a piece of cake."
"It should be for you."
The three men turned to see Sara coming through the coliseum gates. She was in her training gear and her rapier was in her hands. She strut up to them with a smirk on her face. "Hello boys. Hi daddy. I just thought I would come and help out with training. Looks like they could use a challenge." She winked to her best friend who stuck his tongue out at her.
Captain Fairclough shook his head. I don't think so darling. I think it would be best of you-"
"Come on Captain, if she thinks she can take us then I say we let her. Come on Damian, what do you say?"
He looked at the Captain who shrugged, allowing this to happen. "If you want to fight us Sara, it would be us two against you. I hope you know that.
"Trust me Dame," she teased, "you won't know what hit you."
The three got into position, Sara between the two boys. She withdrew her rapier and threw other two raised their polled weapons. The Captain counted to three and they began. The lance was thrusts at her but she side stepped out with ease. Damian came up with the staff and swung it horizontally, but she just ducked it and moved away from them. Now she faced the both of themwho were both exhausted from their fight with eachother. They took turns stabbing at her with their polearms but she kept deflecting or dodging them, and the boys were getting tired.
Jack took a misplaced step and that was all Sara needed. She spun around to his back and placed the tip of her blade on his spine. Under sparring rules, he was eliminated. She let out a giggled and turned to face Damian who was staying at the ready for her attack.
"You sure you can still do this? You look pretty tired."
She was right, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. In fact, he picked up his fallen comrades weapon while keeping his strapped on his back. His weapon skills with a staff worked just as well with any ranged spear weapon. This made him very malleable as a fighter. But this did not bother Sara. She twirled her blade as if he wasn't a threat. She was wrong.
Damian widened the gap between them putting so much distance that neither would hit the other. Curious, Sara watched and waited for his attack. He took a moment to calm himself and to get a breath in, then he charged. About half way though, he jammed the lance into the ground and vaulted into the air. Still holding onto the lance, he flipped forward, slamming it towards her. She side stepped, but missed that he had removed his staff. The wooden staff was at her throat the moment his feet touched the ground. She was beaten and astonished, everyone was.
"Damian, how did you manage that?" She asked him putting her blade away. He just shrugged and put his staff on his back. Jack who had lost, removed his lance from the ground, laughing.
The practice ended after that. Damian and the other knight trainees, besides Nolan and his two goon pals, were huddled around, laughing and joking. The nine of them were going to the park to enjoy their last day as normal kids and young adults. Before that though, Sara approached them all.
"Hey everyone. My father is hosting a party in honor of you guys. He said that you all deserved it."
Everyone cheered but Damian. He wasn't into parties at all even if he would be worth Sara. Nolan would be there and he didn't want to deal with that drama.
"Sara, I am going to have to decline. I am just going to go out and hunt for the rest of the night. Maybe get some training in."
There was disappointment in every ones eyes and tone as they pleaded for him to come. After seeing that last battle, he was like a superstar, but Damian did not want to go to a party he would be uncomfortable at. He didn't see the point to it. While Sara would be greatly disappointed, he didn't want to go out of his comfort zone.
"If he does not want to come then do not pressure him!" Nolan spoke up from behind the group. While the noble boy infuriated Damian, he was almost glad he spoke up. "Don't worry about him Sara, I will be there to keep you company."
"You see there is a problem with that Nolan. I don't want to smell that horrid cologne that you insist on wearing at every party you go to. Also, you disgust me." She turned back to Damian who stifled a laugh. "Look, I would absolutely love if you could come. I hope you will change your mind." She waved and left the coliseum with a furious noble and a laughing friends remaining behind.
The park was an area to the west of the city. While the North, South, and East sides of the city were covered with forestry, the west was known as the Grand Plains which reached far to the Ebony Mountain, a mountain range that split the continent in half. On these Plains, the city claimed an area as a park for its residents. The park was well kept and it seemed to never die, even in the winter. It was a well known place for those wanting to court a lady.
The young future Knights sat around in a circle, laughing and joking about the events of their lives. Jack talked about his girl and how she got scared by a giant beetle, so scared that she picked up his lance and began swinging it at the large insect. Damian recounted a tail about one of his hunting ventures. He and Derek were hauling in a bear they killed together when they heard someone scream. Turns out it was poor blind girl in a green dress. She was caught in some vines and needed help down. After the two boys had helped her she ended up knocking them both aside somehow and stole their money. Turned out she wasn't blind at all, she just had white eyes.
Everyone laughed at the young hunter and his little woodland mishap, some rolling on the grad they found it so funny. Even Damian laughed though, the story always cracking him up. He never let Derek live it down.
The laughter soon died away though and Jack found himself talking about why he wanted to be a knight. His reason was quite noble. He wanted to protect the people in the kingdom and to try and save the people in poverty. He wanted to gain high ranks to change the unrealistic and ridiculous laws.
Turning to Damian, Jack nodded. "Why are you trying to become a knight?"
