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Chapter 2 New writing

“Selene! Prepare your blades, we're going hunting.”“Again? Didn't we grab plenty of boar's meat a while back?”“Let's not think of it as a chore...but to help with your training.”“More training?! I thought I learned everything there was about the ways of the warrior?”“Selene!”“Ah...coming!”

A youthful female, whom has shoulder length brown hair, green eyes, and an athletic figure, gathers her dual knives, straps them to her back, looks at herself in a mirror checking her hair and leaves the small wooden house. Closing the door behind her, a gruff male stands in front of her with a large two handed blade and firmly plants the tip in the ground.

“Good, now that you're up and slightly equipped to do small hunting we shall do a small warm up.”“Warm up? Father are you meaning a sparring match between a rogue and a warrior?“What? Don't think your old man can handle a match with his daughter?”

Selene chuckles to herself.

“Why not? Let's grab the wooden gear and have a quick bout.”“That's the spirit!”

The man picks up his sword and flings it into a nearby tree splitting in down the center. Selene looks at the blade poking through both sides of the tree, back at her father, and sighs aloud.

“No full strength! You know you're a monster with strength!”“Ah! Be a sportsman! It's not a good bout without a fair show of strength, speed, smarts and will!”“Not to mention guts...which will have mine all on the ground once you swing your blade at me.”

The man laughs aloud and tosses Selene dual wooden knives as he grabs a two handed wooden sword for himself.

“Let's see what you got against your old man.”“I won't hold back!”“I wouldn't expect you do girlie.”

Selene places both knives behind her back and enters a ready stance. The man stands openly with his sword at his side and gives a smirk.

“Ready?”“Let's go!”

Selene makes a dash towards her father. He sticks the sword into the ground and throws a punch. Selene dodges the punch and lands a swift kick to his side. Stumbling he picks up the blade and gives a massive swing. Selene catches the sword between the blades. The force of the blade hitting the dual blades forced Selene into the air.

“Such strength!” Selene growls to herself attempting to regain her balance in midair.

She flips around slightly and tosses a blade to him. He deflects the blade as a second blade appears behind him.

“Heh, I know this trick.”

He swiftly swings his blade behind him knocking the knife into the ground. Selene smiles as she lands a swift diving kick to his back. He grabs her foot as she lands on his back and tosses her into the air again. She flips herself open so that the ground is open in her view.

“Return!”

Both knives release themselves from the ground and fly back to Selene.

“Looks like your mother started teaching you a little magic.”“Blade barrage!”“This should be interesting.” Her father says to himself as he readies his blade.

As Selene lands on the ground she tosses her first blade to her father whom dodges the attack. The knife returns as she tosses the second knife towards him which he dodges. As the second knife returns she tosses the first making him dodge the attacks as she takes steps towards him repeating the sequence.

“Heh, not bad. As you get closer the attack speeds up. But there is one fault in this attack.”

As Selene continues the attack, her father dodges the first knife then grabs the handle as it returns then grabs the second and holds both knives towards Selene which launches at her. She rolls away from the knives as they return to her father whom is unexpecting the attack which strikes both shoulders knocking him to the ground. As he sits up slowly Selene points the tip of his sword at him smiling.

“Almost had me father, but I already know the weakness of the attack and that wasn't it.”“Oh? That a girl. Well that's enough for the day. I can only dodge so much with a rogue. I'm surprised you've learned so much with the help of your mother. Never thought you'd be able to handle her mage powers as well as being a rogue.”“It took some time, but I got an understanding now.”

Selene helps her father to his feet as he rips his sword out the tree and sheaths it.

“Now let's go get that boar.”“Alright.”

Selene gathers the wooden blade, puts it away and sheaths the wooden blades.

“Since when did you carry four knives?”“It helps when I'm using my barrage attack. I can use four blades and have my main blades sheathed while I'm preparing for a close end attack.”“So all together there are six blades?”“Yes, four are ranged while the main two blades are close range.”“Interesting. Guess I'll have to watch you in action to see how well you handle.”“Well, I'm ready to move out. Let's get a move on.”

Selene walks out past the small wooden home and looks around the small village. Archers are spotted near a lake shooting arrows at fish jumping out the water. On a nearby tree, fish are seen lined up in a row of three.

