Talindra and Theodas stood in their room, speaking in hushed tones. "Why did you bring him here?" "I didn't have a choice. Look at her." "You've always had a problem saying no to her." "Don't blame this on me. You would have done the same." "Theo, there is a dying body on my kitchen table. And our daughter is going to die from thirst, with how much she's drooling." "He's not that good-" Talindra clutched his face with both hands. "Theodas. I love you with all my heart. But if we weren't together, I would be right next to her doing the same thing. Now we have to fix this problem now." "Really, no hesitation after I die or anything?" She rolled her eyes, groaning. "Just going to go and find the next best thing?" He called out after her.
Talindra entered the kitchen with Lorexia gazing at Yamada's bare chest. His shirt removed his muscles bulging with each breath. Every ridge visible and radiating a faint and dim azure hue. Lorexia was entranced, not even noticing Talindra. "Lorexia!" She snapped out of the trance, shooting out of her seat. "Mum, mum, mum. Look at him!" She jumped up and down, giddily clapping her hands together. "Lorexia, calm down." "But mum!" "I know, he's...-" She shrugged shaking her head. "Amazing." Theodas cleared his throat. "What? I'm not going to lie." "It wouldn't hurt." "He's perfect! I wonder what his name is. Oh it doesn't matter. He'll be hungry when he wakes up." Lorexia stormed to the pots, preparing them. Theodas threw his hands up into the air. "I've been trying for 15 years, to get her to cook. He shows up and now she wants to start?" "How many five year olds, do you know that want to cook?"
"Dad, where do you keep the spices?" "Lorexia." Talindra called out sternly. "Calm down. There's something wrong about him." "What do you mean? Mum look at him!" "Look past his perfect figure." "Not that perfect." Theodas muttered. Lorexia and Talindra shot him a glare. "Look at his aura. It's non-existant. He needs more than a good meal and rest. We need to take him to-" "Don't say Elders." She snapped. "Elders." Lorexia growled, pouting at her. "He's fine. Look I'll wake him up, and he'll be fine." "Lorexia, what do you think you're doing-" She held his face. Yamada convulsed letting out a roar, his armour flickering on for a split second. They all leapt back as Yamada's weight snapped the table. The three of them stared in complete stunned silence. "Okay, let's take him to the Elders." "Oh, what made you change your mind?" "Both of you stop it!"
The three of them carried Yamada through Absol. Whispers and murmurs quickly turned from chatter to an uproar. The entirety of Absol had come to see the outsider. Lorexia shooed away the other fawning women. Theodas shared the same derision as the men, watching the women crumble at his sight. They placed Yamada on an altar at the request of the Elders. To Lorexia, they always emerged as if, they had no concept of time or speed. The three withered men, wearing long thing robes, stood around Yamada. Their hairs tied in long braids, woven in with feathers. The three of them prodded and poked him, inspecting him up and down. Lorexia had her arms crossed, impatiently tapping her finger. "Why are they taking so long to help him? I could have walked to the edge and back." "Shh!" Talindra hushed, nudging her. They continued to stroke their chins, to her annoyance. She eyed countless other women drooling over him. "They all need to look away from him. He's mine." "Will you shhh!?"
One Elder begun to mix herbs and plants into a bowl, filled with water grinding it into a coarse paste. They forced the fluid down Yamada's throat. Everyone watched on, holding their breaths. Yamada begun to cough violently, spewing out the vile fluid. He tried to reach for his throat, all of muscles spasmed and ached. Retching in pain, he frantically scanned the darkness. "What's happening!?" he cried out, stumbling off the altar. He met the cold dirt beneath him, with the women concerned and the men happy to see him in pain. "Where am I? Why can't I see!?" Lorexia took a step forward with Talindra grabbing her arm. "Child, be calm." Yamada scrambled away from the Elder's voice, hitting the altar. "Who said that!?" He touched his eyes, trying to feel for anything. "What did you do to me?" "We have not done anything to you, child."
Yamada attempted to conjure his armour, the searing pain raced through his arms. Clenching his jaw, Yamada forced only his gauntlets out. A stunned gasped took Absol. Yamada struck his gauntlets together, creating sparks. His gauntlets faded and he saw no light. Not even a flicker. "I felt that heat...what the fuck is happening!?" The Elders hesitantly circled Yamada. "Child, You are one of the Draken Guard?" "What the fuck is that!?" Yamada exclaimed. "Why can't I see anything? Why does everything fucking hurt!? AND WHERE AM I!?" He roared, his eyes flickering amber. "You're in Absol!" Lorexia called out. Talindra quickly covered Lorexia's mouth. "Who said that? Where...what...how..." Yamada trailed off clutching his head. "Child, what do you remember last?"
