The next morning he awoke to a loud hammering of some sorts. It was Gash, he wielded a Extremely large War hammer, not fit for his almost starved body. Yet he wielded it as if it was just paper, this caught Novas eyes. Nova went inside to check on his father, and noticed he was worsening. Yet Nova knew he could hardly do anything, thanks to him being poorer then dirt, and not someone that knew a lot about medicine. So he went to go chop some wood, clean the garden, and checked the roof for any soft spots. And threw the hours he worked, Gash was continuing his training with the Great War hammer. Nova finished his daily routine and proceeded to climb down from the house. He decided to sit and watch Gash train, he secretly admired the old man being able to wield such a weapon.
Then Gash turned to him and spoke.
"Would you like to give it a try?"
Nova ways shook by the words he just heard, it took him a min to respond.
"U-Um is it ok, I don't wish to bother your training!"
Gash laughed and said.
"Boy this old mans days of fighting are well over, it's my job to train the next generation is it not."
"So come here and try!"
Novas eyes lit up with gratitude towards Gash, and walked over to the massive war hammer. He tried to lift it from the ground, but was only able to make it rise a few inches, before his arms gave out. He was amazed at Gash, someone that looked so weak was actually really strong. Yet Nova didn't know this was all his plan, if Nova can lift Mithrilvain, then he was truly worthy to become a Throne Forger. As he saw Nova lift and then drop Mithrilvain, he began to speak.
"Nova is quite talented, not many grown men can lift Mithrilvain!"
Nova was shocked with the praise, he obviously thought he failed. Then Gash spoke once more.
"Would you be willing to learn how to wield Mithrilvain properly, if you pass the tests I'll let you keep her!"
Nova was jumping with excitement, he would love to learn, how to wield The Great War hammer. The war hammers beauty itself transcend many wemon as it was. It shined a dark black color with a silver crystal gold trim, it was flat on both ends, and had a crest in the middle on both sides. The crest symbolized a shield with a war hammer down the middle, and behind the war hammer set a throne. Nova didn't know what it meant but he did love its beauty. Nova responded to Gashes words.
"Yes, please teach me!"
Gash smiled and looked at Nova then said.
"Ok, first thing first go catch 3 rabbits for dinner."
"Your training starts...now."
Nova ran inside to grab his bow and arrows and made his way past the front door. When he heard Gashes next words.
"Not with a bow, you must catch and kill them with your bear hands, oh and the bigger and viscous the animal the easier it is to catch."
Nova was wide eyed at Gashes words, how was he supposed to catch 3 rabbits with his bear hands. Yet he didn't dare say he couldn't do it and dropped his bow and arrows, and darted into the woods. Gash had no belief that a 13 year old boy could catch 3 rabbits with his bear hands, nor could he kill them with is hands. So Gash began to train once more until night came. As the sweat dripped from his old physique, he heard rustling in the bushes. Then out of the shadows walked Nova covered in blood, with claw marks down his arms, chest, and back. Gash was struck with horror thinking, that Nova would've died because of the stupid task he assigned. However Nova walk to the campfire in front of his house, where Gash stood and threw a giant black animal towards his feet. It was the Silver Striped Mountain Lion, a ferocious beast that inhabited in the Smithmis Mountain Range. Gash looked at the beast then back at the boy. Then he began to speak.
"Nova, did you kill this with your hands?"
Nova shook his head and spoke, while still panting from exhaustion.
"Y-Yes, yes I did."
Gash only said one thing wanting to know what happened.
"How?"
Nova then began to explain the story.
"Once you sent me off to hunt, I began to look for the rabbits, which lead me to a river. At the river I thought it might be best if I used the mud, to mask my sent. Then I started back on my way threw the forest, in search for the rabbits I found a few but messed up my approach. Until about 5 hours ago, I found one last rabbit so I set myself up in one of the bushes, it frequented. As it got close I pounced on it, however I failed to notice something else was also hunting the rabbit. As I had the rabbit under my hands, I heard a growl then I was pushed to the ground. I noticed the danger and let the rabbit go. Then focused my attention on the black, silver striped animal. It's claws dig into my skin and it's teeth bit into my arm, but I managed to take my free hand poke it's left eye out. The beast howled in pain and backed off but, it was determined and began the onslaught again. We exchanged blows back and forth for hours, until I got upon its back. I stood up with my arm around its throat, and yanked sideways as hard as I could. Then I heard a loud crack and the beast suddenly went limp. I didn't know if it was faking or not so I punched it over, and over in the side of its head, till the skull gave in. Then I made my way back here, and here we are."
Gash was shocked at the brutality of the story, and checked the beast to see if it was true. Indeed it was, the beasts skull was sunk in, and an eye was gouged out. Gash looked at Nova and said to him.
"You performed an excellent hunt, this trophy is yours, I shall make you a cloak, but tonight we feast."
"You get first pick of the part you want, it is your kill after all, but maybe you should clean up first. Try not to get your wounds infected."
Nova spoke in a delighted manner.
"Yes I should get washed up, but I wish to give the back strap to my father, if that is ok.
The back strap was the best part on the beast. It was solid muscle, and some believed it had healing properties, but that was a lie. Gash shook his head,and spoke.
"It's your kill you get to choose what happens to it."
Gash was surprised, but didn't let it show. This boys selflessness was unimaginable, such honor and compassion, truly a great Forger can form from him. However his trials will be unbearable. Gash knew Novas father wouldn't make it to the end of the week, which was in 4 more days. He couldn't bare to tell him, this cold truth. After Nova Cleaned up and feed his father, him and Gash sat outside around the campfire and spoke to each other. Then they took their leave and went to bed with a full belly, and plenty to spare.