29

Training From Hell Part 2

Slyfer, smiles as he hears the air rush past his ears he closes his eyes, as he falls backward towards the roiling sea beneath him. Malgrobin’s memories play in his mind like a short film on repeat. He arches his back and his body points down towards the sea, he points his hands up, down towards the earth…. Like a sharp spear he plunges into the water. The heat, stickiness and dirt, washes away along with any worries he may have had. Opening his eyes he sees a whole different world play out in front of him.

Rays shine down from above and through the water. It makes the world underneath look unreal, unclear. Bubbles flow around him and he follows one with his eyes as it heads toward the surface, as if to escape this strange world and once it reaches the top, it disappears forever mixing with the air above. Slyfer can’t help but smile as he looks around him. Fish with strange colors are all around painting the unreal world with rainbows as the light rays reflect from their scales. A person without the “sense”, would maybe never be able to locate them so easily, but before Slyfer aimed down he sensed the location with the most life and plunged down into it.

Around him is a coral reef, strange looking plants and things are all around. Slyfer can’t help, but feel he has discovered but a small fraction of the beauty the world has to offer. He manipulates the water around him and it makes him surge forward. Like a torpedo he shoots off toward the nearest reef. Intending to inspect every little thing he can. Like a child that has been locked up and finally set free, innocence in its eyes with, but only one wish, to learn, to experience, to live!

Curiosity drives him forward. He senses something with eight tentacles, but invisible to the naked eye, if not for his sensing ability he would never have found it. Gingerly with his heart pounding he stretches out his hand. The thing suddenly changes color and becomes visible! “Camouflage, this creature is capable of changing according to its surroundings, amazing!”

He follows it until a small school of fish swim in front of him, as if without a care in the world. The fish are small and silver with a blue stripe running down their backs. He tries to poke one but it flits away only to slow down again an inch later. Like teasing him they swim around him the rays of light reflecting of them now and then making it seem like they are lights flicking on and off.

Slyfer explores, everything around and still feels like there is more to see. The day however, cannot work according to his wishes and soon the light starts to fade, spoiling his fun. He is about to go to the surface, when he feels it approaching. The thing is menacing and Slyfer can feel it enjoys scaring the rest. It’s the king and its hungry. SLyfer swims towards it, making sure to hide his presence. What he sees is the biggest fish he has ever laid his eyes on, that’s not saying much considering this is his first time in the sea, but it doesn’t stop him from feeling excited! “Time to hunt the hunter.”

Aldowin and the rest had arrived a loooong time ago and sat waiting for him. Everyone accepts Aldowin look at the sea worried. They had swum, bathed, played and relaxed, but still no sign of Slyfer. Vanya looks at the high elf. “Are you sure he is okay?” Aldowin just keeps looking at the sea squinting his eyes to locate any movement. His senses are also flared out as far as possible. He suddenly smiles. “All of you, get a fire going!” They look at him questioningly. “If you don’t move now you will be squashed! Get a fire, aren’t you people hungry?”

They get up tiredly and stiff, but still move at his command. Vanya also gets up and starts rubbing the sand from her bottom…. A muffled sound reaches them. Water lifts up in the distance, like a huge bubble had formed then it collapses. Two seconds…. Another, with another muffled boom!

Elves start to get nervous, what kind of sea monster could create such noises. Another boom, closer to shore, elves start to back away grabbing the wood they intended to burn, to use as clubs if the need arises. Vanya also focusses her gaze on the water. Water starts to roil and lift as if boiling and something strats to rise as it sushes toward the beach where everyone is standing. It kicks up waves behind it, making a deep wake, as if to show off its power int the water. The closer the thing gets the higher it rises. Finally a fin starts to show. Like a blade cutting the sea it draws closer.

Elves start to back away in fear. This is their first time near the sea and what you don’t understand you fear. Black inky skin starts to show and then… a head! The thing has serrated teeth that looks like it can easily cut one in half. Its black beady eyes, look hate filled, evil and… and dead? “It seems like my student had a good catch today!” Aldowin looks at the others amused. “Why is there no fire going yet! Don’t stand there like imbeciles, make a fire!” The gawking elves involuntarily turn away, some look like they are going to break their necks by twisting it so much, to try and keep an eye on the strange creature emerging from the sea.