“Been out for a while haven't you, Altes?”“May as well be out fishing. Hunting with the lass again are you?”“For now, I've gotta be able to prepare her for further training in the wild.”“Father! I'm well aware of how to care for myself in the wild.”

Altes chuckles to himself.

“Be sure to catch a nice plump boar then lass. I'll get the wife to drop by and make a nice stew for you three.”“Well that would be one extra bowl there Altes. Selene, you go ahead. I'll catch up with you once I get him caught up on the latest information.”“Alright. See you then father.”

Selene waves to Altes then leaves towards the forest.

“A while back, Selene's mother passed. She caught a strange cold she was unable to cure.”“But wasn't your wife a healing mage? She was usually able to cure any given illness that we have seen so far.”“Afraid so, but then again she had her illness since she was young, perhaps even after the birth of Selene. Her body was weakening with every given day. Selene was unaware of her illness at the time but her mother insisted that she not know. Training her when she could, making sure that she spent time with her and then she just suddenly couldn't move. Selene has been trying to study being a rogue but she has the ability to be a mage if she wants to. Sadly she chose to stay a rogue.”“Sorry to hear about your loss Sinon. I'm sure she's doing her best to continue training under both classes. Make sure you keep her strong so that she keeps a head on her shoulder.”“No need to worry. She's doing well even after her mother passed. She's like her mother, very strong willed, determined, and stubborn.”

Sinon laughs aloud.

“That girl of mine isn't a weak girl. I'm certain of that.”“I'm sure of it. She's a different class of rogue I've even seen. Carrying six blades is certainly unique.”“She's certainly evolved her skills. She's mixed skills of a rogue with that of a mage.”“Mixed skills? This certainly should be a sight to see.”

Altes gathers the fish trapped against a tree, puts them away and walks back out with his bow and quiver of arrows.

“Let's meet up with your daughter, I'm sure she's awaiting your arrival.”“Oh? Wanting to see that attack of hers eh? Let's go and see her catch of the day.”

Altes and Sinon leave the quiet village and enters the forest. Boars are seen lined up at the middle of the forest in various sizes all in which are wounded in the exact same areas. Altes looks astounded at the boars as Selene drags a large boar towards them and lays it near a few others. Sinon grabs Selene's shoulders and looks her in the eyes. Her green eyes which once sparkled are dull, as if she has fallen into a deep spell.

“She's...lost herself. Dazed if you think about it.”“She gets like this once she thinks about her mother. I had thought this poor girl had gotten over this issue but she gets like this and loses focus on things. Selene! Wake up!”

Selene lifts her hand, points at her father, and blasts him away from her.

“An air pulse? Isnt that a mage attack?”

Sinon unsheathes his blade and strikes the ground stopping his flight. Selene turns away from the group and walks back into the forest. A large bear flies towards the group with the similar wounds but the wounds are getting worse. Selene walks towards the bear, pulls her blades out and assumes a striking stance.

“Selene!”

Selene drops her blades and looks around.

“Huh? What is it? A-a bear? Just what is going on?!“Looks like you still have an issue with your mother passing young one.”“I...I was dazed again? I don't remember anything about the hunting but the first boar I caught. Then I heard mother's voice.”“You're mother passed away sometime ago. Stop thinking about the past and move on Selene!”“Don't lecture me about the past and forgetting mother's death!”

Sinon's jaw drops hearing Selene talk back to him. He brushes his shock away, walks up to Selene and lands a clean punch to her face forcing her to the ground.

“You think it's easy to forget about your mother's death? We' re both struggling with it but you're taking it out of hand. Which are you? A mage or rogue?”

Selene wipes the blood from her mouth and stands up.

“I'm a rogue.”“Then suck up your pains and get over it as a fierce fighter. You think your mother would want you mourning over her this long?”“I....I know she wouldn't...but it doesn't mean that I'm mourning. I-”“You what?!”“I think you should cool it on the young one Sinon. She just misses her mother.”

Selene sits down on the ground and starts to cry. Sinon places his hand on his face, sighs, and walks over to Selene.

“Come on Selene, get up and stop this non-sense.”

Selene gets up and hugs Sinon crying into his chest.

