𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 6: 𝕾𝖊𝖓𝖎𝖔𝖗 𝕯𝖊𝖒𝖔𝖓 𝕳𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖘
Anthony felt his muscles rippling, his breath growing heavy. Ever since he fought the Bloodbane, they had been shoved into a private more intense training field. They were engaged by Vindacurve intense exercises that lasted nonstop since the last few days.
Anthony crowed his head left to see someone collapse into the dirt, raising a cloud of dust. Soon after Two guards trooped in pulling him away and out of the field.
It had been this way ever since anyone who failed to continue in the exercise properly, Vindacurve ordered for then to be thrown out.
"Enough!"
Anthony and the others fall to the ground all at once, gasping and groaning in pain. Anthony felt his hand stiff from the training.
"On your feet!"
Anthony and the others scramble to their feet. Their legs shaking, the squatting, running and kicking had taken great effect.
"Stand with proudness not cower like a coward!"
Anthony and the others, stood upright, chest up and chin straight in wait of the next command.
Vindacurve gives them a scowl of disapproval, beside him were two others that arrived at one of their training sessions a few days before, they never said a word since then and kept their faces empty of expression.
"I don't like what I see," Vindacurve words send chills up them. "You look not fed."
"Sir!" Boomed a recruit beside Anthony, "You haven't fed us in days... I can't bare the hunger any more!"
Vindacurve signals and in an instant two guards grabbed the boy by his arms restraining him. He squirms as they dragged him out of the field.
"The reason I released the Bloodbane on you, is to show you what fear looks like," Vindacurve pauses for a while before continuing, "you can never simply fight a demon without having fear to fight it... What matters is if fear does not cloud your mind, judgement and goal."
Anthony thought through it, they were frightened of the beast and were simply retreating to die when it charged them, fear had concocted them to do so, if they had stood up to it they would still die but a much more convenient honourable death than running and trampled as cowards.
"Twelve students... Introduce yourselves."
"Marona sahnia,"a female wearing a flower painted mask said with her empty tone.
The next, "steven bloodspur."
The next female, strong and confident, "Fiona Medrigalnados Toshuhami".
The next, "Barry Kaystone." He says comical.
Anthony was next, he hesitated. "Anthony Dickson".
The next person didn't fail to hesitate, "Tyler Williams".
"Maycan Artlery." So that what she said.
"Ella Kaystone." Barry's sister.
"Bridget everburn."
"Chase bright."
"James poson."
"David hons."
And that was all.
"The next face of your training... Sword training and a little jog into history." Vindacurve stood up from his stool and went to one of the men who were behind him, he places his hand on him.
"Senior Resrin will take you on sword training, speed and strength." Vindacurve walked to the other, "Senior Nathan will take the theories and history." Vindacurve after finishing exits the training ground.
"So..." Senior Nathan said grinning happily at them. "Let's start of with some theories, shall we?"
Anthony and the others nodded. It was clear, he was the nice one. Anthony takes a glance at Resrin, he was tough looking and battle damaged. His face held a regular deep frown.
This was it his training was about to begin.
...
Senior Nathan sits on the stool preparing to school them. They were all pleased by his blissfulness, he urged them to take a sit on the floor kindly, he also made sure to ask if they were comfortable. It would have been taken as an insult, but considering how worthless and badly they were being treated, it was a gift.
"Shall we begin with Demons," Nathan asked and was delighted to see them all nod back. "No one knows for sure how they came to be, but there is a legend behind it... The legend of the cursed race."
"Millenniums ago a man was cursed with a disease, like no sort. A disease that gave him fast healing, strength and many more ranges of abilities. He and his surbodinates fed on man, and we had no hope... Until the first Demon Hunter arose, he gave everyone a fighting chance... And thanks to him humanity still stand."
Senior Nathan paused and reads the expression off his students faces. They were digesting and hearkening to his words. He continued, "demons have ability to regenerate, quick movement, thick skin, amazing strength and speciality."
