"Master... Master... MASTER!"
"Wha- Oh it's just you Kubo. What's up?" I asked, slightly disorientated.
"I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat."
"It's too early. Go back to bed."
"Actually, it's nearly midday." Mikel said.
I almost had a heart attack. There stood by the door was Mikel, smiling carefree.
"Why are you in my room!?" I shouted.
"Don't be like that. We're friends, aren't we?"
"Friends don't just stare at someone whilst they're sleeping! Also, why would I consider you a friend? You literally put me into shock yesterday after you cut me because you didn't explain what you were doing! A friend would at least tell me something."
"Don't be such a killjoy, friend." He smirked.
"I'm going to throttle you in a minute. Get out and sort something for Kubo to eat."
"Fine, your test starts in five minutes by the way."
"You didn't think to wake me sooner!?"
"No, you looked so innocent whilst you slept, it felt like I was committing a crime against humanity if I woke you. Although, you were screaming throughout the night again. You should get that checked out."
"Whatever you say, Mikel."
Kubo sprinted off to follow Mikel whilst I got changed. I felt completely rejuvenated despite my throat being sore from the supposed screaming. It was pretty cloudy outside but it didn't look like it would rain any time soon.
Unfortunately, it was pretty humid though. I wonder how Mira and the others are doing? No, I should focus on the test. Come to think of it, he didn't mention what the test would be.
Hurriedly, I changed and headed to the dining room. I was met by Mikel reciting some poem he had heard when he was a child, to Kubo who was gobbling down her breakfast. She sure eats the same as Mira. Maybe that blood pact I have with Mira affected Kubo's appearance and personality somehow?
Sitting down, I scoffed down some bread and downed some water.
"Master, Uncle Mikel was telling me an amazing adventure of a magician. Are you a magician?" Kubo excitedly asked.
"Not at the moment. Also, who told you to call him uncle?"
"Uncle did."
"Stop trying to manipulate someone into liking you Mikel." I joked.
"What are you talking about? I'll have you know I'm quite popular."
"Popular with a punch to the face you mean." I mumbled under my breath.
"Now that you've eaten something, let's go back to the classroom to start your test. Bring Kubo with you since she's your familiar." Mikel said, getting out of his chair.
"You never specified what the test was."
"Oh, I didn't. I thought I did. Sorry about that. We're testing your physical and magical prowess."
"That makes sense."
All three of us headed out of the room and towards the classroom.
"Say, how many rooms does this place have? It doesn't look that big but it seems to have a lot of rooms." I asked.
"Rooms? There's seven bedrooms, one kitchen, dining, and living rooms, and two classrooms. Hygienic facilities such as showers and toilets are bountiful in this house, if you can find them that is."
"What do you mean if you can find them? I've been able to go to the toilet and it stays in the same place."
"That's because it's on the bottom floor so it's tethered there. The reason why we could afford this house is because of a curse affecting upstairs where any room on that floor is switched randomly. It really is quite bothersome."
"Isn't there anyone that can undo a curse?"
"Sure there is... But we're all too lazy to do it since it takes hours. Enough idle chatter now, we have arrived at the classroom."
"Master what's this red thing on the floor?" Kubo pointed at a blood patch.
"That would be your Uncle Mikel not clearing his mess from the other day."
"I will not hesitate to cut you again."
"Ooh, so scary! Can you just explain this test?"
"Can you just explain this test?" Mikel sarcastically retorted.
He flicked his wrist and the room started to morph into a large scale arena. It was truly disorientating but it was amazing to watch as the walls of the classroom expanded to tremendous heights. The less amazing thing to watch was the chairs and tables transforming into some funky looking, angry objects.
"I will test your strength individually without your familiar and the same will apply to Kubo who I will measure her strength as well." Mikel shouted, seemingly from far away.
And that's because he was. Somehow he had ended up sitting on some pretentious throne made of gold high up in the stands. Kubo was sat next to him, eagerly awaiting what would happen.
