Chapter 18: Fulfilled, pt. 3

"I hope you can do more than this," Delix muttered. "Or this will be a short match."

With a slight push, Delix flung Tom a sizeable distance. Tom briefly landed on his feet but quickly loss balance and fell over. He rolled across the ground several times before he managed to stop himself. Tom rushed to his feet and raised his sword.

Delix huffed in disapproval. "I merely lifted my sword. Was that enough to send you back?"

"Being a little hard on someone who came to you for training," Tom pointed out.

Delix vanished from Tom's sight before reappearing right in front of him. Tom raised his sword just in time to block his attack. The swing was even harder than the last hit and sent Tom into the air.

"Fuck!" Tom screamed.

Delix's wings spread outwards and he took to the sky. He held his sword over head for a strike. Tom barely had enough time to hold his sword above his head to block the attack from landing. The block did little to help him as the attack fired him into the ground below.

Pain shot through Tom's body as he found himself, on his back, embedded into the ground. He, first, pulled his right arm out of the ground. Tom followed up with his left. As Tom pulled himself out of the ground, Delix landed next to the hole he was in.

"Your enemies are not going to grant you mercy or advantage in any of your future battles," Delix said.

Tom sat up with a groan. "Ugh. I know that. I came here so I could learn how to become a real Magic Blade so I can be prepared for those future battles. I don't see how beating me half to death teaches me anything."

Delix reached out and grabbed Tom's arm. He pulled him out of the ground and flung him to the side. Tom forced himself to stand up.

"Uh, thanks," Tom said.

"Losing can be an extremely important lesson."

"All I'm currently learning is that you're way stronger than me."

Delix rubbed his temple in frustration. "You managed to get defeated by someone roughly a third of your level."

Knowing Delix was referring to Rika Darma, Tom quickly countered, "I was ambushed! Reia and I had the upper hand until that second ambush squad came in. Even then, it took an anti-tank missile to put me out of commission."

Delix took a step forward and glared at Tom. "Excuses won't do you any good alive or dead."

Tom glared back. "Then teach me to be a better warrior because I can't do it by myself and I'm not learning a whole lot by having you bash me around."

Delix chuckle. "More spine than I had originally given you credit for. Very well. There is a skill you own but haven't been using it to its full potential. Fast Travel."

"Eh?"

"Fast Travel is a skill that can teleport you anywhere you wish, so long as its not protected by magic. Imagine using that in combat."

The epiphany hit Tom and his eyes widen. "My god..."

"It seems you understand. Good. Show me."

Tom vanished from sight. Delix felt a presence behind himself and blocked behind. Tom's blade connected to his. Frustrated, Tom teleported again and tried a different direction.

Delix kept up with Tom's attacks no matter what direction he came from. Tom teleported to Delix's side and struck with his sword. As before, Delix blocked it.

"Lightning Strike!" Tom yelled with his hand pointed at Delix's gut.

The attack struck Delix's stomach making him lose focus. Tom took the opportunity and swung his sword, striking Delix in the gut.

"Ugh," Delix grunted out.

Tom grinned seeing Delix's reaction. That grin was quickly ended when Delix counter-attacked with an upper-cut to the stomach. Tom screamed out from the attack and his mind briefly went blank. The attack sent him back a small distance.

"Get up and try again," Delix ordered.

Tom dry heaved as he struggled to his feet. He glared at Delix with a fury. Tom saw Delix smiling over Tom's pain. Delix held out his hands and curled his fingers several times egging him to attack.

Tom roared in anger as he charged towards Delix. He teleported several times while running towards him to throw Delix off and disguise where he was coming from. Tom held up his sword and prepared for an attack. He teleport away and reappeared to Delix's side.

Delix blocked the attack and attempted to counter-attack. Tom vanished before he could strike. Tom continued to teleport and attempt attacks on Delix. Delix's speed ensured that he was able to keep blocking Tom's attacks.

"While Fast Travel is a good ability to use in battle," Delix said, "you shouldn't overuse it."

With each teleport, Tom's movement and strikes became weaker and more sloppy. Eventually, Tom couldn't even lift his sword to swing it. Delix kicked Tom away with a stomp-kick.

"Your reaction time and internal equilibrium become weaker because your mind cannot comprehend you rapidly teleporting from location to location. You could do it several times in a short amount of time but that's it."