"I...I...I was fighting someone...and..." He winced. The memory blurred. "You must rest for now. Your memories will return, once you are well." "I need to go. I have to find my friends. I can't stay here." "You are welcome to leave. If you can find your way out." An Elder said, with a grin. Yamada reached out into the darkness. Unable to feel anything in front of him. What was his surroundings like? Who was in front of him? What day was it? What time of day is it? Yamada retracted his hand. Lorexia licked her mother's hand till she was freed. "I'll lead him out!" "Stop that!" Talindra hushed, trying to smother Lorexia.
Yamada tried to stand, feeling his legs buckle from the pain. "You will not be leaving any time soon." An Elder said, flicking Yamada's forehead. He winced the pain radiated throughout his body. "Who will take care of the outs-" A whoosh of air took the area, with all the women raising their hand in unison, and the men trying to stop them. The Elders pursed their lips to a line. "It seems everyone is willing to take you in outsider." "Everyone?" "Simply point and a family will take you in." "I..." Yamada trailed off. He felt his muscles howling with every motion. He could not brute force his way out, or even enter to his Serpent Knight state to fly away. Also, why couldn't he see anything? He peered out into void of darkness, slowly spinning around. Every woman eagerly waited for him to stop and point to them. Lorexia continued to thrash in Talindra's grip.
Yamada stopped with his back to Lorexia. She slumped in her Talindra's grip, dropping her head in defeat. "He'll be around sweetie." She whispered. "But he should have chose-" Yamada quickly spun around, staring straight at Lorexia. Yamada begun to approach them, feeling his feet touch the soft warm soil. Each step reminded him of home. Lorexia held her breath, her eyes widening with each step he took closer. Yamada continued to stare into the darkness, noticing a flickering. A darkness that was softer. A darkness he could see and grasp an outline. Numerous other women begun to slowly shuffle in front. He stopped.
"Did something just move in front of me?" "No...." The women lied. "I..." He trailed off, lurching forward trying to find the softer darkness. "I'm sorry, if I touch anything, I shouldn't." He reached out, pushing the women aside. They squealed and swooned, feeling his muscles. Lorexia stood more frozen than a tree. Talindra could feel hear her heartbeat. "Calm down." She whispered. Yamada held his hand out, millimetres from Lorexia's face. Her bulging eyes tracked his palm. "Are you the lady that called out before?" Talindra felt Lorexia tense up. She nodded. "He can't see you." She whispered. "Yes." She squeaked. A jealous woman bumped Yamada to the ground. "YOU PIECE OF-" Talindra clasped Lorexia's mouth shut. She gave her a smug look, as the crowd of women shuffled around her.
Yamada stumbled up, dusting himself off. Realizing his shirt was gone. He begun to pat his pants, feeling the damage. 'The main part is covered at least.' "I'm so sorry dear. I'll help you." The jealous woman said. "It's alright...I just need to..." He scanned around again. Lorexia scrambled out of Talindra's grasp, and pushed her way in front of the crowd of women. Yamada smiled seeing the softer darkness appear. "You weren't joking that you could help guide me out." "Can you see her?" An Elder asked. "Not exactly...I can see an outline. Which is better than seeing nothing." "Very well. The Outsider, will stay with the Seranae family. " "My name is Yamada." Lorexia let out the loudest whoop, that her parents had ever heard. It was still however drowned out with countless groaning. Yamada panned around in the darkness. 'How many "people" were around him right now?'
Lorexia jumped up and down with Theodas glumly following behind Talindra. "We are honoured to have you, Mister Yamada." Talindra said bowing to him. "He can't see you either honey." Theodas said between his teeth. Yamada snapped his head to the voices. He pictured Theodas as a burly man. Yamada winced doing a deep bow. "Thank you very much, for taking me into your home Sir Seranae. I will repay your kindness, once I am well. I swear to it." Theodas reeled back impressed and surprised. Talindra and Lorexia pursed their lips at him, enjoying the title of Sir Seranae. "Psshh, nonsense. You are my guest. I'd love for you to stay at my house." He said eagerly ushering Yamada. Talindra nudged Theodas. "Our house."
