Chapter 2: Sin of Wrath
Fionn Theos sidesteps the vertical slash falling down on him. He parried the next attacks with broad sweeps of his lance as he tried to put as much distance as he can to get the advantage of his weapon’s length.
He almost loss after the initial strike if not for his stout leg strength which made him able to quickly regain his balance before his weight toppled him to the ground.
General Noahrd immediately swarmed him with different sword strikes and impeccable techniques as Fionn sailed endlessly from left to right, to evade or parry the storm of moves.
He needed to find an opening to take the odds to him.
He shoves his weapon to the general’s torso but was easily deflected. Fionn followed with another jab but the tip graze against his opponent’s weapon, misdirecting his aim.
Alaric close the distance to his reach, “Impressive arm-strength. You also have refine footwork, but your aim is somewhat sluggish”.
Fionn remained calm. He listened but did not bother to answer, wary for any surprise attack.
“Your intention is very easy to read. For the chest.” Alaric lectured, pointing to his heart. “That’s why I can stop all of your attacks Fionn. You have been practicing day by day thrusting your lance as if waiting for a moment to impale someone. Why is that?”.
Fionn shakes his head, “It does not concern you”.
Alaric chuckles, “Believe me it does. For the stability of our kingdom, I shall see to it myself what the next generation of knights are like”. He pauses to study him “Do you still seek the revenge you had promise before?”.
He did not heed any words and just continued to charge, driving his weapon to the general.
Calm yourself…
Alaric caught the body of his javelin midair with his free hand which he trailed by a weighty downward blow of his sword.
Fortunately for Fionn, he was able to stop the attack as he holds the wrist of the general firmly.
It became a battle of strength and grips.
“Child, have you still not move on?” Noahrd spat as he struggled to take hold of the spear, and continued to push his sword arm down. “Is your life nothing more than a quest for the avengement?”.
“What do you know?!” agony and rage welled inside Theos uncontrollably. He felt his emotions increase his strength as the power balance started to tip in his scale.
“Kid, the Avallonis Order was not made to seek fight nor for pitiful vengeance. Its sole purpose is to defend the peace and lives of those within our kingdom. Your path is still long. You could choose to go travel within the light… or fall into darkness. Theos, don’t ruin your future”.
Fionn kicks the general square on the chest which let him pull out his lance from Noahrd’s hold, which he also pummeled directly to Alaric’s body.
But his instant movement slackened his grip on the general’s wrist, which was also took advantage of. Alaric shook free and bounce off his attack by the flat of his sword.
Deep inside him, a raging fire started to ignite even fierier. It was cold at the same time burning.
'What is that?'
“Your life is more than a senseless retribution kid”.
Senseless?...
He wondered why the general was taunting him. 'Was it to lose my focus? Is Alaric even actually saying that? His head throb in heaviness, as all sounds muffled into incomprehensible echoes.
'What is happening?'
The fire inside him turned into an outrageous inferno.
Yes… no one understands… no one can… retaliation… A whisper sang in his head…
“Vengeance will be mine Alaric. No one, not even you could stop me!!!”
Fionn was suddenly aware of the eyes, and wide-open mouths left at his words. His body trembled with rampant might as he lashes out vicious attacks. He was completely conscious. 'But why'… why does his body seemed totally uncontrollable.
But he can’t deny it. The sensation… the overwhelming bloodlust…
He leaps at the direction of Alaric who backed away, his face now a serious mask.
The burning wrath now erupted within his very veins. Fionn rampage devastatingly, thrashing at anyone on site.
He was not sure, but he thought he saw Artemia tried to fend him and ended up being thrown some feet away. Ajax also jumps in and clinches him with his massive arms from behind, using his brute force to no avail. Fionn’s newfound strength could even overpower his giant friend.
Alaric now stood in front of him, shielding behind the ranks of other trainees. A group already started to circle around him. 'It must be the examiners'. The high rank officials of the Avillion military.
Fionn instinctively dodges one strike of sword on his left, and he caught the wooden lance thrown at him. He retaliated by throwing it back, the same time charging at his left to paddle the shaft of his wooden spear at the head of another assessor which knock the man unconsciously.
He needs to fight more. He wanted to take the pain to someone. A deep hatred filled him. Why…why… the urge to hurt someone was strong…to kill…
Then his spear suddenly flew out of his grasp and the next thing he knew was his lungs gasping for air as his body landed hard on the solid ground. He rolled sideways clutching his chest burning with intense pain.
The tension of his body and the wild bloodthirst has calmed instantly, except for the agonizing burn in his heart. 'Like literal fire incinerating me'…
As his fury subsided the shame for the berserk trance started to befall on him. He could have injured his friends if he remembered it right.
He startlingly realizes a pair of sharp golden eyes glared down on him.
Alexander Kroun. One of the five highest-ranking generals of the kingdom. Deemed as the Lord of Swords.
'Was he the one who stop me?'
He did not even sense the man nor even discerned his movements.
It was all over now. He lost his chance to join the Paladins. Fionn pushes himself up with trembling arms. He thought of Artemia and Ajax, praying they were not hurt at all.
Everyone glowered with intense repulse at him. Alexander have already left without a word, and started to oversee the other batches again. Other bystanders also followed on his wake as the trial continued to commence as if nothing happened.
Fionn asked himself of what actually did they saw. 'A monster? A demon?'
He turns to Alaric who was already looking for the next examinee. He gazes up with the tears threatening to fall. ’That’s right, no word is needed’. He started to walk away from the field.
“Fionn!” Artemia’s voice echoed behind.
But he did not look back, nor acknowledge he heard her. He was absolutely mortified for what he had done. He even assailed his friends because of his wayward madness for retribution.
-----
The Sun began to set as Fionn have packed all his belongings in the camp. He could have left an hour ago but he started to think it was more shameful to just leave everyone without a word of apology. 'It is', a voice echoes in his head again.
The opening of the tent flop as someone entered. He turns around to see Ajax.
“Decided to stay huh?” the tall man said without glancing at him.
Fionn’s eyes were lowered, “I’m sorry”
“You could have hurt anyone. Not just us Fionn. You should stop that bloody revenge of yours”.
He shakes his head, with a tearful of sadness at the edge of his eyes.
“Hey, stop that Ajax” another voice followed.
Fionn glimpse at the corner of his vision a lady. He looks at her and saw Artemia’s wide smile. He wondered why.
“Yeah, that’s why this guy has been a cranky crazy child because you always spoil him Artemia” Ajax retorted with jest.
Before he could ask what is going on, another figure enters the tent. “Well, well looks like you got some supportive friends Theos” General Alaric pauses. The following silence pave him way to continue “By the order and rules of Avilyon trials I deemed you capable along with these two here, qualified to join the ranks of the Paladins”.
Fionn’s eyes widened with surprise. This must be a joke. Artemia was already embracing him and Ajax was on his left grinning merrily as he puts an arm around his shoulders.
“We did it!” the lady said delightfully.
“But…But what I-“ he stammered.
Impossible.
“The rules have been clearly stated that once the examinee has successfully landed a strike first to the assessor, the trainee shall pass the trials”
Fionn could not believe it.
Luck. Fortune. Miracle.
His two friends were even here, standing by his side even after seeing his dark side.
The heaven might not have abandon him at all. 'It might have listened to me even once'.
“Now, no more questions. Get your things ready. We shall ride before night to the palace for the ‘Caeremonia of Weapons’.
Alaric left the tent after, but not before Fionn have seen the small grin on the man’s scarred face.