My eyes opened as sunlight filled my room and the sounds of birds filled the air.
I felt like vomiting, I dreamt of that horrific scene again. Sweat covered my body and I was shaking horribly. My hands reached for my face as I tried to build some resolve for today. The left side of my face still stung courtesy of Cassandra. It was terribly swollen and a constant reminder of our encounter. It might be awhile before I could see out of my left eye again.
I needed to clean myself and took a quick bath. I was glad about the benefits of being able to stay in a noble's mansion to do so. The Gods already know how I've been trenching through the muck and the mud these past few months. Just being able to catch my breath here eases my mind.
I tried to forget about the city of Glaive but some of the details still lingered in my mind. The sounds and screams of that day still haunt me and I couldn't deafen them. Those events and my actions after it will stay with me till the day I die. I wonder if the bloodshed I've caused could fill this noble mansion.
I changed into a new wardrobe that was laid on top of the dresser. I looked like a noble now with a white sleeved shirt, a blue tunic and brown trousers. My short sword was sheathed and tightly secured on my belt. I still wore my dark cloak and black boots which signified who I really am.
I left my room after dressing in search for Dante.
I needed something to do to take my mind off wandering memories. Dante needed my help, I only hoped that it was within my abilities. A maid passed by and I asked her where I could find Dante. She pointed me in the direction of the courtyard behind the mansion. I twisted the ring on my finger for a bit and headed over still lost in my own memories.
The courtyard appeared rather open and clear compared to other noble mansions. Instead of tables, chairs, and gardens, there were other items hidden underneath white sheets that laid atop white slab. Dante was practicing his swordsmanship but I could tell he was still an amateur. I was actually relieved that he wasn't good with a sword. He was already an abnormal child that used magic. Maybe he was different from the Hero after all.
"There you are Demitri, " I hailed him and he acknowledged my presence. "Practicing early Young Lord?"
"Just testing out some things," Dante said as he gazed towards me but I could sense that he was focused on something else.
"So what can I do for you, Dante?" I asked with proper etiquette.
I may be a street rat but I had learned some things from traveling with the Hero.
"Well, I have a request," Dante said. "Teach me some of your fighting techniques."
"I don't know if I can," I said while examining him. "Most of my skills were self-taught."
"Hmm," Dante stopped swinging his sword and waved around the air. "How about you just show me some of your moves then?"
Before I could reply Dante walked over to an object veiled in a white cloth. He removed one of the white cloths to reveal a wooden training dummy.
"I asked my father to get me one," Dante said while giving the dummy a sturdy slap. "I haven't had the chance to use it, as I focused my training on other things."
I could tell that the wooden dummy wasn't ordinary, it looked as if it was finely crafted by magic.
"I don't know how much use in displaying my skills would do for you but I'll try," I said and gave a shrug.
No one has really asked me to learn my fighting techniques before. Many have only asked me before to teach them about the art of stealth or treasure seeking. This was definitely a first for me. Dante watched me intently and so I decided to give him a show. I drew my blade from my belt and readied my stance. I focused on the training dummy and an image appeared in my mind. Bursting forward, I stayed low to the ground dashing behind the dummy. My hands twisted the sword around and I pierced the dummy where the heart should be. As I pulled out my blade, the wood I pierced on the dummy started regenerating. So it was crafted by magic like I suspected, very expensive.
My eyes went to Dante who had a smile on his face.
"Dash and backstab, very useful," Dante said.
"I don't call it anything, I just do it," I said stoically. "I never named any of my skills but I've heard of some that do."
"Those skills of yours are very good Demitri, you're a rogue type aren't you?"
"Excuse me?" I said. "People usually call me a thief."
"Someone whose very fast, stealthy, and uses a blade," Dante quickly explained.
"Perhaps I am," I said and gazed at my blade." But I have never been called that before."
I sheathed my blade and witnessed Dante moving his hands in the air again. If he wasn't my benefactor, I would've stayed far away from him. I have no idea if it's a nervous twitch or some noble mannerisms. Dante asked for my sword and I gave it to him. Something strange was in the air about Dante now. He readied his stance and then imitated me perfectly. I was shocked at his movement and skill with my blade.
"Dante…how did you do that?" I said while giving an incredulous look.
Dante has never used my sword before. His feeling with the blade looked too natural, like it was always his. His stance and his movement was completely different from before. If he's a genius with the blade as well, he'll become something far terrifying in the future.
"I just watched you Demitri," Dante said as he gave me a smile.
I knew this boy was abnormal but to this extent? I wouldn't exaggerate my skill with the sword but it has kept me alive so far. Dante was able to learn it by just watching me once. Something that I took years of fighting to do. I don't even believe that the Hero could learn as fast as Dante did.
"Let's do another one," I said while giving him another look.
I felt a burning need to test Dante and perhaps push him to his limits. This is probably what mentors felt when they find a prodigal student. Taking back my sword from Dante, I showed him various killing techniques. Some might say that showing such techniques to a child is harmful, but this Dante was very abnormal. I had always used my speed and ability to end battles quickly. I knew in long drawn out fights I would be on the losing end of most of them. Which is why I've taken to my style of ending them quickly.
I began to tell him what vital points to aim for and how to subdue someone trying to kill him.
Hours went by in the blink of an eye and we still trained. Dante was a sponge and soaked up the knowledge I gave him. It was amazing and terrifying at his ability to grasp everything. The cheap sword I used was already getting worn from the repeated use. Dante noticed the blade was close to its breaking point.