Yamada let out a nervous chuckle, being slowly guided towards their house. Through the beaten paths. He could hear people sucking on their teeth, and also the same gloating sound that Jacara made, when he beat him at anything. He wasn't too sure where it was coming from. Yamada continued to glance around trying to find Lorexia as a 'light' in the darkness. After a slow walk and bumping into many tree roots they arrived. Lorexia quickly opened the door for them, and offered Yamada a seat at the kitchen table. He felt the broken wooden panels at his feet. "Did something wooden break in here?" The three of them shared a glance. "No, that's just me being a terrible mother. The house is a mess!" Talindra and Lorexia quickly scrambled to pick up the pieces. Yamada took a piece in his hand, feeling the wood and shaking it. 'Sturdy wood, not hollow, not wet.'
The two of them haphazardly threw the pieces out the window. Theodas dragged Talindra's study table out. The legs scrapped against the wooden floor. "Am I causing a problem?" "No! Don't be ridiculous." Theodas said flushed. Yamada sat awkwardly in his chair, hearing Theodas drag the table in front of him. Lorexia and Talindra bickering as they frantically tossed out the broken wood. He cleared his throat. "Are you okay?" Lorexia asked. "Do you need something to drink?" "No, I-" "Theo, get him something to eat and drink." Talindra snapped her fingers. "I was just clearing my throat."
Yamada kept his eyes down, hearing the three of them setting the table around them. Bowls clattering on the table, their chairs scraping on the floor. He felt his way to the spoon, feeling its smooth wooden construction. With his other, he found his bowl. He could smell the fragrant vapours of spices, warmth and fish. Yamada took a closer whiff of the bowl, a warm smile stretched across his face. "What is this?" "It's one of my famous stews." Theodas said proudly. "Does it smell nice?" Yamada nodded. "It reminds me of home..." "Well, wait till you taste it." He blindly felt the contents of the bowl, eating each piece slowly, before greedily devouring the bowl. Theodas wore a giant grin looking at both girls proudly. "I haven't had tuna that amazing, since I got to Jux." The three of them gave him a confused look.
"What do you mean?" Talindra asked. "Are you not from Jux?" Theodas asked. Yamada shook his head. "I'm an Islander...?" He trailed off waiting to hear their response. "From Yamata...?" The three of them were still silent. "Where is this Ya-ma-ta exactly?" Lorexia asked. Yamada gave the three of them a very confused look. "Past the Maelstrom?....The big raging water with whirlpools?" "PEOPLE LIVE PAST THE AZURE?" The three of them shouted, rising to their feet. Yamada fell back in his chair. "Where the fuck am I?" He muttered. Yamada felt his way back onto the seat. The three of them were still frozen in place, looking at him up and down. "Yamada, will you please excuse us?" Talindra said calmly. "I can't really go anywhere." The three of them chuckled, before quickly leaving the house together.
"What the fuck. What the fuck. What the fuck!?" The three of them hissed at each other. "People can live past the Azure?" Theodas said. "Apparently!" "He just keeps getting better and better! I have to know more." Talindra caught Lorexia by the scruff. "Let's just be calm and take a breath. He's still a normal, scared boy...who is a Draken Guard, that lives past the azure....and oh fuck it. I need to know more!" The two of them rushed inside with Theodas following behind. Yamada was rocking back and forth on his chair. "We are so sorry-" "I'll answer all your questions. If you answer mine in return." They froze in place, with Yamada giving them a smirk. "You should probably close the door the next time, you go and start talking that loud." "That's your fault." They said pointing at each other. Yamada let out a sigh. "Before we begin, could I get a shirt?" "No." Lorexia snapped, to Yamada's confusion. "I mean no, of course you can!"
Theo and Talindra took their seats with Lorexia quickly coming back in. "Oh, sorry all of Father's shirts are dirty." She said. Lorexia quickly gestured for them to follow along. They shook their heads at her. "That's fine. Every question you ask. I ask one back. Is that okay?" The three of them nodded eagerly. Yamada let out a sigh. "I can't see anything." They quickly apologized agreeing to his terms. "Alright, who is going first?" Theodas raised his hand. Yamada stared blankly into the darkness. He rubbed between his brow. "By Vasha's cunt. I cannot see anything....Okay. You each get a question, then I ask my three questions. Go." Theodas retreated to rethink of his question. "How can you be so trusting of us? How do you know we wouldn't do anything bad to you?" Talindra asked.
