Chapter 3

Stan

In the back of the Ashcold Castle on the base of a big, tall stone tower. Two young men were in a small tiled stage that was a meter above ground. One was tall with muscles big enough to be confused with hard stone. His hair, wild and short dark brown. A scar runs down his left shoulder, big enough to cover his whole left chest and lower ribs. Lanier Ashcold, that was his older brother. Stan always felt a mountain like pressure from this older brother of his, because of the difference between them. One was a Martial genius who was born with inborn strength and the other was a boy who was fast on his feet. The difference was clear as day and Stan always hated it.

Even if they were trained together since little but the difference kept on growing like a sprouting tree and overgrown bush, he felt that he just stood there and watched as how he became stronger with every passing day. Even though he always hated the feeling of weakness, Stan really admire him with all his heart and that's why he put his all to train and become stronger and stand beside him.

“Hahahah, brother you got me by surprise with that last move. I didn't expect that you would make a breakthrough so soon again.” Lanier let a laugh towards Stan. In the stage, both of them stood a couple of meters apart. Stan was covered in his own perspiration, they fell from his head to his neck and down to his chest like rain falling from a tree leafs. Being covered by his own sweat he looks like he just came out from a bath.

Outside of the stage an old woman stand with a tray full of meat and vegetables. Besides her was a table with towels and the leather fur cloak of the boys, she grabbed one towel and throw it towards Stan. “Here my boy, you two are working too hard these days. Come down here and eat your meals.” A kind smile planted her wrinkled face. Stan catch the towel and wipe out his sweat, he later said to the old woman, “Give us more time nanny Marilee we want to go for another round.” Lanier follow with a wide grin, “yeah nanny, is not often that little Stan can hold this long while training with me.” Old nanny Marilee shook her head and sat down on a chair beside the table.

Lanier looks at Stan and grabs his axe with both arms. Releasing his Martial Force the air tremble around him and a heavy feeling descended from the air around the stage. Stan followed suit and took a short sword from his scabbard. The accumulated mist in the air was dispersed by the strong gales the Force energy release and the air around their bodies turn slightly blurry as if it was close by a raging flame. Their different in body was also shown by the weapons they choose. Lanier was a tough and big man while Stan a more slim and short one. He uses his advantage and tread the stage with his speed while Lanier stood like an unmoving mountain. Lanier big muscles budge and his little veins dance like earthworms on a muddy ground. Lanier raises his axe and cleaver downwards at the upcoming Stan.

Stan saw Lanier move and urges the force within his body to revolve around his legs, making his speed soar. *BANG* the axe scar the stage tiles making a gaping hole. “Hehe, trying to out pace me in speed again heh!” Lanier grinds and revolves his Martial Force from his upper abdomen to his legs, releasing a smog like aura. After that his big body leap out and follow Stan. Stan eyes suddenly flashes and he dodge Lanier attack by leaning his body backwards, and round his body with a half spin, appearing to his right side. With the dull edge of the blade he struck Lanier right ribs, a smile appearing on his face as he saw his move hit his brother back but then he froze. A big fist show up in front of his face. He saw his move hitting Lanier but he just let out a cough and with that same grind on his face, stroke forth.

Raising his left arm to block the fist, he concentrated his attention to covered it with Martial Force making a faint blue sheet of smog like aura around it. *PANG* a power fist of more than five-hundred pounds struck him down, his bones tremble and blood in turmoil as he was forced to the edge of the stage by one strike. Lanier didn't give him any spare time to catch his breath and appears in front of him with his massive body and bulging muscles. Stan spit blood to the side and his eyes harden, his leg lashes out while he made a backflip while widening the gap between them, striking Lanier big chest with his foot. *PANG* Lanier momentum was canceled and he retreated back, making two dark lines with his boots across the stage tiles.

Stan land with all four on the stage with his sword in his right hand, he switches to the left, preparing for an attack. His inner body Force revolves and his legs tremble with power, by now Lanier recover and a red mark of a boot was beside his scar. He also revolves his Force and his blood travels through his veins faster and stronger. Stan urged all of his blood to pass through his veins and his body power raised by twofold more. Both of them prepare as Lanier stood with a stance, axe over his head and back straight towards the sky. Stan was in all four staring at Lanier as his body accumulated power before exploding with a massive amount of strength, leaping out like a wild beast. Lanier body also exploded with energy and he bend both of his knees accumulating power, then he also leap out. Both of them becoming a faint blur.

