3 Chapter 1: A Simple Boy in a Simple Village

I was born the 7th and least important child of Beznik, the tribal leader of the Krasniqi Clan, and my mom was an unimportant woman named Shpresa from one of the smaller tribes in the South East of the Krasniqi territory. The Krasniqi Clan resided in the Southern-most tip of the mountainous Dukagjina region. Because of the gigantic mountains covering the border, it was impossible to go farther south than this.

The country we were in was called Dardania. It was divided into three main regions: Llap in the north, Drenica in the center, and Dukagjina in the south. Because Dukagjina was mountainous with barely any arable land, and had no neighbours to trade with except for the north, partially, and no dungeons, it was the poorest and most backwards region, and within this poor and backwards region, I was in the poorest and most backward part, far away from the nearest village-city called Prizren.

Drenica and Llap were far more urbanized and non-mountainous and with plenty of dungeons and divided into kingdoms instead of tribes. The most prosperous kingdom and city was Prishtina. Prishtina was where all the action happened.

If a citizen of Prishtina saw a Krasniqi tribal member dying on the side of the road, he wouldn't even deign to lower his sight. Though everyone in Dardania spoke Shqip, the peoples of Drenica and Llap thought of Dukagjinans as below them.

Now back to me.

My name is Arben Krasniqi, son of the Shief Beznik of the Krasniqi Clan. I was bullied and ignored by my family. There were several reasons for this.

Firstly, I was the youngest and lowest born of all my 7 brothers.

My father had a lot wives, and my mother was one of the lowest born of these wives.

Secondly, the usual body type of a Krasniqi warrior was normal height and heavily built with huge traps and arms. But my body type was tall with long arms and an athletic body, so I was seen as weak by my brothers.

And thirdly, and most importantly, my radicalness.

Life in the Krasniqi region was extremely conservative. Even saying the name of the Great Albin Goat God incorrectly or in vain could lead to getting executed. And of course, this type of environment lead to any change and innovation at all being almost impossible.

***

"Bab, please listen to me!" I said. "The Long Great Line of Battle is a bad formation and has so many weaknesses and lack of advantages. If we reformed the organisational structure a little, for example by---" I was punched in the face by Beznik. "How dare you insult our traditions! The Long Great Line of Battle has been used since the beginning of the Krasniqi Clan! I will not hear more of your heresy!"

I left my father's tent in indignation.

Outside, the sun hit my face and blinded me for a moment. It was a bright summer day, which meant that the Week of Wars was coming soon. The Week of Wars was a period during good weather where the clans in the region would go to 'war' with each other.

In reality, it was just two rival clans creating two long front lines opposite each other and throwing a few spells at each other, and sometimes engaging in duals. There were very few to none casualties, and the battles never ended in victory nor defeat and were mostly for show. At the end, usually the two clan leaders would agree to peace until next year, or not even bother to agree to peace but just leave when everyone got bored and the weather turned bad. Sometimes the clans wouldn't even bother fighting if it started raining.

"Hey what happened?" I heard a feminine voice say from behind me. I took my eyes away from the sun and turned towards her.

Behind me was Elvana, one of the village girls, carrying a basket of berries. She looked so beautiful in the sunlight. Sadly, my father had already promised her to my biggest brother and the heir, Mehmet.

She put down her basket and walked closer to me.

"What did you do this time? Haven't I told you to stop talking so much?" she said and gently held my swollen cheek where father had punched me.

Elvana was my only friend. One time when we were kids, during a raid, I stabbed a slave-catcher in the groin and killed him because he was trying to kidnap her. Ever since then she has treated me kindly.

"If we don't change we won't survive," I said. "Has everyone forgotten what happened last year? Am I the only one with a normal functioning memory?"

"Arben, please calm down. If the others hear you talk about that disgraceful moment they will get mad. Please lower your voice."

That was how it was. You weren't even allowed to talk about mistakes and improve from them.

"Forget it. I'm going training."

I went over to my private spot in the forest which had a little flat ground and a lake. Five days ago I had made a special hook and tied a rope to it. And was now training quickly throwing it on a big tree and climbing up as fast as possible.

Learning this would have so many tactical uses.

First off, when hunting, our warriors would be able to easily escape big land monsters by climbing the trees with this hook. Or even during battles, groups of soldiers would be able to wait in ambush from atop the trees and fire spells from above.

After training with the hook, I did my ghost sparring.

The traditional Krasniqi fighting style was to basically just have one machete, andfight with that.

Shields were thought of as cowardly, so they weren't used. I guess not wanting to die is cowardly.

But I had come up with an entirely new fighting style.

