Jaco glances down at his naked arms. No blood, just deep scars and scabs are the only evidence from that night. He sits in his own warm bed for a change, the rays of the rising sun peak over his window across from where he sits, the heat gently burns his exposed flesh, but he is grateful for it. He is only wearing his fighting shorts and grieves, and of course, his sword lays in front to his legs.
4 slow days of recovering and waiting had really tested him, but he wasn't out of the loop of what happened. Whenever he needed some fresh air the never closing mouths of couriers and told him all he needed.
Quillen stood down from commander. Kaycon had always tried to push him to leave the position, but I guess he is happy to have left after what happened to him and our people. I haven't seen him around at all.
Jaco slowly came to understand the full impact of that night. Not only on himself physically, but the number of beloved warriors gone in a single night, Jaco found him self counting the recent battles where his body count might have led to similar heart-breaking returns of other families beyond his clan. There is a grasp on the people I have never seen before. This is only the beginning of something to come, I can feel it.
Then there was the issue of the lost vanguard. Haygan had to create a new vanguard for the first time in years, usually the next generation in the families in the vanguard would take over but having to start clean was stressful, especially with their ranks becoming mixed with loyal wolfs and the recent ex mercenaries and random younger villagers who all joined at one time for some unknown reason to the clan. the clan's skill diluting even further, but with the recent attacks and the clan war becoming worse by the month, he has no choice.
There are things for Jaco to be happy for. Nia had been doing really well. Along with regularly training with him, Nia had been physically getting stronger every day, her body morphing into something akin to a healthy Wrahian. Then there was her new job, she quickly gained a position within Thee's supply crew, loading and delivering weaponry and armour all over the barracks ad forges. But she enjoyed the company of her peers, less so her new boss.
"Hey there," Nia leans around the doorless opening to the room, "want some food?"
A giant grin spreads across his face as she slowly reveals a bowl of steamed aquatic meat drowned in a dark sauce. Jaco shyly smiles back,
"Thank you." Nia slides next to him, she wears a thick black training vest, one she borrowed from Jaco since he bloodied her last one. She is even wearing baggy shorts like his, they are the armies standards clothing, she bought them herself from the payment of her new job. Sweat is crawling down her forehead and arms, she was training before she arrived then. Good. She must be enjoying it, kind of like I do.
"I am surprised you're up? Couldn't sleep?" she passes the bowl to him, Jaco doesn't dig in yet before he thinks about his answer first.
"I slept well, best in a long time actually." He stands up, stretching as they both walk to the table in his living room. Nia looks at him with an odd face. By the time he notices the look, he is already half way through his food.
"What...?" he says through the food in his teeth. Nia chuckles to herself and drops her bowl towards her chest like a sacred treasure, then takes a deep breath.
"How come you don't have big muscles? People in the city keep saying you have like iron abs and arms." Jaco spits out food as he laughs, but he understands why she asks, since he trains a lot compared to regular wolf soldiers.
"You mean the same people who claim I eat children and kill 1000's per battle or whatever else they say?" Nia can feel the splash of embarrassment. I know better than to listen to random rumours.
"I am a warrior, not an actor or some model for displaying clothes in the market." He stands and wipes food off his lap. He spreads his arms slightly as he turns showing his torso and arms. Nia cannot help but see that there is plenty of noticeable muscle, but not the big biceps and ridiculous abs, more a solid mass on his arm, his veins clear under the sunlight.
"I train be able to effective with my sword and use my own techniques, so I can move fast and hit hard," He tenses his body and shows the hidden strength underneath. His chest, arms and even the back turn into a wall of pure hidden strength,
"To lift a heavy blade like that and keep up with my enemies I have to have good reflexes too." he walks toward Nia and turns, and she can see his shoulders and back are even bulkier, when he turns back around a bit of meat is in his mouth again. Her bowl is suspiciously lighter.
Jaco smiles as Nia missed him snatch a bit from her bowl, she is amazed at how quick he can move in an instant. She looks at his body again, seeing veins and pockets of muscle around him but not like the women in the city described it, but beyond it she can now see every battle on him, few cuts scattered across his shoulders, scarring etched on his stomach and even a slight burn mark on his right side. Or is that just a rash?
"You should train to become better at how you fight, not to look good for your enemy. Muscle should just be an effect of your training, not the focus, in my opinion, it can sometimes be a show of insecurity in one's power or self, but not everyone." He sits back down, finishing his bowl off,
"Last time I checked, no iron abs or big pecs could stop a blade from cutting you open." He finishes off his meal and lets out a sigh. Haygan taught him this lesson.