Truthfully, he and Jack were of a same mind. Protecting those who could not be protected was his reason for becoming a knight. But it wasn't just that. Damian's father was a knight, or so he was told. The stories his mother told him were of a man who put his own needs before himself and cared for others. That was the kind of person he wanted to be. Even if his life was in danger, he wanted to protect others to make their world a better place. Jack had this same idea in mind and it was respectable.
"I would go with the same reason as you buddy. What about you guys?"
While everyone shared their stories, Damian slipped away to get some peace and quiet. The river which spilt their town ran through the park and for some reason he was brought there. The water was clear and ran at a slow and steady peace. Children played nearby but they were easily ignored as he looked into the water, imagining the man he could be. He would not rule as a king, only helped people as he saw fair. He thought about how his father, the stories he heard about the man.
"You alright?" Jack asked strolling up beside the boy.
Damian nodded, but didn't say anything, his mind focused on the man he wanted to be. Jack would accept this as an answer though. Taking a handful of water, he threw it at the thoughtful young man beside him, waking the boy from his trance.
"Dammit, Jack, what was that for?" He asked wiping his face.
The lancer laughed at his friend. "You seemed like you needed it. What's wrong with you? You seem off."
"Do I really?" He asked flicking away water from his fingers. "I guess I might just be nervous."
Nodding, Jack threw more water at him. "Stop being nervous. After today's performance they would be crazy not to make you a knight."
Damian retaliated, throwing water into Jack's face, starting a water fight between the two. They eventually feel back, both soaking wet and laughing to the points of their guts busting. When they calmed down, the two of them stayed by the river.
"So tell me," Jack started. "Why don't you want to go to Sara's party? "
Damian shrugged. "I'm just not a party kind of person. I also don't have any clothes that would work for a noble class party. Also I don't want to deal with Nolan and-"
"If you say "I" one more time, I'm going to punch you in the face." Jack's face was serious as he said it. "Seriously, for someone who wants to care for others, you talk about yourself an awful lot. Look man, rather than not go because you do not want to, go because it would brighten up Sara's night. If things get out of hand with that p***k Nolan, I will step in and back you up. Just don't keep making these pitiful excuses."
His words rang true in Damian's ears. He had been making pitiful excuses just to avoid the party when he should have just told Sara he would come. Nosing to Jack, the young hunter let his friend know that he would indeed come to the party. All he needed to do was fine something nice to wear.
By the time Damian and the other Knights disbanded, it was running later into the day. The party started at sunset and it was preparing to set just as he got home. Outside of his home was a beautiful white horse with a carriage on it. The man sitting in the carriage was asleep. He was an awkward looking man in a butlers outfit, no doubt Sara's butler. He was a short bald man with a scar on his come done of a head.
Knocking on the horse drawn vehicle, Damian woke up the man. The Butler woke up with a start, sputtering out a slur of curse words as he did. It was comical to the point of making Damian laugh at the poor old man who most likely had been there all day.
A frown crossed the butler's lips at the laughing boy. "Have you no manners you peasant brat? Waking up a poor, tired old man? Did you grow up in a barn raised by a cow!? I ought ta smack you upside the head but that would be unprofessional. If you wish to redeem yourself why don't you tell me where Master Navitas might be?"
The old man cracked him up so much he had to keep egging him on. "Navitas? Damian? What do you need him for you old fart?"
His face grew red. "You hooligan! It is none of your business to know what I need of Master Navitas. If you are not going to help me then I suggest you leave at once before I call the guards!"
Damian chuckled, his fun dying of. "Actually, you buzzard, it is my business to know what you need of him."
"Oh really? Why is that wise as."
"Because I am Damian Navitas."
The red drained from the old man's face, save for his cheeks which looked like apples. He was at a loss for wordsat the child before him. "Master... Navitas," he huffed, realizing his mistake. He started straightening himself up along with his posture, replacing his frown with the most fake smile that Damian had ever seen. It was almost as comical as when he was angry. His comfort zone was long gone and now he was all proper.
"Master Navitas! Please accept my dearest apologies! I did not realize it was you I was mouthing off to." He bowed his head in false shame which made Damian laugh even more.
"Relax. I liked it better when you insulted me! So is this about the party at Sara's?"
The old man nodded, pulling out a letter. "Yes sir. This letter here is your invitation to the festivities. You are to present it to the guard at the door. She also sent this letter for you," he said pulling out another letter. "She did not say what it was for, only that you are to get it before the party began. Now if you would kindly come with me, we will get you outfitted in the clothes she picked out for you."
"She picked an outfit for me? Must not want me to embarrass her," he chuckled climbing into the cart while stuffing the personal letter into his jacket. "If she insists on dressing me up for this then who am I to say no."
"Indeed sir."
"Could you stop with that sir crap? Tell me what you really think about me. And don't worry about watching your language around me. I want the whole thing."
"Well for one, you are a rude piece of filth with no concern for anyone's well being. You find it hilarious to poke fun at old men who are just doing their master's bidding, you-" The insults continued for the vast majority of the ride to the tailor's store, Damian laughing the whole time. The old man was funny and a good man very deep down.
