- What?
- Okay, hear me out. If I jump out of the window, I won't be able to come to school tomorrow, meaning I don't need to study for the Maths test.
- You are not jumping out of the window on my watch.
- But maths suck...
- I don't care, you still need to pass it. I will help you study.
- But I want to be free! Write a book! Or go on a journey around the world! Not sit behind the desk all day long.
- Then why do you always tell me that you are playing games when you have free time, shouldn't you be writing?
- It was an example! And also, games are educative! Besides, you say that like you are not playing them as much as I do.
- That's because I have good grades, and good grades deserve good free time.
- Whatever, you just have it easier.
- It's not like I'm not studying at all, I just have good memory and I pay attention in class, not watching memes on phone like a person I know that is totally not keeping up with studies.
- That is because the stuff in school is uninteresting. The only thing I like is.... i don't know, maybe history?
- That doesn't change the fact that you should start studying.
- Shut up....
They were walking side by side, one quite short, with long, black hair and green eyes, skinny, and frail. His face could be called... cute, but in a handsome way, and the other one, tall, great physique, short blonde hair, brown eyes, more of a average looks. Their unforms, black with silver logo, were getting heated by the sun, slowly rising more and more. On the other side of the crossroad, there was their favorite store, that they used to stock up for upcoming classes. The shopkeeper could be seen outside, hanging new posters with promotions.
- Today is my lucky day! -20% on my beloved chocolate with sweet caramel, world is beautiful sometimes. Now, pay up.
- How long has it been since there was a discount on the strawberry youghurt? It's only you these days that gets the win.
He handed the other guy some money. As the other one took it, he rushed to the shop.
- Oi, wait for m-
There was a rampaging car. He saw it with the corner of his eye, and it was heading for his, unknowlegdable of it, friend. With his quite good reaction time, he lunged forward and could do as much as to push him out of danger. With no hesitation, he did it.
*Crash*
He was directly hit. As his counciousness was fading, he saw the other guy.
[Huh?]
They both got hit. He was too slow to save him.
[No! What? I thought I-.]
He fell into a dark room. At least it was his conciousness. It was cold, no, maybe warm, or maybe both, but it didn't matter.
[I failed?]
As he was sitting there, not too long later a bright light emerged and covered the whole darkness of the room. Soon enough, he was instantly unconcious.
He woke up in a cave, lit only with torches.
- Hey, you up?
- Huh? Oh it's you.
- How did we get here?
- The classic way.
- Were we in a road accident?
- Yes.
- Don't tell me it was a white truck.
- Nope, a car.
- Shouldn't I be the only one here? I was at the road then.
- You know me.
- You got hit, too?
- Saving you.
- But I am here.
- You know me.
They both looked the same, but wore different clothes than before: white shirts and black pants.
- How is it possible that you didn't save me and got killed youself?
- You should be happy that I didn't left you.
- Wow, nice, I am totally happy that we are in another world, probably.
- Hey, maybe it's your fault.
- Huh?
- It's you who wanted to leave school to see the world.
- Stop it, it's not funny.
- Yeah, I know.
They spoted some more nonsense for a little moment, before getting back to the reality.
- How long have you been up?
- Oh, maybe 2 minutes.
- And the torches were lit?
- Yep.
- Okay, is there an exit?
- Not in the sight, but there is a way up and down
He showed him a hole in the wall, where a tunnel was located, left side of it was heading down, while right was going up.
- Nice, up or down?
- We are probably underground or something, so we should go up.
***
They were heading up, with torches from the other room in their hands.
- So, if we are in another world, we should use nicknames, or change our names or something.
- Why?
- The classical way says, that reinacrnated world is medieval, so our names won't fit.
- You have any ideas?
- Yea, something like Tearty or maybe Beestal would be nice.
- You have no idea how to name something, do you?
- There is something to know when doing something like this?
- Yeah, duh, of course.
- And maybe you will give me an example?
- Names have meaning, so we should name eachother the way we want to represent something.
- Okay, then maybe you will make me a name, smarty?
- Easy stuff, let me think.
They were going upwards for a good amount of time and at a great pace, about 5 minutes passed as he figured something out.
- Okay, I got it.
- Yeah?
- You are Handeron, while I am Monadias
- And what was the thought process behind this?
- I just thought of random nonsense in my head, and choosed the one that was suitable.
- Oh, and what about the meaning stuff earlier?
- I said it so that I could have the right to name you.
- Um, should I be scared that it does have a meaning like a dumbass or something.
- No.
- Okay, then.
- And also, we are brothers, that were living in the mountains all of their life, so that nobody suspects a thing.
