As we stepped off the stairs out of the cave we all looked around. The grass was a rust color. The trees half dead. Smoke hung in the air from a recent fire. The whole landscape was different. Instinctively I knew we were in the ogres lands. But how could they be this bad?

“The aftermath of years of wars and slavery by the warring ogres. Sadly carnage always follows in the wake of death.” Lucy was shaking his head.

“Good can also be found. It all lies with what you look at after. Take this earth for example. Yes as of now it’s dead. But give it time and it will grow into the most beautiful land.” Snell picked up a handful of the ashen dirt. He slowly let it slip through his fingers.

The land around us matched the dead feeling I had inside. How come I hurt more now than I had the whole time living with my mother? Maybe living someone was a pain that stains you like the ashes stained the land around us. Maybe I truly should have stayed in the town of scribes. At least there I would have never truly cared.

“Zen you will never fully heal. But one day just like these lands you will be a more wondrous soul than you are now. Shino is a part of you just like he is with all of us.” Zoran put her arm around me. I covered my face with her side and yet again cried.

“We will stay here until after we have given Shino’s parents the funeral they deserve.” Snell let out a long sigh. “I truly wish I didn’t have to go through with this again. The last one was hard enough but Shino was still just a boy.”

“This is hard for all of us. Poor Zen more than the rest. Zen became his brother in a sense. You heard how they talked to each other. They were as close as family.” Zoran’s hushed tone flowed over the lands. It had finally been said out loud.

“Shino felt the same way about Zen. You should have heard the way he was talking about Zen during his sleep. The two were more family then Zen and his mother. Or Shino and his own father.” Snell had a sad look on his face. “I dare that dead beat to try something when we have the service. That’s if he even shows up.”

I laid down on the ground. I felt dizzy. As I let my eyes dry a little I drifted off to sleep. A deep sleep that I had no idea how long it lasted. All I know is I relieved every experience with Shino up until his death. Somehow I always found a way for it to be my fault. If I had paid more attention he wouldn’t have had to shove me. If I had forced everyone to go down the right path we could have taken care of Yarg there. In the end it was my fault that Shino had died. There was no other explanation in my mind. It made it hurt just that much more.

As I came to I could smell the tick smoke of the fire. Maybe it take me. Make me pay for not helping Shino. Shino should have been the one to live. Why was I even here now? Why did we even leave the town of scribes?

“Zen your awake.” Zoran looked at me. Her hushed tone made everything seem somber.

“Zen.” Lucy was on my other side. “You’ve slept for three days now. In two weeks Shino’s parents will be here. So will all of the other class mates. Joseph has prepared a warriors expedition just for this.”

“Zen right now to help you out of your slump we should train. You need to focus your mind.” Snell came up behind us. I felt like he was saying this cause he needed a distraction from the same situation I did.

As I stood up I got a weird feeling again in the base of my skull. It didn’t hurt the same as it had that day. I felt the center of my forehead pulsate. A light flashed. Everyone stared at me. What was happening to me? I knew this wasn’t normal.

“Zen you have been chosen by magic!” Snell grabbed my arm. “They say it only happened when someone is hurting. I believe that between Albert unlocking your magic and the death of Shino you have been chosen. This is a rare day for us all.”

The air grew somber around us. Everyone but Snell were staring at the ground.

“If this is how you get magic then I don’t want it.” I felt the tears yet again rise. I knew I had to stop. Shouldn’t I have none left by this point?

“That’s why you were chose.” The goblin from the fight scurried up the stairwell. “I has to tell you that you are special. Magic doesn’t you being desperate chooses. It only claims a soul when they don’t know whats to do.”

“Little goblin what do you mean.” I was trying my best to calm down.

“That lights. Happens to all ogres. They don’t know how to fulfill the duties of wars. Magics takes that desperation and gives powers.” I looked the little fellow up and down.

“Do you have magic little goblin?” I could feel the strain on my vocal cords from talking with him. How did I know to speak with goblins?

“No sirs. I don’t but I’ve seen many that gains it.” The goblin came over to me and hugged my leg. “Is will travles with you in place of your friend. You saves me now I will saves you.”

