"The world is such a heartless place~”
Remind me why I do not write fan fiction. Ah…because I
am lazy…here is a new chapter, after I delete my previous
one accidentally.
—————————————————————————
In a lonely cobblestone path leading to a training hall, stood four figures looking rather pissed off at something.
One of them, a pale young man, walked forward and tapped on the door.
“Is there anyone? Anyone? Your disciple Xin has come to visit~~”
Sarcasm dripping heavily of every sentence, it is obvious that the young man did not pay the person inside any respect.
“No? No one is there? Looks like I have to go in another way!”
With one hand on his rapier, his other hand summoned a fireball. Not a normal fireball, a holy fireball.
“Baam!”
The door blasted open with a huge explosion. That was one of the skills the young man had. <
And anything that stood in his way.
“Yoohoo?! Darius?”
As he moved through the door, the rest of the figure gave a exasperated sigh.
“Looks like he is really pissed off at Darius…”
“Who wouldn’t be? That scumbag.”
One of the figures, a scantly clad archer, replied to another of her companions. The companion said nothing more and shook his head in resignation.
“Yeah! Blow it up!”
Looking at the last companion, a young girl with a crystal embedded on her head, he gave out yet another sigh.
“Kaeda! Blowing stuff up is not good.”
Looks like he is seeing another part of his daughter. A pyromaniac.
The first figure, the one called Xin, strolled into the courtyard. Drawing his rapier and swathing it in flames, he pointed his rapier at a figure lying down on the courtyard.
The training hall was devoid of people and only the five of them are present.
“Xin. You are back?”
A monstrous presence covered the training hall. A beast was staring at them, not a man. Smiling wolfishly, Darius stood up.
Out came a huge sword from the sheathe lying beside him as he looked down at the four of them.
“Don’t interfere.”
Xin warned as he leveled his rapier at Darius.
Spell: Flames of Justice
Level: 5
Type: Beam
Speed: Fast
Before there was even a warning, a beam of compressed flame shot towards Darius, like a laser beam. It singed the side of his face as the courtyard burst into flames.
“Holy-attribute flame? How did you acquire that? It should only be available to high-level priest…”
“Thanks to you, I can use it now and without qualms.”
<
For that attack, he just extinguished 10% of his health bar.
“Now, die.”
The flame began to turn golden. As the purity of the flames increase, so does color change. With more souls, the color of the flames would approach a shade of gold, until at last it hits the level of pure gold. By then, it is no longer a holy flame, but an angel flame.
<
A skill once taught to him by Darius, it enables the user to step forward quickly. However, the direction cannot be changed and if you are caught in the skill, you are vulnerable to attack.
Darius did not miss the chance and struck. The huge blade of his bummed into the rapier and Xin was blown away. However, the blade began to burn and start to turn reddish.
“Oh flames of justice, burn the sword of evil that slain the lives of many. Purify the blood of innocents once touched by that wicked soul.”
The flames began to burn even brighter as if the words empowered it. The sword began to melt into a mess of molten steel.
“Darius, your sword is finished. The flames would not cease until its target is destroyed. Even if your blade is a Legendary-class weapon.”
“Hahaha…yeah right. Looks like my blade is screwed. <
A sigil of summoning appeared on Darius’s hands.
“Here is where the real battle begins.” Gabriel commented as he, too, unsheathed his sword.
A lance, engraved with carvings depicting the various stages of destruction on the battlefield, appeared in Darius’s hands. Pointing it towards Xin, he said: “The lance of my blood shall pierce my foes, the blade of my soul shall slay my enemies. Release, <
Spell: Flames of Justice
Level: 7
Type: Shield
Speed: Slow
A bubble of fire encased Xin right before the lance pierced through the air towards his. A crackling sound was audible in the air as the lance, irregardless of the flames, threatened to pierce right through into Xin’s body.
“<
“I see. <
The tattoos on his right arm began to glow. The flames, a shade of gold a moment ago, turned into a true <
“Bang~~!”
Spell: Flames of Justice
Level: 10
Type: Explosion
Speed: Fast
The shield vanished into thin air as a golden orb took its places. As the lance pierce towards the golden orb, Xin crossed his fingers.
“Looks like this will be the end of the training center…”
BOOOOOM!
The golden orb exploded into a blinding light as it showered the training center with flames. The lance, a Saint-class item, was set ablaze by the fire. It was not melting, but the flames are constricting it, rendering it harmless.
Meanwhile, the entire training center is burning to the ground.
“Ahh…what the heck! My retirement home!”