Slyfer grunts, as the mass body starts to leave the water, increasing the weight on his shoulders, but that’s it he only grunts. Compared to the wagons this is nothing in his eyes. He smiles brightly as he puts the creature down and triumphantly, places his foot on it. Aldowin comes sauntering over hands behind his back. “It took you the whole afternoon and three hits to kill a mere sharkoon? When I was your age I only needed one hit! You are still a thous-“ Slyfer laughs at the obvious ploy.

“There are two more in the water, this one had smaller friends.” Aldowin looks at him suspiciously…. “Should I go fetch them?” Aldowin grins; “There is no need, uhhh well done.” Aldowin takes a closer look at the sharkoon. Its huge almost four times Slyfe’s length. Its head which is basically the largest part of its body has a big hole underneath it, where Slyfer’s fist must have hit. Some teeth are broken because of the force. The body grows thinner until it reaches the tail which is hardened into a long spike. The thin at the top and the two on the sides are hard as metal and sharkoons are known to rub them against coral and other things to sharpen them. Its black skin is difficult to see in the dark; hence they mostly come out to hunt at night.

“To be honest master, it nearly had me. Its speed is amazing, if I wasn’t already using magic to move around, I may have lost an arm.” Aldowin looks at him, his heart feeling a sudden bit of fear. “What is the first thing I ever taught you?” Slyfer thinks for a minute. “Not to poop everywhere I want, I am not a dragon.” Aldowin feels like smacking Slyfer’s face off, but he is surprised to see the serious expression on his student’s face. Aldowin thinks back…

“It is indeed the first thing I taught him, being raised by dragon’s he thought it normal to just squat wherever. I had to house train the boy.” Aldowin sighs. “What was the second thing I ever taught you?” Slyfer sticks his hand into the air. “Never, to underestimate your opponent.” Smack! “Not this time master.” Slyfer lets go of Aldowin’s hand that was aiming for his head. “Let that serve you as a reminder… good block.” Slyfer smiles.

The fire had been going for an hour before they see the dust in the distance announcing the arrival of the army. Not long after the green hawks arrive. They join in the cooking, which makes Slyfer happy since he had no idea how to cook it. Delicious smells start to waft around in the air. Jade sits next to Slyfer and they talk about everything that’s happened in the past week. Vanya keeps herself scarce and tries to sit away from everyone else, in order not to talk or draw attention. “Aldowin has been pushing you guys hard. The guys we picked up along the way were all near death.” Says jade seriously, while she eyes the ones that are left. There is s certain air around them, like they are already a team, they work together while they cook and talk.

Slyfer nods. “It’s far from over, my dear little sister.” She looks at him and pouts. “I am older than you, you know.” Slyfer laughs. “I know, I just enjoy teasing you a bit.” She elbows him. “Watch it! Or you may end up regretting it.” Slyfer looks at her and smiles, he stands up grabbing her and throwing the short elf over his shoulder. She starts to shout drawing attention from everyone. “The last person that threatened me, well it didn’t end well for him. As for you, let’s go for a swim shall we.”

“Slyfer, don’t! Don’t do it, it… its cold! Aaaah!” They hit the water and Slyfer laughs at her screams. “You, you…” She also starts to laugh and splashes him. Others join in and the whole scene becomes festive. On the shore, Old Sun, the King and a few guards are all gawking at the site.

The next day while the army is preparing to leave. Aldowin has all the remaining candidates gathered again. Slyfer once again feels nervous, not knowing what to expect. “So, our little jog may have finished, but we will still be running most of the day. Some of you may be wondering why or that it’s pointless, please know that your opinions are worth a fart and I don’t care. If this is a problem, leave now!” Aldowin stands back straight, his eyes measuring everyone as he talks. “The rest of the day will be spent in practicing drills. To work as a unit, we need to be a unit and to be a unit we need to know what to do and when to do it.”

“First we will learn hand signs. Being special operations means a lot of times, we will not be in a situation that we are able to communicate. So, learning and using hand signs are important.” Aldowin goes on to explain th different hand signs and what they mean. Each candidate has been given a piece of paper to write it down, but at the end of the day the papers will be collected and burned so no one else can learn the meaning of them.