The sun had nearly vanished into the horizon when the carriage arrived at Sara's home in the noble district. People were arriving by carriage and for, most of nobility with the exception of some of the knights. Sara and her father greeted people as the walked inside the house, though not before the guests gave their invitations to the guard at the gate. The house was lit up brighter than the sun and music could be heard from inside. It seemed like a fairly large party for some kids becoming knights, but nobles would find any reason to have a party.
Sara watched as Damian stepped down from the carriage she sent for him. While his hair and face remained untouched, the clothes he wore made him almost unrecognizable. The suit she picked out for him matched his gray eyes to perfection though he refused to wear the jacket. It didn't matter though. He looked quite handsome.
Damian's eyes met with Sara's once he stepped out of the cart. She was in a backless golden dress that, much like her leather suit, showed off her figure quite well. Her golden blond hair was curled and tied up but still managed to go below her shoulders. She looked beautiful and he was happy that he decided to come.
Before he could even hand his invitation, Sara was there, her arm in his. "Hello you gorgeous man," She teased though only just a bit as she pulled him along past the guard. "I am so glad you made it. Nolan is already here and he is waiting for me inside. I thought I would have to deal with him alone."
The dressed up hunter laughed. "I would never leave you to suffer that snot nosed brat. I must say though, you have great taste in clothes. I really like this outfit." He didn't want to think about Nolan since he would already have to see him. The clothes were a nice change of subject.
"Damian my boy, it is good to see you." Sara's father nodded to the boy as they approached the front door. Even without his armor the man was quite the giant. "I trust you have been well since I saw you earlier?" He extended out a large hand which the boy gladly shook.
They talked for a moment about the knight's exam and the liklihood of Damian actually failing it. The Knight Captain recalled the time he became a knight. He was so full of pride that he wanted to start that day. Of course he needed to be issued armor and a weapon, but his eagerness did pay off in the end.
Sara did not want to hear that story again. She thanked her father for the rising tail and dragged Damian inside her house. The boy was greeted by many of his fellow Knights in training but had little time to converse with them due to Sara's constant nagging for him to move along. She pulled him up to the second floor of her home and quickly threw him into her room, closing the door behind them.
"Did you read my letter?" she asked with excitement in her voice.
Damian, who was shocked by her behavior, straightened his tie. "Um, you mean that one that your butler said was personal?" She nodded. Shaking his head, he told her how he planned to read it after he became a knight since he was busy getting ready for the party.
She almost looked disappointed but brightened up so fast that it was hard to see. "That works for me. Just tell me your answer when you can alright?"
Confused, he nodded and stopped as her face got close to his. She was looking into his eyes and it was awkward for the boy having her right up on him. But she backed up, giggling like she was a child. She seemed happier than usual, and this made him happy.
The party was mostly outside, the only reason to go inside to warm up even though there were quite a few fire pits. Over the largest fire pit was a boar on a rotisserie. There were men with platters of little foods and drinks on them. Torches lit up the hard wow the band played its music, music that Damian didn't care for but ignored. Many people crowded the yard.
Sara's arm was locked with his, so wherever she went, he followed. He met many people from the noble district and a few that traveled from different towns. He talked with some of the other Knights when he could but had little time with her dragging him everywhere.
Finally they ran into Jack who was speaking with some girl, Damian had never met before. He could only assume that was Jack's girl. Stopping Sara from running off and taking him with, Damian shook hands with his friend.
"I see you did make it, lover boy," he teased looking over to Sara who shook her head. He dropped the teasing bit and nodded to the outfit. "Thought you said you didn't have anything good to wear here?"
Damian shook his head. "She had me dressed in this. Just a rental," he sighed, ignoring his teasing friend, not noticing Sara's shaking head.
Just before anyone could say anymore there came a crash of glasses. Nolan was standing in front of one of the men with players with glass at his feet. He was screaming profanity at the man, insulting him left and right.
Slipping his arm out of Sara's, Damian went to the man's rescue, followed by Jack. They stood between the two, Damian's eyes looking almost silver.
"What the hell is going on? What is the problem?" Damian inquired the attacking noble boy.
Nolan's face was red with anger, even more now that his little rival was there. Straightening himself up, he pointed an accusing first at the waiter. "This b*****d walked right into me and broke all these glasses. I was just dancing to this lovely music and now I am drenched. It is all his fault!"
"As if you bloody liar!" Jack barked, surprising the blond boy. "I was facing this direction when it happened. You were dancing like a cool and just as this man walked by, you stumbled into him."
"It was just an honest mistake," Jack's girl said tryingtrying to keep the peace.
"Shut your mouth you peasant whore!" Nolan shouted. The moment the last word reached his lips, he was on the ground. Not by Jack though. Damian stood over him, shaking his hand.
"There are a few things I cannot stand Nolan. Insulting women is the one thing I hate the most. Now, I want you to apologize, not only to the man you rudely yelled at, but the woman you insulted." He turned back to Jack who was surprised that it was Damian who struck. "Had you been the one to act he would be dead."