- Oh, so that is why it took you so long, you made a backstory to it.
- I just made that up the moment I said it.
- Um, well...
Handeron sighed, as he didn't want this type of conversation to continue, and Monadias dumbness to unfold even more, because he had it everyday.
After a while a light could be seen, it seemed that it is the exit.
- Hey, if we got reincarnated, do we have some cheat abilities or something?
- Did a window pop up or did you heara robotic voice saying stuff to you?
- No?
- Then we won't, probably.
Monadias lowered his head hearing that. As they were approaching the exit, Monadias rushed forward. As he was out, nothing could be seen because of the fog around the exit.
- Hey, that is some very big mist, like the one when we-
But there was nobody to reply, and there was no entrance underground, either.
- I need to stop going faster than him, do I....
As he said that, steps could be heard approaching him.
- Is someone there?
The steps didn't stop. Instead, they were louder and louder.
- Um, this is getting kinda creepy so could you just-
He then turned around, and blocked a hand trying to grab him. As he pushed it back, he saw a girl with silver hair, blue eyes, and elvish ears. She was dressed in a white shirt, brown shorts and a green coat. They all had some weird green symbols on them.
- Oooh, you have got quite good sences.
- Who are you?
- Oh, me? I am Irse, nice to meet you.
She then extended her hand, as to greet him.
- Why would I greet you? You tried to hit me there, weren't you?
- Well, it was a test.
- Did I pass?
- It's not like you could fail it, but yeah, you passed.
He then fell silent, and then said something weird.
- Haha, you heard that? I passed something!
- What?
- Nevermind. So, where am I?
- That doesn't matter.
- Okay, then mayb-
- Help me.
- Huh?
- I will give you power, and you will take me out of here.
- Huh?
- That will need a little more explaining...
***
As he saw Monadias making his way out, he heard a metallic noise. He turned around, and saw his ankle already tied by a black chain. He tried pulling it, to no result. He then was subdued by three more chains, and without even a blink of an eye, taken out of the place.
He woke up in a fully black room, tied by chains on his legs and arms, like a human X. As he started wiggling, a voice could be heard.
Give up.
As soon as this was said, a fully black chain appeared, and started whiping him.
He was in huge pain from one whip, and it was only the first one. There was a complete barrage of chains hitting his body. He could feel blood coming out of all of his back, and as other chains were crawling up his body, stiching his wounds, which caused even more pain.
He was too exhausted to say anything, but he thought of one thing.
[Whatever happens, I should not lose myself...]
As another whip started hitting him, he also thought.
[Easier said than-] -Aughh!- [done...]
***
Monadias was sitting on the ground as she started going through all she said earlier once more.
- Okay, focus. I am Irse. I am a conscious part of a weapon called Bow of the Wind, and you are in my mental construct.
- Okay, go on, go on.
- We are here, so that I can test you for you to prove me that you are capable of wielding me.
- Mhm, yes.
- As of now, I am just going to train you, because there was nobody here for the past few hundred years, and I want to see the world again, so I will be, like, inside you, looking through your eyes, sensing what you sense and stuff like that, and you will be doing what you want.
- Okay.
- And what you get from me is power of freedom, which this bow holds. Or should I say, I hold.
- Okay.
- You understand now?
- A little, but I have questions.
- Go on.
- How does this "wielding a weapon" works? Do I get special abilities and stuff like that?
- Yes, you get special abilities, with my power, you will be able to manipulate the wind, but the power of it depends on how much you are bound to the concept of "freedom". If you are living your live, relating to the concept of the weapon you hold, the stronger the bond you have with it, and the stronger you are. And it's also dependable on your overall strenght, skill and other stuff.
- Okay.
- Do you have more questions?
- Yes
- Go ahead.
- Could you repeat please?
- You are definitely not on the smart side, are you?
***
A few hours passed by, but for him, it was days, whip, by whip, his back was getting used to being hit.
Suddenly, it stopped. All chains that were used as whips disappeared, and a voice could be heard:
Persistent. But it isn't over.
He then was released from the chains that tied his legs and arms, and he fell to the ground. As he was trying to stand up, using his hands, a loud metallic sound could be heard. As he turned his head to the source of the sound, he fell head down on the face. His hands were cut off. And then his legs were gone.
He lied there, and trying to hide his pain as much as he could, he said to himself.
[It's nothing... It just hurts, but it's nothing big... It's probably for all the bad things I have done or something.... I need to endure it...]
His cut off limbs were, as earlier with his wounds on his back, patched up, and soon enough, they were gone again.