By the time they are finished, the army is long gone and they have to run to catch up. Slyfer once again pulls wagons with Aldowin on top. His body used to the weight he starts to practise magic more earnestly. Aldowin actually wanted to increase the load, but seeing Slyfer practice magic at the same time, makes him feel satisfied…. For now. The group that is left, can easily keep up with the pace that Slyfer is setting, which makes the sword master irritated.

The next day, thick logs are spaced along the ground and the warriors are instructed to form groups of two. Vanya and bam gets grouped together unwittingly. Aldowin smiles at their confused faces. “Let me introduce you to your newest friends. Yes, I am referring to your logs. Two of you will carry one while you run behind us. Slyfer has fought for the rights of the wolves while the rest of you only took them for granted. So, in this unit, in order to get a mount, you have to earn it!”

“Give your log a name, care for your log as if it’s a baby and you’re most precious possession, because they are!” Aldowin gestures around him. “Without a mount out here, you die! Your log is your life. If you drop it I will make you suffer! If anyone sees someone drop theirs and you tell me, I will reward you by letting you ride an hour on the wagon. Also remember at the end of the week I will give you a test to determine if you have learned the hand signs.”

“Start!”

Aldowin smiles at the miserable looking group. “Let’s see who rats out whom, if my plan works none of them will come tell me and the group will grow stronger together. The few that do tell me will get sorted out by the others without me even having to interfere.” As Aldowin thought, the two that told him about others that dropped their logs, did not show up the next day. Some others also dropped out and they were now left with just over seventy.

Vanya and bam suffered together. Vanya couldn’t carry as much as others, so Bam had to compensate. They swore and fought a lot as a result, but they stuck together gritting their teeth, clamping their jaws they kept pushing through. Blisters were starting to form on the applicants’ shoulders, but they didn’t complain, all they had to look at was Slyfer, as he now pulled three wagons!

Aldowin still caught others that dropped their logs. These people have to go on all fours and start doing push ups, planking and other exercises all while shouting a rhyme to apologize to their precious log, which would be put on their backs as they do the exercises.

My log, (name)

Is so precious to me, it gives me hope that I will one day be free

Free of the weakness that plagues me

I am so sorry, my precious for dropping thee

It breaks my heart and I hope you forgive me!

Aldowin keeps this up for almost two weeks. As soon as the group starts to work well together, he changes them up, mixes them, and forces them to start working with others. If one complains the whole group gets punished for it. After a while without even noticing the groups start to change themselves, not even caring who they are carrying a log with.

As all this improves, so does Slyfer within the two weeks he finally discovers he can now create water from condensing the moisture in the air, he also discovers that doing this before using his fire magic increases its potency. Al though it still requires him to think, it’s a huge step after all. Fire magic, he can cast instantly making it seem like explosions are erupting spontaneously as soon as he does. Air , he finds difficult. To his surprise air is not a magic by itself. After all the moisture he controls with water magic is in the air, as well as the atoms used to heat up to start fires. So what is it then? Slyfer feels if he can figure that out, he will be able to finally master it.

The “feeling” for them is not there yet, which Slyfer finds frustrating.

The group, including Slyfer write tests every end of the week if the mark is under fifty percent you are expelled from the group of applicants, if the mark is under ninety you get a second chance to write. If you fail again you are expelled from the applicants. If it is above ninety, you get some leeway, but if you don’t get at least ninety eight percent in one of three tests you fail. Aldowins reason being, if you fail to get one hand sign right, or to complete a formation or tactic the way you are supposed to, it will cause the death of the entire group.

The group is soon left with only fifty applicants of whom seventeen are women.

Slyfer basically lived in the harness by end of the three weeks Slyfer had gone up to six wagons and when Aldowin told him, he can leave it permanently, he nearly started to cry. Problems soon arise with Slyfer set free. He can no longer control his strength, which causes accidents…. People get hurt by him simply turning around or walking into them. If he trips, it’s dangerous and hitting someone could send them flying with a few broken bones.

As a result, they ban him from approaching anyone until he learns to control it. Whenever everyone else is sparring he has to pass an egg, which like the logs he had to name. The egg goes everywhere and has to stay in his hand. Slyfer is busy passing the egg when he sees Aldowin take out his sword. The master never spars with anyone, but him however due to his strength problem they hadn’t sparred. The attention of everyone is instantly focused on Aldowin and his partner….Vanya.

