P.O.V Lanius Frey
"Hold your horses Lanius, you mean to tell me that you can, just let people use the power of the Elves?"
"It's actually the power of the gods."
"The point being, that doesn't make any gods dam sense!"
"I know but why would I lie about such a tall tale?"
Lux scratches his head, he gave me an odd look. His doubt was about as clear as day.
"Look, I do trust you, and you have no reason to lie. But why would Gaia, goddess of the earth and all beastmen. Bless a human with such a powerful ability? How do you do it?"
I looked down at the small campfire we had set up earlier, trying to avoid his gaze.
"I uh..."
He stood up raising an eyebrow.
"Well?"
"I DONT KNOW YET!"
He sat down and laughed loudly.
"I knew it!"
picking up a small piece of firewood I chucked it at him.
"Shove it up your ass Lux."
A deep, angry howl rang out from the west of the farm. They sounded hungry.
"I thought we were gonna, you know... AMBUSH THEM!!"
"I'm sorry! Maybe that'll teach a certain tiger to be a little less pushy."
I stood up, opening my hand a small green orb slowly glowed, it floated slightly above my left palm.
"Come forth Spirit of moss.."
Hearing my words the glowing orb grew larger and larger before condensing into a rectangle shape. I gripped it both hands, feeling the pure nature spirit flowing from within I smirked.
"Oh this is never gonna get old."
Slashing downward the rectangle glowed brightly, when the glow died down I once again, held the Blade of moss.
"Hey you overgrown cat, you ready to die?"
Chuckling to himself Lux looked at me and smirked.
"Always am Frey."
"If we survive this, you don't get to call me that anymore..."
He wrapped his hand around the grip of his great-sword. Pulling it from the earth he rested it on his shoulder.
I gritted my teeth as I saw the sheer size of the group that we were supposed to "neutralize". Their had to be at least twenty Wolfmen fourty at most.
"I think we may have underestimated them my furry friend."
"Yeah... Maybe just a bit."
Their were many, but one stood out very in a very obvious way. He was a silver wolf, the fur around his jaws were red with dried blood. Missing an eye he towered over the others.
He let out a guttural growl, the ears on the others perked up. The Wolfmen began to spread out, attempting to surround the farm. Definitely won't be able to run away.
"I'm guessing big ugly up front is the Boss?"
"Your guess would be accurate, his fur is grey meaning he's gotta be at least a hundred years old."
"That fear in your voice Lux?"
His shoulders were tense, but he had an Evil grin on his face.
"This is the shit I live for!"
Taking the sword in my left hand I smiled.
"That's what I was hoping you were gonna say, because he's all yours, I'll handle the rest."
Throwing down his sword Lux barred his fangs, with a flex of his fingers claws shot out from the tips.
"I'm gonna skin you and where you like a hat you dam dirty mutt!"
Cocking his head he opened his mouth.
"Tiger...man?"
"That's right you walking disease!!"
"Never eaten... Tiger."
Stepping forward Lux grew wild in the eyes, barely being able to hold back his lust for slaughter.
"I've never killed one of you before."
Taking off like a rocket Lux swung down on the Alpha.
The others took that as a sign of war and began to rush towards Lux.
"Oh no you don't! Vine prison!"
Clenching my fist vines began to entangle any of those who got to close to Lux.
"Only a coward gets in the way of duel!"
Sidestepping one of the wolves I slashed the eyes out of another.
"Come on!!
The utter chaos and destruction began consuming everyone in a blood filled frenzy. But still my thoughts were consumed by my lack of fighting power... Rushing me at blinding speeds all I was able to do was block, dodge, and counter. But when three jumped me all at once I got slashed into.
Come on think! What can I do to quell the horde of bloodthirsty wolves?
"Vine Prison!"
activating the prison the wolf I struck with it moved to fast, I watched as the vines braided in on each other, creating a type of... spear... I got it!!
Jumping out of the way of another slash I waited for an opening, hope this works...
"Vine Spear!"
The earth ripped open as the vines shot out already braided together. But it didn't move!
"Sh-"
Getting slammed backward I hit the ground. Right before getting ripped into I barely rolled out of the way.