Tom pushed himself off of the ground with his hands. His strength quickly left his arms making him collapse onto the ground.

"Is that all you are capable of?" Delix scoffed. "How can you protect anyone if you cannot even protect yourself?"

Tom made a second attempt to get up from the ground. He collapsed again from his lack of energy and the pain that surged through his body.

"How can you protect Reia?"

Tom was quiet for a moment. Surprising Delix, Tom went into a fit of laughter. He was laughing so hard he went into a coughing fit. Tom pushed himself up again.

"What are you laughing about?"

"I'm not aiming to become Reia's protector," Tom replied. He got onto his feet. His legs shook, threatening to give up underneath him. "I aim to stand by her side. We will watch each other's backs as we fight against anything this world can throw at us."

Tom took a combat stance with his sword held up in front of him.

"What move do you plan to do next?" Delix asked. "Take one of my attacks? That seemed to work out very well three days ago. You managed to save one life. Quite an accomplishment."

Delix's voice was dripping with sarcasm. To Tom, this man has spent every moment of their training insulting and berating him. Over their fight, his fury at this man was growing. Now he was at a boiling point.

"You're really pissing me off," Tom growled. An energy started to form around his body.

Delix's brow raise a little seeing the energy around Tom's body. "The reason why you're angry is because you know that everything I've said is true. You are no mage and you're no warrior."

"Shut the fuck up!" Tom roared as he swung his sword towards Delix. The energy that surrounded his body suddenly went into his sword. As Tom swung his sword, the energy that was built up inside of it was launched out as a large ball of fire.

Delix hurriedly raised his sword to block the attack. The fireball collided with his blade and pushed him back along the ground. Delix's feet left drag marks in the ground as he slid. With a roar, Delix push his sword forward and dispersed the fireball. He then followed up by stabbing his sword into the ground.

"Oh, come on..." Tom mumbled.

To Tom's surprise, Delix started to laugh. Delix pulled his sword out of the ground. He spun it before sheathing it behind his back.

"What's so funny?" Tom asked him. "Why are you laughing?"

The attitude that Delix took on was a complete one-eighty from what it was just moments ago. Now he was walking towards Tom while laughing and with a jovial smile. Delix reached him and patted him on both of his shoulders.

"Why am I laughing?" Delix repeated. "I'm laughing because I'm happy. You managed to combine your magic and sword skill. My boy, you have become a true Magic Blade."

"I'm sorry but I'm confused," Tom sputtered.

"Allow me to explain. When I said before that you're no warrior or mage, I wasn't lying. As a Magic Blade, you'll never be as strong as a warrior-focused class and you'll never wield as powerful magic as a magic-based class. You are to combine elements from both to be as or even more powerful than either. Magic Blades are able to combine magic spells with weapon attacks. What you just achieved was a combination of your fireball spell with your sword attack. As you just witnessed, it is far more powerful than either a sword or magic attack."

"Why didn't you say this at the very beginning?" Tom asked. "Just say, 'you can combine you magic spells with your sword attacks'?"

"This was all a part you get you to access your class' ability. I believe Reia has taught you some basics about magic, correct?"

"She has."

"Forget it all. What she knew about magic applies only to mages and people with basic magic skills. Magic Blades do not call out their spells either vocally or mentally. Your spells are emotion and visual based. You don't have to use an incantation to use a spell. To call forth a spell you only need to visualize it. The strength of that spell is determined by the emotion you put into it."

"Wait. Were you purposely acting like a dick to get me angry enough to use that magic attack?"

Delix nodded. "Had I told you all of this, you would see through my attempts to get an emotional response. I pushed you to get angry to get you to summon your mana. From there it was natural for that mana to get redirected into your sword and be launched out as an attack. This teaching method is somewhat traditional for Magic Blades."

"It's traditional to be a dick as a teaching method?"

"Less eloquent than I would put it, but yes."

"So... Does this mean I pass?"

Delix placed a hand on Tom's shoulder. "Yes, of course. You passed."

NoticeYou have completed your class quest, unlocking the potential of your class: Magic Blade.

NoticeBy unlocking your class' full potential, you unlocked the skill "Surge Strike" and earned an additional ten points towards Strength, Endurance, Intelligence and Wisdom.

NoticeSurge Strike has replaced Power Strike.

