3 What Should Have Been

Kalinar put his sword into the scabbard his father had made to match and with a goodbye he left the forge to find his friends. The town was bustling as per usual with the sound of merchants trying to sell their goods, musicians playing their instruments, and children laughing. Kalinar smiled to himself as headed to the center of town where he was sure his friends were trying to prank the town guard.

Old Man Terrif stood at the archway near the entrance of the market with his usual grouchy face staring down the street as if his mere gaze was capable of stopping any mischief from occurring, and above him on the roof was Kalinar's friends. Diedrio, the butcher's boy, and Nadil, the lord's daughter, did their best to keep their laughter hidden. When they noticed him they signed in their code telling him to distract Terrif and with a sigh, he nodded and approached the grouchy guard.

"What's bothering you today Terrif?"

The old guard huffed through his nose then swiftly inhaled, "There's blood in the air today. Got me on edge." Kalinar sniffed the air and was alarmed to see that there was indeed the scent of blood in the air. He followed the old man's gaze to the edge of town where a hill obscured the horizon but before could decide what to do about it the prank was sprung.

A torrential downpour of pig's blood poured from above Terrif drenching his clothes. A slew of slurs sprang from his mouth as he looked up only for the bucket to fall on his head. The mischievous duo dropped down from their perch and took off bringing Kalinar with them. Dipping into an alleyway making certain that they were safe they looked at Kalinar and Nadil said, "Happy fourteenth name day." She and Diedrio noticed the sword hanging at his hip and as their eyes widened Diedrio said, "Your swords done? Show us. Show us."

Kalinar smiled, "I'm a man now. I'm not supposed to show off to the more unfortunate of society." He tried to look what he imagined how a prideful jerk would but after the two stared at him with darkness in their eyes the facade broke and he laughed, "Of course I'll show you." He drew his sword from his scabbard and held in front of him. The sword gleamed in the sunlight that was now peaking into the alleyway and his friends admired his father's handiwork.

"Wicked." Diedrio stated as he ran his hand gently along the edge. He may just be a butcher but even he knew a good blade when they see one. Nadil however was the lord's daughter and as such she grew up going to balls meeting renowned knights. She was used to seeing extravagant swords so Kalinars didn't impress her, "It is nice but I've seen better." She didn't mean to be rude and Kalinar knew that but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt him to hear that the sword, and by extension him, wasn't enough to impress her.

He took a knee, bowed his head, and offered up the blade to her, "Regardless would you accept this young warrior to be your sworn sword?" He peaked up and saw her blush. Clearly flustered she looked at Diedrio who smirked and winked which only made her blush harder. She looked back at Kalinar and said, "I... I suppose I should." She took up the blade with some difficulty and 'knighted' him saying, "Rise Kalinar Storvath. From this day forward you will serve me as my personal knight and confidant."

"I will serve with honor and shall never abandon you." Kalinar stood up and took the blade back. The pair smiled at each other from what seemed like an eternity until Diedrio coughed but before he could say anything a scream echoed through the alley. The trio looked at each other and rushed back to the main street. They came upon a scene of carnage. Stalls that had not minutes ago been surrounded by people were now abandoned as they had been set aflame. People lay in the street with pools of blood surrounding them.

Diedrio noticed that one of the bodies belong to Terrif and the boy dropped to his knees in shock only for and arrow to bury itself in his neck. Nadil screamed and rushed towards him only to be stopped by Kalinar. His father had often taken him hunting and he knew a kill shot when he saw one. Kalinar covered Nadils' eyes and turned her away from the scene. He dragged her behind one of the stalls that wasn't on fire and forced her to look him in the eye, "Nadil listen. We have to stay hidden."

"Bu-but-Diedri-we..."

"No. We need to hide. Nothing else." He drew his sword, "You're the most important one here. If we get caught then you run and I'll hold them off as long as I can." She went to argue but upon seeing the look in Kalinars eyes she closed her mouth. They stayed their hearing arrows hit the ground and buildings. They heard the screams of their neighbors and in response Kalinar held Nadil close to him. Both for her comfort and his own.

The arrow fall stopped and then they heard marching. They peaked over the stall to see a strange group of soldiers marching down the street. They wore armor completely foreign to Kalinar and he signed to Nadil asking if she recognized it. She shook her head and they both returned to peaking. The group parted and a man in all black armor came out in front and shouted with a thick accent, "Gurog Storvath show your face coward." He pointed at the stall they were hiding behind, "Or the children die." Panicked the two stood up and Kalinar put Nadil behind him as she whispered, "Why do they want your father?"

"I don't know. Dad never did talk about his past." The man in black began walking towards them when Kalinars father stepped out saying, "Black Oni! Step away from the kids. They've nothing to do with this." Thankfully the man now referred to as Black Oni stopped his approach. He turned to Gurog and drew his sword. Kalinar was dumbstruck as the sword was the strangest he had ever scene. It was slightly curved with a single edge with a small circular cross guard. He pointed it as his father said, "No one who has the face of the Black Oni is allowed to survive. You did, so to remove this stain from my honor I must kill you."

"So you would bring your army to destroy and entire town just to make sure you got me?"

"Without hesitation." The Black Oni took a stance with his sword in front of him and Kalinars father drew a strange sword from his back. It was similar to his own but longer and had these strange grooves in it that Kalinar did not know the purpose of. The two charged each other and when their blades met an evil scream pierced the air and they began their dual.

The Black Oni swung his sword which danced along the waves of Gurog's losing momentum with each grove it hit. Gurog kicked his opponent away and held the hilt of his sword next to his ear and stabbed at the Black Oni only for him to do the strangest thing. Instead of parrying or dodging the man jumped impossibly high in the air and landed on the far end of Gurog's sword making him stab into the ground. Gurog tried to pull it out from under him but to no avail. He looked at and Kalinar he said to him, "Run." Not a moment after those words had passed was he impaled by the Black Oni's sword.

A scream of hatred escaped Kalinar's throat as he watched his father slide down the man's sword until he laid on the ground. Now it was Nadils' turn to stop Kalinar from running. She wrapped her arms around him and shouted, "Kalinar! As your lady I order to escape with me!" But she was not strong enough to stop Kalinar who had been working steel with his father as soon as he could swing a hammer. He broke her grip with ease and rushed the man who murdered his father. The man was absorbed in the moment that didn't react at all until it was too late. Kalinar buried his sword deep into the Black Oni's thigh but the man didn't even let out a grunt of pain. Instead he cut Kalinar across the face and back handed him sending him flying. Then he pulled the sword out of his leg and threw it at Kalinar who tried to roll out of the way but ended up getting pinned down.

Kalinar cried out as he tried in vain to free himself the Black Oni grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back forcing them to lock eyes. The warriors face was covered by a mask but his eyes were visible and as Kalinar was shocked to find he had the same sick yellow eyes. The warrior spoke, "Your eyes. You poor boy. The burden you will be forced to bear is one none should." He released Kalinar's head and pointed his sword at his neck, "I will free you from that fate."

Kalinar stared at him in defiance but seeing Nadil in the corner of his eye his gaze softened. He looked back on his short life and was overwhelmed with sadness. He would never be able to master his father's craft. Never become a man of renown. Never find love. He looked at Nadil and said to her, "I wish I could have spent more time with you." The Black Oni raised his sword and the wolves howled.