"Everyone seemed to offer me a place to stay. Someone took the time to drag me in here, and save me. Would be a waste to just kill me now." "Who were you outside? Why did you take the oath to become a Draken Guard." "Well, the outside call me the Serpent Knight. And my oath wasn't to become a Draken Guard, but a Forsaken Knight." They reeled back perplexed. "But you conjured your armour, from your Life Force. That makes you apart of the Draken Guard." "I'm guessing Life Force is Arcane Energy to you. And no it doesn't. I merged my heart with a Draken for my own selfish reasons." Yamada said defensively. "What was that reason?" Lorexia asked. Yamada looked at her. Her aura became more noticeable and easier to spot out. "Revenge." He said coldly.
"Now, answer my questions. Where on Jux is this place?" "We are located in the far south-east corner, touching the Azur-Maelstrom." Talindra corrected. "WHAT!?" Yamada exclaimed. "How did I get so far from Artaraxus? What happened to me?" He groaned. "Were those your questions?" Theodas asked. Lorexia slapped her dad's arm. "When you found me. Was I still carrying my weapon?" "If you mean that giant monstrous, impossible to wield sword. It's still where we found you. None of our defenders could move it." He took a breath of relief. "Okay, Harbinger is still safe. Don't think Abaddon would be happy if I came back with a broken sword." "Oh you named your weapon like Lo-Lo." "Dad!" "Oh. Vasha take us right now. We feed you, shelter you, and didn't even have the courtesy to tell your our names." Talindra said. "I'm Talindra, that is my mate Theodas, and our daughter Lorexia." "Yamada Ken...and yes, I named my weapon. I was told that all the greatest weapons have names to them."
"Last question. Where am I sleeping?" "In me." Lorexia mumbled. "Huh?" Yamada responded. "I mean in my room! You'll be in my room, because there is a spare bed there." She gestured for her parents to follow along. "If it's too much trouble, I can find somewhere soft and-" "Nope, it's been decided. Alright goodnight mum, dad. Love you. Bye!" She quickly dragged Yamada by the hand into her room. "Hey wait-" His voice disappeared behind the slam of a door. "You know what she's going to do right? Aren't you going to go full Theodas and stop her?" "What are you crazy? We'll have the greatest grandchildren ever with him. He's got my blessing." Talindra rolled her eyes. "Did you not hear him? He wants revenge. Enough to take the oath out of spite. What kind of boy does that?" "One that likes my cooking enough to finish his bowl."
Yamada was dragged into a small room cosy room, and sat onto the plump and soft bed. Made for one person, Yamada melted onto the bed instantly. "Lorexia, this bed is only big enough for one person." He said fighting off the exhaustion. "That's okay, I can sleep on the floor." He could hear the wind created from her laying out a blanket. "This isn't...okay..." His eyes fluttered, trying to stay awake. "It's alright, you go and rest." She said excitedly stroking his soft black spiked hair. He felt her soft had on his head, and his body became heavier than anything. "Thank...you..." He whispered before falling asleep. Lorexia quietly crept back out. "That was quick." Talindra said, helping to clean the dishes. "I put him to bed. I am not that kind of woman." She said reaching for the door handle. "You're going to go gloat first right." "You're damn right!" She said bolting out the door.
Yamada shot awake, his muscles were still tender and the world was still dark. He felt a strange warmth and weight on his stomach. The softer darkness around him. Lorexia was fast asleep, resting her head on his stomach, sitting on a chair beside him. A trail of drool tickled his side. He cautiously reached his hand out. He touched her soft hair first. Her eyes shot awake. Frozen in place she gazed at Yamada running his hand down her hair. 'Don't panic. Don't panic. Do. Not. Panic.' Yamada ran his fingers gently across her face. 'DON'T PANIC!' His fingers trailed on to her long ear. Her eyes bulged and she clenched her fists. 'Elf like ears. She also seems very pretty.' He pulled his hand away. She instantly frowned. 'What? Put it back!' He let out a reserved sigh, before staring at his scars. He summoned his gauntlet, the pain still lingered, but he at least be happy, with using his Arcane energy again. 'Why can't I remember anything from Artaraxus?'
Talindra knocked on the door. "Sir Ken, are you awake?" Yamada hesitated to answer staring at Lorexia, wondering if she was asleep or not. Talindra opened the door. Lorexia quickly gestured for her mother to go away. "I see you're awake." "Sorry Lady Seranae. I didn't want to wake Lorexia." She set a fresh pair of clothes down for Yamada. "Don't worry about her. She's a deep, deep, DEEP, sleeper. I can drag her out by the ear, and she won't even wake up." Fear took her body, feeling Talindra pinch her ear. She followed up with the grip, and gave her mother a nervous smile. "Theodas has breakfast ready for you. I'll let you get changed in peace." 'He can't tell if he's wearing it the right way or not. Let me stay mum! Please read my mind!' Talindra dragged Lorexia outside.
