Chapter 3: Selene and Arho

The clash between Larry and the vampire was a dance of death and skill. She was faster, stronger, and deadlier, and she launched a flurry of attacks, aiming to overpower Larry with her sheer supernatural prowess. But Larry's perfect skills, honed through his training and his "All-Instinctive" technique, allowed him to meet her blows with an unwavering focus. This secret technique had granted him a distinct advantage.

He had learned this technique from an ancient book he had come across. This technique allowed him to enter a state of trance, where his brain deleted all unnecessary thoughts, processes, and senses such as touch and taste, to focus entirely on the threat at hand. In this heightened state, his remaining senses were taken to new extremes, ignoring any irrelevant information.

As Larry activated the "All-Instinctive" mode, he felt a surge of energy and clarity. His vision sharpened, his reflexes heightened, and his mind became a wellspring of knowledge and intuition. Every single thing about combat he had ever seen or heard in his life, even those he had forgotten, resurfaced in his mind, ready to aid him in quickly eliminating the threat before him.

With his senses honed to perfection, Larry became acutely aware of the vampire's movements, her patterns, and her intentions. Every kick, every punch, every swing of her arms was absorbed by his focused mind, allowing him to anticipate and counter with precision.

Her strikes were swift but ferocious, her movements explosive. She aimed for Larry's vital points, and most notably his neck, seeking to kill him. Yet, with the smooth flow of his own movements, Larry parried her attacks with a finesse that left her momentarily stunned.

Her nails and Larry's swords clashed with a resounding clang, each strike filled with intent and purpose. Larry's blades weaved through the air, a symphony of deadly arcs and slices. The vampire, despite her superiority, found herself struggling to keep up with his skill and technique.

Larry's "All-Instinctive" state heightened his senses, shutting out any distractions, processes, or unnecessary thoughts. Every movement, every sound, every glimmer of strategy he had ever encountered resurfaced, guiding him to find the deadliest and quickest ways to neutralize his opponent.

As the fight raged on, The vampire's confidence wavered. She remembered her family, pure-blood vampires, who had belittled her for her weakness and mocked her inability to reach their level of power. Because as a pure-blood, she was even weaker than the transformed vampires. Losing to a human only furthered her self-doubt.

She found herself pinned down to the ground, Larry's swords planted firmly in her heart. Her body regenerated, a testament to her vampiric nature, but the defeat had left her somewhat bewildered. She continued to fight, hoping to tire Larry out and turn the tables, but the level of skill he showcased only deepened her admiration for him.

Caught in a moment of introspection, she pondered her worth and usefulness. It was then that Larry's unexpected words reached her ears, breaking through her self-deprecating thoughts.

"Man, you're awesome! I've never had a more challenging fight in my whole life," Larry exclaimed, his voice brimming with genuine admiration.

As Larry stood victorious over the vampire, her body pinned to the ground by his swords, surprised, she looked up at him, a mix of emotions playing across her face.. She was dumbfounded by his strength, agility, and unyielding resolve. Pushing aside her initial shock, she mustered the words, "Who the hell are you?"

Larry, his heart still pounding from the intense battle, gazed at Selene with a mix of admiration and curiosity. He slowly withdrew his swords, placing them back on his back, and extended his hand toward her. "I'm Larry," he introduced himself, his voice firm yet calm. "And you are?"

She hesitated for a moment, surprise evident in her eyes. She never expected a human to possess such power. "Selene Nightshade," she finally replied, her voice tinged with a hint of wonder.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Selene inquired, "Why are you here? A human should never venture into this world."

Larry, as if compelled to share his story, felt a strange connection with Selene, despite their opposing positions. He took a deep breath before revealing his tale. "My mother is gravely ill, and I've been searching for a cure. That led me to the hidden world, to this place. I had to find a way to save her."

Selene's eyes softened, sympathy washing over her as she listened to Larry's heartfelt words. She knew all too well the dangers that lurked in this realm for a human. She began to explain, painting a vivid picture of the perils he faced.

"In this world, humans are despised," Selene began, her voice carrying a hint of caution. "Many creatures see humans as weak, fragile beings. They are treated as little more than playthings, prey, or slaves by some. This world is ruthless, Larry. It's filled with powerful beings, ancient rivalries, and secrets that can drive one to madness."

