I sunk another punch to the belly. I kept hitting until my hands were red, until my fists started to burn. When I took two steps back, I realized that I lacked the breath to maintain this pace, and that the anger was still active in my chest. I pulled the iron dagger from my waist and plunged it into the wooden puppet's chest, only then did I notice my lips curled down and my eyes rigid.
"Young man, taking out your anger on a wooden doll can be ineffective. How about we make the duel a little less unequal?" said Gerould, the guard with the orange-brown hair streaked with white and the gray beard left behind by Alyssa.
I glared at him. He was wearing a brown cloak, had two staves at his waist and a glowing blue potion near his chest. The scale of the realms' strength still confused me, but I figured that if I numbered it, it was level three… The light breeze ruffled my hair, which, unbeknownst to me, swung because of size. I lost track of how much time had passed since the minotaur's occurrence, even though I guess it was two months ago, my heart and mind remembered it like it was yesterday.
“The boy must like his magic, Gerould" said Ataz, the youngest guard. He wore blue armor with many golden details, symbols I've seen in books, and had long wheat-colored hair; which highlighted his light blue eyes.
"Do as you wish"
Gerould arched an eyebrow at me and mumbled something about my chatter with the elders, but I ignored it. He raised his index finger and a sphere of mana formed floating in front of him. Maybe it was because of my current psychological state, but that far from impressed me. I looked away as he directed the sphere of magic towards the dummy, and enjoyed the winds that shook the trees. Using the dirt space for training was a good idea at first, but being a little over fifty meters from home, I needed company. Most of the time I was escorted, which brought comfort and anger. A sense of danger alerted my mind and I crossed my arms instinctively.
The wooden fist collided with my forearm in front, the impact caused my feet to drag in the dirt and I landed on my ass. This time I was impressed. Gerould had a confident smile on his face as he looked down at his creation, and Ataz kept his — wary — gaze on me.
"My manipulation spell completed successfully. Your workouts should generate more results from now on." Gerould helped me to my feet, and his doll went into a fighting pose.
"Have you had any experience with abnormalities?" I asked, my lifeless gaze focused on the doll.
Silence. I looked around. The question seemed to have made the mood heavier as their confident expressions turned somber. They looked at each other and a sigh of defeat escaped them both.
“Some, but nothing a child deserves to hear" Gerould replied, his tone gruff.
“As you may already know, I am a Gatherer incapable of using magic. Don't you have any tips on how I can continue my work without almost dying every time?"
"Combat. If this is your only way to fight, make it count more than one hundred percent. It's true that without magic you are at a disadvantage compared to others, so since giving up is far from your eyes, focus on user your hand." Ataz said.
“We can help with that. You will suffer with these wooden dolls, brat."
"Those?"
Four others appeared behind Gerould. Their state was deplorable, but the touch of magic kept them up and active. Partly it scared me, it came to mind that I had to go down to drink water and bump into one of them walking around the house. I started the melee duel with dummy number one, I had to limit myself to being defensive, as usual. I was irritated, I was always on the defense. I lifted my leg to hit him on the chin and found myself marking the ground with my face. I heard laughter as I spat out dirt, and I aggressively charged at this bastard.
I spent that afternoon eating dirt and picking it up, a wooden doll was enough to finish me off. Needless to say, when Gerould put the four of them in, I was beaten up. I understood the lesson he wanted to convey, but I was advancing slowly, unlike users who have magic and can go beyond the limits of the human physique. My skill in handling the dagger has advanced the least, still far from being useful in a fight with an inorganic being.
Every step brought me a flash of memory, and the pain in my chest throbbed steadily. If this continued, I would need to visit the hospital again. The people, the lights, the sounds, everything passed by me as if they were measly details of my journey. I could feel my fists clench frequently, my bottom lip ached without me even noticing I was biting it. I admitted that stopping the hatred building in me was difficult, every cell in me wanted to fight back. That hooded one… Ritualist, Obscure or whatever, he was going to pay.
Ataz and Gerould said it was good to have quality armor that allowed free movement. Given my budget, I would get something basic and a that magic is missing. I walked into the same shop where I bought the bamboo sword and wooden shield, and after a shiver ran down my spine, I looked closely at each piece of equipment; after all, the last one was torn apart by a maniac. Weird, last time I had only seen guns. I got a leather shoulder pad and a black fine cloth kneepad, that's all I could afford. Hell, I was only worth ten bronze coins, that psychopath had to be penniless to come after me.
I walked back along the road, it was already night. Judging by my background, I should have stayed close to the crowd. The city was sparkling, with many lights and ornaments scattered around and with more people than usual. I noticed that the local guards were better equipped, and some had the red moon symbol emblazoned on their… Ten Kingdom soldiers. Aunt Alyssa had commented on. Maybe those green juices made from a blue fruit made me forget. I cracked my back and sat on the edge of the fountain, I could have sworn a kid had called me an old man.