"Demitri, I think we should get you a new sword," Dante said focusing on my blade. "What sword should I get?"
"The type of sword doesn't matter, it's how you use it," I said succinctly. "Of course, some blades are better than others but even a cheap sword can be used well depending on your skill."
Dante nodded but then as if he remembered something, ran into the mansion. After awhile he came back out holding swords in his arms. It was a funny scene to witness a child hugging onto a hoard of swords. The scene is probably common for knights and their squires. He placed the swords down and handed me a sword in an extravagant black scabbard.
"Here you go Demitri," Dante said. "A gift."
I unsheathed the sword and noticed its fine craftsmanship. It wasn't as elegant as Elf nor as flawless as a Dwarf's. The handle and scabbard looked to have been made with great detail. The crafter seemed to have taken quite a care in forging this blade, it was well made and had a fine shine to it.
"It's made out of Mithril," Dante said. "I had my father ask a blacksmith he knew to craft it from a chunk of ore found in the mines."
"What!?" I exclaimed. "Are you sure you want to give this to me?"
"Yes," Dante replied with a bow of his head. "As thanks for your help."
I bowed deeply and felt grateful to this Young Lord. A Mithril sword was a magnificent weapon that many would only dream of getting. I could tell why the blacksmith himself had taken the trouble and took care in crafting this sword. Dante was a child but he acted with grace and dignity befitting the upper class. If only there were more nobles like him in the world. Perhaps the land wouldn't be as shit as it was now. Then I remembered I had said the same thing about the Hero.
"Should we test the sword out in a sparring match?" Dante had a mischievous grin.
"No," I said and examined the Mithril sword over again. "But rather I think we should go out and test your skills on monsters."
I deflected his intentions of fighting me, I couldn't tell him that I wouldn't want to spar with a monster like him. I'd feel even more troubled if I was beaten by a child like this. I've always been surrounded by better swordsman than me when I traveled with the Hero. I hadn't even sparred with the Hero or any of my other companions and won. The reason being was that I couldn't use my fighting style against other people in practice. My fighting style was simple, to survive by any means and that meant killing most of the time.
"Alright, then let's go east of Balenos," Dante said.
"Why?" I asked as I secured the sword to my side.
"There is a forest there that had become infested with monsters. Some travelers and town folk had been killed when venturing too far into the forest."
I had guessed Dante wanted to test his skills while getting rid of nuisances that plagued his town.
After a short break, we gathered some items and headed into the forest.
Even though it was not far from town, I wanted to make sure we had adequate supplies. No matter how abnormal Dante was, he was still a child and a noble at that. I wasn't going to let any harm befall the Young Lord. Carrying a small satchel with me, I had filled it with healing potions. My new Mithril sword was bound tightly on my belt. Dante didn't look to be carrying anything with him other than his sword.
"We should be careful not to get lost Demitri," Dante said while guiding me to the road.
I was surprised by his statement.
"You don't know this area?" I said giving him a look.
"No, I never been through here before," Dante said. "Why?"
"When I first met you, you led me to Balenos rather quickly," I replied.
"Oh," Dante said. "It's because I use to play around that area before."
It was kind of absurd that he could know one area far from Balenos compared to one close by. Although it was stupid of me to even think that he should know. I should question my sanity or my thoughts being with this child.
Traveling through the forest with Dante was rather uneventful. We had only met with a few beasts throughout the forest. They were easily slain by the two of us.
"Let's go deeper ahead," Dante said looking around.
"Alright," I said while leading the way.
I had noticed Dante was able to keep up with me quite well. His movements became fast and silent like mine. If I didn't know he was there I wouldn't have heard him. He even had enough energy to compete with him given his size and age. This boy was a genius through and through.
As we entered deeper into the forest a strange feeling came over us. It was too quiet. I had noticed too late but by then we had become trapped.
"Demitri, someone's using magic," Dante said with a hush.
"Damn it!" I whispered. "They got us."
The forest began to come alive trying to split us apart.
"Dante! Stay close!" I yelled and took out my sword.
I tried hacking at the vegetation with my sword. Vines started to grow and creep all around us. The trees started moving as the landscape began to ebb and flow. I desperately tried to fight back but when I looked to my side, Dante had disappeared. A feeling of dread surfaced on my face. I ran in the open area not infested to search for him but I felt like I wasn't moving anywhere. I had become lost in the forest and my direction became skewed. No matter how far and how fast I went, the scenery didn't change.
I couldn't see Dante anywhere but I began to hear voices. They echoed through the forest and seem to plague heavily on my mind. Yet I couldn't understand them at all.
~
Beasts are a blight in the forests to humans but perhaps it's nature's way of protecting itself. Animals that turn into Beasts are stronger while some can even use magic and having other abilities. They also breed much faster than regular animals and creatures. When these beasts are slain you are able to harvest crystalized mana. This crystalized mana is the sole reason for their change in aggression, body, and ability. The crystallized mana is useful for mages and normal people alike. For their use in spell crafting and technology. It is said that the capital city of Bareth is powered by a huge crystalized mana from an ancient dragon. The mana powers the city with light and other wonders. This puts the need for crystals high but at the same time endangers the populace. Overhunting these beasts cause more dangerous and otherworldly ones to appear, they've become named beasts and even legendary creatures. So maybe it is indeed nature's way of protecting itself from the dangers of humanity. - The Guide to Beasts and otherworldly creatures.