Raising my right hand to block a slash I noticed out of the corner of my eye, the vines moved with my right hand!
Blocking the strike I slashed into him. Jumping back I swung my right hand wildly, following my movements the large vine slammed into a wolfman, sending him soaring backward what looked like twenty feet!
"Gaia says that you've been naughty!!"
Thrusting my fist forward I skewered one through the chest.
Cutting another down with the Blade of Moss I was mid swing when the wolves around me began to collapse one after another, completely unconscious. It was almost like they were released from some kind of spell.
I glanced over at Lux, his fists were bloody and his body was covered in cuts and bruises. But he was alive, and the Alpha was dead. Running over to Lux I looked down at the Alpha.
"Smooth."
"Y-Yeah."
Holding his side he winced. As I observers the corpse of the Alpha wolfman I came to a horrifying realisation.
"Lux, this one's different."
"Yeah, he was the strongest so of course he's gonna be bigger that the rest of the lot."
"That's not what I'm talking about. This one is built like some kind of Wolf crossed with a human. But the others...
Gesturing for him to look I sat one of them upright. His body was covered in fur, his skin was grey and cracked. The veins around his eyes were bulging and he had yellowed, bloodshot eyes.
These creatures weren't Wolfmen. Gently shaking him I spoke softly.
"What is your name?"
"N...ame?"
He caught my gaze and as I looked into his eyes I watched them change. The thin slits of a wolf began to round out as the veins in his face smoothed away.
Grabbing his head he screamed in pain.
"A-Ahrg!!!! H-Help me!!!!"
The sounds of bones snapping and shifting underneath his skin made me skin to my stomach. I held him down as his body began to contort in ways that it really shouldn't. Patches of hair and skin began to fall as he coughed up a strange black liquid, going limp in my arms I held a human man. He looked mid thirties, bruised and battered but he was alive.
"Lux, these creatures are human... They're human!!"
Getting to my feet I stumbled back a bit. I felt tears roll down my cheeks, soaking the bloodstained skin on my face.
"Five, ten, maybe even fifteen! I killed that many people!"
"C-Calm down Lanius."
"H-How the hell can be calm right now? These people have lives, families! All living their own stories!! I had no right to finish those stories..."
Lux grabbed me by the shoulder, clenching down he pulled me into a hug.
"Listen to me Lanius, it's not your fault. They couldn't control themselves. You ended the suffering that crazed Wolfman put them through."
I fell to my knees, I could feel my strength give out.
"B-But what if one was a mother, or a father even? A child somewhere now orphaned because I drove my sword through their parents heart? Why should I get to live, when they no longer do?"
"Look at all these people Lanius. They need our help. They'll freeze to death if we don't do something. Snap out of it and help me carry them into the house."
Lifting one over his shoulder he carried a woman under his arm.
"Y-You're right."
Wiping away the tears and snot I climbed to my feet.
"There will be no more death tonight."
----
It took us an hour to get all the people situated, none had woken up, who knows if they ever will.
As I stepped back outside I noticed the head of a little girl, shivering behind a barrel. She was awake, and terrified.
She wasn't like the other ones, she had long silver hair and pointy black wolf ears. in between her tiny legs was a black and white wolf tail.
I kept some distance between the barrel and I.
"Hello? It's okay, you can come out now. It's safe."
Sticking her head up she saw me and immediately cried out.
"S-Stay away!"
Looking down at myself I noticed my arms still had blood all over.
"I-I have to admit young lady, I won't hurt you."
Silence was her response she was terrified of me. But her teeth were chattering, I could hear it from here.
"You must be cold, I'm putting my cloak on the ground over here, it'll keep you warm. I'll sit way over here with my back turned. You can stay here, in the cold. But I will start a fire soon."
She didn't seem much older than my little sister back home. She had to have been 6 at least, I couldn't see here exactly but I could tell. She had been through alot.
I took the cloak off my back, laying down on the ground I sat on the cold hard ground. My back to her and her hiding place.
"That monster, even taking a defenseless child..."
I could hear rustling behind me, she took the cloak? At least she won't freeze out here...
"Mommy, s-shes gone..."
Her voice, it was so weak. Rattled with sadness and fear. She had so many questions, and nobody to give answers.
