Chereads / Guardians of Time (GoT) / Chapter 12 - The Hunting

Chapter 12 - The Hunting

Fen chuckled at Ryan's thoughts. "Time to teach you how to create your Mana core. Close your eyes. Inhale through your nose. Exhale through your mouth."

Ryan followed the instructions, feeling a wave of calm wash over him.

"Good," Fen said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "Now visualize a purifying light cleansing your body, mind, and spirit. Think of it as a spiritual shower. You know, one that actually works."

As Ryan pictured the light, he felt lighter. His mind cleared. Warmth spread through him, like he was basking in sunshine.

"Now imagine a brilliant, pulsating light at the base of your spine," Fen instructed. "Visualize this energy flowing through your body."

Ryan focused hard.

"Concentrate on your heart center. Picture the accumulated lights condensing into a glowing core at your heart," Fen continued.

A small sphere of light formed there. It was tiny, like a pebble, yet vibrant.

"Very nice. As expected from the chosen one." Fen nodded in approval.

Ryan was stunned. Everything he had read in mythological records and novels suddenly felt real.

He kept visualizing the sphere in his heart. The lights swirled, specks of luminous dust circling the core. It was mesmerizing, like watching a galaxy in miniature.

"Alright, you are set. That's all for today. Remember to practice forming your mana core every chance you get." Fen settled back, his head resting on his legs as he closed his eyes.

"Go to sleep. Tomorrow, bright and early, you'll tackle your physical training."

Ryan opened his eyes. He felt refreshed, like he had just stepped out of a steam room. The fatigue that had clung to him like a wet blanket had vanished.

***

The next morning, Ryan's physical training kicked off with the usual grueling routine. Five laps in, Fen chimed in, his tone a mix of seriousness and a dash of sarcasm. "Harness your Mana Core's power. Channel energy into your movements. Because, you know, running five laps isn't hard enough."

Ryan blinked, confusion written all over his face. "What?"

Fen sighed, clearly amused. "Visualize energy flowing from your core to your muscles."

"Oh… O-Okay…"

"Oh… O-Okay…" Ryan stammered. He gave it a shot, trying to channel the energy from his core into his body, focusing on his legs. After all, they did most of the work when running.

To his surprise, as he concentrated, his legs felt lighter—like they were suddenly made of air. It was the same sensation he had experienced during sit-ups and push-ups, but this time, it was different. With this newfound energy flowing, he felt his agility kick up a notch.

"Very good," Fen praised, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "Do this for your everyday movements. Soon, you'll do it instinctively. Like breathing. Or forgetting your keys."

Ryan nodded excitedly.

"By the way, Ryan. I overheard your little chat with your colleagues yesterday. You're on day off today, right?" Fen asked when they walked back to Ryan's room.

Ryan furrowed his eyebrows.

"Yes."

"Aha, then today let's go hunting."

"Hunting?"

"Yes. I need to eat, remember?" Fen replied, as if it were the most casual thing in the world.

Ryan stumbled. Hunting? The thought twisted in his mind. He imagined Fen stalking humans in Luxor, The City of The Gods. The image was unsettling.

Fen laughed, "No, no. I was only teasing you. I can eat wild animals."

Ryan exhaled with relief. Still, the idea of hunting made him uneasy. "Where will we go hunting?"

"I'll take you somewhere. Just use your light clothes."

"...Alright."

Ryan's stomach churned. He wasn't sure what "light clothes" meant in this context. Would they be running through dense forests? Or worse, would he have to climb a tree?

"Is this a good idea?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his words. "What kind of wild animals are we talking about here? Rabbits? Or something that might eat me first?"

Fen smirked. "Just trust me. It'll be fun."

"Fun? Right. Because nothing says 'fun' like being chased by a bear."

Fen shrugged. "If you're lucky, it'll just be a deer. I promise, they don't bite."

"Great. Now I'm supposed to worry about dodging wildlife too?"

"Relax. I've got this covered."

Ryan felt the tension rise again. What if Fen wasn't as confident as he seemed? The thrill of the hunt could quickly turn dangerous.

