Big Tree, Growing Boy [3]

(A/N: just wanted to say that Svend is based on 2 characters, but neither is Steven Rogers/Captain America).

"You're doing good! Keep at it!" I yelled as I watched Svend drag a rock as big as chair up a hill.

Two robes went over Svend's shoulders and tied to the rock. The hill was mostly barren beyond a few plants here and I was standing at the top. Behind me was the forest the leads to Yggdrasil, which I obviously couldn't see because of whatever barrier she has around her.

Svend was halfway through the hill with rock dragging a line in the path he walked. The reason I was making him do this was to build up leg strength so he can be sturdier whenever he used his shield. His arms stopped attacks a good amount for his age, but his legs gave out sooner than I would like.

Svend kept dragging the rock higher and higher until, when the sun began setting, he finally reached the top. He dropped the robe and fell on his knees, breathing heavily.

"We're not done yet, kid, Give me your arms," Svend sat on his knees and held his arms forward. I turned my arms to stone and gripped his wrists. When I removed my hands, a pair of stone bracelets caused Svend's arms to fall to his sides. "I want you to move your arms up and down until we reach Drasil, got that?"

"Y-Yes, Meistari!" Svend yelled as he stood up again and began moving his arms up and down like he was holding weights.

Third POV:

Around a month after the beginning of his training. Svend was walking around in the forest, looking around while holding a shield in each hand.

A head-sized rock suddenly came at him from the right. The boy raised one of the shields immediately to block it and with a loud 'clank', the boulder struck the shield and fell to the ground.

Another boulder came at him from the back, and Svend immediately turned around while raising the other shield to block it. Again and again, rocks came in from various other directions, and every time, Svend would block them with one of the shields.

This time, a large ball of of fire rose from between the trees and began heading straight at the boy. This time, Svend joined both shields in front of him to form one bigger shield, which effectively managed to block the ball of fire, despite almost knocking him to his back. "There you go! You're getting better," Zack said as wind collected besides Svend and formed his body in his wind element. "Soon, I'll have to hold back less even more," he added while putting out some smoke coming from Svend's haur. "Yes, Meistari!" Svend said while looking at Zack's eyes.

When night finally came, Zack and Svend were resting near Yggdrasil. They were sitting near a small circle made from stone filled with some dry wood. "Wanna be the one who lights it this time?" Zack asked.

Svend looked at him in shock. "Are you sure, Meistari?" "Why not? You've been practicing, haven't you?" "Alright," Svend nodded, though a bit hesitantly.

He picked up a stick and began writing in front of the small circle, when he was done, a fire rune lit up on the ground and the pile of dry wood was set ablaze.

"Good job, kid!" Svend smiled as the Elemental rubbed his head. After they sat down, Zack spoke again. "Now, wanna tell me what's on your mind lately?" Svend looked at him in surprise before returning his gaze to the fire. "Meistari... how do I get rid of fear?"

"You don't." Svend blinked at the quick answer and looked at Zack in surprise. "W-What?"

"Listen, kid. The harsh fact of life is that you can't get rid of fear. As long as intelligent life exists, there will always be something that is considered 'fear' for that life," Zack explained with a shrug.

Svend's expression grew sad. "Then... how can I grow stronger?" "I said you can't get rid of fear, not that you can't overcome it," Zack added.

Svend simply looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Think of fear like a wave of water. When people try to jump into it or run away, they get swallowed, but those who hold their place and power through it? Those are the ones that usually make it out stronger," Zack said before motioning at Svend's shields. "When the wave of fear comes at you, hold your place, raise your shield, and block it. It will only get to you when you turn your back and allow it to take you."

Svend looked back at the fire with a thoughtful expression before his expression turned to one of determination and he nodded. "Thank you, Meistari."

"No problem. Now, go to sleep. I'm gonna be using more fire-balls tomorrow," Zack stated as his apprentice nodded before going to where he usually sleep and covering himself.

"And you were worried you wouldn't make a good teacher?" Yggdrasil asked as Zack got up and walked closer to her body.

"Drasil, I was making stuff up as I go, and he's only been around for a month. I still haven't seen much results,"

Zack replied while crossing his arms. "He's picking things up pretty quickly, if you ask me." While Zack and Yggdrasil were having their conversation, Svend peeked over his shoulder and saw that they were not paying attention to him.

He quietly got up while taking his shield and leaving.

Svend kept walking as quietly as he could, making sure to look over his shoulder every few seconds to see if Zack was there, when he got a good distance away, he began running until he reached a specific part of the forest.

Looking ahead, Svend can see the tree line end. He knew this place well. It was where he met Zack for the first time and where he saved his life.

Hearing a growling, Svend looked and saw a familiar creature walk out from between the trees. A being similar to a sabertooth tiger started stalking towards him.

"I don't know if you're the same one or not, but... it doesn't matter," Svend firmly held his shields up and glared at the tiger. "I'm scared... but I won't run. I'll hold my place. I'll stop you. That's what shields do, and that's what I will do from now on."

The tiger growled at Svend before leaning down and jumping towards the boy with its claws raised. Svend raised his shields and blocked the front claws but was still knocked on his back.

Placing his feet on the tiger's abdomen, Svend kicked the beast away to the back. The tiger smacked on one of the trees and slowly got up to find Svend already on his feet again.

Svend simply glared at the beast while holding his shields higher.

Unknown to either, Zack was watching the whole thing from behind one of the trees. "Guess Drasil was right. He is picking things up quickly," he mumbled quietly before he moved back behind the tree.

First POV: Zack

I was standing near Yggdrasil while looking at her as the sun rose. We were only talking about some mundane things to pass the time, not that either of us actually felt it passing.

I turned around as I felt someone approaching and saw Svend, covered in wounds and blood, walk up to me while panti

"Did you settle your score?" I asked and he nodded. "How does it feel to take on fear and make it through?" Svend looked at the ground for a few seconds before looking up at me with the biggest smile I've ever seen on his face. "It feels great, Meistari!"

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Stones and Reviews please