Surge StrikeTypeActivateStamina Required60Mana Required60RankALevelBeginner 10 (53%)The user can channel magical energy into their blade and unleash an attack that combines a melee attack and a magic spell.

"I never meant those things I said to you," Delix assured Tom.

"I know," Tom said. "You only wanted to get me angry to use Surge Strike, et cetera, et cetera."

"I'm being serious. I don't want the things I said to cloud your mind in the future. You already had shame weigh you down."

"Shame?"

"You fear that you failed to make your parents proud."

"How do you know about that?" Tom demanded.

"In the spirit realm, we can check in on the world of the living from time to time. Our connection to the living world is usually strongest at places where the dead gather."

"Then you heard the things I said at the cemetery." At that moment, a thought came to Tom. "Are they here? Are my parents here?"

"I'm sorry but your parents have already returned to the cycle of life and death."

Tom's shoulders slumped upon hearing the news.

"Listen... You are a good son for caring about making your parents proud of you, but no child is obligated to live up to the accomplishments of their parents." Delix lowered his head and a solemn look came across his face. "The only thing good parents should care about, concerning their child, is that they are happy, healthy and independent. While I haven't met your parents, I'm sure they are proud of you for what you've accomplished."

"Thank you..."

"Tom!" Reia called out.

Tom looked in the direction of Reia. He saw that she returned with Niala by her side. Tom held his arms open as Reia ran to him. He caught and embraced her. Reia tightly hugged him.

"I passed!" she squealed.

"I had no doubt you would," Tom said. "We'll have to go over the skills we gained. That can wait till later though."

Niala chuckled at the embracing couple. She found their affection and love towards each very cute. Realizing the audience they had, Tom and Reia let go of each other while blushing.

"Thank you for training us to use our class properly," Tom said.

"It was a lot of fun!" Reia added.

"The pleasure was all ours," Delix said.

"Now before you go something you should know," Niala stated. "When you reach level fifty, you will come back here and we will train you in your final class. Now I already told Reia this, but not you Tom. You see, we are two of the six individuals who fought Hastur eighteen years ago. By the time you reach level fifty, you will be ready to be taught everything we know about Hastur's abilities."

"Wouldn't it be best to tell us now in case we run into him?"

"You don't seem surprised that we're two of the six warriors who fought Hastur," Delix noted.

"Considering how strong you are and the fact that one of the heroes was a Magic Blade according to Reia's stories..." Tom explained. "It seemed like a reasonable assumption on my part. Now my original question."

"Hastur will not come to fight you unless you go to him," Delix said. "He prefers to make his minions to do his work. You are going to need to construct a team to face him because there is no way the two of you are going to be able to face him. Hastur is able to adjust to different team compositions. We will need to see what your team consists of before we can go over the strategy to fighting Hastur."

"Okay," Tom replied. "Makes sense."

A light started to glow around Tom and Reia. They examined themselves as the light grew brighter.

"You are both about to return to the world of the living," Niala explained. "We wish you luck in your future adventures and look forward to seeing you again."

"Tom," Delix muttered.

"Yes?" he replied.

"Keep her safe."

"Will do."

Tom and Reia vanished from the spirit realm leaving Delix and Niala staring at where they were. Niala wrapped an arm around Delix's waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I really wish we could have told her," she said.

"I know," Delix concurred. "I wish we could tell her everything but keeping her identity secret is the only way to protect her and everyone like her from Hastur's wrath. What do you think of the Human? Thomas?"

"I like him," Niala replied. "I think he'll be a good man for our daughter."

Delix chuckled. "Agreed."

VVVVVV

While the time they spent in the spirit realm was close to an hour, only a minute had passed in the living world. Since returning, Tom and Reia went over their skills and stats to discuss new strategies for future battles. Reia was feeling good and confident about herself for everything they accomplished that day.

Hours had passed since their training lesson. It was dark out and was getting close to bed time for the both of them. Reia stood outside their bedroom in front of its closed door. Her heart was racing and she struggled to remain calm.

Since they had their meeting, Reia had one thing on her mind. The last several days they slept together, she felt their physical closeness was growing her desire for him. Tom's warmth and delicious scent made her feel light-headed and drunk.

Reia spent the day thinking about how she felt towards Tom and what he meant to her. She came to one conclusion: she wanted more of him. Needed more of him.