That was the only thing Darius said after emerging from the explosion unscathed. With a casual swing of his arm, the lance disappeared into thin air together with the flames.
“Congratulations, you passed.”
What Darius said next puzzled Xin. Arching an eyebrow at him, he asked: “What test?”
“I send you on a mission and you passed. Congratulations. You are indeed worthy of becoming my disciple.”
[Darius acknowledges you!]
“Now, what should I do? Let’s see…<
A tornado appeared right in the middle of the city and vanished in a burst of flame.
*He drew all the flames up using the air?! Wait...*
Looking around, Xin saw the sheepish looks on everyone’s faces.
“Sorry…When commander came and ask us to help him we cannot refuse…”
Rachel started first as she lowered her head. Gabriel followed suit. Meanwhile, Kaeda was just laughing at Xin dumbfounded expression.
“Hahahaha….your face….it is priceless.”
Spell: Flames of Justice
Level: 1
Type: Ember
Speed: Slow
“Kaeda….” Her dress burst into flames as Xin eyes became a deadly shade of red. “Gabriel and Rachel, how dare you trick me!”
“Don’t blame them. They did it at my request. Gabriel is suppose to teach you combat while Rachel teach you archery.”
“And is Mary suppose to modify my body?”
“Modify your body?”
Xin tore off his clothes (you can tear off your clothes as long as you reduce the durability to zero). His chest was revealed, together with his tattoo. A crystal, pulsating with a eerie light, shone onto Darius's face. His tattoo, still glowing, seem to be alive.
“This, is what your ‘friend’ Mary did to me. Is it part of you plan too? Bastard.”
“What…no…Mary would not do such a thing…although she would sometimes experiment with creatures…but there is no way.”
Darius look of surprise was not at all convincing to Xin. Drawing his rapier in the air, he traced out the image of a circle.
“Like I will believe you.”
Spell: Flame of Justice
Level: 5
Type: Spin
Speed: Fast
“Just die, Darius. Only then would I be appeased by anything you say.”
The blaze of a second tornado tore through the training hall again. This time, Darius did not block it. Rather, he simply waved his hand.
“Sigh..listen to me. First, this is the true power of <
As he said that, his other hand already summoned another sword. The sword was a elaborately crafted rapier, with tapered to a paper thin edge. It’s blade seem to sway in the wind as it blows, dancing.
“As such, here.” He threw the blade towards Xin. The blade flew towards him like a gentle wind and landed in front of him. “Its name is <
[Aegis
A sword crafted by means unknown. It is thin beyond imagination, however requires delicacy from its user.
Once wielded by elf Frein, it has since saw the death of numerous monsters. However, its owner soon meet the same fate the day the elvenhold of Isengar felt. This sword levels up as its user progresses, and seems to possess a will of its own.
No level requirement
+100 agility
+10% attack speed
+20% critical rate
+10% critical damage
+10% weapon destruction chance
Beware, if this sword does not recognize you as worthy, it would not hesitate to kill you]
Xin picked up the rapier without a moment of hesitation. If his skills are not suitable to wield the weapon, then he didn’t know who else could.
The sword squirmed around in his grip as it tried to escape. Feeling annoyed at its resistance, he slashed the ground beneath him to calm the blade down. Taking the moment of reprise to launch into position, he started to move in movements he has long forgotten.
*How long has it been since I did such movements? Three…four years? Ever since the last battle with her…*
The ground beneath him has long been slashed to bits by how he moved. This was the feeling he has missed. Since his defeat at the hands of her at the Championships three years ago, he still had not gotten over it.
“Leia, are you playing this game too?” he whispered to no one in particular.
Afterwards, the blade no longer squirmed in his grasp. Instead, the sword glowed with a green aura, right before the figure of an elf appeared in front of them.
Wielder of the blade, I am Frein, an Guardian of Isengar. You who have received approval of the blade, I have a request to ask of you. Will you find the Mier, and tell her of my demise. As a reward, I will give you all I have.
[Quest!
Elf Frien, a protector of Isengar, meet his end in the destruction of the elvenhold. Bring the news of his demise to someone named Mier and in return, he shall give you all he has.
Difficulty: D]
A quest appeared out of nowhere.
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“Err…yes?”
It is not like Xin has a reason to refuse. Besides, he is interested in the story of the elf. Somehow, the list of things he had to do increased. First, go to Lutheria and find Mary. Then, ask her what did she do. Finally, find Mier.
