Chapter 12 - Blood Bond

"Hey girls, do you want to do a little detour by the tree line?" This is the perfect chance to finally get them some levels

"S-stupid... We are... too young still" Sophy visibly twitching then punches Onyx's arm

"To be so brash master!" Abby just gets a mischievous smile while looking at Onyx

"Huh... NO THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Onyx finally figured out what they were thinking.

"I-i... Just wanted to kill some monsters..." Onyx said with his head hanging down avoiding eye contact

"A-are we not good enough master?" Abby put her hands on her hips, tapping her foot waiting for an answer...

"Maybe when we're older, for now I just want to get you two some levels..." Onyx's face is bright red...

These girls will be the death of me honestly... To think such crude things at such a young age.

"O-okay... But only if you kill the monster, we just need to be in a party to get XP." Sophy said awkwardly

WAIT WHAT...

"P-party? We could have been sharing XP this whole time?" Onyx visibly confused

"Y-yes master, this is common knowledge... How are you this much of a shut-in" Abby starts giggling at Onyx's lack of common knowledge

"You know Onyx, You would know this if you didn't drop out of school...." Sophy is still mad at Onyx for leaving her alone in class while he trains...

"I'm sorry Sophy, but you know I had my reasons." I sigh putting my head down

"It's okay master, I don't mind teaching the stupid" She giggled and nudges my arm teasingly

"H-he's not stupid Abby... Just dumb haha" Sophy adds onto the teasing

"Hey now... I got you two to teach me, so tell me how do we create a party?"

"It's simple, just think about inviting me to the party. Then say "Create Party" It will ask you to say yes or no to invite me."

"Okay here goes nothing..."

I visualize Sophy and Abby

"Create Party"

*Invite Sophia to party*

(Yes/No)

*Invite Abigail to party*

(Yes/No)

I select yes for both of them

They both select yes to the invite

*Party formed*

(Party Leader - Onyx Quill)

(Party Members - Sophia, Abigail)

"Okay lets test this out shall we, Just stay behind me." Onyx said confidently

"Yes!" They said in unison

We head out towards the tree line on the outside of town.

The girls have been deathly quiet the whole walk here, I guess the nerves are starting to get to them.

However they have nothing to fear, as I'm able to kill goblins in just one strike now.

As we are walking, I see the familiar green humanoid in the distance.

One thing I will never get use to is the stench these Goblins give off. It's a constant smell of sewage, and it only gets worse as you kill them releasing the foul smelling fluids inside.

{Are you ready Ember?}

{Yes master, please use me!}

My sword glows a deep crimson signifying it's ready for battle

"Well girls, stay here this should only take a second."

I full sprint ahead at the Goblin, as it notices me it starts sprinting at me as well.

*Swish*

The goblins torse slides to the ground as its legs are standing in place for another 10 seconds, then slowly collapsing onto its upper body.

*+10 experience points*

*Sophia +5 experience points (shared)*

*Abigail +5 experience points (shared)*

Nice the XP share is working, I will soon power level these two girls. Then I will be confident on taking them with me on my future adventures.

Instinctually I hold out my hand and use Gluttony.

This provides no boost for me, as the Goblin has no skills I need now. But it does save me time from having to haul it back to the adventurers guild.

I walk over and crouch down, grabbing the small mana stone

"Storage" A rift opens up in front of me, the insides resembling the midnight sky

I toss the stone inside, then close up my storage.

The girls meanwhile, are seeing this first hand. Their mouths are almost to the floor, Not only did I randomly absorb the monster I killed... But now I also possess the rare Space Attribute..

I turn to look at them, then immediately realize what I just did

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Fuck" I murmured under my breath

"O-onyx what... What did you just do?" Sophy is completely in shock

"T-that's my master... Always full of surprises." Abby strangely accepts the reality of the situation and walks over to me.

"I promise I will explain my abilities to you soon, just please for now keep it a secret." I plead to them

"Y-yes your secret is safe with me" Sophy responding to comfort Onyx

"S-so that's where all the Goblins went when you saved me... It all makes sense now, your secret is safe with me master!" Abby having flashbacks to the time we first met

"Y-yes its my Unique ability, I will explain it another time." I look up at the sky, knowing I cant keep this secret forever

But I don't have too, just long enough to get stronger then anyone who wishes to take advantage of me...

"Shall we head into town now?" Sophy breaking the tension

"Y-yes please I still need to talk to Mr. Brock"

"Then let us make haste master!" Abby looks more excited now, after having learned one of my secrets

I can't complain though, I do feel more comfortable sharing this burden with other people...

As the girls settles down, the walk to the store was fairly normal.

Some playful banter, and teasing of the girls. They seem to be getting allot more comfortable with me, I almost cant picture my future without them two in it...

As the town passes us by, I can't help but notice it's been a lot more lively here then usual. People are flooding the streets, and the vendors along the road look a lot happier.

It seems my father has been busy, the love he has for his people is unprecedented. If my path wasn't pulling me in another direction, I could see myself being satisfied with being a Lord here.

Unfortunately that is not for me, I just can't see myself settling down anywhere in my future. If I was to rule over people, there would have to be some sort of freedom for me.

Especially in my younger years, I can't afford to be complacent and settle. I need to get stronger, or I will never unite the people...

While I was lost in thought, It seems we have made it here to Mr. Brocks shop. I quickly take a deep breath then walk in with both girls locked onto my arms.

"Oh what a surprise, Lord Onyx how have you been." The chuckling Dwarf makes his way over to me

"I've been good Mr. Brock, I actually came to see you about something other then business today..." I said hesitantly

"Well lad, lets go to my office and we can talk there." Brock heads to the back

Me and the girls quickly follow him through the long hallway into the large door at the end of it.