Reia felt a tinge of guilt as she knew that if she went through what she planned tonight, she would be breaking the promise she made with Tala and Sylmae when they were younger.

'Sylmae, Tala,' she thought. 'I'm sorry. I am so sorry, but right now... I need this. I need him.'

Reia reached for the door knob and slowly turned it. She opened the door and saw Tom wearing his pajama bottom and a white t-shirt. He was standing next to the bed placing his phone on the bedside table.

Tom looked up and saw Reia. His heart jumped seeing Reia not wearing her usual pajama clothing. She was just wearing a sexy bra and panties.

"R-Reia," he gasped.

Making sure she couldn't back down, Reia quickly walked over to Tom and embraced him with a passionate kiss. She slowly pushed Tom towards their bed until his calves came into contact with it.

Tom sat down on the bed. Reia crawled on top of him and sat down on his lap. Their kiss grew more fiery as Reia reached down and grabbed the bottom of his shirt. She pulled up his shirt. Their kiss was interrupted as she yanked off his shirt.

Reia bit her lower lip as she examined his chest. She slid her hand down his chest. Reia looked up at Tom and saw him smiling at her. She returned to kissing him.

Tom's hands went down Reia's back to her waist. He could feel goosebumps appear on her skin. Tom knew that Reia loved his body's higher temperature, but he never knew it had such a strong effect on her.

Tom's hands crawled back up her back and reached her bra strap. With a click sound, the strap came undone. Tom pulled away from Reia as he removed her bra. Reia's upper body was left bare for him to see.

"Beautiful," he whispered.

Reia heart started to race again as she was almost fully nude in front of the man she loved. She whimpered in embarrassment and embraced him to hide her chest from his sight.

Tom realized that Reia was extremely nervous over their intimate acts. He held her with one arm around her waist and his other over her upper back.

"Reia," he said. "If you're not ready for this, we don't have to do this."

"N-No!" she quickly replied. "I-I want this. I do. I took a lot of time to think this through. I love you, Tom. I want to share myself with you. I'm just nervous about this. I've never..."

"It's okay," he said in a whisper. "We'll do this at your pace. I'll take the lead."

Tom kissed her cheek and continued down her neck eliciting a pleasurable groan from Reia.

VVVVVV

Syl shivered as she walked. The three friends were walking through the thick woods as they searched for Reia. It was midday and the air was very humid. The storm that hung over head was getting more severe as time went on. The winds were strong enough to make Syl and Tala struggle as they walked.

"You okay, Syl?" Vivian asked.

"Yeah..." Sylmae replied. "I just felt a chill down my back."

Tala's nose twitched as it began to pick up a pungent ordor.

"Something smells really bad up ahead," she said.

"Like what?" Vivian asked.

"Something dead."

Vivian took out her warhammer and held it in both hands. Syl took out her bow nervously. As the ground exited the tree line of the forest and into a field, they found the rotting body of an Obese Cyclops.

"Phew, it's dead," Vivian sighed. She placed her warhammer back on her back.

"What killed it?" Syl asked.

Tala cautiously approached the body. The main wound of the cyclops was located on its head.

"It looks like it was bashed over the head," Tala answered.

"Any idea of what bashed it over the head?" Syl followed up.

Tala shook her head. "The wound is fairly small. About the size of two of my fists. A mace, maybe? It was probably killed no more than several days ago."

"I still don't understand how you can casually approach something like that but have trouble talking to strangers," Vivian said.

"Corpses don't try to start conversations," Tala replied. "I-I can't handle meeting new people. I get nervous and I stumble in anything I say or do around them."

"You're fine with me."

"You're different. I got to know you over a time. You also took the time to get to know me."

"I would like to take more time to get to know you," Vivian said in jest while giving her 'come hither' eyes. She placed a hand on her arm.

"Eh?" Tala whimpered.

"Vi..." Syl scolded.

"I'm only teasing," Vivian defended herself. "I'm very sorry, Tala. I don't mean to panic you."

Their conversation was interrupted as a large bolt of lightning shot down and hit the nearby ground. They all jumped in place from the loud noise.

"That was close," Vivian observed.

"Too close," Syl added.

"Maybe we should wait for the weather to clear," Tala timidly suggested.

"Reia might not have that time and this weather doesn't appear to be dying down any time soon. We have to push through this."