[Focus, what does this...] -Aughh!- [.... You need to see it, you wi..]- Ahhgh! - [... will have a chance to dodge it, but you need to perceive it first! Focus, focus....]
As he was put together again, he stood up as fast as he could and jumped. As he expected, a high velocity chain was going to cut off his feet if he didn't do it, but as soon as he landed, he had his feet somewhere else, and not too long after, his hands.
[I.... saw.... it.....]
***
- Come on, faster! Try to keep up with me!
- You... are... too... dang.... demanding...
He was following Irse, doing stepovers as he shot, using a wind bow and arrows, seenable only because of the green outline her power made. His targets made out of thin air, as they were also infused with Irse's power. As he shot them all, he did some quick dashes and found himself done with this task. He was exhausted, having the strength only to stand.
- Am I..... done.... for now?
- You did great! That's a new record. I think that you are ready to start the training using me.
- Wha-, ah, okay. I forgot for a second you are a bow.
- Well, then here I go.
She then disappeared, and a bow appeared in Monadias's hands.
- Woah, I feel, easy and stuff.
It was a quite regular bow. It only had a scope like the professional bows have, and besides that the only thing that was different was green marks that it had. As he tried aiming with it, an arrow appeared in his hand, made out of wind.
[Nice. It would be bothersome to collect arrows.]
Can you hear me?
- Um, yes.
Great! From now on I will be a voice in your head.
[So I have schizophremia now?]
What is schizophremia?
- You can hear my thoughts?
Yes.
- And do you have access to my memory?
Oh yes I do, but I didn't peak. Well, now that you mention it I will check it out...
She then fell silent for a while, but not so soon after she muttered.
I can only see a cave, that is the starting point.
- Um, okay.
That is weird, but okay.
- Well then, when do I start this new training?
Right now, but I want to ask about something first.
-What is it?
Aren't you worried about the person named Handeron?
- He is the type of guy that if left alone in the woods, he would totally live there and accomodate... No, he would probably help me accomodate, too.
That is a good companion you have.
- He is my friend, afterall
Okay, I will trust him too, then. And also, will you stick to the name Monadias, or you scrap that idea?
- It's good so it stays, call me that from now on, or just say something like pal or champ or something.
Okay, so nice to meet you, in my true form this time, Monadias.
***
The next barrage of chains came, but he was fully ready for it. Jump, dash, jump, slide, roll. Resembling a video game character, he was flawlessly dodging most chains, some hit him weakly, barely touching him, and some were painful, but even though he got hit, the chains didn't cut off his limbs like earlier, instead they just left marks like whipping did.
After a while of dodging, all of them stopped.
- Huh? Am I do-
He moved his head to the side instinctively, as one last chain scratched his ear. If he didn't move, he would be surely dead.
- Hey, that one could have killed me! Isn't your goal taking over my body, by breaking my mind?
Not anymore.
- So what now?
Final challenge.
- Huh? And what does it consist of?
You will see.
Suddenly, a very strong presence could be felt, it was like gravity became three times as strong as it was. Handeron stood his ground, as a dark figure was approaching him. In the meantime, some chains were patching up his wounds, that were made earlier.
The man that was slowly coming towards him had a black coat, with red inner side. He was tall, not taller than Handeron, but still tall. He was smiling, his hair white and spiky. He had pointing ears and, red eyes, but he was pale like chalk. The thing that stood out the most for Handeron was his eyeliner, though. He then said.
- Heya, it's me.
- So I will be fighting you?
- Mhm.
- Can I get some answers first?
- Yeah, go on but I won't be answering much. I only want a good fight, and I can't wait to finally get some workout.
- Who, or maybe, what are you?
- I am nothing but a emotion.
- Are you going to answer in riddles?
- Yes, your time is running out.
- Hmph, then, is the other guy safe?
He stopped walking towards him as he heard this question, and looked really puzzeled.
- What "other guy"?
- The one that I was walking with.
- Huh?
His face became troubled as he heard that. A little suspicious, too.
- I only caught you.
- That can't be. He was with me.
- You are lying and I don't care. You thought you could catch me off guard, did you?
- What?
- Challenge start. Hit me twice and you win. Three tries.
He then started swinging his chains around, and as Handeron was dodging, he was hit once or twice. Then, chains started emerging from the ground, but it wasn't as unexpected as the other guy thought, because Handeron quickly dashed towards him, and after doing a couple side steps to dodge some more, landed a hit. His hand stopped on his face, as he was not budged by it. Handeron quickly backed away before the other guy could hit him back, but he was just standing there, no movement or reaction. From the look of his face, it could be seen that he was... quite happy with taking that hit.
- Great work, kid! Now, land one more!
