Author's Note:

Hey, I'm still here. Been a bit busy so just finished writing and no proofreading was done. It should be still readable, though ^^

For those who've asked a new chapter comes out every Friday. I kept to this schedule for a while and hope I can continue with it. As for double release, I'm sorry but no. There had been one not that long ago, don't become greedy ;P Though, in truth it's free time that's keeping me away. Lots of work in university since the final exam is hanging over my group's head like a sword of Damocles. That's why we have to stay up every day after lectures and yeah... It takes time, leaving me with very little of it to write.

Sad times.

Characters

Titles and Abilities

(Sorry for not updating these. I'll get to it one of these days... One.. When I have enough time and brain power for it...)

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Sounds of clashing steel and rustling cloth could be heard. They were often intercepted by soft thuds of leather shoes hitting a hard surface. Those being there all the time and signalling a lot of people being inside.

The room was dark in most, little light leaving through the crack in the doors Ace was looking in. To his surprise his students were actually training and when he wasn’t there. That was something more than he had ever expected.

Without a sound he entered the chamber and took a better look on what was happening.

As he had told them once, the best way was a survival training. For that they had broken the pairs for the moment and went to fend for themselves. Each was trying to kill all the others.

Their wooden daggers were dropped into buckets of paint and then it was easy to see who had made the most marks.

Fenek was pretty good at it. He had taken up deep blue and were jumping from one pillar to another, getting a slash here and there. Muriel right behind him. She had picked light green and was on a hunt for Fenek.

It was a fun spectacle to watch. She was after the guy, ignoring everything else or more like pretending to. This made others care less about her presence and she used it to sneak a hit to their unprotected sides.

Merrick fell. He was a good looking fellow with short brown hair and lean figure but it helped him little in the course. His moves were graceful but lacked precision. And strength behind them.

Others descended on him like a pack of vultures. In an instant he was covered in all colours as if having taken a dive in a rainbow paint. He growled at that, trying to get some hits in return but it was too late.

Everyone had already dispersed, falling into small groups intent on landing a few killing hits. They wanted points and to lower the competition. Each wanted to be praised by Silver Wing. Or at least that’s what they thought the winner would receive.

Ace grinned at their games and turned to find a quiet corner to rest. A few hours had passed since the official dinner in L’s hall which he had passed riding around on Mirage.

The horse showed up to be a better companion than he had ever expected it to. The animal seemed to understand more than was said, but didn’t ask any questions. It just understood and that’s all. No judgement or anything.

Mirage then took him on a gallop on the plains around. Wind rushed through him, heart racing and in time Ace had calmed down. No rampage included. That was something that made him wonder even still.

How did that happen?

A sound of scribbling took his attention. A few pillars away, hiding behind one, a lantern stood. Ace moved closer and saw a blonde head bowed over a sheet of paper, feather pen moving over it with practised ease.

The girl was so focused on it, she didn’t even hear Ace faking a cough. He then sat down, leaning on the pillar’s other side. [Flare] moved to give him light and he took out a book he’d taken off L’s room.

It had been an accident almost. He hadn’t thought about taking it, the book just caught his attention on the way out. Hopefully, L wasn’t going to miss it. Or if he did, he would fault some servant of his.

Inside the hard cover dozens of notes lay. Papers of different sizes, written in a rushed scribble lay. Ace trying to read it but that was the same as drying to understand a doctor’s handwriting. Otherwise known as an impossible task.

He still tried it to little success for the next hour or so. Then he interrupted by an “Ah!” coming out from the girl next to him. She squirmed in her place, looking at him from under her lashes.

Ace stayed quiet so she pushed her paper to him. “I-I’ve did as you told.” She then hesitated a moment and added, “I detailed everything the way everyone explained.”

Ace picked it up, pocketing his own reading. The paper was yellow in colour with dark ink on it, last passages not even dry yet. “I can rewrite it if you need me to,” the girl said, wringing her hands.

He let his eyes roam over the page. It was written in a simple, easily readable script. There were little to no beautifying to it but that was only for the better.

Ace skimmed over the text and found it to his liking. The girl had described their actions in a few, well-chosen words. It made their group look decent enough even if they had lost three members and a few of the assassinations had went awry, turned messy.

