After recent events, and now another week later on the orphanage, Rayes would be walking around the edge of the forest, suddenly dodging an arrow from the woods. He smirked.
More arrows fired upon him, still to his back, and he only kept avoiding them with ease."Mwahhaha! Come on children, you'll never catch your own food if you can't at least rip my fine suit." He teased.
He could sense their frustration as he teased them.
While this would normally should discourage them, the taunt only encourage they're drive to at least ruin his tie or hair by the splitting of the arrow just grazing them.
Rayes ran off, and could hear the bushes and trees moving with him.
They were all children or hero's, which made them such talented children. They were gifted with strengths of their former parents.
Rayes realistically couldn't let his gaurd down. He sense traps they set, either by magic or by natural hands on interface.
"Time is almost up children... you'll fail this test." He said, and this motivated them.
"No fair!" Amber called out. "How is this fair, your too strong!" She couldn't understand it and the other children felt the same. They were trying so hard to trap, hit or even scratch him.
"It's so I know you children will be ready... ready to follow your parents paths... to look for your orgins... and if your traveling, danger is everywhere... you all will need to learn to hunt... to defend yourselves... and to always be alert!" He explained "if you all plan to really go looking for your parents pasts, and learn each of your heritages, then you must be able to stand up to evil and use the approach about of force." He then surprised them, as he began to use magic as earth and water magic would be used against the children. And while he did hold back, his attacks would leave cuts amd bruises.
The children were all surprised to now see there mentor fight back. A few reacted fast enough, but a few also were hurt.
Deeply, he hated the idea of even hurting them simple scratches, but he hardened his heart to make sure they grew up, even just a bit.
"AH!" He could hear the children, as they each reacted differently to the sudden danger.
This was a surprise, they, never got to see him use magic offensively, even now it still seemed defensive as to not harm them. And while it was the children's first time being in a sort of dangerous situation, they slowly began to understand the meaning if the training, after all, they each practiced different forms of combat. After a moment of their groaning. Amber then let the charge.
"Raven... Chris... well ambush him from all sides. Valerie, heal Mist, and Crystal. Chris, use magic from above and move around through the tree to keep him guessing!" She gave clear and simple orders to get them back into actions.
"She is truly like her parents... that's the hero's blood for you... now... show what each of your legacies are made of..." rayes mumbled to himself as he even smiled from the thrill of the mock fight.
"Valerie, once your done, you three Mist and crystal will cast magic around him as well... but try to push him back. So focus earth magic. Or fire arrows... now... go!" Together they began to synchronize. Attacking together as ordered by amber.
Rayes would look at amber first, as she thrusted her sword to him. "Trying to pinch me...?" He asked watching as the other children in the front assault soon burst around the bushes and charged him. He then noticed the magic in the sky as he was really being attacked and all out.
He used magic barrier against her piercing attack, and then use weak fire magic to create small flares of explosions to push away the others, only to then shove aside amber with the barrier he made to cover the above assault. "I'm glad your all working together... but don't think a strong foe will go down so easily" he warned them, only to then last minute curve his head after seeing the earth stab up to him from the ground.
He notices how dangerous that attack was, and while he was fine. He would need to scold them for casting that magic so potentially, but at the same time. Maybe it was fine knowing his strengths. "A unified attack... and you let the charge." He then glanced to amber with just looking at her.
At the same time, new magic was then fired as well arrows from around him.
He didn't have a lot of space to dodge, or parry, and while he could make the battle unfair, he showed them a new level of magic, as he soon control the magic targeted towards him and just barely altered their directions to both defend himself and counter the children who went to attack him behind. Not harming them to badly again, but definitely cut and bruise once more.
He grew impress as they got up quickly and felt light magic as they were healed in bushes and the assault continued against him with amber once again coordinating the front.
The exercise went on for so long and ot was only when sunset came around that amber was left standing against him. The other children were out if breath, tired and drained of mana as they got sick.
While amber, saw this unbreakable and unmoveable wall before her, she quickly closed the distance to make a last stand on the training.
He was truly impressed by their spirits, they all were so strong, he saw them actually learn new skills, and adapt much like their parents. Some played support, others long range and of course the front line. However he ended things quickly, as he simply took away Amber's sword and tripped her to the grass floor. "Enough..."
They were all expecting to be told they failed.
"You all worked wonderfully together..." he reassured them. "I'm so impressed by it. I don't remember if I had you all fight together, but... you all worked so well and around each of your strengths. At such a young age, you all did so very well I'm queit shocked..." he smiled and helped each one stand up. And began to heal them.