"First test: Physical. Fight the hordes of enemies with... Hang on! What's your preferred weapon choice?" Mikel asked.
"Dual swords!" I shouted back.
"Are you serious!? That's so impractical! How will you defend yourself with only weapons?"
"Does it matter? You asked, now deliver."
From the ground, two standard swords appeared. They were plain in sight and didn't look well crafted but it'd have to do. I assumed a stance and waited for the signal to start. Altogether, there was about ten of the creatures, all sharp but each step seemed to chip away at their wood suggesting they were very brittle.
"Take down the three waves of enemies and you'll pass. Magic is prohibited. Now START!"
The creatures, monsters, or whatever they were, charged at me simultaneously. Exploiting their unstable balance, I evaded the first few strikes and shoulder barge one of them, knocking them to the ground. Despite being lightly grazed by it, the creature seemed to be unable to get back up. I brought one of the swords down and finished it off.
Trying to take advantage of me focussing primarily on one of the creatures, another flanked me from behind and struck. Reacting just in time, I deflected the attack with my other sword. I backed off to gather my surroundings. There's a little bump in the arena just behind me. If I can lure them near me then they'll surely trip and fall.
I slashed at one of them to incite an attack from the others. Just as they went to, I jumped out of the way, behind the bump and like clockwork, they followed suit. Each of them tumbled over, making them vulnerable targets. At least this way, I would reduce the amount of damage done to the blades since they look worn.
Striking each one, the first wave was officially complete. The inside of the arena seemed to change. Suddenly, a huge roar sounded behind me, so I turned around and witnessed a massive ogre claw its way up from the ground. The arena finally settled and seemed the same as previously, except there was no more bumps or ditches. Were they intentional?
It seemed the ogre was the only thing summoned this round but it was definitely harder than dealing with some sharp sticks. A wooden mace appeared in its hand and it led me to wonder if all this was an illusion or something else. Whatever it was, that mace looked quite real, so I didn't want to get hit by it.
The ogre took a step and the ground rumbled. Skeleton archers started popping out the floor like some pesky weeds. Except, it was a lot worse since they were threatening my life. Is Mikel being spiteful because I use an impractical style of fighting?
"Should've used a sword and shield like every other normal warrior!" Mikel shouted, and when I looked up, he was outrageously eating some popcorn.
"You can do it master!" Kubo shouted down.
If only the power of friendship actually existed. It would make life ten times easier. Whilst being distracted, one of the archers fired an arrow into my thigh. It didn't hurt as bad as I expected but still it made it difficult to walk. A barrage of arrows followed, forcing me to evade... straight into the mace of the ogre. I was sent flying and landed horribly on my already wounded leg. I yelped in pain but got back up.
Being smacked this far actually helped out because now I could count their numbers but my body wasn't pleased by the aggressive force it was subjected to. There were many skeletons, too many to count actually, but they weren't moving an inch. In fact the only one having any mobility was the ogre, who was casually strolling over where I was. Each step sprouting skeletons but erasing the ones created a step before. Interesting.
Coincidentally, there was a bow right next to me. I had some training but not a lot so it definitely wasn't guaranteed to succeed. However, the only arrow near me was the one embedded in my leg. Excruciatingly, I tore it out, blood gushing from the open wound. I tore some cloth from the clothes and wrapped it tightly around the wound.
Miraculously, the arrow point, though bloodied, was still intact. I placed the swords down and picked up the bow. I sorted my posture, steadied my breathing, placed the arrow on the cusp. Aiming for the ogre's eyes, I let loose with a hopeful spirit. It flew magnificently and thankfully, embedded itself into his eye. For a few moments, the ogre stood motionless. Eventually, the ogre fell, taking its skeletons with it.
"YAY! Master did it! You showed him who's boss!" Kubo shouted down in encouragement.
"Get ready Zeke. The fun has only just begun." Mikel cackled evilly.
The horn blew and the arena changed into a forest. I wandered around for a while dripping blood and gripping my swords anxiously; the bow slung across my back.