His adoptive father may be a walking, talking tower of muscle, but none of that intimidating power made him harder to kill. Just a bigger target with A LOT of power behind him. Haygon's size is actually natural rather than sought, he was always seen as 'the big little brother' of Kaycon. As Lion's bane was forged, it was what truly drove Haygon to train even harder for not just himself, but for his now motherless son Quillen. Or that's what B'ray says in his tales.
As Jaco drifts away in his memories, Nia processes this message. She was planning on focussing on her muscles to be intimidating but hearing this put her back onto just focussing on her form and technique. That's when her thoughts shifted back to the scarring, both on him and herself.
The marks on her neck seem to fade easily into her dark skin, but the deep, gouges upon her wrists may never leave. she could almost forget her past if they were not there.
There was also something else that made her think; Jaco and herself have always been in constant conflict and never really have a moment to rest, so she wants to cherish this moment of peace, she understands this may not occur again for a long time.
It is disturbed though. Nia has to leave eventually. She has to get back to her new responsibility in her work. Jaco and Nia can see in each other's eyes that it is always so fleeting but sweet.
Jaco thanks her for the food and they part ways for now. Talk of training and becoming better makes him restless, he sits himself back down at the table, but his mind is back inside that dark room.
He wants to get back to training and use the battle with the Crow to grow. He was too offensive and only attacked, forgetting all of his training. Although, he didn't know how to overcome the pure overwhelming emotion that possesses him.
I lost control, so there's the main reason I lost I believe, but I have also never fought someone who only uses their limbs. Only Nia does and she has only started training in hand to hand. So maybe it was an issue of range? I am so used to having to chase my opponent cause they use longer weapons…
Within hours of pacing in the kitchen and making mental notes of every strike he took, eventually his need to train or fight or anything similar to combat makes him chase around for his gear, he has too much energy built up and he is ready to get back into this war.
After a clean up, fresh clothes and his blade sharpened, he marches out with purpose again. He cannot remember the last time he was genuinely excited about training, and maybe catching a sparring session with Nia made him excited.
That's when he bumped into Hik.
She stands against the post in her porch that stares across to his house.
"I reckon you've marched the whole of Wrah and you're now wanting to go for another walk?" Hik even pulls off a somewhat genuine smile for once. Jaco grins and takes a moment to chat for once.
"I am off to do some training. I'm itching to get back into battle."
"Good. As am I Fang…" Hik looks down at him with a grin and crosses her arms,
"I want to challenge you to a friendly duel. We haven't actually sparred in a while." Jaco is now spooked.
"Wait, you are asking me to a sparring fight?"
"What? You have a problem with that?!"
"No, usually someone just approaches me looking for one. Including you Hik…"
The Fang recalls that every fight they have had was due to Hik losing a friend, and she blamed him. And every battle they had resulted in the wolves having to pull the Fang back from finishing her off.
Hik guiltily sighs and drops her arms,
"Yeah, I know. Look I'll be honest, I don't think we have ever had proper bad blood. I just…"
"Don't apologise. Instead give me an actual good challenge and it's all good." Fang nods at Hik as he takes his leave, "I'm ready whenever you are."
Hik laughs boisterously and even feels somewhat excited, I kinda like this new Fang.
But her smile fades as he moves on. She looks inside her house, the light shines throughout the house like a flare, every window is open wide and even a candle is at the table. Hik shifts towards it and looks at Jarjo.
He had been there since the day Hik found him in that alley, soaked and covered in dirt and frozen solid, not with the cold air, but something that stuck with him that night. Since then, he has been cowering on the couch as dusk approaches and crying himself to a half sleep as the dark closed in around the pile of candles in front of him.
Hik is content to let him rest and recover in her home, I did offer him the couch after all. By the time Hik gazes down the path to the barracks, Fang is long gone.
The jog to the barracks reminds him his rest and plentiful eating is already affecting his stamina. Fang slows down as he reaches the barracks. The grieving silence is gone but there are still fearful whisperings and rumours circulating even now, but Fang does not allow himself to take in a single word. I know what it is, I've fought it, and it made the mistake of letting me live.
He finally reaches the training grounds. There is a square, dried muddy patch of ground that now replaced with construction that he is not familiar with. Nia had told him that the increase of soldiers and recruits needed a better place for training and sparring. Speaking of Nia, she beat him to the training grounds.
With a hidden smile he walks towards her as Nia busily packs some bags and supplies from her colleagues that are gathered around her like a congregation of a martyr. Guess she is still working. I'll be quick.
