FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

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CHAPTER 11

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Training over the next two days with Jun'lao was intensive. He was determined to prepare me as well as he could for my first training session with Wraith, the drake who had been chosen by Jan'Zar to train me in both weapons and fire bending. Our first meeting had not been what I'd been expecting. While Wraith hadn't outright expressed his intentios to fight me, I knew that if I wanted to have any chance of surviving his traiing I would need to prove my worth to him. And to a warrior like Wraith, a fight was the only way he could determine if I was worth his time to train. Jun'lao knew Wraith, they had fought on several occassions. He never told me which of them had won their duels, but he did tell me that Wraith was not someone to pull his punches.

If I was careless, there was a very good chance that Wraith would kill me, or at least seriously injure me. Jan'Zar didn't seem to believe that he would do such a thing, having warned the drake against such an act, and knowing that I was her charge would be enough to prevent him over stepping his authority. But Jun'Lao was not so sure. I wasn't convinced either.

So the two days before my match against the formidable Wraith, Jun'lao focused my training on learning how to read the flow. A natural force which reacted to the actions and intent of all living beings. He wasn't alone though. In order to train me he had recruited three other warriors; his students. One of which turned out to be his son!

Relentlessly they trained me. Beating me until I could barely stand anymore, and then continuing to do so. I was forced to fight them one-on-one, two-on-one and even three-on-one. Doing so while being blind-folded at times. By the end of my third day of training with Jun'lao I was barely able to move, but I had improved. I could sense incoming attacks, entire seconds before the came my way, and sometimes even what direction they would come from, but not much more than that.

"We shall end your training here for today." Jun'lao declared as I took several gulps of water from a water bag.

"Are you sure Master?" His son, Jun'bak asked. He was the spitting image of his father. He was slightly shorter, and his shoulders were slightly broader, but they had the same beak and piercing eyes as his father had.

In fact all four of them had the same eyes. The other two students, Kao'lar and Hen'zi, were not related to Jun'lao. It was a racial trait, one that was apparently passed down through every generation. It was a sign that their race was Tai'lar, a race born of a deity. There were several races like this apparently. And in all of them their eyes were unique, and each race had a fraction of the deities power.

They were similar to k'tan in the way they could use these abilities with nen, but the source of our powers was very different. While k'tan drew their power from a rune of power, which was located in the Hall of Ancestors, Tai'lar drew their power from the deity themselves.

"I am quite sure." Jun'lao answered his son. "Malakye will fight Wraith tomorrow. And he needs his rest. If he is too weak to fight, then there was little point in putting him through all this."

"I understand father." Jun'bak bowed his head to his father.

"Kao'lar, Hen'zi."

"Yes Master!" The pair said in unison.

"I wish you to escort Malakye back to the village. Ensure he drinks plenty of water, and eats a good meal before retiring to bed. I shall go and explain his condition to the Lady."

"At once Master!" They chimed together before helping me to stand up and allowing me to use them as support.

My entire body protested at the movement. But they stood either side of me and began walking me back home. They lead me back to the hut which I shared with Jan'Zar. Hen'zi left to get me some food, while Kao'lar stayed and got me a drink of fresh water, and some alcohol.

A few minutes later Jan'Zar entered, followed by Jun'lao. She stared at me for a few moments before turning back to Jun'lao. Not even bothering to speak to me.

"You've been training him hard." She commented. Her statement was not an accusation, but more of an observation.

"He was worried about training with Wraith my Lady." Jun'lao replied. "I was simply ensuring he was as ready as possible."

"Exhausting him is not the way to do that." She bit back. But Jun'lao seemed unphased by her words. "Very well." She sighed. "We will forgo your meditation training tonight. But I need to attend the dinner tonight, so if you wish to sleep now you're going to have to put up with the runes."

Protective runes, painted in fresh animal blood. It stank, and was all together unpleasant, but I needed to rest. I nodded my consent.

"You there!" Jan'Zar pointed at Kao'lar. "Get me some fresh blood! I don't care what kind!"

"Y-yes my Lady!" He bowed and quickly left the hut to obey the command.

