Fritz walked out of the mother superior's office. Down the stairs, past the altar, and out into the practice yard. His eyes glazed over as he looked up towards the crisp blue sky.

He stood on the precipice. His next decision would determine everything. Breathing in deeply he felt the sunshine on his face, as he watched the small white clouds above.

Disaster and death loomed in Fritz's mind. Everything felt different. The sounds of the city felt new. The air seemed fresher. Everything Fritz experienced felt novel as he stood still. He had been in the practice yard before. He had listened to a strange sermon on persistence amongst a crowd of beastkin. Whatever he was feeling shouldn't have felt so unique.

He breathed in deeply. Children were playing nearby. Their shouts, squeals, and barks of laughter echoed in the yard as they chased on another. A choir of priests practiced a hymn together. Their harmony mixed with the discordant chaos of the surrounding youth. Curious priests and children watched him. Fritz closed his eyes as he let the sun warm him.

Someone approached him. He could feel the presence closing in.

"Champion." The gruff voice called out to him.

"Yes?" Fritz asked. Keeping his eyes closed, he crossed his arms letting the morning sun warm him.

"My name is Ryazan the Slayer. I have come to test my strength. Fight me here and now, so that I may measure my worth against the goddesses' chosen."

Fritz opened his eyes. The beastkin before him was about as tall as him. Curling ram horns adorned his scarred weather beaten features. Battered leather armor adorned his chest and legs. The beastkin's arms rippled with corded muscles, twitching with the anticipation for battle.

"I am not interested in fighting." Fritz replied.

"I must know where my strength lies." The beastkin said as he unsheathed his longsword. Hushed whispers of excitement fell across the yard as residents of the church stared at Fritz. "Let us fight, so that I may experience the goddesses' strength."

"Fighting is stupid." Fritz replied languidly. "It is a waste of time."

"It doesn't matter! I must know my strength. Draw your weapon!"

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"I don't want to fight." Fritz repeated.

"I will attack! Draw your weapon!"

"No." Fritz's brows furrowed in annoyance.

"I will give you ten seconds!" The man yelled out. "I do not wish to fight an unarmed man, but I will attack in ten seconds if you do not draw your weapon!"

"I will not fight you." Fritz said as he held his hands up. His open palms faced his opponent.

"10!"

"Stop this." Fritz replied with a frown.

"9. 8. 7."

"You're being stupid. I don't wish to fight anyone." Fritz said.

"6. 5. 4." Fritz sighed to himself. He looked backwards. Children had stopped playing. They vibrated with anticipation as they waited for the inevitable explosion of violence. The priests stopped their singing to watch. Their wide eyes beheld everything with rapt attention, yet with no intention of intervening.

"3." Fritz looked inward to his core. His mana begged to be called upon. It begged to travel down his leylines and be unleashed upon the world. His palms were pointing towards his enemy.

"2." Ryazan the Slayer, shouted.

"1." The beastkin's muscles tensed, as he pulled his longsword back.

A rush of magic swam down from Fritz's core. Traveling down his hand towards his open right palm. A small aluminum canister appeared instantly. Fritz pressed his index finger down. A biting liquid spray of mace hit Ryazan the Slayer in the eyes. The beastkin stopped his swing as the capsicum started burning his eyes. He fell to his knees, screaming in pain. Ryazan held onto his longsword swinging it wildly around him, while he clutched his eyes with his free hand. Fritz stepped back, as the blinded beastkin tried continue the fight.

It was like something flipped inside of him. He would stay. Running was never an option. Fritz was here for a reason. The beastkin needed him. They were like excited children playing at war. They chased pointless glory, begging to fight stronger and stronger opponents. They were like naive children dressing up as knights, waving their pointed sticks and screaming at the top of their lungs. Fritz could show them something new. A new reality. A cruel place where strength didn't matter. A place where the courageous died first. A place where fire reigned from the skies. Where all a man could do was pray to higher powers. They were children playing at war. They were children waiting to be hurt. They were children playing with the fire that would inevitably burn them all to death.

"Fritz, is something wrong?" Ada asked as she jogged over. "What's with him? Is he bothering you?"

"Where are you! Show yourself! Fight me honorably!" Ryazan the slayer roared. His longsword whipped around the yard. Desperately trying to hit Fritz. "What have you done to me?!"

"Blood! Give me his blood!" Ada's rapier hissed.

"Ada, we're staying. We're gonna fight. Come on, let's start preparing." Fritz motioned the blonde wolfkin to follow.

Her gray eyes lit up with excitement. Whatever glory she chased, she would find it here in Hueryss. For Fritz, modernity was calling his name. Seeking a place to begin his work, Fritz left the flailing beastkin alone. Ada cast a dismissive glance towards the blinded beastkin before jogging after Fritz.

"Fight me champion! I will not be bested by some cheap trick!" Ryazan roared.