"In the early ages of demon hunters they ranked the demons abilities into threat level, but now the demons have evolved into more bothering hostility levels, so the old threat level is highly inaccurate and not used... But I will explain on it."
"Of the five ranks Lamron demons, are normal breeds, some have speciality to pass their energy into weapons."
"Fourth is a Vilron demon, this types might be very tricky to kill. They can create body parts to replace formal ones and also add more. Be careful with this type and never let your guard down when you are up against one, they are full of surprises. "
"Third is a Delb, they create weapons from their body, it gets really bloody with them. Just be fast enough to block multiple attacks in time." Senior Nathan leans forward and whispers, "so you won't end up looking like my buddy Resrin."
"Second is a Silch, they have the ability of shadow magic... Or popularly dark magic. They can manipulate surroundings, change states. Speed is key in defeating them too."
Lastly and most dangerous is the Schistron, before they die you would have to fight the until they actually fall tired... Trust me a demon never falls tire... Or better put they never get exhausted."
"Now the ranks of demons." Senior Nathan exhales before continuing, "the Plague 7. They are dangerous and you would not want to ever meet one at this your weak state... Even for I, it would take a large amount of stress to actually vanquish one alone."
"The Monster rank, the highest rank of demons that have been around since the beginning... Not many hunters have been known to survive their appearances let alone a civilian. Of this monster rank one killed my mother... Base Tons, rank 3 of the Monster Rank."
Anthony felt sympathy for Senior Nathan, their cases weren't so different. "Senior Nathan, can I ask a question?"
Senior Nathan smiled, "go on."
"Who is Undomno?"
Senior Nathan eyes goggled and his face showed a little surprise before he immediately hides it. "Yes. He is apart of the Monster Rank... Undomno Zuki Rank five..." Nathan hesitates. He turns back to Senior Resrin signalling to him. "That are all yours".
Senior Resrin walked past Senior Nathan, "up on your feet!" He barked out.
"Guards bring the sack", he ordered. Afterwards two guards rushed in with a sack which they dropped in front of the recruits before going back to their duty post.
"In the sack are heavy long swords. Take yours," Senior Resrin drawed out his sword with his left. "Fight me!"
Anthony stares wide eyed as the words crosses his ears, fighting an actual Senior demon hunter. "I will do my best to defeat you", he thought within.
...
Anthony got shoved back to the ground by a lightning fast kick. Resrin's swordsmanship was incredible, no one could lay an attack on him.
"You fight like children, now will, no strength!" Resrin shoulder clashes down two other recruits.
Anthony rose to his feet darting for Resrin again. He swung his sword for Resrin.
Resrin blocks steadily, he digs his knee cap into Anthony's jaw sending him sprawling on the floor. Anthony groaned holding his jaw.
"Your swings are weak, weary, your footing dragged!" Resrin scorns. "If I was a demon you will all be dead."
"Nathan!"
"Your stance has to be strong," Nathan steps foward, "drop your swords!" He commanded. They followed dropping their swords with clattering noise of metal meeting the floor. "Strengthen your base!"
Nathan anchored them all to the right stance one after the other. "Now breath in and out steadily... Focus on the thin string of energy, the heat within you, the heat is called Aura... Focus on your Aura circulating your body... Continue to strengthen your base, if you can achieve this perfect unison, things might just slow down a bit for you." With that Nathan left them to sit back on his stool.
"Attack me!" Everyone rushed to their swords, charging Resrin afterwards.
Anthony strengthening his base, passing the heat of the little Aura he felt, he almost froze when he realized he wasn't sure what he was doing. No! He shook his head, he trusted in Nathans word... "Ahhh!" Anthony slashes for Resrin.
Resrin jumps back barely escaping the hit. Tyler attacks almost immediately thrusting his sword for his gut.
Resrin parries with his sword. They had gotten faster, fast enough to force a retreat on Resrin by every attack.