A few moments late Hen'zi entered the hut. He immediately noticed Jan'Zar and stopped in the doorway to bow to her before bring me the tray of food which had been prepared for me. I didn't even stop to look and see what he had brought me. I grabbed a piece of bread and devoured it. I hadn't realised I had been so hungry! I inhaled the food in a matter of minutes and washed it down with both drinks that Kao'lar had given me earlier.

As I ate Jan'Zar and Jun'lao spoke on the other side of the room. They were talking in old tongue, which meant I couldn't understand what was being said; which probably meant they were talking about me. I had always hated when she and Callen had spoken like that when I was in ear shot! Why couldn't I know what they were saying? Hen'zi had left after giving me my food, so I felt rather isolated in this small room despite the fact there was two other beings in here with me. Hen'zi and Kao'lar didn't know much common tongue, but they knew enough so that we could communicate our basic needs. Jun'lao's son, Jun'bak, spoke common tongue almost fluently. But he wasn't much of a conversationalist.

Kao'lar returned just after I had finished eating. Jun'lao said something in old tongue and Kao'lar handed him the bowl of blood and quickly left, after looking in my direction and nodding. I nodded back to him before he left through the curtained doorway.

"If you've eaten enough you should get some rest." Jun'lao said.

"I've had enough. Thank you." I replied. I pushed myself up from the table and hobbled over to the bed. My legs were stiff, but not painful. I lay down on my sleeping mat and closed my eyes.

"Sweet dreams Malakye." Jun'lao said.

I'm not sure if I managed to reply. The moment I closed my eyes I started to drift off. I was aware of the metallic scent of fresh blood, mixed with the scent of war-paint, as Jan'Zar painted the runes on my scales with her fingers. And shortly after that I wasn't aware of anything as sleep dragged me into its embrace.

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Morning came. I rose, feeling fully rejuvinated, and after eating a hearty breakfast, one which felt like it may be my last meal, I headed towards the training grounds where the Masrur warriors trained just outside the village.

Many warriors had gathered there, including Jan'Zar, along with Jun'lao and his students. Even some of the elder Masrur had turned up. The crowd parted as I approached. This was turning into more of a spectacle than I had imagined. I had voiced my concerns about this meeting with Wraith, and many of Masrur knew I had been training intensively for it. They all wanted to witness my fight with Wraith. Several of the warriors muttered something to me in old tongue as I passed them. I didn't understand the words, but I understood the sentiment behind them. I bowed my head in thanks to them as I passed.

Wraith stood waiting for me, the morning sun shining from behind him, making him seem even more imposing than ever. Our eyes met and he drew a massive great sword from his back, spinning it round and impaling it into the dusty ground. He unclaped his cloak and spread his wings, blowing the cloak onto the ground. He stood before me, his rock hard body exposed completely, except for that which was hidden beneath a crimson loin cloth which came down to his knees.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

His tone was surprisingly respectful in comparison to how he spoke to me the other day. I was taken aback by that fact for a second, before responding.

"I'm ready."

"You understand what this fight will determine?"

This fight would determine whether or not he would train me. But more than that, despite the fact that Jan'Zar assured me he would not kill me, my life was on the line. I could tell from his fierce gaze that he would not be holding anything back. Which meant that if I was too weak and opponent, I would be cut down in moments.

I tightened my grasp on the shaft of the steel spear I held against my shoulder. Jan'Zar had left it for me this morning. Wraith was a master of combat with weapons, and so she had provided one for me. It was the finest spear I had ever seen. The weight was perfectly balanced, the blade razor sharp. I would put it to good use. This weapon, combined with the effort put into training me by Jun'lao and his students the last two days, would cut me a path to victory; standing here, now, all the fear and nervousness I had felt about facing Wraith was gone. I could feel them standing beside me, fighting with me in this battle.

"Good." Wraith growled, apparently content with the answer that came from my gaze.

He grasped the hilt of his sword and pulled it effortlessly from the ground. I drew on my nen, not allowing it to form a bubble around me, containing its full power within me, so I could utilise the flow as effectively as possible. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, slowly exhaling as I focused my mind on the flow.