“It’s fine,” he said to the eager female, moving [Flare] over the paper. It’s heat was little but it helped dry the ink. Ace then rolled the paper and put it in his inventory. If he was ever near L again, he could pass it to him. He then returned his eyes to the girl. “What about your training?”

She leaned back a bit at that, her eyes lowering. “I-I’m no go-good at it. I-I tried i-it but but...”

“So you have stopped trying?” he asked in a chilling voice. She should understand he wasn’t here to play games. His word was the last one.

“No!” she shouted out, her head snapping back up. “I haven’t given up! I just...” Her voice lowered as she lost the initial burst of bravery. She shook her head, tears showing up in the corners of her eyes. “I just am no good!”

Ace tilted his head a bit, crossing his legs. “What’s the problem?”

Razvan dropped by. He was covered in colours but only a few were in vital areas. Clearly, he wasn’t that terrible. It had been rage that had stolen him of all his skills. “You should see it,” the guy said in an emotionless voice.

It was a warning sign Ace heard. He motioned with a hand for them to start. What could be so horribly wrong? He remembered his own training. The old bastard had been demanding, but it wasn’t something Ace couldn’t do. If he only tried hard enough, he was able to finish all the tasks.

The girl, Lara, took out a dagger and took a position before Razvan. She was full of openings and her attacking hand was in an uncomfortable position but Ace didn’t judge yet. Beginners were supposed to make mistakes.

Then a nightmare started.

She tried attacking but all of her attacks went wide. The way she swung, the way she moved, everything was a huge disaster. It didn’t last longer than a minute before Ace couldn’t take in any more. He rose and stopped that mockery of a fight.

His eyes then went to the girl. “Walk around,” he ordered in a voice that brook no argument. She lowered her hands and shoulders drooping started to move around.

It was as he had feared. She was stiff, rigid. Her whole body seemed to be naturally inflexible and on top of that she hadn’t tried to work on it. The way she moved, it wasn’t anything wrong, but it signalled the lack of inner grace.

She was a clumsy bookworm.

That could be cured, no one is ever a lost cause, but he wasn’t sure it was worth it. She wasn’t going to become the best. There was no natural inclination to physical prowess in her.

“Enough,” he muttered. “Razvan, return to others.” He then turned around, needing time to think. There had to be a way to make her useful and with an average skill set.

“What about me?” asked the girl in a voice of someone doomed for eternal suffering. Ace glanced back with a glare. “Stay and hope I find a use for you.”

He dashed forward then and in moments was outside. Mirage was waiting for him at the entrance and they were off. Destination yet to be decided.

They travelled for a long while until Ace had an idea. “Go to the city,” he whispered and Mirage changed their direction. It was a good thing he knew the directions so well or Ace would have gotten them lost a dozen times.

Usually he made sure to remember his path so he could return, but now he was too busy thinking. The girl presented a huge problem but he didn’t want to let her go. It would be giving up and he didn’t like doing that. There always was a way to succeed no matter the situation.

“Give me a moment,” he whispered to Mirage when they were near the city. He then activated [Radiant Step]. It was after the midnight now and no one would see his dark silhouette moving in the sky.

He made his way to the castle and dropped in L’s official study. It was a mess too but nothing compared to his real work room. Ace reached the table and dropped his report, one written by the girl.

On his way out he picked a few papers lying on the ground and jumped out using [Void Step]. It was amazing in the fact he could move through walls. He then found his way to Mirage, thinking of what his life would be like without the two skills. [Shadow Dash] transforming had been one of the best things that had ever happened to him in game.

“Let’s go to the lake.” At this Mirage neighed, not liking the idea of travelling again but he didn’t complain. Without any other order he turned in the right direction and went there in a canter. He saw no reason to rush there.

Ace took out one of the paper’s he’d taken and started to read it under [Flare]’s light. It wasn’t one of the most comfortable position’s to do that but he wanted to learn something.

The paper contained an agreement with the two neighbouring cities. It was an old copy with a few lines stroked through with a better suggestions written on the top. There were also a few notes made on the other side of the paper.