“Well little guy, what should I call you if your traveling with us? Also can you speak in our language for the others?” I felt a bond with the little goblin. We were both lost and I had a feeling we could help each other.

“I can learn to speaks.” The goblin stared at the ground. “I is named Tibby. Gots that name cause I’ms tiny.”

“Well tiny one more question before we start working. Why is your speech all over the place?” I looked at the little guy.

“Well goblins normally don’t talks. Sometimes we can speak perfectly. Other times we get confused.” Tibby looked at me. Something in his eyes peaked my interest.

“Hey Snell and Zoran! You too Lucy. I need a favor.” They all came over to me. I could feel the relief on my vocal cords.

“What is it Zen?” Snell was looking from me to the goblin.

“We are going to teach Tibby our little goblin friend how to speak like us. I need your help. He might even join us for a little while.” I felt Tibby hold my leg a little tighter. “He needs the kind of help we can give. We can also train him how to fight and track. But first we need to teach him to talk.”

“That could help us all stay occupied. Lucy is working on the stuff for the funeral. But after your done training with Lucy in the mornings it will be our lesson time in the afternoons.” Zoran’s glance challenged Snell to disagree.

“Well one little goblin shouldn’t be to much. Tibby might even be helpful.” Snell seemed to accept Tibby right then and there.

We made our fire for the night and I started to teach Tibby. He was almost like me when it came to language. Curious but lost. As we went to bed that night Tibby had learned the words yes and no. Also how to say his own name. It was going to take time. A lot of time from what I could see.

Tibby woke me up the next morning before dawn.

“Zen we needs morning exercise. Good for the hearts. I think yours hurts very much now.” Tibby looked at me as he started stretching. “We should runs every morning.”

I whipped the sleep out of my eyes. “Where are we running to?”

“We runs around the spire that the angles helped make for your friend.” Tibby shown me his series of stretches. “Running good for heart.”

So it began. Every morning Tibby woke me before dawn to run. After my run we would start a fire and cook breakfast for everyone. The I would spar with Lucy. Maybe one day Lucy would see that I was ready to fight him as he used both of his blades. The we would make lunch. In the afternoons Snell would school me in tracking. Tibby would learn how to speak from Zoran.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

About a week in Tibby started training in how to fight with Zoran. Zoran started to also join us on our morning runs. Snell disappeared every morning. Sometimes he came back with food for us to fix. And so the week turned into two. Nobody had shown. The funeral we were working hard to plan was still hanging in the air. I started setting time aside for listening as Albert had taught me. After that I would reminisce about my journey with Shino. I would cry at this time away from everyone.

As we started into our third week a large group of people shown up on horse back. The band of twenty five had all arrived in a magnificent manner fit for a king. I noticed Joseph sitting in the middle with a tall warrior at his side. Also in the group came Elena, Shino’s parents, Albert, the other three kids who had chosen with us, and my own mother!

I watched as everyone dismounted their horses. Elena came up to me. I looked at her. I could hardly believe that this girl was right in front of me.

“I’m sorry Zen. I bet it’s rough what you’re going through right now. Just head my warning though. Watch out for Joseph he has been blaming all of this on you. The others are agreeing.” Elena gave me a quick hug.

“Elena. He’s not completely wrong. But why would he blame me? He doesn’t even know what happened.” I started at the ground.

“He says it’s because you left on a journey and made Shino go along.” I could feel Elena’s eyes boring into me.

“Snell asked Shino if he wanted to come with us. Shino agreed that he did. Oh I miss him Elena. He was like a brother to me.” I was fighting back tears. I felt like I shouldn’t let anyone see me cry. Not right now.

“Friends from far and near. We have gathered here to remember the life of a young man. I will hold the ceremonies in three days. All who shall attend will be summoned to the white spire that marks the dearly departed life’s.” Albert was booming at the top of his voice.

Everyone made their own way into the groups they were comfortable. I noticed Shino’s parents wouldn’t meet my eyes. Not would my own mother. Why had she even come? She didn’t care about me. She didn’t even know Shino.