"You couldn't let me have that could you?" She pouted. "Sleeping on him wasn't enough?" "No, it will never be enough. Now I'm going to go help him get changed, because he won't know which way is right." "It's a t-shirt and pants. He's not that stupid." Yamada fumbled around with the beige shirt and pants. He felt much better to have clothes on again. The feeling of being watched always lingered with him here. He slowly felt his way around the room, bumping into every object, before finding the door.
He entered into the kitchen smelling a sweet aromatic meal. "Come and sit." Theodas said. Yamada noticed the absence of Lorexia. "Is Lorexia not eating with us?" "She's training with the Guardians." Yamada felt around for his chair. "What for? How does anyone attack this place?" "The Sanguine, are able to see just like us. Illuminated by our Life force." "You see by, seeing Arcane Energy?" "Do you not see the same way?" Yamada shook his head. He felt around feeling a fork and knife. 'Solid food.' A slab of pork and eggs caught Yamada off guard. "You have pigs and chickens here?" "Of course we do." "But...how do you anything without the sun?" "We have the sun." Yamada quickly panned around the room. Theodas chuckled. "Right, we'll both have to get use to you, not being able to see."
"What will you do today?" Yamada asked. "I will go and take care of the restaurant." "That explains your lovely food." "Thank you, for that. However I must ask a request of you Draken Guard." "I'm not whatever that is." "Then I request this as a father." His voice became deep and firm. "Please do not hurt my daughter. She and Talindra and the most important thing to me." A flash of Begron standing in front of Aurelia and Luci flashed in Yamada's mind. He held his sword and gate out, with the two of them crying behind him. He grimaced shaking his head. "Is something wrong?" "No...Think...some of my last memories came back." "Where they helpful?" 'Who were they? Why did they seem so scared to see me?' "Sir Seranae, I have no intentions of hurting your daughter."
"Intentions are one thing. Actions are another. Please be mindful of her feelings." "I will do my best." "That is all I can ask for. Talindra will be back soon to take care of you-" "Actually. I was hoping if you could take me to Harbinger." "Are you able to move that thing in your condition?" "I should be okay." "Well, there are some mushrooms I would like to pick there." Theodas left the room and quickly returned with a rope. "It's not a leash. It's a-" Yamada chuckled. "No, hopefully I won't walk into any more trees." The two of them smiled, before heading off. Lorexia and the Guardians stood around Harbinger and the dead Wyrm. They were lean Drow, with patchy beards, and the sides of their heads shaved, the rest spiked up. Their leader Faelar was the tallest of them, and had the most muscle definition, by default. He had a strong jaw and stoic presence.
They each took turns trying to dig their fingers around Harbinger's hilt, unable to budge the weapon an inch. "I think you're lying. There's no way he could lift this." "Then how did it get here?" She sneered. "Easy. It was inside the Wyrm, and when it died. It yakked it out." "While dying? Why are you so stupid Faelar?" "Why are you such a bitch?" He snapped. "Wow that was the most damage, you've done to me." Faelar growled, clenching his spear. "Come on." Lorexia goaded. She held the dagger hilts by her waist. "Children!" Theodas called out. Behind him Yamada trailed behind, cautiously keeping his hands out for balance. "Dad?" He let out a sigh. "What are you children doing here?" "As the future Chieftain, I had to make sure we were safe." "Yeah, from the Sanguine, not him." "Or any Draken as well." He growled.
Yamada was silent, following Theodas with a hand on his shoulder. Faelar scoffed flourishing his spear, raising it to Yamada's face. Lorexia lurched forward, with Theodas flinching back. "You really can't see anything can you Outsider?" "Not really. But I know if you raise, your weapon to Theodas again. You won't live to regret it." He growled. 'HE'S SO COOL' Faelar begun to chuckle as Theodas led him to Harbinger. "You can't see a single thing, and you're throwing out threats?" Faelar's gang of young Guardians joined him in his chortle. Yamada felt a sigh of relief touching the cold Deiridium of Harbinger. "Is there a chain around?" "No. Just the sword." Theodas said. Yamada felt his way to the Wyrm's corpse. "Is there still any Arcan...Life Force coming from this Wyrm?" "Barely. It will disappear soon enough." Theodas said.
