“The first thing to know about my style is that it was developed solely for killing, Luce. I have created a few tricks to subdue targets, but even then, it will result in broken limbs, and even crippled ones. The flame of Wrath added to it only makes it deadlier. Keep this in mind when you are deciding what to use on your target, understood?” and I nodded in agreement.
“Good! We will slowly incorporate each form, starting with specific strikes, such as using the fists, elbows, knees, and legs. Depending on your talent with it, we will progress and eventually move to sparring and using Shadow Boxing illusions to recreate opponents suitable for your level. After that… I will bring you along to see it in action against the Forsaken forces that periodically attack the Fae Realm. Real combat will always be the best teacher, after all”.
Lord Wrath spent the remaining few hours of the morning teaching me the basic fist strikes he uses, and the basics of humanoid weak spots, such as controlling the opponents movement by bending their elbow, and even easily breaking it if needed. He ended with having me throw so many of his different fist strikes that my arms felt like they were going to fall off.
As the time together was ending, his servants used the same cleansing magic to at least make me smell like I have been training for hours, although it had no effect on my exhaustion. I was very grateful for Lord Wrath taking the time to train me, and he looked to be enjoying it as well.
“Luce, I wanted to let you know in advance, that while I am training you, officially you are not my student. It’s not out of disregard for your talent or anything, I would be happy to take you on, but it will engross you into Fae politics even further, and well… You’re already experiencing enough as it is. It’s for the best that this is kept secret as of now” Lord Wrath said on my way out.
I gave him a knowing smile, and said, “Of course, Lord Wrath. One day, I will find a way to repay this favor you have given me. Thank you for taking the time to train me today” and gave a small bow and was on my way.
Walking through the street markets on my way to our residential tower that was repaired after the fight was a small token of peace for me. It reminded me of the stalls I’d walk with my mother. The Fae were kind, if not intense in their ways. The Sins deepened aspects for better or worse in the Fae, so the majority of merchants you saw were Fae of Greed, the actors running the plays were Fae of Pride, and so forth.
From my observations, it looked to be that the Sins represented a common disposition towards certain actions. A Fae of Greed merchant was not necessarily your slimy, greedy merchant, and seemed to reflect more of an affinity towards that “element” for the Fae. The same merchant is not required to be a scumbag profiteer, as long as they work towards a goal in a way that the Sin abides by, they are in the clear.
I was unsure what happened if a Fae betrayed their Sin, and I have to wonder if it was similar to losing control of their Sin and becoming a Forsaken, like Lord Wrath had mentioned. It’s a touchy subject that most Fae avoid, so I did not want to inquire and upset anyone.
Walking by the fruit stall, the owner named Riven, called out, “Hey Luce! Try one of these I got this morning!” and motioned towards a selection of apples, oranges, and a small hand sized melon-like fruit. Riven knows I am a sucker for fresh fruits, and the Fae have enhanced the tastes of the fruits to be even more addicting in flavor. I imagine it will be difficult to enjoy these fruits outside of the Fae Realm later on.
“Alright, you convinced me once again. Let me get a small sack of each” and flipped him a silver coin with a Fae’s face on it. He caught the coin, and smiled with a fake glint of Greed in his eyes when he saw it, and put it carefully into his money pouch.
As he was filling the sack with some of the fruits carefully, I leaned in and asked, “So what have you heard, Riven?”
Riven looked around carefully and told me, “The Wolfman Clan has publicly denounced the warband that assaulted your city, Seastrand, and claims that it was done by outlaws who happen to be exiles of their clan. They also claim no consequences to any that slay their exiles and instead claim it will be doing them a favor in cleaning up their mess”.
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Right. The large scale warband of Wolfman Clan members who are conveniently of exile status after ransacking and pillaging a port city of Elarion. How very fucking convenient.
“Thank you for the information. I will pay handsomely for any information you can get for me about the Wolfman warband in the future as well, my friend” and he handed me the sack of fruits with a nod, and a gesture of acknowledgement by touching his fingers to his forehead and waving them off his head to the side of it.
It was not easy to locate the informant network in the Fae Realm, run by the Envy faction. They were master spies, and have likely infiltrated deep into every major nation and government in this world. Riven was one, posing as a Fae of Greed merchant, and has been a welcome addition to my walks home. When he has news for me, he will call out for me to try his fruits, and he has yet to disappoint me thus far.