*BANG*

*BANG*

*BANG*

Their bodies crash against each other a couple of times and the tiles of the stage tremble and jump in and out of places. Both of them exchange moves one defending and the other attacking. Stan blood runs in turmoil every time he makes contact with his brother, his whole body shook every time but that excited feeling never went away and on the contrary he felt it bubbling up and building a new sense of power within him that can't wait to burst out. Spitting blood from his lips a crack was open when he receive a punch from his brother. Lanier hair was wild and unkempt, his facial expression was one with a confident smile.

Stan doesn't blame him, he only has use a part of his Force and hasn't release his full strength, a split lips was merciful enough. Stan knows that if Lanier turn serious the stage would be destroyed by one of his moves. But still Stan fight with the purpose of reaching him and stand beside him. As Stan got a kick in the chest he was push back, “Good this is it, it's seems that the pressure of going to The Gate stimulate your potential. Normally you would be already worn out, good, now take this and let's call it a night.” With a laugh Lanier spoke to Stan in the middle of the fight. Stan turn and look at his brother in surprise, he knows what his brother would use next, a Battle Skill. Lanier aura change and an invisible pressure press down on the atmosphere, the tiles vibrates and the dust of the stage elevate. His axe pointed towards the stars above and the moonlight shines on the blade making it glimmer with a cold light. The concentrating Aura turn into Reality, becoming more real and powerful. His whole stature become like a fierce beast ready to attack.

Stan stood there feeling the brunt Force of Lanier, his heart accelerate. Is not false of what Lanier has said, he really felt the pressure of the upcoming graduation and to the location its take place. He has been training like a mad man for the past couple of months because of the pressure and fear of that place. He not only needs to get stronger to protect himself, but also his little sister that was going as well and the need of strength was mainly to protect her. His brother has already graduated from there and is the best training partner he can have, for the last couple of months his battle power and combat strength has been soaring non stop. Now is the first time his brother has use the Aura of Reality against him. He has only touch the threshold of that power, seeing his brother utilized it in front of him makes his heart accelerate. Unconsciously turning his own blood more thicker, giving it power so that it will spread to the rest of his body. His aura becomes smog like and his body was shrouded in a pale blue light. Lanier smile and nod, his Aura let a faint sound of wolves howling at the moon and his Aura turn up facing the sky like a flame ember in the night.

Axe of the Fallen Wolves

Lanier struck downwards and the howls of wolves resonated across the night. Lanier aura cover his whole body and the blade of the axe left the air scream in terror. The Aura of Reality pass through the air splitting it in half. Stan stood still, his smog like aura turn and change into a bright blue light. His left hand put his sword in front of his chest and a powerful blue sheet cover the blade. A wolf sound resonate from the blade. The blade tremble and more howls of wolves escape out, Stan stood there listening to the night. All around him becomes a place of silence as only him and Lanier were in this place, his blood churns and more power course from within. His bright blue Aura becomes more thick and a touch upon Reality was shown. The howls vibrate the night air as the showdown between them reach the peak. Lanier raise his big and thick eyebrows and smile, putting more Martial Force into his skill. Stan stood there and his blood pass him a warm energy all over his body, rejuvenating his exhausted energy, closing his eyes he calls upon it.

Sword of the Howling Pack

*BOOM!*

Both attacks clash in mid-air letting a brilliance of light illuminate the moss and vine cover stone tower. The tiles crack and fly off the stage, the grass pointed in opposite directions of the stage creating a circle around it. Old nanny Marilee has revolves her Martial Force creating a shield around her and the table. With a smile she said, “This boy doesn't function if not under pressure, just like his father when he was little.”

In the stage Lanier was still standing in the same place looking at his brother with a proud smile. Stan on the other hand was kneeling on one knee and using his sword to support himself. His face was beet red and his rough breath is the only thing heard. Blood trickled down his nose and mouth, but even with that an incompatible excitement was planted on his face. Stan has been stuck in the threshold of understanding the Aura of Reality for a year now, he has talked to the Maesters of the Castle and trying to understand the theory behind that power that all humans possess but still couldn't understand it. Now his Force has touched the Aura of Reality and his power has risen dramatically. He could even resist a head on clash against his brother now!

