Starting The Training
'What have you possibly done? Lost Father, then Katlan. Was I always this week?.. Tsk, like hell it would end here,'
Zephyr was immersed in his thoughts. Features hardening while his young blood was being ignited by each passing second.
'I am the one with the purest blood, nothing could overcome me nor I would let it. I deserve to stand where that damn dragon does.'
And unintentionally pricking his fresh wounds, Delvin came, being kind, he hoped to ask about his well being.
"What are you going to do now?"
"And who are you?" Zephyr frowned, glancing over his shoulder.
"Seriously? Do you not remember or pretend?"
He pretended to not know him so he didn't have to express gratitude for saving his life.
He refused to talk to those he considered low to him.
"What do you want?"
"I heard your friend left," He sighed, almost curling his lips in a teasing way that made his jaw clenched.
"So? Why are you here?"
"I have been assigned to this post, I am going to stuck around here for a while,"
He continued with a sigh, "Plus, I only have a sister to call my family, I don't want to die, yet."
"Then leave, with us, you will probably die if you stay."
"I said I don't want to but we all are going to die in the end. Plus, I am not a coward," He enunciated sternly.
Delvin knew he might not be anywhere near his status but he could notice that it hurt him to lose his friend.
And he should offer his companionship since he was lacking some.
"Do whatever you want, I don't have time for you," Zephyr sighed.
He was too distressed to think about 'needless' stuff.
"You sure as what rumors say about you," Delvin smirked, piquing his interest.
"What rumors?"
"You stand on the peak of pride- One has never seen a man as overconfident and arrogant as you- want to hear more?"
That made Zephyr smirk, it didn't surprise him at all, he had embraced that part of his personality with vanity.
"I simply do not care about the words spoken by a weakling,"
Turning back, Zephyr gathered the aura of pride everyone spoke of which was hurt by Zirkos but he didn't display it,
"I know what and who I am and where I belong,"
And then he pointed at the sky, "Right there,"
"You sure do, Young Lord,"
Lady Red spoke from behind with a gentle smile, having faith in him as he smiled back faintly and walked away with her.
"So, what brings you here, My Lady?"
"Azura came to me, she is demanding to learn how to fight too. Does she have your permission?" She asked seriously, worried if she would be able to take it.
"Yes. My Lady should know how to defend herself. She shouldn't need anyone except me to consider her shelter,"
He used deceptive words.
"I like your perspective,"
"Hmm. Go hard on her, Lady Red,"
And he said it, thinking it might break her determination and cause her to quit.
Because by all means, he didn't want to break the tradition and get his woman tainted with blood and violence.
It sounded horrible, he wanted to be one to protect her and thought training would make her realize how hard it is.
And she would quit.
Which she didn't.
Later, after things soothed briefly, he was staring at the moon all alone, carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders.
A scar on his chest accompanied by a fire burning in his eyes which was soon broken when his best man came.
"Young Lord," Yor called, standing behind him.
"Has Katlan reached safely?" He asked coldly.
"Yes. I hope you are not angry with my decision. I became emotional and only thought about… saving my son,"
"It's alright. He was no use anyways,"
And he hid his feelings completely. He knew his departure weakened him, it hurt him.
But he would never accept it.
Rather coated his words into reasoning to make it sound logical instead of emotional.
"Yes. You are right,"
Coming down from the wall, he placed his complete attention to Yor who was patiently waiting for further instructions from his Prince.
"The one we fought with was the upper fourth out of eight commanders of the Abyss. Nayah,"
Zephyr began to explain, holding a hint of frustration, gritting his teeth.
Yor could understand- those centuries old monsters and his eighteen years old Prince.
They were no match in the first place.
"I was nowhere near its strength. If I cannot defeat a commander then who can I expect myself to defeat their master?"
"How pathetic."
Curling his hand in a fist, he hissed under his breath. One thing after another was throwing the realization on his head that-
He might not be as strong as he claimed himself to be…
"Young Lord-"
He attempted to give him false hopes, reassure him but he put his hand in the air to stop him.
"Yor,"
"Yes?"
"I don't care how much blood I spill, how hard or unbearable it becomes but it makes me strong."
Gathering all his courage and broken fragments, bearing the pain of the traumatic experiences he faded in a brief time, he knew what he should do-
"Train me until I won't be able to take it anymore. Do you understand me?" Zephyr growled, utterly serious about his orders.
Yor was taken aback but was also relieved that his Prince was becoming better and growing.
Placing his hand over his heart, he bent to his one knee to show his respect.
"Yes, Prince Zephyr,"
And with a strong surge of determination, Zephyr started his journey. Knowing it might be painful, rough or perhaps, unbearable too.
But, for his kingdom, he would definitely strike back.
Starting his training so one day, he could become strong enough to defeat this monster known as Zirkos.
He will do whatever it takes to become strong enough to defeat him.