Sigh…it is getting more troublesome. Lets hope this quest has a purpose in the future.
xxXxx
Ian lied there in the capsule for a few moments.
Leia…
A memory, long forgotten, rose out from the depths of his mind.
Three years ago, when he was still in the Championships.
Picking up the phone that laid beside the capsule, he dialed a number he never thought he would dial.
“Hello?”
“Master, I want to return to the dojo. There is something I must do.”
“Ian?”
*Beep* The phone call was ended.
Collapsing back onto the capsule, Ian gave a huge sigh.
*Do I want to pick up my rapier once more?*
xxXxx
The next day, after his phone call, Ian stood in front of a huge ancient building.
“Jyung-Mu Dojo…”
Raising his hand to knock on the door, Ian once again though about why he wanted to go to this dojo.
*Royal Road…and memories I wanted to forget…*
Before his hand even touched the dojo doors, it bursted open and out came a red-haired girl dressed in a gi. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and by her side laid a slender blade.
“So you have come back…”
“Yes…”
The two of them sunk into silence. It is to be expected. They have not seen each other ever since the Championships three years ago.
Right now, they might as well be strangers.
“Leia, what are you doing?! Who is there?!”
“…it is Ian.”
“Ia- What?! He is back?!”
In a stampede of movement, ten of dozen burly sweaty man, tried to squeeze through the door at once. One thing in common though, was that all of them stayed at least 1 meter from Leia.
“Ian!! Come spar with me!!!”
Clamoring for a fight was what they did best. After all, it has been, what, three years since they had a chance to battle against one of the top students at this dojo.
“Only in a sword fight. You too, Leia, if you have gotten over it.”
Ian took a wooden sword out of his backpack. It is a sword he had used for over five years, before he abandoned it following his defeat.
As he moved into the dojo, he was struck by a sense of nostalgia.
*Ahh…it is exactly like the one I burned down just yesterday.”
Not that he would speak out loud though. He did not want his master to kill him.
The deeper he goes, the lesser the din of training become. Finally, he came to a stop before a door. The rest of the disciples, does who have followed, bowed in reverence. Ian, however, just kicked the door open.
Seems like in-game and in real life, he can never treat his teachers with respect.
“Ian, you are back!”
Of course, his master, Rufus, was already used to such treatment by him. After all, it was the same person who came here eight years ago and challenged him when he was only eight.
“Yes, and I want to challenge you to a fight.”
xxXxx
In the silence, two of them, master and student, observed each other.
One of them was holding their sword one-handed with a relaxed look on his face, while the other gripped a slender rapier, face emotionless.
The stance Ian was in was one stance from the <
Both of them had been in this position for over 30 minutes. If it was in game, it would be so easy just to send a preemptive attack over using one of the oh-so-useful skills. However, in real life, there is no such thing. As such, they both had to observe each other for a gap in their defenses, waiting for the moment to strike.
*The moment is now!*
Ian moved without so much as a sound. The whip-like motion of his sword seem to approached at an impossible angle, aiming for the slight gap in the middle of his master’s guard.
“Whack!”
However, it was his sword that soared through the air. Somehow, with the handle, his master diverted the attack and struck his fingers, causing his grip to slacken. With that, his rapier, no longer being held tightly, flew out and landed 2 meters away.
“You have gotten worse, Ian.”
Whispers can be heard from the disciples watching. The exchange just now took less than a second and many have no seen anything. Leia, however, shook her head and walked off.
“Yes. I have forgotten about that move.”
“Tell me, what is your purpose for coming back?”
“To learn how to fight, of course.” Ian was smiling, a fake smile.
“Don’t you dare bullshit with me Ian. Tell me the real reason.”
“…I remembered my fight with Leia, even though I did not want to.”
“That fight? You are still not over it?”
“Yes.”
Rufus sighed audibly, He knew what Ian was referring to. The Championships.
At the side, the sound of a sword striking a dummy harder and harder was heard.
xxXxx
Leia hit the dummy with increasing strength.
*That person! Why did he come back?!*
That person, of course, referred to Ian, who was current sparring with master Rufus.
She did not want to, no, never wanted to see him again in her life.
It was him would humiliate her so throughly. It was him was made her taste true defeat. It was him that, in the final round, threw his match just to shame her.
She could still remember how the match ended. At the final minute of the match, when the both of them are exhausted to their limits, she saw Ian lower his sword. As if he had planned this all along, he opened up a opening for her to attack. A thin smile hugged the edge of his lips, as he broadcast his intention to throw the match. At that moment, his eyes were not looking at her, but at the far off distance, at someone sitting on the podium.
