The Grand Master

*shuffle shuffle shuffle* sounded in the silent streets of Helmsdeep as an adventurer dragged his feet, too lazy to pick it up. A burly man walked beside him in silence with a slightly irritated look at his face while a couple walked behind them softly speaking to each other.

"Ace", the burly man muttered, "could you fucking walk properly for God sake my ears cannot take it anymore man", he grumbled as he scratched his ears. "Cover your ears then Ed, or better just cut them off and maybe sell them at the puppet makers", Ace replied nonchalantly with a smirk.

"WHY YOU...….!!", Edgard paused, his hands half raised. His eyes darted around sensing something was amiss. The road they were walking had became quiet, too quiet. Even Audaxia's light steps could be heard softly.

Ace stopped walking beckoning Audaxia to him. 'Are you ready to test your equipment?', he spoke through his thoughts. Audaxia beamed at him before disappearing into the darkness. The two brothers stood back to back with weapon at hand, ready for any attacks. To their surprise, nothing happened except seeing a green girl appearing from the shadows with splashes of red on her.

"Sorry that I've dirtied the suit that you made, I'll clean it up when I go back", the girl spoke as she walked towards them, her hand scratching her head with an awkward smile on her face that was also covered in streaks of red.

After a closer look, they realised it was Audaxia mixed in colours of red and green just like the Redzonia forest. The smell of blood and iron still fresh on her, they carried on walking till they have reached the end of the road. Audaxia stood in awe at what was in front of her.

There was a huge iron plated door at least 30 metres in height and width in the middle of a wall that stretched and curved to the mountain ridge behind it. It basically looked like Helmsdeep inside Helmsdeep. A huge signboard on the top of the door stated "Kai Steel Forge". The walls were built the same way as the mountain ridge to make it look like it was naturally built. Edgard went forward and pushed the iron doors without a care like as if it was made out of wood.

Audaxia curiously tried to push the door only to realize she did not have enough strength to even make it move. Embarrassed, she quickly positioned herself to look like she was feeling the door and amazed on the design. Ace looked down stifling a laughter as he continued to walk through the doors after them.

"This was the first test for Ed to become his master's apprentice", Ace spoke as he still saw her looking at Edgard closing the Iron Door of the Forge. Audaxia awoke from her daze as she heard Ace speaking to her. Only to be more shocked by the interior of the 'mini fortress'.

A stone courtyard that could fit a hundred people comfortably and it was reflecting the moonlight making it eerily beautiful. As they continue walking they saw a river emerge from the side cutting through the courtyard separating it from a garden. It was not as deep but it had a wide span that could make anyone think before trying to jump over it.

The garden was filled with all kinds of plants and stone benches. An Elder Tree stood alone that seemed to shelter the whole garden by itself. A wooden bridge crossed over it making it the only way to get across the river. A pathway led into the garden and the moonlight seemed to fade halfway through due to the Elder tree making it hard to follow it.

Edgard walked on like it was nothing, probably because he has been here his whole life. The rest just followed behind while looking around at the plants and trees. Some of the plants and flowers glowed in the dark, others seemed to curl up while there were those that seem to have blade like leaves.

"Careful there", Edgard warned the group as he saw Audaxia reaching out to touch one of them. "Those are guard plants my master brought back from one of his trips, they will attack until they taste enough blood on them. Which is usually lethal since they cannot be satisfied until there is nothing left". Edgard showed them a pouch containing certain leaves and essences, "they wouldn't attack their own so stay close and don't stray too far since even I might not be able to calm them down", he continued while turning into another path towards a clearing.

Finally, they reached the end and saw a Mansion growing out of the mountain ridge. Although it has only two storey, the high ceiling made it look like it was double in size.

They continued on until they reached the door only to see a large man sitting on a stone bench not far away from them, with a huge pitcher and a glass. Not taking notice of them, he continued drinking as he looked towards the crescent moon with a faraway look in his eyes as if remembering the memories as he continued sipping on the glass.

"I see the little boy has grown into a fine young man. Sssslurp Ahhhhhhh! That's good ale ey", the old man finally spoke after a long silence. The group stared wide eye at the old man not sure what to do until Edgard dropped to his knees and tears came running down his cheeks.

"M..m..ma..master", Edgard stutter as he called out to the old man trying to hold back some of his tears. Raygard stood rooted, not knowing what to do. Audaxia curiously stood there trying to make out the looks of the old man in the darkness.

"Hello Uncle", Ace walked over without a care as he removed his katana from his shoulder and finally sat down on the other side of the bench. "You're getting older now so you shouldn't be drinking old man", Ace joked as he took the glass and started filling it up. "Mmm that IS good", Ace said as he took a sip.

Everyone else stared in stupor seeing how casual Ace was being around the old man and even putting his weapon away.

"Who is that?", Audaxia pointed out as she asked Raygard. Pushing her hand down, he leaned to whisper to her ears.

"GRANDMASTER!?", Audaxia yelled out in surprise, "THATS GRANDMASTER KAI?!"