21: Jagtar's Wisdom: The Path of the Fallen God

After his fateful encounter with Elder Mokrak, Martin lay low, holed up in a remote cabin on the outskirts of Lumina. The curse John had placed upon him continued to plague his every move, and he wasn't sure how long it would linger or how far its reach would extend. But he knew he had to be ready when the opportunity presented itself to strike back at John and the Aldrich family.

It had been nearly a week since Martin fled the Aldrich estate, and John was beginning to wonder if the curse he had cast had actually worked as intended. Standing by the window of his guest suite, he gazed out at the sprawling grounds, a sense of responsibility weighing on his shoulders. He knew he couldn't rely solely on his Syntax Sorcery to keep himself and those he cared about safe.

"I can't depend entirely on my magic," John pondered aloud, vivid memories of his battle with Shadowclaw flooding his mind. He recalled the moment when the goblin assassin had appeared right in front of him, moving so swiftly that John hadn't even seen him coming. Shadowclaw's lightning-fast attacks and magical prowess had nearly overwhelmed him. "There's no telling when another opponent, as swift and cunning as Shadowclaw, might challenge me. I need to improve my physical abilities and learn martial arts to stand a chance."

Determined to expand his skillset, John sought out Barim and inquired about combat training. As he found the young noble in the courtyard, John's thoughts buzzed with anticipation and a tinge of nervousness.

Barim's expression shifted from stoic and guarded to warm and welcoming as he saw John approach. "Good to see you, John. Are you settling in well?"

"It's nice to have a roof over my head and a decent meal for a change," John replied. "But I'm wondering if there might be a way I could learn to fight without relying on magic."

Barim raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "That's an interesting request. Can you elaborate on that?"

"Is there someone who could train me in fighting tactics and hand-to-hand combat?" John asked, his voice tinged with urgency. "During my last battle, I realized that relying solely on my magic is not enough. My opponent's physical abilities were far superior, and I didn't even have time to cast a spell. If I'm going to travel across this land and protect myself and others from potential enemies, I'll need to hone my skills in multiple arenas."

"I can certainly help with that," Barim said with a smile. "Our combat master, Jagtar, can train you in close-quarters fighting techniques. He's not just a former mercenary; he's a Fallen God, one of the most skilled warriors in all of Lumina."

John's eyes widened in surprise. "A Fallen God?"

Barim leaned in, his voice lowering. "Their existence is not widely known. They are beings who have transcended the boundaries of humanity and attempted to ascend to Godhood. However, during the transformation process, something went wrong, causing a turbulence that prevented them from completing the elevation."

John listened intently, fascinated by this new information about the mystical beings that inhabited this world.

"Although they don't become true Gods," Barim continued, "Fallen Gods have still transcended humanity. They possess immense power, knowledge, and abilities far beyond those of mortals. Jagtar is one of the few Fallen Gods."

John nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. "I'm honored to have the opportunity to learn from him. But, if he's so powerful, why hasn't he been discovered?"

"Fallen Gods are masters of concealment," Barim explained. "They know how to hide their true nature from the world. Even the Claw of Vengeance, with all their strength and ferocity, would think twice before confronting a Fallen God. It's a testament to Jagtar's character that he chooses to use his powers for the benefit of others, rather than for personal gain or domination."

As John reached the training grounds and laid eyes upon Jagtar for the first time, he felt a rush of awe and apprehension. His senses tingled with an unfamiliar energy, and the mana around him began to vibrate. It was a strange feeling, like stepping onto holy ground or entering a sanctuary. "What type of being is he?" John wondered silently. "Fallen God or not, his presence is unlike anything I've felt before."

"Jagtar," Barim said, his voice breaking through the buzz of John's thoughts. "Please meet John, the man who saved my life and defeated the goblin clan. He would like to learn combat skills, and I think you are the one to teach him."

Jagtar stepped forward, his eyes glowing with a golden light that seemed to pierce through John's very soul. "It's a pleasure to meet you, John. I am indeed skilled in fighting techniques and can teach you the basics, as well as offer valuable advice on how to improve your skills."

John bowed his head respectfully, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. "Thank you, Master Jagtar. I am ready to learn whatever you have to teach me."

As John took his first steps into the training grounds, he knew that this was the beginning of a new chapter in his journey. With Jagtar's guidance and his own determination, he would become stronger, faster, and better equipped to face the challenges that lay ahead. And perhaps, just perhaps, he would uncover more about the true nature of this world and his place within it.