She went on, to describe the constant struggles for survival, the unrelenting battles, and the political intrigues that governed their society. Selene's words painted a bleak yet honest picture, warning Larry of the treacherous path he had chosen.

Larry absorbed her words, his determination unshaken. "I understand the risks," he replied, a steely resolve emanating from him. "But I cannot turn back now. My mother's life hangs in the balance, and I will do whatever it takes to save her."

Selene regarded him for a moment, a mixture of admiration and concern flickering in her eyes. She understood his desperation, his unwavering commitment. With a sudden movement, she reached onto her neck and detached a small necklace, a delicate vial containing a single drop of blood.

"Take this," Selene insisted, holding the necklace out to him. "It's passed down in my family. This blood has the power to transform humans into vampires. It might be useful to you, considering the dangers you'll face in this world. You'll need every advantage you can get."

Larry hesitated, his gaze fixed on the necklace. He knew the consequences of such a transformation, the loss of his humanity and the enslavement to the one who turned him. "I appreciate your offer, Selene," he said, his voice filled with determination. "But I can't risk losing myself, becoming a slave to someone else's will."

Selene's eyes glinted with a mix of frustration and understanding. She gripped his hand and forced the necklace into his palm. "You don't understand," she insisted. "In this world, your humanity will be a weakness. Take it, Larry. Consider it a token of our meeting, a reminder that survival sometimes requires sacrifices."

Reluctantly, Larry accepted the necklace, feeling its weight in his hand. He knew he couldn't change Selene's mind, but he vowed to himself that he would carry the burden of his humanity and fight with every ounce of strength and resourcefulness he possessed.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the lion, carrying a tiny creature it had hunted during Larry's fight, a baby goblin, seemingly unharmed. Larry swiftly intervened, taking the creature gently out of the lion's mouth. Selene explained that goblins are one of the weakest species in this world, only slightly stronger than humans.

Larry decided they wouldn't eat the goblin, instead opting to take it back to where it belonged. Together, Larry, the lion, and the goblin continued their journey toward the house Larry had spotted earlier.

Arriving at the bar, Larry was bloodied and injured. Although he technically won the battle, due to Selene's superior physical abilities, she still managed to cut him all over his body, she just couldn't land any fatal blow. The state of his body garnered disapproving glances from the various creatures present, dwarves, fairies, elves, and even a centaur. Ignoring their judgmental gazes, Larry approached the barista, a woman in her late 40s who exuded a no-nonsense aura.

With his battered body and bloodied appearance, Larry mustered a request, "My little friend here is hurt badly. Could you please help him?"

The irony wasn't lost on the barista, who looked at Larry's condition and the barely grazed forehead of the goblin. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Are you stupid? Have you seen yourself?"

Before Larry could utter a word in response, the loss of blood overwhelmed him, and he passed out.

Observing the necklace with the Nightshade family's symbol around Larry's neck, the barista recognized its significance. She knew this seemingly ordinary human held importance beyond his current state. Commanding the others, she insisted on carrying him inside the bar.

The following morning, Larry awoke to find his wounds miraculously healed, leaving no trace of the previous night's battle. Concerned about the whereabouts of the lion and the goblin, he hurried to the kitchen, only to discover them playing together.

Unbeknownst to Larry, his entrance into the kitchen had shocked everybody. The barista looked at him with a gasping expression on her face. It was then that Larry noticed he was completely nude, a fact that had eluded him in his haste.

Rushing back into the room he had emerged from, he heard the Barista joke "Damn, I feel young again!" Larry's embarrassment turned into relief as the barista's lighthearted comment diffused the tension in the air and laughter filled the room.

As Larry returned to the room, dressed in fresh clothes, the barista entered, carrying a tray of food. She smiled at him and said, "Are you ok?"

Larry trying to hide his embarrassment grinned "I'm fine, and sorry about what happened earlier."

The barista looked slightly sheepish and replied, "It's nothing," she smiled and continued "Well THAT, was definitely something!"

They laughed heartily and she set the tray of food on the table. She Said "I'm Arho Dustkwood," and asked for Larry's name in return. They greeted each other warmly. Curiosity sparked in Arho's eyes as she couldn't contain her question any longer.

"So, Larry," Arho began, her tone filled with intrigue. "How did a human like you manage to get your hands on the necklace of the Nightshades, the second highest-ranked family of the seven purebloods?" She continued, "You know, that necklace holds immense significance, Possessing the Nightshades' emblem would surely attract attention. It's not something a human would usually acquire."