"I'm turning around Okay?"
Slowly placing my hands on the ground I twisted my lower body. When my eyes met the little one I welled up with tears.
Her foot was bleeding and her arms were covered in bruises. Her hair was dirty and it looked like she had a hard time speaking.
"Little one, I know it hurts. Go ahead, sit right there. Talk to me."
"Mommy... Mommy is gone. So is Grampa..."
"Do you have a Papa?"
"Don't know..."
My heart hurts. This little girl lost everything, her home, her family... Shes all alone.
"Are you hungry? My friend is cooking soup tonight. He might be a cat but he's an amazing cook!"
"Your friend is a Cat?"
She looked at me, completely puzzled.
"Not just any cat, he's taller than me. Added bonus? He can talk."
"Kitty..."
She spent several seconds imagining it in her head. Getting to one knee I smiled.
"Its cold isn't it? I've got a blanket calling your name next to a warm fire and some soup. What do you say?"
Extending my hand I smiled gently. She looked up at me once more, her eyes were glossy as the corners of her eyes began to fill with tears.
She stood up and ran towards me, wrapping her little arms around my neck, breaking down she began to sob into my shoulder. Not letting up. Picking her up as carefully as I could I walked back towards the camp Lux and I made.
----
When I got back to the campfire Lux had already filled a small bowl with some of his rabbit soup.
"I could hear."
"Lux, can you grab some bandages from my pack for me?"
"Of course."
Placing the bowl down on a log he walked toward my hammock. Placing her close to the fire I grabbed my old blanket and wrapped it around her.
"Are you pain Little Honey?"
She silently nodded.
"Where does it hurt the most?"
Sticking her leg out of the blanket I gasped.
From her knee all the way down the side of her leg was a massive gash, I knew this was where the blood was coming from but I didn't know how bad it was...
"Here Lanius."
Taking the rags he also leaned over my shoulder.
"Go check on the other survivors or something, you're scaring the poor girl!"
Sighing he stood up. Before he walked into the house he spoke.
"Pour some of the drinking water on it after that wrap it tightly, but not too tight. You could cut off circulation if you aren't careful."
Nodding I took out my flask of water.
"Okay Honey, this is gonna sting but I need to be strong okay? When we're done you can have some soup okay?"
Silently nodding she eyed that bowl of soup like a wild beast.
"Okay close your eyes."
Pouring the cold water in the big gash in her leg she winced in pain.
Dressing the wound quickly but carefully I tied it off around her knee with a little bow.
"And done! Now that wasn't too bad now was it?"
Shaking her head she stared the soup down, she began to water at the mouth. I scooped up the bowl and placed a spoon inside.
'Dig in little one, have as much as you want."
-----
After she was done eating she stared into the fire silently. She didn't speak, and I wasn't about to push her. Eventually after and hour the warmth of the soup she ate plus the fatigue got the better of her, leaning on me she fell asleep.
So I did not wake her I gently carried her to the hammock. After laying her in it I took my thick wool blanket and laid it on her. Turning away she spoke.
"D-Don't go..."
I turned back around and looked down at her. She looked up at me with fear in her eyes.
"I'll be right here all night."
"P-Promise?"
"I promise."
Moving some of her hair out of her face I smiled.
"When I was a little boy I had trouble sleeping. So my mother used to hum me this little tune and it would put me right to sleep."
"Can I hear?"
Rocking the hammock back and forth I began to Hum an old lullaby from my home village. As I did I could see her fear begin to soften, slowly she drifted off to sleep.
Getting to my feet I walked back to the campfire and sat across from Lux.
"Lanius, what's the end game for these humans?"
"Tommorow morning I'll rummage through the house and find close for the survivors. If they wake up tommorow we'll see if they need help getting home, if they don't we take them to the village."
"Alright, what about the small one?"
"She has no body Lux, I don't know."
Crossing his arms he leaned against the log next to the warm campfire.
"What to do indeed..."
After a few seconds he groaned.
"No."
"I didn't even say anything. But why not? She would get to see the world, and be cared for by one if the kindest people I know."