There was even more chains, and they started to emit a red aura around them. As Handeron observed, they drained energy from him with every contact, no, they took his stamina away with just them being near his body. They probably made him less durable, but that was only Handeron's guess. The draining was slower the more distance, but it worked. It was problematic, and Handeron could anticipate his loss if he were to just dodge.
As he was running around the other guy, he quickly changed routes and went at him at full speed. His opponent turned around to face him, a smile on his face, like he enjoyed that someone was trying to win against him. As Handeron was closer and closer, he felt his limits slowly catching up to him.
[I need to hit him! Be focused, react instinctively! Faster, stronger!]
He couldn't of course dodge everything, some hits were taken, some just barely hurt him, but the draining could be felt.
[That's it, he is in my range!]
He jumped...
But his body refused. He fell on the floor, right before the other guy. He was totally out of stamina, but still tried standing up. This one hit, only one.
The chains stopped at this scene. When Handeron with his probably last bit of stamina looked up, all he saw was a disappointed face of his opponent.
- You were this close, THIS CLOSE, to hitting me, and what happened?
[What? I, huh? I didn't get him? I was this close. I can't move, nothing, I am spent fully. It's a miracle that I am still conscious.]
- You didn't want it enough? You changed your mind at the last second? Disappointing. I thought I had finally found a good host and you... were.... absolutely.... freaking BRILLIANT.... but you failed at the last possible part. I am disgusted, that failure is unacceptable.
[And still, how could I fail? I trained enough, I had a plan, and went along, so why did I fail? What was the reason? Maybe I hesitated too much in the second part?]
- I should end your life right now, but you still have 2 more tries. Why did I even make rule like that? There wasn't a second person that would get this far and yo... Ahhh I will just kill you... I am done with you. You are the best that was here, and the biggest disappointment I had witnessed.
[Maybe I wasn't good enough.... If somebody were to help me..., no, it's just my whining, I should do it alone, but maybe a tiny but of help would have helped?]
Any last words? You have 10 seconds...
[He is going to kill me now... I should have been stronger, or maybe endured more... no that's not it... I am always not enough... Well, if I have to die right now, I should go as I want.]
He then pushed himself with his foot, and with his last energy ever spent, he placed his hand on the other guys's boot.
- You...
His face became enraged, and he wasn't waiting any longer. He then lifted him by his neck with his chain.
[So this is the end... I was probably good enough... I expected nothing much from myself, so... Maybe he is still alive, so it's also a plus.... He would probably give up after like, third whip or something... or maybe he wouldn't... but still, I tried until my last moment, so I am proud....]
Handeron slowly suffocated.
***
Monadias trained with all of his heart. He learned to make his feet lighter by using wind, making him much faster. He could dash in a blink of an eye. He even made his wind arrows go faster, be larger through encoating them with wind, and he even learned flying in the matter of days of training. As he was using his newfound powers, he found that his hair was turning from black into green, which looked like he dyed his hair and then grew it, but it wasn't that bad. He also had his clothes change during the usage. They had weird green marks on them, and changed colours a little.
Okay, that will be enough, I think we can end the training here.
[Finally...]
We will come back to reality now, I will tell you a few more things and we will look for your friend.
- Great, thanks
That's me who is grateful. I am finally out of here...
And thus, the mental construct was gone, and he woke up on the mountain peak, daytime. He had the bow in his hand, and could feel the stone under him. He then used his newfound powers to look for Handeron.
***
As Handeron woke up, he couldn't believe his eyes. He wasn't dead, but as he looked around, he knew he probably will be in a matter of seconds.
He was in a room, lit from the hole in the ceilling, and by a red light from a black link of the chain in his hand. The link then moved to the other side of the room, onto a chair resembling a throne at the end of it. The link suddenly started to create multiple chains around, and they all were heading for him. And he couldn't even move.
[Yep, that is the end...]
As chains were piercing his body, they stopped. They slowly came back to the original link.
Handeron sat on the floor, his back leaning against the wall. His blood was slowly pouring out of him.
- Why did you stop?
He didn't answer, maybe he couldn't speak, but Handeron knew something was up. He sensed something coming, and he felt his power coming back. As he was starting to glow with a golden light, something broke through the wall, and hit Handeron. The impact blew him away, making a vertical crater in the wall on the right side, looking from the throne's perspective.
The crater in the wall that Handeron made was big, but he didn't really feel the impact. As he got off the wall on his own legs, healed now, he looked at his arms. They were in black gauntlets. He also had a black armor, not fully complete, but it was covering his chest and shoulders. It was a one that a knight would use, and not soon enough his vision went blurry.
^^^