Blade Of Truth:
-What is truth, when there is no truth? What are lies, when lies are everywhere? There is no end between the two words, but so many had fell to the battle between, consumed… May my life end quickly, for my duty, is done-
I will not let the cycle of this world end yet. Not now. Not by other hands. If we were to end our lives, we shall do it ourselves. Ironically, this will happen soon enough, for he has finally awakened. Soon enough, perhaps in a couple of years, he shall grow, and he shall be strong and mighty. He might even be the greatest hero ever seen in our world. But he will fall, deeper than anyone else, darker than even the darkest. Thus fate. No one could escape fate, not even me, the Last Prophet. The last person alive to tell this tale. But I shall end it now. My life. This world shall be saved one last time, before it met its final destruction. May all souls rest in peace when the eventual, arrives.”
And with that, the old man stopped writing and folded the scroll. He was a powerful old man, but his time has finally come. He magicked the scroll so it would be invisible to mortal hands. This shall never be revealed to any men until the time arrives… If the world could last that long, chuckled the old man. It doesn’t matters him now. It wasn’t his time after all. His time is now. And now, his time will end, along with everything that had caused so much damage to this beautiful world. Slowly he stepped out of the dark and foggy cave to meet his enemy. Millions of them in fact. Those are the Demons that came from the other world. His tribe had fought it for so many centuries, and finally it would end. As he gave up his life to produce the most powerful destructive spell that disintegrated everything, he knew the other world threat is finally, and finally, not their threat anymore. Obliterated.
Now is the time where the threat comes for the world itself…
*******
Within the thick white fogs is a deer, not fat enough for one week’s of food but just enough to support his family another day. Xuan kneeled within his hide, keeping his body low but his eyes sharp on the deer. Three coppers of worth, he thought with a grin. His bow, Drazu wood and of master carvings, is one of the best bows in his village. Boasting about its abilities would be a waste of time, for it is capable to sail an arrow two leagues at least. Tension began to build as Xuan slowly drew his bow to level point. For Xuan, all hopes lies on this one, for if he fails he will not survive his father’s wrath again. Xuan felt the sweat trickled down from his forehead and entered his eyes. Quickly he wiped them off with his hands and aimed. He know that he must not lose his concentration or all of his effort would go to waste. Grimly he looked over the recollection of dreadful memories when he had failed to hunt down even a single rabbit. It wasn’t the starvation he feared though; it was the madness in his father’s eyes that threatened to blow off the house. The last time he had failed, his father practically chased him all over the village until his neighbors came to his rescue. After that horrible moment Xuan began to wonder about how on earth his father’s father, namingly his grandfather handled his son. It didn’t take long for him to know the answer though: When Xuan’s grandfather have returned from a long travel and learned about the news of his grandchild’s ‘torture’, he personally took a huge piece of wood and walloped his father. Xuan couldn’t help but smile at that particular memory. After all, since when every kid in the town gets to laugh while watching a show of their grandfather walloping their father? And then that day…
Sweet Heavens, focus. Now is not the time to have a taste of bitter or sweet memories, and there’s no way I’m going through another day when I have to face my father’s wrath again. Xuan stared hungrily at the deer, imagining the taste of its soft flesh and heavenly fragrance as he took his aim. He could practically felt his eyes blotting out of their sockets for he was too hungry. Guess one day of trekking the jungle without food and water finally took its toll on him, for he had forgotten the first rule of hunting. Never hesitate to let loose the arrow. As if scalded by Xuan’s piercing glance of hunger, the deer suddenly leaped away and disappeared beneath the thick undergrowth, leaving a wide eyed boy whose stomach is rumbling like drums. It took him several minutes before he finally snapped out of it and cursed loudly. Foiled again! Jumping out from his hiding place, he scanned the ground beneath his foot to see if he could obtain any leads. The tracks are leading southwest! That should be easy enough, it has fewer trees around and more sunlight for me to search for that damned deer… wait. An unpleasant though suddenly intruded his mind, something that reminds him of the danger in this forest, especially the southwest part of the forest. If I keep this up I’d reach the Grazor’s ground! The stakes are too high… What am I supposed to do? Go home? Continue? Xuan began to move in a small circle, his hands holding the hair on his head as frustration began to build. With time running out, Xuan could feel the swell in his heart grew so huge that his chest could no longer take the pressure.