Ace skimmed through it and looked at the other scroll. This one was less official looking containing a script of a conversation between L and some guild leader. It was written in someone else’s hand as it was legible, but not very interesting. All the talk concerned were taxes, profits, losses and intimidation.

Soon he pocketed it and just enjoyed the ride to the lake. The weather was nice and darkness soothing in it’s own way, [Flare] lightening it enough for Ace’s comfort.

He was in his dreamland when Mirage snorted, announcing their arrival. Ace petted his neck and activated [Mirror Walk]. He then thought about a mirror or lake that was near Mora city and came up blank.

When being there, he had never paid attention to the things outside the walls. As for inside, he was too lazy to enter houses. All his hunting was done on the streets.

That’s why he came up short now. No mirror was in his mind and even though he knew there was a lake near Mora, he didn’t have a clear enough memory of it to risk travelling. It was more likely he’d end up on the other side of the world like that.

He nudged Mirage away from the lake. “Change of plans. We’re going there on foot.” The horse snorted at that and Ace could have sworn rolled his eyes, but sitting on his back couldn’t check.

“Just go,” he muttered and Mirage turned, shaking his mane in Ace’s face. The kid punched the horse’s side lightly and they were off.

Mirage felt like galloping for a time. He liked the freedom of it, having been locked up for way too long. His feet touched the ground for a second and he was flying through the air again. Each leap taking him further in a destination he cared little about.

His new master was a person full of ideas. He had plans and reasons but Mirage cared little for them. All he wanted to do was run; sky over his head, wind in his mane and ground beneath his feet. That was all he ever needed.

The person on his back froze, almost falling back because of that. Mirage slowed down, taking a glance sideways to see what was happening. He couldn’t see any danger around so it had to be something right on his back.

However, he couldn’t see anything wrong there either. He neighed then, trying to get his master’s attention. It worked and Ace raised his head to look at Mirage’s worried eyes.

“Sorry,” he whispered, brushing the animal’s neck. “I was startled by a message. You don’t need to worry.” His voice was of normal timbre so the animal after another long look turned around. He started on a sprint, no longer galloping but still moving on a steady pace.

Ace at that time returned his eyes to the window that had startled him so.

New skill acquired: Natural Riding [Passive]

You have learnt the way of the old where saddles were unknown to the populace. This is a much harder feat when most know since it requires a connection between the animal and its rider along with absolute trust.

As you improve it’ll become much easier to stay up and comfortable. You will also learn to do tricks that might seem impossible for others.

It had been long since he’d given up on learning this skill. Others had gained it long time ago, when protecting the caravan. Not him, though he had to agree he had skipped on most of the riding.

He hadn’t thought he’d lost much but it was a bit disappointing, especially when he hadn’t learnt anything after riding Mirage for a few days.

Yet here it was before it eyes. It even had some natural added to it which confused him. What was he doing strangely? Did riding without a saddle was really all that?

He had no idea and decided to try it out. “Mirage mind if I try something?”

The horse slowed at that, glancing back at him. There was an understanding in his eyes that Ace missed in most people, and acceptance. Mirage was going to let him do whatever he wanted as long as he didn’t betray him.

“Thanks,” he murmured and tried to stand up on the horse’s back. It showed up to not be too hard of an endeavour with his good balance. However, when Mirage took a step he needed [Radiant Step]’s fields to lean against so not to fall. “Wait,” he called out.

Mirage stopped and he jumped down. There he took off his shoes and returned to the horse barefoot. This was much better. He could feel the animal’s skin, muscles moving beneath it.

He made sure he was sure footed and then whistled. Mirage glanced back at him and then took a step forward, guessing that was the meaning behind the call.

Ace wavered then but kept his balance. He then whistled again. One more step. This was a bit too sudden even if he was expecting and he faltered. His hand extended and a [Radiant Field] was there. It helped him regain his balance and he whistled once more.

He did that for the good part of the night until he and Mirage both were sick of it. There was improvement and decently quick since this was a game, but it was still repetitive. Something Ace wasn’t a huge fan of even if he never shunned hard work to achieve his goals.

“What do you say about taking a break?”