I could sense it clearly, the buffeting tides of the flow as Wraith's will collided with my own. The flow was in his favour, but not over whelmingly so. I still had a chance! I opened my eyes and widened my stance, extented my wings slightly and leveled the tip of my spear at him. He smirked.

"Then lets get this done!" He said, swunging his sword in a wide sweeping arc, kicking up a small cloud of dust from the ground. He grasped the sword with both paws and lowered his stance.

I dashed forwards, hoping to sieze the inititive and set the pace of the fight. He dashed forwards to meet me, his massive blade cleaved through the air towards me. I thrust my spear forwards, towards his chest, bending my knees to the fullest extent, lowering my head below the horizontal sweep of his blade. The blade passed harmlessly over my head, but my attack failed to strike him as he twisted his body away as he spun to my left.

He used the momentum of his swing, spinning full circle, and brought his sword back round to meet me. I could see the path his sword would take before he was even half way through his spin. He would go for my knees. I leapt as high as I could, cartwheeling through the air. The blade of his sword passed beneath me, once the blade had passed I thrust my spear into the ground, using it to right myself.

Once my foot-paws were firmly planted on the ground I swung my spear round towards him. He had brought his sword round to block my attack, which bounced harmlessly off of the heavy steel his sword was made from; my paws shook from the recoil of my failed attack, but I tightened my grip and readied myself. I felt a surge within the flow and leapt backwards to avoid his sudden, and surprisingly fast, counter attack.

I was vaguely aware of the cheers of the crowd at the spectacle of our fight, but I ignored them, my focus entirely on the massive drake before me, and the flow of energy around us. Twice now, I had used the flow to predict his attack, giving me a split second warning; just enough to evade his attacks.

He was strong, there was no doubt about that. Standing before him felt vaguely reminescent of fighting Garr. But he was not Garr. I had fought Garr countless times, and not once had I ever felt like I had even come close to beating him. But standing here, I felt like I could defeat Wraith!

I brandished my spear at him and tensed my legs, preparing to attack, but he moved first, charging at me with his sword poised to strike. I leapt backwards, blocking the path of his sword with the shaft of my spear. I pushed it off to the right, but he spun round, bringing the massive blade around to strike my left side; I moved my spear to block, stopping myself from being cleaved in two! Our weapons clashed with a resounding clang. The force behind the attack knocked me aside. I rolled through the momentum, into a crouch. I had my back to him, but the sudden surge from the force told me of the impending attack a split second before his shadow loomed over me. I raised me spear over my head and immediately felt the heavy impact of his sword against it.

The force from the blow rocked my body, but using my nen enhanced strength I pushed upwards, managing to stand and spun round to face him. However, before I was able to anything he kicked me in the chest. I was propelled backwards into the trunk of a tree. I grunted as some of the air was forced from my lungs, and the tree itself shook and cracked from the impact. There was no where for me to go as I watched him lung towards me! He had me pinned!

I dropped my spear and leapt upwards, reaching out with both arms and grabbed the branch over head and hoisted my body and legs out of the ways as his blade impaled itself into the trunk of the tree. I quickly lashed out with a kick, catching him in the side of the muzzle. He staggered backwards, clutching his muzzle, his sword still embedded in the tree.

I swung my body and landed to the side of his sword. I raised my fists. I had managed to disarm him, this was now a fist fight! Given that Wraith specialised in armed combat, I may be able to gain an edge over him now! I didn't forget Master Jun'lao's warning that he would be a fearsome foe unarmed as well. He snorted and glared at me, raising his own fists. There was no getting past his much larger size, but using my nen I was sure I could match his strength.

I dashed forwards, ducked below the punch he threw at me, and landed two solid punches to his mid-section. He grunted and staggered back a step, but I didn't relent, his guard was still open! I braced my right foot-paw against his left thigh, grabbed his shoulders with my paws, hoisted myself up and drove my left knee into the underside of him muzzle. His jaw made a satisfying clack as his head snapped backwards. I pressed both foot-paws into his chest and kicked off with as much force as I could muster.