Grazor, a wild predator that had stalked the villagers for nearly ten years, is well known for its ferocity, strength, and size. Weighing the size of three horses, it could easily pound through any armour with pure strength, not to mention its claws and teeth are build to kill. Good news about them is their size: About 3 metres high and 1 metre wide, their bulky size slows them down considerably and will provide more than enough time for anyone to escape easily. The bad news is, Grazors only attack when they’ve surrounded their prey, then ambush them from their blind angle. So far only trained knights have the guts to walk them along and teach them a lesson, that too with bruises and scars. To go is to risk everything, including his life. Heck, he might not even get the deer! After all, they eat everything that’s flesh and bone.
Argh… As I juggle with choices my food is running away! It’s either the Grazors or me who will get to that darn deer first! Xuan had finally came to a conclusion. He decided to ignore the dangers and take on the odds. His hunts had been unsuccessful for a few days, and the family’s food supplies dwindled like rolling circles. He had no choice but to take the risk. With his eyes glancing involuntarily on the direction of his town, he muttered his prayers and took off.
Five hours later, he finally saw the deer again, which is turning into three coppers back and forth due to extreme exhaustion. His vision was so blurry that he thought he might just lie there and sleep till the morning comes, but then again, he was in the Grazor’s ground. Tired or no, the faster he's finished with his business the faster he could get away from this freaking place. Loading an arrow to his bow he fired without hesitation, almost without even looking. It was hesitation that threw him into such a tight spot earlier, and there’s no way he’s making the same mistake again. Thud. Bulls’ eye! It was down. Finally! A huge grin on his face is more than enough to express his relief as he was both sickened and tired of this place already. He picked the dead deer up, pulled out his arrow, turned around… And barely dodge a bone crushing punch from that would’ve sent him in line of Kingdom Come. “What the… A Grazor! Damn it!” That previous punch had forced him to roll over, and now he crawled around the green field frantically in search for some cover. When he finally got up and out from his panic, he realized that both his deer and his bow were at least twenty feet away, all thanks to adrenaline. His anger boiled. Darn the Grazors! I had a family and a life! They need the food! We need the food! We had to live! LIVE! Suddenly a fuse of fire lit on his head and his rage took over. He automatically unsheathed his sword and without hesitation, charged with frenzied speed that caught the Grazor off guard. A clean stab through the left arm left the Grazor roaring with pain and angry. It flung its right arm towards Xuan with the force of a giant behind it as Xuan quickly pulled his sword out and leaped back. Well, well, it’s about time the sneaky little freaks coming out from their hiding holes, thought Xuan grimly. Just as he finishes the thought, five more Grazors came up and surrounded him. He was in a very bad situation. Originally he had thought of only two or three Grazors still in hiding to wait for their chances in an attempt to ambush him, but things came up worse. It seems that the Grazors regarded him as the ‘high class food of honour’ and picked a few more giants to kill him. Huh, a high classed food huh? Maybe the Grazors have more intelligence then we thought. I am after all, a brother to a Knight in training in the Academy, a formidable enemy to them. But then again, since when stupid animals understand about Knight anyway? A weak chuckle managed to escape his lips even though he dreaded every single second of his situation. If it was two or three Grazors, he could’ve still run away even though he doesn’t have much strength left. But since the number is nearly twice of his previous anticipation, there was no escape. He must fight till the end, and fast too. God knows whether other nearby Grazors might turn up as well.
He looked at them. Their faces are even more terrifying than his father had described, especially when anger disfigured their faces. It was so wolfish and distorted that Xuan nearly threw up at the sight of it. But there is nothing that would stop him now. He must win. Xuan spun his blade around a few times, hoping wildly that he could breakthrough either way, which the Grazors had them all covered. His actions might seem desperate, but no, he wasn’t panic. He was taught well by his family, and his swordsmanship has already surpassed his twenty years old brother, a Knight of the nation Xalara. Although the foundation of his super- fast learning skills remains a mystery (Which does not manifest when it comes to counting and writing though), his father had always said that one day he would be legendary. But now… My chances near nil, I might die here… he thought grimly but quickly shook the negativity of him. No! I must not think like this! My family is there, waiting for me! I must kill them and return to my home safely! And I won’t be legendary if I die here, right? Oh mighty Gods above, please bestow me with strength and power. Protect your humble servants from these ferocious creatures. Xuan readies himself for the battle. And although he did not notice it, a glimmer of blue shimmered in his eyes.
Then the Grazors charged. All five at once. Xuan immediately leaped towards the center of the field and waited for the attack. He was very tempted to jump high in the sky and simply let them bang their heads silly, but that would’ve been a very, very stupid idea. It’ll never work anyway. The alternative would be wiser, but by how much though leaves much to be seen.