From hard wood, I had created a lance 2/3 the length of my body, with small hooks at the end, and I I had one machete. I would then hold the lance with my left arm and in a staggered stance lean all my weight on my left leg and jab powerfully with the lance. Then I would use the machete in my right hand for close combat or finishing blows, though I could also deliver a finishing blow with the lance. I would also use the hooks on the lance to pull at my opponent and then with my machete in my right hand attack any openings I created.

From the outside this fighting style looked weird, but it was very effective. Currently I was even creating leather armour to protect the spots that were exposed with this stance, mainly the left side of my body. I also had three daggers on my back that I could use as throwing knives, or use to replace my machete if I dropped it.

I then did my magic training.

The first thing I did was just lay on the ground, ingvisualize and feeling my mana flowing throughout my body. Then I would get up, stretch my arms, and from my finger tips create the biggest and fastest FFireball I could create and fire it at the thelake. Then I would create the biggest and fastest EEarthball I could create and fire it at the lake. Then I would create the biggest and fastest WWindball I could create and fire it at the lake.

I would keep repeating this cycle until I had no more mana left in my body and almost was passed out.

After that, I would do my physical training which was mainly calisthenics and some weight training.

Here is what I knew about magic at the time, based on what I had heard and what I had theorized myself: Magic is a kind of energy manipulation, but how it exactly works is unknown..

There's 4 ways of using magic: Through Incantations, Imagination, Magical Items, and Magical circles.

Incantations were lines you would say which would create the same spell every time. I didn't like this type of spell-casting since you had to memorize the lines and it took time to say them, and the effects of the lines were unchangeable. And the more advanced the spell, the more lines there were.

Everyone could do Incantations, which made them widely popular. Though the Incantations you could do depended upon your mana capacity and magical skill.

Your mana capacity is how much magical energy your body can store, and your magical skill is how well you can use that magical energy.

Then there was Imagination Magic, something I learned on my own.

I would concentrate and visualize exactly what magic I wanted to use, then I would get a sensation like blood pooling where I chose to cast the spell on my body, that is, my hands, and then I would cast the spell.

When using Imagination Magic to cast spells, there were four phases: Shape, size, velocity, and activation.

So while visualizing what magic you wanted to create, you would first add mana into the shape, then mana into the size, and lastly mana into the velocity. Then activate.

When I activated a spell, I would do this strong visualization of the spell flying away. I was the only one in my village who could use Imagination Magic. My theory was that your ability to do Imagination magic depended on how good you were at visualization.

And then there's Magical Items and Magical Circles.

Within Magical Items, there's Magical Implements and Magical Items.

Magical Implements are things that amplify already existing magic, for example a wand or staff.

Magical Items are things that have magic themselves, either in a finite form or slowly regenerating form. A magical ring for example is a magical item.

And then there's Magical Circles, which are complex patterns that have had mana added to them, and do very specific things.

When it comes to magic itself, in my view the types of magic there is is pretty much endless since I think magic is just a kind of energy manipulation.

But traditionally magic was divided into the following: Defensive/Offensive, Elemental (fire, wind, water, earth), Healing, and Summoning.

I was not sure how mana-capacity and magical skill in a person worked. There were a lot of theories, but I was still undecided as to which one was the right one. But I figured that I could probably increase my mana capacity and magical skill through sheer training, so I just did that.

***

"You should stop wasting your time with magic," I heard my brother Mehmet say while I lay exhausted on the ground.

Generally mages were seen as beneath warriors because Incantation Magic was almost useless in close-quarters combat because of the time it took to do the chant, and because of the finite amount of mana most magic users had.

"You were watching me?" I said, just noticing him now.

"Yeah, I was. It looks impressive, but you know it's useless. A real man fights up close with his machete," he said while pulling out his machete from his hip and doing impressive moves.

"Also, stop wasting time with that weird lance technique. Anyone can easily beat you with that."

Now I was offended. But, if we are being analytical, I had never tried the fighting style on anyone. So:

"Oh really? Well then, let's fight. If I beat you, I get Elvana as my wife. If you beat me, I will drop my lance style forever" (of course I knew those terms were not fair at all, but I was not about to risk something for no reason. Also, I thought if I was lucky, then...)

"HAHA. Okay! I agree to those terms."

Yes. He really is stupid.

"Okay then," I said while walking over to pick up my lance and drew my machete from my hip, "for safety reasons, no injuring. First blood wins. This is not a battle to the death. Is that clear? No permanent damage?"

"Yeah yeah, come on let's fight."

The moment I turned around, he rushed me.

I was not prepared at all. Damn bastard. I wasn't in my fighting position yet.

I could predict what he was going to do, first he would cut the lance in half because I would need to swipe it at him from the side to block his strike, instead of stabbing him in a straight line like the lance was meant to do, putting me at a disadvantage. Then a kick into my ribs. Then he would jump me and overpower my right arm holding the machete and put his machete to my throat.

He was rushing me. I simply spit him in the face.

