"Seth," called a young girl who appeared to be younger then Seth," why are lashing your anger at this tree?" She asked, a sweet tone in her voice.
Seth as usual was training at the top hill, near the ancient tree. He looked at the girl, his eyes burning with fury. Each swing was directed with anger, frustration.
Still when looking at the girl who was seated a few meters away from him. He couldn't help but sigh deeply. He let his sword onto the ground, and went to sit beside her.
In a village that everyone knew him as cursed,
Olivia, was the only one who had different view. It was now three weeks since she would come to watch his training.
At first Seth was a bit taken aback, but by the time they got well together.
"Your right, beating this tree doesn't change what has already happened," he said looking at the grey sky, a reminder for his end of training.
"Let's go home, Olivia. Or your family are going to be worried." He said with a small smile.
This was the best part of his training, Seth admired the most. Talking to Olivia made him better, think straight, in essence Olivia was the reason he didn't feel lonely. Just then, when they were getting ready to go down the hill, five young boys at Seth's age, appeared from behind.
"Hey you, cursed boy." A boy of similar height to Seth, cried out loud. Seth turning around knew exactly who was calling him.
It was Jace, Olivia's older brother, seeing him appear out of nowhere, her brows furrowed, she stood frozen, not knowing what to do.
" I had warned you, not to see you with my sister." Jace cried, his anger soaring.
" She came here, herself. I didn't force her." Seth said, in protest, gripping hard his wooden sword, ready to clash any time.
"You cursed bastard." Luke, a friend of Jace, shouted, unable to hold his rage, he charged up at Seth, throwing his fist.
In response, Seth did the same, directing his fist head on. To Luke's surprise, his punch hit nothing but air, when the realization hit him, it was already too late. The punch from opposite direction landed squarely at his face, throwing him stumbling back. When Seth looked at other four, Jace was already on his way for retaliation. Jace confidently delivered his blow, in the last second though, Seth leaned backward avoiding the punch, but with swift motion, not breaking the momentum, Jace with his other hand landed a solid jab, lifting him off his feet, and sending him airborne.
" If I see you with her, again." Jace said, his fierce gaze fixed on Seth." I will make sure you don't get up." He then took his sister's hand, and the group continued on.
At their mid-way coming down the hill, Jace's gaze suddenly fell on his gauntlet, the gauntlet was forged with metal that was known for its high endurance, but now looking at that gauntlet's knuckles, he saw a dent. A crooked dent.
Seth stood up, seeing the mud everywhere on him, he cleaned himself before making his way home.
Upon entering the Village, he saw people turn away from him. Some hid behind their windows while others have him sour, unwelcoming expressions.
Seth had adapted to this kind of treatment by now, he didn't care what people thought of him, the only one he cared now was his mother. After ten minutes of walking through the streets, he reached their small, lavish home. Upon entering, the doorbell rang, signalling his arrival.
"Good evening, Seth." His mother said, her caring eyes examining his clothes." You didn't get into a scuffle, did you?" Sha asked rushing to his side, patting his clothes.
"It's not a big deal, mother. Don't worry." He said casually, not wanting to worry his mother.
"Come on then, let's have our dinner." She said, her voice a bit shaky. When looking at his mother, Seth noticed the bags under her eyes, were getting larger by the day, her body becoming thinner, her voice heavy, as if sick.
This was because of his missing father, it wasn't too long, since one of the knights of the kingdom delivered the message about his father, stating he was missing, most likely dead.
At that moment, Seth felt something he never expected to feel again, at least not so soon.
After finishing their dinner, his mother went to wash the dishes, while Seth went out to take a small stroll through the streets. At this time of the night, no one would come out.
The reason?
The large forest behind the hill, where he would do his training. It was said to have magical beasts, vicious monsters, known for their cruel nature, and for shredding their prey on sight.
But, for Seth, the dark night was his chance to explore the village. Sometimes when he got nothing to get him distracted from the thoughts in his head, strolling would be the only choice left.
Fresh air of night sky, gave him a straight mind to think.
Venturing into the streets, lined with houses, he detected three individuals strolling from afar, just like him.
Just seeing them from afar, he knew who there were right away. They kept going on the opposite direction where the gate would be.
Seth not wanting to cross with them again, turned his way back to where he came from.
The sun rose, shining and bringing light into the Village.
It was the usual time for Seth to go to the top hill, for training. He got his wooden sword on his waist, while carrying a backpack.
It was early in the morning, a few moment passed, the villagers would come out. Seth not wanting to cross any of them, to hear their nonsense words about him, would go at this time.