What kind of enemy was it? Where would they strike from? This paranoia was draining but I had to be ready for anything and I couldn't stop my mind from racing.
I reached a clearing and to my shock, Zeke was stood in the middle of it. I was stood facing a reflection of myself. It followed my exact movements until something clicked and the arena was reverted back to normal and the ground started shaking. Lifting from the ground, the area surrounding me and my reflection was transported to be level with Mikel and Kubo.
"The final wave. The reflection of oneself. Soon it will break free of the mirror and you will have to attempt to defeat it. If you fail, then you will be excluded from future missions since this is the most important aspect of the test as it defines you as a person. I will make me and your familiar invisible and mute, so we won't interfere. I will also make the stage as big as possible. Good luck."
Before I could ask any questions Mikel disappeared alongside Kubo. The mirror started cracking. Exploding, the figure stepped through. He looked extremely sinister and cold. Surely I don't look like that. If I do then that explains my bad communication skills. Just looking at me was sending some cold shivers down my spine.
"So you're my reflection?" I tried breaking the ice.
"Does it matter?"
Talk about rude.
Before I could converse any further, an arrow zipped past my face. How did he move that quickly? Wait! Where is he? Behind me. He was behind me goddamn it. He impaled me with both his swords. Breathing became difficult and my vision started blurring. No! I can't fail now. I want to be useful. I want to live life to the fullest.
He tore the swords out, blood rushing out of the holes desperately. Somehow, I felt he was about to strike again and raised one of my swords in response. I blocked his attack but my sword shattered on impact, slicing my hand open.
"If you abandoned your reason completely, you could be free of those questions that plague your mind. You could become strong like me. So how about it? Will you stay weak or will you give into those primal instincts rearing to go at a moment's notice?" Reflection Zeke tried coercing me.
"Convincing argument but I feel the questions would stick with me. Even animals without reason still ask some questions. Simple questions such as, am I hungry? Is that food? You get the gist. So giving into those dark desires would amount to nothing."
"How do you expect to win with no intent to kill. In this cruel world, its kill or be killed. It's the natural order of life. Embrace those desires, I promise it's not so bad on this side."
"I'll pass." I said, swinging my sword but only catching air.
"You refuse your true self, you die." He grinned, appearing behind me again.
I ducked and hit him with the hilt of the sword, winding him. Kicking his swords away, I threw him down and pointed my blade at him. Feigning fear, he cowered, thus meaning I let my guard down, and he kicked my leg, forcing me to the floor as well. He threw my swords away and started pummelling me with his fists. His maniacal grin as he threw each punch horrified me.
Was this truly the only me capable of being strong? I refuse to believe such crap! I refuse! I refuse! I refuse! I will get stronger without becoming like this. And I will prove it by beating this fake me. I could barely see out of my eyes, they were that swollen. Definitely going to be concussed for a few days. My consciousness was flittering, so I willed it to stay stabilise.
Catching his fists, I chucked him to the side. All I could feel was the adrenaline pumping through my veins. My wounds pulsating in unison but weirdly enough, the pain was dulled. My only objective is to beat him. Before he could get up, I slammed my elbow into his back. I started pummelling him over and over, my mind was blank.
My hands were bloodied. He was bloodied. I collapsed next to him, horrified about what I'd just done. I said I would get stronger without resorting to those primal instincts but I completely contradicted myself.
"Ha... I bet you came up with a resolution to get stronger without using your primal instincts... You shouldn't think of it as an evil force... To do what must be done... sometimes you need to turn off those human emotions... We are two sides of the same coin... You will protect your morality but I don't care about what anyone else wants... I will jump in to save you against your will... no matter... the consequences..." He started to evaporate into thin air.
I laid for a while, barely clinging onto my consciousness. My wounds soaking the ground red, and throbbing so hard it hurt. I was foolish to believe that an act of violence could be performed by a person burdened by their morals. Sure there's a few exceptions, but instinct is the core of survival and to simply dismiss it would be like signing an early death sentence.
After mulling over these thoughts, my will gave out and I became unconscious.