"Hey!" he said and took a step back. I also took a step back. Now I put myself in my staggered position.

He tried to attack, but then I jabbed and he had to jump back. He now realized the power of my style.

"Huh, maybe you are onto something here. But it doesn't matter, I'll win anyway. I'm stronger than---" I jabbed him right in the face. Good thing I have long arms. And I really put my body weight into this one and caught myself on his face. The secret is to put all the weight on your left leg, and then jump with that leg without using your right leg, then catch yourself on your opponent with your weapon. This allowed you to use your entire body weight in a movement.

It suprinsingly really bashed him. Then I realized: I had forgotten that I had recently sharpened the edge of my lance again. Then I saw the blood.

I immediately dropped everything I held. My dear brother fell backwards like a lifeless board and just banged his head on the ground, not even attempting to block the fall. I had hit him right in the middle of his nose and crushed it and blood started coming out rapidly.

"Fuck fuck fuck! Oh qyche!"

Okay, I thought to myself. Healing magic. I had never tried it but it couldn't be too hard. But then I saw his face.

"Hey! Hey! Wake up!"

His eyes were completely open, but he was unconscious and not blinking or moving. What a fucking idiot I am. Blood was going down his throat so I put him on his side so he could breath. I also looked to see if he had swallowed his tongue, and if he was breathing. Thank god he was.

Okay, healing magic!

Last time I saw someone use healing magic was that old man healer who swung by the village one time, from whom I stole a book from.

One of the warriors had a cut that had gone completely black. What was it he did again? Yeah, he sucked and kissed it, I think.

So I immediately did that to Mehmet, and now my entire face was covered in blood.

Okay, now what? Why did he do it? Let's think? Okay, he used magic. So was he spreading magic with his mouth? But magic came from the entire body, and mostly the stomach, at least that's how it felt to me, I had never confirmed this theory before though. Then why the face?

Then it hit me!

I closed my eyes and started kissing and licking the wound on Mehmet's face, getting an image of its details in my brain. Then I started imagining my mana pooling into my mouth. Actually, I could feel my mana moving in the form of goosebumps. I kind of felt this when doing spells, but not to this degree. I was really concentrating on my mana.

Then I visualized closing the wound.

A moment passed.

"Huh?" said Mehmet.

He woke up. He looked at me. There was so much blood, but the wound was entirely closed now. He looked at me in amazement. I was crying. How could I so easily have hurt my dear, beautiful brother? In one split second. I didn't even mean to. I felt this horrible feeling in my stomach. It is hard to describe, but it felt sickening. My reaction to damage, damage that I created. I felt terrible.

He stood up.

"Good fight," he said. "You win."

"I'm so sorry," I said, looking down.

We went over to the lake and washed ourselves of the blood.

"I am so sorry."

I avoided eye contact. He slapped me on the shoulder. I looked up and he gave me a big smile.

"Hey Arben, don't worry about it! Everything is fine, see."

How could he be so cheerful, I thought. I almost killed my own brother. I felt so sick in my stomach, and I started crying once again.

"Come on, let's head back. We have important news to tell father!" he said and slapped me on the shoulder again.

"Huh? What news?" I said.

"Are you dumb? Here I thought you were the smart one. Bir, you're a fucking healer! Do you have any idea how valuable that is!"

(At the time, I thought it was special. Turns out healing is pretty simple if you have a spell book and a decent magic user, but of course in our backwards village, we didn't have that. I later found out that in Drenica and Llap you could find a healer pretty much around every corner).

"Bab!" he yelled when he saw father in the distance. "Arben is a fucking healer!"

"Huh? What?" my father said.

I was still shocked. Usually Mehmet was just cold and distant and would just judge me negatively, but after getting beat once, he was like this. It was weird. I had no idea what was going on inside his head.

Mehmet

I always knew he had the most potential out of all of those shitheads of brothers, but today he really impressed me. I wanted to have Arben as an advisor when I became shief. I kept being rough on him because I felt he had to push himself the hardest. Guess it finally paid off.

I had recently found his secret training spot. Watching him awoke so much envy in me. How he kept coming up with new ideas, and kept training, and kept improving. And that chantless magic of his was just spectacular.

Actually, it was my arrogance that made me accept the duel even knowing I would be at a disadvantage with that technique he had. That was why I rushed him prematurely. I still can't believe he knocked me out cold.

Uh, I almost forgot.

"Bab, I lost a dual so now Elvana is his."

This really fucking sucked. I didn't want to give Elvana away, she was so hot. Her big lips and brown hair. Of course I knew it was what had to be done, since I lost the duel and rules are rules.. Still sucks thuogh. At least he would be more loyal to me now, I thought.

Actually... Oh too late. I can't go back on my word now, I just said it aloud. I should have kept my mouth shut then he wouldn't have gotten her. Shit.