As the night wore on I watched as the warrior that shown with Joseph hosted fights among the others that had come from Harbinger with them. What was their mission that brought such a large group with them?

Lucy shown up at my side. “Zen lets go have some fun. Snell gave me money for the fights.”

I followed Lucy in the shadows over to the fights. I watched for a moment in my cover of darkness. It had become handy this skill that Lucy was teaching me.

“Sir Thomas! Joseph says he wants to fight!” The rowdy group laughed. The warrior that was with Joseph sat a little straighter. He had dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. The air around him dared someone to challenge him.

“Ha. Someone should fetch that boy he has such a problem with. I hear that boy made his life miserable before he became my squire.” Sir Thomas had a hiss in his voice. I wondered what boy he was talking about? Nobody ever dared challenge Joseph when we were kids.

“What will the bets be sir?” Another squire approached Sir Thomas.

“Bets of five. If the silvers are fake then you know the routine.” The look in sir Thomas’ eyes had a sinister glint.

“Hah. You think Zen could terrorize your poor squire? Thomas you truly are easily fooled.” Snell came walking up to Sir Thomas.

“Snell.” Sir Thomas chuckled. “That boy might be a liar but a grudge is a grudge. My only question for you as his mentor is life or death fight?”

“You know I don’t condone killing in these fights.” Albert approached the two. “These fights really shouldn’t be held but they do train fighter the best way.”

“Ah the ex ex-priest. We should be humbled by your presence. Believing in a higher power still?” Sir Thomas chuckled again. “Do you have my wager that you never paid in Quitar?”

Snell reached into the bag that Albert had given him so long ago. From the bag Snell pulled ten gold pieces.

“This should cover his debt plus interest Thomas. Those were good times weren’t they?” Snell began to laugh.

“Why did you bet against Drakon back then Albert?” Thomas wasn’t letting his chance at fun run away.

“He was in his usual slump. You know how gets in those times Thomas. You know better than anyone.” Albert started to laugh.

“Were is Zen?” I heard Joseph shouting.

“Well Joseph you might not be ready for this fight. We won’t permit weapons between squires. He still has Lucindious as his trainer. I bet he’s close.” Thomas winked at Snell.

Joseph was about three places in front of me now. Lucy jumped from his shadow right beside him. The color completely drained from Joseph. I barely contained my laughter.

“Hello squire. I am Sure Lucindious and you will address me as so.” Lucy had an amused look on his face. “Stand by your lord Zen will be here in an instant.”

I slowly walked out of my shadow. I had my back straight and head held high. I finally felt like I would be able to return every so called favor that Joseph gave me. All the times my face was in the dirt. Every time I got a foot in my back. Every time I got laughed at because of who my mother was. The leader of the chaos that came my way as a child.

Joseph turned around and the horror on his face as he watched me materialize from the shadows was evident.

“I didn’t realize you were that far along with shadow walking Zen!” Snell burst into his laughter.

Sir Thomas glanced at the ring. It was then that I noticed Zoran inside fight a man almost a whole head taller. The best part is she was winning.

“Looks like this fight is winding down. I guess you get half these coins back Snell. Joseph pay close attention. This is part of what your about to fight.” Sir Thomas gave a slight chuckle. “The devil’s are training that young boy.”

“Devil’s Sir Thomas?” Joseph glanced at him.

“There are only three undefeated fighters in my ring. Zoran there is the one eyed she devil. Lucy there is the devil of shadows. And myself am known as the ender devil. Maybe one day you will be know as a devil yourself.” Sir Thomas let his pride flow out.

“Undefeated?” Joseph and I both looked at Sir Thomas.

“To be undefeated in this ring you need to have fought a hundred battles or more. Yet you can’t loose a single one. Both feats rare to happen.” Sir Thomas clapped joyfully as Zoran was crowned the winner.

“The fight goes to the one eyed she devil! Second fighter in the ring to reach a score this high. On fight number one hundred fifty two wins and zero loses! Your champion Zoran!” The crowd cheered.