He creeps up, feet lightly dig into the ground as he gets close and before the fearful labourers can warn Nia, he pings her ear.
"OW! What the-" she turns, and her outrage turns to a smile, "Fuck you! Hahaha." She is embarrassed but quickly composes herself,
"What you doing here?" She asks while finishing up what she's doing. He sees camping gear and timber. We doing a scouting mission soon? Weird, we haven't finished scouting that cliff yet.
"Talking about training got my blood going, so I'm here to do just that, guessing you're still working?" Nia grins. He grows confused, wondering what she is planning. And if he should be worried. She creeps up to his ear and whispers,
"We're going on a trip." Jaco steps back now even more confused, almost as confused as the three couriers behind Nia who are completely bewildered by this tamed version of the Fang,
"Ha, you need a break Jaco, and your dad said 'Why not now?'."
2 hours earlier
Nia left Jaco's home even though she wanted to stay longer, but she had an idea. Jaco has not stopped fighting since he joined the military, years of battle really showed on his body, and worse, his mentality.
The idea already put her body into motion before she could believe she was actually going through with it. She stands behind the war hall's gate, the door sealed before her. She stands there absorbed by thoughts for 5 minutes, an hour, a day maybe, she can't move because of her nerves, but she remembers why she stands here.
As she takes a step, Thee bumps past her,
"You know you can just walk in?" Thee pushes the not so sealed doors open with casual ease.
Oh. Damnit. Nia eventually strolls in behind Thee and even felt she fitted in among the less civilian atmosphere of this building for a moment like she was a wolf herself. It wasn't until Haygon spotted Nia behind Thee did everyone hear,
"Ah, brave girl!" Thee freezes and understands exactly who he means. She takes a step aside with surprising willingness and smiles as Nia passes. Nia doesn't let her nerves shake her knees or ruin the rhythm her feet march too as she approaches the chieftain.
"My lord, I am-"
"Ahhh you can just call me Haygon, I don't like being called 'me lord' and such Nia."
Oh. He actually remembers my name.
"OK, sorry Haygon." Nia bows over completely, but Haygon laughs boisterously in his humble arm chair, the 3 soldiers seated around him smile but they do not whisper and mock her like the children in that slave camp would. They carry on gathering or writing notes.
"Oh lass, drop the formalities. I am not that kind of chieftain, I lead the people, I do not rule over them." Those around him nod and Nia can see Thee at the corner of her eye approach her,
"Don't worry kid, just chat to him like a buddy, he is like that." Thee pats her shoulder and backs away once more to allow Nia to speak.
"I know you have given me so much already, like the job and the offer of a home, but I got one more favour to ask…" Haygan gives his full attention to her, eye contact and everything, as a ruler should to one his people,
"Jaco needs a break from the never-ending fighting. Can I take him to this quiet town to just relax and maybe help him talk and socialize with folks outside the city?"
"Of course." He says immediately, "and to clear the confusion, Fang got you the job and house offer, he spoke to me a while ago. It is him you should thank." Nia didn't know that,
"Give us a moment please Nia." Haygon grabs one of the soldiers and gives him commands as they move back toward the back of the hall that is swarmed with piles of papers and other soldiers with various life lasting injuries.
"Hmm, didn't know the Fang was helping you out. Weird to see the boy being useful beyond a fight." Thee says behind Nia's back. But Nia does not let that go unchallenged.
"Coming from someone who I know has only attacked and antagonised him. You chose to see him as a monster." Thee grins gleefully and looks up at Nia, the scar in full display.
"Oh, so you're saying there is a nice, gooey soft centre to him? and only you can see it? Hmm?" Nia doesn't let it get to her, she had to learn to bite her tongue against her unreasonable captors. This was bait.
"He is not evil, or a monster. Much like how you are not completely innocent either, Thee."
"Is that so?" Thee marches up behind her, "Yet you barely know me, so who are you to judge, honey?"
"And you know him?"
"Ha, can you say you do?" Thee walks away victorious.
"Yes. I can say I know him." Thee turns back around, "I know and understand him better than you could… honey." Thee wastes no time marching up towards Nia's cold stare.
"Hmm. I like the attitude. Better than that pitiful, meek girl that begged for help." Thee leans back slowly while maintaining eye contact with Nia, she waits for the second her brave act would drop, but even the way Nia stands and balls her hands tightly almost tricks her into thinking she is an experienced warrior.
"I'll tell ya what… Nia; when your ready, take me on. Without the boy with you."
"Then you better not let up on your training, because I know I won't. and you'd regret it."