"You're right," Tala relented. "I'm sorry. I was just jumpy from that-"

A giant pillar of lightning struck down on them. As the light faded away, leaving a scorch mark on the ground, the three friends were gone.

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Author's Note: Yeah, there isn't going to be any explicit sex scenes in this story. I feel like that would take away from it and change what it's supposed to be about. The above written is as explicit as it'll get in the future. The Mature tag is meant for nudity, language and gore.

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Character Stats:

Spoiler :

StatusNameThomas "Tom" EverettLevel22Experience13320/13850ClassMagic BladeRaceHumanAlignmentGoodCurrencyCanadian$10,686,171.27Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 66 silver 30 copperTitleClever One, Determined, Giant Slayer, Vaccinated, One Of The First, Sole Survivor, Generous Healer, InterpreterBuffsAgent of Kara2x experienceBestiary of Xoth+10% damage towards the creatures of XothBrief History of Xoth+10% persuasion chance and friendliness towards the inhabitants of XothDebuffs--Health1250Health Regeneration/min33.99Mana1190Mana Regeneration/min40.3Stamina1190Stamina Regeneration/min8.2Fame3900Infamy0Strength125Intelligence119Wisdom130Perception58Endurance119Vitality103Agility82Luck90Unallocated Points0

ResistancesPhysical44%Disease/Toxin89%Fire44%Plant44%Ice44%Earth44%Lightning44%Water44%Wind44%Spirit44%Light44%Darkness44%

SkillsIdentifyMaster Level 2PersuasionIntermediate Level 1Language ComprehensionMaster Level 10Book LearningMaster Level 10TeacherBeginner Level 4NonchalantMaster Level 10Lightning StrikeIntermediate Level 6Lightning EnchantIntermediate Level 6Lightning ShieldIntermediate Level 3HealIntermediate Level 4PurifyIntermediate Level 5Sword SkillIntermediate Level 6DisguiseIntermediate Level 8PrayerMaster Level 10Hero's CallMaster Level 10Fast TravelMaster Level 10Loot CollectorIntermediate Level 3Magical RepairMaster Level 2TacticianIntermediate Level 3CookIntermediate Level 4Mixed Martial ArtistBeginner Level 8Club SkillBeginner Level 2Trap MasterBeginner Level 7UnbreakableBeginner Level 5FireballIntermediate Level 1Fire EnchantBeginner Level 9Bow SkillBeginner Level 9Surge StrikeBeginner Level 10Enhanced BodyIntermediate Level 3Enhanced MindIntermediate Level 1Chain LightningBeginner Level 3Group HealBeginner Level 4Enhanced SpellsBeginner Level 9Enhanced ResistanceIntermediate Level 4SM TransferMaster Level 10Computer SkillBeginner Level 10MassageBeginner Level 1--

StatusNameReia ZyerLevel20Experience8835/8865ClassLancerRaceNagaAlignmentGoodCurrencyCanadian$0.00Xoth0 platinum 4 gold 45 silver 14 copperTitleUnknown, Giant Slayer, Determined, Life SaverBuffs--Debuffs--Health1600Health Regeneration/min9.7Mana450Mana Regeneration/min4.5Stamina1010Stamina Regeneration/min10.6Fame3900Infamy0Strength160Intelligence45Wisdom45Perception53Endurance101Vitality97Agility106Luck89Unallocated Points0

ResistancesPhysical24%Disease/Toxin100%Fire24%Plant24%Ice24%Earth24%Lightning24%Water24%Wind24%Spirit24%Light24%Darkness59%

SkillsIdentifyIntermediate Level 8Weapon RepairIntermediate Level 6Armour RepairIntermediate Level 3Weapon CraftingBeginner Level 9Armour CraftingBeginner Level 10Accessory CraftingIntermediate Level 1Spear SkillIntermediate Level 8Clothing ReformMaster Level 3Ice SpikeBeginner Level 6Wind ShieldIntermediate Level 3Wind BladeIntermediate Level 6HealIntermediate Level 4Club SkillBeginner Level 1Sword SkillBeginner Level 9PersuasionIntermediate Level 1Power StrikeBeginner Level 10Enhanced ResistanceBeginner Level 8Group HealBeginner Level 1FlurryBeginner Level 1Spiral ThrustBeginner Level 1Enhanced DodgeBeginner Level 1