“How many wins do you have Lucy?” I asked awed by Zoran.

“I’m sitting at one hundred two wins Zen. Thomas there is the only one to beat Drakon in this ring. He has what? One hundred ninety wins now?” Lucy glanced at Sir Thomas.

“Try two hundred one now Lucy. Do you still want the challenge?” Sir Thomas let out a mirthful laugh. “Now lets introduce this fight. It’s a special for tonight. The squire fight.”

Sir Thomas kept mumbling to himself as he walked towards the ring.

“Gather one and all for tonight two young souls enter this ring for the first time! Let me introduce you to Joseph squire of the ender devil! For those that are still new that’s me! Your goal in these fights!”

Joseph danced up to the ring waving at everyone. The crowd cheered and squeezed in a little tighter to the ring.

“The next fighter is Zen! Squire to the devil of shadows! Also trained by the one eyed she devil! Welcome to the special occasion! The one and only squire fights!”

I walked up to the ring with my head help high. I heard the crowd booing. For some reason it fueled me. Why did they hate me? I don’t know. I do know that I had nothing to loose and everything to gain by finally standing up to Joseph. There could be no better place than here.

“The rules are simple! No weapons allowed! You fight until the other is out cold! The winner is the last one standing!” Sir Thomas concluded the rules. “Try not to kill each other boys. I know you hate each other. May the winner gain the spoils.”

The original commentator stepped into the ring as Sir Thomas stepped out.

“On the fall of my blade you will begin your fight! Fighters pass the weapons to your lords!” I passed my hidden blade out to Lucy and Joseph did the same with his sword.

The commentator dropped his sword and Joseph ran right at me. I faked a dodge to the left. As he followed I sprang right and delivered a kick to his ribs. I heard him howl in pain. Joseph stood up and threw a right hook. I blocked with my left arm and delivered a jab from my own right. I felt it scrape his jaw. He grabbed my hand and twisted.

I hit the ground. I felt Joseph kick me in the ribs. Thanks to my training with Lucy I knew just what to do. I shot my foot into his Shino as he was sending another kick. I then used my left foot to swipe at his leg dropping him to the ground.

We both stood up. I could see anger growing on Joseph’s face.

“When did you learn how to fight. Your outskirters trash.” I heard the venom in his voice.

“When I realized not everyone will enjoy my unique personality.” I chided him. I wagged my finger in his direction.

I saw his anger grow. Bingo. He jumped at me and I hit him in the nose. I watched as Joseph crumpled to the ground. The crowd started cheering my name.

“The winner of the battle of squires is Zen! Squire of the demon of shadows! Does a new legacy arise in this ring?” The crowd cheered even harder. I saw a man passing coins out to random people. Did people actually bet on me.

I heard the crowd gasp. I turned around to see what was happening. I jumped back but not before Joseph had slashed me across the face with a knife. I howled. He had cut me from my left eyebrow down to the right side of my chin. I already knew it would leave a scar. Joseph lunged again. I rolled forward and shot up from the ground with a head-butt. Joseph’s eyes rolled back as he crumpled again.

“Make that the second win for Zen in one night!” The commentator and all the spectators were pulling Joseph from the ring.

“I’m sorry Zen. Joseph will banned from the fights until he learns that morality is part. You will have the scar to always produce as your victory here.” Sir Thomas had a truly apologetic look on his face. “Here is you Dee for winning. And this will commemorate your wins.”

Zoran came over and rolled up my sleeve. Sir Thomas took out a knife. The tip had a dark substance on it. He gut two small lines on my wrist. I noticed that the dark stuff stayed under my skin.

“It is the ink of the victor. Joseph will have two similar marks but no ink.” Sir Thomas shook his head. “This is why he isn’t bigger as a squire. He lets his anger take hold to quickly. To think he has convinced most that rode with us that you killed Shino. I’m sorry Zen but you might never correct his mistakes.”

Zoran guided me away from the ring.

“We need sleep Zen. You did well tonight. Let get you bandaged up and get ready for ceremony in a few days.”