Chapter 6: Bound by Blood and Battle
The village was a graveyard of memories. The charred remains of what had once been a thriving community now lay scattered, the air thick with the weight of loss. Nathan stood before the remnants of Azure Orphanage, the place he had called home, his eyes scanning the destruction. Scarlet knelt beside him, her tears carving silent paths down her dirt-smeared face.
Nathan clenched his fists, his muscles taut with a seething rage that threatened to break through. He wanted to scream, to curse the world, to rail against the injustice of it all. But his tears had dried long ago. Only a burning resolve remained.
System Notification:
New Quest: Vow of Remembrance
- Objective: Create a proper memorial for the fallen.
- Reward: Resolve boost, XP bonus.
"We'll rebuild," Nathan said, his voice steady but cold. "But not here. Not now. First, we bury them."
***
Farewell to Family
The day passed in a blur of sorrowful labor. Nathan and Scarlet worked together, carving simple wooden markers for Clara, Robert, and the children who had perished. The guiding light appeared once more, hovering nearby, its gentle glow offering them a quiet comfort. Sometimes it illuminated tools buried in the rubble or guided their hands toward materials they hadn't seen.
When the graves were finally finished, Nathan stood over Clara and Robert's markers, his heart heavy. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I wasn't strong enough to protect you."
Scarlet placed a hand on his shoulder. "They wouldn't blame you. Neither should you."
They knelt together, heads bowed in silent prayer, a final goodbye to the people who had been family to them.
System Notification:
Quest Complete: Vow of Remembrance
- Reward: Resolve Boost (24 Hours), XP Gained: 500
***
The Dangerous Clan
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the village, the sound of hooves broke the eerie silence. Nathan and Scarlet turned to see a group of riders approaching, their dark armor gleaming under the fading light.
At the head of the group was a tall man with a deep scar running down his cheek. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, scanned the wreckage before settling on Nathan and Scarlet.
"You two," the man called, his voice rough. "Come with us."
Nathan stepped forward, instinctively positioning himself between the strangers and Scarlet. "Who are you?" he demanded.
The man dismounted, boots crunching on the charred earth. "Name's Garrick. We're from the Blackfang Clan. Heard about the Demon King's attack and came to see if there were survivors. Looks like we found a couple."
"We don't need your help," Nathan replied, his voice firm, but a sliver of doubt crept into his mind.
Garrick raised an eyebrow. "Help? Kid, you don't have a choice. This place is gone. Stay here, and you'll be dead by dawn. But if you come with us, we'll make you stronger."
Nathan's resolve wavered. The words stung with truth. They were alone now. Vulnerable.
Scarlet spoke up, her voice measured. "What's the catch?"
Garrick smirked. "Smart girl. The catch is loyalty. Train with us, fight for us, and obey our rules. In return, you get strength and a chance at revenge."
Nathan looked at Scarlet, her eyes reflecting the same mixture of caution and curiosity. She gave him a small nod.
"Fine," Nathan said, his voice cold with resolve. "We'll go with you."
System Notification:
New Faction Joined: Blackfang Clan
- Faction Perks: Enhanced Combat Training, Survival Skills.
***
Harsh Realities
The journey to the Blackfang Clan's base was long and brutal. They passed through dense forests, rocky passes, and treacherous terrain. When they finally arrived, it was to a sprawling fortress built into the side of a mountain, an imposing structure that loomed over the surrounding land like a dark sentinel.
The clan members eyed Nathan and Scarlet with suspicion, sizing them up as though they were little more than prey. Garrick led them to the clan leader, Kaelith, a woman whose gaze could freeze the blood in your veins. She studied them with a stoic expression, then gave a single nod of approval.
"They'll begin training tomorrow," she said flatly. "No exceptions."
The next morning, Nathan and Scarlet were thrown into the harshest training regime imaginable. They were forced to endure endless sparring matches, survival tactics, and brutal endurance tests that pushed them to their physical and mental limits.