"HA." Thee actually feels some excited and punches Nia's shoulder lightly,
"I love the attitude kid, then it's a date. Don't disappoint me!" then Thee leaves, she leaves the war hall with a large smile and seemingly abandoning what she had originally came here for.
Finally, Nia lets her breath go and allows her hands to shake now, what the hell am I thinking? Why did I just challenge a commander?! And the one commander who isn't actually scared of Jaco.
Before the despair sets in, Haygon finally returns in time. Nia watches his tall shadow morph into hers before he speaks,
"I know this isn't a selfish act, I can see in your actions are selfless." He hands her a copy of his seal as well as a disc made of stone with creative minimalist wolf design,
"Use this to get whatever you need for your trip, it is my personal sign of authority that means they get paid back by myself later. Ask Commander B'ray down near the gate on what to get. Jaco never asks for time off unlike his older brother, so go today. I'll give your manager and his commander a heads up as well, so don't worry about kid."
"Thank you so much Haygon, how can I repay you?"
"Don't. I am doing this for my other son you know. I am glad he has made a good friend who wants to help him heal, we all need that now more than ever. Had I known about their return, I would have run to my boys straight away no matter what I was happening at the moment."
Haygon walks away with a very out of place sad aura, before this Crow and the massacre, he never seemed to let anything effect him. Nia walks off as well with a skip of happiness as she mentally notes what she needs. Wait what did he mean by other motives?
The next hour was a scavenger hunt (with A LOT of directions from B'ray) for the items she needed, with the help of her friends from her work who were too nosey to stay away.
"So this isn't a secret mission for the chief?" the red head asks for her 124th question, Nia lost count after 40.
"No." Nia lets out a sigh as she rips out a sturdy tent from a pile and wraps it tight in waterproof wraps.
"Oh my, you are running away aren't you?!" the tall dark haired one then blurted out.
"You already asked if I was. And why would I let you guys see me?" the three stooges agree in unison.
"Honestly guys it is all fine, I'm just taking a trip with a friend you guys can trust."
As she packs the last items, she feels a familiar stalking presence behind her. A slight pain stings her ear, she backs up and turns to her assailant, just like Jaco had taught her. Speaking of Jaco…
Now, as Nia explains to Jaco what she has planned, C'ray pays a visit to Quillen.
She waits near the entrance to his house, compared to Jaco's it is a palace. With several large rooms full of drinks, ornate furniture and wolf decorations, his home holds much more guests than the Fang would ever have.
But now the building is dead. It has been since that night, C'ray has been trying to see his state, hoping not to be surprised by what she will see.
C'ray has known Quillen all her life, she would watch over him when they were teenagers and as he was just beginning his rapid rise up the ranks. She always looked after him but in recent years with his success in the army, she felt pushed aside for his growing popularity, just like his father when he became chieftain and left his children with family friends. But she sees he needs someone to be there for him now.
Quillen sits in his luxurious chair, the leather smooth and comfortable. But now it is sticky and stained in alcohol and other fluids, his arm hangs over the arm rest, the black burns gone with only rough skin left behind. Below his hand lay bottles that have been drained of life and stale bread decaying by his feet.
C'ray examines around his well-made house, the wood work wonderfully crafted and the finer cloths and proud flags hanging above him, they seem to protect him from the outside world, just his thoughts and memories seem to live with him.
"It's all his fault…" he whispers. He shifts his body forward, slowly moving his rough arm, it still shakes as if in pain,
"It's a monster, I hate it so much."
C'ray places her hand on his good arm, Quillen violently twists, fearing it had come back to finish the job.
"It's ok. It's only me Quillen, I wanted to check you're ok." Quillen takes a deep breath and gets ready to walk to his bed,
"I know you're not alright." He freezes and looks into her eyes with his own, she can see somehow his bright proud eyes have diluted into grey rings void of hope. It disturbs her greatly.
"Look Quillen, we have lost our comrades, no, our family. They died to protect our people, we can't stop fighting now." C'ray backs off and starts clearing the room, placing the dead bottles and food aside on empty dusty tables. She rips the curtain open, the sun punching through and hitting Quillen's pale skin. He is blinded for a second, but upon adjusting to the fresh light, food and some wine are pushed into his face, fresh and welcoming to him. He slowly picks at his food as he thinks of what to say,
"I'll still fight, but I can't protect anyone as a commander, I just get surrounded by loyal men who throw their lives away, that was not what I wanted. I don't know what I can do anymore." C'ray gives him a warm smile.