Resrin grinned as he felt every recruit one after the other lay a deep cut on him, their skills were flawless. He could see that some of them were trained by demon hunters, others self trained, some knew hunting and attacked vital points, all promising recruits.
Resrin swung for them, they all block with their swords not expecting an attack as fast. All their weapons shattered at the force of the attack.
Anthony and the others came to an halt, their breathing heavy and rapid, they were all disoriented as the energy slowly sufficed.
It actually worked. Anthony jumps inside him, "thank you Senior Nathan."
"Rest up now," Resrin signals and two guards tossed to the floor dozens of wine skin bottles. They all scramble to the wine skins each taking one. Anthony gulped the fluid in it and Immediately felt his energy restored.
"Hey you!" Nathan called out, "you with the red hair."
Anthony dropped his wine skin on the floor. "Me?" He asked unsure.
"Yes you, follow me", Nathan ordered.
Anthony stomach sank his throat went dry even though he just hydrated, why pick him out of the others and what for? Whatever it was he was about to find out, and hopefully he would return after this.
...
Nathan led Anthony through the streets of the Capital city. It was crowded, with shops abundant. People trading their best of materials, it seemed all too exotic and foreign for Anthony.
"You look elated and confused," Nathan broke their silence. "Might I ask why?" He asks with his usual blissful tone.
Anthony looked at Nathan and meets his stare, with a wide grin on his face. "Nothing... I am not just used to crowds."
Nathan chuckles softly, "I see you are a local."
Anthony's face reddens in embarrassment, "not that I am a local, it's just, my family lived secluded from everyone else, we only go to the village only when needed to."
Nathan glares at Anthony as they stopped in front of a huge house. "You have lost something precious to you, haven't you? It might feel like you are responsible for that, but as a hunter you have to put every grief and alienating behind you and do your duty... Trust me it will help."
Anthony froze hearkening to Senior Nathans advice. "Thank you Senior Nathan."
"And maybe them you won't look like Resrin," he joked. Senior Nathan knocks softly on the door, "I never did catch your name."
"Anthony...Anthony Dickson," he replied. Senior Nathans words ignited something in him, it ignited hope.
The door swings open and a fat man emerges from the house. He wore on a white singlet and brown short trouser. He held in hand a sack which he hands to Anthony, "take this little man."
Anthony held the surprisingly light sack to his body. "Be careful with it would ya," the beefy man adds.
"Go up front Anthony," Senior Nathan urged. "We will be right behind" he adds before mumbling something to the beefy man.
Anthony followed orders his thought revolving on what might be in the sack.
...
Anthony stepped into the training ground to see everyone sitting quietly. Anthony stopped before Senior Resrin.
"Drop it and go to the others," Senior Resrin orders, a deep scowl on his face
Not wasting another moment Anthony drops the sack and ran to meet the others.
Soon after Senior Nathan and the beefy man came in.
"Up on your feet!" Senior Resrin commanded. And they obeyed standing groggily.
Vindacurve stepped out from behind three guards, he went to Senior Nathan and speaks with him for a while before coming to address them.
"A hunters strongest weapon is his strong will and spirit, you are each other your brothers and sisters, do not forget that."
"There are five ranks of demon hunters, once you pass every test and exam ahead of you, you will become a Veken. It is the lowest of all five ranks. level, eight to ten."
"Then Meku as ypu call them, seniors. You will be promoted to this level after being a veken for over three years or either by vanquishing a member of the plague 7."
"Mohomi are the senior division, the only way is getting promoted is by killing a monster rank or when a spot is available in the higher ups."
"The final one you need to know is Salihuna, also known as Pro hunters." Vindacurve turned around grabbing the sack and opening it wide facing them.
"This is your next step. Sword selection."
Anthony felt a chill up his spine. He wasn't agitated to pick a sword but by the weightlessness and emptiness of the sack when it played in his arms.