Murmurs came from all directions, but one conversation in particular caught my attention. I was amazed at my ability to hear them clearly even in that situation, however I ignored that fact for the time being.
"Is King Enguerrand here? That would be historic for Karin. I myself served in the tenth kingdom for six months and never saw him, it would be splendid if that happened in this city!"
“I'm saying, just wait. After the newspapers spread the anomalies all over the world, it was impossible for him not to come, either for fame or to protect the people."
"I just feel sorry for the boy, the poor guy isn't even capable of being someone."
For some reason, I clenched my fist. But I knew. If I tried anything now, I would lose a lot more than my dignity. Besides, they are Shadows, and I am null.
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"Distracted over here?" The familiar female voice snapped me out of my trance, a comfort hit me as I looked to the side and saw Ellie's face. Her gaze, this time, carried seriousness, I could feel her darker, frightening energy.
"Yes a little." Only now that I realized how tired my voice was, but this chance I needed to hold. “I really need your help."
She nodded and started walking, and I just followed. She was wearing dark jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt, her blonde hair was tied in a beautiful bun, letting only a few strands fall — which added to her charm. I glanced surreptitiously at my outfit: A red coat, gray pants, and definitely forgotten hair. I felt it reach the middle of my forehead, a comb would be high on my list. I passed my hand to throw what little I had behind me and kept walking.
We were walking on the small hill trail, the residents of Karin call it the Trail of Dreams. I don't know why exactly, but I heard that the sky could be seen in all its magnitude from the top. I was silent during the walk, the sound of the crowd getting smaller as we climbed, and the trees gradually blocked the view from below. I was breaking the rule imposed by Gerould. I knew it was for my own safety, but I wanted to enjoy it. I deserved it. Ellie could easily kill me, so withdrawing from society would be the perfect ploy to silence me for good.
I swallowed hard as I imagined such an atrocity. I stopped walking when I realized my gaze had dropped from her back to her ass. My cheeks instantly burned and I felt something try to harden, but I shook off such sensations when I looked away. Ellie turned to me, her serene gaze piercing my soul. My heart raced. She turned towards the sky, and it really was a wonderful sight. The whole city could be seen, different colors flooded the streets, the small guild castle with its floating magic orbs, the water from the fountain reaching incredible heights, the great wall, the gates… track way out. A smile reached my face, and at the same time disgust.
Ellie set her purse on the floor next to the white bench and cracked her fists. I put my equipment aside and faced her. I wanted, I yearned, to avoid facing her, but when she took a stand I lost hope. I made the posture I knew as I stared at her. I was distracted for a moment with her, a beauty, and the starry sky forming a perfect setting. What a view.
“Attack"
I felt my legs falter at that time, that was far from being a request - it was an order. His calm tone and piercing gaze conveyed the kind of authority I would be afraid to challenge. I took a quick step forward and threw my left fist as if nothing else mattered. She held my forearm tightly and I lost contact with the ground, then she pressed down and I fell hard. It was like a somersault, it felt like Ellie had used my own weight against me.
"Tactics. Think." Few words, however I had understood the message.
I got up, and this time I threw a series of punches in her direction. She countered each one with extreme delicacy, even the front kick I tried to land was ineffective against her technique. She approached with a quick step and punched me three times in the stomach. I tried to counterattack, to take advantage of the fact that he was close, but I hit the wind. She came up behind me and kicked my legs, sending me to my knees with my hands on the floor. I leaned fully on my arms and tried to kick her with both legs. She dodged and slammed the sneaker into my stomach before I even hit the ground, which sent me rolling like a potato.
I lost count of how many times I fell to the ground, Ellie was very good and her movements were very precise. Regardless of the situation, or my tactics of hitting her, she remained serious and calm. It would be hard to say if something had happened, I knew little about beautiful girl, but last time she was more cheerful. João and Bruno always talk about her as the best, the scariest and the most difficult to get close to, whether because of her renowned family or because of her character. In the little time I spent with her, I could tell there was a lot more to her than just magical talent.
She pinned my arm with hers, draped me onto her back, and threw me to the ground. Her knee hit my stomach before I could get up, so I tried to punch her. She grabbed my wrist and pinned my arm to the floor. Ellie sat on my stomach and did the same with the other arm, her face was too close to mine. I tried to leave, but she wouldn't let me. Her serene gaze softened as our lips moved closer. My heart was pounding by this point, those green eyes were on me with intentions for more than a simple workout… I felt her breath, the heat of her body. She loosened her grip and got to her feet, then gave me her hand to help me up.