Larry paused for a moment, contemplating how much he should reveal. He decided to share his tale, omitting Selene's name to maintain her anonymity. He looked into Arho's eyes and spoke earnestly.

"I fought a vampire," Larry began, his voice steady and resolute. "It wasn't an easy battle, but I managed to come out on top. The necklace was hers, and she gave it to me as a symbol of my victory."

"Impressive," she commented, her admiration evident. "You've certainly proven yourself to be formidable."

Larry nodded, appreciating her acknowledgment. "Thank you," he replied humbly. "But I must ask you to keep my name a secret. It's for my own safety."

Arho nodded understandingly. "Your secret is safe with me, Larry," she assured him, a touch of seriousness in her voice. "I won't reveal your identity."

Their conversation took a serious turn as Larry shared the reason behind his journey. He explained how his mother was gravely ill and how he had embarked on a quest to find a cure.

Arho listened intently, her eyes filled with empathy. She understood the depths of a mother's love and the lengths one would go to protect their family. When Larry finished his story, she sighed softly.

"The hidden world is a treacherous place for a human," Arho warned, her voice tinged with concern. "It's filled with beings far more powerful than you can imagine. The elixir you seek was more probably from the water of life, it's a vast river said to be in possession of the gods themselves. Accessing it won't be easy."

Larry's gaze hardened, determination shining through. "I understand," he replied firmly. "But I can't afford to give up. My mother's life depends on me."

Arho nodded, her respect for his unwavering resolve evident. "There might be a way," she said thoughtfully. "Every four years, there's a tournament held in the hidden world. It's a chance for creatures to prove their strength and gain favor with the gods. The winner is granted a wish, and perhaps you could participate, and if you win, wish for the water of life."

She said "Listen carefully, Larry. During the tournament, To ensure fairness across all the species, all participants are weakened to the level of a goblin. It's a chance for warriors from different backgrounds to compete on equal footing."

Larry's eyes widened with hope, a flicker of excitement igniting within him. "A tournament?" he repeated, intrigued by the possibility. "Tell me more."

She continued "The winner of this tournament is granted a wish, Larry. They can ask for anything they desire, and it will be granted to them. No one has ever dared to wish for the Water of Life before, but who knows? If you were to win, they might grant you that request."

And with that, Arho began to explain the intricacies of the tournament, detailing the challenges, the competitors, and the risks involved. She shared her knowledge, knowing that this might be Larry's only chance to obtain the water of life and save his mother.

Larry's eyes sparkled with a newfound determination. The possibility of obtaining the Water of Life through the tournament seemed like a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges he faced.

Larry: "I see. So, to have a chance at the Water of Life, I'll have to compete and win this tournament?"

Arho nodded, her smile encouraging him to pursue this path.

Arho: "Exactly, Larry. But I have to warn you, the final opponent you'll face is a formidable fighter named Ethan. He's renowned for his skill and power. It won't be an easy path, but it might be your best chance."

Time slipping away, Larry couldn't afford to delay any longer. He thanked Arho for her assistance, bid his goodbyes, and set off on his journey toward the martial arts tournament. With his bag on his back, flanked by his two swords, he called the lion. When Arho asked for the lion's name, Larry replied that it had none. Arho suggested "Thorus," based on the protective god Thor. Larry accepted the name gratefully.

As he expressed his gratitude and prepared to leave, the goblin unexpectedly leaped onto his back, seemingly determined to accompany him. Initially hesitant, Larry was reassured by Arho that it wasn't a problem.

Before leaving, Larry looked at his newfound friend, and said "Thanks, Arho. I'll train harder and prepare myself."

Arho nodded, a mixture of concern and support in her eyes.

Larry smiled, grateful for Arho's concern. And he said "I'll be back Arho, wait for me."

With newfound purpose and the support of his unexpected allies, Larry felt a surge of determination. He knew the road ahead would be treacherous, but he was ready to face the challenges and seize the opportunity that lay before him.

As Larry ventured forth, he was unaware of the challenges and dangers awaiting him in the martial arts tournament, but his resolve remained unshaken. The path ahead would test his skills, his strength, and his determination. But for the sake of his dying mother, Larry was prepared to face any adversary, even the gods themselves.