Sir Gorou took off his sword and armor, piece by piece, placing them on the ground by the wall. His tunic wrapped snugly around his strong broad shoulders. He approached them, towering over Tsugi. Sir Bjorn was actually bigger and taller than him, but Tsugi has never felt intense fear for Sir Bjorn, unlike his father.

"Leave us." Sir Gorou took the wooden sword from Sir Bjorn and looked down his nose at Tsugi, who was trembling in fear. "Don't let anyone come near."

"Yes Commander." Sir Bjorn bowed and swiftly walked out. The rain began falling harder.

"Well?" Sir Gorou's overwhelming aura was so strong that Tsugi couldn't bare to move. "Let's see if you can make me move from this spot." He lifted the wooden sword in front of him. "If you don't come for me," he said in a dark voice, "I will come for you."

The air was so thick Tsugi felt like he couldn't breathe, but he could only imagine what would happen if he didn't move.

"Yaaahh!" Screaming, Tsugi managed to muster enough courage to charge at Sir Gorou swinging his sword through the rain. Sir Gorou's feet stayed planted while he parried with one hand on his sword.

"This is it?" Disappointment in his voice. Panic coursed through Tsugi's body and he swung harder and faster than he ever could. Rain droplets bounced off the sword flying in all directions. "Pathetic."

Sir Gorou disarmed Tsugi, the sword flew into the air. Tears of fear fell as his eyes met his fathers empty eyes. A strong fist right into Tsugi's chest sent him flying across the arena, sending puddles of water splashing into the air as he bounced on the ground.

"This whole time, you couldn't even learn to swing properly, let alone hold a stance?" His voice was calm but cold. "Apparently, even Sir Bjorn couldn't teach you. Maybe 'I' should." His voice was dark and threatening.

Tsugi painfully pushed himself onto his knees and touched his forehead to the ground. "N-no Commander." He grunted. "Sir Bjorn is a great teacher. I-it's my fault, I just n-need to push myself harder. You shouldn't be wasting your t-t-time on someone like m-me...kkha!" A swift kick to the stomach threw him against the wall with a loud bang.

"What did I say about working on your speech?" His eyes lit with anger. He closed his eyes and scratched at his chin taking a calming breath. "Well," he said walking calmly toward Tsugi, "you are right about one thing." Lightning struck across the sky behind him, his giant figure cast a shadow on Tsugi. The ground vibrates violently. "I shouldn't be wasting my time on someone like you." Sir Gorou's fist hurled toward Tsugi and his vision went dark.

‘No!’ The words wouldn't leave his lips. He was being carried up the hill of dead grass that he knew all too well. ‘Please, I will try harder!’ His lips stayed silent.

Chained to the iron pole, he screamed and cried from terror, but no one came, only the howling wind. Lightning strike after lightning strike, his body writhed in pain. Bloody drools dripped from his chin.

Tsugi's consciousness faded in and out.

"Master Tsugi..." the small voice echoed away.

He can smell sweet camomile tea and sage, his body bounced as he was being carried.

A warm hand caressed his forehead.

Warm liquid soothes his throat.

"Master Tsugi, are you alright?" A thin woman knelt next to him, the walls were made of wood. A crackling fireplace in the corner. The smell of burning sage filled the room.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"Master Tsugi." A small voice called to him.

He opened his eyes, he was in his room, a young girl with silver hair knelt beside him. "Please drink, Master Tsugi, you will feel better." She helped pour the bitter drink into Tsugi's mouth. "I must go now."

His body ached and burned, he rolled over and hurled out bitter liquid.

A rough calloused hand touched his face causing him to jerk awake. His room was brightly lit, with the sun at its highest peak. Sir Gorou sat on the ground by the straw bed, his hand touching Tsugi's face. Tsugi abruptly flinched and got on his knees pressing his forehead to the ground.

"I'm sorry Commander. I didn't...mean to...sleep in! I will head down and...start working right away! I..."

"You can stay in the room." Sir Gorou's voice was calm, his aura held no malice.

Tsugi's eyes widened in disbelief. "My lord?" Tsugi looked up, confused.

"You understand that I don't want to hurt you right?"

‘Never wanted to hurt me? All he's ever done is hurt me?’

"All I'm trying to do is teach you to be better, to be stronger. I only hurt you to make you better." His eyes had no emotion.

"I will work hard and be...stronger my lord!" Tsugi put his forehead back down on the floor. "I won't be weak! I will work...harder to be the...best!"

"I look forward to it." He said blandly. "For the next few days stay in your room, I will have the servants bring you a bath, food and water." He got up and walked toward the door.

"But what about...training?"

"Just rest for the next few days, and focus on getting better." He closed the door behind him.

Had his father been possessed? Was his father really just trying to make him stronger all this time? Did he really care for him? Was it really his fault for being weak that caused those beatings? Thoughts rushed through his head and he didn't know what to think.

A knock came at the door.

"C-come in." Tsugi called out. He's never had anyone knock at his door before. The maids brought in a tub and filled it with steaming water. Some more maids came in the room and brought him a clean pair of clothes and set up a table full of delicious food, more than he's ever seen.

Tsugi hesitantly approached the table and stared at all the food. His stomach growled and saliva dripped down his chin. Hoping that it wasn't a dream, he started shoving all the food into his mouth. From roasted chicken, to potato stew, bread, fruits and veggies, he had a whole course meal and more. If this were a dream, he never wanted to wake up.

His stomach has never been this distended before as it protruded beyond his ribs. With a full stomach, he undressed and lowered his aching body into the hot water, as it burned soothingly. He brought a handful of water to wash his face and winced. Gazing upon his reflection, the side of his face was swollen and his eye was bloodshot. He sat in the water 'till it turned cold.

The clothes that were provided for him, smelled fresh and looked brand new. They weren't riddled with holes like his old clothes. He sat by his desk and read through books to pass by time. The maids came in every now and then to clear the table and bring him fresh fruits.

A sharp pain in his stomach. He rushed out of the room, but two guards that stood outside stopped him.

"We were told to ensure that you rest." One of the guards said.

"I..." Tsugi's stomach growled painfully. "I really n-need to use the...restroom." He grunted. The knights escorted him to the restroom down the hall. He's never had an upset stomach like this before. Then again, he's never had this much food before, or any of it for that matter. As painful as it was, he never regretted being able to taste the delicious meal.

Night came, but he lay awake staring out the high window. He was afraid to fall asleep and wake up from this wonderful dream he was having. He felt content and wished he could stay in this dream forever, but this uneasy feeling kept haunting him.

‘Is this real? Is it a dream? There's no way this can be real.’

His father hated him, everyone hated him. He's nothing but a weak child who couldn’t do anything right.

His heart fought and wanted to believe it was real, but another part of him told him it was nothing but a lie. The voices in his head argued and argued, but he just couldn't figure it out. He resisted the urge to sleep, but he couldn't help it, his full stomach warmed and comforted him. His eyes grew heavy and he fell into a deep slumber.

***

Tsugi had woken before sunrise and like always, he got dressed and headed out the door.

"Is there something you need?"

Startled, Tsugi jumped back and braced himself against the wall. Two knights were staring at him from either side of his door. He blinked wildly and rubbed his groggy eyes. He must still be dreaming.

"I-I have to go t-to work."

"The general has ordered for you to stay in your chambers." They reached in and closed the door. Tsugi leaned against the wall. Was that not a dream? Or was he still dreaming?

"I must still be dreaming." Tsugi scoffed. "Why would knights be here?" He laughed and lied back down. The voices in his head continued to argue again, until his drowsiness took over.