“Now see, didn't I told you that sooner or later you will understand the Aura of Reality. It wasn't that bad, the only thing is that you are a late bloomer.” With a wide smile Lanier walk towards him. Helping him stand up, Stan stood in daze remembering the amazing feeling of power. It was a power that came from the blood. He looks up and see his brother with a wide and stupid smile on his face. Stan could only shake his head and come down with him from the now broken stage.

Marilee stood up with the towels in her hands. Giving one to Lanier and using the other to wipe his bloody mouth and nose. She couldn't help but scowl and grab Lanier by his hair, “you big brute in the last minute you put more power to your skill didn't you?" Lanier was still grinding stupidity and was caught unprepared by Marilee. “Ah! Ouch sorry, sorry, nanny I just increased by two or threefold, nothing much ah! Ouch.” Nanny Marilee didn't let him off and pull harder. Stan look by the side and his stomach started to grumble.

Marilee let go of Lanier and took a seat, she started to cut the meat and vegetables while grumbling under her breath. Lanier caress his head and let a wide grin spread across his face, he looks at Stan and heard his stomach grumbling and laugh. “Ha! Eat, now that you burn through your body energy, you must be hungry. Now that you touch upon the Aura of Reality your hunger and eating habits will grow bigger and be like me and lord father.” Stan look at him in surprise, he knows that his brother and lord father eat a lot, he too eat respectively well but he can’t compare to these two that can eat a full cattle of meat by themselves. He always thought that was a family thing from his father's side and that Stan came from his mother's side, just like his sister and didn't inherited any eating habits from his Lord father. Stan wasn’t like them that had these bouts of hunger were hundreds of pounds of meat would be devour.

Marilee nods while looking at him and continue cutting down the food as she said, “Is true, the power that the Warriors that reach the Aura of Reality use is the power of the Blood. Stan, child, you see the Force that we Warriors Cultivate is something that comes from deep inside of our Inner Being.” She finish and gave a big, greasy oily beast meat, drum stick to Lanier with also a full plate of golden-brown roast chicken to the two of them. Lanier happily grabs it and dive into eating. Stan wanted to dig in and eat but he stare at nanny Marilee to continue her explanation. For him this was more important as he wants to be prepared for the graduation ceremony.

Nanny Marilee sees him like that and she let out a chuckle, “eat my child, am not going to stop.” She wave her arms and cut a piece of fruit for her. “The power is different from everyone, with the naked eye it can be seen as the same but for some, it can be different. That's why normally the Masters can not teach the power of Aura of Reality to another person. Is something that can't be taught, is something that needs to be found. Look at this fruit, in the farm the people grow it and cultivate it until they are ready to be eaten. But can we create the same taste and flavor without the seed that's planted in the soil for its growth? Can we change the taste and give an apple the sweet and juicy taste of grapes. Stan, this world is big and mysterious, amazing even! I have read many ancient books that depicts a fruit like that should exists out there, but can we create them? The answer is a simple no. As we still need the basic blocks to build that reality. As such we can only searched and see the results we find at the end of the road. Our bodies are just like that, our foundation is the blood, our stage is the body. There are things that are mysterious and can't be explained, for example look at your brother.” Turning he look at Lanier but he was preoccupied in making out with the food, Marilee shook her head and continue. “He was born with a Combat Physique, one with Innate Strength at birth, he is stronger than normal warriors and his body is incredibly tough. Your dad work hard for his first twenty years in cultivation to achieve the physique he has. But Lanier was just born with it. He only needs to eat and sleep and sometimes fuck and his power will still raise all the same.”

Marilee took a small container with a bright and vibrant red blood inside. “Here take this,” Stan look at it with a strange gaze and couldn't help but ask. “What is it?” Marilee smile and said, “This is Beast’s Blood, is from the Flaming Pack Beast that lived deep in the forest. Years ago this pack of beast was slaughtered and there's non anymore in this whole region, now they are only found in the southern lands, but that's too far away from here. The blood of these beast is special as it has a flaming element inborn within. Is great for tempering ones muscle.” With a smile she push the container towards him. Stan was shocked, since little he has heard of the beasts that lives deep within the forest, he always wanted to see one but till now he never catch sight of that Flaming Pack. He wasn't strong enough to reach that deep into the forest alone, also if he venture with a group of friends it may possibly attract the pack types of beasts who are never alone. That would not only put him in danger but also the people who he travel with.