"And that's ok, your father will understand." She stands up and gives his reborn arm a quick jab before leaving him once again. She stops at the doors and leaves him with one last bit of advice,
"Morale is important sir, maybe see our friends beyond the vanguard, see your brother too actually, he is cheery for someone who is – well just too cheery for the Fang, it's creeping me out!"
He laughs but is confused. Jaco cheery? Now that is scary.
-
The Fang gazes back to the familiar city as he leaves for this surprise trip, never has he noticed how the suns light made the mountain glow.
Nia's plan is to take him far from the clan for a day or 2, if Jaco could have a taste of life outside of the demanding military life, he could maybe begin to see what he's kept himself from his whole life.
She also wants to see the normality of life herself, because she saw multiple towns and villages as she was moved from place to place as a slave but never experienced it, her mum swore one day she would get her to a town to live a happy and safe life. Her mother is in her thoughts a lot recently, but she sees that as a good thing, she will not dare forget what her mother did for her to be here, her sacrifice gave her this new life and quite possibly an unbreakable connection with Jaco.
Jaco has been quiet throughout the journey, he is anxious about being surrounded by regular citizens, around a place where hostility ISN'T normal. He hides his sword under multiple layers of thick cloth tied by his scarf, the knot loose in case he needed it.
Nia sees they are approaching the town, she stops. Jaco stops as well, please tell me we are heading back or being attacked.
She pulls out a farmer's hat,
"Here." Fang gently flips it around, the weaving done well and the material sturdy for the harsh rain and hail of Wrah.
"I know your worried they'll recognise you, so I bought it to hide your face a bit. One step at a time, just so you get used to being around others, okay?" Fang agrees and nods, its clever but will it really work?
"OK, give me your armour." Fang reluctantly removes his armour except his greaves, now only his worn-out black training shirt and shorts remain, soon Nia throws on a light grey coat to cover his shoulders. She stuffs his equipment into a satchel and quickly scans the trees. She jogs into the woods opening as though she has found her target and tosses his stuff into a hole perfect for hiding in, or to hide stuff.
"Wait" she rubs her hands in dirt and very gently wipes Jaco's cheeks to give him a farmer's makeover. He cannot help but see the joy in her face as she gives him a makeover, but he goes with it, she is having fun and he is too a little. Oh shit, this better not become a trend.
"Ready?" she asks. Jaco shakes his head,
"Nope."
They both awkwardly laugh, but now Jaco moves onward with a bit of hope in his eyes for a change, she sees this is already working. They walk towards the archways of the town Rudan;
It is a successful town to the East of the city, it is full of optimistic people from around the country, attracting merchants and mercenaries alike. Its famous pub 'The Wolves den' is the place for good memories to be made but it is not the only place to get drunk and have fun. The town is only less than a day's walk from the city on the paved road then onto the town's ground that's caked in mud, all dried-up and harsh on hooves and feet.
Jaco cannot help but scratch his knuckles raw, nerves raking up in his mind, although, no one is looking at him though.
They just walk fast, not exuding any fear, no caution, just peaceful ignorance in his presence. Even so, his senses are in an adrenaline rush, the smell of tobacco and hay and the few & feint clatter of feet and hooves make his head ache. Even his fingers and limbs are burning with an urge to swing at every stranger who gets too close, every unknown object pushes him closer to let go. He cannot trust anyone. He must kill any and all possible threats to him.
Is that a knife? Wait she's got a spear! It must be. He was staring at me, is he an assassin. I… I can't do this!
Nia grabs his hand. Jaco looks at Nia with sweat running down his face and his teeth are clenched in anticipation for an attack. She looks into his eyes,
"It's ok." She pulls him out of the crowd into the haven of a quiet pub. He turns around, staring at the constant stream of citizens, just walking, no vengeful eyes, no hands gripping sword handles and knifes, not even any sign of misery in the children who are surrounded by their warring clans. He loosens up and leaves his now nearly bleeding knuckles alone. I guess I'll be safe here.
They seat themselves into the quiet pub, this place still needs a cleaning from the previous night's activities. The bar is small but plentiful with now over turned tables and worse for wear chairs. The roof is lacerated at spots, letting the sun make the room glow, and its shine bounces off the rough mud and straw flooring.
"Sorry Jaco, I didn't expect it to get so busy outside, I know you are on edge so we'll stick around here for a while, ok?"
He nods his head, but questions pop up in Jaco's mind as Nia orders their drinks.
Slave for all her life, yet she's so confident, brave and is now taking care of ME! What happened to her when I was gone?