The Grazors reached striking range. At the nick of time Xuan dropped to his feet gracefully and swung his blade full force. It was perfect: The blade cleanly sliced through an inch of the Grazors’ thick feet and perhaps even bones, threatening to down the Grazors before they had even started. But they hold their ground. Xuan had misjudged their size. He wasn’t fighting human, he was fighting abnormally large beasts whose feet easily outmatched his body in size.
“What?!” Xuan was shocked to see the Grazors still standing and although slowed, attempts to get nearer to tear him apart. Xuan was panicking, but this time adrenaline had not backfired. As thunderous as lightning he took advantage of their confusion and stabbed the first Grazor in the heart. He then decapacitated the second Grazor, sending its head rolling to the ground. He threw another backstab on the Grazor behind him, instantly ending its life. And that was all he could do, because the two remaining Grazors had decided to sacrifice themselves and slammed their body down on Xuan, ignoring the frantic stabs and slashes by Xuan. He screamed out painfully. It felt as if a hundred men had just sit on top of him and crush him mercilessly. No! They’re squashing me like a bug! I must… get… out! His face contorted as immense pain took him. His arms flailed helplessly as he saw the first Grazor he had wounded earlier walked closer and closer. He could almost see the Grazor grinning deviously, except that Grazors couldn’t smile. It was over.
Memories of his childhood flashed before him. His promises, his family, his friends, himself. He had promised his father to train hard and enroll in the Knight Council. He had promised his mum that he’d always be there for her and provide her with warmth and love. He had promised his friends that he would join them a game of dodge balls when he got back. He had promised himself that he would live and live on not for himself but for the others as well. He stared at the Grazor. The blue light glittered a little stronger. The Grazor held his gaze for a second, gave a piercing, frightful howl, and brought his feet down.
Instantly Xuan felt power surging through his body. His will was empowered by something he couldn’t explain. He felt a hundred times stronger than before; he could feel the so-called mana, his magic, flowing through his veins. He extended his left arm.
Beast and man blinked at the same time. He stopped the Grazor’s foot with bare hands! Then all the sudden Xuan felt powerful, strong and majestic, as if he had turned into a King, a God, an Angel. Confidence flow into his being like a stream of rushing water. Slowly, he shook off the weight above him and stood. In his mind, the Grazors are nothing. They stood no chance at all. His grip on his blade tightened as he allowed power to flow through it. His being radiated so much power that even the Grazor felt afraid. For a creature, a brute that had never faced fear in its entire life, this is the first time it had a taste of pure terror. Almost immediately it began to turn back and run, but Xuan is not about to let him go. No, he will never let him go. How dare it put him through so much trouble! It shall pay the price, with its life!
And he brought it down, brutally hacked off the last Grazor’s head as it finally dropped dead. Xuan checked for blood on his precious sword but it was unbelievably clean and dry. There was not a stain of blood to be seen. Why Grazors never bleed remained a mystery to mankind, but for now, Xuan is delighted with the fact. He thought with a mental shrug, At least I didn’t need to wipe bloodstains of my sword with clothes. That would’ve gotten me a good old beating, laughed Xuan in his heart. Slowly and steadily, he carried the bodies of the dead Grazors and walked home. He didn’t even wonder about his newfound strength. Home was the only thing he wanted now. Even the breath-taking beauty of sunset concerns him not. He ran home. In the middle of the battlefield where Xuan nearly threw his life laid a bow and a deer.
Absent-minded lad.
Two hours later, he finally sprinted out of the forest, and with a last burst of energy he walked towards his home. He was weary, very weary. Subconsciously he discovered that the power had deserted him. And he knew no more. Only peace.
“Xuan! Quick, get him into the house! Call the healers from the town square! What are you standing there for? Get them now!”
But he did not realize the cruelty of the slaughter. Neither will he in the future. For he, is not alone.
*******
“Well, well, what a pretty little town huh? Let’s see if we could find someone of interest here…” Standing on a cliff that gave full vision of Xuan’s town, is a man in black cloaks. His eyes gleamed as he felt the thumping in his heart grew stronger. He would not return without booty this time.