“I thought pressing the girl like a warrior would get her past her mother but then again...the young one is a young lady after all...I'm not cut out to handle emotional issues like this.”“Sinon, why not have her talk to her brother and see how he's handling it?”“She-”“I-I'm fine...I don't want to talk to that dolt about mother and have him slandering her name. Although brother was a mage too, he was a terrible magic user. My blood boils knowing that he was the first to see mother fall!”“So you think it was dark magic that he used on your mother?”“I'm fairly certain that prick might have harmed her. There were no bruises and mother got sick after brother returned from his venture from the wild and training with other mages.”“Shield!”

Selene draws her dual knives and enters a ready stance.

“Who's there?!”“H-help me!”

A young female wearing a cloth suit runs past Selene as a blue barrior knocks Altes to the ground. A barrage of arrows follow the young female bouncing off as they hit the barrior. She turns towards the direction of the attack and points a finger at them.

“Stop it! Air Pulse!”

Selene watches bandits fly into the air from the air blast.

“We're under attack! Selene!”“Right!”

Selene jumps towards a nearby tree, bounces from tree to tree, tackles a bandit and points the blade against the bandit's neck.

“Give up! You're-”“Die!”

Another bandit wearing a black cloak swings a large axe at Selene whom counters with her knives and uses his force to bounce into the air.

“Bladed Barriage!”

Selene quickly sheaths her blades, pulls out her wooden blades and sends a barrage of blades towards both bandits knocking them down to the ground.

“Strike!”

Sinon takes the blunt side of his blade and smashes another bandit into a tree.

“Three down, two left.”“On it. Trick shot!”

Altes launches two arrows from his bow, which bounces off a few trees and nails the last two bandit's shoulders pinning them against a tree.

“Now to get some answers. Selene, go and gather that girl who ran past us.”“Sir!”

Selene gathers her wooden blades, sheaths them, and then runs back towards town.

“Now...about those questions we plan on asking...I want good ones if you want to leave...and being an ex soldier to the queen you should know of our ways. Right, Altes?”“You won't get anything out of me old man!”

Sinon unsheathes his blade and severs a bandit's leg, and watches it fall to the ground while listening to the bandit scream out in pain.

“What about some answers now guys?”

Screams echo throughout the forest.

“Father? No, I gotta find that girl.”

Selene enters a nearby saloon, pushing the door open and looks around.

“Bartender! I need a question answered. I'm looking for a girl who ran past here earlier. I didn't get a good look at the girl but I know she's a mage.”

An elderly man looks at Selene, brushes his long white beard and sits on a stood near the bar looking into the air.

“A girl you say? There was one wearing a unique cloth suit. It looked rather expensive at that. She said something about needing to get to the royal castle to speak to the king and queen.”“The royal castle? What would a mage need to discuss with royalty?”“I couldn't tell you young one. There was something about that girl that was a little off. All I could see for the young one was that she had long silver hair, wore a rather expensive hat, was tall, and was rather nice about getting her information. Not to mention she was nicely built.”

The old man chuckles to himself while Selene takes her hand and punches the bartender.

“You certainly are a disgraceful man aren't you elder? How long ago did she leave?”“Moments ago...maybe about eight minutes ahead of when you arrived.”“Alright, thanks. I'm going to find this girl and ask her why she's been running.”“Take it easy Selene.”“Alright, see you ol' timer.”

Selene runs out of the saloon and arrives at the royal castle after running through the small village, whose confused villagers watch the young girl run past them. As she arrives, guards wearing chain metal armor carrying large swords block her way.

“Ah, I need to talk with the royals! There was a mage who ran past me and a few others who seemed to be under attack.”

The guard sheaths his blade and walks towards Selene.

“A mage huh? I did see a mage comes towards the castle. She's a cleaver young one at that. Her armor was rather unique to think about it. She was certainly b-”“Not another bust joke...can I please just speak to this girl?”“She is currently talking with the queen, you'll have to wait till she has finished talking with her. It shouldn't be too long now.”

Another guard walks back to the golden gate blocking entrance to the castle.

“Another girl? Why are we visited so often? The last one was looking for help for her village.”“Her village was under attack? Are we going to go help the girl?”“We don't have the needed group to go on this journey. We'd need warriors as well as a guard for the mage.”“Why not post help in the local saloons?”“She was looking for the help for the soonest team available.”“That's why I asked why you didn't post a help notice in the local saloon!”“You're not getting it girl! Our men at currently not available to go into battle. They've all have yet to return from their current mission.”

Selene stomps her foot down and walks towards the guard.

