[https://i.imgur.com/zweWNHT.jpg]

A while ago, a noble walked with a man in black down the high street. His face was still sore from the slap. The dark skinned man chatted with his party after they split from their giant. Drac laughs unconcerned, not realising he just walked out of the dragon's den and survived. How did this foreigner have the boldness to confront his sister? With one slash, she could get rid of his existence, and he would dare tell her what to do?

Many passersby stare and peek at the dark brown man walking carefree with his hands in his finely detailed jacket. His coily hair bounced with each confident step. Waiting around at the guild gave Fergus time to learn about this man. Or boy. Rumours floated about a foreigner with dark skin using strange magic. A powerful fighter who fought with the Danors and won effortlessly. An assassin of impeccable skill who toppled a gang in a few days.

“You keep staring. Impatient, aren’t you?”

“N-no, I just-”

“Keep going; I’ll catch up.” He told his friends

Drac came closer and took his hands out of his pockets. “Wait. I will show you something quick and can go on your merry way.” Fergus nodded.

As Dracs’s party walked further away, the two stood in the middle of the pavement. Drac held up a closed fist and tapped it on the noble chest. A warm vibration shuddered through his body. Is this what the mages call tuning?

“This is a technique called surge.” Hot aura flowed through his body in a rush. “This is something only those who are truly suited can use.” Fergus's body was alight with aura. His veins glowed white like lightning across his whole body. His nerves hummed with power. “Even I cannot use this technique to its full potential. But with you, Fergie, it is very possible.”

Drac took his fist from Fergus’s chest. “Practice.” And Drac walked towards his friends leaving Fergus stunned. Fergus held his arms up and lightning still marked his body. His sword jingled by his side, and Noble smiled.

Five hard knocks on a door, and a grouchy man opened.

“It's fucking out of hours. What in the hell do you need in this tim- Master Gifaw! It's an honour to meet you!”

“Sure, sure, I need a sword. Actually two.” Fergus peeked through the door.

“Come in!” The seller opened the store door wide. “What is it you need? Broad sword? Long sword? I got this new-”

“I want two Baselards.”

Stolen novel; please report.

The shopkeeper's eyebrow lifted. “But those are practically daggers.”

“Then they are perfect.” Fergus saw two with a red hilt and gold tassels. "I want those,” he said as he pointed.

“Are you sure? Your sister-”

Fergus glared at the nosy seller. “Sell them to me, peasant.”

A sliver sword was missing by his side; a baselard replaced it, with another accompanying it on the other side. With a satisfied smile on his face, he walked his way home, ready for another slap from his sister.

A rumble under his feet got him on guard. Screams in the distance. Sounds of war echo in the night. A giant centipede wiggled its thousand legs high above the buildings. A man-sized ant rounded the corner and saw Fergus. The murderous insect scurried towards him with speed. Fergus’s heart beats out of his chest. His muscles trembled as he slowly unsheathed his new weapons. A large smile reached his ears. A chance to try things out. Fergus couldn't be happier.

Baselards block the black fist. Drac's saviour roared, and a thunderous aura pushed the insect's fist back. A lightning-marked man stood between Drac and the beetle. Not a mark scuffed the monster's knuckles.

“Why are you lying there?! MOVE!”

Drac burned his soul and jumped away from another hammering fist. The street detonated from the force. A noble held his twin baselard on the other.

And you told me not to teach him.

He hasn't saved us yet.

Fergus mouthed his name from afar, and Drac tuned Auditus. "I will hold him. Rest.”

Stone broke under Fergus’s feet. A quickstep and the noble dodged a cannon of left punch. Baselards cut the beetle's large arm as Fergus ran forward. Fegus flipped over a back fist and cut the forearm with six strikes. Fergus's left foot landed and he rushed in. Two swords trail white flames as Fergus slices at the open body of the beetle monster. The beetle flew back a metre, and shock showed on his obsidian face. But no scratch was on his black carapace.

The beetle pulled his fist back and unloaded a barrage of punches. With zig and zag, Fergus evaded like lightning and struck like thunder. The noble leaned away from a fist and concentrated his aura on the point of his baselard. A jab entered the exoskeleton, and the beetle screamed in pain.

Fergus surged.

Lightning covered his body. Leg muscles burst with energy. Fergus shouted with a war cry as his baselard carved into the monster's arm. A hammer fist missed again, and Fergus went low with his blades. Aura coats his swords. White flame swirled around the blades like rushing waves.

How…?

It suits him.

An impatient beetle struck again with a massive fist. Fergus streaked in low, cutting arms as he dodged. Green blood wets his blades with every cut. Fergus zipped in and out nicking the giant on its legs. Attacks that surprised Drac, seemed slow to Fergus. He streaked around to the beetle's open back and unleashed a flurry of stabs. Agitated, the monster turned to swipe behind, and baselards sliced at his ribs.

Fergus surged again, and with lightning in his veins, he jumped with his baselards pointed at the monster's head.

A large palm swatted him in the air, and Fergus was sent tumbling down the street.

Shit.

"I haven't fought in a while.” A black flame simmered off his wounds, and they closed up leaving no mark. With every step, the giant beetle left a black flame. Ebony eyes glow with the same fire. “The dark boy's soul would be too much for me, so I will start with you.”

Amber light brightened the street, and the beetle froze.