A story by Xuan~
-What is truth, when there is no truth? What are lies, when lies are everywhere? There is no end between the two words, but so many had fell to the battle between, consumed… May my life end quickly, for my duty, is done-
-Prophet Of The Last-
Chapter 1: Beginning “It was dark. The demons haven arisen. Chaos fill the land like it always did. Again. And again. And again. But then, this is life. Life always moves within cycles, sometimes big and sometimes small. It all depends on a person’s point of view. Yours. Instead of Chaos, think of Peace. Instead of either, think of Balance. Ah, the Balance. The only thing that matters now, and forever. Without Balance, this world would surely be destroyed, and with that another long and extensive cycle will end its life.
I will not let the cycle of this world end yet. Not now. Not by other hands. If we were to end our lives, we shall do it ourselves. Ironically, this will happen soon enough, for he has finally awakened. Soon enough, perhaps in a couple of years, he shall grow, and he shall be strong and mighty. He might even be the greatest hero ever seen in our world. But he will fall, deeper than anyone else, darker than even the darkest. Thus fate. No one could escape fate, not even me, the Last Prophet. The last person alive to tell this tale. But I shall end it now. My life. This world shall be saved one last time, before it met its final destruction. May all souls rest in peace when the eventual, arrives.”
And with that, the old man stopped writing and folded the scroll. He was a powerful old man, but his time has finally come. He magicked the scroll so it would be invisible to mortal hands. This shall never be revealed to any men until the time arrives… If the world could last that long, chuckled the old man. It doesn’t matters him now. It wasn’t his time after all. His time is now. And now, his time will end, along with everything that had caused so much damage to this beautiful world. Slowly he stepped out of the dark and foggy cave to meet his enemy. Millions of them in fact. Those are the Demons that came from the other world. His tribe had fought it for so many centuries, and finally it would end. As he gave up his life to produce the most powerful destructive spell that disintegrated everything, he knew the other world threat is finally, and finally, not their threat anymore. Obliterated.
Now is the time where the threat comes for the world itself…
*******
Within the thick white fogs is a deer, not fat enough for one week’s of food but just enough to support his family another day. Xuan kneeled within his hide, keeping his body low but his eyes sharp on the deer. Three coppers of worth, he thought with a grin. His bow, Drazu wood and of master carvings, is one of the best bows in his village. Boasting about its abilities would be a waste of time, for it is capable to sail an arrow two leagues at least. Tension began to build as Xuan slowly drew his bow to level point. For Xuan, all hopes lies on this one, for if he fails he will not survive his father’s wrath again. Xuan felt the sweat trickled down from his forehead and entered his eyes. Quickly he wiped them off with his hands and aimed. He know that he must not lose his concentration or all of his effort would go to waste. Grimly he looked over the recollection of dreadful memories when he had failed to hunt down even a single rabbit. It wasn’t the starvation he feared though; it was the madness in his father’s eyes that threatened to blow off the house. The last time he had failed, his father practically chased him all over the village until his neighbors came to his rescue. After that horrible moment Xuan began to wonder about how on earth his father’s father, namingly his grandfather handled his son. It didn’t take long for him to know the answer though: When Xuan’s grandfather have returned from a long travel and learned about the news of his grandchild’s ‘torture’, he personally took a huge piece of wood and walloped his father. Xuan couldn’t help but smile at that particular memory. After all, since when every kid in the town gets to laugh while watching a show of their grandfather walloping their father? And then that day…
Sweet Heavens, focus. Now is not the time to have a taste of bitter or sweet memories, and there’s no way I’m going through another day when I have to face my father’s wrath again. Xuan stared hungrily at the deer, imagining the taste of its soft flesh and heavenly fragrance as he took his aim. He could practically felt his eyes blotting out of their sockets for he was too hungry. Guess one day of trekking the jungle without food and water finally took its toll on him, for he had forgotten the first rule of hunting. Never hesitate to let loose the arrow. As if scalded by Xuan’s piercing glance of hunger, the deer suddenly leaped away and disappeared beneath the thick undergrowth, leaving a wide eyed boy whose stomach is rumbling like drums. It took him several minutes before he finally snapped out of it and cursed loudly. Foiled again! Jumping out from his hiding place, he scanned the ground beneath his foot to see if he could obtain any leads. The tracks are leading southwest! That should be easy enough, it has fewer trees around and more sunlight for me to search for that damned deer… wait. An unpleasant though suddenly intruded his mind, something that reminds him of the danger in this forest, especially the southwest part of the forest. If I keep this up I’d reach the Grazor’s ground! The stakes are too high… What am I supposed to do? Go home? Continue? Xuan began to move in a small circle, his hands holding the hair on his head as frustration began to build. With time running out, Xuan could feel the swell in his heart grew so huge that his chest could no longer take the pressure.