I back-flipped, landing clumsily but rolled through it, as he staggered backwards. But somehow he didn't fall! He staggered, but managed to remain upright; arms flailing. The crowd cheered, many of them as impressed as I was that he had remained standing. His knees buckled for a second, but he caught himself. He shook his head, recovering from any wooziness my last attack had might have caused. He straightened himself, standing confidently before me. Our eyes met and he smirked in amusement.

"HA!" He barked. "I underestimated you Runt! You're not half bad."

Somehow I knew he wasn't about to admit defeat, or simply accept me as worthy to being his student. But he didn't seem angry, or embarrassed that I had managed to get the best of him a few moment ago.

I sensed a surge of power well up from within him. He was going to use his nen! How could I have been so foolish to not notice he hadn't been using it up until this point! I had been using my full strength since the start, but he had been holding back! I couldn't let him take control of this fight! I could already feel the flow begin to change direction, flowing against me, the current growing with each passing second! I needed to strike now while I had the opportunity to do so!

I charged forwards, swung at him with a fast series of jabs, all of which he blocked or dodged. He had gotten faster! He jabbed at me, I blocked it with my forearm and winced in pain as a pain shot through my arm. I realised that he was both stronger and faster now that he was using his own nen. As he stepped back to create some distance between us, I tried to strike him in the head with a round house kick. He blocked my kick with his forearm, grabbed my ankle and began to spin me round and round. I was nothing more than a rag doll at this point, my entire body suspended several feet off the ground, blood rushing to my head as the world spun around me. I felt his grip on my ankle loosen and was sent flying. I hit the ground hard, unable to try and land properly, or roll through the fall. I choked on the cloud of dry dust that my impact with the ground had kicked up.

"Fuck!" I cursed.

I pushed myself up, flinching at a momentary sharp pain in my shoulder, but it quickly faded to a dull throb as I focused some extra nen on the spot. I got up and turned around to face Wraith. He was standing there, with a smug expression, waiting for me. He had had ample time to charge in and finish me off, but he had waited. He was confident in his ability to beat me. I resumed a fighting stance, I felt a surge of nen from him, the center of his chest, which had looked like the rest of his scales, but now an onminous green glow shone from under his scales; it looked like a glowing orb. He inhaled sharply and I knew something big was coming my way.

I quickly gathered my nen into the air in front of me and formed a barrier. But I knew the barrier was too weak to completely stop his attack. He opened his maw and fired a powerful fireball at me. It struck my nen shield, and shattered it, I barely had enough time to cross my arms defensively before the fireball struck me. I was blown off my foot-paws and onto my back. I quickly scrambled back up to my foot-paws, singed but unharmed.

"Ready to give up yet Runt?" He mocked me.

"Never!"

"Ooo, spunky! I like that. Well lets see if I can't change your mind!"

He inhaled sharply and then a second later fired yet another fireball at me. I was able to leap to the side to avoid it, the fireball struck the stone wall surrounding the area we were in, dislodging several of the rocks it was constructed from onto the ground with heavy thuds. While gathering my nen for a shield that would prove effective against his attack, I was forced to dodge try his next three fireballs; which he fired from his maw in rapid succession. I dodged the first two, but I was forced to block the third. Thankfully my nen shield was strong enough to deflect the third one aside. I used the shield to block his next two attacks.

He made an expression of annoyance, once more taking in a sharp inhale of breath. I braced myself for the next barrage of attacks, only it wasn't what expected. Instead of fireballs, he now shot out a continous stream of intensly hot flames.

My shield protected me, but it wouldn't last long. He was burning off the nen in my shield faster than I could replace it. I choked as I tried to breath, the hot air burnt the back of my throat, while the flames which surrounded me licked at my scales. He had me pinned! Could I last long enough before he had to breath again, or would I be burned to crisp first?!

I could feel my heartbeat hammering in my head as I resisted the urge to take a breath, my shield now at the point of collapsing! I couldn't even sense the flow anymore being surrounded by Wraiths flames as I was! It had only been a few moments, but each second felt like an eternity! I needed more power! I reached down deep, for a surge of nen to reinforce my shield. I remember the power I had felt during the battle at Zangar's Eastern gate, and searched for it once more; forgetting the source of said power in my desperation.