"Oh no, not happening. Just think about it for a second. We don't know what we're dealing with here. All the goddess said was to find the other spirit blades. We could have to wage war against entire races Lanius. Do you seriously want to drag that sweet little girl through something so terrible? She lost her parents once, I don't think she could handle going through that again."
Nodding I scratched my head.
"But on the other hand, she doesn't have anyone. So do we just abandon her?"
"No..."
"Exactly, there isn't a place she can go. We take her with us. Teach her how to fend for herself. Does that sound better?"
Sighing he laid down on the log next to the campfire.
"You won't take no for answer."
"She'll grow on you Lux, just give it time."
"Whatever, get some sleep, we head for the village Tommorow."
----
I could feel my body gently being nudged. Opening my eyes I found a pair of red eyes staring back at me.
"Your up early aren't you?"
Nodding she smiled a little.
Sitting up I patted her on the head.
"So how are you feeling?"
"My leg still hurts..."
"And it will, but after a while it'll feel all better!"
"Look look!"
Pointing at her hair she gestured for me to admire a fresh French braid. At the end was an old looking wooden bead.
"Did you braid your hair?"
"No, Kitty did."
"I love it."
I looked around and found Lux with his back turned. He acted like he couldn't hear, but his tail moved back and forth.
Climbing to my feet I gestured for her to follow.
"So, has anyone woken up?"
He let out a quiet sigh.
"All of them actually, they rummaged through the house for some clothes and left already. Here."
Tossing me a piece of bread he began to pack.
"Get some food in that belly. We better get moving soon."
"Right."
Scarfing it down I tossed most of my gear into the bag of holding.
"I know you didn't particularly like this Job, but it's money we need."
"That I understand, it's just that..."
Scratching his head he turned to look at me.
"This whole debacle reminds me of when I was much younger. Back when I had to rely on my family. They died to protect me, an abomination in the eyes if my clan. I couldn't save them from the others in the Elder forest. But now, you and me? We have the power to protect the weak, let the children keep their innocence. can save people left and right. I realize now that the picture is much bigger than taking a trip around the world."
"I completely understand if you want to leave, the quest that Gaia placed on my shoulders is a heavy one, I wouldn't wish it on anyone."
Poking the smouldering embers with a stick he looked down into the sleeping campfire.
"Of course I won't just give up and leave. You freed me from my prison, got me away from that place. I owe you my life! I just think that if we want to achieve the impossible we have to have a few more friends."
"Agreed, the stronger the better I say..."
/"I see a great light within the Tiger, I will teach you the ceremony to knight him as a sage."\
Shooting up at Gaia's voice I looked left and right, hoping to see her warm and gentle face.
/"Repeat these words, but take great care to understand their meaning. Great creature of the Earth mother, with a heart pure and will as strong as iron. Gaia is with you, great sage of the forest."\
I looked down at me feet. The earth glowed at my feet, flowers of all kinds grew around me.
"Lux of the Tigerman tribe, with a heart so pure, and a will of Iron. Gaia is with you, great sage of the forest."
Stepping closer I Outstretched my hand.
Standing up he looked at me.
"Is this..."
Winking at him I nodded. He bowed before me, hanging his head he spoke loudly.
"I Lux of the Tigerman tribe, swear my life to Champion Lanius Frey. I would follow you to the ends of the earth, until I can no longer."
Taking my hand I felt a warmth building up inside of me. As his grip tightened his body began to glow a gentle green color. His aura grew larger and larger, taking on the form of a mighty tiger. With a mighty roar the tiger began to fade, the spirits of nature flowing into him. A black symbol burned into his shoulder, the symbol of a rose, encircled by vines.
Taking a step back he looked at his hands.
"This is the power of spirit? It's energy is so intense, yet it relaxes me."
"That's not fair at all, when I was given full control of my power the shards punctured my skin, literally stabbing me all over..."
"I'm going to try a skill, Vine whip!!!"
Pushing his palm forward a small gust of wind launched from his palm.
"That was incredibly underwhelming..."
Putting his hand down he sighed. Rubbing my chin I began to think. When I use the power of nature my aura is a different color than his was when Gaia named him sage...
"I think I get it! You might not be able to summon plants and control them. But maybe something more specific?"
He nodded.
"Could be, my body feels different. I'll have to explore it on my own time, we should head out."
