19: A walk in a park (2)

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It was still morning, the sun was now rising making the horizon rays shone its orange color. Walking in a forest full of lush and tall tress were a group of 10 peoples, dressed in a black cloak with some armor safeguard at their vital organs, they treaded silently. The forest they were in was the same place the humanoids were taking shelter from.

"Wait!!, do you hear something." One of them asked, stoping abruptly to focus.

"Agal, what did you pick?, A man with a big scar crossed over his face asked. He was known as Aripul. During the war between the Vampires and the humans, he stood up and challenged them for a one on one battle against their youngest best who had the same age as him. The challenge made the Vampires very furious as they were always the ones to set rise, but a mere human challenging them had surpassed the limit. During the battle, Aripul showcased his abilities which even left the Vampires in aww. Aripul won the battle but got injured with many scars all which were not able to heal over time, and one of them was the scar on his face.

"I think we should stop?" Another suggested.

For them being swordmages, Agal was a mage. He only cultivates the energy of the universe and could communicate with nature. This had made him very needed in every mission which requires scouting and setting traps.

The Leader of this of this mission, Caldwell, stoped in his track. "We don't have much time. Furthermore, that poor boy may be in danger." His voice was sharp and hoarse.

Caldwell had been a commander of a 20 man squad, he and his people had caused many fear and upright into the minds of all those who developed a cliche thought of harming anyone in Asura City, the capital of Asura Kingdom. Due to his hard work and dedication to focus on his work, he had been given many acknowledgement and even many medals by the King himself. There were four Marquess in the Kingdom, and they were ranked by the the strength and achievement they have. Marques Dolph was ranked second with his crew and had been finding ways of ranking up again during their next tournament, but unfortunately something new has come up and they had to deal it before.

Caldwell was not a man with a build body, he is a skinny man, his brown eyes complementing his delicate and define face.

"It's not safe here..!, and we have to save that boy because of who....." another soldier expressed his concern. He was the youngest of the group, having not much experience in battles,"We have killed about 13 of these damn creatures ...What if they find out, then... then .....

"Shut the fuck up, Grayson!!!" Another shouted, startling him and making him stop his murmurings.

It was decided that they would spend 5 minutes recuperating, then when it's over they will continue. The time given was not much, given that they could study just a book for over 1 week before being able to master the ability.

After 5 minutes deadline reached, they continued their scouting whiles slaying any humanoid they came across. Soon they reached the outskirt where Nate's small house was.

"I can feel something again...." Agal reported again."There are some chaotic energies inside the house...".

"Those damm creatures. Maybe they killed the boy, I heard he didn't have any talent." Aripul erupted with anger, he had been slaying humanoids since they set foot in the outskirt forest but now the anger building inside of him was set free. Energy started gathering around him, creating an anatomy of of monopoly.

"ARIPUL!!!, calm down." the voice pulled him out of his his anguish and calmed him down," We have to go in. Agal, how many are there?" Caldwell asked.

"Judging by the strong dark energies, there may be a total of 7...

"That's enough, We can take them down." Another interrupted.

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The sun hung high in the sky as Nate, a young and naive human, finds himself face to face with a mythical creature which is known as a humanoid.

The humanoid stood tall, its eyes burning with an otherworldly fire. It emanated an aura of power, a testament to its magical abilities.

For Nate, though lacking in abilities, experience and no energy, facing the enemy he possessed a calm expression.

"You think you can win this...hehe!! What a joke.." seeing the creature in the middle of transforming, he rushed toward him, with the short dagger in his hand. The humanoid in the process of transforming raised his head, staring at the every move that Nate made.

"He is inexperience....." licking his mouth, he muttered. Reaching him, Nate thrusted the dagger, hoping it is finished but unexpectedly the humanoid side step the attack. Then with his transform hand; which was now a long sword with dark energy swirling around, he did a half slash.

"It's done for.....human." He giggled.