She did it on purpose. What a tempting position.
Ellie grabbed her gear as if nothing had happened and walked over to me.
"Keep up the training pace."
"I will try." It was my only choice if I wanted to live. "Ellie, how did you reach your level? I know you are one of the best."
"If you have a big goal, Lumi, you must already have the answer." Ellie replied, emphasizing my name, before turning to leave.
--------
It was inadmissible, how dare Calum send me on a pathetic mission like this? Being a Guild Leader should have limitations, I hate taking orders from those bastards of Karin and the idiots of the realms. I passed through the gates about half an hour ago, this stupid fog made everything more complicated. I lifted the torch and placed my hand on the pommel of my sword. I was going to get this over with soon enough to go back to the little festival and find as many women as I wanted.
“Kairy, it has to be you." I mocked, tuning my voice to represent the leader. He should have sent that shit boy without magic.
I opened the quest scroll again. The Village of Folur sent reports of strange creatures in the vicinity, and with that a soldier was sent to investigate, but this type of mission tended to be complicated and had the highest number of missing people — which made me grind my teeth. As he stayed there, without even giving a sign of life, I had to leave.
Lights amidst the fog. Finally, I pulled my orb staff from my waist and reduced the torch's fire. Maybe I could threaten the villagers and receive some reward other than merit, but Zelforne's family could cover for me… A smile reached my mouth as the idea of eliminating a certain without magic hit me.
I dropped my torch when I got to where the fog was gone. I threw up and quickly covered myself in a thick layer of magic as I filled my staff with two attack spells. What the fuck was that? There were five houses here. A fire was lit in the center, pots full of soup still steaming, paper line decorations bearing the symbol of the kingdoms. But that… I stepped on the stomach that had been brutally ripped out of a person's belly. My torch landed next to a shattered body, I could see its heart beating, there were several holes in its body…
Arms, legs, heads. I had to hold back the vomit when I noticed half a human body pinned to the wall by a purple magic spear. His bowels were coming out sluggishly, his eyeballs were drooping, nearly popping out, and his jaw was broken in a way that was hard to look at. What made me shiver was seeing the angle his arms were at, the elbow bone could be seen and… a heavy step made my life flash before my eyes. My heart was beating at a desperate pace. Why was I scared? I was the great Kairy, I could do anything here.
“You are shy, king's dog." said the masked man who appeared beside the creature. He had the horn symbol with two slits on his right eye, he was definitely a Superior Ritualist, and he was completely covered in a black cape and hood. A rune was in the center of his mask.
"H-how do you know about the king? You're bluffing." What the fuck was that? Firmness, you were a soldier.
“I know that you are dirty and that King Enguerrand has bad intentions for his people" His voice was thick and possessed of demonic authority, as if I could see the demons within him; beyond what was outside.
The creature lifted the rest of the human body and began to chew it. I swallowed hard when I thought I might be next. The Ritualist stomped on a man's head until it burst, then moved closer to me.
“You wouldn't dare attack me knowing I work for the King, so I propose an exchange. Maybe that way I'll let you out alive."
He disappeared from view and appeared in front of me. The guy sank his fist into my stomach and drew out a lot of blood. I fell to my knees. He lifted me by the neck until my feet were off the ground. The creature was standing over the full moon, but this time it held a living man by the torso.
"A switch? You lost track. King number 1, perhaps, could do something, but we know that he would never pay attention to a miserable city."
He squeezed my neck and turned to face the creature.
"No, please" The man implored, his red eyes watering.
"Where is Lumi Kai?" asked the masked man.
"I do not know who he is. Please spare me." His nose started to run.
“You should've let them fucking live. How are we going to interrogate a single guy?" He turned his gaze to me. “Or two…"
"Silence." The creature spoke. The creature. He spoke.
He ripped the man's arm off in one mouthful, blood splattering that bizarre gray skin. The scream of agony ceased when he hit the ground. The being used its claws to skin the man alive before devouring the rest of his body.
"In Karin City, he's there!" I exclaimed.
"Glad you decided to cooperate." Anything to avoid that. "Would you be willing to participate in something bigger?"
"What do you mean by that?"
“Think of everyone who annoys you. I can give you power to destroy them." He lowered his arm and hauled me to my feet.
"And what would you get in return? Entering the city and taking him out should be straightforward for you." I hesitated to name the creature.
“Unfortunately he's safe in the city for now." I knew he was lying, it was easy to feel. "But I need you to deliver a certain message to Enguerrand for me."
The masked man handed me a stone with the dark rune symbol etched into the surface. I just watched them go away, while, little by little, the shock of so many bodies mangled by a single being reached me.