Grazor, a wild predator that had stalked the villagers for nearly ten years, is well known for its ferocity, strength, and size. Weighing the size of three horses, it could easily pound through any armour with pure strength, not to mention its claws and teeth are build to kill. Good news about them is their size: About 3 metres high and 1 metre wide, their bulky size slows them down considerably and will provide more than enough time for anyone to escape easily. The bad news is, Grazors only attack when they’ve surrounded their prey, then ambush them from their blind angle. So far only trained knights have the guts to walk them along and teach them a lesson, that too with bruises and scars. To go is to risk everything, including his life. Heck, he might not even get the deer! After all, they eat everything that’s flesh and bone.
Argh… As I juggle with choices my food is running away! It’s either the Grazors or me who will get to that darn deer first! Xuan had finally came to a conclusion. He decided to ignore the dangers and take on the odds. His hunts had been unsuccessful for a few days, and the family’s food supplies dwindled like rolling circles. He had no choice but to take the risk. With his eyes glancing involuntarily on the direction of his town, he muttered his prayers and took off.
Five hours later, he finally saw the deer again, which is turning into three coppers back and forth due to extreme exhaustion. His vision was so blurry that he thought he might just lie there and sleep till the morning comes, but then again, he was in the Grazor’s ground. Tired or no, the faster he's finished with his business the faster he could get away from this freaking place. Loading an arrow to his bow he fired without hesitation, almost without even looking. It was hesitation that threw him into such a tight spot earlier, and there’s no way he’s making the same mistake again. Thud. Bulls’ eye! It was down. Finally! A huge grin on his face is more than enough to express his relief as he was both sickened and tired of this place already. He picked the dead deer up, pulled out his arrow, turned around… And barely dodge a bone crushing punch from that would’ve sent him in line of Kingdom Come. “What the… A Grazor! Damn it!” That previous punch had forced him to roll over, and now he crawled around the green field frantically in search for some cover. When he finally got up and out from his panic, he realized that both his deer and his bow were at least twenty feet away, all thanks to adrenaline. His anger boiled. Darn the Grazors! I had a family and a life! They need the food! We need the food! We had to live! LIVE! Suddenly a fuse of fire lit on his head and his rage took over. He automatically unsheathed his sword and without hesitation, charged with frenzied speed that caught the Grazor off guard. A clean stab through the left arm left the Grazor roaring with pain and angry. It flung its right arm towards Xuan with the force of a giant behind it as Xuan quickly pulled his sword out and leaped back. Well, well, it’s about time the sneaky little freaks coming out from their hiding holes, thought Xuan grimly. Just as he finishes the thought, five more Grazors came up and surrounded him. He was in a very bad situation. Originally he had thought of only two or three Grazors still in hiding to wait for their chances in an attempt to ambush him, but things came up worse. It seems that the Grazors regarded him as the ‘high class food of honour’ and picked a few more giants to kill him. Huh, a high classed food huh? Maybe the Grazors have more intelligence then we thought. I am after all, a brother to a Knight in training in the Academy, a formidable enemy to them. But then again, since when stupid animals understand about Knight anyway? A weak chuckle managed to escape his lips even though he dreaded every single second of his situation. If it was two or three Grazors, he could’ve still run away even though he doesn’t have much strength left. But since the number is nearly twice of his previous anticipation, there was no escape. He must fight till the end, and fast too. God knows whether other nearby Grazors might turn up as well.
He looked at them. Their faces are even more terrifying than his father had described, especially when anger disfigured their faces. It was so wolfish and distorted that Xuan nearly threw up at the sight of it. But there is nothing that would stop him now. He must win. Xuan spun his blade around a few times, hoping wildly that he could breakthrough either way, which the Grazors had them all covered. His actions might seem desperate, but no, he wasn’t panic. He was taught well by his family, and his swordsmanship has already surpassed his twenty years old brother, a Knight of the nation Xalara. Although the foundation of his super- fast learning skills remains a mystery (Which does not manifest when it comes to counting and writing though), his father had always said that one day he would be legendary. But now… My chances near nil, I might die here… he thought grimly but quickly shook the negativity of him. No! I must not think like this! My family is there, waiting for me! I must kill them and return to my home safely! And I won’t be legendary if I die here, right? Oh mighty Gods above, please bestow me with strength and power. Protect your humble servants from these ferocious creatures. Xuan readies himself for the battle. And although he did not notice it, a glimmer of blue shimmered in his eyes.