"I shall not apologize!"
"Then you will leave," Sara chimed in. She was furious with the blond noble and wanted him out.
Nolan did leave, though he muttered insults under his breath. The party was awkward not even for a second. Nobody seemed bothered by any of it. Jack thanked Damian but decided he should leave, his girl feeling upset. Nobody blamed them and after all the goodbyes were said, it was just Damian and Sara.
They spoke a little before tables were rolled out and food placed among them. Seated with Sara and her father, it seemed like he was something important now, like he was a noble himself. While the meal was lovely, he was truly captivated by Sara. She seemed to at ease in this party seeing while he wanted nothing more than to leave. She seemed to know exactly what to do and what to say. It was spectacular.
The meal soon ended and the tables were swept away, creating a dance floor. Without even realizing it, Damian and Sara were in the center of it, his hands on her hips and her's around his shoulder. The music was slowed so that everyone could relax while they danced, but Damian felt tense with Sara's body almost against his.
"Hey, Dame?" she asked in a hushed tone. "Tomorrow, right after the exam, could you come see me as soon as you can?"
"Because of what's in the letter? Why not just tell me now?"
She shook her head. "Not the right time. Just wait for tomorrow."
He didn't question her. In the distance was a distracting caw of some bird, not unlike a crow, but much larger. It wasn't just him that noticed. The party came to a halt as everyone's eyes turned to the sky. It was hard to make our at first but them it became clear when it came into the light. Damian threw Sara out of the way before the talons of this beat seized her.
Plume of gold and a body like a raptor, the beast landed hard, crushing the ground beneath it. It had powerful legs which held up is bulky frame. Its beak was made of steel as were is talons which were at the end of its wings which were connected to its arms. Damian recognized it as a Zoloyash, a bird-like monster native to the southern deserts. What it was doing so far north was beyond him.
The Zoloyash shot a steady stream of flames from its mouth at those who came close. Any who attacked from behind were knocked aside by its massive reptile tail. No one had any weapons due to it being a party, except for the Captain who dodged the flames.
Damian watched the chaos play is course. He couldn't do anything without his staff, but he caught something in the corner of his eye. It was a flag pole that had the Mage flag on it. Its ends were pointed like a javelin. Damian ran over and tore the flag off, throwing it to the ground as he wielded the weapon. The beast was distracted by Sara's father who was growing tired of dodging fire, giving him and opening. The javelin was hurled at it and sank into its feathered body. While it did not kill the bird, its attention was drawn away from the Captain who had been burned.
"Take him out of here!" Damian shouted, ducking away from a ball of fire. The monster was close enough for him to rip out his weapon, which he did while also sliding through its wing with a knife that had fallen in the grad during clean up, a lucky find.
Fighting the monster alone despite the other Knights present was hard on Damian, but he did it well. The javelin was a deadly weapon in his hands and the Zoloyash fell to it as it slit its throat. The fire was put out as soon as possible and everyone was checked for injuries. No one was dead, but many were hurt and burned. Sara's father was one of those people but he fought his pain and came up to the boy.
"My boy, normally ripping a Mage flag would be considered a crime, but you saved us all from that wretched fiery chicken. I can't do anything but thank you for such a feat."
Damian nodded, his clothes torn and burned but his wounds healing fast. "I'm just happy no one is dead? Is Sara alright?"
"Physically, yeah. She's up in her room though throwing a fit though, something about you being a reckless idiot for charging in like that. But to kill a large beat like that is amazing! If we didn't have rules against it, I would make you a knight and Captain on the spot." He walked away, leaving to get patched up and laughing as he did.
Looking over to the burnt Mage flag on the ground, Damian decided he should go talk to Sara, regardless of how mad she was at him.
There was a knock on Sara's door. It was Damian. She opened her door, anger spread across her face. She wanted to slap him, but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"I realize what I did was a stupid idea," he started with a laugh. "But come on it was amazing! There was fire and a monster and me fighting it. And I won. I'm also still alive, so why are you mad?"
"Because you could have been killed!" she yelped stomping on the ground. "What would I do if you had died?"
"Avenge my death by hunting down that bird. Look Sara, the job of a knight is to protect people-"
"No Damian. The job of a knight is to serve the king and queen. You don't have to risk your life for people unless your Lord tells you to."
Damian pouted. "That is stupid Sara. I am going to change that when I become a knight," he said walking away. She followed him to her front door whets he stopped and looked at the charred flag that had been brought into her home. "Sara, there is something wrong with Mages ruling. Just because they have power does not mean that nobody else does. I will see you tomorrow."
He closed the door behind him, leaving her there, starting at the flag that had ripped from that pole. It was unrecognizable as the beacon of the Mages.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 11:39 am
The storm clouds had returned but there was no rain. A dark omen by many accounts, just no rain by Damian's. He was up early, or so he thought since they sky was practically black. He was dressed in his usual clothes with his staff strapped to his back. It was the day he tested to become a knight, the day his life would change from a lowly hunter to a man of law. His fight with Sara had left him exhausted and with little emotion. While he would not back down from the test, he would not enjoy it.