Sun was shining in the east, warming the ground and making Ace feel drowsy. It had been a while since he’d slept and the plains around seemed safe enough. Cold wind brushed past the ankle high grass, but that was all the movement for kilometres in all directions.

Mirage neighed, lowering his head to gnaw at a few stems. Ace took it as an agreement and went down. It was the end of autumn so the ground felt cold to his bare feet.

He thought about putting his boots on, but when he opened his inventory a yellow cloak caught his eye. It had been given to him by Nein what felt like ages ago. They had only met then and had known nothing about each other.

Blissful ignorance.

He took out the cloak and laid on the ground. It was made of wool and large enough for Ace to snuggle in. Sun warmed his back and in moments he was asleep.

In his dreams shadows in the dark chased him. He never saw them but neither did they ever catch him. As time went by, he would get tired of running and would walk. They would slow down then too.

Sometimes it felt like they didn’t even want to catch him. All they were there for was to scare him, to make fun of his fears. It made him angry. Angry at them and himself, disgusted.

He rushed to where the shadows had moved in a vain attempt to catch them. But they were nothing but reflections of things. No matter where he turned there was nothing there, his own imagination playing tricks on him.

Tired, he slid down against a tree, his head in hands. He was just so tired of everything.

A neigh from far away made him raise his head. It was a sound not belonging to this dream world of his. He looked around but nothing moved, everything seemed as it always did.

The sound came again. There was no mistaking it, this was Mirage but what was he doing here?

It was getting louder. He felt if he only stretched his hand he could feel the horse, yet there was no one around. Everywhere he turned old trees with thick canopies of leaves hid the sky.

No light could push through them.

Then everything shook. It felt as if god himself had taken the world, and shaken it in his hand. He fell to the side, hitting his head against a tree trunk. Blankness took him over.

When he opened his eyes again, Mirage was standing over him with the sun to his back. His skin glistened in the light, making Ace close his eyes for a moment. As he did that, he could have sworn the colour shifted from black to something lighter.

But when he reopened his eyes, it was gone. Same old black Mirage stood over him, it’s electric blue gaze watching him. Another neigh came from him and he pushed his nose against Ace’s face.

The kid pushed it away with a gentle but firm hand. “I’m fine. We should be going.” Mirage eyed him for a moment longer before turning away, going on his front legs so Ace could easier get up. They both knew he could have used [Radiant Step], but this was a sign of peace. Mirage didn’t want to have any arguments.

Ace was fine with that and got on with a small smile, petting the animal’s neck. He wasn’t angry, just unhappy. That dream, part nightmare, returned from time to time and always left him rattled. Especially since by the end of it he always noticed it was just a dream and was left sitting in a landscape of a nightmare, unable to get out for a long while.

He shook his head, this was no time to be thinking about it. Though no time was right for that. It was just a stupid dream better left forgotten.

“I wonder how far away are we from Mora,” he mused to himself. Mirage neighed a reply, but Ace hadn’t yet learnt horse language. “What do you say about trying a bit harder? You had a nice rest, didn’t you?”

Mirage snorted at that and with a shake of its head made a huge leap. Then he started to gallop as if hell itself was on their heels. Wind pushed in Ace’s eyes, forcing him to hide behind Mirage’s neck as scenery passed them in a blur.

For Ace it no longer felt like riding. The horse under him was more like a spirit, moving through the world at the speed of light and taking him along for a spin. It was like something from a fairytale, an animal that could go five miles in a single leap.

Ace wasn’t sure it was supposed to feel like that. Yet he couldn’t rule out that it was his inexperience speaking. He had never ridden before in his life and a horse was much different than a car. You weren’t sitting behind metal and glass, protected from the elements and the feel of speed itself.

It was more thrilling this way. He felt his heart triple up in speed when a wall of trees came up to meet them. A forest was starting but Mirage didn’t slow down in the least. He rushed head long, his skin a millimetre from brushing the bark.

Branches tried to block them, but Mirage darted to the sides to evade them. It wasn’t a thick forest, one made up of birches and firs here and there. Ground was mostly clear too but they were moving way too fast.

One wrong step in a hidden hole, a fallen branch and he would be flying over Mirage’s neck. There was nothing holding him on, no safety measures. It was only him and the galloping horse underneath.