Nate was too close and too slow to see the attack as it was swift and precise. He knew it was too late, but he couldn't die like this; how can he die like this, when he haven't even enjoyed his life here to the fullest. Taking a light step, he tried to minimize the impact as the sword got close. He was cut at the abdomen in slash cross, tearing his clothes.

"Inexperienced.....but good." The humanoid complemented on his actions.

Before Nate could draw back, a conjured ball of dark energy hit him at the same spot, adding to the pain he was going through. It sent him flying miles back.

"WOW!!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, he could feel his heart beating at a pace he hasn't heard before. Checking, he could see the cross cut that hard been done by the sword. This was the first time something like this has happen. Quickly getting up on his feet, he could feel his tendons stressing. This was his limit, he couldn't push on anymore. Feeling light headed, he was going to give in until a sound was heard.

[ Fire ability enabled ]

[ level 1 skills unlock ]

The message had pulled him from the deep sleep he was about to have.

"Fire.... fire skills", a new hope ignited in his heart. His clothes which was now soaked with blood was now drying up. An intense heat emanating from him caused the surrounding temperatures to rise.

The humanoid, looking at what was happening got a clue of what is happening.

"Fire..? Why is it Fire of all things." Fear and panic strikes him. For his type of the humanoid race, Fire was the bane to their ability. He came from the sirag clan, whose ability is water.

"hahaha, I have finally unlocked it. Thank ...you.", laughing maniacally, he looked at him and said.

Hearing this made him boil with, he was in control, when did it become him though.

Nate raised his finger, channeling energy to his hand, sparks of flames kept dancing around.

"Don't worry beast. I will make sure you die a peaceful death." Nate taunted once more. Then with the flames swirling around his hand, hadn't a bolt of sparks toward the humanoid.

The humanoid prepaid for this, took out a big black jacket, placing it in front of himself, then used a spell of shielding to protect himself from the impending inferno.

Following that, Nate decided to tap into his hidden potential. He had made up his mind to use his opponent as a test tool and try out some of the things he could do. The level of his fire ability was not to be feared. He channeled the energy to his legs and propelled him self forward. With the boost of the flames now swirling around his legs, his speed doubled then rushing ahead, a train of fire could be seen behind.The humanoid, momentarily confused, lashed out at the illusions, wasting its energy. Seizing the opportunity, the Fool unleashed a barrage of magical projectiles, each infused with elemental energy.

The humanoid, realizing its mistake, conjured a shield of pure energy to protect himself. Undeterred, Nate channeled the Fire into the ground, causing the earth to tremble beneath the humanoid's feet. Caught off balance, the humanoid stumbled, giving the Nate the chance he needed.

With a newfound confidence, Nate summoned a storm of fire attacks, flames traveling through the air, aiming directly at the humanoid. The humanoid, unable to defend against the sheer power of the attack, combined the dark energy with his water ability, trying to control the attack with his own magical essence, turning it into a weapon of its own, but he failed as the backlash affected him. He was churn black and his once gruesome appearance now looked more gruesome bu this time, pitiful.

As the battle raged on, Nate and the humanoid clashed, their magical energies colliding in a dazzling display of light and power. Driven by his desire to protect those he held dear and surpass his limits tapped into a well of energy he never knew existed within him.

With a final surge of energy, Nate unleashed a devastating Fire attack combining all of his fire abilities into a single attack. The humanoid, overwhelmed by Nate's newfound strength, fell to its knees, defeated.

As the dust settled, Nate stood victorious, his body trembling with exhaustion. He had tapped into his magical potential, discovering a strength within himself he never knew existed. With newfound confidence and strength, he wanted to battle more. The area of the square had been damaged at the end of the battle, with many buildings having been destroyed to rubbles.

"So this is what power is, the strength to decide what happens; either you live or die." Nate stood there, with the support of some poles. He sighed.

"I have to get stronger, I want to get power.". He kept whispering, trying to encourage his will. The cut on his abdomen has stoped bleeding and the pain had dwindled down.

Laughing he muttered," I thought this was going to be a walk in a park."

End of Volume 1