His father.
Irritation spiked at her as she, in that moment of irrationality, she lunged at him. The sword landed exactly on his heart as the klaxon blared to signal the end of the match. He looked at her in surprise, then anger, before finally resignation, and left the arena.
He never appeared again.
And she, too, never wanted to see him again.
“Hyaa!”
With a final hit, the dummy was split in two.
xxXxx
Ian sheathed the sword at his side. Looking at Rufus, he continued.
“I am sure you knew what happened at the Championships.”
“Yes, and it is partially your fault. Who asked you to let down your guard at the middle of a match?”
“I am not pissed off about that. I am pissed off about how she acted afterwards. I am sure she does not remember, but she said to me: ‘Bastard.” Bastard? I never did anything warranting that?!”
“And as I have been saying for the pass few years, it is a misunderstanding. As long as you apologize, it would be fine!”
“Not unless she does it first.”
“For gods sake, three years just for that? This must be the dumbest argument I have ever been in.”
“Dumb? Fine. Lets do it this way. Leia-“
“”I challenge you to a battle!””
The two of them spoke at the same time.
xxXxx
This is the next exciting battle the disciple have been seeing in a row. How would their only female member fair against what was once one of the strongest in the dojo? No one knew the answer.
The two of them stood circling each other. Ian, having been beaten by Rufus previously, adopted a unique stance. Instead of his rapier, he opted for a basic shortsword with an knife at his other hand. Leia, meanwhile, used a twin sai.
“Leia, you know, it is familiar,” gesturing around, “this scene.”
“Shut up and fight.” Leia snapped at him. She wanted to beat him, and beat him hard. She still was pissed at Ian. That bastard must get what he deserved.
Ian just shrugged his shoulders. I did not matter anyway. Only the fight matters. They can communicate through the clashing of their blades.
The fight began moments later, as the clashing of the sai against sword was heard. The rotating motion of the sai brought the blades away from his chest, as she made use of that gap to launch a kick against his chest.
It was stopped, however, Ian’s movement. The kick, instead of hitting his body, shifted to a less vulnerable part of the body. At the same time, the blades extracted themselves from the sai and appeared in front of him.
“As agressive as usual, Leia.” Ian commented as she drew back at the last moment before the blades touched her. The blades, however, did not stop there. The knife was thrown forward and raced towards her heart as the other blade sliced towards her feet.
“These knifes. It has been so long since I faced them.”
The knife had a string attach to the handle and could be controlled independently with precision. It is made specifically for Ian use as he is the only one capable of using it to any decent degree.
Leia deflected the knife using one of her sai. Although, she still got hit by the knife as it shifted to the side by a millimeter.
“First hit.” Ian commented as though it is nothing. The knife sailed back to his hand. Flipping it into reverse, he gestured for Leia to continue.
The fight continued on for minutes, with each and every strike ringing in the dojo. Soon, it was no longer like a scene from real life, but a movie, with each and every attack seemly splitting. The afterimages burned in the air, until…
It was a move he learned in Royal Road. <
Like the wind, his knife found its way into the neck of Leia.
“My win.”
“Nice fight! Ian and Leia, I guess everything it fine now?” Rufus chose this chance to intercede. He looked at Ian, then at Leia.
Not surprisingly, one is jubilant while the other is silent. Be it from anger or from something else, she clenched her sai tightly.
“Why?”
She asked that question. Trembling ever so slightly, she wanted to know the answer. Why did he throw the match away so easily in the Championships.
“I wasn’t.”
“Then why did you leave such a obvious opening for me to attack?”
“I didn’t?”
“You didn’t? STOP LYING TO ME! I KNOW YOU DID!”
“I didn’t. If you are mentioning the end, I was simply complacent.”
“GO! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN! YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING!”
With that, Leia ran off into the dojo. Ian, staring at her backdrop, gave a sigh.
xxXxx
Ian once again stared at the night sky outside the window.
After today, he came to a realization.
He liked fighting. He liked battles.
He would continue on with going to the dojo.
As for Leia, that is a time for later.
The capsule, gleaming under the moonlight, beckoned to him. As if he was drawn to it, like a moth to a flame, Ian lay down in the capsule.
<
--------------------------
Finally, after all this we can get to the exciting part. Now that he has the power, the magic and the weapon, it is time for him to go on an ADVENTURE!
There would be one more part before the chapter ends.
Also, I am planning to possible redo the prologue. Somehow, the prologue did not convey the feelings I want to convey.