“Isn't that why the King made a training hall for young warriors such as myself?! Make it a C classed mission and get some people there to investigate the area!”“Since you wanna peek your nose into the issues of the girl, go and see her. She's looking for help at the local training hall. The fools are too scared to go into battle so soon.”

Selene growls at the guard, leaves the gate and searches for the young mage who is hysterically asking each young warrior for help but is ignored with each attempt.

“E-excuse me! Can I...Sir! Miss! Anyone...”“Mage!”

The mage looks towards Selene confused.

“Y-yes?”“Can you tell me about the situation you're needing help with?”

The mage gives out a sigh of relief sits down.

“Yes, I can. It's a long tale so if you have time please listen.”

Selene sits down near the mysterious girl.

“I'm Selene, Rogue of Pythes.”“I am Iris, Mage of Sabas. I come in need of help to defend my village. We last heard that a group of bandits were planning a vicious attack on us. There was a villiage that was under attack before ours but they were slaughtered defending their princess. Yet there is no clue that happened to the princess since she was tossed out of the kingdom.”“You're not meaning the Valkarie village do you?”“I do. The village was slaughtered without mercy. No one was able to escape their wrath.”

Selene sits back startled then leans forward interested.

“Go on.”“Alright. Well my main quest was to go and recover the princess but my group was slain. I was unable to recover the princess but was able to escape after healing.”“E-everyone in your group was slaughtered?”“Yes, my brothers and sisters were all slain while defending. My spells weren't enough to keep everyone protected and yet my main spell “Shield” was broken with a swift attack from their berserker.”“The berserker broke your defensive spell? What about your offensive spells?”“I-I'm not an offensive mage.”“Wait...what? You're not an offensive mage? Aren't all mages trained to have ranged attacks?”“Y-yes but I've sworn that I wouldn't harm anyone.”“So that means that you are a passive fighter?”“Yes, I do not believe in violence.”

Selene leans back against her chair and sighs.

“Isn't it kind of a disadvantage having a mage whom is unable to attack...wait...didn't you use an “Air Pulse” as an attack?”“I used the air pulse attack as a defensive. It can be used as an attack but only when needed.”“What other spells do you know?”“...I'm sorry...but I can not tell my skills for it can be my downfall.”“I guess that makes sense. I want to join you on your quest.”

Iris stands up in shock and claps her hands.

“Wha? Really? Oh thank you so much!”“First things first. We need to gather two other members for our group.”“I-I know. I wonder who else is willing to help us in the quest.”“We won't know until we actually get ready for the journey. For now let's get ready to check in and begin our search for later.”“Y-yes.”

Selene stands up and pushes her chair in. Iris follows her example and follows Selene out of the training hall.

“Shall I meet you back at the training hall tomorrow in the early morning?”“Do you have a place to stay Iris?”“Yes, I'm at an inn in town. The people there are very nice.”“Oh, you mean the ol' timer? Yes, his group is nice. You just gotta watch out for the fart's perverseness.”“He seemed to be a nice old man to me.”“Yeah...he'll get that way once around a female with his “tastes” and you fit that description.”

The old bartender runs up to Iris and hugs her.

“Hello there young lady! Welcome back!”“Ah, Mr. Pylas! Hello there!”

Selene walks up to timer Pylas and punches his arm.

“Cut it out old man! She's gullible but what you're doing to her is very noticeable.”

Timer Pylas places his hand on her waist and rests his head on her arm, being shorter than Iris.

“Uh, s-sir? T-that is...”“Selene, be a doll and-”“A-Air Pulse!”

Iris launches Timer Pylas into the inn onto a chair.

“He t-touched me as if a flirty man would.”“And that is why I said watch the old timer.”

Iris feels a slight brush against her hips sending a shivering sensation up her spine.

“N-No!”“Cut it out old man!”“Air Wave!”

Iris floats slightly off the ground knocking everything in a fifteen foot radius away. Selene unsheathes a wooden blade, jabs it into a nearby tree and then lands. Iris lands on the ground, surveys the area and sighs.

“Oh no! Mr. Pylas are you alright?”

Selene returns to the tree, climbs it and searches for timer Pylas.

“He was launched fifteen feet from here into a nearby lake. He seems to be okay.”“Oh, well...as long as he's alright.”“He'll be fine, go and get some rest Iris.”“Thanks Selene. Till tomorrow.”