It was still early, and the exam would not start for some time, so Damian figured it would be best if he took a walk. There was a gentle breeze blowing westward, which was the direction he walked to stay warm. There wasn't much to the west of the city, just the market, which was empty save for a few wandering souls. They, like him, walked aimlessly about with no real intention of going anywhere.
The farther he walked, the colder the air seemed to become. He was all the way to the park when he noticed the water seeming to freeze on the river. There was a woman in black standing by the river, the grass at her feet as dead as as a rotted corpse. She had long flowing black hair that seemed to radiate darkness. Her skin was pale white but her lips and eye liner was black. While beautiful, she sent chills down the boy's back. Then her eyes meet with his. He froze in fear, shutting his eyes to avoid hers but she was there in his mind. Every step this woman took toward him killed everything alive around her and sent even more fear running through his veins.
There was a flash of light and the woman vanished. When he opened his eyes, Damian saw that the grass was alive and the water was unfrozen. For a moment, he thought he was hearing a voice but decided that it was all in his head. The boy blamed the vision on his lack of sleep from the night before and decided he should go to the coliseum and warm up. Still, the vision was imprinted into his mind. No doubt, that was Cetana, the dark Goddess. Why she chose to appear before him was beyond him, but she was gone. As he left, he had to take a double take to make sure she was not there. She wasn't.
The coliseum was just as gloomy as the rest of the city. Nobody stood by one another, all warming up alone. Everyone looked as if they were plagued with a night of poor sleep, or they had seen Cetana as he had. Regardless, every single one of them looked like hell. When Damian looked up to the captain's nest he saw not the Captain, but the king... and Ignis. It seemed that Saras father's wounds were to great for him to come see the exam. Now it would be those two up in the nest who would watch over the young Knights.
The King, Luke Van Sycoc, was just appointed by his father only two years back. He was a young metal Mage who wielded thirteen swords with his magic. He alone could take on a small army and live to tell the tale. He was a powerful and dangerous man. Black hair slicked back and a large frame, he was a man one dared not cross.
Then there was Ignis, his pet wolf at his side. He was grinning at the boy and while it was unnerving it was also easily ignored. The old man was just there to observe, not to dictate who and who wouldn't become a knight.
"Well, I see you finally made it," Jack huffed, stretching off to the side. He didn't look much better than the others, but at least he was speaking instead of ignoring the boy.
Damian joined him setting his wooden staff to the side to stretch. "Hey, it is good to see you," he said, not wanting to recall his encounter with the goddess. "How did you sleep."
"What the bloody heel is sleep? I didn't get a chance to close my eyes. I'm surprised your even awake. I heard you were attacked at the party last night. Zoloyash, right? Nasty thing that must have been."
"I'm fine," he said. "It wasn't too hard to kill, and I want hurt as bad as some of the others who fought or even tried to help me. Gotta say though, I did enjoy ripping off the Mage flag. I'm just glad I was forgiven for the crime. Could have been thrown in jail. But let's not focus on me. Tell me, why didn't you sleep well?"
"Oh man, it started out as a beautiful dream. I was with my girl, we were having a nice dinner when the air became really cold. I could feel it in my dream. Her hair started to turn black and her skin white. When I tried to pray to the gods, all I could hear was some sort of seductive laugh coming from the girl as she continued to morph into this dark woman. She tried to kiss me but I woke up by voting my tongue." He stuck out his tongue to show his own teeth marks.
"I believe it was a visit from the Dark Goddess," he started again. "I asked everyone else and they had similar dreams with this woman, but then they all stopped speaking altogether. There is some dark magic in this city."
"Why does the Dark Goddess have so much power in the world? Why don't any others have authority."
"They do have authority, but only on rare occasions. There's a reason why you know? It all started back when the first Mages existed. There was one family, one without the gift, who wished for power. They desired it, begged for it, needed it so much that they created a cult for the Dark Goddess to receive the gift. With enough followers, Cetana rose in power. While she gave many her dark magic, she gave the family the most power. This family, the Tenebris, are the ones who started the great Mage war. With their followers, they attracted the attention of sympathizers and their army grew. With this growth the goddess grew in power, and as those who did not worship her fell, the stronger she got as well. Eventually her dark magic poisoned the Earth so much that the other Gods and goddesses could not enter the world as a whole, only in little bits. The Tenebris still live because of their powers in their Castle far off to the east. They are protected by Zeus, the great lava Dragon. Cetana' s powers are very much influential to pre world. We just have to live with it."
"We shouldn't have to," Damian mumbled, looking up to the king who stared down at him. Their eyes locked for a moment before Damian turned back to his friend. "Take it easy today. We don't need anyone getting hurt."
Jack laughed though not wholeheartedly. "You say to take our easy, but I have a feeling our gracious King had other plans for us."