He smiled at that, holding onto the mane for his dear life. One thing he was sure of though, was that he wouldn’t mind dying this way. Of all the deaths he might have had, this one he would never regret even if it happened.

Mirage as if feeling his emotions gave a burst of speed that threw them off the ground, flying through the trees. Leaves brushed their skin, tangling in hair. Ace hissed out when his wig was torn off but didn’t go back to return. He could always get a new one, or in worst case scenario make an illusion.

This ride was something not to be interrupted.

For a moment he even wished it could last forever. But it wasn’t meant to be. Mirage wasn’t an epic beast with superhuman powers. As time went by his pace started to slow down, breath coming in harder.

Ace let him slow down on its own time, not ordering anything. He knew that sometimes freedom was all that mattered. No one liked to be controlled, human or beast alike.

They stopped in a clearing, Ace making a small camp for himself. He lit up a fire and warmed some water for a tea. While he did that Mirage moved around for a bit before finding a patch of grass he liked.

Ace drank his tea and decided to change his appearance. If he lost his wig, there was no point to pretending for the moment. He took out a pair of his old clothes, brown ankle boots, blue breeches and a white shirt long-sleeved shirt with golden buttons in two lines.

As he changed into it, he remembered the time in Vascas castle. It was then he first time played the lordling in this game because of Monthu. Fun times.

For a finishing touch he wrapped a purple scarf around his neck and took out a silver cane. He checked the spike at the end of it. The thing was still gleaming with suppressed danger, a spearhead hidden within an everyday item of old.

A neigh came from Mirage and Ace stopped his examination. “Shall we go?” The horse nodded and Ace got on, the cane still in hand. It was a bit uncomfortable, but he wanted to have it at the moment. Cane was part of the image.

This time Mirage didn’t gallop. It was speedier but he got tired much faster, which wasn’t for the better. There was a long journey ahead of them. It had taken the caravan a whole week to get to Lasran from a small village near Mora.

Ace wanted to make better time, even if his path was longer. Week was a very long time to be away from all the action that was happening around Lasran. There was a war coming and he wanted to be in the centre of it.

But first he had to get to Mora. There was an important meeting he had to have. One long overdue.

And so they travelled for the next couple of days. Mirage going on a steady sprint for hours on end while Ace held onto his mane, clutching a cane and enjoying the travel. For the beginning.

In a few days he was sick and tired of the same trees but didn’t complain. First there was no one to, second Mirage seemed to be happy. The animal was always in a cheery mood, springing about on light feet. He looked like a newborn foal to Ace, one who had just learned to walk.

Once when they reached a river, he rushed in it head first. Ace was soaked in moments, being swept down by the stream. He tried swimming, but the current was too strong. Without any say in it he was washed down, right to a well place waterfall.

As to be expected.

Was there ever a river one fell in that didn’t have a cliff for one to try his luck off? Like a rag doll Ace flew down, waving his hands and legs in the air. Water sloshed all over him which reduced his eyesight and prevented him from seeing anything. It was hard to say where sky and where earth was.

[Radiant Step] was too slippery for Ace to grab on and for a second his eyes cleared, to see the sharpened rocks below. They had been there years, beaten down by water and taking their revenge on everything that came with it.

Fear clouded his mind and with eyes closed he activated [Void Step]. He wasn’t sure where he was going to appear, but that could hardly be any worse than the situation he was in now.

The ability activated and he found himself diving head first in water. It surrounded him, entering his system and air escaped his mouth. Water took it’s place in an instant, choking him. He tried to take a breath, lungs pleading, but only liquid entered.

It filled in, lights dancing before his eyes. Fear gnawing at his stomach, he started thrashing around.

Ground was beneath his feet.

That startled him for a moment. Only one and then he was off rushing in the other direction.

Or more like standing up. Water was only slightly above his waist. The growl that left his mouth then could have made strong men go weak in knees. Men, but not animals.

A pack of wolves waited for Ace, who made his way from the shallow pond. He was dripping wet and with a scowl that twisted his face into a mask of a berserker. His eyes were glaring pools of liquid lava.