Nathan kept his "Blessings of Nature" hidden, using them only when absolutely necessary, wary of revealing too much. The guiding light remained a subtle presence, offering guidance when Nathan faltered or needed an extra nudge. Scarlet, on the other hand, quickly rose to prominence in magic, her skills earning her both respect and envy from the clan members.
But despite their progress, the Blackfang Clan was a place of competition, not camaraderie. The other trainees treated them as outsiders—weaklings to be overcome, rather than allies to be trusted.
***
The Test of Loyalty
Two years passed in what felt like an instant. Nathan and Scarlet were no longer the weak children who had arrived at the Blackfang Clan. They had become skilled fighters, their abilities honed through relentless training. But with their growth came resentment from their peers, especially from those who had once seen them as easy targets.
Then came the announcement of the clan tournament, an event where the strongest trainees would prove their worth. For Nathan and Scarlet, it was an opportunity to show not only the clan but themselves how far they had come.
The tournament was brutal, a test of both strength and survival. Nathan fought his way through each round, relying on his training and his Blessings of Nature, though he used his abilities sparingly. He kept them hidden, disguised as raw talent.
Scarlet made it to the semifinals, where she faced a cruel and aggressive opponent named Rovan. The fight was brutal. Rovan, a towering figure with a sadistic smile, overpowered Scarlet with ease. When she fell, he didn't stop. He continued to strike her, each blow landing with a sickening thud, even as she lay bloodied and broken on the ground.
"Enough!" Nathan roared, his voice filled with fury as he charged into the ring, shoving Rovan aside.
The clan leader's cold voice rang out across the arena. "Nathan! This is a tournament. If you interfere, you forfeit your place."
Nathan turned to face Kaelith, his eyes blazing with rage. "You let this happen," he spat, his hands trembling with barely contained anger.
Kaelith's expression remained unchanged. "The strong survive, Nathan. You'll learn that soon enough."
With a final, furious glance at her, Nathan carried Scarlet to safety. He set her down in the shade, then returned to the ring, ready to face Rovan in the finals.
***
The Unveiling
The crowd was deafening as Nathan and Rovan squared off. Rovan grinned, his teeth bared in anticipation. "You should've stayed down, boy. Now you'll pay for your weakness."
Nathan said nothing. His anger was a storm beneath the surface, quiet but overwhelming.
The fight began with Rovan charging forward, launching a barrage of brutal strikes. But Nathan was faster, more precise. He dodged and countered with a fluidity that left the crowd gasping.
As the fight continued, Nathan felt his control slipping. Memories of Scarlet's bloodied form flashed in his mind, and the Blessings of Nature surged within him. Without thinking, vines erupted from the ground, coiling around Rovan's legs. Flowers bloomed at Nathan's feet, their petals glowing with vibrant energy.
"What is this?" Rovan shouted, struggling to free himself.
Nathan didn't answer. He summoned a massive wave of water, knocking Rovan to the ground, leaving him gasping for breath. The fight was over, but Nathan wasn't finished.
He loomed over Rovan, his hand crackling with green energy, ready to end the fight once and for all.
"Stop!" Kaelith's voice sliced through the air. "Nathan Azure, stand down."
Nathan hesitated, his fury still burning within him. But slowly, he lowered his hand, and the vines receded. He took a step back, leaving the stunned crowd in silence.
Kaelith approached, her eyes unreadable. "You've shown great power today," she said coldly. "But power without control is dangerous."
Nathan didn't respond. He turned his back on her and walked away, leaving the tournament grounds behind him.
***
The Decision
That night, Nathan packed his belongings, his mind made up. Scarlet, still recovering from her injuries, watched him with quiet understanding.
"We're leaving," Nathan said, his voice steady but resolute.
Scarlet nodded, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Good. I hate this place."
They left a note for the clan, thanking them for the training but refusing to stay any longer. As they stepped out into the night, Nathan took one last look at the fortress.
"This isn't over," he murmured, his eyes hard with resolve. "Not by a long shot."
With Scarlet by his side, he set his sights on the future—on becoming strong enough to face the Demon King on his own terms.