Aldowin had seen her spar and almost defeat everyone. The warrior in him wants to know ho good she really is. The two stop and face each other. “Are you ready?” Vanya nods her face a mask of concentration. Aldowind takes up Slyfer’s favourite stance. Vanya bends her knees and holds the standard issue sword pointed out in front of her, her elbow slightly bent. Her other arm is held in an arc above her head like the tail of a scorpion. Her knees are bent keeping her gravity low. Slyfer finds it hard to see any openings, but an all knowing smile never leaves Aldowin’s face.

“You’re fighting style gives your origins away.” Her eyes grow wide in surprise and that’s when he strikes. Like a viper striking his sword drops towards the girl who simply sidesteps it. Her own sword simply thrusting forward in a stabbing movement. Aldowin rotates the sword in his hand making it windmill and strike her sword to the side. Slyfer snorts. “The old man is holding back.” As th sword makes it’s windmill Aldowin straitens his wrist ending the windmill and striking toward the girl again who needs to lean further to the side in order to dodge it causing her to lose balance.

Aldowin acts immediately and before she knows it the sword is at her neck. Before Aldowin says it Slyfer already thinks it. “Dead.” The girl’s face flushes red with anger at Aldowin’s condescending tone. They spread out and take up stances again. This time Aldowin keeps his sword sheaved. His legs are spread out underneath him pointing at the girl. She looks at him and she swallows, the stance reminds her of an arrow that’s knocked and ready to launch and kill at a moment’s notice. She moves but with a ring and a flash, its already over. The tip of Aldowin’s sword is already at her neck.

She couldn’t even see how it moved and even now the tip is slightly vibrating as it points at her. “Dead. Your fencing technique won’t work here little girl, nor will it work on a battlefield. You have skill and in one on one you will be a match for many. But on the battlefield you will easily lose your balance.” She feels angry and humiliated. “younever teach us techniques, how are we to learn?”

Aldowin looks at her with the corner of his eyes. “Despite having denounced my people I am still Aldowin and I have my student I will believe in the way I was toaght and only train one student as is our way. That is why I have brought sword instructors from Dark elves. Learn their techniques and mix it with your own, take only the strong points of each.” Aldowin walks away and Slyfer comes closer smiling with pride. “Don’t take it personally I have been hearing “dead” since I was able to hold a branch in my hand.”

She looks at him, a bit of irritation on her face. Slyfer laughs and turns around. “Who says women can’t be prideful.” He suddenly thinks of something and turns around. “If you need a special sword made I can take care of that for you. The style you used is obviously not used with a bastard sword.” She nods. “I will draw up what I need.” Slyfer looks at everyone. “That goes for all of you. If you pass the tests I will have equipment made specifically for you, made according to your measurements and skill, so train hard!”

What Slyfer said would be extremely expensive for any of them to even think of. The result he gets however is what he wanted. The warriors are all doubly motivated, it results in a few of them getting some injuries, but Slyfer thinks. “Whatever doesn’t kill you…..”

The one most interested in what Aldowin and Slyfer are doing is none other than Old Sun. Every day he comes around and writes on what passes as a notepad. Aldowin walks over when he sees the dark elf and is amused when he sees him hiding the notes. “You don’t have to hide that you are trying to make a manual regarding the way I teach, the dark elves could use a few tips.” Old Sun hearing the condescending tone can’t help, but feel angry. “I was not taking notes!”

Aldowin laughs. “You seemed to be doing just that, if it’s not true, show me the notes….No? Well, I will leave you to continue with your notes, Mr Eager Beaver.” Old Sun has the notion of throwing the notebook at Aldowin’s head, but that would only serve to further embarrass him. He stalks off toward his own units. “It’s time to get these guys into shape!”

Not long after that, Aldowin spots a few other nobles doing the same thing. “I wonder if I should charge them.” He smiles and thinks to himself.

Another two weeks pass and the final day approaches. Aldowin stands infront of the gathered unit, of now only thirty warriors. He looks at them, no longer in disgust, but with pride. “When you came to me, you were nothing but miserable worms!” Not one of them flinches; they look straight eyes level and unfazed. “When you came to me, you wanted to get stronger!” Aldowin walks up the ranks looking at each one. “Look at you! Your clothes are haggard and torn, your bodies are bruised and covered in dirt, but you stand tall and why do you stand tall?” He looks at them his gaze question. One of them mumbles something.