She returns and breaks Jaco's thoughts, bringing two welcoming beers, deep blue with foam dissipating slowly into the dark abyss.
Jaco stares into the beer, his reflection surprising him, he really looked like a local for once, aside from his white hair. But even then, he could be mistaken for an older man if he tried.
Nia on the other hand downs her drink as he inspects his reflection, her first sip intrigues her, but the next wins her over and she is already finished with her pint.
"Wow, I love this! My first try of beer but it just goes down easy for such a bitter taste." She flips the jug upside down to capture any remaining delicious nectar.
"What happened to you when I left for that outpost?" Nia puts the jug down and gives him her full attention,
"You grew up a slave, been what, 10 days since you've been free? Now here you are taking ME out, and you have had it worse than myself! You're drinking beer as if nothing is up. How are you so optimistic?" Nia's lips open slowly as she thinks what to say, her sadness surfaces from her body language with the way her shoulders fall and the way she looks down at nothing. He feels terrible, he didn't want to ruin her mood.
"I'm not as strong as you think Jaco." She looks at him with damp eyes,
"You and your Clan inspired me to do more, become better. You saved me from death AND spared my life after that. That day you came back after the defeat, I wanted to save you from yourself, even if it meant I had to get hurt or worse!" a tear escapes, but it is from Jaco's eyes instead.
"You don't owe me anything though. Not a damn thing, not after what I have done to others." She wipes her eyes and suddenly a strong resolve bursts into her eyes,
"When you left, and I was alone, your people didn't just judge me or ignore me, they helped me. When I struggled with the first couple of deliveries your people did nothing but support me and give me advice, even the soldiers cheered as I ascended the steps of the mountain!" Nia's smile returns, "my mum was the same! She always cheered me on, and she never gave up hope, so I want to carry that on in myself, to hold on to hope when life is dark,
But I'm scared, of what the future will hold for me, what I'll see with the clan, a day that you don't return…" Jaco is shocked, Someone caring if I die? Would be a first…
"but I will not sit back just cause of my harsher upbringing!" her eyes now burned with passion, with purpose.
"I want to help others, save people not on a battlefield, but beyond it. When everyone else is blind and can't see the pain behind the eyes." She puts her hand on Jaco's lightly, he gently squeezes her hand and looks into her eyes once more, able to see the beautiful pure soul she holds and refuses to let go.
"YOU saved me. Not Haygon or the friends I've made. And I want to save you, because we share a pain no one else would know, our loneliness, our dark thoughts, it can break us! People think once we survive, we can just forget about it, but it is only the beginning, and it stays with us. But we can come back from it." Jaco is lost for words, he clenches Nia's hand tight, not to hurt her but because he is overwhelmed by how strong she has become, From a nervous frail slave to an inspiring, resilient clansman.
She lets go and sits back. Jaco looks up in a panic, scared she is leaving.
"I'm not going anywhere Jaco." she says with a warm smile, as if she read his mind. He calms down and he wipes his nose and lets himself breathe normal again, now back in reality.
"Need a refill?" the bartender approaches with a small keg. Nia gets excited but is put off a bit when she looks up.
The girl serving them is younger than them, she has long jet-black hair that hangs past her waist, she is so pale except her rosy checks and chin, her eyes glow green like emeralds in the night sky like stars that stand out in her dreary grey uniform. She is quite tall for someone so young, as tall as Jaco (*not that it is hard to beat, he is quite short.) but very thin, like Nia before she escaped her past life.
"oh… uh yes, please. I'd love another pint!"
She slowly fills her pint,
"Something wrong sir?" Jaco looks around, confused until she elaborates,
"You haven't touched your drink". He looks down, a bit embarrassed but laughs,
"Sorry, was uh, thinking, but thank you." he glances at Nia, watching her face gleam as each flow of beer fills her pint. He lets out a soft smile and nods at the girl,
"What's your name?"
"Oh, my name is Elzabeth sir." She shyly says, Nia taps her shoulder right as the beer over fills.
"Shi- ah blast. I'm so sorry miss, I – oh no I -"
"It's ok." Nia says soothingly, "That spot was some I spilled some earlier." She says with a coy wink. Jaco laughs to himself, and even the girl Elzabeth relaxes and smiles, cleaning up the small mess. She soon leaves and Jaco and Nia are left to themselves.
"Oh before I forget. Thank you." Nia says before downing the next pint.
"For what?"
"For the job. Your dad spilled the beans and told me you got me the job." Jaco sighs and finally takes a sip of his beer.
"I didn't do it for praise. I knew you'd need money for yourself."
