Ashes to Embers

Part 1

It was like I was shoved into the inferno. But for some reasons, burning flames had no effect on me. 

I felt calmness in me. There was no sign of fear.

I could not see anything but fire. The only sound I could hear was of flames.

Then, from the depths of the inferno, a voice boomed. It wasn't a human sound, but a low rumble that vibrated through the very flames themselves.

It sent a tremor of pure dread shuddering down my spine, a primal fear that bypassed logic and went straight for the core of my being.

"Well, well, well..."

The voice echoed, as arrogant as a conquering king surveying his spoils.

"I never really expected you to win, but you amazed me with how quickly you fell," it chuckled. 

The voice seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

With the sudden change, my anxiety started to rise. I could not track the owner of the voice.

"Shhh! Calm down; you cannot see me. At least not yet."

It spoke again, this time with a soft temprament, perhaps not to scare me.

I took control of my emotions, and with the little confidence that i could gather, I spoke.

"Who are you, and where am I?"

"Someone who can and wants to help you." The voice started speaking again "Nowhere."

"This does not answer my question."

"Does it need to? Ashcroft."

I was stunned upon hearing the name Ashcroft. Curiosity snagged my attention. Whatever it was, he knew everything about me

Before I could think of anything, it spoke again.

"The important thing is that you can escape your fate."

"My fate? And what is that? Death?" 

"Perhaps."

I could not make anything out of this unexpected meeting. But if everything it said is true, perhaps I can be saved.

"Why do you want to help me?"

"Because fire runs thick in you."

I was taken back by this statement.

"Fire..." 

Before I could finish, it spoke again.

"Have you ever wondered why you could use all the types of magic?"

Thinking back, I never really tried to learn more about magic; I just learned the basics, which I thought would help me with swords.

Magic can be broadly classified into four categories

[Attack magic] ---- use for attacking purpose.

[Defense magic] ----use for defensive purpose.

[Healing magic] ----use for healing purpose.

[Summoning magic] ----use to summon things.

It is important to note that a person who can use attack magic does not necessarily mean that he can also use defence or healing magic.

Just as mana is set at birth so does the aptitudes and affinity of magic, which decides which classes he is capable of using.

To use magic, you must have mana.

As long as you have mana, you can use magic.

There are two ways to use mana.

Use the mana you already have in your body.

Or you can use mana by using mana stones.

Mana stones are acquired from dungeons as rewards.

Since dungeon is a very dangerous place, the prices of these mana stones are unbelieveably high.

Mana stones are not the only rewards; sometimes, if you clear a dungeon, you can also find magic weapons or other legendary items.

Adventurers also risk their lives in dungeons because wealth attracts them.

People with less mana can use magic with the help of mana stones.

There are two ways to activate magic.

[Incanation]

[Mana Array]

To activate magic, either utter a chant through mouth or draw a magic array.

So basic magic attacks could be used through incantation, complicated magic spells are still cast with magic arrays.

But in my case, i could use magic without incantation or simply by reducing the chants.

Concentrating the mana in my finger tips, and determining the shape in my mind. That was basically it for me.

The amount of mana required to cast a spell or technique does not change even if you level up, nor does your mana.

There are eight difficulty ranks to magic.

[Novice, Apprentice, Advanced, Skilled, Expert, Master, Archon, Legend]

In my case, I was just a novice in magic.

I focused on developing my sword skills rather than magic.

In this world, there are four mainstreams styles of sword techniques.

-----One of them is Knightly-style.

Emphasizes strength, valor, and chivalry. It dealt powerful and sweeping blows. 

It focuses more on defense than offence.

Mostly used by knights or nobles. Focused on honor and dueling.

-----The second is Kyoshin-ryu style.

A mystical and deadly style mostly used in the eastern parts by the eastern tribes on lyrica continent.

It is an offensive style.

Focuses on agile and precise movements. 

Light armor and mostle curved swords.

Emphasizes on mental focus and discipline.

-----The Third is Swashbuckling-style.

Agile and acrobatic, with a flair for drama.

Quick, flashy attacks, and light armor.

This style is more balanced than the other two and, thus, more difficult to learn.

-----The fourth is Dark-Blade-Style.

Stealthy and deadly. 

Silent and swift movements, dark armor and slender, ostly poison coated.

Emphasis on stealth and deception.

Mostly used by demons.

There are six difficulty ranks to sword styles.

[Novice, Apprentice, Intermediate, Advanced, Master, Lagendary]

I was at intermediate rank for Knightly style.

As far as I know, it is very difficult to achieve above than advanced rank in sword styles.

There is only 2 swordsman who are at Master rank in Knightly style in the Achillia Kingdom.

Even my father is at advanced rank.

"What are you thinking?" it said again breaking the silence.

"Wrong."

"What?"

"I am weak at healing magic."

"But, you can use it."

"Well, yes but..."

Before I could speak, it cut me off

"You were foolish not to learn more about magic and see where it got you."

Whoever it was, he was right. Just to impress my father, I decided to learn swordsmanship rather than magic even though I was gifted.

"How can you help me?"

I reversed the question.

"Hmmmm! Let's see."

"I can give you advice." it said with confidence.

"What? How will it help me, and why?"

"Who knows."

"In retrurn for what?"

"Nothing."

"So, what is your advice?" I asked annoyingly.

"Survive."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

He was messing with me, I decided just to control my emotions and remain calm.

After all, calmness is the cradle of power.

"How do you know, that I am Ashcroft?"

"We will meet again," it echoed, the calmness sending shivers down my spine despite the inferno that surrounded me. "Until then, remember to survive."

The final word hung heavy in the air, then faded like a dying ember.

Silence, thick and oppressive, settled back in.

Part 2

I opened my eyes again.

Reality slammed back, a suffocating wave of heat and the stench of iron.

The Orc loomed over me, its warhammer raised high, a cruel parody of a god wielding a thunderbolt.

Fear, cold and primal, coiled in my gut, but a spark of defiance flickered through the darkness.

"Survive," I rasped, the word a rusty blade scraping against his my throat.With a final, earth-shaking roar, the Orc brought the warhammer down. Time seemed to stretch, each agonizing second a lifetime. I threw himself to the side using the wind magic, the wind of the passing blow whipping at my hair. Adrenaline surged through me, a desperate surge of power.I lunged forward, muscles screaming in protest, and met the orc's charge head-on. My sword, a streak of silver in the dying light, found its mark. A word, a guttural chant ripped from my lips, fueled by the last vestiges of my mana. "Burn!"The world seemed to hold its breath. Fire erupted from the point of impact, red-hot flames that momentarily blinded me. When my vision returned, the Orc was gone, replaced by a wisp of acrid smoke that danced on the wind.Exhaustion slammed back, a wave that threatened to pull me under. I sank to my knees, gasping for breath. My body ached with every beat of my heart, but I was alive. I had survived.