"What type of swords?" Barry asked.
Foolish boy! Vindacurve let's out a low growl before proceeding to shove Barry back with a kick on the chest. "The demon killing type."
Barry crashes on his back grunting. He got back to his feet crestfallen.
"Stupid questions will cost you body parts," Vindacurve scorned. He continues more calmly, "dip your hand into the sack and pull out your sword."
A brief silence sets in, no one had the mocksy to step out to the sack.
What if he didn't pick a sword? Anthony asks himself, he wanted to avoid being the first to be chidedor kicked for picking the wrong sword... Or maybe pick nothing. But no one dared to walk out and that would lead to enraging Vindacurve. Anthony gulped stepping out and walking at a slow pace to the sack.
He immediately met Vindacurve tense glare scolding him. He stayed unfazed.
Anthony's heart dropped as he gazes down into a pitch black void in the sack. "What! Damn! I am so dead! There is no sword!" Anthony screams within. He was panicking.
He stepped up to give others hope, at the moment his legs began to throb in fear. He could not show them he was afraid... No, that would strike fear into them. But what should he do?
Anthony turned to the others plastering the brazest look to his face. "Don't give those looks!" He barks out calling every attention. "There is no need to be afraid, we will get through this together."
He turns back to the sack and dug his right hand onto the sack. "I will prove it to you all!"
Anthony searches for anything that felt to him, a sword. He finds nothing.
His body became cold, a lump formed in his throat. "No! He couldn't go down like this! Was his speech all for waste ? No!" Anthony cleared his mind of all the thoughts.
He crowed his head to stare directly into Vindacurve's dark brown eyes which glared intently at him.
"No! You won't throw me out!" He shouted within himself again. He grinded his teeth, mustering the heat of Aura he activated earlier.
"Arrrgh!" Anthony yelled out withdrawing out a red flaming sword. The hilt strong to tourch, the blade was red in colour with intricate carvings of dragons.
"The dragon tooth, a fine blade," Senior Nathan explained with a wide grin emerging on his face. "Made from sundust, it absorbs sunlight in the day and disperses it out in the night, which makes it a perfect weapon since demons major weakness is sunlight."
Anthony smiled widely and bowed, "thank you master." He walks away seeing on the other's face hope, it made him delighted and a little eccentric.
Vindacurve held Anthony's shoulder before he got far. He senses Anthony shivering within.
Vindacurve lets go. "You have a honourable heart, don't loose it," Vindacurve says with an expressionless voice. "Next!"
This time without a second to waste Barry steps out smiling widely. He runs his hands through his brown hair, before throwing a hand into the sack.
Barry withdraws a blue sword a little after. "What types of sword is this? It has chicken scratches all over it."
"It is a Meron V sword. It uses less Aura to work. It's exactly like mine," Senior Nathan answered.
"Well something is better than nothing." He walks to Anthony and whispers. "I am Barry."
Anthony gives Barry a friendly glance, "I am Anthony."
Anthony stared at his sword, it felt alive special and throbed in his hands. Finally he was getting closer to finding peace in the triumph he would have over Undomno.
Vindacurve cased Anthony, that face, his words, his speeches. It reminded him.
...
Vindacurve layed on the ground blood spewing out of his shoulder, he was in his usual dark green coat. He glared at his broken sword. "All hope is lost," Vindacurve muttered as he climbs to his feet staring deep into the endless debris of the southern kingdom.
Hundreds of demon hunters were dead, the demon Horitoshi Vekun standing there killing more of his men.
"We can't win!" He yelled out before falling to his knees his head down to the floor.
A shadow came towering over him, Vindacurve raised his gaze to see the back of a man in a western kingdom uniform a sword on his back, his red flowing hair filled with white flames.
"Don't give those looks, there is no need to be afraid, we will get through this together." The man turns to face Vindacurve giving him a reassuring smile, "i will prove it to you all."