But this morning was a bit different. A woman who appeared to be in her thirtyth, was looking the streets shouting a familiar name.
People gathered around her, asking what was the commotion for. She narrated what she knew while also picking up on the anxiety of others
Seth, passing beside them, unintentionally heard the story, the woman was narrating.
He remembered three individuals from last night, who were most likely venturing out of the village, and just from their shadows in the dark night, he could tell who they were.
Still, he didn't even bother telling them that, why should he, after all these were people who considered his cursed.
"I looked everywhere, but they are nowhere to be seen." The woman said, her eyee welling up," Jace and Olivia, they are gone."
The last word from the woman, brought Seth to a complete halt. His legs stoped, as if he wasn't in control.
" Are you sure. Did you look everywhere?" An older woman asked.
" Could this be the beast's doing? " Another one, male voiced his concern.
Seth didn't waste any more time, he let go of the backpack, and scurried toward the forest. Other villagers noticed this sudden rush, they hurried to the exit gate of the village. Seeing the boy disappear from sight.
" The possibility that they are still alive is grim." Seth thought, scurrying passing the hill.
The moment he heard Olivia was missing, he didn't need to be told twice. Without thinking, he did what came to his mind.
The area near the forest changed, it shifted from green field into a lifeless one. The ground looked poisoned, jealous to even grow a single grass. The trees, though were large and old, matched perfectly the sorrounding area.
Upon entering the forest, Seth slowed down, not wanting to attract trouble. He carefully examined the sorrounding, and with coordinated steps moved on.
The pitching growls already reached his ears, a warning not to make a mistake.
" Now, how am I going to find them in this vast forest?" Seth wondered." Ahh, I wish i had some of my powers with me now," he mumbled this time, going forward into who knew where.
Meanwhile, into the deeper area of the forest, in a swam like area, there was a battle going on. Three individuals were facing what appeared to be a giant frog, using its tongue, it lashed its tongue toward the one standing at the centre. Deflecting the beast's attacks, he wounded it with the tip of his blade. Then with a roar, he sprinted forward, lifting himself off the ground to slash the frog's head.The beast fell to the ground, not getting up again.
"Olivia, are you ok?" Jace asked rushing toward her. She had several cuts around her arms and neck. But they were just shallow wounds.
" That one was tough, huh." said Luke, the other boy standing beside Jace. Luke was no different than Olivia; his wounds were deeper than her's.
" Jace, I think we should head back to the village." Olivia said, her voice shaking.
Jace nodded slowly. He wasn't planning to dig any further, himself. " We will head back, but first we should collect the beast crystals."
As on cue, Luke and him went to pick up the crystals from inside the beasts, they had hunted.
" Twelve crystals here." Like said with a wide grin. " I have another twelve other, too." Jace replied, with a satisfied look.
Finished collecting the beast crystals, they were ready to go, until Jace's ear picked a rushing sound. He turned to where the sound was coming from and knew instantly what was coming. Luke drew his sword, taking defensive posture.
"You stand behind me, Olivia!" Jace shouted, as he looked at the aproaching creature.
Emerging from the trees, was a beast they had hunted not too long ago. But something about this one was different. This particular beast was larger, with four menacing crimson eyes and a single sharp horn protruding from its forehead. It was obvious this one was stronger than previous ones.
The beast, wasting no time, charged toward the nearest person, Luke. Lifting his sword, he tried to slash the beast's head, but its horn moved to meet his wooden blade, shattering it completely. The momentum carried the beast forward, its horn piercing straight through Luke's chest.
Life seemed to go out of Luke's eyes instantly. Jace, watching his friend fall, let out a roar of pure rage.
" Argghhh," Jace roared, pouring all his strength into his sword. But before he could even scratch the beast's sturdy hide, the creature charged. It slammed its head into Jace's body, sending him flying across the ground.
"Jace!!" Olivia shouted. She wanted to rush to his side, but seeing the beast's gaze fixed on her, she knew it would be foolish.
The beast readied itself to charge again, scratching its feet against the ground, before launching with full speed toward its prey.
Olivia was frozen. She tried to move but her body wouldn't listen.
Just a few meters from her, the best was suddenly met with a blurry figury. Rushing past her, the figure planted his feet hard on the ground. With the momentum, he launched himself upward, sriking the beast's head and driving his sword deep into the beast's skull.
Olivia seeing the figure from behind, her body frozen muttered, barely a whisper.
"Seth!" she said her eyes welling up, as tears flowed down her cheeks.
******
***
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