"Let's just hope your idea of wild animals doesn't include anything with sharp teeth," Ryan muttered.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you. I promise you'll walk away with all your limbs intact."

Ryan snorted. "Thanks. That's reassuring."

He took a deep breath. The day was going to be anything but ordinary.

***

After an hour, Ryan had already taken a bath and polished off breakfast. He exchanged pleasantries with colleagues and other staff members. Then, he retreated to his room, claiming he needed to continue deciphering.

As he closed and locked the door, Fen's voice boomed from the other side. "Ryan, choose your weapon."

"What weapon…?" Ryan asked, a mix of confusion and curiosity in his tone.

"You need a weapon to hunt, no?" Fen shot back, clearly unimpressed.

Ryan frowned. "I thought you would be the one who will hunt…"

Fen roared, "You should also hunt!"

Ryan stiffened.

"Choose."

He hesitated for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I-I choose… An automatic handgun…"

"No. That will not develop your skills further."

"..."

Silence hung in the air. Ryan felt the pressure mount.

"Listen. The Lord of Time wields a scythe. Most Guardians of Time? They stick to swords, bows, and spears. Pretty standard stuff."

Ryan frowned. "But guns—why not just use guns? They hit faster and more accurately."

Fen shook his head. 

Fen shook his head, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Guns are secondary. You need to master at least one of the weapons I mentioned first."

"Why?" Ryan's confusion was evident.

"Because you'll be traveling back to ancient times. You think they had guns back then? Good luck trying to pull one out in a medieval battle."

A hint of understanding hit Ryan.

A flicker of understanding crossed Ryan's face. He sighed. "Fine then. I guess I'll go with a sword. Maybe something like a B*st*rd Sword."

 

Fen chuckled. "Finally. You're starting to get it."

Ryan crossed his arms, the sarcasm dripping off his words. "Great. So, I'm a time traveler with a sword. Just what I always wanted."

"Hey, it's better than being a time traveler with a squirt gun," Fen shot back, a grin on his face.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'll keep my sword. Let's just hope it's enough."

"Now we're ready to go," Fen replied, shaking his head with amusement.

Shadowy particles erupted around Fen and Ryan. Dark, wispy fragments swirl chaotically, like living darkness. The particles coalesce into tendrils, wrapping around Fenrir's form, momentarily obscuring his features. The shadows then dissipate, leaving behind an eerie, fleeting afterimage.

***

Ryan stumbled forward, his stomach churning like a blender on high. Dizziness swirled in his head. He closed his eyes, massaging his temples. When he opened them, the vast landscape of the Savanna desert stretched before him.

"Where are we…?"

"You humans call this place the Savanna desert." Fen strolled around, sniffling the grass below his feet.

Ryan's eyes widened. The Savanna was home to a parade of animals. Elephants, zebras, gazelles, baboons, ostriches. But then there were the real stars of the show: cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, and lions.

He glanced around nervously, half-expecting a lion to take a break from its nap and eye him like a snack. Luckily, the predators were nowhere in sight.

"Ryan," Fen called, dragging him from his thoughts.

Ryan turned to Fen and saw a sword on his jaws.

With a frown, Ryan picked the sword from Fen's mouth and unsheathe it.

It was a beautiful sword, a sturdy b*st*rd sword, gleamed in the fading light. Its 110-centimeter blade, sharpened to a deadly edge, was balanced perfectly in his hand. The intricately patterned hilt, adorned with vines and Celtic knots, shimmered, while the worn leather grip fit comfortably in his palm.

"I never used a sword before, Fen…"

Fen chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "It's simple, Ryan. Just focus on the mana enhancements in your muscles. Then swing or stab. You'll see what happens."

Ryan hesitated. "Why don't you hunt by yourself? I could just follow you."

Fen laughed, a sound that echoed through the high grasses. "That was the plan all along. How could a weak human like you win against wild animals? Hahaha."

"This jerk…"

With a frown, Ryan trailed Fen through the high grasses, the sword ready in his hand.