Yamada dove into the cavity. With a sickening wet crunch, a muffled roar could be heard inside. He emerged invigorated, his body healed. Stretching his neck Yamada found the chain caught on a ribcage of the Wyrm. They watched as the chain warped around him, and attached itself to Harbinger. Already stunned and their eyes about to fly out of its sockets. Yamada hoisted Harbinger onto his back, with ease. "Thank you Theodas. I feel much better." "How are you lifting that thing?" He stammered. "A lot of training." Yamada turned to Lorexia and gave her a warm smile. "What did your name your weapon?" "I didn't name them!" She squealed, going bright red. "Someone told me the greatest swords have names." "She's not strong enough to use swords. She uses two little toothpicks." Faelar jeered. "Daggers." She snapped.
Yamada held his hand out. Lorexia hesitantly placed a dagger in his hand. The weapon really did look like a toothpick compared to Harbinger. Yamada ran his fingers along the warped and jagged edge. The bumps of rust forming on the steel. The hilt loose and fiddly. 'Poor construction and materials. Two camp knives from dead Elven scouts would be better.' He handed the dagger back to her. "Are they bad?" "Of course they are." "Does he ever shut up?" Lorexia giggled. "They do need work, and better materials. I'm guessing Absol, doesn't have very good blacksmiths." "Our metals work just fine." Faelar said proudly pounding his chest. Lorexia enjoyed Yamada rolling his eyes. "Take me to the head of the Wyrm." He asked Lorexia. She quickly obliged leading him to the dead beast. "What are you doing?" "Draken Fangs, are studier than most metals. Whittled and treated the right way. You'll have a better set of daggers in no time."
Lorexia lit up with joy. Theodas watched on with a smile. "You think teeth can beat metal?" Faelar scoffed. "If you think it can't. Absol is going to die, the moment you become the Chieftain." She snickered as Faelar snarled at him. "Listen here Outsider." "My name is Yamada." He snapped. Yamada felt for the largest fangs on the Wyrm, and ripped them out whole, without any effort. "Those are way too big for me." "It's alright. It means we can make some mistakes." The chains warped into a drill, piercing through both fangs. "Did you want to lead the way back home. I don't think I can lead us back to your home." Lorexia pinched Yamada's cheek, to his confusion. "Sorry. Just had to make sure you were real." "Aren't you meant to pinch yourself?" "That was better." Lorexia begun to help guide Yamada back home.
"I challenge you Outsider!" Faelar declared planting the butt of his spear into the ground. "Faelar, don't be stupid! He's just shown that he's leagues above your strength." "And he can't see. That makes the fight fair." Lorexia threw her hands up in the air baffled. "What? How are you this stupid?" "Outsider! Are you too scared to face me?" "I don't get anything from winning. So I'll pass." "If you don't fight me-" Yamada spun back annoyed. "You'll what? Keep talking?" "I'll have the Seranae family exiled from Absol." Lorexia grabbed her daggers. Yamada let out a sigh. "Fine. Tell you what. I'll fight you and your little 'gang'. Or at least whoever is following you around." "Yamada, you can't see anything." She whispered. "It's alright. I'll win."
He unclasped Harbinger letting it fall slice through the ground. Opening his arms wide into the air, he begun to slowly spin around. "Who's first?" One of the young Guardians charged in, ramming the butt of his spear into the back of Yamada's knee. It shattered into splinters on contact. Lorexia lurched forward stunned, her mouth dropping. Theodas joined her expression. Yamada quickly spun finding the man's shoulder. "Ow." He said with a smile. With a terrified yelp the Guardian soiled himself. Yamada released him, and heard him scurry away. "Anyone else?" Faelar snuck in close holding the spear over Yamada's heart. Lorexia held her breath. 'He'll be okay. He'll be okay. He just broke a spear with the back of his knee.' "Look out!" "Where from?" Faelar drove his spear into Yamada's chest.
The spear head snapped against his chest. Yamada quickly caught Faelar by the throat. He felt Faelar flailing in his grip, clawing at his throat, and hammering at Yamada's grip. "Are you angry at me?" Faelar grunted in his grip. "Do you want to kill me?" He responded by kicking his side. "That's a right for the strong." Yamada snarled, tossing Faelar aside. "Lorexia, do you mind guiding me back to the house?" "No problem at all!" She happily took him by the arm.
He left dragging two fangs, Harbinger on slung on his back, and Lorexia on his arm. Faelar rubbed his throat, glaring daggers at Yamada. "Don't do anything stupid, Faelar." Theodas said with a smug smile. "My daughter, has always deserved the best. So do yourself a favour and stay away from her." He said walking away. Yamada could feel Lorexia's heart beating on his arm. "Are you back at full strength? What did you do to that Wyrm? Is it some Draken Guard magic?" "If I told you the answer, you would think I'm a monster." "No, I wouldn't! Please tell me." "Don't say I didn't warn you." Lorexia held his arm tightly. "I ate its heart." "Oh." "I told you, that I'm a mon-" "But don't all Draken Guards do that all the time?" Yamada gave her a confused look. "No...people outside don't like me or others doing that."