I was not expecting this, but his office has a large wooden desk against the wall. With two large couches and a recliner in the middle of the room, they look to be made out of tanned leather.

Brock makes his way to the recliner, then waves for us to take a seat on the couches.

Although there two couched, both the girls squish me in the middle of them...

They are helpless, but I'm not going to complain... haha

"Well it looks like you three are comfortable, shall we begin?" He asked raising his eyebrow

"Y-yes sir, I actually have two questions for you..." I look at him then look down

"I.. Wish to learn blacksmithing, I have the skill but no experience... Honestly I have no idea where to start" I said pleadingly

"You may watch me smith when you have time, but you may not do it yourself. That's not negotiable" He said sternly

Understandable, I will take what I can get... I look back up to hm

"Yes sir, that works for me!" I said excitedly

"Now you said there was another question lad?" He leans forward expecting this to be good.

"Yes sir, you see I found a sword... And when I picked it up, It said it Blood Bonded to me" I asked hesitantly

"Impossible... there's only legends of Blood bonding, and those were from thousands of years ago. It's more of a myth connected to Hero's that were summoned to this world.

*Gulp*

Hero's summoned to this world? Would that be me? Is that why it chose to bond with me?

{Yes master, he is correct. I chose you as I felt the making of a hero in your future.}

Well I guess that's one question out of the way...

"W-well I'm not sure about legends, but my sword has definitely Bonded with me." I look Brock into the eyes, and he is doubting me

"I am able to communicate with the sword, it has it's own ego... Do you know anything about that?" I look at him awkwardly

"So it speaks huh?" Brock stands up and walks in front of me

"Well let me see it, if what you are saying is true. Then you have a Legendary blade, there is legends of there being Bonded equipment. Only to be worn by the Hero's when the world needs them the most." He stops for a second before continuing

"There should be a Sword, Helmet, Armor, Legs and Boots. They are rumored to all have egos, incredibly knowledgeable and will lead the chosen Hero to greatness." It looks like he is holding something back still

"S-sir please tell me if there's more" I look at him almost pleadingly

"J-just if what you say is true, that will make you the new Hero... And if that's true then you need to listen to me closely." He leans forward we are now face to face

"The ego's of the equipment you collect, their only interest is that of Gaia's. Think of them as an extension of the Goddesses will, with that being said you should not let them completely consume you." He sighs loudly

"What do you mean by consume me?" I'm getting more and more worried about my new sword

Where I have bonded with Ember, I still don't fully trust them. They did Bond with me against my will...

"I'm saying don't let them decide how you live your life, use them for your benefit. But you should never let them control you, because given the chance they will use you for their own agenda. Whether you die or survive is not important, as long as what they need gets done."

Brock takes a step back and makes his way back to his chair

"But this is only legends lad, I think you should go. I wish you well on your journey, please feel free to come back and watch me smith if that's what you wish"

I've got a splitting headache, Ember is constantly talking to me but I'm not listening.

I need time to take all this in, and decide what I do from now on. He said they are extremely knowledgeable, maybe I should start asking Ember about their side of this story.

"T-thank you for your wisdom Mr. Brock, I will surely come back and take you up on that offer." I stand up and bow at the Dwarf before making me way out of the room

The girls quickly mimic me and follow behind me, they haven't said a word the whole time we came here.

"You heard all that didn't you" I asked both of them

"Y-yes..." They replied

"Then let me make one request from the both of you." I grip my hand tightly

"If you ever see my gear controlling me, please stop me. I do not wish to be a puppet, no matter what I say to you in the future."

The girls are getting frightened by the seriousness of my voice

"I promise to always be there for you Onyx" Pleased Sophy as she nudges my arm

"I wont let them take you master" Abby hugs my back crying

"T-thank you, please take care of me... Now lets walk you two home before it gets dark." I said in a sad tone after learning my free will may be taken from me

"Y-yes thank you." The girls grab both my arms again

As I walk them back I'm still hearing Ember talk to me but I just ignore it

{Master please listen to me}

{Not now Ember, I promise we will talk soon. But for now I must get my thoughts together}

{.... Okay, I will be here when you are ready.}

I grip the handle of the sword, then wave at the girls as they enter Sophia's house.

{Ember I will only say this one time, so you better listen to me.} I said seriously

{Yes master?} Ember responded curiously

{If you try to make me do anything, and I mean anything that jeopardizes their safety... I will bury you 10 feet in the ground and never look back}

*Silence*

{.... Understood}

{Good}

Now with that established, I make my way home. The sun is starting to set, and I promised my mom I would be home by now.

As I got home, I can't help but smell the sweet aroma of my moms cooking. I truly have been blessed by her cooking growing up, I honestly can't remember ever having a bad meal made by her.

"I'm home!" I yell as I enter the house

"Welcome back, come eat son!" My mom yells from the kitchen

Gladly!

"Thank you mom, it looks amazing!"

She just smiles at me and pulls my chair out.

{I'm glad to see him smile again, his master leaving had him depressed for over a year} Emily grabs Onyx's shoulder as he sat down hoping he would stop growing up, she want's to save moments like these for forever.

"Please eat up son! I'm going to bed I've had a long day" Emily kisses Onyx's cheek and heads to her room.

"Good night" Onyx said while watching her leave the kitchen. Then quickly turns to the food in front of him.

"I cant get enough of this, I'm truly going to miss this when I leave" Onyx shakes those negative thoughts, while shoving food into his mouth.