《Savage Divinity》Chapter 14
Advertisement
Baatar always enjoyed returning home. The familiar scenery, sounds, and scents were so refreshing and soothing. But after a few months of calm, the beast would rise up within him, the need to hunt surging through his blood. For now, though, the beast was sated, calm. The festival had been loud and disorderly, not something he enjoyed doing. The soldiers and villagers needed it though. Not many were like him, the need to hunt driving them. They followed him because it was needed. They defended their lands. But the hunt wore on them. They needed to relax, to celebrate, to laugh and to cheer, and, sometimes, to cry and to mourn.
For the second year in a row, there had been no casualties. It was a joyous occasion, unmarred by loss. It was worrisome. The lack of losses was due to a lack of combat. The province had been peaceful for the most part. Some small incursions, tests of the defenses, but no true invasions, not even a skirmish. No demon had attacked, no coordinated bandits. Just a few Defiled men and beasts, solitary or small groups, unaffiliated with any major faction. The enemy had been quiet these past two years. It sat on him heavily, worried that there was some reason for their quiet that he couldn't see. Baatar shook his head. He had sent his report, along with his misgivings. It was for better minds than his to determine whether there was cause to worry. He stopped in front of his destination.
Baatar paused outside the gate. The boy had been here a year now. Everyone he had spoken to had shared the same opinion. They all agreed, the boy was mostly healed. He had stopped having nightmares. He no longer hid in dark spaces. There was no second incident after all the children had been warned not to surprise him, especially as a prank. The boy smiled and laughed, was polite, intelligent, and dedicated to training in the Martial Path. He excelled at his lessons in herbalism. Sarnai had commended his work ethic, Alsantset on his talent, Charok on his intelligence. Taduk was even considering marrying off his precious daughter to the boy. Baatar convinced him otherwise, for the moment, but Taduk was nothing if not opinionated. It wouldn't surprise him if next year, he returned to find them already betrothed.
Advertisement
Not a single person spoke badly of him. The most they would say was he was remote, distant at times. There was only one problem. He had spoken to the boy's caregivers, his teacher, his supervisor. When he had asked to speak to the boy's friends, he was met with silence. The boy had no friends. He had almost no interaction with anyone outside his family, besides those he was required to. A problem, but one that could be easily fixed.
He was greeted by shrieks of delight as he stepped through the gate. The twins, Tali and Tate, came running at him, their toys forgotten.
“Gran papa!”
He dropped down to nuzzle the two of them, growling in content. Two little innocents, chubby and pink skinned. He had seen them at the festival three days past, but to children, three days seems forever.
“Hello Papa you're early. Are you hungry? We've plenty of food.”
Baatar stood, the twins sitting on his shoulders, holding onto his wolf ears. He looked at his daughter oddly.
Alsantset was dressed in a loose shirt and pants, far too large for her. Her hair was untied and half brushed. She caught his look and glared at him. “Like I said, you're early.” Baatar laughed at her efforts to fix her appearance.
“No no, my girl, I am simply cherishing the sound of you calling me Papa. You were still calling me Captain when I left in the spring.”
“You were the one who insisted. 'I'll not have a soldier in my unit refer to me as anything but Captain'.” Alsantset stood at attention, hands behind her back, a grimace on her face, parroting her father. “It took some time to adapt.” She smirked at him. “You look after my precious babies. I need to make myself presentable.”
Baatar played with the twins, tossing them high into the air, and catching them. Their happy screams were delightful to hear. The boy came out and greeted him politely, carrying feed to the roosequin pen. Baatar studied the boy as he passed.
He still walked with his head down. Hadn't grown much in height either. More meat sat on his bones though. Difficult to stay slim with Charok's cooking. Broad shoulders, down to a narrow waist. The scars were gone, no doubt Taduk's work. Short legs. Sturdy. No elegance or refinement in his steps, just heavy and determined. Fix his timid personality and the boy could be a real scrapper. Baatar smiled at that thought. Just like himself. The way Sarnai and Alsantset fought, it was fierce and quick, before fading away. A dance, forward and back, left and right. Avoiding the enemy until they could strike decisively. Too frivolous, too complicated. Get in close and do as much damage as possible in the shortest amount of time, thereby limiting the damage taken. Rend flesh and break bones, take no half measures. His decision was made.
Advertisement
Baatar had breakfast in his daughter's home, chatting amicably, asking a few questions, telling a few stories. The boy was quiet and reserved, but attentive. He was kindest to the twins, almost a different person when interacting with them. He had stopped eating too quickly, and a calm eating pace had emerged. He shared the best parts of his breakfast with the twins, feeding them small bite sized pieces. It was true. The boy was much better, and in only a year.
The boy was not completely healed, of course. The boy hid some of it well, but the fear, anger and hatred that had spawned from his time in the mines was still there. That's not terrible though. A fire in him, that Charok lacked, that even the girl didn't fully embrace.
“Charok, a delicious breakfast, as always. Girl, he won't be going to your class today. Boy, come with me.” As soon as breakfast was finished, Baatar stood and walked towards the door. He was eager to teach the boy. Shape him, mold him into a weapon, to unleash upon their enemies, wield in the defense of their home.
“Go clean up and change into training clothes little Rain. I'll not have father dirtying your good clothes. Don't worry, he'll wait. Go, go.” Alsantset hurried after her father. He looked at her quizzically.