"It is more helping my mentality than anything else. I've never felt so strong in my life!" Nia exclaims with a joyous smile as Elzabeth makes her way over to fill her pint once again.
"Then I am glad to hear it Nia."
As the sun begins to fall as Jaco and Nia continue to spend their time drinking and talking, enjoying each other's company. Other folks begin coming in for the same reasons and the pub is packed by the time he notices the busy bar and booths around them. For once though, Jaco did not mind.
"OK so explain this 'Radiance' again I'm still a bit in the dark with that." Nia sits up, trying to piece together this phenomenon. This is not a simple or straightforward subject. Jaco starts,
"From what I know there is like 3 classes, or 3 different versions of using 'Radiance'. Now we all have 'Radiant' energy but it's hard to tap into it in the first place, to control it. Different races have it easier than others, and some people never unlock it in their life! I haven't found it yet either."
He grabs some loose hanging straw from his hat, ripping a big clump off and placing it on the table.
"You're paying for that." Nia slips out, being cheeky to her teacher, Jaco just laughs and flips a middle finger in her direction.
"What's that mean?"
Jaco thinks for a moment and says,
"I don't actually know, seen it a lot in the barracks before though. Anyway -".
He splits the clumps of straw into 3 groupings. He twists and folds the first group, resembling a lighting blot.
"MUNIPULATION. The most effective and easiest to control of the classes. The user can control the energy directly, sometimes they can control elements! Like Quillen!" Jaco pauses, I need to check up on him when I return. he continues,"
"He can control lighting itself. In order to actually use it however you need a catalyst, an object with an emotional attachment, something with history or a memory to the user, it helps bring the power forth. But this class has a weakness, a price to pay. It puts your body under immense strain, the pressure can be too much if you push too far, your body starts fighting back, refusing to function."
"It sounds painful."
"It is."
He picks up the next group of straw and starts bending and twisting it in places to form a star.
"DISPLACEMENT. This is the like the first one. Instead your energy can't be controlled directly but can be placed into an object, like a weapon.
Depending on the weapon or object there is an infinite amount of possibilities. I've seen this used to blast an enemy with an energy wave from a sword swing, heck I've seen someone toss a stone and make it explode! The drawback here is also the opposite of the first. Instead of it harming your body, you have a limited amount of energy to use, and even then, it's apparently really hard to control the amount of radiance you put into something, so its usage is limited."
He picks up the final group, twisting them into an X shape.
"EVOLUTION. The most painful of the 3 to use. This is used to change your body completely. It enhances your strengths BUT also amplifies your weaknesses. Like if you're are fast but have butter fingers, your move faster but become even clumsier." Nia giggles at the thought of a fighter running around bumping into everyone,
"Your body rapidly adjusts depending on how much your body naturally generates Radiance. I hear some fighters take inspiration from animals if they have enough energy! The drawback? You'll have spent both your Radiance and stamina; your body eventually rejects the flow." Nia picks up the 3 symbols, interested in studying this stuff more later.
"But in my opinion, one shouldn't fit their technique and attacks around radiant energy." Jaco drones on, "it's unstable and makes people believe they are gods, but they are no further from death than those without Radiance. It should be used as a last resort or a card up your sleeve." Nia waits a second before finally saying something.
"Wow that is the most you've spoken. EVER. You ok? Need a drink?" she teases, happy to see him finally relax.
A drunkard appears behind Jaco,
"Hey lad, take aff the hat!" and slams his pint next to the dozen undisturbed empty pints (10 of which were Nia's…) "it's a lovely night, and your talking to this gem of a lady! You're lucky hehaha" Jaco pulls down his hat, afraid to let them see who he is.
"Aww c'mon I bet you're a cutie and you'll win her over haha." the drunkard reaches for his hat.
In an instant the man is put through the table, it swallows him whole as the splinters and mud are now his bed for the next 5 minutes of him coming in and out of consciousness. Jaco heaves the dizzied and concussed man up, the fury clear in his eyes.
"Try that again." He doesn't, or rather can't, try again and Jaco drops him, now done with this fool. He stands up and as his foot bumps into his hat, he realises the amazed and terrified eyes of those around him.
Nia grabs his shoulder and turns him around,
"Time for us to go." Jaco starts jogging out, Nia follows after throwing some money at the bartender Elzabeth who now must deal with the mess, and the table.
As he leaves, he looks in the eyes of the other customers, it is not the usual feel of guilt or shame, the people are surprised that the escalated moment ended quicker than it started, and the rest are bent over double struggling to breathe over the hilarity.