"What are you talking about? He is a healer? and now you want to give him Elvana?" father said. "Stop all this nonsense at once."

"Jo bre," I said, "it is true. I lost a duel and promised him her if he won, and then Arben healed the damage I took during the duel. And it was very high level healing, you can't even feel or see scar tissue from the big wound he closed on my face."

I looked over at Arben. He still had that regretful look on his face. I had really scared him there by falling unconscious. I felt bad for my baby brother.

Father clapped his hands together.

"Very well. Tradition is tradition. If Arben won the dual, he shall receive Elvana. Lindi!" father called over our brother Lindi.

"Bring Elvana here immediately". We waited a few moments. Then Elvana came.

"You are now Arben's. We will hold the Lifelock rituals after the Week of Wars."

Elvana looked confused but pleasantly surprised. She made eye contact with Arben and smiled.

Arben

"I want to see this healing for myself," said father. "we have some wounded men who just returned from a hunt and were attacked by a group of goblins. Follow me, Arben".

We went over to a big tent made of animal and monster skins.

Inside, there were about 15 men laying around on the floor. There were stomach wounds, cuts, and other injuries.

It was then that I realized: This is disgusting, I don't wanna kiss a bunch of men on their legs and arms and stomachs. That's kind of gay.

And when I remembered kissing Mehmet's wound, it was kind of passionate and with a lot of tongue. With my brother and in a life threatening situation, then okay I am fine with doing that, or if it's with a woman. But not a bunch of sweaty men.

"What are you waiting for?" said father.

"Ehm... nothing." I went over to the nearest guy. He was laying on the ground and had a big slash on his neck.

"Hey qysh je a je mire, what happened out there?" I said and started studying his wound.

"Oh qyche, a bunch of fucking goblins ambushed us at night while we were drunk and partying because we'd caught this boar," he said.

"Huh? what kinds of weapons were they using?" I said.

I had killed some goblins in my lifetime, but only really weak and disorganised ones.

"All the green ones were only using their claws, but there were some stronger gray ones that were using clubs. Afrim over there took a club to the knee, didn't you Afrim?" he said.

"Yeah ta qifsha nonen," Afrim said from across the room, "it hurts as hell. I think it's broken".

Weapons huh. I guess the gray ones must have higher intelligence than the green ones to be able to use weapons, though I had never met a gray goblin yet. Only the usual, weak monsters that sometimes wandered into the safe zone when the guards fell asleep.

I started thinking: Maybe the goblins could be tamed like the Riding Lizards? Technically those lizards were monsters too.

"Come on, heal him," father said, who was right behind me.

I awkwardly put my lips on his neck slash. It felt pretty gay. Did I really have to use my mouth to heal or could I find out another way? Anyway, it healed up.

"Look," I said to my father.

"Whoa you really did it!" father said.

"What the fuck that was fast! I felt it close up immediately. I've been healed a bunch of time, but it never felt this great. I even feel like I have more energy now!" said Afrim.

"This is great!" said father. "Now heal the other ones."

I really did not want to start making out with other wounds.

"You know, it takes a lot of mana," I said, "I think I need to wait until tomorrow before I can heal again".

I did not need to wait tomorrow, I just didn't want to kiss anymore.

"Huh, oh well... Okay?" said father. I rushed out the tent.

I was finally outside again. God that tent was sweaty and smelly. The sun was also starting to go down, so I figured I should head back to my tent.

Usually tents were shared, but I really dislike sleeping with other snoring, sweaty men, so I had made my own tent and started bitching and refusing to let another man sleep with me, so I eventualy got to sleep alone. I really like my personal space.

I laid down for a bit, then realized I was sweaty and should wash myself. It was then that I heard some rustling from the hidden entrance I had made to the tent. In came Elvana.

"Hello my betrothed," she said. "I heard you're a healer now! How impressive"

"Yeah but I almost killed my brother in the process..." I said with a sigh.

"What?!"

I explained everything that had happened. She sat next to me and caressed my shoulder.

"Don't worry, it was an accident and everything's fine now, actually something really good happened, now we finally have a healer! You must be tired, you should lay down."

And so I did.

"You know," I said, "I'm really sweaty and I was about to clean myself, but I'm just soooo tired, you know..."

I gave her a pervy smile. "Well, well..." she said, "we can't have my future husband all dirty now, can we".

She then grabbed a bucket and used Incantation Magic to fill it with hot water. I took off all my clothes so she could clearly see my erection.

"You know, that part down there is really dirty," I said.

She gave me a shocked look.

"But we aren't supposed to do any funny business until after the ceremony, so behave!"

"But Elvana, nothing is wrong with cleaning, now is it. And you should do as your man says."

"Oh, I guess you're right," she said, and started cleaning me and gave me a happy ending.

While I was enjoying myself, I had no idea that tomorrow my life would

change forever.