Some time ago
The forest was picturesque, the leaves perfectly green and the wind blowing just right to make the trees sway pleasantly. Sunlight beamed down through gaps in the foliage, much of it brightening the forest, but some shining directly through the window of a humble little cottage.
An old man winced as the sunlight hit his frail eyes directly, such a small thing making spots dance in his vision. Robotically, a voice asked, “Would you like me to close the curtains?” Though that proved a fruitless question, as by the time the old man was able to formulate an answer the curtains were already shut tightly.
The old man chuckled lightly, “Hohoho, such a spry young man, hopping to an old man’s aid before he even gets a chance to ask for help. You’re such a kind boy, Rou, I’m glad to be able to spend my final moments with you.”
“You know I am not a boy, I have told you many-” The voice stops suddenly and taps their chest lightly a few times. A metallic sound rings out, one that the old man knows to be its version of laughter, “I understand, you are joking. That is a good one.”
The old man laughs heartily, but is cut off when it devolves into hacking coughs.
“Are you alright? Is there anything that I can do to assist?” Rou continues to speak in a monotone voice, as if they don’t care for the scene in front of them, despite the obvious concern in their words.
The old man waves their concerns away, “I’m fine, I’m fine. I won’t be worrying about pesky things like that soon enough anyway.”
The voice remains silent for a few moments, as if in thought, before speaking, “Do you truly have to go? Can you not stay for more time?”
“No, I can’t.” He shakes his head sadly, “My body isn’t like yours, it can only go so far before it can’t go further. But you,” The old man takes Rou’s metallic hand in his, feeling the cold, hard metal against his fingers, “You’re different, you can keep going on as long as you have the will to do so.” Tears began to well up in the old man’s eyes, even as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
“I would rather die with you than keep living alone.”
The old man shakes his head sadly, “I’m sorry Rou, but I can’t let that happen. I know it’s selfish, but I can’t bear the thought of you dying before me, I would be heartbroken. And as for after…” He stares at the curtain, as though he can see the open sky through the cloth “Once I die, I’m sure that you won’t be broken like I would be. You’re stronger than that.”
“Apologies, but I do not understand. How could another’s passing injure me? Is it another application of ‘Mana’?” The old man chuckles fondly.
“No no, Rou. There is much you still have to learn,” He points to Rou’s chest, or more accurately, to somewhere that overlapped it in a way that Rou couldn’t quite understand, “I can see it, in here, your soul. It can be damaged when you push too far, or when you experience great pain and loss.”
Rou spends a moment to compile this new information, before suddenly changing the conversation, “Why can I not fix you? Like we did for me.”
The old man pressed a hand to his own chest, feeling his weak heartbeat and brittle ribcage, “We are too different, I don’t know what you are or where you came from, but you are made of metal, whilst I am a creature of flesh and blood. There may be one person who could heal me, but they have no reason to waste their talents on an insignificant old man like myself.”
Rou nodded, moving for the first time since it closed the curtains, and spoke, “I understand. Thank you for explaining this to me, you have taught me much these past years and I am eternally grateful… father.” The old man smiled, and continued to look at the closed curtain. A single tear gathered in one eye, and was just on the cusp of falling down his cheek.
Rou moved to stand behind him, then held its hands at the ready, “I think you overestimated my strength. I know that I would be broken by your passing, and would certainly lose myself should it ever come to pass,” Somehow, despite the complete lack of inflection and body language, Rou’s voice seemed to release an aura of menace throughout the room, “Fortunately, I will make sure that it never does.”
The old man’s breath is forced from his feeble lungs as Rou’s hand plunged through his chest, wrapping around his heart and pulling it out. Before he had a chance to react to the sudden attack, Rou’s other arm speared through his neck and chopped his head clean off. Before it landed on the bed, Rou scooped it from the air and held it with the heart close to its chest.
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“It must be in one of these, I am certain.” Rou stalked out of the room, quickly marching towards a workshop that it built together with the old man years ago, “But I will need an ally who is capable of manipulating souls, is there such a person?”
----------------------------------------
I startled awake in my cell, looking around in fear for a few seconds before I remembered where I was and what I did. Sitting up in the bed, I drop my head into my hands and let out a deep, shuddering breath.
I should have been able to predict that the Guard Captain of Ironhold wouldn’t be happy with me killing his Lord, that was stupid of me. Gods damn it, how long have I been here? A week now?
As you may be able to guess, the aftermath of the Incident did not go quite to plan. Admittedly, I’m sure that the Blood Red Mist was doing something to me, so it’s not like I was in the best frame of mind, but I could definitely have handled that better.
Though, to be honest, I hardly even remember what happened so I guess it’s hard to judge that kind of thing, isn’t it?
And to top it all off, I reached Level 25 with nothing to show for it. I could have asked Render or Finch if something went wrong, if it weren’t for the fact that I haven’t been able to see anyone other than Ironheart for the past week.
Gods, this is the worst. I hate being in prison.
“Oh, stop being so dramatic. It’s not so bad!” I slowly turned my head to face the annoyingly cheery voice in the cell next to mine, “Opps, did I say that out loud?” The Wonderful Prisoner had a gleeful grin on his face that made me think he absolutely spoke out loud on purpose.
Wait, did I say that out loud?
“No, you didn’t. But I wouldn’t worry about it, we’re not here to talk about that! What did you do to get thrown in here again? Last time it seemed like a mistake, but surely they wouldn’t do the same thing again would they? Please tell me it was something exciting, you wouldn’t believe how little gossip I get in here!”
Ok, well he wasn’t here earlier so he must have had plenty of opportunities to talk to people. But whatever, I can’t even begin to unravel this guy right now.
With an over the top sigh, I responded, “I killed Lord Ironhold.” Remembering what happened when I just said that to Ironheart, I realised that I should at least defend myself before this guy has a chance to judge me, “But he totally deserved it!”
“Ohoho, a bit of treason eh? It’s a bit surprising that you haven’t been executed yet, in that case.” Suddenly, the Prisoner dropped to the floor, laying on his front, and kicked his legs in the air behind him, “Go on then, I have to hear this!”
Is this guy real? Am I just imagining him or something?
“Don’t want to answer then, eh? Whatever, I can just ask Ironheart later. No biggie.” The prisoner shrugged and turned away, going back to doing… well I’m not entirely certain what it was, but he was definitely doing something. Honestly, I couldn’t even begin to guess.
With a sigh, I dropped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling, just thinking about what exactly went wrong. To be honest, there’d be no chance of me doing this if it weren’t for the circumstances making it just about the most exciting option I have. And at the very least, it was surprisingly good training for Wisdom. I even got a whole point!
Robert Zeneki Lightning Adept 18 Level 25 Willpower
27 Wisdom
15 Strength
7 Agility
9
Path Skills Lightning Generator 20 Lightning Bolt 23 Lightning Cloak 12 Charge 18 Chain Lightning 5 Grand Skewer 5 Scorch Affinity Lightning Focus
General Skills MAX Grand Lightning Stride 5 Breath Of Mana 11 Battle Meditation 5 Channel Lightning 9 Fast Thinking 7
King Slayer
Affinity Scorcher Lightning Master
Though, despite my excitement, I couldn’t help the sense of melancholy that overtook me at what this kind of growth meant. Well, I wasn’t worried about the Wisdom thing- even though it’s a little annoying that I won’t grow fast without actually thinking- but more so how much all of my Skills improved in such a short time.
Killing people really is a fast way to Level up, huh?