The Fae Realm is a dangerous place of political intrigue if you are not careful about where you step. It looks like a beautiful garden, but has a lot of pretty flowers that would kill you if you approached in an instant. High risk, and high reward if you can survive it.
“Hey you! The human!” I heard a voice call out to me, and I looked to the voice and saw a rich looking Fae man probably 18 years old or so, walking towards me, with two large muscular human body guards following closely behind him.
The crowd of the market looked nervous around this Fae man, and I could tell this was going to be a headache. “How may I help you, sir?” I responded, attempting to be polite at least.
“Your pouch that you carry around, I have taken an interest in it. Name your price, I am going to purchase it as a gift for my future fiance!” and I realized he was talking about the pouch my parents handmade for me.
“I must apologize, sir. This was a gift from my deceased parents, and it does not have a price I would sell it for. Please forgive me” and moved to walk back home.
This, of course, was not the end of the headache for me. The Fae man appeared to be about to explode with anger and shouted, “I HAVE OFFERED TO PURCHASE THE POUCH. WHO ARE YOU TO SAY NO TO ME?!” and I stopped leaving and turned back to the man.
“I have told you that it was not for sale, sir. I apologize for the inconvenience, but there are surely many more luxurious pouches available for you to select. Good day, now.” I politely say, once again and go to leave.
“I DON’T CARE IF IT WAS A GIFT FROM YOUR DEAD PARENTS. WORTHLESS SCUM LIKE THEM SHOULD FEEL HONOURED TO HAVE ME WANT ONE OF THEIR POUC-” He tried to finish what he was saying, but was unable to as I released my killing intent at him and he was choking on his words.
Walking towards the Fae man, I said, “Twice, I have declined your offer to purchase my pouch. Twice you refused to accept no for an answer, and now you insult my parents” and as I was getting closer to him, Riven quickly spoke up, “Luce, you can’t hurt him! He is the son of the Fae Lord of Greed!” and I stopped and coldly looked at Riven.
“What is your point, Riven? Should I ignore his shameful behavior and insult towards my parents who were recently murdered, and allow him to lay claim on my only gift I have left of them?”
“N-No, Luce! You need to deal with this in the proper ways though, you can appeal to the Fae Lords to arbitrate this matter!” Riven was pleading, aware of some consequence that will happen for me if I don’t listen.
Maybe I was acting too hasty, and allowing my anger to cloud my reason…
Looking at Riven, I nodded and told him, “You are right, my friend. I will let the Fae Lords arbitrate this matter” and looked towards this apparent son of Lord Greed, and told his bodyguards. “You have two choices, you can bring this little lord of yours along, or I will drag him. What is your choice? Decide quickly, because he is currently pissing himself” I say and everyone looks to the puddle quickly forming from the drippings of his pants.
The bodyguards look at each other, and then stand in front of the little lord prepared to defend him. “You will have to get past both of us to do anything to the young master. Simply offer the pouch as an apology, and grovel before him and he may show you mercy. It is your honor that your worthless pouch has caught his eye, after all”.
“WHY ARE YOU GUYS WAITING AROUND? KILL HIM AND GET ME THAT POUCH! I WILL TELL MY FATHER THAT YOU FAILED TO PROTECT ME!” The squealing pig of a little master continued to oink, and the two body guards pulled out a large two handed sword, preparing to cut me down.
I looked at Riven, and asked, “Am I free to defend myself in this matter, Riven?” and Riven looked like he was going to blow a fuse at the other party’s actions. Letting out a sigh, he said, “By the Sins, I tried to resolve this peacefully. Nobody will fault you for self defense, Luce. Try to not ruin anyone’s merchandise in the process, however?” and I laughed and nodded to him.
Despite the soreness in my body from the training, I was feeling more confident than ever in dealing with this battle. Putting up both of my fists, I got into the defensive stance I was taught, with both arms and hands guarding my head.
[Ignis]
The crimson flame of Wrath came alive on my fists, and I prepared for the two bodyguards to make their moves.
Let’s test out what Lord Wrath has taught me. He’s the one who said that real combat was the best teacher after all.