Then the Grazors charged. All five at once. Xuan immediately leaped towards the center of the field and waited for the attack. He was very tempted to jump high in the sky and simply let them bang their heads silly, but that would’ve been a very, very stupid idea. It’ll never work anyway. The alternative would be wiser, but by how much though leaves much to be seen.
The Grazors reached striking range. At the nick of time Xuan dropped to his feet gracefully and swung his blade full force. It was perfect: The blade cleanly sliced through an inch of the Grazors’ thick feet and perhaps even bones, threatening to down the Grazors before they had even started. But they hold their ground. Xuan had misjudged their size. He wasn’t fighting human, he was fighting abnormally large beasts whose feet easily outmatched his body in size.
“What?!” Xuan was shocked to see the Grazors still standing and although slowed, attempts to get nearer to tear him apart. Xuan was panicking, but this time adrenaline had not backfired. As thunderous as lightning he took advantage of their confusion and stabbed the first Grazor in the heart. He then decapacitated the second Grazor, sending its head rolling to the ground. He threw another backstab on the Grazor behind him, instantly ending its life. And that was all he could do, because the two remaining Grazors had decided to sacrifice themselves and slammed their body down on Xuan, ignoring the frantic stabs and slashes by Xuan. He screamed out painfully. It felt as if a hundred men had just sit on top of him and crush him mercilessly. No! They’re squashing me like a bug! I must… get… out! His face contorted as immense pain took him. His arms flailed helplessly as he saw the first Grazor he had wounded earlier walked closer and closer. He could almost see the Grazor grinning deviously, except that Grazors couldn’t smile. It was over.
Memories of his childhood flashed before him. His promises, his family, his friends, himself. He had promised his father to train hard and enroll in the Knight Council. He had promised his mum that he’d always be there for her and provide her with warmth and love. He had promised his friends that he would join them a game of dodge balls when he got back. He had promised himself that he would live and live on not for himself but for the others as well. He stared at the Grazor. The blue light glittered a little stronger. The Grazor held his gaze for a second, gave a piercing, frightful howl, and brought his feet down.
Instantly Xuan felt power surging through his body. His will was empowered by something he couldn’t explain. He felt a hundred times stronger than before; he could feel the so-called mana, his magic, flowing through his veins. He extended his left arm.
Beast and man blinked at the same time. He stopped the Grazor’s foot with bare hands! Then all the sudden Xuan felt powerful, strong and majestic, as if he had turned into a King, a God, an Angel. Confidence flow into his being like a stream of rushing water. Slowly, he shook off the weight above him and stood. In his mind, the Grazors are nothing. They stood no chance at all. His grip on his blade tightened as he allowed power to flow through it. His being radiated so much power that even the Grazor felt afraid. For a creature, a brute that had never faced fear in its entire life, this is the first time it had a taste of pure terror. Almost immediately it began to turn back and run, but Xuan is not about to let him go. No, he will never let him go. How dare it put him through so much trouble! It shall pay the price, with its life!
And he brought it down, brutally hacked off the last Grazor’s head as it finally dropped dead. Xuan checked for blood on his precious sword but it was unbelievably clean and dry. There was not a stain of blood to be seen. Why Grazors never bleed remained a mystery to mankind, but for now, Xuan is delighted with the fact. He thought with a mental shrug, At least I didn’t need to wipe bloodstains of my sword with clothes. That would’ve gotten me a good old beating, laughed Xuan in his heart. Slowly and steadily, he carried the bodies of the dead Grazors and walked home. He didn’t even wonder about his newfound strength. Home was the only thing he wanted now. Even the breath-taking beauty of sunset concerns him not. He ran home. In the middle of the battlefield where Xuan nearly threw his life laid a bow and a deer.
Absent-minded lad.
Two hours later, he finally sprinted out of the forest, and with a last burst of energy he walked towards his home. He was weary, very weary. Subconsciously he discovered that the power had deserted him. And he knew no more. Only peace.
“Xuan! Quick, get him into the house! Call the healers from the town square! What are you standing there for? Get them now!”
But he did not realize the cruelty of the slaughter. Neither will he in the future. For he, is not alone.
*******
“Well, well, what a pretty little town huh? Let’s see if we could find someone of interest here…” Standing on a cliff that gave full vision of Xuan’s town, is a man in black cloaks. His eyes gleamed as he felt the thumping in his heart grew stronger. He would not return without booty this time.
A story by Xuan~