Do these people really not now what I am? Or what I could have done to that guy?
Huh, I didn't go too far there. Well, I mean I didn't kill him, so that's a sign of progress I guess.
They run back to the archways, the setting sun following their descent from the eyes of Rudan. They stop at the opening of the woods and Nia turns to the breathless Jaco,
"Hell of an end to a trip" she laughs, pinging his chin lightly.
"Nia… thank you, for tonight", he looks to the town, "I see how I need to improve with… socialising."
"Next time don't put an asshole through a table, cause I'm not paying for it in the future. But when you are able to do get talking to people thing down and you'll do great!"
Nia starts walking further down the woods towards where their stuff is hidden. Jaco watches her as he thinks. The future, a future without fighting?
"I don't even think I gave her enough to pay for the drinks haha!"
After a long dragged out hour of setting up a tent and laying down some sheeting for sleep, finally, an ember breathes life and grows, Jaco lets out a final frustrated sigh before plummeting his butt to a nearby killed tree, its carcass lays abandoned on the abused grass, surrounded by its living relatives that shroud the small patch of open ground perfect for a scout's temporary home.
The flames make Jaco's features stand out, slowly it seems like that emotionless steel exterior melts into what could be his natural state, calm, peaceful or maybe happy?
Nia just peeks over at Jaco as he closes his eyes, his feint breaths highlighted by the cool air, it always seemed as if he is barely alive but for tonight finally, proof of life can be seen.
Jaco can only think of the kids and couples at the city, who do I have to kill to have that shit? To be loved and be happy… why can't I be like them? I know how to kill and survive though…
The wind picks up, blowing the heat towards him, it is just enough to ease him into his own peaceful coma, the surroundings soothe the wild beast within, soon Jaco's breaths join with the world's rhythm, this harmony cradles him to sleep. Nia gets emotional, seeing him happy, finally having a form of peace. She crawls closer, wanting to saver the moment she can finally see Jaco, not the Fang.
He feels a slight weight on his left shoulder, his warrior's instinct still rooted deep in his psyche tells him to jump back and fight. But he doesn't pay it any attention, it is warm, comfortable, and he leans in for more, then something creeps across his waist, now he is alert.
He opens his left eye slowly, he awakens to find the peaceful and content Nia hugging into him, head on his shoulder and an arm wrapped round him to pull him closer.
"Umm Nia...?" she weakly opens her eyes, in seconds her face goes red and gets off him.
Jaco laughs quietly, a grin stays on his face as he leans into her now. Her face looks like she's about to burst in embarrassment, so red she could hide in front of the fire and blend in. But she embraces him, soon wrapping her arm around him again.
Jaco looks at Nia while she fights the ground to get comfortable. Their eyes lock to each other's. For seconds they just sit and stare, unwilling to ruin the moment. But Jaco looks down in shame.
No, not after what I have become.
Nia gently lifts his chin, so she can look into those soft brown eyes, all she does is smile. He cannot help but just stare into the yellow and orange haven painted on top of her big, pure, white eyes. I'm the Fang, and I've now been beaten by her and that gentle smile, oh how I've fallen.
He grabs her hand, squeezing gently, as she shakes slightly and moves closer. Yeah. This is one fight I will happily lose…
Jaco sees smoke rise in her eyes. He snaps out of the moment and twists around. The distant sky is darkened by a pillar of blackness, an ambient black and red colour clashing with the star ridden sky.
Jaco jumps up and gathers his equipment. Nia takes a while to return to reality and realise the danger behind them. In seconds Jaco is armoured and stretching. He walks toward it, ready to take on what he must.
Nia grabs his arm, her orcish strength building up and stopping Jaco from pulling away,
"Don't go…" she looks at him, despair written over her eyes.
He grabs her hand, and looks into her eyes, soon her strength fades and she let's go stubbornly, wishing she actually had the strength to stop him.
"Just don't die, come back to your clan, to me." She punches his chest, the impact weak although it does make it harder for him to leave her like this.
He nods, even though he knows he cannot truly promise he will. He looks at his scarf, slips it off his neck and wraps it around her waist,
"I'm coming back for that. So hold onto it for me. Please." She calms down and nods,
"I'll head back and tell the chieftain." They separate, Jaco cannot look back, knowing he will not want to leave her if he did. Nia sprints straight away, hoping to give Jaco support by bringing reinforcements, hoping to save him from any unnecessary pain.
The Fang unsheathes his blade from its slumber, the thick cloth is shredded up as he marches to the smoke that demands his attention, that beckons him to answer its calling.