He was right. The look on Luke's face was not a kind one. As he stood, the young Knights lined up and looked up to him saluting with a fist over their chests, though Damian was reluctant to do so.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he called, "today, you graduate from little boys and girls to mature adults. But not all of you will. Captain Fairclough suffered injuries last night and gave me full authority over today's exam. I will not be lenient, regardless of the stories I hear about some hero saving a party. All of you with be judged by my hands. If you wish, you may leave now and be branded a failure and a disgrace to your Kingdom. Those who stay will prove themselves worthy of the title of knight."
"Captain Fairclough had a poor excuse for an exam set up for you ask today, but I refuse to give such a thing to my kingdom's future. Today I have now of a competition than an exam. Tournament styled, you will battle with your friends here today. Those I deem worthy shall be knighted. Those who fail to catch my eye will simply be asked to leave, that is, if they survive. Every match will be won through a surrender, or the death of your opponent. We shall begin shortly, so say goodbye to your friends who might not see the next day. I almost cannot wait for blood to be spilled."
Luke sat down with a grin while the knights parted ways. Damian followed Jack knowing that the king was staring right at him. He removed his staff and leaned on it as he spoke to his friend.
"This is madness Jack," he said, keeping his back to the two Mages.
While Jack wholeheartedly agreed there wasn't anything they could do to stop it. They had the chance to leave, but neither would simply because their price would not allow them to. Nobodies would. Blood would be spilt all because of a twisted King.
Damian was the first one to fight. The Knight he fought was one he would call a friend, but it seemed that their pay was behind them. With sword and shield they attacked him without hesitation, and with no sign of relenting. He would not kill them, but he knew that they would not surrender. The young man waited patiently, dodging the blade until he found an opening. His staff swung around wide and struck his opponent in the side of the head. They fell unconscious in that single blow.
The boy looked up to Luke with a smirk. "She has lost consciousness and can no longer battle. I will not slay a person who cannot fight back. Do you accept this, my lord?"
While he was not pleased, Luke allowed this ams had the body dragged away. While Damian walked away he turned to Ignis who was snickering.
"Oh my, already the boy has made a mockery of you," The old man said. "What will you do about this young King?"
"I will do nothing. I did not specify how one must surrender. By falling out of consciousness, they had surrendered. While the Navitas child had indeed made a fool of me, he was not wrong in defeating his opponent. Now if you are done with questioning my authority, we shall continue."
The battles that followed were indeed bloody. While Jack managed to get his opponent to pass out, those that followed flight to the death. The ground became covered with blood stains from those who had fallen. The ones who survived did not seemed phased by the fact that they killed their own friends, they only seemed focused on the battle at hand.
Every person had gone once which meant it was Damian's turn once again. What he did not realize was that his opponent was not Jack, whom it was supposed to be, but Nolan, a choice made by the king himself. The two stepped out onto the stained battle ground, one carrying a rapier and the other with a staff. Nolan was in just as horrible a state as the others but with some self control.
"Well, well, the peasant lived only to be slain by his enemy. What beauty is this?"
It was his tone that gave him away. "You bribed them to fight me. Clever move," Damian observed, twirling his staff around his hand. His staff was six feet long and rapiers were mostly used to stab, giving him a huge advantage.
"Look at you! Skilled with a stick and has quite a brain on his shoulders. You have really matured over the years. It is a shame that Sara is so into you. "
"Are you going to keep talking, or are you and I going to fight?" He growled, not liking the blond boys use of Sara's name. It was Insulting to Damian who intended to put the boy in a grave if he needed to.
Nolan thrust his sword only to have it smacked aside by Damian's staff. The noble boy was lazy in his movements like he was not even trying. He allowed himself to be struck by the staff though not by blows that would knock him out. Damian did not question this odd behavior and instead continued his own assault. While Nolan took the blows, he backed up and turned great distances to stay out of the staffs deadly range while still staying close enough as to not show his true colors.
With his back to the coliseum wall, Nolan's face was that of worry. "Now what peasant punk? You've got me where you want me. Do something. Take my life, go ahead."
Damian shook his head. "I am not going to kill you Nolan. A knight should not have to take another humans life. It just isn't right. Either you surrender, or I knock you or and take my victory. I will not slaughter you like others have done today."
"Always were a little b***h, Navitas," Nolan smirked.
Before Damian could react, his legs were kicked out from underneath and his staff taken. He was struck in the kidneys and thrown across the battle ground. It was Nolan's goons. They took turns kicking him while he was on the ground while Nolan laughed madly. Jack could be heard trying to help but he was pinned down by the other remaining Knights.
"What is wrong peasant? Where is that fighting spirit you showed at the party yesterday? Where is that strength that slashed the monster? You were a fool to think that I wouldn't get you back for what you did yesterday. Pick him up, I want to see his face before I lay his guys on the floor."
The two gonna picked him up by his arms and put a knife to his back. He was bruised all over, but continued to heal as he always did. Nolan, with the staff in hand was ecstatic over his little victory over his rival. He was so excited he began mapping out his future.
"With you dead, Sara will have me by her side to comfort her. I won't tell her I killed you, oh no, that would be stupid. It will be Jack who kills you in this tale. When she grieves for you I will come to comfort her, yes that is what I will do..."