“What do you mean to do father?” She stood tall, stared him straight in the eye, challenging him.
Baatar smiled at his angry daughter. So fierce, just like his Sarnai. “You told me he reached the State of Enlightenment once before, and that he is yet to reach the State of Balance. I am going to teach him.”
“You find my teaching inadequate? He is doing well. He can Demonstrate the Forms to at least 60% perfection with only a years worth of practice. It's only a matter of time before he reaches Balance.”
He had forgotten her pride. Also so like her mother. “I mean no offense, girl. He interests me. Let me teach him while I am here. I am older, and therefore wiser than you. Perhaps I can help him in ways you cannot.” Or will not. She is too lenient with him, and coddled him. Best to not mention that out loud.
Alsantset stood there, eyes glaring, lips pursed, arms crossed. “Fine.” She relented, “You are not to push him too hard. He pushes himself enough. If you're going to keep him all day, you need to let Taduk know as well. He teaches Rain after lunch. He doesn't like to eat mushrooms, so feed him something appropriate. Have him back for dinner. You and mother should come as well.”
“You worry too much, girl. I will let Taduk know. No mushrooms. I can't stand them anyways. Your mother and I would be glad to come for dinner.” He had intended to train outside Taduk's home in any case. The boy would require healing. Best not mention that either. He walked out the gate, and smiled, planning the lesson in his head. Had Alsantset seen the wolfish smile upon her father's face, she would have forbidden Rain from going with him. She knew the smile well. The lessons in combat from her father had been cut short when Sarnai had learned of them. Baatar was not one for half measures. He eagerly waited for the boy. To have a student again. Good, good. Good.
Advertisement
Jayke Cipher
Jayke Cipher was, to his limited knowledge, one of the last people alive. The apocalypse was not one that came slowly. When it struck Earth, it came swiftly. The monstrosities that roamed the outside world became an unavoidable hobby of Jayke's. Working from within a heavily defended compound, surveillance cameras and a plethora of subject material only cultivated an interest in strange creatures. Survival became lonely. Sanity was kept by indulging offhand desires, fulfilling flights of fancy when reasonable. When the compound is breached and all other options exhausted his only option becomes the pod. A mysterious capsule intended for virtual reality. Its producer, in light of the apocalypse, had released early. Months back he had ignored the last news broadcast regarding the pod and its promises. He knew it only as suicide. But better that than being eaten alive.
8 241Deviant's Masquerade: The Anthology Series
The world 's a big place, and it has a lot of stories that are just waiting to be told. This is especially true in a world where heroes, villains, magic, fantasy and horror all abound for those willing to look for it. Who knows there may even be a special brand of madness all for you. Just remember to beware what lies beneath the masks of those who attend the Deviant's Masquerade.
8 119Elder's Game
In a world set upon by an ancient threat, a new cycle of civilisation competes for power and resources. Amidst the games and politicking of Elder beings, the masses are unknowingly ensnared in plots and schemes that were centuries in the making. At the heart of the world’s workings lies the Tyreal Valley—a land that promises to fulfil the desires of those who seek it. As a haven for the truly strong, the path to this promise is paved more often than not in warfare and blood. To two young stragglers fighting for more than just their own fates, it is left as their only answer. But maybe that’s just what their enemies want. Magic system vaguely similar to GameLit ones (no system nor interface to help), with certain elements that are a bit more analogue. Politics, war, looming apocalypse, a tiny dash of kingdom building, and a minor bit of crafting. There is a bit of a progression element as well as both environmental and cultural exploration. The story follows two youths more directly influenced by aforementioned Elder beings than most. Neither lead cares for politics but certain situations force them into participating, forcing them to make decisions that shape their morality. Initially, the focus is on the male lead as he comes of age in an environment with little scope to change his future, only to be thrust into new circumstances that permanently kill some of his hopes. 3k words every chapter
8 107one week ➳ beomryu ✓
❝be my girlfriend for a week.❞ ✎ wherein he broke her icy heart𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻I DONT SHIP THEM TO THE POINT WHERE IT FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE, THIS STORY IS JUST FOR FUN©jisung_clouds, 2020 ryujin+beomgyu
8 138Dungeon Sect
On hiatus. Just have too much that happen in succession to have regular updates. will keep writing just wont be posting chapters for a while Jade was once a human on earth, many eons ago. He died and went to a cultivation universe. Sadly he was never heaven's choosen with heaven breaking luck. He was average and bland. When his brother was shining light he was the stabling post supporting him. Many sought to take down the light, but knew they were nothing to light so they tried to take down the post. Jade died in the cultivation universe, not without learning more than most in their billion year life times. He was not a genius by any means he was just well learned. Now he is a dungeon, with mana instead of Qi. Still he can cultivate and learn again. Who will he teach and help become a shining light Warning I am not the best writer, and it will take awhile to build to more of an action adventure story with dungeon building as a side as the story will shift from Jade the dungeon to his choosen students I use Cultivating Dungeon, and The bound dungeon as systems to build off of, but the story is all mine
8 140Pantala High School
If the Wings of Fire Pantalan MCs went to high school! If you love Sunlow, Blicket, and Wings of Fire AUs, this one might be for you.
8 212