***NoTe
There is nothing here. I can't see anything. I can't smell anything. I can't hear anything. I can't feel anything. Every time I take a step it feelings like I'm falling deeper into the darkness into the shadows.
I don't know how long i've been here. I don't even know if time passes here. I've tried using the echolocation but I can't sense anything. Not even myself it is like I'm a part of it. A part of the shadows.
Why isn't there anything here what am I supposed to be doing. For the first time I notice something. The entity that has a humanoid shape. It is right in front of me. Then more pop up. The numbers just increasing until there is hundreds of them. Then they all kneel and say " Get stronger King".
" Get up NoTe it is time for you to get stronger" I hear Stitch say.
My first action is to kill him immediately. He left me in that places alone with no one there and no help. So I attack him with everything I have.
Every attack and killing strike I know but they all miss. He dodged everything. I feel mana start to burst through my veins from all the hate I'm feeling towards Stitch. He starts jumping around and sending Ice projectiles at me.
I can dodge them but I can't catch Stitch but the shadows can. As if Stitch can read what i'm about to do he appears behind me and hits me with his cane.
"It is good you've learned to use the shadows but you haven't even scratched the surface of being powerful. "
Stitch continues " The shadows are your mana technique. I can't teach you how to use them you have to learn that on your own. I can improve your body. So that is what we will do"
" How much time has passed since you threw me in the shadows?" I ask.
" it has been a year now go get some sleep" Stitch responds.
I don't even get the chance to process that because immediately my entire body is put through pain. If I'm in control of the shadows as Stitch says. Then I've been using my mana for a year straight to keep them surrounding me.
I wasn't able to rest once so all the fatigue I accumulated just hit me immediately.
Stitch teaches me how to use mana to enhance my abilities like echolocation. I thought it would be some new type of training. Everyday Stitch would come into the room and my job was to try to assassinate him.
If I couldn't and it was pushed into hand to hand combat. Thhen I would still try to finish the job. However it didn't matter because everyday I would fail. Stitch didn't have to heal me the shadows healed me themselves.
So he broke as many bones as he want. I always had injured limbs or bursted organs. Stitch never had any injuries. Sure I would land a few hits but I barely damaged him.
By the time I turned 15 I was able to force him into using his ice abilities consistently. I was able to hide in the shadows and I became better at using mana enhancement.
It wasn't a big change my body was just finally starting to catch up with my mind. One day Stitch decided to test my regeneration speed. So he stabbed his cane through my chest and left it there. I was able to rip the cane out a few hours later but the wound didn't heal till the morning. However after that it seemed my regeneration got faster.
Eventually all my weapons broke because I was getting too strong for them. " Can you go buy me new weapons to kill you with." I asked Stitch.
" We only have enough money for food and hygiene. Make your own weapons if you want some more." Stitch said.
So that's what I did. I started learning how to blacksmith.
One day Stitch asks " What are your motivations for getting stronger NoTe? What is your goal?"
I think on his question for a minute then I respond with. " I want to be the best I want to fight everyone and win." Stitch doesn't respond he just smiles.
I wonder what Rev is up to I hope he is doing good with his training.
Soon I'm going to turn 16 my mana control has gotten better. I've made my echolocation better to where I can use sound to attack. I also have a good proficiency over all 3 fighting types.
However, martial arts technique hasn't improved very much. I've hit a plateau that I don't know how to get out of.
I need to get stronger I refuse to be weak and keep losing to Stitch. So I go back to step 1.
I restarted and started studying all martial arts again at night and during the day I would fight Stitch I would barely get any sleep. That doesn't matter though as long as I keep improving and stop losing.
I think I need more real life experience. I lack genuine combat experience. That is why my improvement has become stagnant. I need more life and death situations.
I am finally 16. this is the day I'll no longer be confined to this underground hell hole. As I walk upstairs I feel a very strong presence but one that I'm used to.
It was Rev he had became huge and way buffer than he was before. He holds more guns on his back and not an ounce of mans leaks out of him his control is impressive. Makes sense though since he has more talent for aura than I do.
" There is no more I can teach you two boys. You guys have become stronger than I ever expected, and mastered everything I could've taught."
Me and Rev thank Stitch for everything he's done and start packing our bags to leave.
Then Stitch says in a dark bloodlust filled tone. " The only way you guys leave here alive is if you kill me."