"Maybe we could take a..."
Falling to the ground I drifted off into a heavy sleep.
----
P.O.V Ander Fernandez
"Remember Ander, Most of the spells you're magic can use should come to you like second nature. What can you do with your earth magic?"
"Mother?"
"What is it baby?"
"I don't think my magic is earth magic."
"What brings you to that conclusion Ander?"
Leaning forward she smiled at me.
looking down at my hands I thought about it. I've been thinking about this question for a while. But I've always known the answer.
"I when I feel the sensation, it doesn't feel like it comes from the earth. But from another source."
She nodded.
"Hm... I see."
Walking over to the interior garden she picked a daisy from the grass.
"Once you pick a flower from its root it begins to wilt away. But if someone who uses Nature magic holds one..."
She leaned down and places the flower in my hand.
As soon as it touched my fingers the flower began to glow. Recovering from its wilted state.
"So it was nature after all."
I looked up at my mother.
"Mom?"
"Yes dear?"
"I want to try a spell, it's been on my mind for a while."
"Oh? How strange... Go ahead, as long as it's nothing crazy I'll allow it."
My began to practically glow with excitement. I can finally try it... Now, how did Mister Frey conjure it so easily? Maybe if I describe what I see in my mind...
I planted my feet, clearing my mind all of my thoughts lie on one thing.
"Full of the beauty nature brings, coursing with the spirits of Nature. A blade that brings forth the wrath of the forest and all the flowers within. The Blade of Moss!!"
As I spoke my word my body grew warm, it was so hard to concentrate on my thoughts. Keeping my eyes on the floor I Outstretched my hand.
Just like the journal said! An orb of nature spirits glowed bright green above my hand. It glowed brighter and brighter still! I imagined the long slender blade and the rose pedal handle guard in my mind. I looked deep into the glow and reached for something, anything. After getting almost elbow deep I smiled.
"I-It worked! It actually worked!"
Taking a step backward I thrust my left arm out of the glow.
I-I held... I actually held the real Blade of Moss in the palm of my hands!!!!!
"It's real mother!! It's actually real!!"
Jumping up and down I looked at the blade and admired its beauty. I'm holding the sword that gave Lanius Frey access to his first magic, Nature.
Mother turned and shouted into the hallway.
"Roland!"
Within seconds my mother's guard was taking a knee at her feet.
"Yes ma'am?"
"Go into the library on the third floor. Retrieve the book of bound weapons."
Nodding silently he disappeared.
"Honey, come sit with me."
"Yes mother!"
Running to her side I lost concentration and the Blade of Moss disappeared.
"A very long time ago, you must have been Six. We started your lessons on what magic was correct?'
"Yes! It was always my favorite subject."
"Most spells in the basic category can be recreated by another mage if they share the same element. But long before our time another subsection of magic was discovered. Unable to be recreated, the brightest minds of that day and age dubbed it Lost magic."
"I see! Can you tell me more Mother?"
She smiled and kissed my forehead.
"Of course dear. Magic like this is highly specialized. It can only be obtained through birth. A few examples are, Space/time, Slayer, Primal, and Bound magic. Of all these lost magic the most common one is Bound magic."
Laying my head in Mother's lap I asked.
"What is Bound magic?"
Smiling down at me she brushed some of the hair off my face.
"Not very different from the Familiar spell. When a magical weapon is with a magician for a long time it becomes so attune to them that it becomes one with the one who wields it. Binding itself to one person for eternity. Even after death. Take that sword of yours for example. You might not understand now, but when the time comes the memories of your previous life will come back to you. When you do gain those memories all you would need to do to summon your sword is call its name."
Amazing! A magic that wasn't created, but happened naturally. But it didn't seem like Frey had the Blade of Moss very long...
"Do you know anyone else who can use Bound magic Mom?"
Laughing she looked off into the distance.
"Yes, and so do you. Remember Your Aunt Lucy? She can summon a powerful bow that is said to have been carved out of the teeth of mighty beast. Known as the Hydra's Bow. She's beaten me a few times thanks to that thing..."
Jumping up I looked at my mother.
"You mean the aunt who leads the Leviathan Guild, That Aunt lucy?!?!?!?"