He turns to the elf and walks closer. “Speak louder; let them hear what you just said.” The elf clenches his jaw. “I said, it’s because we are now warriors.” Aldowin looks at the others. “Do you agree?” Some mumble yes others stay quiet. “I asked do you agree!” They all shout. “Yes!” Aldowin, smiles. “Tell me what you are elves, tell me what is your purpose, what is your calling tell me!” As he shouts it his voice goes hoarse, but the effect is still the same. “We are warriors!!”

Aldowin turns around. “Louder, let your enemies hear and shake in their boots!” All of them puff their chests out. “WE ARE WARRIORS!!” Aldowin smiles brightly. “That’s what I want to hear, never forget it. Look to the one on your and left. They are your comrades they are your shield mates! You let them down, you let yourselves down!”

Just then Slyfer arrives dragging a wagon along. He looks at their surprised faces. “No, this is not for training. Do you think I will let my warriors walk around ragged! It’s time to give you, your equipment.” Aldowin walks over as SLyfer climbs jumps lightly to the top. “When we call out your name, step forward.” The warriors start to feel giddy with excitement.

“Vanya.”…. “Ban.”….the issue of equipment goes on for a while and a crowd starts to form. “Go get dressed and meet us back here in fifteen minutes.” They all rush off….

When they are all together again, they look even prouder. Other warriors stop to look at them as they pass, which only makes their pride grow. They were the lowest of the low for more than a month, then went through the training of hell, to reach where they are now.

Aldowin waits to welcome them, as they form ranks. The armor they have on ranges from light to heavy. Each catered to their preference, but they all have the color in common as well as the insignia on their chests and shoulders. The color is red and black, mostly consisting of black. On their shoulders are red shoulder pads or shoulder guards. The heavy armors’ have spiked shoulder guards on the right. While the light armor has a bright steel blood drop.

“Look at your chests. On it is the insignia of your pack. Welcome warriors to the first Blood Pack in history!” They all shout, not cries of happiness, but war cries of warriors thirsting for blood! Slyfer walks out of the tent he was getting dressed in, feeling a little awkward. “Did it really have to be this showy?” When they see him the warriors stop. Slyfer has the same black armour on, he wore against Browly. Only on the chest plate is their insignia along with a red cape that billows behind. The insignia is a red thorned shield with a black drop on it. Underneath are three words engraved in bright red, which almost makes it look like its glowing. Vanya who cannot read the letters leans over to Ban who almost has a look of worship on his face. “What does it mean?”

She repeats the questions since it looks like he never heard her. He finally turns. “I… it means; Maim,Kill,Burn. That is our creed from now on, our purpose in the army.” She looks at her own chest where the words are inscribed and it gives her goose bumps. “What have I gotten myself into?”

SLyfer looks at them his horned helmet, turning as he does. “Warriors, I am sure you have noticed the words.” He stays quiet, to let the more clueless ones look at it now. “These words are only meant for our enemies, never innocents, never those that need help. That goes for any race and beast. We are the first part of an army far greater than this one; we are the first of an army that will unite the East!” Vanya who felt goose bumps before, now nearly feints.

“There are some of you, who may be thinking, you did not sign up for that.” Slyfer turns around and pulls out a breastplate that makes Vanya’s heart stop. Slyfer throws it, at their feet and points to it. On the breast plate they see a black dragon, dry blood is still caked around everywhere making it look all the more ominous. “This piece of filth is the enemy, this betrayer of all the magic races is, what must be destroyed. This plate, I got when the representative of the high elves were attacked, in order to stop them from reaching the great city Atlantia!"

Slyfer lets the words sink in. "The Betrayer, Chronos has already united the West and he is coming for the East, for war!" He clenches his fist as he says it and then steps down on the plate making it bend and heat up with his magic. His eyes go red which makes the inside of the helmet glow. “We will give him, waaaaar!” The rest of the warriors also start to shout reverently. Like madness has taken them over they shout for war, already seeing the blood bath they wish to cause…..All accept for Vanya, who simply stands looking at the bloody, burned plate.

"Maim, KIll , Burn!"