"Well those people are stupid. You took that Wyrm's Life force and now with it. You can now help other people." "But people have done evil things because of it." "And people have done good things because of it as well." Yamada said nothing walking along with her. He bumped into a thick tree root. "Sorry! I didn't mean to-" "Is this...a Kaioni tree?" "It's a god tree. If that's what you mean?" Yamada felt around the trunk, feeling the familiar bark. He could guess the giant tree's size based on the girth of the trunk. "This should do well." "For what?" "To make a better table for you." Lorexia broke out into a giggle. "You can't break or cut a God tree. They're practically unbreakable." Yamada gave her a smile. "You can spend hours sawing at a branch, just to break your saw." "Stand back."
Lorexia stood back and watched as Yamada cut the tree down with one clean swing. The towering tree fell with a crash. Her jaw hung in the wind. "We'll have to come back for this." She shambled towards him. "How did you...it....but..." Yamada planted Harbinger into the ground. "Here, let me show you how. Grab the handle." "I can't lift that thing." 'Although there is another thing I can lift. Focus Lorexia!' She took the handle suddenly feeling his strong callused hands over hers. She stifled a yelp, praising every god she could think of, for this moment. "Now take your Arcane-Life Force energy and move it inside your muscles. It should feel like something is swirling inside of you." She took a deep breath following his instructions. "Now also cover the weapon in it." "At the same time?" Yamada chuckled. "I'll handle that part then."
Lorexia grit her teeth feeling Harbinger raise into the air. "There you go." "You're helping." She strained through her teeth. "Lorexia, this is me helping." Harbinger became weightless in her grip, and shot into the air. She let go catching her breath. "Thought you said, you weren't at full strength yet." "I'm not." He said slinging Harbinger back on. "Are you doing that the whole time?" He nodded. "I can teach you, the things I've learned, if you want." "Of course!" Talindra stood outside the house hanging the laundry, when she heard something heavy being dragged across the ground. From the tree line, Lorexia emerged on Yamada's arm, and behind them the two fangs. "This boy really needs to do something normal for a day." Lorexia came sprinting towards Talindra. "Mum,mum,mum,mum." "What is it?" She took a deep breath. "I need you to do me a favour." "What is it?" Talindra asked hesitantly. Watching Yamada stand idly. "I need to know everything about him."
"Isn't that something you should ask yourself?" "It will be weird coming from me. Just ask him, and I'll hide nearby." "Lorexia, this isn't." She took Talindra's hands, pouting at her. "Pleeeassee?" She let out a sigh. "Fine." "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." Lorexia smothered her mother with kisses. "But you can't come to me and regret it later. If you find something out that you don't like." "I won't. I promise. Quick he's waiting for you. And remember just ask the same questions you asked Temiah, when he came over." Talindra was dragged by Lorexia towards Yamada. "Sorry, Yamada. I have to go and run an errand for my mum." "That's okay." Talindra watched as Lorexia darted behind a nearby tree. "You seem to be in higher energy today." "Feeling much better after some rest."
"Would it be alright, if I asked you some questions? I have some motherly concerns." "I understand. Please go ahead Lady Seranae." "How old are you?" "Recently turned twenty-two." 'He's young like me!' "Do you have a mate waiting for you on the outside." Yamada nervously rubbed the back of his head. Lorexia looked on devastated. 'NO! He has a mate?' "Mmmm...The only person that I would consider a "mate". Is someone I haven't spoken to in over a year." 'YES! LACK OF CONTACT.' "Well how many women have you been with then?" 'WHAT!? MUM! WHY ARE YOU ASKING THAT!?' She dug her nails into bark, furrowing her brow at Talindra. "Six women." 'Okay it's still a single digit. That is acceptable. I mean look at him, Lorexia. He should be well into the hundreds.'
"What is your ideal woman?" 'MUM!' Yamada chuckled. "Do you ask these questions to every man, who comes into her life?" "No, just the ones she's madly interested in." 'MUM!!!!!' "Then I'll answer honestly. I have a weakness for slender women, who are taller than me." 'YES! YES! YES!' "Would you be with my daughter, if she was ugly?" Lorexia banged her head against the trunk. 'Why?Why?Why!?' "You won't believe any answer I give. But if I had to answer. It doesn't matter, how she looks. If she makes me happy in this situation, that's all I need." "Good answer."