"We still didn't hit you though." Valerie said. The winning condition was to at least do that after all.
"True... that's your win condition... and you were all so close multiple time... but my goal, was to judge each of your talents... so where you need improvements... and I admit, if I was some lower demon, you all would leave me half dead. Please be proud of yourself, you all fought incredibly well and amber... you were a wonderful leader. Truly a natural talent as well with a sword, even keeping up with me." He praised them, making sure to acknowledge they weren't weak like they might have thought.
Amber sat criss crossed, scratches on her cheek and cuts on her legs and arms. "I did nothing special sir... Valerie, did the heavy lifting healing us... all I did was make sure you focused on me so Crow and Chris and the others can pinch you. But, I let them down..."
"No way! You were amazing." Crystal assured her.
Mist then agreed. "Yeah, non of us could lead like you, and we had such a strong chance together. We wouldn't have gotten this far without..."
Raven would get up and stretch as she then walked to amber helping her stand. "With more training, well get him next time." She smiled.
Amber was slightly blushing, all the kind words she got made her self conscious. They all were like siblings getting along in a unique way. "Fine... okay... sir... can we go home now... I wanna take a bath." She whined still so shy about them singing her praise.
"Haha... not until you thank your comrads. They may be your bothers and sisters... but today, I hope you all bonded a lot more together." He said healing her now last and patting her head as he came over.
She was only more embarrassing, but did have to agree, so she looked to the others and bower. "Thank you."
They all rushed her and hugged her happily accepting her as their leader of their party.
He stood aside and smiled seeing them all so well connected. It was assuring to know they would be inseparable.
"Master!" Nala would come over from the direction of the house and take his hand hugging his waist. "Labelle asked me to come get you all, so come hom already!"
"Did she... alright fine... we are about done now. So we were about to head over already." He said holding her hand as they walked with the children behind them taking to one another about where they could improve. "Oh, I see... you were kicked out cause you made trouble while she was cooking again huh." He teased
She began to get flusted and weakly punch his chest. "Your do rude master!" She then held her hands up, clearly wanting to be spoiled and picked up.
"Ah ha... fine fine..." he got down and picked her up.
The children saw this and were estranged by the sight.
"Your like father and daughter more than master servant." Ambed said, which in her tone secretly was envious.
In fact they all felt that same sort of feeling. Which, they couldn't exactly understand yet know why.
"Oh sir!" Valerie then spoke up. "How can you use healing magic... if your a demon... I hope that's not rude of me." She twirled her hair.
"Ah, hmm... well, light magic... isn't just to believes and those who value a God or simply are angels... if one can accept hope... love, and believe. They can Harbour light magic. It's not just for somone born in churches, blessed or have blood of angels... anyone can use light magic, especially its healing properties if one is devoted to their own hopes and dreams. You could also say, love is a factor... believe it or not children. Magic is a lot more complicated than you coukd ever imagine." He explain, carring Nala while walking in pace with Valerie.
"Ahh!" She seemed to love the study of magic and his explanation helped her to understand why she could use it. And why even demons could. It opened her eyes to the true understanding of magic. That anyone can master and learn even magic not natural to them.
"You have, a desire to learn magic don't you... you should spend time with Labelle more dear... she's much more skilled in it than I believe it or not." He answered while gently seemingly have put Nala to sleep in his arms.
"Sir... I'd like to ask." Crow came over to talk as well now. "Would it be okay to join you in the city?"
He was surprised "ah... hm. I'm not sure..."
"Please? At least a few at a time... if possible. We kinda wanna see what's outside the forest." He spoke honestly for a demon.
"Hmm..." he was concnered. He knew of the serious influence the world can have on them. But he also knew denying them there curiosity wouldn't be right. "Well, you children are now about 10 years old each... some younger and some older... but, I do think maybe it's time to take a few of you... however... there will be rules... in truth... I don't want take you children to the city's and towns... however, it's only right you all learn of the world outside my baised opinions." He spoke with rationale thinking.
Hearing the master of the orphanage not deny taking them, made Crow smile. But upon hearing his addition, he wondered. "Is the world that bad?"
"No... I just, don't like the world outside... my opinion however. Shouldn't affect any of yours... your all welcome to see the world and form your own thoughts and opinions... so I'm hesitant. But open. Sorry I'm sure it's confusing." He sighed.
Crow then shook his head. "No I'm sorry sir. You must have your reasons... so I'm in no place to judge. But I understand also... so I can't wait to see for my own eyes."
Rayes chuckled and nodded. "Of course."