He was losing it, Damian noticed as the male began to mumble and trail off. His fingers twitched and he could not stand still. Was it because of Cetana, or because Damian drove him to madness? He honestly believed Sara would fall in love with him even though she despised him.
"Nolan, you need to relax before you get hurt," Damian warned.
"Relax..." He mumbled, talking off into nothing. His eyes looked to the floor then back up to Damian. Cocking his head to the side, Nolan took the staff and broke it across his knee. Throwing the two halves aside, he pulled out his rapier and pointed it at the boy's throat.
"I can feel it now, Sara's lips on my own as I fondle that sweet and beautiful body."
"Keep her name off your tongue!" Damian shouted.
"Oh? Does it bother you? Sara, Sara, Sara! I can and will say her name all I want. What are you going to do to stop me? Our gracious King will not save trash like you and your friend is unable to come to your aid. You have lost. I will be sure to give Sara your last words and such."
The rapier was raised to pierce his heart, but something snapped within Damian. His eyes flashed silver and lightning circled his body. The two that held onto him were electrocuted and blown aside by furious winds. Nolan dropped his sword in fear but could not move with the boy's hand around his neck. Damian's free hand was cloaked with flames and clenched into a right fist. As his knuckle struck the blond males chin, there was an explosion that reached high into the sky.
Smoke cleared from the coliseum to reveal Damian standing over the limp, faceless body of Nolan. The knights who were lifeless before brightened up though wroth confusion and astonishment. They all stood, watching the boy who stared at his hands in just as much confusion.
They sound of clasping dragged everyone's attention to Ignis who stood in the nest. "Marvelous! Beautiful! What an unexpected turn off events!" he cried jumping down from the nest with his wild at his heels.
Damian, still dumbfounded, continued to look to his hands for an answer. What had he done? Was that really magic? The power coursing within him was overwhelming.
"You know, boy, I was so convinced you were not a mage unlike your brother and father. But that display of your power is enough to reconvince me that you are indeed a Mage, and a powerful one at that. Still, how you were able to hide your powers so well us beyond me. Tell me child, how were you able to do it?"
"I... I don't know... I didn't even know I was a Mage..." he said looking up to Ignis. "I didn't even know that my family was made of Mages."
"Just your father's side actually. You see," he stayed to explain. "The Navitas family's Ross reach way back to the ancient times. Your ancestors picked no side in the war, remaining neutral. Because you caused us no problems over the span of the war, we allowed you to live though under a contract. Your family had to work for the Kings and Queens who won the war, and, there could be only two Mages alive in the family. The reason your birth was so controversial was because you would have been the third Mage. When you showed that you had no power, we allowed you to live, but then your father disappeared. I believe he had something to do with your power being subdued. Now look, your gray eyes are now a vibrant silver, a sign of a pure Mage. "
Pure Mages were Mages whose blood is a direct descent from the ancients. A Mage whose magic is pure is much stronger and their magical abilities are much more malleable. Pure Mages are noticed by some feature on their body. Usually their eyes were unusual colors. Some had tattoos of their elements.
Damian's senses were finally coming back to him. He was a Mage, and a powerful one at that. He had been storing power for almost eighteen years.
"What have you done to my brother, Ignis?" He asked his fists clenching again.
"He is locked away in the prison. His release depends on how well you behave here and now."
"What in the hell do you mean?"
Ignis held up two fingers. "You have two choices child. You can die right here by my hands, or, you can join me and become my apprentice. I can train you to control your powers as you seem unable to. If you join me, your brother will be released and you will be free of our ancient contract. Of course, if you refuse to become my apprentice, you and your family will be publicly executed. What will it be child?"
"Don't do it Damian!" Jack shouted, back on his feet since the others came to their senses. In his hands was a metal staff which he threw to the boy. "You told me how you wanted to protect the people, how you wanted to change the laws so that others do not suffer. Well now you have the power to do it all! Think about all the people outside the city living in ramshackle homes, hardly able to make it by. Think about the innocent people murdered just because they are believed to be Mages. You can fix everything! Don't join him."
"I think we have heard enough of this. Shiva, get our meddling friend over there and rip his traitorous throat out." The wolf gave a curt nod and charged at Jack with its teeth at the ready. It was almost at him when a stone wall came up in front of it. It yelped and looked back to see Damian with an open palm in the air.
He had no idea how he did it, he just knew it felt natural. Focusing on his staff, he managed to morph it into a javelin. As an energy Mage, he had all the powers of the elements available to him. Jack was right, he could change the world with his power.
"Ignis," he said with a smirk. "I am afraid I must decline. I have a different world in mind, one that Mages do not rule with an iron fist."
"Do you think this is wise boy? If it's you against the world, you will lose to the world. This I see. But I see you have made up your mind. Shiva, kill the Mage, Damian Navitas."
Shiva acknowledged her Masters command and now charged at Damian who stood at the ready. When the wolf was close, the newly discovered Mage dealt a swift kick as he side stepped the pet. His javelin swung across and cut its leg. He was confident in his movements and it was clear that he would win. Ignis stepped in.