A few of the wolves cower under his stare but the leader didn’t back down. It growled and lowered its head, preparing for a jump. Ace hissed in return, taking out a dagger.

And without another second waster, went forward. His slash caught the wolf unaware in the right shoulder and a yelp escaped its owner. Then a growl changed it and Ace had to jump to the side to evade sharp teeth coming his way.

He evaded them with ease and slashed at the wolf’s side. Wide gash opened up on its back, blood seeping out on a grey coat. Dozens of howls rose then. Some in the pack might not have been of the bravest kind but it was their leader getting hurt.

The next second over twenty wolves were coming after Ace’s neck. This pond was a fertile ground for fish to breed and many things fell from the waterfall. Wolves here had plenty of food to grow and prosper, their pack reaching quite high numbers.

Ace evaded them all, dancing out of the way. Then something grabbed onto his leg. Without thinking he kicked it off, a soft yowl escaping the little creatures mouth. Ace turned to where the creature had fallen and saw a pup no more than a few months old.

“Dammit,” he cursed. There wasn’t anything wrong with killing the young, but one had to have a reason to do it. However stupid or insane from other people’s point of view it was, but there had to be a reason.

And he had none. It wasn’t the wolves’ fault that Mirage had thrown him into the river. Or even the horse’s. That guy was just a child himself in a stallion’s body. One would have to be stupid to blame him for not thinking something thoroughly.

“Enough,” he shouted out, startling the wolves. It made them stop for a second and it was enough for Ace to get up in the air. [Radiant Step] carrying him to the top of the waterfall.

He found Mirage there, trotting back and forth near the edge. ‘Was he thinking of jumping after me?’ he wondered as the animal rushed to meet him. He rammed into Ace with the force that almost sent Ace off the edge again.

“Careful,” he muttered in a groan, pushing the horse’s noise off his face. “Or do you want to kill me so badly?”

Mirage took a few steps back then, shaking his head violently. Ace glanced back at the few millimetres of ground before him and the edge. It had been a close call. He moved away and raised his head to meet Mirage’s sorrowful look.

“I know, you’re sorry,” he murmured, rubbing the animal’s head. “I’ll live but you better hurry up. I want to reach Mora soon.”

Mirage neighed at that, falling on his front legs for Ace to get on. He did that and they were off.

Cold wind and wet clothes wasn’t the best of mixes but Ace didn’t want to stop. It had been four days already and he still couldn’t see the city. That was more time wasted than he would have liked. Why couldn’t he have taken notice of any reflective surfaces when he had lived here for a year?

That question haunted him more and more with every hour passing. It was fun riding a horse but only for a time being. He wanted to be doing something, acting instead of just sitting and being carried for days.

Or feeling his body lose a fight against sickness. His nose clogged up by the end of the day and throat felt raw as he shivered on Mirage. The horse wasn’t doing much better as it ran against the wind.

But the city was in their sight. It was early morning, sun not yet risen as the castle’s towers appeared in the distance. They were small and far away but there. It would have been the worst of defeats to give up before reaching them.

“Just a little more,” Ace whispered, making his raw throat work. He could feel the horse’s uneven breathing and sweat running down its sides in torrents. “We’re almost there. Just a few more steps.”

Mirage didn’t answer, but made an effort to move forward in a faster pace. His legs felt heavier than ever before, impossible to lift. Yet he did it, pushing onwards, the dream of a clean stable and straw keeping him moving.

It was like a dream though. He was cantering, more out of the motion than any feat of willpower. He was sure if he stopped for a second, there would be no returning to moving for days.

“A little bit more,” Ace whispered as they passed through the gates. They were unguarded for some reason. “Go to the right, few more steps and we’ll be there,” he croaked in the silence perturbed only by Mirage’s hoof beats.

“Yes, yes, there.” Second’s hesitation. “Go up, yes, yes, push the doors.” He rolled to the side then, falling with a loud bump. “Mhm,” he murmured, not really recognising the pain through exhaustion and sickness.

“What is this?” came a groan from a doorway up ahead. Ace couldn’t see who it was without raising his head but he would have recognised that voice anywhere. “Hey, Master,” he whispered as his eyes closed. “Nice seeing you ag...”