He was glad to have such a civil talk, since he was their only mentor, teacher. And some what of a father figuer for them. The children did listen well to his advice. The world was big, and in their corner of it, they were being raised to be open to it. And to be prepared for what ever they would encounter. Something in truth, he knew they never would never experience anywhere else.
The house was soon in view, and they gathered together inside seeing Labelle, who had made them a hot pot for today, as she set it on the table to share for everyone to eat. "Welcome home children." She said. Inviting them all now to sit and eat.
The last entering were rayes and Nala, as he managed to wake her and let her go on to join the others. "Thank you as always for taking care of dinner." Rayes told Labelle.
"It's no problem." She responded with a casual smile.
"The children... it seems they have been wanting to leave the forest... I'm in no way g9jna deny them such freedom... but." He began to have a talk with her.
"But, you don't trust the outside... did you explain that to them?" She wondeded.
"I did. So, what should I do?" He asked.
"You already know, to take them with you into town... have them see for themselves. You know this. I'm surprised you weren't ready for that after all this time. Your sure protective of them aren't you." She chuckled.
"Mmmm..." he was disgruntled, but didn't deny that. "They are... children. The children of former friends... I... have to keep them safe. But the world..." It was a complex topic for him.
"I know. It can be unfair. Veil and one sided. People comit crimes, sin and they also can be kindhearted and loyal... all people can. Humans, half monsters, and monsters themselves. But you can't teach that, only learn from one's own actions and choices. You can't keep them here forever. So just keep doing what you always have. And prepare them." She planted a kiss on his cheek and had a slight blush as she held his hands gazing right at him.
There was nothing sweetness and loyalty from her. He looked at her right back and wasn't so dense to know she loved him. He felt the same, amd saw the similarities of her and his first love. He sighed and held her hand taking her to the table where dinner was already being eaten, by the children and Nala, to join them.
The quiet moment after there talk brought them closer as she was close to his side the entire time.
After dinner, night came around. The children in their shared room, they began to talk to one another around a lit candle.
"So... hey, what sort of places the world has? I mean... we never left here, but... I'm so excited to see what's out there." Mist said, as he began to fantizied the world and what could be put there.
"I want to see what other magics are out there... and the other races..." Amber said.
"Me too, I'm interested in the type of swordsmen and artisans... I've noticed the many weapons we have and I want mee the masters of them." Chris said expressing also a dream of his.
"Hey, I have a question for all of you..." Valerie said, getting everyone's attention. "Sir rayes... he told us, we were all children of hero's... but... we all have different orgins... is anyone interested in... learning there history...?" She asked touching her fingers together. She was having feelings of doubt. The topic, was a bit heavy.
After her question. They did think on their own. Each one had a different race, amber unfortunately couldn't know where to begin. So for her it was hard. In a way, it felt like they couldn't become part of their own culture.
"I... would like to. But... are we allowed to... aren't we... in some way, outcasts of our own races?" Crow said and asked. "I mean... I have... our lord, but... I never met any other demon. So I don't know... if I should meet my people."
It was truly hard to know the answer. On one hand, they knee nothing of themselves, or more accurately, their race and cultures. They just knew, half of who they were.
"I don't know..." Amber said. "Humans... make so much space on our world... it's hard not to find not one of them on any country or region... I rather know who my parents are... I'm sure you all do... but... you are much more lucky than me. You have country's made up of your races... i... I don't know have anyone." She was sadden by the fact. They, could find links to trace them back to their homelands. She wasn't so fortunate.
"That's not true. You have us... we're family amber" Rayes said to her. "I may not be your real father, but I do consider all of you my children." He said in earnest, to help confort her.
"Sir." Amber would only sorry for herself for a moment. And smiled at him even going to hug him with tears swelling in her eyes. They all then choose to do the same. And the sentiment was the same. Even if they did find their birth homes, they likely wouldn't ever meet their real parents or living family, so to know he thought of them as his own children it made them happy. It was something they didn't know they wanted to hear from him. They spoke to him with upmost respect and he always tried to be distant, but tonight those same walls came down.
"Would that make me... a mother then?" Labelle asked very softly rubbing the tips of her fingers. She genuinely hated her past, a woman forced to have children with her family, but here, of her own free will she was actually happy over it, this was her only acceptation.
"Oh! And me? A big sister?" Nala asked with excitement.
Rayes chuckled and looked shrugged. "Sure why not."
All together, they all looked like one family, all from different ranges of life. It was, a pleasant sight in his eyes.
It was like a moment in time stopped, and he saw his beloved again, watching them from a distance. He'd give a Glace, hope in his eyes that this was the right thing.
And, would recieve a smile back. It was Pure.