"Any other questions?" "Yes, just one more. Why did you take the oath and undergo the ritual?" "I told you already." "You told me the reason. I want to know 'who' is behind your anger. I can't let a spite filled man, be near my daughter. Let alone, have my daughter be filled by a spite filled move." Lorexia grimaced, shrinking to her knees. She quietly groaned dragging her face. "I didn't have any intentions of sleeping with anyone here." Lorexia's heart shattered. "But if you must know the truth. Of why I became a Forsaken Knight. Sixteen years ago, my home was attacked by the Elven Kingdom, Kal'Nar. My people were slaughtered, and the man who killed my father. Ripped my mother in half, for me to watch. Ever since then, I have done everything and anything to become, strong enough to kill him." Lorexia watched stunned and horrified, with Talindra doing the same. She took a gulp.
"And what will you do, when you have killed him?" "I'll say my thanks to those who have helped me. Return home, say my prayers to my parents. And then go die somewhere quiet." "You want to live only for revenge?" "I'm alive because of it." Talindra shook her head, grabbing Yamada with both hands. "No, you're not alive. You're surviving." Teary eyed she hugged Yamada to his suprise, and Lorexia's dismay. 'WHAT THE FUCK MUM!? THAT'S MY JOB!' She stroked his head, hugging him tightly. "You poor, poor, child. No one should ever have to experience such a living nightmare." Yamada pushed her away. "Don't. I'm not a child anymore. Just tell me where the house is."
Yamada laid on Lorexia's bed. He stared blankly at the ceiling. Lorexia stood quietly at her door, looking at him. "Are you okay?" She asked. "Not sure. This place is different." "How so?" She asked taking a seat beside him. "For one, I can't see anything. Well except for you." He said smiling at her. Her heart fluttered. "But, this place doesn't see me as a monster, and they should." "I see a kind hearted man, who has been hurt." She said cautiously placing a hand on his scars. 'Yes, he didn't move!' He let out a heavy sigh. "I can't be a kind hearted person, and still do the things I do. Being hurt isn't an excuse." "That doesn't make you a bad person..." "I've killed innocent people...I've enjoyed killing people...I am not a bad person. I'm evil."
Lorexia tightened her grip on his hand. "If you were an evil person. You would only care for yourself. You cut that tree down, because you wanted to make us a new table. Took those fangs, because you wanted to help me. Those aren't the actions of an evil person." Yamada squeezed her hand. She felt the ridges of each scar. "I can tell, that you already know this, and you know the answer to your problem." He held her hand tighter. "I'm...I'm...I'm scared to let go..." He grimaced, fighting back the tears welling in his eyes. "It's alright..." She said cupping his hand. "He's the only memory, I have with her. I can't forget my mother..." "You never will." She tapped his heart. "She and everyone else you love, lives here. They aren't gone when they die, or are forgotten. They'll disappear, when you waste their love hating yourself."
Yamada shut his eyes, clenching her hand tightly. 'Lorexia, you beautiful bitch. That was the most poetic thing, you've ever said!' "I'll try..." He trailed off staring at Lorexia. "What's wrong?" He begun to rub his eyes vigorously. "Yamada, what's wrong?" "Something is happening with my eyes." "Do they hurt? Or-" He fluttered his eyes open and shut. Revealing bright azure eyes. Lorexia stared on stunned. Yamada panned around the room, the empty room and then scanned Lorexia up and down. "Wow, you are beautiful." She went bright red. "Can you see me, see me?" "Yeah..." He chuckled. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm not going to complain." Yamada stood up scanning the room, mesmerized by all the colours.
The speckles of magenta illuminating that illuminated the room like fireflies. Emerald pillars of light shot from the ground. The air a gentle grey mixed in. He strolled outside, seeing the crimson aura around Theodas in the kitchen. Talinda's magenta aura. He spun back to Lorexia, radiating a peculiar black aura, that gently wafted in the air. "Wow this is amazing...The colours are so beautiful." She glumly dropped her head, before raising it to smile at him. "I know. I wish my Life Force was a different colour but-" "It's beautiful." Her ears shot up and her flushed face, became hotter than the sun. Her black aura accentuated her porcelain complexion, and mimicked the darkness in the night sky. "You're aura. It's... It's breathtaking." Lorexia's eyes glazed over and she fainted. "OH! LOREXIA!"