The strength surged through me, but instead of flowing into my shield as I'd intended, it overwhelmed my ability to hold the nen within my body. My nen bubble expanded rapidly, the flames of Wraith's attack were pushed aside with ease. A second later he stopped his attack, realising he could no longer break my defence. He fired a couple of fire-balls at me as I remained crouched, surprised at my sudden liberation of immenant death, both fire-balls exploded in a shower of smoke and embers as they struck my nen bubble, neither came close to hitting me.

As our gazes met, he frowned before smiling.

"Well now... looks like you've got some promise after all!" He chuckled.

I needed to end this while I had this brief respite. I had no doubt that Wraith had not yet shown the full extent of his abilities!

I was aware of the tree to my right, which was burning fiercely behind me. It had been caught in the stream of Wraith's attack. I reached out with my nen, grabbed the flames with my nen and pullied them from the burnt trunk, Just as I had done back in Zangar. The flames turned blue as I poured more nen into them and pulled every flame from the tree and brought them to hover in the air around me.

I poured as much nen as I could into the flames, making them grow substantially in size, before hurling them at Wraith while letting out a scream of effort. It was only once I had released the flames that I realised the mistake I had made. Wraith flinched and raised his arms up defensively. There was no way for him to dodge my attack! I held my breath as my flames washed over him, knocking him to the ground. He vanished from sight beneath my attack, the flames burned fiercely on the ground where he had been standing.

I turned to look at Jan'Zar, who was now storming towards me with her harlbred in paw, a fierce glare aimed right at me. Despite her imposing presence I looked around at the Masrur who had gathered to watch the fight. Many of them wore expressions of shock, while those looking directly showed fear. It only dawned on me in that moment that I was using the spirits power. Although I had never seen it myself, Callen had told me that my eyes glowed bright crimson the one time he had asked me to draw upon the spirits power. He had made me swear not to use it. An oath I had inadvertantly broken in my desperation to survive. Suddenly I knew why Jan'Zar was now approaching with her weapon readied. I raised my paws and she slowed her pace.

"I'm still in control!" I insisted, although... I looked back at the inferno of blue flames where Wraith had been. I had over done it, whether the spirit influenced me or not, his blood was still on my paws. "I'm sorry!"

Jan'Zar's gaze moved from me to the inferno, and my gaze followed hers. I turned my head to see what she was looking at. An eirie figure stood up, the form misshapen as the heat distorted the air. Slowly the figure walked forwards and emerged from the inferno. My eyes widened as I took in the haunting form before me! Clad entirely in ominous green flames, stood Wraith. The flames flickered from his scales, and he looked pissed! Was he a ghost!? I looked back at Jan'Zar for some clarification, but she was standing her ground, her gaze firmly fixed on me. Was she concerned that I would lose control?

'If they knew who I really was, they would kill you!'

The words of the spirit echoed in my head. Did she suspect the true identity of the spirit within me? Was that why she was on edge at my using the spirits power? I needed toconvince her that I was stil in control. But before I could say or do anything, I felt a surge of nen from Wraith. He was preparing another attack! I braced myself for what was to come.

"That's enough Wraith!" Jan'Zar barked.

Wraith seemed to hesitate before ceasing his attack, and allowing his nen to receed. The green flames which covered his body vanished, and he was left standing there, naked; his loin cloth having been incinerated during the fight.

I suppressed my own nen and I saw her shoulders relax slightly, but she was still glaring at me with intent. With the tension of the battle gone, and the pain nullifying effect of my nen now gone, I was hit with the aches of the various injuries I had sustained during the fight. My right shoulder in particular, was particularly painful.

"Coltan, Fras!" Jan'Zar barked, the two Masrur ran forwards. "See to his injuries, and ensure he gets some rest. He will join us for training later today."

"At once my Lady!" Coltan said while the both bowed their heads before immediately moved either side of me.

The helped support me as they led me from the training ground. Jan'Zar remained where she was, both she and Wraith staring each other down. I knew once she was done speaking to Wraith she would chew me out for using the spirits power. I don't think I'd ever wanted to avoid a conversation more than that one before, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to escape it.