A fire ball flew past Damian who was focused on the wolf. With two enemies fighting him, he would have trouble, but with his new powers he had a chance. Fire and ice seemed to come from everywhere but Damian deflected them with his staff. He knew that eventually a Mage so old would need a break, and there was no way that the wolf could keep up with it, and he was right. Ignis took a quick breather that allowed Damian to focus on the beast. It returned to attacking him with teeth and claws but this time faster than before. He was faster but barely.
Damian couldn't get rid of Shiva before the fire returned. With both after him, he needed to fight back quick. Praying to the gods, he asked for the knowledge to defeat his foes. It came to him shortly after his prayer. His staff began to spin furiously and with it came powerful gusts of wind. The fire and wolf could not get close enough to him and eventually the winds became so strong that the Mage and his pet were blown off their feet. That was his opening. With the wolf off its feet, Damian took aim and threw his javelin with the power of wind behind it. The wolf was pierced and stuck to the ground, forever limp.
The fighting stopped while Ignis looked to his pet, hoping, paying that it would get up. But the weapon had done its job and killed the creature. Rather than grieve, the fire Mage applauded his younger opponent.
"My boy, your skills are far greater than anyone could imagine," he mused. "It will be a shame that you have to die."
"You talk to much," Damian said. He walked over and ripped his javelin from the wolf's body and took up a fighting stance as Ignis took up his own. Ignis was a master fire Mage but his old age made him weaker. Damian was much younger but his inexperience made him just as weak.
Ignis shot another fire ball but it was deflected by Damian's staff. He shot another and was met with the same result. Regardless of how fast or hard he shot fire, the boy deflected it. He was a matter however and knew av way around this. Taking a deep breath Ignis concentrated and from his hands shot a steady stream of flames. Damian knew he could not block it, so he created a stone wall between himself and Ignis. He began to feel the effects of using his magic as much as he did. His body ached and he felt exhausted, but he had to keep fighting. He just needed a break.
The rock wall was crumbling and he was running out of time. Thinking back to what his brother said, Ice and fire opposed eachother as magical elements. Ignis was only fire so he would have a weakness to ice. Damian began focusing on cold thoughts, using his vision of Cetana to fuel those thoughts.
Stopping his assault, Ignis laughed at the closing Mage before him. "You should have known better boy. I am stronger than you and there is no possible way you can beat me! Face it, you lost. I will be sure to tell that whore Sara you send your regards."
From the best, Luke could see what Ignis could not. The boy snapped at the sound of Sara's name. It was a mystery how he stored so much power, but Damian released a storm of Frost at the fire Mage. The force of the attack was so powerful it flash froze the fire Mage before he could utter another word.
Damian was on all fours, coughing up blood. He had used so much power that his body did not want to continue. Of course, that would not last. He needed to continue. He had just killed a Mage. Now he was an enemy, no doubt the boy would be struck down by Luke.
"My, my young Mage," Luke said, laughing at the events that unfolded. "Such raw power. Most likely you will never do such a thing again. But that aside, you have proven yourself worthy of the title of being a knight, though it is too bad that those who break the law cannot be Knights. Therefore the only thing that I can truly grant you the title of is traitor. You are banished from my Kingdom and will be hunted by Mages and other Knights so long as you live. I will give you this day to run but after that, you will be hunted. As for the rest of you, you are all granted the Knight title, save for you Jack. You are to be executed for aiding a traitor, but I also give you this chance to run, but not together."
"I am not leaving without my brother!" Damian shouted. A sword stuck into the ground right in front of him, one of the thirteen from Luke's back.
The sword returned and flayed in the air with the other twelve. "You dare take my kindness for granted? I spare your life this day and you request for I to release your pathetic brother, a Mage with more experience than you who couldn't kill Ignis himself? Either leave now or die here! Your brother made his choice to be a fool and a failure. Begone Mage!"
Damian could not fight Luke in his condition and with his lack of experience. There was only one thing he could do, and that was run. Even though he was exhausted, Damian ran through the city without stopping, heading south to use the forest's cover. As the city blended into trees, the young Mage knew that his life would never be the same. His brother and mother were as good as dead.
He didn't stop until he collapsed at a small pond at the foot of a small water fall. He drank without hesitation, trying to catch his breath and regain some energy. He couldn't stay long. Night was falling and monsters would soon come out. He needed shelter but didn't know where to go. Never had he gone so far into the forest.
Vines wrapped Damian into a blanket and hung him upside down. Face to face with solid white eyes save for the pupils, he recognized the person as the blind girl that ruined his brother. She was a Mage as well?
"What are you doing so far out here?" she asked. "Where's your brother this time?"
Damian was exhausted and couldn't think straight. "He's... In jail. I'm running now. Fugitive."
"And so, it begins," She sighed, releasing him.
The boy that laid exhausted before her passed out. Rather than carry him herself, she gently picked him up with the vines and carried him deeper into the forest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SteveIsMyPronoun Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
