Without so much as a thought, I shouted to the attacker, "How dare you blow up this forest and attack innocent animals!" Of course, I wasn't sure the bear thing with the axe was an animal; mostly because I didn't take time to look at him, I just jumped between them to stop the fighting. "How dare you tell me what to do you half-sized runt? Get out of the way or I will blow you up with the rest of this forest. Just as Eon Pax ordered me," said the attacker.
"So, you work for Eon? Then I cannot allow you to continue destroying this forest and hurting any more innocent people." Before I could say anything else, I heard a voice from behind me say, "Don't worry about us young one it doesn't concern you. You have no reason to fight, just save yourself."
I turned around to see an older man within a bearskin and armed with the axe. Seeing his state of being, I replied, "But sir, look what he has done to the forest. He must pay for what he has done." "It's okay Gramps. Ah-ahaha! Let the boy help judging from your movements earlier; you could use all the help you can ---." The attacker then stopped precariously and looked at me.
"Hold on a second there boy, you look very familiar for some reason," the attacker said as he called one of his henchmen forward with a list of wanted posters. After a few minutes, he shouts, "I knew it! I knew you looked familiar. You're the boy that defeated Crater Steve a year ago. He was one of our top generals and by far, one of the hardest to defeat in close combat.
Don't worry Gramps; I will get back to you and this forest in a second. I have to settle a little score with this punk." Taken aback by what he said, I replied, "How did you find out so quickly? We were sure to have wiped out or imprisoned everyone that was associated with Steve a year ago."
"Heads up kid, we are not your run of the mill generals from fairy tales or books. We have our ways of getting what we need done alone with someone always reporting to base on what happens out here. I have been waiting for you to show up for some time now. Though I wasn't sure, I would ever meet you. You see, Steve was also my brother but despite that, I despised him.
I wanted to be the one to beat him and knock him down a few pegs, but not only has he beaten me to the great beyond. He was also taken out by a little squirt like you. It can't be possible; you must have used a dirty trick. The report doesn't even say how you defeated him. I will make you pay for what you've done and take everything from you. My name is Fuse Master preparing to die!"
Slightly excited by the events taking place, I was ready for a real fight. I readied my blade in hand and replied, "My name is Xeonix, and I gladly accept your challenge. However, I will not be defeated here by the likes of you.
I can promise you that for sure, for like you will make Eon Pax pay for what he did to my hometown and my family." "Well, then I if intend to do that, you must make it past me. But I promise you I'm no pushover!" he said angrily.
With that, the battle commenced, Fuse came at me with a fury of attacks. Bombs were flying everywhere, as I continued to dodge his bombs one after the other. The constant bombs and explosions made it really difficult to try to get a strike in.
All I could do was block and dodge. Then I heard the old man yell, "Xeonix, quick back to the forest!" As soon as I heard his voice, I made a B line for the trees using one of Fuse Masters bombs as a mask.
"Okay, so now what do we do now? I usually do not just jump out there in the middle of a fight without a plan like that. That was the first lesson I learned to be a swordsman. Not to mention those bombs of his are really annoying," I told the old man.
After which I introduced myself to him as well did, he does the same. "My name is Shane Ngo. I am the last of my tribe of people that lived in this forest. Our tribe was called Terafarin, named for our love of the land and trees." Shane told me.
"We have been fighting Eon's people for the last year, but alas, they have but completely been wiped us out. I am the last. I am thirty years old." "Wait, if you are thirty, then why do you look so old?" I asked him. He continued, "This weapon I have is the Mystic Axe of Shearix. Or rather, it was until Fuse blew it up into two separate pieces.
His men have the other half of the weapon. The other half is like a short staff with a gem in it that grants youth and strength to the user, but should it break the user's life will be forfeit. The reason I am old is due to the fact the axe is in two pieces, and the gem is probably in the process of being destroyed or pulled from the staff. Should that happen and its energy drained –."
"You will die and fade from existence!" I said, slightly depressed and upset. "Then we need to get our hands on the gem beforehand. Where is the campsite? Maybe we can recover it without being noticed."
"It is by the lake on the other side of this clearing made by Fuse Master. However, as I am right now, I can't go with you. I would be more of a liability. I will stay here and keep Fuse Master busy, so you can retrieve it. It will be big trouble should he realize we are both gone."
I agreed to his conditions and headed out. He recommended that I stay in the trees and race around the clearing to the lake. Soon after I left, Shane jumped out from behind the trees to see Fuse destroying more trees and wildlife looking for both of us.
"Hey Fuse Master, lost something important, or did those trees laugh at you for losing sight of the enemies you're supposed to get rid of? Ha-hahaha!" Shane shouted at Fuse Master. Angered by his comment he yelled, "Why you? I'll make you wish I buried you a long time ago, your old fossil!" As I raced over, I could hear the sound of the two in battle behind me. Hearing this, I knew I needed to hurry up and reach the camp before something tragic occurred.