The Flaming Beast pack of the past were a group of Beasts that terrorize the Black Woods eastern part of the forest. They live close to the Jagged Mountains and high level Beast normally reside within.

They are from the Feral Tree of Species and are a Grade Six-Evolution, catching one would be very beneficial towards a Warrior. The Grade Six-Evolution is the strongest beast in the surrounding hundreds of miles around Valleyfall. Only those of the seven and above Evolution would have their own territory and won't come out on less someone threatens them.

Stan mind swarm with thoughts of those beasts, but then he look at Marilee and see her smiling expression. His voice shakes a little and he ask, “nanny who were the ones that slaughter the whole pack?” At this time Lanier who was eating also stop. This question was important for him too, he also received the blood from his father when he reached the Aura of Reality in the past but he never ask this question. Now with his strength he could fight a Grade Six-Evolutionary beast to a standstill but a whole pack of them? That's crazy! Now he would count himself lucky if he barely escape a Grade Seven-Evolutionary beast alive and with his whole body intact. The difference between the Grade Five, Six and Seven in strength was such a humongous difference that almost no normal human could possibly fight such creatures alone.

Nanny Marilee eyes squinted forming two lines. She watched both grown up boys stare at her with suspicion and caution. One with a greased face and the other with undisguised concentration, she smiled at that and said. “You already know him.” In that instance in Stan mind a figure of a boy appears… he looks harmless and with his happy smile that brightens the mood of anyone who sees him. Making even a man's heart race, that boy stood behind his younger sister messing with her chestnut color hair. The boy blindfold makes one have a curiosity about what's behind it as if one would taste a forbidden fruit if one peep into the unknown. In his mind that was the first memory and impression he has on the boy, Cyrus.

He meet him years ago in his father's studio, he was ten to eleven years old at the time. His hair was long enough to tread the floor making one doubts of how a hair of a ten years old child could grow so long. When he entered the studio he was with his older brother, it was the first time that both of them meet him. His father quill sign the documents and the only sounds in the room was that, the quill of his father passing through paper and the giggles of his younger sister playing with Cyrus. In that time his brother asked his lord father, “Father, me and little Stan were training with the dire wolves at the back and the guards told us you wanted us to come up.” His brother bow and spoke to father but his gaze never left Cyrus.

Stan knows that look since little, Lanier has a tendency to stare at someone strong, it is something that he was born with. He also look at Cyrus but he couldn't feel anything from him, not even a small fraction of the Force energy inside his body, he has train for more than eight years and has a good grasp of the energy inside the human bodies. But Cyrus was like a void, nothing inside, like a dead person, every living being in this world has a Force inside of them that represents their life and their existence. But Cyrus didn't have that, he look at his father that has stop with the document and stood up from his chair.

He gave them a smile and said, “how was your training?” He asks hinting of the skills of the family practice. Stan looks up at the tall man that was his father and respectfully said, “lord father I just barely touch upon the wolves howl, the Maester told me to train with the wolves with my brother and we were there until you call for us.” Brethan nod and motion the two of them to sit beside their sister. Turning around he watched as the beautiful young boy stares at them, Stan knows that he was blind but the manner that he moves his head and the way he follows every step they take. Makes him believe that he was being stared at.

Sitting down beside their younger sister, Stan couldn't help but glance at the fingers that were buried under his sister hair, black nail with pale white skin, he was about to voice his confusion to his father when he heard the young boy voice beside them, “you two must be Belia big brothers right.” An innocent, childish voice travel to both of their ears. Stan look at him and an arm was stretched out towards him, he realized that he wanted a hand shake and him and his brother gave their hands. A cold feeling travel through his skin once he touches him and he looked at the boy in shock at how can skin be so...cold. He looks at his brother and Lanier also had an incredible look on his face.