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Sometime later, after sitting in the hut I shared with Jan'zar, worrying about her impending return. She burst into the hut, I had been dozing on my bedroll, and was startled to full awareness by the act. She seemed more pissed off than normal. She didn't say anything, or even look at me. She just stared at the wall of the hut with enough rage that I was waiting for it to ignite. Coltan, Fras and myself remained silent, fearful of having her ire aimed at us. Jun'lao entered the hut a few moments later.

"How are you feeling Malakye?"

"Better." I smiled nervously, half expecting Jan'zar to use the fact I had spoken to unleash her anger upon me.

"That is good. You fought well." He replied back with a smile of his own.

"THAT ASS!" Jan'Zar yelled as she violently kicked a stool across the room, it struck into the wall with a loud bang before clattering to the ground. She turned and glared at me and my throat tightened, catching my breath in my throat. "Leave us!" She commanded.

Coltan and Fras quickly complied with the order, not making a sound or eye contact with her, as they swiftly left the room. It was not difficult to read her mood... and unfortunately her ire was aimed directly at me. The only thing that gave me hope was the fact that Jun'lao was still in the room with us. I suspected the reason why she was pissed at me.

"I'm sor..."

"You stupid cunt!" She yelled, storming across the room in a split second and grabbed me by the throat. "You were under strict orders not to use the spirits power!" She spat in my muzzle.

I was genuinely terrified at that point. Even Jun'lao's presence wasn't enough to make not fear for my life. She was crushing my throat. I couldn't breath or say anything, even if I had something to say in my defence. All I could do was stare into her fierce eyes, my snout filled with the scent of her war-paint.

Thankfully she let me go, throwing me down against the bedroll before turning and storming across the room to punch the wall with considerable force. I knew she was holding back, otherwise the wooden wall of the hut would have been obliterated. I was grateful she had this much self control, or I'd likely be dead right now. Jun'lao still had not said anything, he was standing by the door calmly, more than likely waiting for her to calm down.

"I'm sorry!" I said.

"Oh? You're sorry?!" She snapped. "For what? Nearly killing your Master? Breaking your vow to never use the spirits power without permission? For making most of the village terrified of you?"

The were scared of me now? Had I truly been that terrifying?

"My Lady, not all of that can be laid at Malakye's foot-paws." Jun'lao chimed in.

"No... not all of it. Part of the blame lies with me." She admitted. I looked between them with a confused expression. How was it not all my fault? What had she done? Almost as if sensing my questions Jan'Zar continued to speak. "I should have stepped in sooner. I should have realised he was trying to provoke that very reaction from you."

"He... was trying to get me to use the spirits power?"

"Yes, he admitted to as much" Jun'lao chimed in.

"Honestly... I didn't even know I was using the spirits power until it was too late...." I admitted. "I won't make excuses. I'll accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."

"Damn right you will!" Jan'Zar snapped. "You will be punished... but until I can find a new teacher to teach you how to fire bend, You will spend extra time training with Jun'lao."

I looked at Jun'lao and tried not to smile in case the act provoked her in some way. That was good news. Jun'lao was an amazing teacher. He reminded me of Master Aceh in a lot of ways. As tough as his training was, I always felt like I had become stronger in some way after spending a day with him.

"But for the remainder of today you will spend time with Coltan and Fras and learn how to speak the local tongue! I will be testing your progress myself!" She warned. "Failure to advance in your lessons to my satisfaction will result in all three of you being punished!"

She would punish them for my failure as well!? I was about to voice my objection, but was quickly silenced by her threatening scowl. I would just have to learn quickly. I didn't want anyone to be punished for my mistakes!

"Yes... Master." I bowed my head in submission.

"Now get out of my sight!"

I left the hut as quickly as I could without running, trying not to look like a scolded cub. Jun'lao gave me a warm smile and a reassuring pat on the shoulder as I passed by him. I left the hut and set out to find where Coltan and Fras had gone. I needed to start my studies as soon as possible in order to satisfy Jan'Zar, and ensure the others were not punished for my mistakes.