It was then that he look at the boy right forearm, a black tattoos mark laid there. It was a pitch black cross that release a faint shimmer of black light, it had a snake with glittering dark red scale coiling around the black cross body and it look Devilish and Evil. No matter how it look, it wasn't a tattoo a kid his age should have but it was there as if it was perfectly combined with his skin and engraved on his bones. The life like snake had these bloody fangs imbued into the crown of the cross as if it was sucking the life out of it. The more Stan stare at it the more blurry the memory of it became. Why? Because it was all too real, the scales move about as if the creature coiling around the cross was breathing with slow, long breaths. Though the scales were red it was only the shades of the light bouncing off that gave it that impression, if not it would be so dark that if one wasn't close enough they wouldn't even realize that a snake was coiling around the cross there in.

At the time only those cold serpent eyes were the only thing that stay clear in his mind. Stan couldn't help but shiver and lost himself in those eyes. When Brethan voice resonate across the room once more Stan woke up from his daze, “Let me introduce you to him, he is Cyrus and has been here for more than two years.” Stan body tenses up and he look at his father with a strange look and not only him but Lanier too. Brethan nodded at them and continue, “ He will join our house and live with us, but because of some inconvenience he will live down below in the catacombs.” Now Stan mind shook, like the thunders of the Stormlands, he stare at his father in disbelief.

Throwing a young child in there was no different than killing him. The catacombs is a Wonder of Nature. A place were beast lurk in the darkness, not even the top Masters from Valleyfall can survive in that place for a long-term. He looked at his brother and he also has a face of disbelief with his wide eyes open staring at their father. Lanier was about to say something when he was interrupted by a voice, “I do get to have my drink every night, right?” Stan turn and look at Cyrus, him with his nonchalant about the situation ask about a drink. What's this about? Stan scream in his mind. “Yes I would make Belia drinks be delivered to you or we will leave them at the entrance of your place. Ok” Stan doesn't understand the exchange between the young boy Cyrus and his father and stood there lost. After that meeting both of them went back to train. Stan only saw Cyrus a couple more time after that.

Nanny Marilee look at Stan shock face and smile, “it seems that you don't need me to tell you the answer do I?” Laughing she continued to chew on her fruit. Stan arms tremble a little and Lanier head was down in deep thought. Stan took a deep breath letting the winter night breath seep into his lungs. He calm down and ask, “Where is he, I heard that he came out from the catacombs almost a year ago. But we have only see him a couple of times with our sister inside the castle.” Marilee looks at him and smile, she realized for what he wanted to ask about Cyrus now. After been silent for a while she later said, “you want to go and train with him do you, and also you Lanier I heard from your father that you already made a breakthrough two months ago, right.” Looking at both of us nanny Marilee gave us and understanding nod. She thought for a second and then point towards the mountains behind us. “I think he must have gone into The Broken Mountain, I heard he got a new friend a while ago and he must be there playing with it.” Stan look back toward the mountains that were in the north of the valley. Full of ice and snow with protruding peaks full of frozen black rocks that looks like bend tusk from a beast. This mountain made a wall of earth going from east to west. Behind it were the all too famous icy plain. Stan gulp down and sighs in annoyance, what's the need for this kid to go into places deserted of humans and filled with lurking beasts? Can he stay like a good boy in a normal place!

He looks at his brother that finish eating his meal as he grins at him. “Little Stan I know I call it a night but let's go and find this little guy.” Rubbing his palms together he smile and said, “Am etching to have a good fight with him for a long time now, this would also be a good opportunity for you to train. You already made the breakthrough, getting a deeper understanding of the Aura of Reality would be very beneficial for you.” Stan nodded and stood up, both of them grab their leather fur cloak and two beast skin bag made from strong beast sinew, full of food that Marilee prepare for them.

Lanier whistle and from another side of the tower two beast the size of horses appears in front of them. This two were Dire Wolves, the partners of the Ashcold Household. Big with bulky bodies and strong fur that not even sharp weapons can pierce through without enough power. Both of them jump to the back of the Dire Wolves and said to Marilee, “Tell father that we will come back before dawn or tomorrow in the morning.” Waving their hands they mounted the Dire Wolves, “Bye nanny,” she smile and remind them while waving back. “Be careful in the dark woods, remember to head directly to the mountains base, there you would find a cave, I heard from little girl Belia that Cyrus liked being there. And also tomorrow his highness the King would be arriving, you two must be here for the welcoming. Ok” They both nodded and galloped towards the crevice that open a path directing towards the icy north mountains.